Inviting Applications for Rural Cooperative Development Grants
| Published date | 11 June 2021 |
| Citation | 86 FR 31266 |
| Record Number | 2021-12292 |
| Section | Notices |
| Court | Rural Business-cooperative Service |
Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 111 (Friday, June 11, 2021)
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 111 (Friday, June 11, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31266-31275]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12292]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
[Docket #: RBS-21-CO-OP-0015]
Inviting Applications for Rural Cooperative Development Grants
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of funding availability.
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SUMMARY: This Notice announces that the Rural Business-Cooperative
Service (Agency) is accepting fiscal year (FY) 2021 applications for
the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program. The program
funding level for FY 2021 is a total of $5.8 million. The purpose of
this program is to provide financial assistance to improve the economic
condition of rural areas through cooperative development. Eligible
applicants are non-profit corporations and institutions of higher
education.
DATES: Completed applications must be submitted electronically by no
later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, August 10, 2021, through
Grants.gov, to be eligible for grant funding. Please review the
Grants.gov website at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html
for instructions on the process of registering your organization as
soon as possible to ensure that you are able to meet the electronic
application deadline. Late applications are not eligible for funding
under this Notice and will not be evaluated.
ADDRESSES: You are encouraged to contact your USDA Rural Development
State Office well in advance of the application deadline to discuss
your project and ask any questions about the RCDG program or the
application process. Contact information for State Offices can be found
at http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.
Program guidance as well as application and matching funds
templates may be obtained at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program. To submit an electronic
application, follow the instructions for the RCDG funding announcement
located at http://www.grants.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Sharp, Program Management
Division, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, United States Department
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop-3226, Room 5160-
South, Washington, DC 20250-3226, (202) 720-1400 or email to
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Agency: Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
Funding Opportunity Title: Rural Cooperative Development Grants.
Announcement Type: Initial Notice.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 10.771.
Date: Application Deadline. Electronic applications must be
received by http://www.grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern
Time, August 10, 2021, or it will not be considered for funding.
The Application Template provides specific, detailed instructions
for each item of a complete application. The Agency emphasizes the
importance of including every item and strongly encourages applicants
to follow the instructions carefully, using the examples and
illustrations in the Application Template. Prior to official submission
of applications, applicants may request technical assistance or other
application guidance from the Agency, as long as such requests are made
prior to July 12, 2021. Agency contact information can be found in
Section D of this document.
Hemp Related Projects: Please note that no assistance or funding
can be provided to a hemp producer unless they have a valid license
issued from an approved State, Tribal or Federal plan as defined by the
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Public Law 115-334. Verification
of valid hemp licenses will occur at the time of award.
Persistent Poverty Counties: Section 736 of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2021, designates funding for projects in Persistent
Poverty counties. Persistent Poverty counties as defined in Section 736
is ``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.'' Another
provision in Section 736 expands the eligible population in Persistent
Poverty counties to include any county seat of such a persistent
poverty county that has a population that does not exceed the
authorized population limit by more than 10 percent. This provision
expands the current 50,000 population limit to 55,000 for only county
seats located in Persistent Poverty counties. Therefore, applicants
and/or beneficiaries of technical assistance services located in
Persistent Poverty county seats with populations up to 55,000 (per the
2010 census) are eligible.
COVID-19 Administrative Relief Exceptions: The Agency reviewed the
Office of Budget and Management's (OMB) Memorandum M-20-17 entitled
``Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal
Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-
19) due to Loss of Operations'', and OMB Memorandum M-20-11,
``Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal
Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-
19)'', and has made every attempt to reduce administrative burden
within our authority. Any reduction in burden will be discussed within
the requirement.
Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the paperwork
burden associated with this Notice has been
[[Page 31267]]
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control
Number 0570-0006.
A. Program Description
The RCDG program is authorized under section 310B(e) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (CONACT) (7 U.S.C.
1932(e)), as amended by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub.
L. 115-334). You are required to comply with the regulations for this
program published at 7 CFR part 4284, subparts A and F, which are
incorporated by reference in this Notice. Therefore, you should become
familiar with these regulations. The primary objective of the RCDG
program is to improve the economic condition of rural areas through
cooperative development. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. The
maximum award amount per grant is $200,000. Grants are available for
non-profit corporations and institutions of higher education only.
Grant funds may be used to pay for up to 75 percent of the cost of
establishing and operating centers for rural cooperative development.
Grant funds may be used to pay for 95 percent of the cost of
establishing and operating centers for rural cooperative development
when the applicant is a college identified as a ``1994 Institution''
for purposes of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of
1994, as defined by 7 U.S.C. 301. The 1994 Institutions are commonly
known as Tribal Land Grant Institutions. Centers may have the expertise
on staff, or they can contract out for the expertise to assist
individuals or entities in the startup, expansion or operational
improvement of rural businesses, especially cooperative or mutually-
owned businesses.
