Billing Code: 3410-XY-P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
[Docket #: RBS-24-BUSINESS-0005]
Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Delta Health Care Services Grant Program for
Fiscal Year 2024
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice
SUMMARY: This Notice of Funding Opportunity (Notice) announces that the Rural BusinessCooperative Service (RBCS, Agency) is accepting fiscal year (FY) 2024 applications for the
Delta Health Care Services (DHCS) grant program. The purpose of this program is to provide
financial assistance to address the continued unmet health needs in the Delta Region through
cooperation among health care professionals, institutions of higher education, research
institutions, and economic development entities in the Delta Region. There is $3,046,583
currently available for FY 2024. Ten percent of funds must support projects located in
persistent poverty counties in the Delta Region and as described under paragraph A.2.b. in the
Overview section of this Notice. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in
developing their applications.
DATES: Completed applications must be submitted electronically by no later than 11:59 p.m.
Eastern Time [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE
FEDERAL REGISTER] through grants.gov to be eligible for grant funding. Late or incomplete
applications will not be eligible for funding.
ADDRESSES: This funding announcement will also be announced on grants.gov. Applicants
are encouraged to contact their respective United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Rural Development (RD) State Office well in advance of the application deadline to discuss their
Project and ask any questions about the application process. Contact information for RD State

Offices can be found at rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices. Applicants may obtain program
guidance and application tools from rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-servicesgrants.
To submit an application, follow the instructions for the DHCS funding announcement
located at grants.gov. Please review the Grants.gov web site at grants.gov/register for
instructions on the process of registering your organization as soon as possible to ensure you are
able to meet the application deadline. You are strongly encouraged to file your application early
and allow sufficient time to manage any technical issues that may arise.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Honie Turner, Business Loan and Grant
Analyst at honie.turner@usda.gov, Program Management Division, RBCS, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-3226; or call 202-720-1400 or email
CPgrants@usda.gov.
For further information on program requirements under this Notice, please contact the
USDA RD State Office in the state where the applicant’s headquarters is located. A list of RD
State Office contacts is provided at the following link: rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Awarding Agency Name: Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS)
Funding Opportunity Title: Delta Health Care Services Grant Program (DHCS)
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
Funding Opportunity Number: RDBCP-DHCS-2024
Assistance Listing: 10.874
Dates: Electronic applications must be received by grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern
Time [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL
REGISTER], or it will not be considered for funding.

Rural Development Key Priorities: The Agency encourages applicants to consider projects that
will advance the key priorities (more details available at rd.usda.gov/priority-points):
•

Addressing Climate Change and Environmental Justice; Reducing climate pollution
and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support
to rural communities.

•

Advancing Racial Justice, Place-Based Equity, and Opportunity; Ensuring all rural
residents have equitable access to RD programs and benefits from RD funded
projects.

•

Creating More and Better Opportunities; Assisting rural communities recover
economically through more and better market opportunities and through improved
infrastructure.

A. Program Description
1. Purpose of the Program. The primary objective of the program is to provide financial
assistance to address the continued unmet health needs in the Delta Region through cooperation
among health care professionals, institutions of higher education, research institutions, and other
individuals and entities in the Delta Region. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis.
2. Statutory and Regulatory Authority.
(a) Statutory. The DHCS program is authorized by section 379G of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008u).
(b) Persistent Poverty Counties. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Pub. L.
118-42), division B, title VII, section 736 (section 736), allocates funding for projects in
Persistent Poverty Counties. Persistent Poverty Counties as defined in section 736 is “any
county that has had 20 percent or more of its population living in poverty over the past 30 years,
as measured by the 1990 and 2000 decennial censuses, and 2007–2011 American Community
Survey 5-year average, or any territory or possession of the United States[.]” Another provision
in section 736 expands the eligible population in Persistent Poverty Counties to include any

