[Federal Register: July 30, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 146)]
[Notices]
[Page 44729-44738]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30jy03-32]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Housing Service
Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the
Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI)
AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of $6 million of grant
funds for the RCDI program through the Rural Housing Service (RHS),
herein referred to as the Agency, USDA. Applicants must provide
matching funds in an amount at least equal to the Federal grant. These
grants will be made to qualified intermediary organizations that will
provide financial and technical assistance to recipients to develop
their capacity and ability to undertake projects related to housing,
community facilities, or community and economic development. This
notice lists the information needed to submit an application for these
funds.
DATES: The deadline for receipt of an application is 4 p.m. e.s.t.
October 28, 2003. The application date and time are firm. The Agency
will not consider any application received after the deadline.
ADDRESSES: Entities wishing to apply for assistance may download the
application requirements delineated in this notice from the RCDI Web
site: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm. Applicants may also
request application packages from: William Kenney, Rural Housing
Service, STOP 0787, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-
0787, Telephone (202) 720-1506, e-mail: william.kenney@usda.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Kenney, Senior Loan
Specialist, Community Programs, RHS, USDA, STOP 0787, 1400 Independence
Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20250-0787, Telephone (202) 720-1506,
Facsimile (202) 690-0471, e-mail: william.kenney@usda.gov. You may also
obtain information from the RCDI Web site: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm
.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Programs Affected
This program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance under Number 10.446. This program is not subject to the
provisions of Executive Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental
consultation with State and local officials.
Paperwork Reduction Act
The paperwork burden has been cleared by the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0575-0180.
[[Page 44730]]
Background
Congress created the RCDI in fiscal year (FY) 2000 to develop the
capacity and ability of nonprofit organizations, low-income rural
communities, or Federally recognized tribes to undertake projects
related to housing, community facilities, or community and economic
development in rural areas. Numerous changes have been made each year
since. Congress appropriated $6 million in FY 2003 for the RCDI.
Qualified private and public (including tribal) intermediary
organizations proposing to carry out financial and technical assistance
programs will be eligible to receive the funding. The intermediary will
be required to provide matching funds in an amount at least equal to
the RCDI grant.
Definitions for RCDI Purposes
Agency--the Rural Housing Service (RHS) or its successor.
Beneficiary--entities or individuals that receive benefits from
assistance provided by the recipient.
Capacity--the ability of a recipient to finance and implement
housing, community facilities, or community and economic development
projects.
Federally recognized tribes--tribal entities recognized and
eligible for funding and services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs,
based on the notice in the Federal Register published by the Bureau of
Indian Affairs on July 12, 2002, volume 67, number 134, page 46328.
Tribally Designated Housing Entities are eligible RCDI recipients.
Financial assistance--Funds used by the intermediary to support the
recipient's program, including funds that pass through the intermediary
to the recipient for eligible RCDI purposes.
Funds--the RCDI grant and matching money.
Intermediary--a qualified private, nonprofit, or public (including
tribal) organization that provides financial and technical assistance
to multiple recipients. The applicant entity must have been organized
for a minimum of 3 years.
Low-income community--an authority, district, economic development
authority, regional council, or unit of government representing an
incorporated city, town, village, county, township, parish, or borough.
The location of the low-income community office that will be receiving
the financial and technical assistance must be in a community with a
median household income at, or below, 80 percent of either the State or
national median household income.
Matching funds--cash or confirmed funding commitments. Matching
funds must be at least equal to the grant amount. These funds can only
be used for eligible RCDI activities. In-kind contributions cannot be
used as matching funds.
Nonprofit organization--a private, community-based housing or
community development entity with evidence of their nonprofit status.
Examples of valid documentation of nonprofit status include, but are
not limited to, a letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or a
confirming certificate from the Secretary of State where the entity is
located.
Recipient--the entity that receives the financial and technical
assistance from the intermediary. The recipient must be a nonprofit
organization, a low-income rural community, or a Federally recognized
tribe.
Rural and rural area--a city, town, or unincorporated area that has
a population of 50,000 inhabitants or less, other than urbanized areas
immediately adjacent to a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a
population in excess of 50,000 inhabitants.
Technical assistance--skilled help in improving the recipient's
abilities in the areas of housing, community facilities, or community
and economic development. The Agency will determine whether a specific
activity qualifies as technical assistance.
1. The recipient and beneficiary, but not the intermediary, must be
located in an eligible rural area. The applicable Rural Development
State Office can assist in determining the eligibility of an area. A
listing of Rural Development State Offices is included in this notice.
2. The name and location of recipients must be included in the
grant application.
3. The recipients must be nonprofit organizations, low-income rural
communities, or federally recognized tribes based on the RCDI
definitions of these groups.
4. Documentation must be submitted to verify recipient eligibility.
Acceptable documentation varies depending on the type of recipient: A
letter from the IRS, confirming certificate from the Secretary of
State, or other valid documentation of nonprofit status is required for
nonprofit recipients; for low-income community recipients, the Agency
requires (a) evidence the entity is a public body and (b) census data
verifying that the median household income of the community where the
office receiving the financial and technical assistance is located is
at, or below, 80 percent of the State or national median household
income; for Federally recognized tribes, the Agency needs the page
listing their name from the current Federal Register list of tribal
entities recognized and eligible for funding services (see the
definition of Federally recognized tribes for details on this list).
5. Individuals cannot be recipients.
6. The intermediary must provide matching funds at least equal to
the amount of the grant.
7. The intermediary must provide a program of financial and
technical assistance to the recipient.
8. The intermediary organization must have at least 3 years prior
experience working with nonprofit organizations, low-income rural
communities, or tribal organizations in the areas of housing, community
facilities, or community and economic development.
9. The respective minimum and maximum grant amount per intermediary
is $50,000 and $500,000.
10. Proposals must be structured to utilize the grant funds within
3 years from the date of the award.
11. Each intermediary, whether singularly or jointly, may only
submit one application for RCDI funds under this NOFA unless the
intermediary's participation is limited to providing all or part of the
matching funds.
12. Recipients can participate in more than one RCDI application;
however, after grant selections are made, the recipient can only
participate in multiple RCDI grants if the type of financial and
technical assistance they will receive is not duplicative.
13. The intermediary and the recipient cannot be the same entity.
The recipient can be a related entity to the intermediary, if it meets
the definition of a recipient.
