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Grant Community.com Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Descriptions |
CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC
ASSISTANCE
10.855: Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loans and Grants
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| 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 |
Applicant Eligibility: Organizations such as schools, libraries, hospitals, medical centers, or other eligible organizations that will be users of a telecommunications, computer network, or related advanced technology system to provide educational and/or medical benefits to rural residents. The applicant must not be delinquent on any Federal debt.
Beneficiary Eligibility: The people living in rural areas and to improve rural opportunities, particularly in the areas of education, training and medical services.
Credentials/Documentation: None.
Preapplication Coordination: Preapplication form, OMB Standard Form 424, RUS will assist in the preparation of the form. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110 (7 CFR 3015). This program is not subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-102.
Application Procedure: Submit application Form 424; non-delinquent on any Federal obligations; consultation with USDA State Director; evidence of legal existence and authority to perform the proposed grant activities; a comprehensive rural telecommunications plan; scope of work plan, executive summary for the project: financial information; a statement of experience; funding commitment from other sources; proposed evaluation methodology; compliance by Federal statutes and regulations (compliance with scoring criteria) and environmental impact; depreciation schedule covering all assets of the project; supplemental information and required additional RUS information.
Award Procedure: RUS selects projects to be funded.
Deadlines: Applications for funding may be submitted at any time and will be reviewed in accordance with 1703.109. Applicants will be notified within 15 working days of the receipt of the application. To be considered for loan funds during the fiscal year the application is submitted, the application must be completed by June 1 for grants and combination loans and grants. Loans are approved through out the year.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Applications are approved each fiscal year for which funding is made available. Applications may be re-submitted each year for consideration.
Appeals: Applicant may appeal the numerical scoring to the Secretary in writing within 10 days after applicant is notified of the scoring level.
Renewals: Renewal of the same application for one year.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals: Not applicable.
Examples of Funded Projects: Interactive rural education networks, remote health care units linkups, computer terminals video and audio equipment, and other medical link or distance learning projects.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Varies and not to exceed amount established by RUS Administrator.
None.
During fiscal year 1993 through fiscal year 1999, 252 projects were funded totaling $65,998,331 ($62.5 million grants and $5,498,331 million loans).
Federal Agency: RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, (DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE )
Type of Assistance: Project Grants; Direct Loans.
Obligations: (Grants) FY 99 $12,500,000; FY 00 est $20,000,000; and FY 01 est $20,000,000. (Loans) FY 99 $150,000,000; FY 00 est $200,000,000; and FY 01 est $200,000,000.
Budget Account Number: 12-1232-0-1-452.
Authorization: Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, Title VII, Public Law 104-127, 7 U.S.C 950.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature: Proposed, 7 CFR 1703D.
Regional or Local Office: None.
Headquarters Office: Assistant Administrator, Telecommunications, Rural Utilities Service, Room 4056, South Bldg., U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 202500-1500. Phone: (202) 720-9554. Use the same number for FTS. (Home Page)
(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)
Formula and Matching Requirements: This program has no formula requirements. Grant funding will be provided up to 70 percent of the total project. A 30 percent matching contribution will be required from the applicant. Applicants requesting loans will have a minimum matching contribution of 10 percent and up to 90 percent funding.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Advanced monthly or as needed to reimburse disbursements for approved grant purposes. There is no restriction on length of time to spend the funds.
Uses and Use Restrictions: Telecommunications, computer networks and related advanced technologies that provide educational and/or medical benefits to students, teachers, medical professionals and rural residents. Grants are limited up to 70 percent of the eligible costs of a project. Cost of money loans may be provided up to 90 percent of the eligible costs. No funding will be provided for the following: Telecommunication transmission facilities if the local phone company will provide service through the use of expedited RUS loans; or other means for medical equipment, except that required for encoding and decoding data such as images for transmission over a telecommunications or computer network; for salaries, wages, or employee benefits of medical or educational personnel providing medical or educational services; for salaries or administrative expenses of the applicant for the project; to purchase equipment to be owned by the local exchange carrier or other telecommunications service provider, to provide duplicate current services or to refinance indebtedness prior to receipt of the completed application; or for projects in areas covered by the Coastal Barrier Resources Act, or projects that would adversely affect the environment; the costs of preparing the application; use to solely link personnel in the same facility; purchased land, buildings or building construction; when success of the project depends on other financing; any purpose not specifically approved by the Administrator.
Reports: SF 269, "Financial Status Report," and project performance activity report required annually.
Audits: An audit report is required for the years in which funds are received.
Records: Grantee will provide evidence that funds are expended for approved purposes.
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Last Updated, November, 2000
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