1890 Land Grant Institutions Rural Entrepreneurial Outreach Program (10.856)
Program
10.856 1890 Land Grant Institutions Rural Entrepreneurial Outreach Program
Federal Agency
RURAL BUSINESS-COOPERATIVE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Authorization
Section 607(b)(4) of the Rural Development Act of 1972, as amended by section 759A of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996; Executive Order 13256 (February 12, 2002), President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Program Number
10.856
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To promote Rural Development programs, provide outreach and technical assistance, advisory services, counseling, dissemination of technical information, training and encourage and assist underserved rural community residents to participate in USDA-Rural Development programs, especially those administered by Rural Business Cooperative Service. This outreach initiative is also designed to develop programs that will develop future entrepreneurs and businesses in rural America in those communities that have the most economic need.
Types of Assistance
Direct Payments for Specified Use (Cooperative Agreements).
Uses and Use Restrictions
RBS cooperative agreements with the 1890 Institutions must be used to strengthen the capacity of rural communities to undertake innovative, comprehensive, citizen led, long-term strategies for community and economic development. Only one application or proposal per 1890 institution per year will be accepted. Recognized outreach efforts to promote RBS programs in targeted underserved rural communities include, but are not limited to: (a) business startup and related technical assistance; seminars and workshops for small businesses; (b) development of management and technical assistance plans that: (1) assess small business alternatives to traditional agriculture; (2) assist in the development of business plans or loan packages, marketing, or bookkeeping; (3) assist and train small businesses in customer relations, product development, or business planning and development; (c) feasibility studies; (d) advice and recommendations regarding best practices in community economic development; (e) the conduct of seminars to stimulate business and economic development; and (f) developing computer technology outreach and establishing and maintaining a computer network system, linking community leaders and residents to available economic development information. RBS funds may be used to pay up to 75 percent of the costs for carrying out relevant projects. Applicants' contributions (matching 25 percent) may be in cash or in-kind contributions but must be from non-Federal funds. The applicant and assigned personnel must also have expertise and experience in providing the recommended assistance. Applicants should also have a previous record of successful implementation of similar projects and must have the expertise in the use of electronic network technologies and/or a business information system network website.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
1890 Land Grant Institutions and Tuskegee University (1890 Institutions).
Beneficiary Eligibility
The 1890 Institutions entrepreneurial outreach assistance is limited to residents located in a rural area as defined in 7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13) with economic need. Location in an Empowerment Zone, Enterprise Community, Champion Community, Federally-recognized Tribal Indian groups or other Federally declared economic depressed or disaster area is sufficient evidence of economic need. Eligible beneficiaries must also be located in communities that show significant community support for the proposal. Preference will be given for projects that operate in a multi-county service area. See annual notice of funding availability for details.
Credentials/Documentation
Eligible applicants are 1890 Land Grant Institutions and Tuskegee University. Eligible applicants must provide matching funds equal to at least 25 percent of the amount provided by RBS in the cooperative agreement. See annual notice of funding availability for details.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
To obtain application instructions and all required forms, please contact the Cooperative Services Program of Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), USDA. The application forms and instructions may also be requested via e-mail (edgar.lewis@usda.gov) and are also located on the Rural Business-Cooperative Service website. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.
Application Procedure
Submit (1) Form SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance; (2) Form SF-424A, Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs; (3) Form SF-424B, Assurances--Non-construction Programs; (4) Form AD-1047, Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension and other Responsibility Matters; (5) Form AD-1049, Certification Regarding Drug Free Workplace Requirements (6) Form SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities; and, (7) other information as requested by the annual Request For Proposals. See annual solicitation in the Federal Register for specific procedures.
Award Procedure
The 1890s Institutions must submit their application to the Rural Business-Cooperative Service National Office where it will be reviewed and scored on a competitive basis as described in the annual solicitation for proposals. If selected for an award, the applicant must complete the objectives as defined in the approved proposal.
Deadlines
Annual deadline as published in the Federal Register.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Applicants may appeal any adverse decisions to the National Appeals Division.
Renewals
This program is conducted annually and requires a new application and competition each year. Hence, renewals are not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Federal funds may be used to pay up to 75 percent of the costs for carrying out relevant projects. Applicants' contributions may be in cash or in-kind contributions and must be from non-Federal funds.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Matching funds must be spent in proportion to the spending of funds received from the cooperative agreement. All awards are for one year from the beginning of the performance period as specified in the terms and conditions of the agreement.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Progress reports must be submitted to RBS National Office on a quarterly basis. A final report must be submitted to RBS National Office within 90 days following the end of the performance period. All reports forwarded to RBS must be forwarded to the Rural Development State Office. Also, upon request by RBS, the recipient will deliver manuscripts, videotapes, software, or other media, as may be identified in approved proposals. Recipients will deliver project outreach success stories and other project related information requested by RBS for use on the website.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular A-133. Those non-Federal entities exempt from Circular A-133 will be audited by the Rural Development State Office.
Records
The recipient will maintain adequate records and accounts to assure that agreement funds are used for authorized purposes. Records will also be maintained by the RBS National Office and RD Budget Office according to USDA and Agency record-keeping requirements.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001, 15, 11 and 11 cooperative agreements were awarded to 1890 Institutions, respectively. Fiscal year 2003 funds provided entrepreneurship and information technology outreach and technical assistance to over 130 counties and 8-10 Empowerment Zones/Enterprise Communities and Champion Communities in 17 southern and southeastern States, in support of Rural Development mission of outreach to underserved rural communities.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-0403-0-1-452.
Obligations
(Cooperative Agreements) with 1890 Institutions totaled the following amounts in the year indicated: FY 03 $1,500,000; FY 04 est not available; and FY 05 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Cooperative Agreements awarded range from $75,000 to $150,000 and average $136,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
7 CFR 3015; 7 CFR 3017; 7 CFR 3018; 7 CFR 3019; 7 CFR 3021; and, 7 CFR 3052. NOTE: Section 607(b)(4) of the Rural Development Act of 1972, as amended by section 759A of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. Executive Order 13256 (February 12, 2002), President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Please see all details in the annual program notice of funding availability in the Federal Register.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Contact the appropriate RD State Office or check the RBS website. Email: CSGrants@usda.gov.
Headquarters Office
Edgar L. Lewis, RBS-1890 Land Grant Outreach Manager, Cooperative Services, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Stop 3252, Washington, DC 20250 3252. Telephone: (202) 690-3407.
Web Site Address
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/
Examples of Funded Projects
Cooperative Agreement funds were used to fund outreach initiatives including technical assistance in economic and community development, feasibility studies, research, market development, loan packaging, conducting workshops and seminars in the area of business and economic development, and developing and providing access to computer technology and website development to the targeted population and communities.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Each application will be evaluated in a two-part process. First, each application will be screened to ensure that it meets the administrative requirements as set forth in a Notice of Request for Proposals. Second, a number of expert reviewers will conduct a merit review based on the "Evaluation Criteria and Weights" section of the Notice of Request for Proposals as published in the Federal Register.