county seat of such a Persistent Poverty County that has a population that does not exceed the
authorized population limit by more than 10 percent. Therefore, applications for projects in
Persistent Poverty County seats with populations up to 55,000 (per the 2020 Census) are eligible.
Funding in the amount of $346,583 will be allocated to support Persistent Poverty Counties out
of the total available funding of $3,046,584.
3. Definitions.
Academic Health and Research Institute – A combination of a medical school, one or
more other health profession schools or educational training programs (such as allied health,
dentistry, graduate studies, nursing, pharmacy, or public health), and one or more owned or
affiliated teaching or health systems; or a health care nonprofit organization or health system,
including nonprofit medical and surgical hospitals, that conduct health related research.
Conflict of Interest – A situation in which a person or entity has competing personal,
professional, or financial interests that make it difficult for the person or business to act
impartially. Federal procurement standards prohibit transactions that involve a real or apparent
conflict of interest for owners, employees, officers, agents, or their immediate family members
having a financial or other interest in the outcome of the Project; or that restrict open and free
competition for unrestrained trade. Specifically, Project Funds may not be used for services or
goods going to, or coming from, a person or entity with a real or apparent conflict of interest,
including, but not limited to, owner(s) and their immediate family members. An example of a
conflict of interest includes when the consortium member’s employees, board of directors, or the
immediate family of either, have the appearance of a professional or personal financial interest in
the recipients receiving the benefits or services of the grant.
Consortium – A group of three or more entities that are regional Institutions of Higher
Education, Academic Health and Research Institutes, and/or Economic Development Entities
located in the Delta Region that have at least one year of prior experience addressing the health
care issues in the region. At least one of the consortium members must be legally organized as

an incorporated organization or other legal entity and have legal authority to contract with the
Federal Government.
Delta Region – The 252 counties and parishes within the states of Alabama, Arkansas,
Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee that are served by the Delta
Regional Authority.

To view the areas identified within the Delta Region visit dra.gov/about-

dra/dra-states.
Economic Development Entity– Any public or non-profit organization whose primary
mission is to stimulate local and regional economies within the Delta Region by increasing
employment opportunities and duration of employment, expanding or retaining existing
employers, increasing labor rates or wage levels, reducing outmigration, and/or creating gains in
other economic development-related variables such as land values. These activities shall
primarily benefit low- and moderate-income individuals in the Delta Region.
Health System– The complete network of agencies, facilities, and all providers of health
care to meet the health needs of a specific geographical area or target population.
Institution of Higher Education– A postsecondary (post-high school) educational
institution that awards a bachelor’s degree or provides not less than a two-year program that is
acceptable for full credit toward such a degree, or a postsecondary vocational institution that
provides a program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized
occupation.
Nonprofit Organization – Any organization or institution, including an accredited
institution of higher education, no part of the net earnings of which may inure, to the benefit of
any private shareholder or individual.
Project– All activities funded by the DHCS grant.
Project Funds– Grant funds requested plus any other contributions to the proposed
Project.

Rural and rural area– Includes (1) Any area of a State other than (a) a city or town that
has a population of more than 50,000 inhabitants, according to the latest decennial census of the
United States and (b) any urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or town described in
(a); and (2) Urbanized areas that are rural in character as defined by 7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13). For
the purposes of this definition, cities and towns are incorporated population centers with definite
boundaries, local self-government, and legal powers set forth in a charter granted by the State.
State – Includes each of the 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin
Islands of the United States, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands, and, as may be determined by the Secretary to be feasible, appropriate and
lawful, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the
Republic of Palau.
4. Application of Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and score applications received in
response to this Notice. Awards under the DHCS Program will be made on a competitive basis.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Award: Grant
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2024
Available Funds: $3,046,584. RBCS may at its discretion, increase the total level of funding
available in this funding round from any available source provided the awards meet the
requirements of the statute which made the funding available to the Agency.
Award Amounts: The minimum award amount is $50,000 and the maximum award amount is
$1,000,000.
Anticipated Award Date: September 30, 2024
Performance Period: Up to 24 months
Type of Assistance Instrument: Financial Assistance Agreement (Grant Agreement)
C.

Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants. Applicants must meet all the following eligibility requirements. Your
application will not be considered for funding if it does not provide sufficient information to
determine eligibility or is missing required elements. Applicants that fail to submit the required
elements by the application deadline will be deemed ineligible and will not be evaluated further.
Information submitted after the application deadline will not be accepted. Grants funded through
DHCS may be made to a Consortium as defined in section A.3 of this Notice. One member of
the Consortium must be designated as the lead entity by the other members of the Consortium
and have legal authority to contract with the Federal Government.
The lead entity is the recipient (see 2 CFR 200.1) of the DHCS grant funds and
accountable for monitoring and reporting on the Project performance and financial management
of the grant. It is expected that the recipient will make subawards in the form of a grant,
cooperative agreement, or contract, as appropriate, to the other members of the Consortium. If a
grant or cooperative agreement is awarded, the organization receiving the subaward is a
subrecipient (see 2 CFR 200.1) and the recipient is responsible for complying with all applicable
requirements of 2 CFR part 200, including provisions for making and monitoring an award. If a
contract is awarded, the organization receiving the subaward is a contractor, and the recipient is
responsible for following its written procurement procedures and complying with the Federal
Acquisition Regulation. Both subrecipients and contractors are required to comply with all
applicable laws and regulations, including performance and financial reporting, as described in
their award document.
(a) An applicant is ineligible if they do not submit Evidence of Eligibility and
Consortium Agreements as described in section D.2 of this Notice.
(b) An applicant is ineligible if they have been debarred or suspended or otherwise
excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs under Executive
Order 12549, Debarment and Suspension. In addition, an applicant will be considered ineligible
for a grant due to an outstanding judgment obtained by the U.S. in a Federal Court (other than

U.S. Tax Court), is delinquent on the payment of Federal income taxes, or is delinquent on
Federal debt. The applicant must certify as part of the application that they do not have an
outstanding judgment against them. The Agency will check the DO NOT PAY system to verify
if the applicant has been debarred or suspended or has an outstanding judgment against them.
(c) Any corporation (1) that has been convicted of a felony criminal violation under any
Federal law within the past 24 months or (2) that has any unpaid Federal tax liability that has
been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have
lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority
responsible for collecting the tax liability, is not eligible for financial assistance provided with
funds appropriated by the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 118-47),
division B, title VII, sections 744 and 745 unless a Federal agency has considered suspension or
debarment of the corporation and has made a determination that this further action is not
necessary to protect the interests of the Government.
(d) Applications will be deemed ineligible if the application includes any funding
restrictions identified under section D.6.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching. There are no cost sharing or matching requirements associated
with this grant. However, if you are adding any other contributions to the proposed Project, you
must provide documentation indicating who will be providing the matching funds, the amount of
funds, when those funds will be provided, and how the funds will be used in the Project budget.
Examples of acceptable documentation include: a signed letter from the source of funds stating
the amount of funds, when the funds will be provided, and what the funds can be used for or a
signed resolution from your governing board authorizing the use of a specified amount of funds
for specific components of the Project. The matching funds you identify must be for eligible
purposes and included in your work plan and budget. Additionally, expected program income
may not be used as matching funds at the time you submit your application. If you choose, you
may use a template to summarize the matching funds. The template is available either from your

RD State Office or the program website at: rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-careservices-grants.
3. Other.
(a) Use of Funds. Your application must propose to use Project Funds for eligible
purposes. Eligible Project purposes include the development of: (1) health care services; (2)
health education programs; (3) health care job training programs; and (4) the development and
expansion of public health-related facilities in the Delta Region.
(b) Project Eligibility. The proposed Project must take place within the Delta Region as
defined in this Notice. However, the applicant need not propose to serve the entire Delta Region.
The Agency will allocate at least ten percent of available funds to support projects located in
persistent poverty counties as described in paragraph A.2.(b) of the Overview section. The
application must identify if the Project will be located in a persistent poverty county, or counties
and the total Project Funds associated with supporting persistent poverty counties.
(c) Project Input. Your proposed Project must be developed based on input from local
governments, public health care providers, and other entities in the Delta Region.
(d) Grant Period Eligibility. All awards are limited to up to a 24-month grant period
based upon the complexity of the Project. Your proposed grant period should begin no earlier
than October 1, 2024, and should end no later than 24 months following that date. If you receive
an award, your grant period will be revised to begin on the actual date of award – the date the
financial assistance agreement is executed by the Agency – and your grant period end date will
be adjusted accordingly. Your Project activities must begin within 90 days of the date of award.
If you request funds for a time period beginning before October 1, 2024, and/or ending later than
24 months from that date, your application will be ineligible. The length of your grant period
should be based on your Project’s complexity, as indicated in your application work plan.
(e) Multiple Application Eligibility. The Consortium, including its members, is limited
to submitting one application for funding under this Notice. We will not accept applications

