7 CFR 1775 Technical Assistance and Training for Innovative Regional Wastewater Treatment Solutions Pilot Grant Program (TAT/RWTS)

IC List for 0572-0157

Technical Assistance and Training and Training for Innovative Regional Wastewater Treatment Solutions (TAT/RWTS) Grant Program

The following Non-Form information is collected and accounted for under this collection package:

Documentation of Assistance Provided to Rural Development Employees

Applicants must identify and report any known relationship or association with a RUS employee such as close personal association, immediate family, close relatives, or business associates. This includes any assistance provided to employees.

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement.

The applicant’s indirect cost rate agreement with a cognizant Federal Agency must be submitted if their proposed budget includes indirect costs.

Statement of Compliance, Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1964.

To assure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the applicant must provide a narrative of how they plan to notify eligible entities of the availability of the service being provided.

Statement Concerning Assistance Under the National Forest Service-Dependent Rural Communities Economic Diversification Act.

Applicants must contact the Forest Service and RUS to find out if any geographical or local areas have received grants for technical assistance to a forest-dependent rural community in a five-year period. Grant funds cannot be used to duplicate technical assistance provided to a forest-dependent rural community under the National Forest-Dependent Rural Communities Economic Diversification Act of 1990. Applicants must submit documentation that such duplicate assistance has not been given.

Evidence of Legal Existence and Authority.

The applicant must submit certified copies of organization documents and a certified list of directors and officers as evidence of the applicant’s legal existence and authority for the proposed project. The organizational documents can be charters, bylaws, or articles of incorporation. RUS uses the information to determine if the applicant has the proper authority to enter into a binding agreement to use grant funds.

Include the consortium agreement signed and dated, by all members of the consortium, which identifies how each organization will interact, every member’s level of commitment, roles and responsibilities, and the transfer of funds from the lead entity to other members.

Narrative.

Applicants will provide a narrative/project proposal of experience in providing services similar to those proposed. A brief description of successfully completed projects including the need that was identified, and objectives accomplished.

The Narrative/Project Proposal should include:

A project summary

Needs Assessment

Project Goals and Objectives

And the narrative should document ability to administer Technical Assistance and Construction, financial resources available to pay operational costs and provide financial assistance to projects and demonstrate secured commitments of financial support from other sources.

Scope of Work.

RUS uses the information in the scope of work/work plan to measure the performance of the grant recipient and the success of the project. The scope of work describes what will happen in a project, when, and what staff will be responsible. It provides details on the activities or tasks to be accomplished, objectives, timetables for task completion, and anticipated results.

Budget Justification.

The budget justification demonstrates how the funds will be spent and provides details for proposed expenditures, calculations of costs, and explanations of unusual lines in the budget. It discusses how the budget supports the proposed project activities and explains how each budget item is essential to achieving project objectives. RUS uses this information to evaluate the cost effectiveness of the project and the adequacy of funding to carry out the activities of the project. The information will also be used to evaluate a grant recipient’s request for payments.

Balance Sheets and latest Financial Information.

The applicant’s latest financial statement is used to help determine if the applicant is financially viable to complete their proposed scope of work.

Evidence of Financial Management System.

Applicant must provide evidence that a financial management system is in place or proposed. RUS uses the information to determine if the applicant will be able to adequately account for federal funds expended.

Grant Agreement.

The Grant Agreement (RUS Bulletin 1775-1) is the official grant instrument between RUS and the TAC-RWTS recipient. It outlines the terms and conditions of the grants, including each party’s obligations and remedial authorities available for nonperformance.

Project Performance Report.

Grant recipients must submit a narrative progress report quarterly. The project performance report summarizes the project’s progress for the quarter and includes information needed to support expenditures claimed for the quarter. The last quarterly report may serve as the final report and must be submitted within 90 days of the project end date. Those items discussed in 1775.20 (d)(1) through (5) should be addressed. RUS uses this information to monitor performance, ensure schedules are met, projected work is accomplished, and objectives are achieved.

The project performance report meets the requirements of: (1) 7 CFR Part 3016, the USDA Implementation of OMB Circular No. A-102, “Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments;” and (2) 7 CFR Part 3019, the USDA implementation of OMB Circular A-110, “Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations.”

Audit.

Grant recipients must comply with the audit requirements of OMB Circular A-133, “Audits of State, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations.” Generally, they must submit an audit report after project completion. However, the requirements for submitting an audit report under OMB Circular A-133 are based on the total amount of Federal financial assistance expended during a grant recipient’s fiscal year from all Federal Sources. Grant recipients that expend $750,000 or more in a year in Federal awards must have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year. Those that expend less than $750,000 in Federal awards may be exempt from audit requirements for that year. RUS will review the information and determine if a grant recipient must submit an audit in accordance with the requirements of the Water and Waste Disposal program and OMB Circular A-133.

Financial Statements.

Grant recipients that expend less than $750,000 in a year in Federal awards may be able to submit their financial statement in lieu of an audit report after project completion. RUS will review the information and determine if a grant recipient must submit an audit in accordance with the requirements of the Water and Waste Disposal program and OMB Circular A-133.

# # #