14. A nonprofit recipient must provide evidence that it is a valid
nonprofit when the intermediary applies for the RCDI grant.
Organizations with pending requests for nonprofit designations are not
eligible.
15. If the recipient is a low-income community, identify the unit
of government to which the financial and technical assistance will be
provided, e.g., town council or village board. The financial and
technical assistance must be provided to the organized unit of
government representing that community, not the community at large.
16. Nonprofits located in a rural area that is also a census
designated place (CDP) are eligible. CDPs are not considered eligible
rural areas under low-income communities because they do not have a
unit of government to receive the financial and technical assistance.
[[Page 44731]]
Eligible Fund Uses
Fund uses must be consistent with the RCDI purpose (see
``Background'' section of this notice). A nonexclusive list of eligible
grant uses includes the following:
1. Provide financial and technical assistance to develop
recipients' capacity and ability to undertake projects related to
housing, community facilities, or community and economic development,
i.e., the intermediary hires a staff person to provide technical
assistance to the recipient or the recipient hires a staff person,
under the supervision of the intermediary, to carry out the financial
and technical assistance provided by the intermediary.
2. Develop the capacity of recipients to conduct community
development programs, e.g., homeownership education or training for
minority business entrepreneurs.
3. Develop the capacity of recipients to conduct development
initiatives, e.g., programs that support micro-enterprise and
sustainable development.
4. Increase leveraging ability and access to alternative funding
sources by providing training and staffing.
5. Provide the financial and technical assistance component for
essential community facilities projects.
6. Assist recipients in completing pre-development requirements for
housing, community facilities, or community and economic development
projects by providing resources for professional services, e.g.,
architectural, engineering, or legal.
7. Improve recipient's organizational capacity by providing
training and resource material on developing strategic plans, board
operations, management, financial systems, and information technology.
8. Purchase computers, software, and printers at the recipient
level.
9. Provide funds to recipients for training-related travel costs
and training expenses related to RCDI.
Ineligible Fund Uses
1. Funding a revolving loan fund.
2. Construction (in any form).
3. Intermediary preparation of strategic plans for recipients.
4. Funding illegal activities.
5. Grants to individuals.
6. Funding a grant where there may be a conflict of interest, or an
appearance of a conflict of interest, involving any action by the
Agency.
7. Paying obligations incurred before the beginning date or after
the ending date of the grant agreement.
8. Purchasing real estate.
9. Improvement or renovation of the grantee's office space or for
the repair or maintenance of privately owned vehicles.
10. Any other purpose prohibited in 7 CFR parts 3015, 3016, and
3019, as applicable.
11. Funds cannot be used for recipient's general operating costs.
12. Using grant or matching funds for Individual Development
Accounts.
Program Examples
The purpose of this initiative is to develop or increase the
recipient's capacity through a program of financial and technical
assistance to perform in the areas of housing, community facilities, or
community and economic development. Strengthening the recipient's
capacity in these areas will benefit the communities they serve. The
RCDI structure requires the intermediary (grantee) to provide a program
of financial and technical assistance to recipients. The recipients
will, in turn, provide programs to their communities (beneficiaries).
Following are examples of eligible and ineligible purposes under the
RCDI program. These examples are illustrative and are not meant to
limit the activities proposed in the application. Activities that meet
the objective of the RCDI program will be considered eligible.
1. The intermediary must work directly with the recipient, not the
beneficiaries. As an example: The intermediary provides training to the
recipient on how to conduct homeownership education classes. The
recipient then provides ongoing homeownership education to the
residents of the community--the ultimate beneficiaries. This ``train
the trainer'' concept fully meets the intent of this initiative. The
intermediary is providing financial and technical assistance that will
build the recipient's capacity by enabling them to conduct
homeownership education classes for the public. This is an eligible
purpose. However, if the intermediary directly provided homeownership
education classes to individuals in the recipient's service area, this
would not be an eligible purpose because the recipient would be
bypassed.
2. If the intermediary is working with a low-income community as
the recipient, the intermediary must provide the financial and
technical assistance to the entity that represents the low-income
community and is identified in the application. Examples of entities
representing a low-income community are a village board or a town
council. If the intermediary provides technical assistance to the board
of directors of the low-income community on how to establish a
cooperative, this would be an eligible purpose. However, if the
intermediary works directly with individuals from the community to
establish the cooperative, this is not an eligible purpose. The
recipient's capacity is built by learning skills that will enable them
to support sustainable economic development in their communities on an
ongoing basis.
3. The intermediary may provide technical assistance to the
recipient on how to create and operate a revolving loan fund (RLF). The
intermediary may not monitor or operate the RLF. RCDI funds, including
matching funds, cannot be used to fund RLFs.
Contents of Application Package
A complete application for RCDI funds must include the following.
1. A summary page, double spaced between items, listing the
following: (This information should not be presented in narrative
form.)
a. Applicant's name,
b. Applicant's address,
c. Applicant's telephone number,
d. Name of applicant's contact person and telephone number,
e. Applicant's fax number,
f. County where applicant is located,
g. Congressional district number where applicant is located,
h. Amount of grant request,
i. Applicant's Tax Identification Number,
j. Number of recipients, and
k. Source and amount of matching funds.
2. A detailed Table of Contents containing page numbers for each
component of the application.
3. A project overview, no longer than five pages, including the
following items, which will also be addressed separately and in detail
under ``Building Capacity'' of the ``Evaluation Criteria.''
a. The type of financial and technical assistance to be provided
and how it will be implemented.
b. How the capacity and ability of the recipients will be improved.
c. The overall goal to be accomplished.
d. The benchmarks to be used to measure the success of the program.
4. Organizational or other documents for the intermediary that
confirm their existence for a minimum of 3 years as the applicant
entity.
5. Verification of matching funds, i.e., a copy of a bank statement
if matching funds are in cash or a copy of the confirmed funding
commitment from the funding source. The applicant will be contacted by
the Agency prior to grant award to verify that the matching funds
continue to be available. The applicant will have 10 working days
[[Page 44732]]
from the date of contact to submit verification of matching funds. If
the applicant is unable to provide the verification within that
timeframe, the application will be considered ineligible.