Definitions
Certain terms relating to the RCDG program that you will need to
understand are defined at 7 CFR 4284.3 and 7 CFR 4284.504. In addition,
the terms ``rural'' and ``rural area,'' defined at section 343(a)(13)
of the CONACT (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)), are incorporated by reference,
and will be used for this program instead of the definition of ``Rural
and rural area'' currently published at 7 CFR 4284.3. The term ``you''
referenced throughout this Notice should be understood to mean ``you''
the applicant. Finally, there has been some confusion about the
Agency's interpretation of the terms ``conflict of interest'' and
``mutually-owned business'' because they are not defined in the CONACT
or in the regulations used for the program. Therefore, the Agency is
clarifying those terms for the purpose of this program as follows:
Conflict of interest--A situation in which a person or entity has
competing personal, professional, or financial interests that make it
difficult for the person or business to act impartially. Regarding use
of both grant and matching funds, Federal procurement standards
prohibit transactions that involve a real or apparent conflict of
interest for owners, employees, officers, agents, or their immediate
family members having a financial or other interest in the outcome of
the project; or that restrict open and free competition for
unrestrained trade. Specifically, project funds may not be used for
services or goods going to, or coming from, a person or entity with a
real or apparent conflict of interest, including, but not limited to,
owner(s) and their immediate family members. An example of a conflict
of interest occurs when an employee of the grantee, an individual on
the grantee's board of directors, or an immediate family member of
either, has the appearance of a professional or personal financial
interest in the recipients receiving the benefits or services of the
grant.
Mutually-owned business--An organization owned and governed by
members who are its consumers, producers, employees, or suppliers.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Award: Competitive Grant.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2021.
Total Funding: $5,800,000.
Maximum Award: $200,000.
Anticipated Award Date: September 30, 2021.
C. Eligibility Information
Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements.
Applications which fail to meet any of these requirements by the
application deadline will be deemed ineligible and will not be
evaluated further.
1. Eligible Applicants
You must be a nonprofit corporation or an institution of higher
education to apply for this program. Public bodies and individuals
cannot apply for this program. See 7 CFR 4284.507. You must also meet
the following requirements:
a. An applicant is ineligible if they have been debarred or
suspended or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in
Federal assistance programs under Executive Order 12549, ``Debarment
and Suspension.'' The Agency will check the System for Award Management
(SAM) at the time of application and also prior to funding any grant
award to determine if the applicant has been debarred or suspended. In
addition, an applicant will be considered ineligible for a grant due to
an outstanding judgment obtained by the U.S. in a Federal Court (other
than U.S. Tax Court), is delinquent on the payment of Federal income
taxes, or is delinquent on Federal debt. See 7 CFR 4284.6. The
applicant must certify as part of the application that they do not have
an outstanding judgment against them. The Agency will check the Do Not
Pay System at the time of application and also prior to funding any
grant award to verify this information.
b. Any corporation that has been convicted of a felony criminal
violation under any Federal law within the past 24 months or 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, is not eligible for financial assistance provided with funds
appropriated by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. 116-
260), unless a Federal agency has considered suspension or debarment of
the corporation and has made a determination that this further action
is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government. Note: You
no longer must complete the Form AD 3030, ``Representation Regarding
Felony Corporations and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate
Applicants'' as a part of your application. This information is now
collected through your registration or annual recertification in
SAM.gov via the Financial Assistance General Certifications and
Representations.
c. Applications will be deemed ineligible if the application
includes any funding restrictions identified under Section D.6(a) or
(b) of this Notice. The inclusion of funding restrictions outlined in
Section D.6(a) or (b) of this Notice precludes the Agency from making a
federal award to the applicant.
d. Applications will be deemed ineligible if the application is
deemed incomplete in accordance with the requirements stated in Section
C.3.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Your matching funds requirement is at least 25 percent of the total
project cost (5 percent for 1994 Institutions). See 7 CFR 4284.508.
When you calculate your matching funds requirement, please round up or
down to whole dollars as appropriate. An example of how to calculate
your matching funds is as follows:
[[Page 31268]]
a. Take the amount of grant funds you are requesting and divide it
by .75. This will give you your total project cost.
Example: $200,000 (grant amount)/.75 (percentage for use of grant
funds) = $266,667 (total project cost)
b. Subtract the amount of grant funds you are requesting from your
total project cost. This will give you your matching funds requirement.
Example: $266,667 (total project cost) - $200,000 (grant amount) =
$66,667 (matching funds requirement)
c. A quick way to double check that you have the correct amount of
matching funds is to take your total project cost and multiply it by
.25.
Example: $266,667 (total project cost) x .25 (maximum percentage of
matching funds requirement) = $66,667 (matching funds requirement)
You must verify that all matching funds are available during the
grant period and provide this documentation with your application in
accordance with requirements identified in Section D.2.e.8. If you are
awarded a grant, additional verification documentation may be required
to confirm the availability of matching funds.
Other rules for matching funds that you must follow are listed
below.
They must be spent on eligible expenses during the grant
period.
They must be from eligible sources.
They must be spent in advance or as a pro-rata portion of
grant funds being spent.
They must be provided by either the applicant or a third
party in the form of cash or an in-kind contribution.
They cannot include board/advisory council member's time.
They cannot include other Federal grants unless provided
by authorizing legislation.
They cannot include cash or in-kind contributions donated
outside of the grant period.
They cannot include over-valued, in-kind contributions.
They cannot include any project costs that are ineligible
under the RCDG program.
They cannot include any project costs that are restricted
or unallowable under 2 CFR part 200, subpart E, and the Federal
Acquisition Regulation (for-profits) or successor regulation.
They can include loan funds from a Federal source.
They can include travel and incidentals for board/advisory
council members if you have established written policies explaining how
these costs are normally reimbursed, including rates. You must include
an explanation of this policy in your application or the contributions
will not be considered as eligible matching funds.
You must be able to document and verify the number of
hours worked and the value associated with any in-kind contribution
being used to meet a matching funds requirement.
In-kind contributions provided by individuals, businesses,
or cooperatives which are being assisted by you cannot be provided for
the direct benefit of their own projects as USDA Rural Development
considers this to be a conflict of interest or the appearance of a
conflict of interest.
