[Federal Register: May 12, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 91)]
[Notices]
[Page 25321-25325]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Request for Proposals; Fiscal Year 2003 Funding Opportunity for
1890 Land Grant Institutions Rural Entrepreneurial Program Outreach
Initiative
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) announces the
availability of approximately $1.5 million in competitive cooperative
agreement funds allocated from fiscal year (FY) 2003 budget. RBS hereby
requests proposals from the 1890 Land Grant Universities and Tuskegee
University (1890 Institutions) interested in applying for competitively
awarded cooperative agreements for support of RBS' mission goals and
objectives of outreach to small rural communities and to develop
programs that will develop future entrepreneurs and businesses in rural
America in those communities that have the most economic need. These
programs must provide sustainable development that is in keeping with
the needs of the community and designed to help overcome current
identified economic problems. Proposals in both traditional and
nontraditional business enterprises are encouraged. The initiative
seeks to create a working partnership between the 1890 Institutions and
RBS through cooperative agreements.
Grants will be made for proposals found to be meritorious by a peer
review panel to the extent that funds are available. However, there is
no commitment by RBS to fund any particular proposal or to make a
specific number of awards.
Eligible applicants must provide matching funds in support of this
project. Matching funds must equal at least 25 percent of the amount
provided by RBS in the cooperative agreement. This notice lists the
information needed to submit on application for these funds.
DATES: Cooperative agreement applications must be received by 4 p.m.
July 11, 2003. Proposals received after July 11, 2003, will not be
considered for funding.
ADDRESSES: Send proposals and other required materials to Mr. Edgar L.
Lewis, Program Manager, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA, Stop
3252, Room 4221, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-
3252. Telephone: (202) 690-3407. e-mail: edgar.lewis@usda.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Edgar L. Lewis, Program Manager,
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA, Stop 3252, Room 4221, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3252. Telephone: (202)
690-3407. e-mail: edgar.lewis@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
General Information
This solicitation is issued pursuant to section 607(b)(4) of the
Rural Development Act of 1972, as amended by section 759A of the
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. Also, this
solicitation is issued pursuant to Executive Order 13256 (February 12,
2002),--``President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges
and Universities.''
RBS was established by the Department of Agriculture Reorganization
Act of 1994. The mission of RBS is to enhance the quality of life for
rural Americans by providing leadership in building competitive
businesses including sustainable cooperatives that can prosper in the
global marketplace. RBS meets these goals by: investing financial
resources and providing technical assistance to businesses and
cooperatives located in rural communities and establishing strategic
alliances and partnerships that leverage public, private, and
cooperative resources to create jobs and stimulate rural economic
activity.
The primary purpose of the 1890 Land Grant Institutions Rural
Entrepreneurial Program Outreach Initiative is to promote Rural
Development programs, provide outreach and technical assistance, and
encourage and assist underserved rural community residents to
participate in the USDA-Rural Development programs, especially those
administered by RBS. This outreach initiative is also designed to
develop programs that will develop future entrepreneurs and businesses
in rural America in those communities that have the most economic need.
These programs must provide sustainable development that is in keeping
with the needs of the community and are designed to help overcome
current identified economic problems. Proposals in both traditional and
nontraditional business enterprises are encouraged. The initiative
seeks to create a working partnership through cooperative agreements
between 1890 Institutions and RBS, to develop programs to assist future
entrepreneurs and businesses.
RBS plans to use cooperative agreements with the 1890 Institutions
to strengthen the capacity of these communities to undertake
innovative, comprehensive, citizen led, long-term strategies for
community and economic development. The cooperative agreements will be
for an outreach effort to promote RBS programs in targeted underserved
rural communities and shall include, but are not limited to:
(a) Developing a program of business startup and technical
assistance for assisting with new business development, business
planning, franchise startup and consulting, business expansion studies,
marketing analysis, cashflow management, and seminars and workshops for
small businesses;
(b) Developing management and technical assistance plans that will:
(1) Assess small business alternatives to traditional agricultural
and other natural resource based industries;
(2) Assist in the development of business plans or loan packages,
marketing, or bookkeeping;
(3) Assist and train small businesses in customer relations,
product development, or business planning and development.