from Consortiums that include members who are also members of other Consortiums that have
submitted applications for funding under this Notice. If we discover that a Consortium member
is a member of multiple Consortiums with applications submitted for funding under this Notice,
all applications will be considered ineligible for funding.
(f) Satisfactory Performance Eligibility. If you have an existing DHCS award, you must
be performing satisfactorily to be considered eligible for a new DHCS award. Satisfactory
performance includes being up to date on all financial and performance reports as prescribed in
the grant award, and current on tasks and timeframes for utilizing grant and matching funds as
approved in the work plan and budget. If you have any unspent grant funds on DHCS awards
made prior to FY 2021 your application will not be considered for funding. If your FY 2022 or
FY 2023 award has unspent funds of 50 percent or more than what your approved work plan and
budget projected at the time your FY 2024 application is evaluated, your application may not be
considered for funding. The Agency will verify the performance status of FY 2022 and FY 2023
awards and make a determination after the FY 2024 application period closes.
(g) Completeness Eligibility. Your application must provide all the information
requested in section D.2. of this Notice. Applications lacking sufficient information to determine
eligibility and scoring will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for scoring.
(h) Indirect Costs. Your negotiated indirect cost rate approval does not need to be
included in your application, but you will be required to provide it if a grant is awarded.
Approval for indirect costs that are requested in an application without an approved indirect cost
rate agreement is at the discretion of the Agency.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package. The application guide and necessary forms are
available at grants.gov. Additionally, the application guide, general program information, and
other application tools for this funding opportunity is located at rd.usda.gov/programsservices/delta-health-care-services-grants. Use of the application guide is strongly recommended

to assist you with the application process. You may also contact your RD State Office for more
information. Contact information for RD State Offices is located at rd.usda.gov/contact-us/stateoffices.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission. You must submit your application
electronically through grants.gov. Your application must contain all required information. To
apply, you must follow the instructions for this funding announcement at grants.gov. Please note
that we cannot accept applications through mail, courier delivery, in-person delivery, email, or
fax. Paper applications are not accepted.
You can locate the Grants.gov downloadable application package for this program by
using a keyword, the program name, or the Assistance Listing Number for this program. When
you enter the Grants.gov Website, you will find information about applying electronically
through the site, as well as the hours of operation.
You must submit all application documents electronically through Grants.gov.
Applications must include electronic signatures. Original signatures may be required if funds are
awarded. After applying electronically through Grants.gov, you will receive an automatic
acknowledgement from Grants.gov that contains a Grants.gov tracking number.
The organization submitting the application will be considered the lead entity. The
Contact/Program Manager must be associated with the lead entity submitting the application.
Your application must also contain the following required forms and proposal elements:
(a) Form SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. The application for Federal
assistance must be completed by the lead entity as described in section C.1. of this Notice. Your
application must include your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award
Management (SAM) Commercial code and expiration date (or evidence that you have begun the
SAM registration process). If you do not include the expiration date and the UEI in your
application, it will not be considered for funding. The form must be signed by an authorized
representative.

(b) Form SF-424A, Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs. This form must
be completed and submitted as part of the application package.
(c) Form SF-424C, Budget Information - Construction Programs. This form must be
completed, signed, and submitted as part of the application package for construction Projects.
(d) Executive Summary. A summary of the proposal, not to exceed one page, briefly
describing the Project, tasks to be completed, and other relevant information that provides a
general overview of the Project must be provided.
(e) Evidence of Eligibility. Evidence of the Consortium's eligibility to apply under this
Notice must be provided. This section must include a detailed summary demonstrating that the
applicant is a Consortium as defined in paragraph A.3 of this Notice and explain how each
Consortium member meets the definition of an eligible entity as defined under section A.3 of this
Notice.
(f) Consortium Agreements. The application must include a formal written agreement
with each Consortium member that addresses the negotiated arrangements for administering the
Project to meet Project goals, the Consortium member’s responsibilities to comply with
administrative, financial, and reporting requirements of the grant, including those necessary to
ensure compliance with all applicable Federal regulations and policies, and facilitate a smooth
functioning collaborative venture. Under the agreement, each Consortium member must perform
a substantive role in the Project and not merely serve as a conduit of funds to another party or
parties. This agreement must be signed by an authorized representative of the lead entity and an
authorized representative of each partnering consortium entity.
(g) Scoring Criteria. Each of the scoring criteria in this Notice must be addressed in
narrative form. Failure to address each scoring criterion will result in the application being
determined ineligible.

