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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

10.218:  Buildings and Facilities Program

Objectives:  This is a construction grants program designed to improve and modernize program facilities to assist recipients in better responding to current challenges and opportunities in the food and agricultural sciences.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

10.218 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

10.218 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. A preconstruction environmental assessment is required.

Application Procedure:  Program guidelines are developed and forwarded to identified institutions annually. As directed in the covering letter, institutional officials prepare either background materials or a formal grant application according to instructions provided in the guidelines. An on-site study is conducted by a team of subject-matter experts and the results are reported to Congress prior to recommending an initial grant award. Any award of funds to begin architectural-engineering or construction work is influenced by the panel's recommendations. In subsequent years, a grant application is submitted to CSREES for evaluation and approval.

Award Procedure:  Upon receipt in CSREES, the grant application undergoes internal programmatic, financial, and administrative evaluation. If the project is recommended for an award, a grant award document consisting of a cover sheet, an approved budget, and the terms and conditions of the grant award is issued.

Deadlines:  This program was not funded in fiscal year 2000.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  It takes between 60 and 120 days to review background materials, select review team members, conduct an on-site study, submit the report to Congress, and make funding decisions relating to initial project submissions. For all other proposals, it takes between 45 and 180 days to complete the evaluation and award processes, depending upon the complexity of the project.

Appeals:  None.

Renewals:  Depending upon the size and complexity of the construction project, it often takes several increments of funding assistance to complete the project. The initial award is issued as a new grant, with second and subsequent funding increments issued as renewals to existing grants. Projects remain active until facility completion.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  Written criteria are used to evaluate projects during the on-site study. Each study is conducted to: (1) Determine the need for and importance of the facility as it relates to the agricultural interest in the requesting State, the region, and the Nation; (2) determine the extent to which the facility is expected to contribute to the effectiveness of agricultural research, teaching, and extension programs; (3) examine alternatives to the facility proposed; (4) determine the local commitment to the facility and the programs it is intended to house; (5) assure that the requestor is able to provide the required matching support for the construction if Federal funding is forthcoming; and (6) assure that the intended use of the facility lies within the mission of USDA. Reports prepared by review teams are reviewed internally to ensure that they adequately address these issues. Grant proposals submitted to CSREES after the on-site visit are reviewed by CSREES faculty and staff for adherence to approved plans and Federal regulations, project accomplishments, and allow ability of costs.

Examples of Funded Projects:  Center for Arid Land Studies, Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Facility, Plant Science Center, Soil and Water Research and Education Center, Regional Food Innovation Center, and Poultry Science Facility.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  $480,150 to $4,850,000; $2,055,638.

10.218 RELATED PROGRAMS:

• 10.203 Payments to Agricultural Experiment Stations Under the Hatch Act;
• 10.205 Payments to 1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Tuskegee University;
• 10.207 Animal Health and Disease Research.

10.218 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

10.218 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION SERVICE, (DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE )

Type of Assistance:  Project Grants.

Obligations:  (Grants) FY 99 $998,498; FY 00 est $3,057,926; and FY 01 est $0.

Budget Account Number:  12-1501-0-1-352.

Authorization:  Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1995; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1996; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1997; Public Laws 103-330 and 104-37, and 104-726.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  Buildings and Facilities Program: Program Guidelines; 7 CFR 3407, Agency Procedures to Implement the National Environmental Policy Act; 7 CFR 3015, and/or 7 CFR Part 3019 USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations; Federal Cost Principles; 7 CFR 3017, Government wide Debarment and Suspension (nonprocurement) and Government wide Requirements for Drug-free Workplace (grants); 7 CFR 3018, New Restrictions on Lobbying; and 7 CFR Part 3019, Uniform, Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations.

10.218 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  None.

Headquarters Office:  Deputy Administrator, Competitive Research Grants and Awards Management, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Phone: (202) 401-1761. (Home Page)

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

10.218 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  All projects are funded on a matching formula of not to exceed 50 percent Federal funds and not less than 50 percent nonfederal funds. All project costs are subject to prior written approval by CSREES.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  There is no statutory limit on the length of time an award may be in effect.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  Funds may be used for architectural-engineering, acquisition of land, construction, repair, improvement, extension, alteration, or consolidation of program facilities, and the acquisition and installation of fixed equipment. Funds may not be used to establish, maintain, or enhance the research or education programs themselves; to purchase movable equipment; to pay indirect costs of grant recipients; or to pay operating or maintenance costs of completed facilities. Other unallowable costs are specified in the terms and conditions of the grant award which accompany the individual grant.

10.218 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  A technical (i.e., performance) report is due 90 days after the first anniversary date of the grant award and annually thereafter during the life of the project. Performance reports submitted with renewal proposals will satisfy this requirement through the final increment of grant funding. Quarterly financial reports are due 15 days after the close of each quarter throughout the life of the project. Final technical and financial reports are due 90 days after the expiration date of the grant award.

Audits:  Audits will be conducted in accordance with guidelines established in the revised OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," and implemented in 7 CFR Part 3052.

Records:  Grantees are required to maintain separate records for each construction project to ensure that funds are expended for authorized purposes. Grant-related records must be retained for a minimum of 3 years after the expiration date of the grant award.