(c) Assessing and conducting feasibility studies of local community
weaknesses and strength, feasible alternatives to agricultural
production, and the necessary infrastructure to expand or develop new
or existing businesses;
(d) Providing community leaders with advice and recommendations
regarding best practices in community economic development stimulus
programs for their communities;
(e) Conducting seminars to disseminate information to stimulate
business and economic development in selected rural communities; and
(f) Developing computer technology outreach and establishing and
maintaining a computer network system, linking community leaders and
residents to available economic development information.
To obtain application instructions and all required forms, please
contact the Cooperative Services Program at (202) 690-3407 or FAX (202)
690-2723. The application forms and instructions may also be requested
via e-mail by sending a message with your name, mailing address, and
phone number to edgar.lewis@usda.gov. The application forms and
instructions will be mailed to you (not e-mailed or faxed) as quickly
as possible. When calling or e-mailing the Cooperative Services
Program,
[[Page 25322]]
please indicate that you are requesting application forms and
instructions for the FY 2003 1890 Land Grant Institutions Rural
Entrepreneurial Program Outreach Initiative. The application forms may
also be located on the Rural Business-Cooperative Service website:
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/oa/1890.htm.
Applicants are encouraged to closely examine the evaluation
criteria noted in the ``Evaluation Criteria and Weights'' section of
this notice as proposals are prepared.
Use of Funds
Funds may be used to pay up to 75 percent of the costs for carrying
out relevant projects. Applicants' contributions may be in cash or in-
kind contributions and must be from non-Federal funds. Funds may not be
used to: (a) Pay more than 75 percent of relevant project or
administrative costs; (b) pay costs of preparing the application
package; (c) fund political activities; (d) pay costs prior to the
effective date of the cooperative agreement; (e) provide for revolving
funds; (f) do construction; (g) conduct any activities where there is
or may appear to be a conflict of interest; or (h) purchase real
estate.
Based on the Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003, (Pub. L.
108-7, Feb. 20, 2003), ``No funds appropriated by this Act may be used
to pay indirect cost rates on cooperative agreements or similar
arrangements between the United States Department of Agriculture and
nonprofit institutions in excess of 10 percent of the total cost of the
agreement when the purpose of such cooperative arrangement is to carry
out programs of mutual interest between the two parties.''
Available Funds and Award Limitations
The total amount of funds available in FY 2003 for support of this
program is approximately $1.5 million. Applicants should request a
budget commensurate with the project proposed. Total funds to be
awarded will be distributed to the 1890 Institutions, competitively,
for the purpose of conducting outreach and providing technical
assistance to targeted small rural communities. This outreach
initiative includes, but is not limited to, technical assistance in
economic and community development, feasibility studies, research,
market development, loan packaging, conducting workshops and seminars
in the area of business and economic development, and developing and
providing access to computer technology and website development to the
targeted population and communities. The actual number of cooperative
agreements funded will depend on the quality of proposals received and
the amount of funding requested. Maximum amount of Federal funds
awarded for any one proposal will be $150,000. It is anticipated that a
typical award would range from $75,000 to $150,000. A larger award may
be granted at the RBS Administrator's discretion.
Eligible Applicants and Beneficiaries
Eligible applicants are 1890 Institutions. Eligible applicants must
provide matching funds equal to at least 25 percent of the amount
provided by RBS in the cooperative agreement. Matching funds must be
spend in proportion to the spending of funds received from the
cooperative agreement. The applicant and assigned personnel must also
have expertise and experience in providing the recommended assistance.
Applicants should also have a previous record of successful
implementation of similar projects and must have the expertise in the
use of electronic network technologies and/or a business information
system network website.
Eligible beneficiaries must be located in a rural area as defined
in 7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(b) with economic need. Economic need can be
demonstrated by the methods delineated in the ``Evaluation Criteria and
Weights'' section of this Notice. Location in an Empowerment Zone,
Enterprise Community, Champion Community, Federally-recognized Tribal
Indian groups or other Federally declared economic depressed or
disaster area is sufficient evidence of economic need. Eligible
beneficiaries must also be located in communities that show significant
community support for the proposal. Preference will be given for
projects that operate in a multi-county service area.
Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to
apply provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the
project; however, the subcontracted amount may not exceed one-third of
the total Federal award.
Methods for Evaluating and Ranking Applications
Each application will be evaluated in a two-part process. First,
each application will be screened to ensure that it meets the
administrative requirements as set forth in this Notice of Request for
Proposals. Second, a number of expert reviewers will conduct a merit
review based on the ``Evaluation Criteria and Weights'' section of this
notice. The review of the individual reviewers will be used by RBS to
determine which application will be recommended to the RBS
Administrator for funding. Evaluated applications will be ranked based
on merit. The RBS Administrator will make final approval for those
applications recommended for an award. If there is a tie score after
the proposals have been rated and ranked, the tie will be resolved by
the proposal with the largest matching funds as a percent of the
Federal amount of the award.
