Technical Assistance and Training Grants (10.761)

Program

10.761 Technical Assistance and Training Grants

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Agriculture
Office: Rural Development

Authorization

Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended, Sections 306(a)(16)(A), Public Law 99-198, 7 U.S.C. 1926(a).

Program Number

10.761

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

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

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. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact assessment is required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. 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

Oct 01, 2009 to Dec 31, 2009 Preapplications must be filed between October 1 and December 31 of each fiscal year.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 30 to 60 days. 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.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

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. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: quarterly.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

All grantees will submit quarterly reports to the RUS National Office through the appropriate RD State Office. Cash reports are not applicable. Progress reports are not applicable. Expenditure reports are not applicable. 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. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit 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.

Records

Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to the grant must be retained for a period of at least three years after closing.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: In fiscal year 2008, 10 grants were made. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

12-0400-0-1-452.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $18,370,500; FY 09 est $19,000,000; FY 10 est $19,000,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$80,000 to $10,300,000. Average: $1,800,000.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

7 CFR, Part 1775, Technical Assistance and Training Grants.

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. 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

Water and Environmental Programs Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, Washington, District of Columbia 20250 Phone: (202) 690-2670

Web Site Address

http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Recipients of this program received funds to administer technical assistance and training to small communities experiencing water and waste disposal problems. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

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.