(h) Performance Measures. The Agency has established annual performance measures
to evaluate the DHCS program. Estimates on the following performance measures, as part of
your application, must be provided:
(1) Number of businesses assisted;
(2) Number of jobs created;
(3) Number of jobs saved; and
(4) Number of individuals assisted/trained.
It is permissible to have a zero in a performance element. When calculating jobs created,
estimates should be based upon actual jobs to be created by your organization as a result of the
DHCS funding or actual jobs to be created by businesses as a result of assistance from your
organization. When calculating jobs saved, estimates should be based only on actual jobs that
would have been lost if your organization did not receive DHCS funding or actual jobs that
would have been lost without assistance from your organization.
You can also suggest additional performance elements, for example where job creation or
jobs saved may not be a relevant indicator. These additional elements should be specific,
measurable performance elements that could be included in an award document.
(i) Financial Information and Sustainability. Current financial statements and a
narrative description demonstrating sustainability of the Project, all of which show sufficient
resources and expertise to undertake and complete the Project and how the Project will be
sustained following completion must be provided. Applicants must provide three years of proforma financial statements for the Project.
(j) Evidence of Legal Authority and Existence. The lead entity must provide evidence of
its legal existence and authority to enter into a grant agreement with the Agency and perform the
activities proposed under the grant application.

(k) Service Area Maps. Maps with sufficient detail to show the area that will benefit
from the proposed facilities and services and the location of the facilities improved or purchased
with grant funds, if applicable, must be provided.
(l) Environmental information necessary to support the Agency’s environmental finding.
Required information can be found in 7 CFR part 1970, specifically in subparts B and C. These
provisions may be found at ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-XVIII/subchapter-H/part1970. Construction related activities funded by RD must comply with State and local building
codes and 7 CFR part 1924. Depending on the actions anticipated, an appropriate 7 CFR part
1970 compliant environmental document must be submitted and approved, prior to
commencement of construction.
3. System for Award Management and assigned Unique Entity Identifier
(a) At the time of application, each applicant must have an active registration in the SAM
before submitting its application in accordance with 2 CFR part 25. To register in SAM, entities
will be required to obtain a UEI(a) At the time of application, each applicant must have an active
registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting its application in
accordance with 2 CFR 25 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25). In
order to register in SAM, entities will be required to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
Instructions for obtaining the UEI are available at https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.
(b) Applicants must maintain an active SAM registration, with current, accurate and
complete information, at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application
under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.
(c) Applicants must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance General Certifications
and Representations in SAM.
(d) Applicants must provide a valid UEI in their application, unless determined exempt
under 2 CFR 25.110 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpartA/section-25.110).

(e) The Agency will not make an award until the applicant has complied with all SAM
requirements including providing the UEI. If an applicant has not fully complied with the
requirements by the time the Agency is ready to make an award, the Agency may determine that
the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for
making a Federal award to another applicant.
4. Submission Date and Time. Completed applications must be submitted electronically to
grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF
PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER], to be eligible for funding. Please review
the Grants.gov website at grants.gov/register for instructions on the process of registering your
organization as soon as possible to ensure you can meet the electronic application deadline.
Grants.gov will not accept applications submitted after the deadline. All application documents
identified in this Notice are required in the submission to be considered a complete application.
The Agency will not solicit or consider new scoring or eligibility information that is
submitted after the application deadline. The Agency reserves the right to contact applicants to
seek clarification on materials contained in the submitted application. See the application guide
for a full discussion of each item comprising a complete application. For complete application
requirements, refer to section D.2 of this Notice.
5. Intergovernmental Review. Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, Intergovernmental Review of
Federal Programs, applies to this program. This E.O. requires that Federal agencies provide
opportunities for consultation on proposed assistance with State and local governments. Many
states have established a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to facilitate this consultation. For a list
of States that maintain a SPOC, please see the White House Web site:
whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/.

