[Federal Register: March 15, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 50)]
[Notices]
[Page 13348-13352]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15mr06-47]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
Announcement of Grant and Loan Application Deadlines and Funding
Levels
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of funding availability and solicitation of
applications.
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SUMMARY: USDA Rural Development administers rural utilities programs
through the Rural Utilities Service. USDA Rural Development announces
the Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 funding levels available for its Revolving
Fund Program (RFP) grant. In addition, USDA Rural Development anounces
the maximum amounts for RFP grants applicable for the fiscal year 2006
and the solicitation of applications.
DATES: You may submit completed applications for the Revolving Fund
Program's grant from March 1, 2006 until May 2, 2006.
Reminder of competitive grant application deadline: Applications
must be mailed, shipped or submitted electronically through Grants.gov
no later than May 2, 2006, to be eligible for FY 2006 grant funding.
ADDRESSES: You may obtain application guides and materials for the RFP
program via the Internet at the USDA Rural Development Water and
Environmental Programs (WEP) Web site: http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/index.htm.
You may also request application guides and materials from
USDA Rural Development by contacting the WEP at (202) 690-3789.
Submit completed paper applications for RFP grant to the Rural
Development Utilities Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400
Independence Ave., SW., Room 2233, STOP 1570, Washington, DC 20250-
1570. Applications should be marked ``Attention: Assistant
Administrator, Water and Environmental Programs.''
Submit electronic grant applications at http://www.grants.gov
(Grants.gov) and follow the instructions you find on that Web site.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anita O'Brien, Loan Specialist, Water
Program Division, USDA Rural Development Utilities Programs; Telephone:
(202) 690-3789, fax: (202) 690-0649.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Agency: Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
Funding Opportunity Title: Grant Program to Establish a Fund for
Financing Water and Wastewater Projects (Revolving Fund Program (RFP)).
Announcement Type: Funding Level Announcement, and Solicitation of
Applications.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 10.864.
Dates: You may submit completed application for a RFP grant from
March 1, 2006 and May 2, 2006.
Reminder of competitive grant application deadline: Applications
must be mailed, shipped or submitted electronically through Grants.gov
no later than May 2, 2006, to be eligible for FY 2006 grant funding.
Items in Supplementary Information
I. Funding Opportunity: Brief introduction to the RFP.
II. Award Information: Available funds, maximum amounts.
III. Eligibility Information: Who is eligible, what kinds of
projects are eligible, what criteria determine basic eligibility.
IV. Application and Submission Information: Where to get application
materials, what constitutes a completed application, how
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and where to submit applications, deadlines, items that are
eligible.
V. Application Review Information: Considerations and preferences,
scoring criteria, review standards, selection information.
VI. Award Administration Information: Award notice information,
award recipient reporting requirements.
VII. Agency Contacts: Web, phone, fax, e-mail, contact name.
I. Funding Opportunity
Drinking water systems are basic and vital to both health and
economic development. With dependable water facilities, rural
communities can attract families and businesses that will invest in the
community and improve the quality of life for all residents. Without
dependable water facilities, the communities cannot sustain economic
development.
The USDA Rural Development Utilities Programs supports the sound
development of rural communities and the growth of our economy without
endangering the environment. Rural Utilities Service (RUS) programs are
administered by USDA Rural Development. USDA Rural Development provides
financial and technical assistance to help communities bring safe
drinking water and sanitary, environmentally sound waste disposal
facilities to rural Americans in greatest need.
The Revolving Fund (RFP) Grant Program has been established to
assist communities with water or wastewater systems. Qualified private
non-profit organizations will receive RFP grant funds to establish a
lending program for eligible entities. Eligible entities for the
revolving loan fund will be the same entities eligible to obtain a
loan, loan guarantee, or grant from the Water and Waste Disposal and
Wastewater loan and grant programs administered by USDA Rural
Development. As grant recipients, the non-profit organizations will set
up a revolving loan fund to provide loans to finance predevelopment
costs of water or wastewater projects, or short-term small capital
projects not part of the regular operation and maintenance of current
water and wastewater systems. The amount of financing to an eligible
entity shall not exceed $100,000.00 and shall be repaid in a term not
to exceed 10 years. The rate shall be determined in the approved grant
work plan.
II. Award Information
Available funds: $495,000 is available for grants in FY 2006.
III. Eligibility Information
A. What Are the Basic Eligibility Requirements for Applying?
Is a private, non-profit organization that has tax-exempt status
from the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS);
Is legally established and located within one of the following:
1. A state within the United States;
2. The District of Columbia;
3. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
4. A United States territory;
5. Has the legal capacity and authority to carry out the grant
purpose;
6. Has a proven record of successfully operating a revolving loan
fund to rural areas;
7. Has capitalization acceptable to the Agency, and is composed of
at least 51 percent of the outstanding interest or membership being
citizens of the United States or individuals who reside in the United
States after being legally admitted for permanent residence;
8. Has no delinquent debt to the Federal Government or no
outstanding judgments to repay a Federal debt;
9. Demonstrates that it possesses the financial, technical, and
managerial capability to comply with Federal and State laws and
requirements.