6. The following information for each recipient:
a. Recipient's entity name,
b. Complete address (mailing and physical location, if different),
c. County where located,
d. Number of congressional district where recipient is located,
e. Contact person's name and telephone number, and
f. Documentation on the population composition of the service area
of the recipient.
7. Submit evidence the recipient entity is eligible.
a. Nonprofits--provide a valid letter from the IRS, confirming
certificate from the Secretary of State, or other valid documentation
of nonprofit status.
b. Low-income community--provide a copy of the 2000 census data to
verify the population and evidence that the median household income is
at, or below, 80 percent of either the State or national median
household income. We will only accept data from www.census.gov. The
specific instructions to retrieve data from this site are detailed
under the ``Evaluation Criteria'' for ``Population'' and ``Income.''
c. Federally recognized tribes--provide the page listing their name
from the current Federal Register list of tribal entities published on
July 12, 2002, volume 67, number 134, page 46328.
8. Each of the ``Evaluation Criteria'' must be addressed
specifically and individually by category. Present these criteria in
narrative form. Documentation must be limited to three pages per
criterion with the exception of attachments for ``Population'' and
``Income.''
9. A timeline identifying specific activities and proposed dates
for completion.
10. A detailed project budget that includes the RCDI grant amount
and matching funds for the duration of the grant. This should be a
line-item budget, by category. Categories such as salaries,
administrative, other, and indirect costs must be clearly defined.
Supporting documentation listing the components of these categories
must be included.
11. Form SF-424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.'' (Do not
complete Form SF-424A, ``Budget Information.'' A separate line-item
budget should be presented as described in No. 10 of this section.) The
budget should be dated: Year 1, year 2, year 3. The indirect cost will
be addressed in accordance with OMB Circulars A-87, A-122, and A-133.
12. Form SF-424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.''
13. Form AD-1047, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
and Other Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered Transactions.''
14. Form AD-1048, ``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered
Transactions.''
15. Form AD-1049, ``Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace
Requirements.''
16. Certification of Non-Lobbying Activities.
17. Standard Form LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if
applicable.
18. Form RD 400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement,'' for the
applicant and each recipient.
19. Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement,'' for the applicant and
each recipient.
20. Identify and report any association or relationship with Rural
Development employees.
The required forms and certifications can be downloaded from the
RCDI Web site at: www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/rcdi/index.htm.
What and Where to Submit
The original application package must be submitted to: William
Kenney, Rural Housing Service, STOP 0787, 1400 Independence Ave. SW.,
Washington, DC 20250-0787, and a copy of the application must be
submitted to the Rural Development State Office where the applicant is
located. A listing of Rural Development State Offices is included in
this notice. Applications sent electronically or by facsimile will not
be accepted.
When to Submit
The deadline for receipt of an application is 4 p.m. e.s.t. on
October 28, 2003. The application deadline date and hour are firm and
apply to submission of the original application to the National Office
in Washington, DC. The Agency will not consider any application
received after the deadline. A listing of Rural Development State
Offices, their addresses, telephone numbers, and person to contact is
provided elsewhere in this notice.
Application Selection Process
Rating and ranking. Applications will be rated and ranked by a
review panel based on the ``Evaluation Criteria and Weights'' contained
in this notice. If there is a tied score after the applications have
been rated and ranked, the tie will be resolved by reviewing the scores
for ``Building Capacity'' and the applicant with the highest score in
that category will receive a higher ranking. If the scores for
``Building Capacity'' are the same, the scores will be compared for the
next criterion, in sequential order, until one highest score can be
determined.
Initial screening. The Agency will screen each application to
determine eligibility during the period immediately following the
application deadline. Listed below are many of the reasons for
rejection from the previous funding rounds to help the applicant
prepare a better application. The following reasons for rejection are
not all inclusive; however, they represent the majority of the
applications previously rejected.
1. Recipients were not located in eligible rural areas based on the
definition in this notice.
2. Applicants failed to provide evidence of recipient's status,
i.e., documentation supporting nonprofit designation.
3. Application did not follow the RCDI structure with an
intermediary and recipients.
4. Recipients were not identified in the application.
5. Recipients cannot be individuals.
6. Intermediary did not provide evidence it had been incorporated
for at least 3 years as the applicant entity.
7. Applicants failed to address the ``Evaluation Criteria.''
8. The purpose of the proposal did not qualify as an eligible RCDI
purpose.
9. Funds cannot be used for construction or renovations.
10. Financial and technical assistance cannot be provided directly
to individuals.
Rural Development State Office Responsibilities During the Application
Process
The State Office will review the application and provide the State
Director's written comments and recommendations to the National Office.
Comments must include the following:
1. Determine if each recipient listed in the application is located
in an eligible rural area based on the RCDI definition of rural.
2. Consult with other program areas regarding their experience with
the intermediary or recipients, if any.
3. Determine the compatibility of the application with the goals of
the State's strategic plan.
4. Provide comments or recommendations pertaining to the
application.
[[Page 44733]]
Comments must be submitted to William Kenney within 3 weeks from
the RCDI application deadline.
Evaluation Criteria and Weights
Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria and
weights:
1. Building Capacity--maximum 60 points
The applicant must demonstrate how they will improve the
recipients' capacity, through a program of financial and technical
assistance, as it relates to the RCDI purposes. Capacity-building
technical assistance should provide new functions to the recipients or
expand existing functions that will enable the recipients to undertake
projects in the areas of housing, community facilities, or community
and economic development that will benefit the community. The program
of financial and technical assistance provided, how the program is
delivered, and the measurability of the program's effectiveness will
determine the merit of the application. All applications will be
competitively ranked with the applications providing the most
improvement in capacity development and measurable activities being
ranked the highest. Capacity-building technical assistance may include,
but is not limited to: training to conduct community development
programs, e.g., homeownership education, or the establishment of
minority business entrepreneurs, cooperatives, or micro-enterprises;
organizational development, e.g., assistance to develop or improve
board operations, management, and financial systems; instruction on how
to develop and implement a strategic plan; instruction on how to access
alternative funding sources to increase leveraging opportunities;
staffing, e.g., hiring a person at intermediary or recipient level to
provide technical or financial assistance to recipients; and purchase
technology equipment at the recipient level, e.g., computers, printers,
and software.