If your State has a

SPOC, you may submit a copy of the application directly for review. Any comments obtained
through the SPOC must be provided to your State Office for consideration as part of your

application. If your state has not established a SPOC, you may submit your application directly
to the Agency.
6. Funding Restrictions. Project funds may not be used for ineligible purposes. In addition, you
may not use Project Funds for the following:
(a) To duplicate current services or to replace or to substitute support previously
provided, however, Project Funds may be used to expand the level of effort or a service beyond
what is currently being provided;
(b) To pay for costs to prepare the application for funding under this Notice;
(c) To pay for costs of the Project incurred prior to the effective date of the period of
performance;
(d) To pay expenses for applicant employee training not directly related to the Project;
(e) To fund political activities;
(f) To pay for assistance to any private business enterprise which does not have at least
51 percent ownership by those who are either citizens of the United States or reside in the United
States after being legally admitted for permanent residence;
(g) To pay any judgment or debt owed to the United States;
(h) To engage in any activities that are considered a Conflict of Interest, as defined by
this Notice; or
(i) To fund any activities prohibited by 2 CFR part 200.
In addition, your application will not be considered for funding if it does any of the
following:
(1) Assists a hemp producer without a valid license issued by a State, Tribe or USDA, as
applicable, or in accordance with 7 CFR part 990.
(2) Requests more than the maximum grant amount; or
(3) Proposes ineligible costs that equal more than 10 percent of the Project Funds.

The Agency will consider your application for funding if it includes ineligible costs of 10
percent or less of total Project Funds, if it is determined eligible otherwise. However, if your
application is successful, those ineligible costs must be removed and replaced with eligible costs
before the Agency will make the grant award or the amount of the grant award will be reduced
accordingly. If the Agency cannot determine the percentage of ineligible costs, your application
will not be considered for funding.
7. Other Submission Requirements. To submit an application, you must follow the instruction
for this funding opportunity at grants.gov. A password is not required to access the website. You
should not submit your application in more than one format or in more than one submission.
Applications will not be accepted if the text is less than 11-point font. Applicants having
technical difficulties with submitting an application should contact grants.gov directly.
Technical difficulties submitting an application through Grants.gov. will not be a reason to
extend the application deadline.
E. Application Review Information
1. Evaluation Criteria. All eligible and complete applications will be evaluated based on the
following criteria. Evaluators will base scores only on the information provided or crossreferenced by page number in each individual scoring criterion. DHCS is a competitive
program, so you will receive scores based on the quality of your responses. Simply addressing
the criteria will not guarantee higher scores. The total points possible for the criteria are 110.
The minimum score requirement for funding is 60 points. It is at the Agency’s discretion to fund
applications with a score of 59 points or less if it is in the best interest of the Federal
Government.
(a) Community Needs and Benefits Derived from the Project (maximum of 30 points). A
panel of USDA employees will assess how the Project will benefit the residents in the Delta
Region. This criterion will be scored based on the documentation in support of the community
needs for health services and public health-related facilities and the benefits to people living in

the Delta Region derived from the implementation of the proposed Project. It should lead clearly
to the identification of the Project participant pool and the target population for the Project and
provide convincing links between the Project and the benefits to the community to address its
health needs. You must discuss the:
(1) Health care needs/issues/challenges facing the service area and explain how the
identified needs/issues/challenges were determined. Discussion should also identify problems
faced by the residents in the region.
(2) Proposed assistance to be provided to the service area and how the Project will
benefit the residents in the region.
(3) Implementation plan for the Project and provide milestones which are well-defined
and can be realistically completed.
(4) Expected outcomes of the proposed Project and how they will be tracked and
monitored. You should attempt to quantify benefits in terms of outcomes from the Project; that
is, ways in which peoples’ lives, or the community, will be improved. Provide estimates of the
number of people affected by the benefits arising from the Project.
(b) The Project Management and Organization Capability (maximum of 30 points). A
panel of USDA employees will evaluate the Consortium’s experience, past performance, and
accomplishments addressing health care issues to ensure effective Project implementation. This
criterion will be scored based on the documentation of the Project’s management and
organizational capability. You must discuss:
(1) Your organization’s management and fiscal structure including well-defined roles for
administrators, staff, and established financial management systems.
(2) Relevant qualifications, capabilities, and educational background of the identified
key personnel (at a minimum, the Project Manager) who will manage and implement programs.
(3) Your organization’s current successful and effective experience (or demonstrated
experience within the past five years) addressing the health care issues in the Delta Region.