Evaluation Criteria and Weights
Proposals will be evaluated using the following seven criteria.
Each criterion is given the weight value shown with total points equal
to 100. The points assigned provide an indication of the relative
importance of each section and will be used by the reviewers in
evaluating the proposals. Points do not have to be awarded by RBS for
each criterion. After all proposals have been evaluated, the
Administrator may award an additional 10 discretionary points to any
proposal to obtain the broadest geographic dispersion of the funds,
insure a broad diversity of project proposals, or insure a broad
diversity in the size of the awards.
(a) Support of Local Community (Up to 10 points)--Proposals should
have the support of local government, educational, community, and
business groups. Higher points will be awarded for proposals
demonstrating broad support from all components of the communities
served. Broad support is demonstrated by tangible contribution, such as
volunteering human capital, computers, transportation, and/or co-
sponsoring workshops and conferences. Points will be awarded based on
the level of tangible contribution in comparison to the size of the
award. Tangible support must be stated in letters from supporting
entities.
(b) Matching Funds/Leveraging (Up to 15 points)--This criteria
relates to the extent to which the institution has the capacity to
support the project with matching funds and leveraging additional funds
and resources to carry out this outreach initiative.
A maximum of 10 points will be awarded based upon the amount the
proposal exceeds the minimum 25 percent matching requirement.
Applicants will be required to provide matching funds or equivalent in-
kind in support of this project. Evidence of matching funds
availability must be provided. Funds or equivalent in-kind must be
available at the time the cooperative agreement is entered into.
[[Page 25323]]
Matching funds points will be awarded as listed below.
25 percent to 35 percent match--2 points
35 percent to 50 percent match--5 points
50 percent to 75 percent match--7 points
75 percent match--10 points
Up to 5 additional points may be awarded based on the applicant's
capacity to leverage additional funds and resources from other private
and nonprivate sources to support this outreach initiative. Applicants
must provide sufficient information on the amount and sources of
leveraging activities for the evaluation panel to properly rate this
criterion.
(c) Economic Need of Community (Up to 20 points)--This criterion
will be evaluated based on the economic need of the targeted
communities.
A maximum of 7 points will automatically be awarded to proposals
with one or more of the following entities in a targeted community(s):
Empowerment Zones, Enterprise Communities, Champion Communities,
Federally-recognized Indian Tribal groups, and other Federally declared
economic depressed or disaster areas. Applicants must provide
sufficient information for the panel to properly rate this part of the
above criterion. The proposals must state the name and location of the
declared economic depressed area.
Rural underserved targeted counties/communities should be the same
as the RBS definition for rural eligibility, which is any area other
than a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000
inhabitants and the urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to such a
city or town, as defined by the U.S. Bureau of the Census using the
latest decennial census of the United States.
Also, for this criterion, a maximum of 8 points will be awarded for
demonstrated economic need based on the currently available poverty
rate of the targeted local community(s). Applicants may use targeted
county/or community poverty rates if available. When multi-communities
proposals are submitted, the overall weighted average for all counties
or communities will be used. Applicants must use current (2000 Census)
poverty data for each targeted county/or community and for their
respective State. Points will be awarded based on the differences in
the targeted county/or community average poverty from the respective
State poverty rate (average targeted county or community poverty rate-
State poverty rate) as following. Percents will be rounded to the next
whole number.
Less than 3 percent--0 points
3-6 percent--1 point
7-10 percent--2 points
11-15 percent--5 points
Greater than 15 percent--8 points
Up to five additional points may be awarded for this criterion
based on the applicant's ability to demonstrate or identify other
economic needs of the targeted communities, such as, but not limited
to, unemployment rates, education levels, and job availability. The
applicant must provide sufficient information for the panel to properly
rate this part of the above criterion.
(d) Previous Accomplishments (Up to 10 points)--This criterion will
be evaluated based on the applicant's previous accomplishments with
this outreach initiative and/or demonstrative capacity to conduct
similar outreach work.
A point will be awarded to those institutions for each year they
have been awarded a cooperative agreement under this program up to 5
years. Applicants must provide evidence of satisfactorily completing
the agreement for each year that they claim for credit.
