In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320.13, this information collection is pre-approved for
3 months as an emergency clearance to meet deadlines associated
with new funding appropriated for the ReConnect Program. If the
Agency decides to continue use of this collection past the approved
emergency clearance time period, it must resubmit an ICR to OMB
under the normal PRA clearance process and include responses to any
public comments it has received. In addition, the Agency must
re-evaluate the burdens associated with this ICR such as external
consulting fee requirements, provide a detailed breakdown of costs
by profession, and provide a more detailed explanation of the
discretionary vs. regulatory and statutory authorities underlying
each of the individual collection requirements. Lastly, if
additional funding is appropriated for this program, any resulting
changes to the information collection must be documented in the new
ICR submission.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
03/31/2019
6 Months From Approved
69,920
0
0
477,820
0
0
0
0
0
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS)
announces its general policy and application procedures for funding
under the broadband pilot program established pursuant to the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 which provides loans, grants,
and loan/grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in
rural areas. In facilitating the expansion of broadband services
and infrastructure, the pilot will fuel long-term rural economic
development and opportunities in rural America. One of those
opportunities is precision agriculture. The use of this technology
requires a robust broadband connection. The awards made under this
program will bring high speed broadband to the farms which will
allow them to increase productivity.
The Secretary and ASEC
have indicated that the Pilot Program is a priority. An emergency
approval is being requested because RD will not be able to
implement this new grant and loan program including the associated
notice of solicitation of applications in Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, as
the use of normal clearance procedures is likely to prevent or
disrupt the collection of information from applicants. RD considers
it imperative to begin processing applications this fiscal year for
projects that support national broadband service development that
will facilitate rural economic development by improving access to
broadband service in rural areas without service or that lack
sufficient access to broadband service. Applications under the
Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the ReConnect Program
will be accepted for specific windows depending on the award
instrument requested. RUS will need to be prepared to begin
collecting applications the moment the Application Intake System is
ready.
PL:
Pub.L. 115 - 141 779 Name of Law: Consolidated Appropriations
Act 2018 (the FY2018 Appropriations)
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Clearance-Pilot BB(ReConnect) FOA_11-30-2018.docx
ROCIS- FINAL 12-3-18_PilotSupportingStmt..xlsx
RUS Form 743-Certificate of Contractor and Indemnity Agreement.pdf
ReConnect (Pilot) Program -State, Tribal & Local Governments