Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/03/21/2019-05239/financial-assistance-interior-regulation
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 07:44:00
Document Index: 185138197

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1402', 'art 1402', 'art 200', 'art 2635', 'art 200', 'art 1402', 'art 1402', 'art 1402', 'art 200', '§\u20091402', '§\u20091402', 'arts 900', 'art 200', '§\u20091402', 'art 200', 'art 200', '§\u20091402', '§\u20091402', '§\u20091402', '§\u20091402', '§\u20091402', '§\u20091402', '§\u20091402', '§\u20091402', '§\u20091402', '§\u20091402', 'art 18', '§\u20091402', '§\u20091402', '§\u20091402', '§\u20091402', 'art 1402', '§\u20091402', 'art 200', 'art 200', 'art 200', '§\u20091402', 'art 18', 'art 180', '§\u20091402', 'art 200', '§\u20091402', 'art 18', '§\u20091402', '§\u20091402', '§\u20091402', 'art 51', '§\u20091402']

A Proposed Rule by the Interior Department on 03/21/2019
10439-10449 (11 pages)
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-05239 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-05239
Start Preamble Start Printed Page 10439
You may submit comments on the rulemaking through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Type in DOI-2018-0013 in the search bar. Please use Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 1090-AB19 in your message. Follow the instructions on the website for submitting comments.
Ms. Kaprice Tucker, Associate Director, Office of Acquisition and Property Management, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Mail Stop 4262 MIB, Washington, DC 20240; telephone (202) 208-3466; or email Kaprice_Tucker@ios.doi.gov.
The Uniform Guidance required Federal agencies to promulgate regulations implementing the policies and procedures applicable to Federal awards by December 26, 2014. On December 19, 2014, the Department published a final rule to adopt the OMB Uniform Guidance in full as 2 CFR part 1402, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards [79 FR 75867]. Three days later, on December 22, 2014, DOI issued memoranda to supplement the following provisions of the OMB Uniform Guidance: (1) Indirect Cost Rates for Federal Financial Assistance Awards and Agreements; (2) Conflict of Interest and Mandatory Disclosures for Financial Assistance; (3) Financial Assistance Application and Merit review Processes; and (4) Financial Assistance Awards for For-Profit Entities, Foreign Public Entities, and Foreign Organizations. On February 8, 2016, the Department published a proposed rule to establish the FAIR and to consolidate all of the policy memoranda into a regulation to be codified at 2 CFR part 1402 (81 FR 6462). Two comments were received addressing, first, details of the conflicts of interest provision and, second, the application of 2 CFR part 200, subparts E (Cost Principles) and F (Audit Requirements), to tribal awards. These two comments were addressed by expanding the conflict of interest provision to be consistent with the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, 5 CFR part 2635, and by clarifying the applicability of 2 CFR part 200, subparts E and F, to tribal awards in this proposed rulemaking, respectively.
Because the RIN for the 2016 proposed rule expired and Departmental leadership wanted to strengthen the conflict of interest provisions and incorporate open science and land acquisition provisions, the Department is proposing the current version of its FAIR regulations as a revision to 2 CFR part 1402 for public comment.
The FAIR regulations proposed today would: First, revise 2 CFR part 1402 to more accurately reflect exceptions to this part; and second, add supplemental regulations for DOI's financial assistance program that would be codified at 2 CFR part 1402. The proposed rule represents an administrative simplification and is not intended to make any substantive changes to 2 CFR part 200 policies and procedures. Thus, this rulemaking is not seeking to revisit substantive issues resolved during the development and finalization of the OMB Uniform Guidance which was adopted by the Department on December 19, 2014. The purpose of the proposed rule is to help ensure that financial assistance provided by the DOI is administered in full compliance with applicable law, regulation, policy and best practices to ensure the American people get the most value from the money the DOI spends on financial assistance. The sections in this rule represent areas of the financial assistance program where questions have been raised by stakeholders, including auditors. As a result, DOI seeks to provide clarity in these specific areas.
Subpart A of the proposed rule sets forth definitions for terms used in this part. Terms defined in this proposed rulemaking are “data,” “employment,” “financial assistance officer,” “foreign entity,” “non-Federal entity,” and “real property.” Several of these terms help clarify proposed regulatory changes designed to avoid real or apparent conflicts of interest which might place a federal employee, non-Federal entity, its employees, and/or its subrecipients in a position of conflict, real or apparent. Proposed terms also define “real property” and “data,” to address DOI's specific focus on interests in land and to address transparency in the use of data.