B. What Are the Basic Eligibility Requirements for a Project?
1. The following activities are authorized under the RFP statute:
(a) Grant funds must be used to capitalize a revolving fund program
for the purpose of providing direct loan financing to Ultimate
Recipients for pre-development costs associated with proposed or with
existing water and wastewater systems, or,
(b) Short-term costs incurred for equipment replacement, small-
scale extension of services, or other small capital projects that are
not part of the regular operations and maintenance activities of
existing water and wastewater systems.
2. Grant funds may not be used to pay any of the following:
(a) Payment of the Intermediary's administrative costs or expenses,
and,
(b) Delinquent debt owed to the Federal Government.
IV. Application and Submission Information
A. The Grant Application Guide, Copies of Necessary Forms and Samples,
and the RFP Regulation Are Available From These Sources
1. The Internet: http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/index.htm or http://www
.grants.gov.
2. For paper copies of these materials telephone (202) 690-3789.
B. You May File an Application in Either Paper or Electronic Format
1. Applications submitted by paper:
(a) Send or deliver paper applications by the U.S. Postal Service
(USPS) or courier delivery services to: Assistant Administrator--Water
and Environmental Programs, USDA Rural Development Utilities Programs,
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 1548, Room S-5145, Washington, DC,
20250-1548.
(b) For paper applications mail or ensure delivery of an original
paper application (no stamped, photocopied, or initialed signatures)
and two copies by the deadline date. The application and any materials
sent with it become Federal records by law and cannot be returned to
you.
2. Electronically submitted applications:
(a) For electronic applications you must file through Grants.gov,
the official Federal Government Web site at http://www.grants.gov. You
must be registered with Grants.gov before you can submit a grant
application. If you have not used Grants.gov before, you will need to
register with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) and the Credential
Provider. You will need a DUNS number to access or register at any of
the services. The registration processes may take several business days
to complete. Follow the instructions at Grants.gov for registering and
submitting an electronic application. USDA Rural Development may
request original signatures on electronically submitted documents
later.
(b) The CCR registers your organization, housing your
organizational information and allowing Grants.gov to use it to verify
your identity. You may register for the CCR by calling the CCR
Assistance Center at 1-888-227-2423 or, you may register online at
http://www.ccr.gov.
(c) The Credential Provider gives you or your representative a
username and password, as part of the Federal Government's e-
Authentication to ensure a secure transaction. You will need the
username and password when you register with Grants.gov or use
Grants.gov to submit your application. You must register with the
Central Provider through Grants.gov at the following Web address:
https://apply.grants.gov/OrcRegister.
(d) DUNS Number: Whether you file a paper or an electronic
application, you will need a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) number. You must provide your
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DUNS number on the SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.'' To
verify that your organization has a DUNS number or to receive one at no
cost, call the dedicated toll-free request line at 1-866-705-5711 or
access the Web site at http://www.dunandbradstreet.com. The following
information is needed when requesting a DUNS number:
(1) Legal Name.
(2) Headquarters name and address of the organization.
(3) Doing business as (dba) or other name by which the organization
is commonly recognized.
(4) Physical address.
(5) Mailing address (if separate from headquarters and/or physical
address).
(6) Telephone number.
(7) Contact name and title.
(8) Number of employees at the physical location.
e. USDA Rural Development will not accept applications by fax or e-
mail.
C. What Constitutes a Completed Application?
1. To be considered for support, you must be an eligible entity and
must submit a complete application by the deadline date. You should
consult the cost principles and general administrative requirements for
grants pertaining to their organizational type in order to prepare the
budget and complete other parts of the application. You also must
demonstrate compliance (or intent to comply), through certification or
other means, with a number of public policy requirements.
2. Applicants must complete and submit the following forms to apply
for a RFP grant:
(a) Standard Form 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance''
(b) Standard Form 424A, ``Budget Information-Non-Construction
Programs''
(c) Standard Form 424B, ``Assurances--Non struction Programs''
(d) Standard Form LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activity''
(e) Form RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement''
(f) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement (Under Title VI, Civil
Rights Act of 1964)
3. The project proposal should outline the project in sufficient
detail to provide a reader with a complete understanding of how the
loan program will work. Explain what you will accomplish by lending
funds to eligible entities. Demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed
loan program in meeting the objectives of this grant program. The
proposal should cover the following elements:
(a) Present a brief project overview. Explain the purpose of the
project, how it relates to USDA Rural Development's purposes, how you
will carry out the project, what the project will produce, and who will
direct it.