The narrative response must:
a. Describe the type of financial and technical assistance to be
provided to the recipients and the activities that will be conducted to
deliver the financial and technical assistance;
b. Explain how financial and technical assistance will develop or
increase the recipient's capacity. Indicate whether a new function is
being developed or if existing functions are being expanded or
performed more effectively;
c. Identify which RCDI purpose areas will be addressed with this
assistance: housing, community facilities, or community and economic
development; and
d. Describe how the results of the financial and technical
assistance will be measured. What benchmarks will be used to measure
effectiveness?
Scoring--maximum of 60 points
1. Type of financial and technical assistance and implementation
activities. 0-35 points
a. How well defined is the purpose of this proposal?
b. Are the implementation activities specifically defined?
c. Will the proposed implementation activities actually develop the
recipient's capacity?
2.How financial and technical assistance will develop capacity. 0-
10 points
a. Is a new function being developed and will it build capacity at
the recipient level?
b. Is an existing function being expanded or performed more
effectively and will it build capacity at the recipient level?
3. RCDI purpose. 0-5 points
a. Housing,
b. Community facilities, or
c. Community and economic development.
4. Measuring outcomes. 0-10 points
a. What benchmarks will be used to measure outcomes and
effectiveness?
b. Are the proposed benchmarks an effective measurement for the
type of financial and technical assistance provided?
2. Expertise--maximum 30 points
The applicant must demonstrate that it has conducted programs of
financial and technical assistance and achieved measurable results in
the areas of housing, community facilities, or community and economic
development in rural areas. Provide the name, contact information, and
amount of the financial and technical assistance the applicant
organization has provided to the following for the last 5 years:
a. Nonprofit organizations in rural areas.
b. Low-income communities in rural areas, (also include the type of
entity, e.g., city government, town council, or village board).
c. Federally recognized tribes or any other culturally diverse
organizations.
d. Organization synopsis. Scoring--maximum 30 points
1. The applicant has worked with groups in at least one of the
three categories. 0-6 points
2. The types of financial and technical assistance provided are
similar to the RCDI purposes. 0-15 points
3. The applicant demonstrates experience in working with the types
of entities listed as recipients in the application. 0-9 points
3. Population--maximum 30 points
Population is based on the 2000 census data for the community in
which the recipient is located. Community is defined for scoring
purposes as a city, town, village, county, parish, borough, or census-
designated place where the recipient's office is physically located.
The applicant must submit a copy of the census data from the following
website to verify the population figures used for each recipient. The
data can be accessed on the Internet at www.census.gov; click on
``American FactFinder'' from the left menu; click on drop-down menu for
``Show Me''; select ``Population, Race and Hispanic or Latino under
Geographic Comparison Tables (GCT)''; click on drop-down menu under
``for''; select ``State--and the type of State geographic
subdivision''; select State from next drop-down menu; click on ``Go'';
print information for submission and highlight recipient locations. The
average population of the recipient locations will be used and will be
scored as follows:
Population Scoring 5,000 or less 30 points 5,001 to 10,000 20
points 10,001 to 20,000 10 points 20,001 to 50,000 5 points
4. Income--maximum 30 points
The average of the median household income for the communities
where the recipients are physically located will determine the points
awarded. Applicants may compare the average recipient median household
income to the State median household income or the national median
household income, whichever yields the most points. The national median
household income to be used is $41,994. The applicant must submit a
copy of the income data from the following website to verify the income
for each recipient. The data being used is from the 2000 census. The
data can be accessed from the Internet at www.census.gov; click on
``American FactFinder'' from left menu; click on drop-down menu for
``Show Me''; select ``Economic Characteristics: Employment, Income,
Poverty and More''; click on drop-down menu under ``for''; select ``a
city or town''; select State from next drop-down menu; select the city
or town from the next drop-down menu; click on ``Go''; print
information for submission. Points will be awarded as follows:
Average Recipient Median Income Is: Scoring
[[Page 44734]]
Less than 60 percent of the State or national median household
income 30 points
Between 60 and 70 percent of the State or national median household
income 20 points
Greater than 70 percent of the State or national median household
income 10 points
5. Innovative Approach--maximum 20 points
The applicant must demonstrate that it has developed an innovative
approach that can be used by other organizations as a model. To be
considered innovative, the approach must propose an easily replicated
new or useful service or method of providing service to recipients that
builds their capacity to improve their communities in the areas of
housing, community facilities, or community and economic development.
Points will be awarded to applications that have the highest score on
the following factors:
a. Ease of replication by nonprofit organizations, low-income rural
communities, or Federally recognized tribes;
b. Uniqueness of proposal;
c. Financial return to rural communities; and
d. Need by nonprofit organization, low-income rural community, or
Federally recognized tribe.
If warranted, up to 20 applicants will be eligible to receive
points in this category. The application ranking and scoring are:
Ranking Scoring 10 highest-ranking applications for this criterion
20 points
Next 10 highest-ranking applications for this criterion 10 points
If there is a tied score, it will be resolved by using the format
listed under ``Rating and Ranking'' under ``Application Selection
Process'' elsewhere in this notice.
6. Soundness of Approach--maximum 50 points
The applicant can receive up to 50 points for soundness of
approach. The overall proposal will be considered under this criterion.
Applicants must list the page numbers in the application that address
these factors.
a. The ability to provide the proposed financial and technical
assistance based on prior accomplishments has been demonstrated. 0-5
points b. The proposed financial and technical assistance program is
clearly stated and the applicant has defined how this proposal will be
implemented. The plan for implementation is viable. 0-20 points
c. Cost effectiveness will be evaluated based on the budget in the
application. The proposed grant amount and matching funds should be
utilized to maximize capacity building at the recipient level. 0-15
points
d. The proposal fits the objectives for which applications were
invited. 0-10 points
7. Geographic Distribution Points--20 points
The applicant must provide a map that specifically describes the
areas covered by the recipients. After applications have been evaluated
and awarded points under the first 6 criteria, the Agency may award 20
points per application to promote a broad geographic distribution of
RCDI funds.
8. Purpose Distribution Points--20 points
The applicant must state the primary purpose of the application,
i.e., housing, community facilities, or community and economic
development.
After applications have been evaluated and awarded points under the
first 6 criteria, the Agency may award 20 points per application to
promote diversity of RCDI purposes.