Subpart B sets forth proposed general provisions including: the purpose of the Start Printed Page 10440part, application, exceptions, policies and procedures that apply to non-Federal entities, conflict of interest policies, and mandatory disclosure requirements. DOI is proposing to revise § 1402.100 to more-accurately explain the purpose of the part, which includes establishment of financial assistance regulations designed to ensure that financial assistance is administered in full compliance with applicable law, regulation, policy and best practices and help ensure the American people get the most value from the money the DOI spends on financial assistance. The proposed part also extends certain regulatory provisions to foreign public entities and foreign organizations. The revised § 1402.101 provides that the proposed regulations would apply to all DOI grant-making activities and to any non-Federal entity that applies for, receives, operates, or expends funds from a DOI financial assistance award after the effective date of the final rule, unless otherwise authorized by Federal statute. The part also applies to foreign entity applicants and recipients, except where the DOI office or bureau determines that the application of the proposed regulations would be inconsistent with international obligations of the United States or statutes or regulations of a foreign government.
Section 1402.102 is revised to further clarify that awards made in accordance with the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (Pub. L. 93-638, 88 Stat. 2204), as amended, are governed by 25 CFR parts 900 and 1000, and by 2 CFR part 200, subparts E and F. This proposed regulation also provides a process for requesting exceptions to requirements of this part by foreign entities.
The proposed revision to § 1402.103 explains that non-Federal entities must follow bureau or office policies and procedures as communicated in notices of funding opportunity (NOFOs) and award terms and conditions. If such policies or procedures conflict with existing regulations at 2 CFR part 200 or this part, then the regulations at 2 CFR part 200 or this part, when finalized, will supersede, unless otherwise authorized by Federal statute.
Proposed § 1402.112 sets forth requirements related to conflicts of interest that apply to recipients of financial assistance awards. The proposed rule would require the full text of language proposed in paragraphs (a) through (f) in all NOFOs and financial assistance awards. This section is proposed in order to make clear to non-Federal entities that they must appropriately address prohibited conflicts of interest preventing them from providing impartial, technically sound, and objective performance under or with respect to a Federal financial assistance agreement. Paragraphs (a) through (f) set forth direction on applicability, a discussion of conflicts, appropriate action that must be taken to avoid a conflict of interest, and enforcement.
Section 1402.113 provides that, in addition to disclosures required under 2 CFR 200.112 and 200.113, non-Federal entities and applicants must disclose in writing any potential or actual conflict of interest and must also disclose any outstanding unresolved matters with the Government Accountability Office or the Office of Inspector General of any Federal agency when submitting a proposal and through the life of the award.
Under subpart C, the proposed rule addresses: Merit review requirements for competitive awards, requirements for domestic for-profit entities, specific financial assistance award terms and conditions that apply to domestic for-profit entities, and lobbying disclosure and certification requirements.
Proposed § 1402.204 sets forth merit review requirements for competitive grants and cooperative agreements unless otherwise prohibited by Federal statute. This proposed section also provides that it is important for DOI bureaus and offices to create review systems for discretionary programs that are noncompetitive that consider statutory or regulatory provisions and include a business evaluation, risk assessment, and other applicable government-wide pre-award considerations.
This proposed section also requires pre-award considerations for both discretionary competitive and noncompetitive awards to take into account the alignment of the award's purpose, goals, and measurement with the current DOI Government Performance and Results Act Strategic Plan.
Section 1402.204 also sets forth an expectation of maximum competition in awarding discretionary funds, unless otherwise directed by Congress. The proposed rule also provides that when grants and cooperative agreements are awarded competitively, the process will be fair and impartial, that all applicants will be evaluated only on the criteria stated in the announcement, and that no applicant receives an unfair competitive advantage. The proposed rule also sets forth direction on developing an evaluation and selection plan which should be finalized prior to the release of a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO). This section of the proposed rule also sets forth direction on: The composition of an evaluation and selection plan, completeness of applications and proposals, timeliness, threshold screening, merit review evaluation screening, and risk assessments.
Proposed §§ 1402.206 and 1402.207 are designed to be read together. Section 1402.206 provides that § 1402.207(a) contains standard award terms and conditions that always apply to for-profit entities and that terms in § 1402.207(b) contain terms that are required for all subawards and contracts over the simplified acquisition thresholds. The section further lists additional administrative guidelines in existing regulations and in proposed § 1402.414 that may be applied to domestic for-profit entities. Provision is made for particular program offices and bureaus to develop specific administrative guidelines for domestic for-profits. Finally, proposed § 1402.206 provides that bureau and office award terms and conditions must be managed in accordance with requirements in existing 2 CFR 200.210.