3. Other Eligibility Requirements
a. Completeness
Your application will not be considered for funding if it fails to
meet all eligibility criteria by the application deadline or does not
provide sufficient information to determine eligibility and scoring.
You must include in one submission to the Agency all of the forms and
proposal elements as discussed in the program regulation and as
clarified further in this Notice. Incomplete applications will not be
reviewed by the Agency. For more information on what is required for a
complete application, see 7 CFR 4284.510.
b. Purpose Eligibility
Your application must propose the establishment or continuation of
a cooperative development center concept. You must use project funds,
including grant and matching funds, for eligible purposes only (see 7
CFR 4284.508). In addition, project funds may also be used for programs
providing for the coordination of services and sharing of information
among the centers (see 7 U.S.C 1932(e)(4)(C)(vi)).
c. Project Eligibility
All project activities must be for the benefit of a rural area.
d. Multiple Applications Deemed Ineligible
Only one application can be submitted per applicant. If two
applications are submitted (regardless of the applicant name) that
include the same Executive Director and/or advisory boards or
committees of an existing center, both applications will be determined
ineligible for funding.
e. Grant Period
Your application must include no more than a one-year grant period,
or it will not be considered for funding. The grant period should begin
no earlier than October 1, 2021, and no later than January 1, 2022.
Applications that request funds for a grant period ending after January
1, 2023, will not be considered for funding. Projects must be completed
within a one-year timeframe. Prior approval is needed from the Agency
if you are awarded a grant and desire the grant period to begin earlier
or later than previously approved.
The Agency may approve requests for a one-time extension of the
grant period of up to 12 months at its discretion. However, you may not
have more than one active RCDG during the same grant period. Further
guidance on grant period extensions will be provided in the award
document. The Agency understands that fiscal year 2019 or 2020
recipients may have had loss of operations due to COVID-19 and the
Agency will work with them in accordance with OMB Memorandum M-20-17
and 2 CFR 200.308 to determine an acceptable grant period if they are
awarded RCDG funds in fiscal year 2021.
f. Satisfactory Performance
You must be performing satisfactorily on any outstanding RCDG award
to be considered eligible for a new award. Satisfactory performance
includes being up-to-date on all financial and performance reports as
prescribed in the grant award, and current on all tasks and timeframes
for utilizing grant and matching funds as approved in the work plan and
budget. If you have any unspent grant funds on RCDG awards prior to
fiscal year 2019, your application will not be considered for funding.
If your prior award(s) has unspent funds of 50 percent or more than
what your approved work plan and budget projected at the time that your
fiscal year 2021 application is being evaluated, your application will
not be considered for funding. The Agency will verify the performance
status of the applicant's prior awards and make a determination after
the FY 2021 application period closes.
g. Duplication of Current Services
Your application must demonstrate that you are providing services
to new customers or new services to current customers. If your work
plan and budget is duplicative of your existing award, your application
will not be considered for funding. If your workplan and budget is
duplicative of a previous or existing RCDG and/or Socially
Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) award, your application will not be
considered for funding. The Agency will make this determination in its
sole
[[Page 31269]]
discretion. Please note that the Agency only allows one active award to
a grantee to ensure that there is no duplication of services. The
Agency will work with FY 2019 and FY 2020 recipients who requested an
extension of their award due to COVID-19 loss of operations to
determine an acceptable grant period if they are awarded grant funds in
fiscal year 2021 in accordance with OMB Memorandum M-20-17 and 2 CFR
200.343. Thus, requesting an extension on a previous award is not cause
for deeming a FY 2021 application ineligible.
h. Indirect Costs
Your negotiated indirect cost rate approval does not need to be
included in your application, but you will be required to provide it if
a grant is awarded. Approval for indirect costs that are requested in
an application without an approved indirect cost rate agreement is at
the discretion of the Agency.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application Package
For further information, you should contact your State Office at
http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. Program materials may
also be obtained at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
You must submit your application electronically through Grants.gov.
You are encouraged, but not required to utilize the application
template found at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program.
a. Electronic Submission
An optional-use Agency application template is available online at
http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program. To apply electronically, you must use the Grants.gov
website at http://www.Grants.gov. You may not apply electronically in
any way other than through Grants.gov.
You can locate the Grants.gov downloadable application package for
this program by using a keyword, the program name, or the Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program.
When you enter the Grants.gov website, you will find information
about applying electronically through the site, as well as the hours of
operation if the system is undergoing maintenance.
To use Grants.gov, you must already have a DUNS number and you must
also be registered and maintain registration in SAM. We strongly
recommend that you do not wait until the application deadline date to
begin the application process through Grants.gov.
You must submit all your application documents electronically
through Grants.gov. Applications must include electronic signatures.
Original signatures may be required if funds are awarded.
After electronically applying through Grants.gov, you will receive
an automatic acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov
tracking number.
b. Supplemental Information
Your application must contain all the required forms and proposal
elements described in 7 CFR 4284.510 and as otherwise described in this
Notice. Specifically, your application must include: The required forms
as described in 7 CFR 4284.510(b) and the required proposal elements as
described in 7 CFR 4284.510(c). If your application is incomplete, it
is ineligible to compete for funds. Applications lacking sufficient
information to determine eligibility and scoring will be considered
ineligible. Information submitted after the application deadline will
not be accepted.
c. Clarifications on Forms
Your DUNS number should be identified in the
``Organizational DUNS'' field on Standard Form (SF) 424, ``Application
for Federal Assistance.'' You must also provide your SAM Commercial and
Government Entity (CAGE) Code and expiration date under the applicant
eligibility discussion in your proposal narrative. If you do not
include the CAGE code and expiration date and the DUNS number in your
application, it will not be considered for funding. In accordance with
OMB Memorandum M-20-17, the Agency can accept an application without an
active SAM registration. However, the registration must be completed
before an award is made. Current registrants in SAM with active
registrations expiring before July 31, 2021 will be afforded a one-time
extension of 60 days.