9. Proportional Distribution Points--20 points
The applicant must state the amount of the grant request. After
applications have been evaluated and awarded points under the first 6
criteria, the Agency may award 20 points per application to promote
dispersion of grant awards between the range of $50,000 to $500,000.
Deliverables
Grant funds and matching funds must be used in equal proportions.
This does not mean funds have to be used equally by line item. The
request for reimbursement and supporting documentation must show that
RCDI fund usage does not exceed the cumulative amount of matching funds
used. Grant funds will be disbursed pursuant to relevant provisions of
7 CFR parts 3015, 3016, and 3019, as applicable. Matching funds must be
used to support the overall purpose of the RCDI program. RCDI funds
will be disbursed on a reimbursable basis only. No advances will be
made. Matching funds cannot be expended prior to execution of the RCDI
Grant Agreement. No reimbursement will be made for any funds expended
prior to execution of the RCDI Grant Agreement unless the grantee has
requested and received written Agency approval of the costs prior to
the actual expenditure. This exception is applicable for up to 90 days
prior to grant closing and only applies to grantees that have received
written approval but have not executed the RCDI Grant Agreement. The
Agency cannot retroactively approve reimbursement for expenditures
prior to execution of the RCDI Grant Agreement.
Grant Amounts
In the event the applicant is awarded a grant that is less than the
amount requested, the applicant will be required to modify its
application to conform to the reduced amount before execution of the
grant agreement. The Agency reserves the right to reduce or de-obligate
the award if acceptable modifications are not submitted by the awardee
within 15 working days from the date the request for modification is
made. Any modifications must be within the scope of the original
application.
Program Requirements
1. A Civil Rights Impact Analysis Certification must be completed
by the Agency prior to grant approval.
2. A pre-award compliance review will be conducted by the Agency
prior to closing the grant.
3. The intermediary and recipient must comply with Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972,
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Executive Order
12250.
4. The grantee must comply with policies, guidance, and
requirements as described in the following applicable OMB Circulars and
Code of Federal Regulations:
a. OMB Circular No. A-87 (Cost Principles Applicable to Grants,
Contracts and Other Agreements with State and Local Governments);
b. OMB Circular No. A-122 (Cost Principles for Nonprofit
Organizations);
c. OMB Circular No. A-133 (Audits of States, Local Governments, and
Non-Profit Organizations);
d. 7 CFR part 3015 (Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations);
e. 7 CFR part 3016 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants
and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments); and
f. 7 CFR part 3019 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants
and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and
Other Nonprofit Organizations).
Program Restrictions
Meeting expenses. In accordance with 31 U.S.C. 1345, ``Expenses of
Meetings,'' appropriations may not be used for travel, transportation,
and subsistence expenses for a meeting. RCDI grant funds cannot be used
for these meeting-
[[Page 44735]]
related expenses. Matching funds may be used to pay for these expenses.
RCDI funds may be used to pay for a speaker as part of a program,
equipment to facilitate the program, and the actual room that will
house the meeting. RCDI funds can be used for travel, transportation,
or subsistence expenses for training and technical assistance purposes.
Any meeting or training not delineated in the application must be
approved by the Agency to verify compliance with 31 U.S.C. 1345. Travel
and per diem expenses will be similar to those paid to Agency
employees. Rates are based upon location. Rate information can be
accessed on the Internet at http://policyworks.gov/perdiem. Grantees
and recipients will be restricted to traveling coach class on common
carrier airlines. Grantees and recipients may exceed the Government
rate for lodging by a maximum of 20 percent. Meals and incidental
expenses will be reimbursed at the same rate used by Agency employees.
Mileage and gas reimbursement will be the same rate used by Agency
employees. The current mileage and gas reimbursement rate is 36.5 cents
per mile.
Grantee Requirements
Grantees will be required to do the following.
1. Execute a Rural Community Development Initiative Grant
Agreement, which is published at the end of this NOFA.
2. Execute Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
3. Use Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement,'' to
request reimbursements.
4. Provide financial status and project performance reports on a
quarterly basis starting with the first full quarter after the grant
award.
5. Maintain a financial management system that is acceptable to the
Agency.
6. Ensure that records are maintained to document all activities
and expenditures utilizing RCDI grant funds and matching funds.
Receipts for expenditures will be included in this documentation.
7. Provide annual audits or management reports on Form RD 442-2,
``Statement of Budget, Income, and Equity,'' and Form RD 442-3'',
``Balance Sheet,'' depending on the amount of Federal funds expended
and the outstanding balance.
8. Collect and maintain data provided by recipients on race, sex,
and national origin and ensure recipients collect and maintain the same
data on beneficiaries. Race and ethnicity data will be collected in
accordance with OMB Federal Register notice, ``Revisions to the
Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and
Ethnicity,'' Vol. 62, No. 210, October 30, 1997. Sex data will be
collected in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of
1972. These items should not be submitted with the application, but
should be available upon request by the Agency.
9. Provide a final project performance report.
10. Identify and report any association or relationship with Rural
Development employees on a format provided by the Agency.
Rural Development State Offices
Note: Telephone numbers listed are not toll-free.
Alabama State Office, Suite 601, Sterling Centre, 4121
Carmichael Road, Montgomery, AL 36106-3683, (334) 279-3400, TDD
(334) 279-3495, James B. Harris.
Alaska State Office, 800 West Evergreen, Suite 201, Palmer, AK
99645, (907) 761-7705, TDD (907) 761-8905, Dean Stewart.
Arizona State Office, Phoenix Corporate Center, 3003 N. Central
Ave., Suite 900, Phoenix, AZ 85012-2906, (602) 280-8747, TDD (602)
280-8705, Leonard Gradillas.
Arkansas State Office, 700 W. Capitol Ave., Rm. 3416, Little Rock,
AR 72201-3225, (501) 301-3250, TDD (501) 301-3200, Jesse G. Sharp.
California State Office, 430 G Street, Agency 4169, Davis, CA 95616-
4169, (530) 792-5810, TDD (530) 792-5848, Janice Waddell.
Colorado State Office, 655 Parfet Street, Room E100, Lakewood, CO
80215, 720-544-2903, TDD 720-544-2976, Leroy W. Cruz.
Connecticut, Served by Massachusetts State Office.
Delaware and Maryland State Office, 4607 South DuPont Highway, P.O.
Box 400, Camden, DE 19934-0400, (302) 697-4300, TDD (302) 697-4303,
James E. Waters.