Proposed § 1402.207 lists specific conditions that always apply to domestic for-profit entities and subawards. In addition to all other applicable terms and conditions, specific financial assistance award terms and conditions proposed in § 1402.207(d) apply to foreign entities.
Proposed § 1402.208 provides that non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using Federal funds under a grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities pursuant to 43 CFR part 18 and 31 U.S.C. 1352.
Subpart D includes proposed regulations that set forth post Federal award requirements. Section 1402.300 provides direction on relevant statutory and national policy requirements. This section provides that DOI bureaus and offices will communicate to the non-Federal entity all relevant public policy requirements, including those in general appropriations provisions, and incorporate them either directly or by reference in the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The proposed section makes clear that the non-Federal entity is responsible for complying with all requirements of the award, including listed statutes and, in the case of recipients conducting work outside the United States, those entities are responsible for coordinating with appropriate United States and foreign government authorities as necessary to make sure all required licenses, permits, or approvals are obtained before undertaking project activities. In Start Printed Page 10441addition, direction in this section is provided to DOI bureaus and offices regarding compliance with the “World Heritage Convention,” if an undertaking outside of the United States may directly and adversely affect a property that is on the World Heritage List or the applicable country's equivalent of the National Register of Historic Places. Finally, the proposed section provides that foreign entities are responsible for complying with all requirements of the Federal award and provides a non-exhaustive list of requirements.
Proposed § 1402.315 sets forth requirements for availability of data that implement Secretary's Order 3369, “Promoting Open Science,” dated October 18, 2018. The proposed requirements in this section rely on existing regulatory provisions found at 2 CFR 200.315(d) to achieve the goals set forth in section 4b(3) of the Secretary's Order to provide the American people with enough information to thoughtfully and substantively evaluate the data, methodology, and analysis used by the Department. To accomplish these goals, the section provides that DOI bureaus and offices shall specifically require under the terms of any award, the ability to publicly release associated data, defined as including scientific data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, or other scientific assessments in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual, subject to applicable laws. This provision would apply to all grants, cooperative agreements, or other similar agreement between any Bureau, Office, or other organization of the Department and any third party and would not be limited to rulemaking.
Section 1402.329 proposes requirements for land acquired under an award. The proposed regulation provides that prior to land purchases bureaus and offices must ensure compliance with the prior written approval requirements for land acquisition in existing 2 CFR 200.439. Whenever a recipient is seeking DOI approval to use award funds to purchase an interest in real property, OMB-approved government-wide data elements must be submitted to the responsible bureau or office. For this provision, the Financial Assistance Officer is responsible for ensuring compliance. Furthermore, all aspects of the purchase must be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations relating to purchases of land or interests in land. The proposed section also requires that unless a waiver valuation applies in accordance with 49 CFR 24.102(c), land or interests in land that will be acquired under the award must be appraised in accordance with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions (UASFLA or the “Yellow Book”), which is incorporated by reference, by a real property appraiser licensed or certified by the state or states in which the property is located and that the appraisal report shall be reviewed by a qualified review appraiser that meets qualifications established by the DOI Appraisal and Valuation Services Office (AVSO). Requirements are also set forth in this section for foreign land acquisition.
Proposed § 1402.329 also sets forth direction that for all financial assistance actions where real property, as defined in this proposed rule, is acquired under the Federal award, the recipient must submit reports on the status of the real property as required by 2 CFR 200.329. If the interest in real property will be held for less than 15 years, reports must be submitted annually; otherwise the recipient must submit the first report within one year of the period of performance end date of the award and then, at a minimum every five years thereafter. The proposed rule also sets forth who should receive the reports, the required format, contents, and timing for such reports.
Proposed § 1402.414 would establish DOI policy, procedures, and general decision-making criteria for deviations from negotiated indirect cost rates applicable to all Federal financial assistance programs awarded and administered within DOI. The proposed regulatory text sets forth procedures and criteria for using an indirect cost rate other than the non-Federal entity's negotiated rate. The goal of this section is to provide consistent direction within the Department on negotiated indirect cost rate deviations to ensure compliance with the Uniform Guidance.
