Appalachian State Research, Technical Assistance, and Demonstration Projects (23.011)
Program
23.011 Appalachian State Research, Technical Assistance, and Demonstration Projects
Federal Agency
Agency: Appalachian Regional Commission
Authorization
Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965, Section 302, Public Law 89-4, as amended; 40 U.S.C. 14321.
Program Number
23.011
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To expand the knowledge of the region to the fullest extent possible by means of research (including investigations, studies, technical assistance and demonstration projects) in order to assist the Commission in accomplishing the objectives of the Act, and implementation of the ARC strategic plan.
Types of Assistance
PROJECT GRANTS
Uses and Use Restrictions
To research or demonstrate the feasibility of plans and programs for concerted economic and community development. Priority will be given to technical assistance related to job creation projects. Project activities can include investigations, research, studies, evaluations, and assessments of needs, potentials, or attainments of the people of the region, technical assistance, training programs, demonstrations and the construction of necessary facilities incident to such activities. All developments resulting from such research, and demonstration projects must be made freely available to the general public. Existing research by other agencies is to be utilized as much as possible. Research projects are subject to the uses and use restrictions described under the Appalachian Regional Development program (23.001). The purpose of these funds are to research or demonstrate the feasibility of plans and programs for concerted economic and community development. Priority will be given to technical assistance related to job creation projects.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Qualified candidates with subject matter experience who respond to Commission issued requests for proposals that are advertised on the Appalachian Regional Commission website (www.arc.gov).
Beneficiary Eligibility
States and local public bodies.
Credentials/Documentation
Projects must conform to the Appalachian Regional Commission Strategic Plan. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
The Appalachian Regional Commission reviews and prioritizes research and evaluation projects necessary to further the goals of the agency's strategic plan. The Executive Director approves individual contractors. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Candidates with subject matter expertise can respond to publicly advertised requests for proposals. Requests for proposals are located on the ARC website: www.arc.gov. The Commission reviews and prioritizes research projects to be completed each year. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.
Award Procedure
Upon determination that the approved project is eligible within a Commission approved Appalachian Strategic Plan, the Federal Co-chairman and Executive Director determines that the project satisfies all Federal requirements.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 36 to 60 days after the receipt of the application at the Commission.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
Yes, renewals are possible. They are processed in the same manner as the original application.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
This program has no matching requirements. A limited amount of discretionary authority is made available to the Commission under (40 U.S.C. 14321) of the Appalachian Regional Development Act. Annually the Commission allocates this authority to the Co-Chairmen's Committee and among the Appalachian States. The authority can be used to raise the statutory limits on ARC funding in projects implementing special regional initiatives approved by the Commission. It can also be used, with the approval of the Co-Chairmen's Committee, in cases of emergency economic distress. This discretionary authority, however, cannot be used to eliminate the funding restrictions on projects in competitive and attainment counties.
This program does not have MOE requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Usually 12 months. Assistance is provided as required. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: A schedule for payment is included in the contract proposal. However, ARC retains 10% of funds until the project is completed.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Program reports are not applicable. A cost estimate of the project is required upon initiation of the research contract. As the contract progresses, researchers are asked to update ARC on their progress. Drafts are sent to ARC for review. Expenditure updates are required for reimbursement. Performance monitoring is not applicable.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal 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. Nonfederal 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 No. A-133. As required by the Commission, in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996, Public Law 104-156. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal 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. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt form Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
As required by the terms of the contract.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2008: The following reports were completed in FY2008: 1) Creating an Entrepreneurial Appalachian Region: Findings and Lessions from an Evaluation of the ARC's Entrepreneurship Initiative, 2) An Assessment of Alternative Measures for Determining Economically Distressed Counties and Areas in the Appalachian Region, 3) Sources of Growth in Non-Metro Appalachia (Vol 1-4), 4) An analysis of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disparities & Access to Treatment Services in the Appalachian Region, and 5) Underlying Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Health Disparities in the Appalachian Region. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Financial Information
Account Identification
46-0200-0-1-452.
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 08 $929,971; FY 09 est $1,000,000; FY 10 est $1,000,000
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
No Data Available.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
"The Appalachian Regional Commission Code" (limited distribution); "Appalachian Regional Commission Project Guidelines" (limited distribution); "Appalachia" a journal devoted to the special problems of regional development (no charge); Research Program Prospectus (limited distribution) Performance and Accountability Report.
Related Programs
Not Applicable.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Agency Offices. Refer to Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
Carolyn R. Cleveland 1666 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Suite 600
, Washington, District of Columbia 20009 Email: ccleveland@arc.gov Phone: 2028847713
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2008: See FY2008 Accomplishments. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
See APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS.