Florida & Virgin Islands State Office, 4440 NW. 25th Place, P.O. Box
147010, Gainesville, FL 32614-7010, (352) 338-3440, TDD (352) 338-
3499, Glenn E. Walden.
Georgia State Office, Stephens Federal Building, 355 E. Hancock
Avenue, Athens, GA 30601-2768, (706) 546-2171, TDD (706) 546-2034,
Jerry M. Thomas.
Guam, Served by Hawaii State Office.
Hawaii, Guam, & Western Pacific Territories State Office, Room 311,
Federal Building, 154 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720, (808) 933-
8380, TDD (808) 933-8321, Thao Khamoui.
Idaho State Office, 9173 West Barnes Dr., Suite A1, Boise, ID 83709,
(208) 378-5617, TDD (208) 378-5600, Daniel H. Fraser.
Illinois State Office, 2118 West Park Court, Suite A, Champaign, IL
61821, (217) 403-6200, TDD (217) 403-6240, Gerald A. Townsend.
Indiana State Office, 5975 Lakeside Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN
46278, (317) 290-3100 (ext. 431), TDD (317) 290-3343, Gregg Delp.
Iowa State Office, 873 Federal Building, 210 Walnut Street, Des
Moines, IA 50309, (515) 284-4663, TDD (515) 284-4858, Dorman Otte.
Kansas State Office, 1303 SW. First American Place, Suite 100,
Topeka, KS 66604-4040, (785) 271-2730, TDD (785) 271-2767, Gary L.
Smith.
Kentucky State Office, 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Lexington, KY
40503, (859) 224-7415, TDD (859) 224-7300, Vernon Brown.
Louisiana State Office, 3727 Government Street, Alexandria, LA
71302, (318) 473-7940, TDD (318) 473-7920, Danny H. Magee.
Maine State Office, 967 Illinois Ave., Suite 4, P.O. Box 405,
Bangor, ME 04402-0405, (207) 990-9106, TDD (207) 942-7331, Alan C.
Daigle.
Maryland, Served by Delaware State Office.
Massachusetts, Connecticut, & Rhode Island State Office, 451 West
Street, Amherst, MA 01002, (413) 253-4300, TDD (413) 253-7068,
Daniel R. Beaudette.
Michigan State Office, 3001 Coolidge Road, Suite 200, East Lansing,
MI 48823, (517) 324-5192, TDD (517) 337-6795, Philip H. Wolak.
Minnesota State Office, 410 AgriBank Building, 375 Jackson Street,
St. Paul, MN 55101-1853, (651) 602-7800, TDD (651) 602-3799, James
Maras.
Mississippi State Office, Federal Building, Suite 831, 100 W.
Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 39269, (601) 965-4316, TDD (601) 965-
5850, Darnella Smith-Murray.
Missouri State Office, 601 Business Loop 70 West, Parkade Center,
Suite 235, Columbia, MO 65203, (573) 876-0995, TDD (573) 876-9480,
D. Clark Thomas.
Montana State Office, 900 Technology Blvd., Suite B, Bozeman, MT
59771, (406) 585-2530, TDD (406) 585-2562, Deborah Chorlton.
Nebraska State Office, Federal Building, Room 152, 100 Centennial
Mall N., Lincoln, NE 68508, (402) 437-5559, TDD (402) 437-5551,
Denise Brosius-Meeks.
Nevada State Office, 1390 South Curry Street, Carson City, NV 89703-
9910, (775) 887-1222 (ext. 26), TDD (775) 885-0633, Mike Holm.
New Hampshire State Office, Concord Center, Suite 218, Box 317, 10
Ferry Street, Concord, NH 03301-5004, (603) 223-6037, TDD (603) 223-
6083, William W. Konrad.
New Jersey State Office, 8000 Midlantic Drive, 5th Floor North,
Suite 500, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054, (856) 787-7750, Michael P. Kelsey.
New Mexico State Office, 6200 Jefferson St. NE., Room 255,
Albuquerque, NM 87109, (505) 761-4950, TDD (505) 761-4938, Clyde F.
Hudson.
New York State Office, The Galleries of Syracuse, 441 S. Salina
Street, Suite 357, Syracuse, NY 13202-2541, (315) 477-6400, TDD
(315) 477-6447, Gail Giannotta.
North Carolina State Office, 4405 Bland Road, Suite 260, Raleigh, NC
27609, (919) 873-2000, TDD (919) 873-2003, Phyllis Godbold.
[[Page 44736]]
North Dakota State Office, Federal Building, Room 208, 220 East
Rosser, P.O. Box 1737, Bismarck, ND 58502-1737, (701) 530-2037, TDD
(701) 530-2113, Donald Warren.
Ohio State Office, Federal Building, Room 507, 200 North High
Street, Columbus, OH 43215-2418, (614) 255-2400, TDD (614) 255-2554,
David M. Douglas.
Oklahoma State Office, 100 USDA, Suite 108, Stillwater, OK 74074-
2654, (405) 742-1000, TDD (405) 742-1007, Michael W. Schrammel.
Oregon State Office, 101 SW. Main, Suite 1410, Portland, OR 97204-
3222, (503) 414-3300, TDD (503) 414-3387, Joe Sahlfeld (Acting).
Pennsylvania State Office, One Credit Union Place, Suite 330,
Harrisburg, PA 17110-2996, (717) 237-2299, TDD (717) 237-2261, Gary
Rothrock.
Puerto Rico State Office, IBM Building--Suite 601, 654 Munos Rivera
Avenue, Hato Rey, PR 00918-6106, (787) 766-5095, TDD (787) 766-5332,
Ramon Melendez.
Rhode Island, Served by Massachusetts State Office.
South Carolina State Office, Strom Thurmond Federal Building, 1835
Assembly Street, Room 1007, Columbia, SC 29201, (803) 253-5163, TDD
(803) 765-5697, Larry D. Floyd.
South Dakota State Office, Federal Building, Room 210, 200 Fourth
Street, SW., Huron, SD 57350, (605) 352-1100, TDD (605) 352-1147,
Roger Hazuka.
Tennessee State Office, Suite 300, 3322 West End Avenue, Nashvile,
TN 37203-1084, (615) 783-1300, TDD (615) 783-1397, Keith Head.