Existing provisions of 2 CFR 200.414(c) require Federal agencies to accept federally negotiated indirect cost rates. Federal agencies may use a rate different from the negotiated rate for a class of awards or a single Federal award only when required by Federal statute or regulation, or when approved by a Federal awarding agency head or delegatee based upon documented justification described within 2 CFR 200.414(c)(3).
For all deviations to the Federal negotiated indirect cost rate, including statutory, regulatory, programmatic, and voluntary, the proposed rule provides that the basis of direct costs against which the indirect cost rate is applied must be: The same base identified in the recipient's negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, if the recipient has a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement; or, the modified total direct cost (MTDC) base, in cases where the recipient does not have a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement or, with prior approval of the awarding bureau or office, when the recipient's federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement base is only a subset of the MTDC (such as salaries and wages) and the use of the MTDC still results in an overall reduction in the total indirect cost recovered.
Proposed § 1402.414(d) provides that in cases where the recipient does not have a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, the Department will not use a modified rate based upon total direct cost or other base not identified in the federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement or defined within 2 CFR 200.68.
Invitation to Comment: The Department of the Interior is inviting comments concerning the proposed sections.
Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 provides that the OMB's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs will review all significant rules. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has Start Printed Page 10442determined that this rule is not significant.
Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866, calling for improvements in the nation's regulatory system to promote predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches that reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for the public, where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and consistent with regulatory objectives.
This proposed rule will not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). The Department of the Interior generally does not award grants to small businesses. The vast majority of Interior grants are awarded to States, local governments, and not-for-profit organizations.
(c) Does not have significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises. This rule establishes regulations for DOI financial assistance. DOI financial assistance is typically offered to States, local governments and not-for-profit institutions. It would not affect business relationships, employment, investment, productivity, innovations, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete internationally.
(a) Does not impose an unfunded mandate on state, local, or tribal governments or the private sector of more than $100 million per year.
(c) This proposed regulation would clarify the applicability of two existing regulations—the regulatory requirement for reporting under 2 CFR 200.329—Reporting on Real Property, and the regulatory language establishing use of the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions (UASFLA or “Yellow Book”) standard under 49 CFR 24.103—to financial assistance actions at the Department of the Interior. This proposed regulation establishes a permitted standard for appraisals under 49 CFR 24.103 and specifies the required timing increments of reports under 2 CFR 200.329.
Under the criteria in section 1 of E.O. 13132, this rule does not have sufficient Federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism summary impact statement. This is because it would not substantially and directly affect the relationship between the Federal and state governments. Accordingly, a Federalism summary impact statement is not required.
The Department of the Interior strives to strengthen its government-to-government relationship with Indian tribes through a commitment to consultation and recognition of their right to self-governance and tribal sovereignty. We have evaluated this rule under the Department's consultation policy and under the criteria in E.O. 13175 and have determined that it has no substantial direct effect on federally recognized Indian tribes and that consultation under the Department's tribal consultation policy is not required.
This proposed rule would not constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. A detailed statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Pursuant to Department Manual 516 DM 2.3A(2), section 1.10 of 516 DM 2, Appendix 1 excludes from documentation in an environmental assessment or impact statement “policies, directives, regulations and guidelines of an administrative, financial, legal, technical or procedural nature; or the environmental effects of which are too broad, speculative or conjectural to lend themselves to meaningful analysis and will be subject to the NEPA process, either collectively or case-by-case.”
If you feel that we have not met these requirements, please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this preamble.
Start List of Subjects Start Printed Page 10443
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Department of the Interior proposes to revise 2 CFR part 1402 to read as follows:
1402.208
What are the lobbying disclosure and certification requirements?
1402.209-1402.299
Data includes scientific data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, or other scientific assessments in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual.
§ 1402.7
Real property has the same meaning as set forth in 2 CFR 200.85, except that the definition in this section also applies to interests in land such as easements.
(b) This part establishes DOI financial assistance regulations that implement or Start Printed Page 10444supplement the OMB's Uniform Guidance. It is designed to ensure that financial assistance is administered in full compliance with applicable law, regulation, policy, and best practices to ensure the American people get the most value from the money DOI spends on financial assistance. For supplemental guidance, DOI has adopted section numbering that corresponds to related OMB guidance in 2 CFR part 200.
(c) This part extends 2 CFR part 200, subpart A through E, policies and procedures to foreign public entities and foreign organizations as allowed by 2 CFR 200.101, except as indicated throughout this part.