You no longer must complete the Form SF 424B,
``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs'' as a part of your
application. This information is now collected through your
registration or annual recertification in SAM.gov through the Financial
Assistance General Certifications and Representation.
You can voluntarily fill out and submit the ``Survey on
Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants,'' as part of your
application if you are a nonprofit organization.
d. Clarifications on Proposal Elements
1. You must include the title of the project as well as any other
relevant identifying information on the Title Page.
2. You must include a Table of Contents with page numbers for each
component of the application to facilitate review.
3. Your Executive Summary must include the items in 7 CFR
4284.510(c)(3) and discuss the percentage of work that will be
performed among organizational staff, consultants, or other
contractors. It should not exceed two pages.
4. Your Eligibility Discussion must cover how you meet the
applicant eligibility requirements, matching funds, and other
eligibility requirements. It must not exceed two pages.
5. Your Proposal Narrative must not exceed 40 pages using at least
11-point font and should describe the essential aspects of the project.
i. You are required to only have one title page for the proposal.
ii. If you list the evaluation criteria on the Table of Contents
and then specifically and individually address each criterion in
narrative form, it is not necessary for you to include an Information
Sheet. Otherwise, the Information Sheet is required under 7 CFR
4284.510(c)(5)(ii).
iii. You must include the following under Goals of the Project:
A. A statement that substantiates that the Center will effectively
serve rural areas in the United States;
B. A statement that the primary objective of the Center will be to
improve the economic condition of rural areas through cooperative
development;
C. A description of the contributions that the proposed activities
are likely to make to the improvement of the economic conditions of the
rural areas for which the Center will provide services. Expected
economic impacts should be tied to tasks included in the work plan and
budget; and
D. A statement that the Center, in carrying out its activities,
will seek, where appropriate, the advice, participation, expertise, and
assistance of representatives of business, industry, educational
institutions, the Federal government, and State and local governments.
[[Page 31270]]
iv. The Agency has established annual performance evaluation
measures to evaluate the RCDG program. You must provide estimates on
the following performance evaluation measures:
Number of groups assisted who are not legal entities.
Number of businesses assisted that are not cooperatives.
Number of cooperatives assisted.
Number of businesses incorporated that are not
cooperatives.
Number of cooperatives incorporated.
Total number of jobs created as a result of assistance.
Total number of jobs saved as a result of assistance.
Number of jobs created for the Center as a result of RCDG
funding.
Number of jobs saved for the Center as a result of RCDG
funding.
It is permissible to have a zero in a performance element. When you
calculate jobs created, estimates should be based upon actual jobs to
be created by your organization because of the RCDG funding or actual
jobs to be created by cooperative businesses or other businesses as a
result of assistance from your organization. When you calculate jobs
saved, estimates should be based only on actual jobs that would have
been lost if your organization did not receive RCDG funding or actual
jobs that would have been lost without assistance from your
organization.
v. You can also suggest additional performance elements, for
example, where job creation or jobs saved may not be a relevant
indicator (e.g., housing). These additional criteria should be
specific, measurable performance elements that could be included in an
award document.
vi. You must describe in the application how you will undertake
each of the following and prefer that you describe these undertakings
within the noted proposal evaluation criteria to reduce duplication in
your application. The specific proposal evaluation criterion where you
should address each undertaking is noted below.
A. Take all practicable steps to develop continuing sources of
financial support for the Center, particularly from sources in the
private sector (should be presented under proposal evaluation criterion
j., utilizing the specific requirements of Section E.1.j.);
B. Make arrangements for the Center's activities to be monitored
and evaluated (should be addressed under proposal evaluation criterion
` h.' utilizing the specific requirements of Section E.1.h.); and
C. Provide an accounting for the money received by the grantee in
accordance with 7 CFR part 4284, subpart F and 2 CFR part 200. This
should be addressed under proposal evaluation criterion ` a.',
utilizing the specific requirements of Section E.1.a.
vii. You should present the Work Plan and Budget proposal element
under proposal evaluation criterion ` h.', utilizing the specific
requirements of Section E.1.h. of this Notice to reduce duplication in
your application.
viii. You should present the Delivery of Cooperative development
assistance proposal element under proposal evaluation criterion ` b',
utilizing the specific requirements of Section E.1.b. of this Notice.
ix. You should present the Qualifications of Personnel proposal
element under proposal evaluation criterion ' '', utilizing the
specific requirements of Section E.1.i. of this Notice.
x. You should present the Local Support and Future Support proposal
elements under proposal evaluation criterion ` j ', utilizing the
requirements of Section E.1.j. of this Notice.
xi. Your application will not be considered for funding if you do
not address all of the proposal evaluation criteria. See Section E.1.
of this Notice for a description of the proposal evaluation criteria.
xii. Only appendices A-C will be considered when evaluating your
application. You must not include resumes of staff or consultants in
the application.