(4) Your organization’s experience managing grant-funded programs.
(5) The extent to which administrative/management costs are balanced with funds
designated for the provision of programs and services.
(6) The extent and diversity of eligible entity types within the applicant’s Consortium of
regional institutions of higher education, academic health and research institutes, and economic
development entities located in the Delta Region.
(c) Work Plan and Budget (maximum of 30 points). You must provide a work plan,
construction project scope, if applicable and budget that includes the following: (1) the specific
activities, such as programs, services, trainings, and/or construction-related activities for a
facility to be performed under the Project; (2) the estimated line item costs associated with each
activity, including grant funds and other necessary sources of funds; (3) the key personnel who
will carry out each activity (including each Consortium member’s role); and (4) the specific time
frames for completion of each activity.
An eligible start and end date for the Project and for individual Project tasks must be
clearly shown and may not exceed Agency specified timeframes for the grant period. You must
show the source and use of both grant and other contributions for all tasks. Other contributions
must be spent at a rate equal to, or in advance of, grant funds.
A panel of USDA employees will evaluate your work plan for detailed actions and an
accompanying timetable for implementing the proposal. Clear and comprehensive work plans
detailing all project goals, tasks, timelines, costs, and responsible personnel in a logical and
realistic manner will result in a higher score.
(d) Local Support (maximum 10 points). A panel of USDA employees will evaluate
your application for local support of the proposed Project. The application must include
documentation detailing support solicited from local government, public health care providers,
and other entities in the Delta Region. Evidence of support can include, but is not limited to,

surveys conducted amongst Delta Region residents and stakeholders, notes from focus groups, or
letters of support from local entities.
(e) Administrator Discretionary Points (maximum of 10 points). The Administrator may
choose to award up to 10 points to support geographic distribution of funds and/or key priorities
as follows (more details available at rd.usda.gov/priority-points):
(1)

Assisting rural communities recover economically through more and better market

opportunities and through improved infrastructure. An applicant would receive, priority points if
the project is located in or serving a rural community whose economic well-being ranks in the
most distressed tier (distress score of 80 or higher) of the Distressed Communities Index using
the Distressed Communities Look-Up Map available at rd.usda.gov/priority-points.
(2)

Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD programs and benefits

from RD funded projects. Using the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) Look-Up Map (available at
rd.usda.gov/priority-points), an applicant would receive priority points if the project is:
•

located in or serving a community with score 0.75 or above on the SVI; or

•

a project where at least 50 percent of the project beneficiaries are members of
Federally Recognized Tribes and non-Tribal applicants include a Tribal
Resolution of Consent from the Tribe or Tribes that the applicant is proposing
to serve.

(3)

Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate

change through economic support to rural communities. Using the Disadvantaged Community
and Energy Community Look-Up Map (rd.usda.gov/priority-points), an applicant would receive
priority in three ways:
•

If the project is located in or serves a Disadvantaged Community as defined
by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), from the
White House Council on Environmental Quality;

•

If the project is located in or serves an Energy Community as defined by the
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA); and

•

If applicants can demonstrate through a written narrative how the proposed
climate-impact projects will improve the livelihoods of community residents
and meet pollution mitigation or clean energy goals.