(a) This part applies to all DOI grant-making activities and to any non-Federal entity that applies for, receives, operates, or expends funds from a DOI Federal award after [EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE FINAL RULE], unless otherwise authorized by Federal statute.
(b) This part applies to foreign entity applicants and recipients, except where the DOI office or bureau determines that the application of this part would be inconsistent with the international obligations of the United States or the statutes or regulations of a foreign government (see 2 CFR 1402.102). For the purposes of this part, the term “foreign entities” means both “foreign public entities” and “foreign organizations,” as those terms are defined in 2 CFR part 200.
(i) Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Foreign entities may be subject to other applicable international or in-country alternatives to GAAP, such as the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). See 2 CFR 200.403, Factors affecting allowability of costs;
§§ 1402.104-1402.111
This section shall apply to all non-Federal entities. NOFOs and financial assistance awards must include the full text of the conflict of interest provisions in paragraphs (a) through (f) of this section.
(b) Requirements. (1) Non-Federal entities must avoid prohibited conflicts of interest, including any significant financial interests that could cause a reasonable person to question the recipient's ability to provide impartial, technically sound, and objective performance under or with respect to a Federal financial assistance agreement.
(2) In addition to any other prohibitions that may apply with respect to conflicts of interest, no key official of an actual or proposed recipient or subrecipient, who is substantially involved in the proposal or project, may have been a former Federal employee who, within the last one (1) year, participated personally and substantially in the evaluation, award, or administration of an award with respect to that recipient or subrecipient or in development of the requirement leading to the funding announcement.
(3) No actual or prospective recipient or subrecipient may solicit, obtain, or use non-public information regarding the evaluation, award, or administration of an award to that recipient or subrecipient or the development of a Federal financial assistance opportunity Start Printed Page 10445that may be of competitive interest to that recipient or subrecipient.
(c) Notification. (1) Non-Federal entities, including applicants for financial assistance awards, must disclose in writing any conflict of interest to the DOI awarding agency or pass-through entity in accordance with 2 CFR 200.112.
(d) Restrictions on lobbying. Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under a grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR part 18 and 31 U.S.C. 1352.
(e) Review procedures. The Financial Assistance Officer will examine each conflict of interest disclosure on the basis of its particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or cooperative agreement, and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.
(f) Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the government may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR part 180).
In addition to the disclosures required under 2 CFR 200.112 and 200.113, non-Federal entities, including applicants for all Federal awards, must disclose in writing any potential or actual conflict of interest to the DOI awarding agency or pass-through entity. Non-Federal entities and applicants must also disclose any outstanding unresolved matters with the Government Accountability Office or an Office of Inspector General when submitting a proposal and through the life of the award as needed.
§§ 1402.114-1402.203
The requirements in this section apply to competitive grants and cooperative agreements unless otherwise authorized by Federal statute. Merit review procedures must be described or incorporated by reference in NOFOs (see 2 CFR part 200, appendix I, and 2 CFR 200.203). It is also important for DOI bureaus and offices to create review systems for noncompetitively awarded discretionary programs that consider statutory or regulatory provisions, risk assessment, and other applicable government-wide pre-award considerations. Pre-award considerations for both discretionary competitive and noncompetitive awards shall take into account the alignment of the award's purpose, goals, and measurement with the current DOI Government Performance and Results Act Strategic Plan including, the mission statement, vision, values, goals, objectives, strategies and performance metrics therein.
(a) Competition in grant and cooperative agreement awards. Maximum competition is expected in awarding discretionary funds, unless otherwise directed by Congress. When grants and cooperative agreements are awarded competitively, DOI requires that the competitive process be fair and impartial, that all applicants be evaluated only on the criteria stated in the announcement, and that no applicant receive an unfair competitive advantage. All competitive funding announcements, and all modifications/amendments to those announcements, must be posted on Grants.gov (www.grants.gov).
(c) Evaluation and Selection Plan for notice of funding opportunities. Bureaus and offices must develop an Evaluation and Selection Plan in concert with the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) to ensure consistency, and to outline and document the selection process. The Evaluation and Selection Plan should be finalized prior to the release of the NOFO. An Evaluation and Selection Plan is comprised of five basic elements:
(g) Threshold Screening. Bureaus and offices are responsible for screening applications and proposals for the adequacy of the budget and compliance with statutory and other requirements. The SF-424 and budget information Start Printed Page 10446(SF-424A, SF-424C, or OMB-approved alternate budget data collection) must be reviewed according to Department of the Interior policy.
