Weather Radio Transmitter Grant Program (State, Local, Tribal)

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United States Department of Agriculture

Rural Utilities Service

WEATHER RADIO TRANSMITTER GRANT AGREEMENT

THIS GRANT AGREEMENT (Agreement) dated _______________, _______, is a contract for receipt of grant funds under the Community Facility Grant program (7 CFR part 3570, subpart B). These requirements do not supersede the applicable requirements for receipt of Federal funds stated in 7 CFR parts 3015, “Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations,” 3016 “Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments,” or 3019, “Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and other Nonprofit Organizations.” Further, 7 CFR part 3570, subpart B, and all relevant regulatory requirements apply to applicants whether contained in here or not. See the Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Weather Radio Transmitter Grant Program published in the Federal Register on April 4, 2001, (Vol. 66, No. 65, page 17857 - 17866).

BETWEEN ____________________________________________________________

a public body, nonprofit corporation, or Indian tribe (Grantee) and the United States of America acting through the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture, (Grantor)

WITNESSETH:

All references herein to “Project” refer to a weather radio transmitter system to serve a rural community or communities from the transmitter site or sites generally known as _____________________________________________________________________.

The principal amount of the grant is $______________________________ (Grant Funds) which is ____________________ percent of Project costs.

WHEREAS

Grantee has determined to undertake the acquisition, construction, enlargement, capital improvement, or purchase of equipment for a project with a total estimated cost of $ _________________________. Grantee and other sources are able to finance and have committed $ ___________________________ of Project costs.

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 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 0572-0124. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information Approval expires __/04.

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 advanced and not needed for grant purposes shall be returned immediately to the Grantor. 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 regulation.

As a condition of this Agreement, the Grantee assures and 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.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of said grant;

Grantee agrees that Grantee will:

A. Cause said Project to be constructed within the total sums available to it, including Grant Funds, in accordance with any architectural or engineering reports, and any necessary modifications, prepared by Grantee and approved by Grantor;

B. Provide periodic reports as required by Grantor and permit periodic inspection of the Project by a representative of the Grantor. Form SF-269, “Financial Status Report,” and a project performance report will be required on a quarterly basis (due 15 working days after end of each calendar quarter). A final project performance report will be required with the last “Financial Status Report.” The final report may serve as the last quarterly report. Grantees shall constantly monitor performance to ensure that time schedules are being met, projected work by time periods is being accomplished, and other performance objectives are being achieved. The project performance reports shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives established for that period;

2. Reasons why established objectives were not met;

3. Problems, delays, or adverse conditions which will affect attainment of overall project objectives, prevent meeting time schedules or objectives, or preclude the attainment of particular project work elements during established time periods. This disclosure shall be accomplished by a statement of the action taken or planned to resolve the situation; and

4. Objectives and timetables established for the next reporting period.

C. Manage, operate, and maintain the Project continuously in an efficient and economical manner;

D. Not use grant funds to replace any financial support previously provided or assured from any other source. The Grantee agrees that the Grantee’s level of expenditure for the Project shall be maintained and not reduced as a result of Grant Funds;

E. Make the public facility or services available to all persons in Grantee’s service area without discrimination as to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or physical or mental disability. Grantee shall not charge for weather radio transmitter services provided by the Grant Funds. Grantee may make modifications as long as they are reasonable and nondiscriminatory;

F. To execute any agreements required by Grantor which Grantee is legally authorized to execute.

G. 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 the Grant Funds with maximum legal interest from the date of the default. 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, at its option and without regard to prior waivers of previous defaults by Grantee, by judicial proceedings to require specific performance of the terms of this Agreement, or by such other proceedings in law or equity, in either Federal or State courts, as may be deemed necessary by Grantor to assure compliance with the provisions of this Agreement and the laws and regulations under which this grant is made;

H. Comply with all equipment and construction specifications and requirements mandated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service for weather radio transmitter systems.

I. Abide by the following conditions pertaining to equipment which is furnished by the Grantor or acquired wholly or in part with Grant Funds. Equipment means tangible, non‑expendable personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit. A Grantee may use its own definition of equipment provided that such definition would at least include all equipment as defined below:

1. Use of equipment.

(a) The Grantee shall use the equipment in the Project for which it was acquired as long as needed. When no longer needed for the original project, the Grantee shall use the equipment in connection

with its other federally sponsored activities, if any, in the following order of priority:

(i) Activities sponsored by the Grantor.

(ii) Activities sponsored by other Federal agencies.

(b) During the time that equipment is held for use on the project for which it was acquired, the Grantee shall make it available for use on other projects if such other use will not interfere with the work on the project for which the property was originally acquired. First preference for such other use shall be given to Grantor sponsored projects. Second preference will be given to other federally sponsored projects.