Texas State Office, Federal Building, Suite 102, 101 South Main,
Temple, TX 76501, (254) 742-9700, TDD (254) 742-9712, Francesco
Valentin.
Utah State Office, Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building, 125 South
State Street, Room 4311, P.O. Box 11350, Salt Lake City, UT 84147-
0350, (801) 524-4326, TDD (801) 524-3309, Bonnie Carrig.
Vermont State Office, City Center, 3rd Floor, 89 Main Street,
Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 828-6000, TDD (802) 223-6365, Rhonda
Shippee.
Virgin Islands, Served by Florida State Office.
Virginia State Office, Culpeper Building, Suite 238, 1606 Santa Rosa
Road, Richmond, VA 23229, (804) 287-1550, TDD (804) 287-1753, Carrie
Schmidt.
Washington State Office, 1835 Black Lake Boulevard, SW., Suite B,
Olympia, WA 98512-5715, (509) 664-0203, Sandi Boughton.
Western Pacific Territories, Served by Hawaii State Office.
West Virginia State Office, Federal Building, 75 High Street, Room
320, Morgantown, WV 26505-7500, (304) 284-4860, TDD (304) 284-4836,
Dianne Crysler.
Wisconsin State Office, 4949 Kirschling Court, Stevens Point, WI
54481, (715) 345-7614, TDD (715) 345-7610, Mark Brodziski.
Wyoming State Office, Federal Building, Room 1005, 100 East B, P.O.
Box 820, Casper, WY 82602, (307) 261-6300, TDD (307) 261-6333, Jack
Hyde.
Dated: July 22, 2003.
Arthur A. Garcia
Administrator, Rural Housing Service.
United States Department of Agriculture
Rural Housing Service
Rural Community Development Initiative Grant Agreement
[OMB No. 0575-0180]
THIS GRANT AGREEMENT (Agreement), effective the date the Agency
official signs the document, is a contract for receipt of grant funds
under the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI).
BETWEEN----------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
a private or public or tribal organization, (Grantee or Intermediary)
and the United States of America acting through the Rural Housing
Service (the Agency), Department of Agriculture, (Grantor), for the
benefit of recipients listed in Grantee's application for the grant.
WITNESSETH:
The principal amount of the grant is $-------- (Grant Funds).
Matching funds, in an amount equal to the grant funds, will be provided
by Grantee. The Grantee and Grantor will execute Form RD 1940-1,
``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
WHEREAS,
Grantee will provide a program of financial and technical
assistance to develop the capacity and ability of nonprofit
organizations, low-income rural communities, or federally recognized
tribes to undertake projects related to housing, community facilities,
or community and economic development in rural areas;
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this
information collection is 0575-0180. The time required to complete this
information collection is estimated to average 30 minutes per response,
including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data
sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and reviewing the
collection of information.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the grant;
Grantee agrees that Grantee will:
A. Provide a program of financial and technical assistance in
accordance with the proposal outlined in the application, (see
Attachment A), the terms of which are incorporated with this Agreement
and must be adhered to. Any changes to the approved program of
financial technical assistance must be approved in writing by the
Grantor;
B. Use Grant Funds only for the purposes and activities specified
in the application package approved by the Agency including the
approved budget. Any uses not provided for in the approved budget must
be approved in writing by the Agency in advance;
C. Charge expenses for travel and per diem that will not exceed the
rates paid Agency employees for similar expenses. Grantees and
recipients will be restricted to traveling coach class on common
carrier airlines. Lodging rates may exceed the Government rate by a
maximum of 20 percent. Meals and incidental expenses will be reimbursed
at the same rate used by Agency employees, which is based upon
location. Mileage and gas will be reimbursed at the existing Government
rate. Rates can be accessed on the Internet at http://policyworks.gov/perdiem
;
D. Charge meeting expenses in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 1345. Grant
funds may not be used for travel, transportation, and subsistence
expenses for a meeting. Matching funds may be used to pay these
expenses. Any meeting or training not delineated in the application
must be approved by the Agency to verify compliance with 31 U.S.C.
1345.
E. Request quarterly reimbursement for grant activities during the
previous quarter. Reimbursement will be made on a pro rata basis with
matching funds. Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement,''
will be used to request reimbursement. A project performance report, in
narrative form, and a financial report, reflecting the activities
conducted, must accompany the request for reimbursement. Matching fund
usage must be included in all reports.
F. Provide periodic reports as required by the Grantor. A financial
status report and a project performance report will be required on a
quarterly basis (due 30 working days after each calendar quarter). The
financial status report must show how grant funds and matching funds
have been used to date. A final report may serve as the last quarterly
report. Grantees shall constantly monitor performance to ensure that
time schedules are being met and projected goals by time periods are
being accomplished. The project performance reports shall include, but
are not limited to, the following:
1. Describe the activities that the funds reflected in the
financial status report were used for;
[[Page 44737]]
2. A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives for
that period;
3. Reasons why established objectives were not met, if applicable;
4. Problems, delays, or adverse conditions which will affect
attainment of overall program objectives, prevent meeting time
schedules or objectives, or preclude the attainment of particular
objectives during established time periods. This disclosure shall be
accomplished by a statement of the action taken or planned to resolve
the situation;
5. Objectives and timetables established for the next reporting
period;
6. If available, a summary of the race, sex, and national origin of
the recipients and a summary from the recipients of the race, sex, and
national origin of the beneficiaries; and
7. The final report will also address the following:
(a) What have been the most challenging or unexpected aspects of
this program?
(b) What advice would you give to other organizations planning a
similar program? Please include strengths and limitations of the
program. If you had the opportunity, what would you have done
differently?
(c) Are there any post-grant plans for this project? If yes, how
will they be financed?
(d) If an innovative approach was used successfully, the grantee
must describe their program in detail for replication by other
organizations and communities.