6. You must certify that there are no current outstanding Federal
judgments against your property and that you will not use grant funds
to pay for any judgment obtained by the United States. To satisfy the
certification requirement, you should include this statement in your
application: ``[INSERT NAME OF APPLICANT] certifies that the United
States has not obtained an unsatisfied judgment against its property,
is not delinquent on the payment of Federal income taxes, or any
Federal debt, and will not use grant funds to pay any judgments
obtained by the United States.'' A separate signature relating to this
certification is not required.
7. You must certify that matching funds will be available at the
same time grant funds are anticipated to be spent and that expenditures
of matching funds are pro-rated or spent in advance of grant funding,
such that for every dollar of the total project cost, not less than the
required amount of matching funds will be expended. Please note that
this certification is a separate requirement from the Verification of
Matching Funds requirement. To satisfy the certification requirement,
you should include this statement in your application: ``[INSERT NAME
OF APPLICANT] certifies that matching funds will be available at the
same time grant funds are anticipated to be spent and that expenditures
of matching funds shall be pro-rated or spent in advance of grant
funding, such that for every dollar of the total project cost, at least
25 cents (5 cents for 1994 Institutions) of matching funds will be
expended.'' A separate signature relating to this certification is not
required.
8. You must provide documentation in your application to verify all
of your proposed matching funds. The documentation must be included in
Appendix A of your application and will not count towards the 40-page
limitation. Template letters are available for each type of matching
funds contribution at: http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program.
a. If matching funds are to be provided in cash, the following
requirements must be met:
If the matching funds are being provided by the applicant,
the application must include a statement verifying (1) the amount of
the cash and (2) the source of the cash. You may also provide a bank
statement dated 30 days or less from the application deadline date to
verify your cash match.
If the matching funds are being provided by a third-party,
the application must include a signed letter from the third party
verifying (1) how much cash will be donated and (2) that it will be
available corresponding to the proposed grant period or donated on a
specific date within the grant period.
b. If matching funds are to be provided by an in-kind donation, you
must meet the following requirements:
If the in-kind donation is being provided by the
applicant, the application must include a signed letter from you or
your authorized representative verifying (1) the nature of the goods
and/or services to be donated and how they will be used, (2) when the
goods and/or services will be donated (i.e., corresponding to the
proposed grant period or to specific dates within the grant period),
and (3) the value of the goods and/or services. Please note that most
applicant contributions for the RCDG program are considered applicant
cash match in accordance with this Notice. If you are unsure, please
contact your State Office because identifying your matching funds
improperly can affect your scoring.
If the in-kind donation is being provided by a third-
Party, the application must include a signed letter from the third
party verifying (1) the
[[Page 31271]]
nature of the goods and/or services to be donated and how they will be
used, (2) when the goods and/or services will be donated (i.e.,
corresponding to the proposed grant period or to specific dates within
the grant period), and (3) the value of the goods and/or services.
To ensure that you are identifying and verifying your matching
funds appropriately, please note the following:
If you are paying for goods and/or services as part of the
matching funds requirement, the expenditure is considered a cash match,
and you must verify it as such. Universities must verify the goods and
services they are providing to the project as a cash match and the
verification must be approved by the appropriate approval official
(i.e., sponsored programs office or equivalent).
If you have already received cash from a third-party
(e.g., a foundation) before the start of your proposed grant period,
you must verify this as your own cash match and not as a third-party
cash match. If you are receiving cash from a third-party during the
grant period, then you must verify the cash as a third-party cash
match.
Board resolutions for a cash match must be approved at the
time of application.
You can only consider goods or services for which no
expenditure is made as an in-kind contribution.
If a non-profit or another organization contributes the
services of affiliated volunteers, they must follow the third-party,
in-kind donation verification requirement for each individual
volunteer.
Expected program income may not be used to fulfill your
matching funds requirement at the time you submit your application.
However, if you have a contract to provide services in place at the
time you submit your application, you can verify the amount of the
contract as a cash match.
The valuation processes used for in-kind contributions
does not need to be included in your application, but you must be able
to demonstrate how the valuation was derived if you are awarded a
grant. The grant award may be withdrawn, or the amount of the grant
reduced if you cannot demonstrate how the valuation was derived.
Successful applicants must comply with requirements identified in
Section F, Federal Award Administration Information.
3. Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and System
for Awards Management (SAM)
To be eligible (unless you are excepted under 2 CFR 25.110(b), (c)
or (d)), you are required to:
(a) Provide a valid DUNS number in your application, which can be
obtained at no cost via a toll-free request line at (866) 705-5711;
(b) Register in SAM before submitting your application. You may
register in SAM at no cost at https://www.sam.gov/SAM/. You must
provide your SAM CAGE Code and expiration date in the application
materials. When registering in SAM, you must indicate you are applying
for a Federal financial assistance project or program or are currently
the recipient of funding under any Federal financial assistance project
or program, and
(c) The SAM registration must remain active with current
information at all times while RBCS is considering an application or
while a Federal grant award or loan is active. To maintain the
registration in the SAM database the applicant must review and update
the information in the SAM database annually from date of initial
registration or from the date of the last update. The applicant must
ensure that the information in the database is current, accurate, and
complete. Applicants must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance
General Certifications and Representations in SAM.
If you have not fully complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM
requirements, the Agency may determine that the applicant is not
qualified to receive a Federal award and the Agency may use that
determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. In
accordance with OMB Memorandum M-20-17, the Agency can accept an
application without an active SAM registration. However, the
registration must be completed before an award is made. Current
registrants in SAM with active registrations expiring before July 31,
2021, will be afforded a one-time extension of 60 days. Please refer to
Section F.2. for additional submission requirements that apply to
grantees selected for this program.