(b) Describe why the project is necessary. Demonstrate that
eligible entities need loan funds. Quantify the number of prospective
borrowers or provide statistical or narrative evidence that a
sufficient number of borrowers will exist to justify the grant award.
Describe the service area. Address community needs.
(c) Clearly state your project goals. Your objectives should
clearly describe the goals and be concrete and specific enough to be
quantitative or observable. They should also be feasible and relate to
the purpose of the loan program.
(d) The narrative should cover in more detail the items briefly
described in the Project Summary. It should establish the basis for any
claims that you have substantial expertise in promoting the safe and
productive use of Revolving Funds. In describing what the project will
achieve, you should tell the reader if it also will have broader
influence. The narrative should address the following points:
(1) Document your ability to administer and service a revolving
fund in accordance with the provisions of 7 CFR part 1783.
(2) Document that, to establish the revolving fund, you can commit
financial resources your organization controls. This documentation
should describe the sources of funds other than the RFP grant that will
be used to pay your operational costs and provide financial assistance
for projects.
(3) Demonstrate that you have secured commitments of significant
financial support from other funding sources, if appropriate.
(4) List the fees and charges that borrowers will be assessed.
(e) The work plan must describe the tasks and activities that will
be accomplished with available resources during the grant period. It
must show the work you plan to do to achieve the anticipated outcomes,
goals, and objectives set out for the RFP Program. The plan must:
(1) Describe the work to be performed by each person.
(2) Give a schedule or timetable of work to be done.
(3) Show evidence of previous experience with the techniques to be
used or their successful use by others.
(4) Outline the loan program to include the following: specific
loan purposes, a loan application process; priorities, borrower
eligibility criteria, limitations, fees, interest rates, terms, and
collateral requirements.
(5) Provide a marketing plan.
(6) Explain the mechanics of how you will transfer loan funds to
the borrowers.
(7) Describe follow-up or continuing activities that should occur
after project completion such as monitoring and reporting borrowers'
accomplishments.
(8) Project Evaluation. It should describe how the results will be
evaluated, in line with the project objectives.
(9) Personnel. The applicant should list all personnel responsible
for administering this program along with a statement of their
qualifications and experience.
(f) The written justification for projected costs should explain
how budget figures were determined for each category. It should
indicate which costs are to be covered by grant funds and which costs
will be met by your organization or other organizations. The
justification should account for all expenditures discussed in the
narrative. It should reflect appropriate cost-sharing contributions.
The budget justification should explain the budget and accounting
system proposed or in place. The administrative costs for operating the
budget should be expressed as a percentage of the overall budget. The
budget justification should provide specific budget figures, rounding
off figures to the nearest dollar. Applicants should consult OMB
Circular A-122: ``Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations'' for
information about appropriate costs for each budget category.
(g) In addition to completing the standard application forms, you
must submit supplementary materials:
(h) Demonstrate that your organization is legally recognized under
state and Federal law. Satisfactory documentation includes, but is not
limited to, certificates from the Secretary of State, or copies of
state statutes or laws establishing your organization. Letters from the
IRS awarding tax-exempt status are not considered adequate evidence.
(i) Submit a certified list of directors and officers with their
respective terms.
(j) Submit evidence of tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue
Service.
(k) You must disclose debarment and suspension information required
in accordance with 7 CFR, Part 3017, subpart 3017.335, if it applies.
The section heading is ``What information must I provide before
entering into a covered transaction with the Department of
Agriculture?'' It is part of
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the Department of Agriculture's rules on Government-wide Debarment and
Suspension.
(l) You must identify all of your organization's known workplaces
by including the actual address of buildings (or parts of buildings) or
other sites where work under the award takes place. Workplace
identification is required under the drug-free workplace requirements
in accordance with 7 CFR part 3021, subpart 3021.230. The section
heading is ``How and when must I identify workplaces?'' It is part of
the Department of Agriculture's rules on Government-wide Requirements
for Drug-Free Workplace (Financial Assistance).
(m) Submit the most recent audit of your organization.
(n) Submit the following financial statements:
i. A pro forma balance sheet at start-up and for at least three
additional years; Balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow
statements for the last three years.
ii. If your organization has been formed less than three years, the
financial statements should be submitted for the periods from inception
to the present. Projected income and cash flow statements for at least
three years supported by a list of assumptions showing the basis for
the projections. The projected income statement and balance sheet must
include one set of projections that shows the revolving loan fund only
and a separate set of projections that shows your organization's total
operations.
(o) You may present additional information to support and describe
your plan for achieving the grant objectives. The information may be
regarded as essential for understanding and evaluating the project such
as letters of support, resolutions, policies, etc. The supplements may
be presented in appendices to the proposal.
V. Application Review Information
A. Receipt Acknowledgment by letter sent within 30 days of
receiving y