Up to five additional points may be awarded based on the
applicant's ability to document the impact of their project upon the
targeted underserved rural communities. It is incumbent upon the
applicant to provide information as to the type of services delivered,
the names of rural communities, and the number of targeted audiences
served the last year awarded.
Applicants with zero or less than 5 recent years of awards in this
program may receive up to the maximum 10 points by highlighting the
institution's commitment and previous performance on this project or
projects with similar outreach objectives. The applicant should discuss
the potential impact of their project upon the targeted underserved
rural communities, as well as describing previous similar outreach
work.
(e) Statement of Work (up to 20 Points)--This criterion relates to
the degree to which the proposed project addresses the major purposes
for the ``1890 Land Grant Institutions Rural Entrepreneurial Program
Outreach Initiative.'' Points will be awarded according to the degree
to which the statement of work reflects innovative strategies for
providing outreach and assistance to the targeted underserved rural
entrepreneurs, businesses and communities, and the potential for
achieving project objectives. To receive the maximum points, proposals
must have a clearly and concisely stated work plan showing objectives,
goals, timetables, expected results, measurable outcomes, and who will
be performing various activities, including RBS involvement.
(f) Digital Technology Outreach (Up to 10 points)--This criterion
is meant to evaluate the applicant's level of outreach and capacity to
provide innovative and effective computer technology outreach to the
underserved targeted rural communities.
A maximum of 5 points will be awarded based on the applicant's
demonstrated capacity to promote innovations and improvements in the
delivery of computer technology benefits to underserved rural
communities whose share in these benefits is disproportionably low.
Examples of innovations and improvements in this needed area include,
but are not limited to, computer-base, decision support systems to
assist entrepreneurs and rural community governments in taking
advantage of relevant technologies or efficacious delivery systems for
business information or resource management assistance for rural
underserved entrepreneurs and local governments and providing business
information systems network.
Up to five additional points may be awarded based on the
qualification and subject skill level of the individuals directly
conducting the technology outreach activities. Applicants must provide
sufficient information for the evaluation panel to properly rate this
technology criterion.
(g) Coordination and Management of the Project (Up to 15 points)--
This criterion will be evaluated based on the applicant's demonstrated
capacity to coordinate and manage this type of outreach initiative
among the various stakeholders.
A maximum of 8 points will be awarded for the coordination plan.
Applicants will need to describe the role and coordination mechanisms
among various participants, including communities, the applicant, and
RBS. The nature of the collaborations and benefits to participants must
also be described.
By definition, a cooperative agreement requires sufficient
involvement by the funding agent in carrying out the project objectives
in the project. Therefore, up to 7 additional points may be awarded for
this criterion based on demonstration of broad involvement and
collaboration with each applicant's respective RBS State Office as
related to the outreach project. This involvement and collaboration
[[Page 25324]]
should include, but is not limited to: (1) RBS State Office input and
review of institution's proposal, (2) invitations to attend and
participate in workshops and conferences when needed, (3) on-going
monitoring of the outreach project, and (4) directing applicants to the
RBS State Office when applicable.
Deliverables
During the term of the negotiated agreements, the recipients will
deliver quarterly reports of progress of the work to RBS and prepare
and deliver a final report detailing all work done and results
accomplished. In addition, all reports forwarded to RBS must be
forwarded to the Rural Development State Office. Also, upon request by
RBS, the recipient will deliver manuscripts, videotapes, software, or
other media, as may be identified in approved proposals. RBS retains
those rights delineated in 7 CFR 3019.36. Also, the recipients will
deliver project outreach success stories and other project related
information requested by RBS for use on the website (http://bisnet.sus.edu
), or other websites designated by RBS.
Award Amount
In the event that the applicant is to receive an award that is less
than the amount requested, the applicant will be required to modify the
application to conform to the reduced amount before execution of the
cooperative agreement. RBS reserves the right to reduce or de-obligate
any award if acceptable modifications are not submitted by the awardees
within 10 working days from the date the application is returned to the
applicant. Any modification must be within the scope of the original
application.
Recipient Requirements
Institutions that are awarded a cooperative agreement will be
responsible for the following:
(a) Completing the objectives as defined in the approved proposal.
(b) During the term of the agreement, keep up-to-date records on
the project, and on or prior to October 6, January 5, April 5, and July
5, make quarterly reports of the progress of the work to RBS, and
prepare a final report detailing all work done and results
accomplished. All reports will be forwarded to the RBS National Office
and to the final report detailing all work done and results
accomplished. All reports will be forwarded to the RBS National Office
and to the Rural Development State Office.