G. Consider potential recipients without discrimination as to race,
color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual
orientation, or physical or mental disability;
H. Ensure that any services or training offered by the recipient,
as a result of the financial and technical assistance received, must be
made available to all persons in the recipient's service area without
discrimination as to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age,
marital status, sexual orientation, or physical or mental disability at
reasonable rates, including assessments, taxes, or fees. Programs and
activities must be delivered from accessible locations. The recipient
must ensure that, where there are non-English speaking populations,
materials are provided in the language that is spoken;
I. Ensure recipients are required to place nondiscrimination
statements in advertisements, notices, pamphlets and brochures making
the public aware of their services. The Grantee and recipient are
required to provide widespread outreach and public notification in
promoting any type of training or services that are available through
grant funds;
J. The Grantee must collect and maintain data on recipients by
race, sex, and national origin. The grantee must ensure that their
recipients also collect and maintain data on beneficiaries by race,
sex, and national origin as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 and must be provided to the Agency for compliance review
purposes;
K. Upon any default under its representations or agreements
contained in this instrument, Grantee, at the option and demand of
Grantor, will immediately repay to Grantor any legally permitted
damages together with any legally permitted interest from the date of
the default. At Grantor's election, any default by the Grantee will
constitute termination of the grant thereby causing cancellation of
Federal assistance under the grant. The provisions of this Agreement
may be enforced by Grantor, without regard to prior waivers of this
Agreement, by proceedings in law or equity, in either Federal or State
courts as may be deemed necessary by Grantor to ensure compliance with
the provisions of this Agreement and the laws and regulations under
which this grant is made;
L. Provide Financial Management Systems that will include:
1. Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial
results of each grant. Financial reporting will be on an accrual basis;
2. Records that identify adequately the source and application of
funds for grant-supported activities. Those records shall contain
information pertaining to grant awards and authorizations, obligations,
unobligated balances, assets, liabilities, outlays, and income related
to Grant Funds and matching funds;
3. Effective control over and accountability for all funds,
property, and other assets. Grantees shall adequately safeguard all
such assets and shall ensure that they are used solely for authorized
purposes;
4. Accounting records supported by source documentation; and
5. Grantee tracking of fund usage and records that show matching
funds and grant funds are used in equal proportions. The grantee will
provide verifiable documentation regarding matching fund usage, i.e.,
bank statements or copies of funding obligations from the matching
source.
M. Retain financial records, supporting documents, statistical
records, and all other records pertinent to the grant for a period of
at least three years after grant closing except that the records shall
be retained beyond the three-year period if audit findings have not
been resolved. Microfilm or photocopies or similar methods may be
substituted in lieu of original records. The Grantor and the
Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their duly
authorized representatives, shall have access to any books, documents,
papers, and records of the Grantee's which are pertinent to the
specific grant program for the purpose of making audits, examinations,
excerpts, and transcripts;
N. Provide an A-133 audit report if $300,000 or more of Federal
funds are expended in a 1-year period. If Federal funds expended during
a 1-year period are less than $300,000 and there is an outstanding loan
balance of $300,000 or more, an audit in accordance with generally
accepted government auditing standards is required. If Federal funds
expended during a 1-year period are less than $300,000 and there is an
outstanding loan balance of less than $300,000, a management report may
be submitted on Forms RD 442-2, ``Statement of Budget, Income and
Equity,'' and 442-3, ``Balance Sheet'';
O. Not encumber, transfer, or dispose of the equipment or any part
thereof, acquired wholly or in part with Grantor funds without the
written consent of the Grantor; and
P. Not duplicate other program activities for which monies have
been received, are committed, or are applied to from other sources
(public or private).
Grantor agrees that:
A. It will make available to Grantee for the purpose of this
Agreement funds in an amount not to exceed the Grant Funds. The funds
will be disbursed to Grantee on a pro rata basis with the Grantee's
matching funds; and
B. At its sole discretion and at any time may give any consent,
deferment, subordination, release, satisfaction, or termination of any
or all of Grantee's grant obligations, with or without valuable
consideration, upon such terms and conditions as Grantor may determine
to be:
1. Advisable to further the purpose of the grant or to protect
Grantor's financial interest therein; and
2. Consistent with both the statutory purposes of the grant and the
limitations of the statutory authority under which it is made.
Both Parties Agree:
A. Extensions of this grant agreement may be approved by the
Agency, in writing, provided in the Agency's sole discretion the
extension is justified and there is a likelihood that the grantee can
[[Page 44738]]
accomplish the goals set out and approved in the application package
during the extension period;
B. The Grantor must approve any changes in recipient or recipient
composition;
C. The Grantor has agreed to give the Grantee the Grant Funds,
subject to the terms and conditions established by the Grantor:
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That any Grant Funds actually disbursed and not
needed for grant purposes be returned immediately to the Grantor. This
agreement shall terminate 3 years from this date unless extended or
unless terminated beforehand due to default on the part of the Grantee
or for convenience of the Grantor and Grantee. The Grantor may
terminate the grant in whole, or in part, at any time before the date
of completion, whenever it is determined that the Grantee has failed to
comply with the conditions of this Agreement or the applicable
regulations;
D. As a condition of the Agreement, the Grantee certifies 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 contained in 7 CFR
3015.205(b), which are incorporated into this agreement by reference,
and such other statutory provisions as are specifically contained
herein. The Grantee will comply with title VI of the Civil Rights Act
of 1964, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Executive
Order 12250;
E. The Grantee will ensure that the recipients comply with title VI
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973 and Executive Order 12250. Each recipient must sign Form RD
400-1, ``Equal Opportunity Agreement,'' and Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance
Agreement'';
F. The provisions of 7 CFR part 3015, ``Uniform Federal Assistance
Regulations,'' part 3016, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments,'' or
part 3019, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and
Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other
Nonprofit Organizations,'' and the fiscal year 2003 ``Notice of Funds
Availability (NOFA) Inviting Applications for the Rural Community
Development Initiative (RCDI)'' are incorporated herein and made a part
hereof by reference; and
G. This Agreement may be terminated for cause in the event of
default on the part of the Grantee or for convenience of the Grantor
and Grantee prior to the date of completion of the grant purpose.
Termination for convenience will occur when both the Grantee and
Grantor agree that the continuation of the program will not produce
beneficial results commensurate with the further expenditure of funds.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Grantee has this day authorized and caused this
Agreement to be executed by
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Attest
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
By---------------------------------------------------------------------
(Grantee)
(Title)----------------------------------------------------------------
Date-------------------------------------------------------------------
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
RURAL HOUSING SERVICE
By---------------------------------------------------------------------
(Grantor) (Name) (Title)
Date-------------------------------------------------------------------
Attachment A
[Application proposal submitted by grantee.]
[FR Doc. 03-19316 Filed 7-29-03; 8:45 am]
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