2. Disposition of equipment. When the Grantee no longer needs the property as provided in paragraph 1 (a) and (b) above, the equipment may be sold or used for other activities in accordance with the following standards:

(a) Equipment with a current fair market value of less than $5,000. The Grantee may use the property for other activities without reimbursement to the Federal government or sell the property and retain the proceeds.

(b) Equipment with a current fair market value of $5,000 or more. The Grantee may retain the property for other uses provided that compensation is made to the Grantor. The amount of compensation shall be computed by applying the percentage of Federal participation in the cost of the original Project to the current fair market value of the property. If the Grantee has no need for the equipment and the equipment has further use value, the Grantee shall request disposition instructions from the Grantor.

(c) The Grantor shall determine whether the equipment can be used to meet requirements of RUS or National Weather Service or successor agencies. If no such requirements exist, the availability of the property shall be reported, in accordance with the guidelines of the Federal Property Management Regulations (FPMR), to the General Services Administration by the Grantor to determine whether a requirement for the equipment exists in other Federal agencies. The Grantor shall issue instructions to the Grantee no later than 120 days after the Grantee’s request and the following procedures shall govern:

(i) If so instructed or if disposition instructions are not issued within 120 calendar days after the Grantee’s request, the Grantee shall sell the equipment and reimburse the Grantor an amount computed by applying to the sales proceeds the percentage of Federal participation in the cost of the original project or program. However, the Grantee shall be permitted to deduct and retain from the Federal share 10 percent of

the proceeds or $500, whichever is less, for the Grantee’s selling and handling expenses.

(ii) If the Grantee is instructed to ship the property elsewhere, the Grantee shall be reimbursed by the benefiting Federal agency with an amount which is computed by applying the percentage of the Grantee participation in the cost of the original grant Project or program to the current fair market value of the equipment plus any reasonable shipping or interim storage costs incurred.

(iii) If the Grantee is instructed to otherwise dispose of the equipment, the Grantee shall be reimbursed by the Grantor for such costs incurred in its disposition.

3. The Grantee’s property management standards for equipment shall include:

(a) Property records which accurately provide for: a description of the equipment; manufacturer’s serial number or other identification number; acquisition date and cost; source of the equipment; percentage (at the end of budget year) of Federal participation in the cost of the Project for which the equipment was acquired; location, use, and condition of the equipment and the date the information was reported; and ultimate disposition data including sales price or the method used to determine current fair market value if the Grantee reimburses the Grantor for its share.

(b) A physical inventory of equipment shall be taken and the results reconciled with the equipment records at least once every two years to verify the existence, current utilization, and continued need for the equipment.

(c) A control system shall be in effect to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage, or theft of the equipment. Any loss, damage, or theft of equipment shall be investigated and fully documented.

(d) Adequate maintenance procedures shall be implemented to keep the equipment in good condition.

(e) Proper sales procedures shall be established for unneeded equipment which would provide for competition to the extent practicable and result in the highest possible return;

This Grant Agreement covers the following described equipment (use continuation sheets as necessary).

I. Provide Financial Management Systems which 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 which 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.

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.

J. 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;

K. Provide either an audit report, annual financial statements, or other documentation prepared in accordance with Grantor regulations to allow the Grantor to determine that funds have been used in compliance with the proposal, any applicable laws and regulations, and this Agreement;

L. Agree to account for and to return to Grantor interest earned on grant funds pending their disbursement for program purposes when the Grantee is a unit of

local government. States and agencies or an instrumentality of a State shall not be held accountable for interest earned on Grant Funds pending their disbursement;

M. Not encumber, transfer or dispose of the property or any part thereof, furnished by the Grantor or acquired wholly or in part with Grantor funds without the written consent of the Grantor except as provided in item H and I; and

N. Not duplicate other Project purposes for which monies have been received, are committed, or are applied to from other sources (public or private).

Grantor Agrees That It:

A. Will make available to Grantee for the purpose of this Agreement not to exceed $__________ which it will advance to Grantee to meet not to exceed _______ percent of the Project development costs in accordance with the actual needs of Grantee as determined by Grantor.

B. Will assist Grantee, within available appropriations, with such technical assistance as Grantor deems appropriate in planning the Project and coordinating the plan with local official comprehensive plans for essential community facilities and with any State or area plans for the area in which the project is located.

C. 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.

D. Will allow Grantee to transfer ownership of the Project to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service (NWS) upon the mutual agreement of RUS and NWS.

Termination of This Agreement

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 Project 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

______________________________________________________________________

and attested with its corporate seal affixed (if applicable) by

______________________________________________________________________

Attest:

______________________________________________________________________

By

______________________________________________________________________

(Title)

______________________________________________________________________

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE

By ______________________________________________________________________

(Name) (Title)

prepared by Craig Wulf 6-20-01 (OMB notice added)