4. Submission Date and Time
Explanation of Deadline: Completed applications must be submitted
electronically by no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, August 10,
2021, through Grants.gov, to be eligible for grant funding. Please
review the Grants.gov website at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html for instructions on the process of registering your
organization as soon as possible to ensure that you can meet the
electronic application deadline. Grants.gov will not accept
applications submitted after the deadline.
The Agency will not solicit or consider new scoring or eligibility
information that is submitted after the application deadline. The
Agency reserves the right to contact applicants to seek clarification
on materials contained in the submitted application. See the
Application Template for a full discussion of each item. For
requirements of completed grant applications, refer to Section D of
this document.
5. Intergovernmental Review of Applications
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:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf.
If your State has a designated point of contact (SPOC), you may submit
a copy of the application directly to the SPOC 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 to the SPOC for a review, our State Offices will submit
your application to the SPOC or other appropriate agency or agencies.
6. Funding Restrictions
a. Project funds, including grant and matching funds, cannot be used
for ineligible grant purposes (see 7 CFR 4284.10). Also, you shall not
use project funds for the following:
To purchase, rent, or install laboratory equipment or
processing machinery;
To pay for the operating costs of any entity receiving
assistance from the Center;
To pay costs of the project where a conflict of interest
exists;
To fund any activities prohibited by 2 CFR part 200; or
To fund any activities considered unallowable by 2 CFR
part 200, subpart
[[Page 31272]]
E, ``Cost Principles,'' and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (for-
profits) or successor regulations.
b. In addition, your application will not be considered for funding
if it does any of the following:
Focuses assistance on only one cooperative or mutually-
owned business;
Requests more than the maximum grant amount; or
Proposes ineligible costs that equal more than 10 percent
of total project costs. The ineligible costs will NOT be removed at
this stage to proceed with application processing. For purposes of this
determination, the grant amount requested plus the matching funds
amount constitutes the total project costs.
We will consider your application for funding if it includes
ineligible costs of 10 percent or less of total project costs, if the
remaining costs are determined eligible otherwise. However, if your
application is successful, those ineligible costs must be removed and
replaced with eligible costs before the Agency will make the grant
award, or the amount of the grant award will be reduced accordingly. If
we cannot determine the percentage of ineligible costs, your
application will not be considered for funding.
7. Other Submission Requirements
a. You should not submit your application in more than one format.
You must submit your application electronically. Note that we cannot
accept applications through mail or courier delivery, in-person
delivery, email, or fax. To submit an application electronically, you
must follow the instruction for this funding announcement at http://www.grants.gov.
b. National Environmental Policy Act: All recipients under this
Notice are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1970. However,
technical assistance awards under this Notice are classified as a
Categorical Exclusion according to 7 CFR 1970.53(b), and usually do not
require any additional documentation.
The Agency 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 the Agency with this
determination.
c. Civil Rights Compliance Requirements: All grants made under this
Notice are subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as
required by USDA (7 CFR part 15, subpart A) and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
E. Application Review Information
The State Offices will review applications to determine if they are
eligible for assistance based on requirements in 7 CFR part 4284,
subparts A and F, this Notice, and other applicable Federal
regulations. If determined eligible, your application will be scored by
a panel of USDA employees in accordance with the point allocation
specified in this Notice. Applications will be funded in rank order
until the funding limitation has been reached. Applications that cannot
be fully funded may be offered partial funding at the Agency's
discretion.
1. Scoring Criteria
Scoring criteria will follow statutory criteria in 7 U.S.C. 1932(e)
and the criteria published in the program regulations at 7 CFR 4284.513
as described below. You should also include information as described in
Section D.2.e.5.vi. if you choose to address these items under the
scoring criteria. Evaluators will base scores only on the information
provided or cross-referenced by page number in each individual
evaluation criterion. The maximum amount of points available is 110.
Newly established or proposed Centers that do not yet have a track
record on which to evaluate the following criteria should refer to the
expertise and track records of staff or consultants expected to perform
tasks related to the respective criteria. Proposed or newly established
Centers must be organized well-enough at the time of application to
address its capabilities for meeting these criteria.
a. Administrative capabilities (maximum score of 10 points). A
panel of USDA employees will evaluate your demonstrated track record in
carrying out activities in support of development assistance to
cooperatively and mutually owned businesses. At a minimum, you must
discuss the following administrative capabilities:
1. Financial systems and audit controls;
2. Personnel and program administration performance measures;
3. Clear written rules of governance; and
4. Experience administering Federal grant funding no later than the
last 5 years, including but not limited to past RCDG awards. Please
list the name of the Federal grant program(s), the amount(s), and the
date(s) of funding received.
You will score higher on this criterion if you can demonstrate that
the Center has independent governance. For applicants that are
universities or parent organizations, you should demonstrate that there
is a separate board of directors for the Center.
b. Technical assistance and other services (maximum score of 10
points). A panel of USDA employees will evaluate your demonstrated
expertise no later than the last 5 years in providing technical
assistance and accomplishing effective outcomes in rural areas to
promote and assist the development of cooperatively and mutually owned
businesses. At a minimum, you must discuss:
1. Your potential for delivering effective technical assistance;
2. The types of assistance provided;
3. The expected effects of that assistance;
4. The sustainability of organizations receiving the assistance;
and
5. The transferability of your cooperative development strategies
and focus to other areas of the United States.