(c) Submit to RBS, on a quarterly basis, Form SF-270, ``Request for
Advance or Reimbursement.''
(d) Keep an account of expenditures of the Federal dollars and
matching fund dollars and provide to RBS, Form SF-269, ``Financial
Status Report,'' with each Form SF-270 submitted, and a final SF-269
within 90 days of the project's completion.
(e) Immediately refund to RBS, at the end of the agreement, any
balance of unobligated funds received from RBS.
(f) Provide matching funds or equivalent in-kind in support of the
project, at least to the level agreed to in the accepted proposal.
(g) Conduct seminars to disseminate Rural Development program
information to stimulate business and economic development in selected
rural communities.
(h) Participate in the RBS Entrepreneurship Conferences when
planned.
(i) In cooperation with local businesses, develop a program of
business startup and technical assistance that will assist with new
company development, business planning, new enterprise, franchise
startup and consulting, business expansion studies, marketing analysis,
cashflow management, and seminars and workshops for small businesses.
(j) Provide office space, equipment, and supplies for all personnel
assigned to the project.
(k) Develop management and technical assistance plans in
cooperation with RBS State Office that will:
(1) Assess small business alternatives to agricultural and other
natural resources-based industries;
(2) Assist in the development of business plans and loan packages,
marketing, bookkeeping assistance, and organizational sustainability;
and
(3) In cooperation with the RBS State Office, provide technical
assistance and training in customer relations, product development, and
business planning and development.
(l) Assess the need for and, if necessary, conduct a feasibility
study of local community weaknesses and strengths, feasible
alternatives to agriculture production, and the needed infrastructure
to expand or develop new or existing businesses. The plans for any such
studies must be submitted for approval prior to the study being
conducted.
(m) In cooperation with the RBS State Office, provide community
leaders with advice and recommendations regarding best practices in
community economic development stimulus programs for their communities.
(n) Develop technology outreach and establish and maintain a
Business Information Network System website, linking community leaders
and residents to available economic development information.
(o) Assure and certify that it is in compliance with, and will
comply in the course of the agreement with, all applicable laws,
regulations, Executive orders, and other generally applicable
requirements, including those set out in 7 CFR 3015.205(b) and 7 CFR
part 3019.
(p) Federal funds can only be used to pay meeting related travel
expenses, if the employees are performing a service of direct benefit
to the government directly in furtherance of the objectives of the
proposed agreement. Therefore, Federal funds cannot be used to pay non-
Federal employees to attend meetings.
(q) Not commingle or use program funds for administrative expenses
to operate an Intermediary Relending Program (IRP).
(r) As a cooperative agreement and not a grant, the 1890
Institution will collaborate with the RBS National and State Offices in
performing the tasks in the agreement as needed and will provide the
RBS National Office with the necessary information for RBS to do the
following:
(1) Monitor the program as it is being implemented and operated,
including monitoring of financial information to ensure that there is
no commingling or use of program funds for administrative expenses to
operate an IRP or other unapproved items.
(2) Halt activity, after written notice, if tasks are not met.
(3) Review and approve changes to key personnel.
(4) Provide guidance in the evaluation process and other technical
assistance as needed.
(5) Approve the final plans for the community business workshops,
business and economic development sessions, and training workshops to
be conducted by the Institution.
(6) Provide reference assistance as needed to the Institution for
technical assistance given on a one-on-one basis to entrepreneurs and
startup businesses.
(7) Review and comment upon strategic plans developed by the
Institution for targeted areas.
(8) Review economic assessments made by the Institution for
targeted counties so that RBS can indicate which of its programs may be
beneficial.
(9) Carefully screen the project to prevent First Amendment
violations.
(10) Monitor the program to ensure that a Business Information
System Network website link is established and maintained.
[[Page 25325]]
(11) Provide technical assistance and training to the Business
Information System Network Hub-sites and Wide Area Network (WAN) Team
Members at the universities in preparing economic development
information for posting on the Internet.
(12) Allow the RBS State Office to conduct a semi-annual on-site
review and submit written reports to the National Office.
Content of a Proposal
A proposal should contain an original and two copies of each of the
following:
(a) Completed Forms.
(1) Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.''
(2) Form SF-424A, ``Budget Information--Non-Construction
Programs.''