(b) The recipient shall insert the following clause in all subawards and contracts related to the prime award that are over the simplified acquisition threshold, as defined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation:
§ 1402.208
Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under a grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities, and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR part 18 and 31 U.S.C. 1352.
§§ 1402.210-1402.399
§ § 1402.301-1402.314
(a) All data resulting from a financial assistance agreement is available for use by the Department of the Interior, including being available in a manner that is sufficient for independent verification.
(b) Data includes scientific data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, or other scientific assessments in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual.
(2) Authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data for Federal purposes, including to allow for meaningful third-party evaluation and reproduction.
(d) Bureaus and offices of the Department of the Interior must include the language in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section in full text in all NOFOs and financial assistance agreements.
§ § 1402.316-1042.328
(a) Approval prior to land purchases. Bureaus and offices must ensure compliance with the prior written approval requirements for land acquisition in 2 CFR 200.439. Whenever a recipient is seeking DOI's approval to use award funds to purchase an interest in real property, the OMB-approved governmentwide data elements for collection of real property reporting information, as of [EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE FINAL RULE], SF-429-B, Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish, or approved alternate standardized data collection, must be submitted to the bureau or office. The Financial Assistance Officer is responsible for ensuring that this requirement is met. All aspects of the purchase must be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations relating to purchases of land or interests in land.
(b) Appraisal requirements for land purchases. Unless a waiver valuation applies in accordance with 49 CFR 24.102(c), land or interests in land that will be acquired under the award must be appraised in accordance with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions, 6th Edition, dated December 6, 2016 (UASFLA or the “Yellow Book”) by a real property appraiser licensed or certified by the state or states in which the property is located. The appraisal report shall be reviewed by a qualified review appraiser that meets qualifications established by the DOI Appraisal and Valuation Services Office (AVSO), which is responsible for appraisal and valuation services and policy across the Department. Bureaus and offices shall ensure that funds are not disbursed for purchases of land or interests in land Start Printed Page 10448without an appraisal accompanied by a written appraisal review report that complies with standards approved by AVSO. Where appraisals are required to support federally assisted land acquisitions, AVSO has oversight responsibilities for these appraisals, including those purchased through financial assistance actions in the various grant programs within the Department. AVSO will coordinate with grant programs to conduct periodic internal control review of appraisal and appraisal review reports prepared in conjunction with grant applications for land acquisition. The Director of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of the Yellow Book in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may obtain a print copy or interactive electronic version from The Appraisal Foundation at https://www.appraisalfoundation.org/​iMIS/​itemDetail?​iProductCode=​351&​Category=​PUB or a read-only version from the U.S. Department of Justice at https://www.justice.gov/​file/​408306/​download. You may inspect a copy at the Appraisal and Valuation Services Office within the Department of the Interior located at 1840 C St. NW, Washington, DC 20240 or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.
(4) Recipients must use the OMB-approved governmentwide data elements for collection of real property reporting information, as of [EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE FINAL RULE], the Real Property Status Report Standard Form (SF) 429-A, General Reporting, to report status of land or interests in land under Federal financial assistance awards. Bureaus or offices may request to use an equivalent reporting format. The Director, Office of Grants Management must approve alternate equivalent formats.
(6) The Financial Assistance Officer must indicate the reporting schedule, including due dates, in the award document. The schedule must conform with the frequency required in paragraph (d)(2) of this section. For awards issued prior to [EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE FINAL RULE], the recipient must contact the program to establish due dates for reports going forward. If there is already a reporting schedule in place, then the recipient and the program shall ensure that the schedule is updated to conform with this part prior to the due date of the next scheduled report.
(a) This section establishes DOI policies, procedures, and decision making criteria for using an indirect cost rate that differs from the non-Federal entity's negotiated rate or approved rate for DOI awards. These are established in accordance with 2 CFR 200.414(c)(3) or 200.414(f).
(3) Programmatic indirect cost rate deviation approval process. Bureaus and offices with DOI approved deviations in place prior to [EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE FINAL RULE] are not required to resubmit those for reconsideration following the procedures in this paragraph (d)(3). The Start Printed Page 10449following requirements apply for review, approval, and posting of programmatic indirect cost rate waivers:
§ § 1402.415-1402.499
Senior Advisor to the Secretary, exercising the authority of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Management and Budget.
[FR Doc. 2019-05239 Filed 3-20-19; 8:45 am]