A chart or table showing the outcomes of your demonstrated
expertise based upon the performance elements listed in Section
D.2.e.5.iv. or as identified in your award document on previous RCDG
awards is recommended. At a minimum, please provide information for FY
2017 to FY 2019 awards. You may also include any performance outcomes
from an FY 2020 RCDG award. We prefer that you provide one chart or
table for each award year. The intention here is for you to provide
actual performance numbers based upon award years (fiscal year) even
though your grant period for the award was implemented during the next
calendar or fiscal year. Please provide a narrative explanation if you
have not previously received an RCDG award.
You will score higher on this criterion if you provide more than 3
years of outcomes and can demonstrate that the organizations you
assisted within the last 5 years are sustainable. Additional outcome
information should be provided on RCDG grants awarded before FY 2017.
Please describe specific project(s) when addressing items 1-5 of
paragraph b. To reduce duplication, descriptions of specific projects
and their impacts, outcomes and roles can be discussed once under
criterion b or c. However, you must cross-reference the information
under the other criterion.
c. Economic development (maximum score of 10 points). A panel of
USDA employees will evaluate your demonstrated ability to facilitate:
1. Establishment of cooperatives or mutually owned businesses;
2. New cooperative approaches (i.e., organizing cooperatives among
underserved individuals or
[[Page 31273]]
communities; an innovative market approach; a type of cooperative
currently not in your service area; a new cooperative structure; novel
ways to raise member equity or community capitalization; conversion of
an existing business to cooperative ownership); and
3. Retention of businesses, generation of employment opportunities
or other factors, as applicable, that will otherwise improve the
economic conditions of rural areas.
You will score higher on this criterion if you provide quantifiable
economic measurements showing the impacts of your past development
projects no later than the last 5 years and identify your role in the
economic development outcomes.
d. Past performance in establishing legal business entities
(maximum score of 10 points). A panel of USDA employees will evaluate
your demonstrated past performance in establishing legal cooperative
business entities and other legal business entities since October 1,
2016. Provide the name of the organization(s) established, the date(s)
of formation, and your role(s) in assisting with the incorporation(s)
under this criterion. In addition, documentation verifying the
establishment of legal business entities must be included in Appendix C
of your application and will not count against the 40-page limit for
the narrative. The documentation must include proof that organizational
documents were filed with the Secretary of State's Office (i.e.,
Certificate of Incorporation or information from the State's official
website naming the entity established and the date of establishment);
or if the business entity is not required to register with the
Secretary of State, a certification from the business entity that a
legal business entity has been established and when. Please note that
you are not required to submit articles of incorporation to receive
points under this criterion. You will score higher on this criterion if
you have established legal cooperative businesses. If your State does
not incorporate cooperative business entities, please describe how the
established business entity operates like a cooperative. Due to
extenuating circumstances of COVID-19, the Agency will utilize
information in the narrative to score this criterion. Documentation to
verify past performance in establishing legal entities will be required
before an award is made.
e. Networking and regional focus (maximum score of 10 points). A
panel of USDA employees will evaluate your demonstrated commitment to:
1. Networking with other cooperative development centers, and other
organizations involved in rural economic development efforts, and
2. Developing multi-organization and multi-State approaches to
addressing the economic development and cooperative needs of rural
areas.
You will score higher on this criterion if you can demonstrate the
outcomes of your multi-organizational and multi-State approaches.
Please describe the project(s), partners and the outcome(s) that
resulted from the approach.
f. Commitment (maximum score of 10 points). A panel of USDA
employees will evaluate your commitment to providing technical
assistance and other services to underserved and economically
distressed areas in rural areas of the United States. You will score
higher on this criterion if you define and describe the underserved and
economically distressed areas within your service area, provide
economic statistics, and identify past or current projects within or
affecting these areas, as appropriate. Projects identified in the work
plan and budget that are located in persistent poverty counties as
defined in Section 736 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021,
will score even higher on this criterion.
g. Matching Funds (maximum score of 10 points). A panel of USDA
employees will evaluate your commitment for the 25 percent (5 percent
for 1994 Institutions) matching funds requirement. A chart or table
should be provided to describe all matching funds being committed to
the project. However, formal documentation to verify all the matching
funds must be included in Appendix A of your application. You will be
scored on the total amount and how you identify your matching funds.
1. If you meet the 25 percent (5 percent for 1994 Institutions)
matching funds requirement, points will be assigned as follows:
In-kind only--1 point;
Mix of in-kind and cash--3-4 points (maximum points will
be awarded if the ratio of cash to in-kind is 30 percent or more); or
Cash only--5 points.
2. If you exceed the 25 percent (5 percent for 1994 Institutions)
matching funds requirement, points will be assigned as follows:
In-kind only--2 points;
Mix of in-kind and cash--6-7 points (maximum points will
be awarded if the ratio of cash to in-kind is 30 percent or more); or
Cash only--up to 10 points.
h. Work Plan/Budget (maximum score of 10 points). A panel of USDA
employees will evaluate your work plan for detailed actions and an
accompanying timetable for implementing the proposal. The budget must
present a breakdown of the estimated costs associated with cooperative
and business development activities as well as the operation of the
Center and allocate these costs to each of the tasks to be undertaken.
Matching funds as well as grant funds must be accounted for in the
budget.
You must discuss at a minimum:
1. Specific tasks (whether it be by type of service or specific
project) to be completed using grant and matching funds;
2. How customers will be identified;
3. Key personnel; and
4. The evaluation methods to be used to determine the success of
specific tasks and overall objectives of Center operations. Please
provide qualitative methods of evaluation. For example, evaluation
methods should go beyond quantitative measurements of completing
surveys or number of evaluations.
