To
identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste disposal problems
in rural areas; to assist applicants in preparing applications made
in accordance with 7 CFR 1780; to improve operation and maintenance
of water and waste disposal facilities in rural areas.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Funds may be used to pay
expenses associated with providing technical assistance and/or training
(TAT) to identify and evaluate solutions to water problems relating
to source, storage, treatment, and distribution, and to waste disposal
problems relating to collection, treatment, and disposal; assist
applicants that have filed a preapplication with RUS in the preparation
of water and/or waste disposal loan and/or grant applications; and
to provide training that will improve the management, operation
and maintenance of water and waste disposal facilities. Grant funds
may not be used to recruit applications, duplicate current services
such as those performed by a consultant in developing a project,
fund political activities, pay for capital assets, purchase real
estate or vehicles, improve and renovate office space or repair
and maintain privately owned property, pay construction or O&M costs,
and pay costs incurred prior to the effective date of grants made.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility:
Private nonprofit organizations that have been granted tax exempt
status by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States. Applicants
must have proven ability, background, experience, legal authority
and actual capacity to provide technical assistance and/or training
on a regional basis to associations.
Beneficiary Eligibility:
Entities that may be eligible for water and waste disposal loans
and grants (10.760) such as municipalities, counties, districts,
authorities, and other political subdivisions of a State, organizations
operated on a not-for-profit basis, such as associations, cooperatives,
or private corporations, Indian tribes on Federal and State reservations
and other federally recognized Indian tribes.
Credentials/Documentation:
This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular Nos.
A-110 and A-122.
Pre-application
Coordination: This program is excluded from
coverage under E.O. 12372. An environmental impact assessment is
required for this program.
Application Procedure:
This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular Nos.
A-110 and A-122. Preapplication form SF 424.1, will be filed with
the appropriate Rural Development (RD), formerly FMHA, State or
Rural Utilities Service (RUS) National Office between October
1 and December 31 each fiscal year.
Award Procedure:
Preapplications received by an RD State office will be reviewed
and forwarded with any written comments within 7 working days
to the RUS National Office, Washington, DC.
Deadlines:
Preapplications must be filed between October 1 and December 31
of each fiscal year.
Range of Approval/Disapproval
Time: Form AD-622 "Notice of Preapplication
Review Action" will normally be issued within 45 days after December
31 of each year. SF 424.1 "Application for Federal Assistance
(for Non-construction)," will be submitted by the applicant upon
notification of funding eligibility.
Appeals:
If an application is rejected, the reasons for rejection are fully
stated. The applicant may request a review of this decision with
the National Appeals Division of USDA.
Renewals:
Not applicable.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching
Requirements: This program has no statutory
formula or matching requirements. Not less than one percent or more
than three percent of appropriated Water and Waste Disposal grant
funds may be used for TAT grants. Nonprofit organizations with proven
ability to provide technical assistance/training are eligible.
Length and Time Phasing
of Assistance: A time limitation is not specified,
however, priority will be given to applicants whose time frame
for completion of the technical assistance and/or training grant
project is 12 months or less.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
All grantees will submit quarterly reports to the RUS National Office
through the appropriate RD State Office.
Audits:
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised,
June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit
Organizations," non federal entities that expend financial assistance
of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a
program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities
that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt
from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted
in Circular No. A-133.
Records:
Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records,
and all other records pertinent to the grant must be retained
for a period of at least 3 years after closing.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification:
12-0400-0-1-452.
Obligations:
(Grants) FY 01 $15,972,620; FY 02 est $16,215,000; and FY 03 est
$16,215,000. (Note: Grants included in program 10.760, Water and
Waste Disposal Systems for Rural Communities.)
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance:
$40,000 to $7,902,632. Average: $1,597,353 (FY 2001).
7 CFR, Part 1775, Technical
Assistance and Training Grants.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local
Office: Consult your local telephone directory
for RD district office number. If no listing, get in touch with
the appropriate RD State Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office:
Assistant Administrator, Water and Environmental Programs, Rural
Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250.
Telephone: (202) 690-2670.
Web Site Address: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Recipients of this program
received funds to administer technical assistance and training to
small communities experiencing water and waste disposal problems.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Assistance will be directed
to those applicants who: (1) Have demonstrated ability to provide
technical assistance and/or training to rural associations; (2)
propose to serve multi-state, regional, or nationwide areas; (3)
maximize use of grant funds for direct staffing of activities that
are delivered to the associations; and (4) the population of the
associations served have low income.