(3) Form SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.''
(4) Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered Transactions.''
(5) Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace
Requirements.''
(6) Form SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.''
(b) Table of Contents. For ease of locating information, each
proposal must contain a detailed Table of Contents immediately
following the required forms. The Table of Contents should include page
numbers for each component of the proposal. Pagination should begin
immediately following the Table of Contents.
(c) Project Executive Summary. A summary of the Project, not to
exceed one page.
(d) Project Proposal. The application must contain a narrative
statement describing the nature of the proposed outreach initiative.
The proposal must include at least the following:
(1) Project Title Page. Should include the following: Title of the
project, names of principal investigators, and applicant organization.
(2) Introduction. A concisely worded justification or rationale for
the outreach initiative must be presented. Included should be a
summarization of social and economical statistical data (income
population, employment rate, poverty rate, education attainment, etc.),
of the target area which substantiates the need for the outreach
initiative. Note in this section if the target area includes an
Employment Zone/Enterprise Community, Champion Community, Federally-
recognized Indian Tribal group or other Federally declared economic
disaster area.
(3) Workplan. Discuss the approach (strategy) to be used in
carrying out the proposed outreach initiative and accomplishing the
objectives. A description of any subcontracting arrangements to be used
in carrying out the project must be included. Also, the workplan must
include:
(i) Overview of the project objectives and goals: Identify and
discuss the specific goals and objectives of the project and the impact
of the outreach initiative on end-users;
(ii) Timeframe: Develop a tentative schedule for conducting the
major steps of the outreach initiative;
(iii) Milestones: Describe and quantify the expected outcome of the
specific outreach objective, including jobs created or assisted,
conferences and seminars conducted and number of participants, loans
packaged, etc.;
(iv) Recipient involvement: Identify the person(s) who will be
performing the activities; and
(v) RBS involvement: Identify RBS staff responsible for assisting
and monitoring the activities.
(4) Estimated Budget. Detail budget justification including
matching funds.
(5) Leveraging Funds. Other institutional support of this outreach
initiative project.
(6) Coordination and Management Plan. Describe how the project will
be coordinated among various participants, nature of the collaborations
and benefits to participants, the communities, the applicant, and RBS.
Describe plans for management of the project to ensure its proper and
efficient administration. Describe scope of RBS involvement in the
project.
(7) Technology Outreach. The proposal should address the
applicant's ability to deliver computer technology to the targeted
rural communities and implement and maintain a computer network system
linking community leaders and residents to available economic
development information.
(8) Key Personnel Support. The proposal should include curriculum
vitae for the principal investigator and other key personnel used to
carry out the goals and objectives of the proposal.
(9) Facilities or Equipment. Where the project will be located
(housed) and what other equipment is needed or already available to
carry out the specific objectives of the project.
(10) Previous Accomplishments. Summarize previous accomplishments
of outreach work funded by RBS or similar outreach experiences,
especially for first-time applicants.
(11) Local Support. Letters of support from the local community
such as businesses, educational institutions, local governments,
community-based organizations, etc. Letters of support should show
support with commitment for tangible resources and or assistance.
(12) Any other information necessary for RBS to approve and rank
your proposal.
Additionally, you are encouraged to provide any strategic plan that
has been developed to assist business development or entrepreneurship
for the targeted communities.
What To Submit
All applicants for the cooperative agreement must submit a
completed original, plus two copies of the proposal for this
competitive program. Do not bind the original copy.
Other Federal Statutes and Regulations That Apply
Several other Federal statutes and regulations apply to proposals
considered for review and to cooperative agreements awarded. These
include, but are not limited to:
CFR part 15, subpart A--Nondiscrimination in Federally-Assisted
Programs of the Department of Agriculture--Effectuation of Title VI of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
7 CFR part 3015--Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations.
7 CFR part 3017--Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension
(Nonprocurement) and Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free
Workplace (Grants).
7 CFR part 3018--New Restrictions on Lobbying.
7 CFR part 3019--Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and
Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other
Non-Profit Organizations.
7 CFR part 3052--Audits of States, Local Governments and Non-Profit
Organizations.
Paperwork Reduction Act
The paperwork burden associated with this initiative has been
cleared by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB Control Number
0570-0041.
Dated: May 6, 2003
John Rosso,
Administrator, Rural Businesses-Cooperative Service.
[FR Doc. 03-11760 Filed 5-9-03; 8:45 am]
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