You will score higher on this criterion if you present a clear,
logical, realistic, and efficient work plan and budget.
i. Qualifications of those Performing the Tasks (maximum score of
10 points). A panel of USDA employees will evaluate your application to
determine if the personnel expected to perform key tasks have
experience:
1. Developing positive solutions for complex cooperative
development and/or marketing problems; and
2. Conducting accurate feasibility studies, business plans,
marketing analysis, or other activities relevant to your success as
determined by the tasks identified in the work plan.
Your application must indicate whether the personnel expected to
perform the tasks are full/part-time employees of your organization or
are contract personnel. You will score higher on this criterion if you
demonstrate commitment and availability of qualified personnel expected
to perform the tasks.
j. Local and Future Support (maximum score of 10 points). A panel
of USDA employees will evaluate your application for local and future
support. Support should be discussed directly within the response to
this criterion.
1. Discussion of local support should include previous and/or
expected local support and plans for coordinating with other
developmental organizations in the proposed service area or with state
and local government institutions. You will score higher if you
demonstrate strong support from potential beneficiaries and formal
evidence of intent to coordinate with other developmental
organizations. You may
[[Page 31274]]
also submit a maximum of 10 letters of support or intent to coordinate
with the application to verify your discussion. These letters should be
included in Appendix B of your application and will not count against
the 40-page limit for the narrative. Due to the extenuating
circumstances of COVID-19, the Agency will utilize information in the
narrative to score this criterion. Documentation to verify local
support will be required before an award is made.
2. Discussion on future support will include your vision for
funding operations in future years. You should document:
(i) New and existing funding sources that support your goals;
(ii) Alternative funding sources that reduce reliance on Federal,
State, and local grants; and
(iii) The use of in-house personnel for providing services versus
contracting out for that expertise. Please discuss your strategy for
building in-house technical assistance capacity.
You will score higher if you can demonstrate that your future
support will result in long-term sustainability of the Center,
including the use and building of in-house personnel for providing
services.
k. Administrator Discretionary Points (maximum of 10 points). The
Administrator may choose to award up to 10 points to an eligible non-
profit corporation or institution of higher education that has never
previously been awarded an RCDG grant.
2. Review and Selection Process
The State Offices will review applications to determine if they are
eligible for assistance based on requirements in 7 CFR part 4284,
subparts A and F, this Notice, and other applicable Federal
regulations. If determined eligible, your application will be scored by
a panel of USDA employees in accordance with the point allocation
specified in this Notice. The Administrator may choose to award up to
10 Administrator priority points based on criterion (k) in section E.1.
of this Notice. These points will be added to the cumulative score for
a total possible score of 110. Applications will be funded in highest
ranking order until the appropriations funding limitation for the RCDG
program has been reached. Applications that cannot be fully funded may
be offered partial funding at the Agency's discretion. If your
application is evaluated, but not funded, it will not be carried
forward into the competition for any subsequent fiscal year program
funding. Successful applicants must comply with requirements identified
in Section F, Federal Award Administration Information.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices
If you are selected for funding, you will receive a signed notice
of Federal award by postal or electronic mail from the State Office
where your application was submitted, containing instructions and
requirements necessary to proceed with execution and performance of the
award. You must comply with all applicable statutes, regulations, and
notice requirements before the grant award will be funded.
If you are not selected for funding, you will be notified in
writing via postal or electronic mail and informed of any review and
appeal rights. See 7 CFR part 11 for USDA National Appeals Division
(NAD) procedures. Note that rejected applicants that are successful in
their NAD appeals will not receive funding in the event that all FY
2021 RCDG program funding has already been awarded and obligated to
other applicants.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Additional requirements that apply to grantees selected for this
program can be found in 7 CFR part 4284, subpart F; the Grants and
Agreements regulations of the Department of Agriculture codified in 2
CFR parts 180, 200, 400, 415, 417, 418, 421; 2 CFR parts 25 and 170;
and 48 CFR part 31 (subpart 31.2), and successor regulations to these
parts.
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 170.110(b)).
The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected
for awards within this program:
a. Execution of an Agency-approved Grant Agreement;
b. Acceptance of a written Letter of Conditions; and submission of
the following Agency forms:
Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if
applicable.
3. Reporting
After grant approval and through grant completion, you will be
required to provide an SF-425, ``Federal Financial Report,'' and a
project performance report on a semiannual basis (due 30 working days
after end of the semiannual period). The project performance reports
shall include the following:
a. A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives
established for that period;
b. Reasons why established objectives were not met, if applicable;
c. Reasons for any 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 particular objectives during established time
periods. This disclosure shall be accompanied by a statement of the
action taken or planned to resolve the situation; and
d. Objectives and timetable established for the next reporting
period.
The grantee must provide a final project and financial status
report within 90 days after the expiration or termination of the grant
with a summary of the project performance reports and final
deliverables to closeout a grant in accordance to 2 CFR 200.344.
G. Agency Contacts
If you have questions about this Notice, please contact the
appropriate State Office at http://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. Program guidance as well as application and matching funds
templates may be obtained at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-cooperative-development-grant-program. You may also contact
National Office Program Management Division: RCDG Program Lead,
[email protected], or call the main line at 202-720-1400.
Applicants must follow the instructions for the RCDG funding
announcement located at http://www.grants.gov.
H. Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its
Agencies, offices, and 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/
[[Page 31275]]
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.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print,
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible
Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or
contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages
other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint and
at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in
the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a
copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed
form or letter 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) Email: [email protected].
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Mark Brodziski,
Acting Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-12292 Filed 6-10-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