See the website, rd.usda.gov/priority-points, for options.
2. Review and Selection Process. The RD State Offices will review applications to determine if
they are eligible for assistance based on requirements in this Notice, and other applicable Federal
regulations. If determined eligible, the review panel will convene to reach a consensus on the
scores for each of the eligible applications. The Administrator may choose to award up to 10
Administrator discretionary points based on criterion (e) in section E.1 of this Notice. These
points will be added to the cumulative score for a total possible score of 110. Applications will
be funded in highest ranking order until the funding limitation has been reached. Applications
that cannot be fully funded may be offered partial funding at the Agency’s discretion. If your
application is ranked and not funded, it will not be carried forward into the next competition. The
Agency reserves the right to offer the applicant less than the grant funding requested.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices. Successful applicants will receive notification for funding by
electronic mail, containing instructions on requirements necessary to proceed with execution and
performance of the award. Applicants must comply with the terms of the award, including
meeting all applicable statutes and regulations before the grant award can be approved and
funded.
If you are not selected for funding, you will be notified in writing by electronic mail and
informed of any review and appeal rights. Funding of successfully appealed applications will be
limited to available FY 2024 funding.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements. Additional requirements that apply to
grantees selected for this program can be found in 2 CFR parts 25, 170, 180, 200, 400, 415, 417,
418, and 421; and 48 CFR 31.2, and successor regulations to these parts. All recipients of
Federal financial assistance are required to report information about first tier subawards and
executive compensation (see 2 CFR part 170). You will be required to have the necessary
processes and systems in place to comply with the Federal Funding Accountability and
Transparency Act reporting requirements (see 2 CFR 170.200(b), unless you are exempt under 2
CFR 170.110(b)). These regulations may be obtained at ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/ECFR?page=browse.
The following additional requirements apply to grantees selected for this program:
(a) Execution of an Agency approved Financial Assistance Agreement.
(b) Acceptance of a written Letter of Conditions.
(c) Submission of Form RD 1940-1, Request for Obligation of Funds.
(d) Submission of Certification for Contracts, Grants and Loans.
(e) SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities if applicable.
3. Reporting. After grant approval and through grant completion, you will be required to provide
the following:
(a) A SF-425, Federal Financial Report, and a project performance report will be
required on a semiannual basis (due 30 working days after the end of the semiannual period).
For the purposes of this grant, semiannual periods end on June 30th and December 31st. The
project performance reports shall include a comparison of actual accomplishments to the
objectives established for that period.
(b) Reasons why established objectives were not met, if applicable.
(c) Reasons for any problems, delays, or adverse conditions, if any, which have affected
or will affect attainment of overall project objectives, prevent meeting time schedules or
objectives, or preclude the attainment of particular objectives during established time periods.

This disclosure shall be accompanied by a statement of the action taken or planned to resolve the
situation.
(d) Objectives and timetable established for the next reporting period.
(e) A final project and financial status report within 120 days after the expiration or
termination of the grant.
(f) Outcome project performance reports and final deliverables.
(g) An annual audit in accordance with 2 CFR part 200 subpart F unless the recipient
expends less than $750,000 during its fiscal year.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)
For general questions about this funding opportunity, please contact your USDA RD
State Office provided in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. You may also contact Honie
Turner, Program Management Division, Direct Programs Branch, Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, USDA at (202) 720-1400 or email CPgrants@usda.gov. You are also encouraged to
visit the application website for application tools, including an application template, at
rd.usda.gov/programs-services/delta-health-care-services-grants.
H. Build America, Buy America Act
Funding to Non-Federal Entities. Awardees that are Non-Federal Entities, defined pursuant to 2
CFR 200.1 as any State, local government, Indian Tribe, Institution of Higher Education, or
nonprofit organization, shall be governed by the requirements of section 70914 of the Build
America, Buy America Act (BABAA) within the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public
Law 117-58. Any requests for waiver of these requirements must be submitted pursuant to
USDA’s guidance available online at usda.gov/ocfo/federal-financial-assistancepolicy/USDABuyAmericaWaiver.
I. Other Information
1. Paperwork Reduction Act. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.),
OMB must approve all ‘‘collection of information’’ as a requirement for ‘‘answers to ***

identical reporting or recordkeeping requirements imposed on ten or more persons ***’’ (44
U.S.C. 3502(3)(A)). The Agency has concluded that the reporting requirements contained in this
rule/funding announcement will involve less than 10 persons and do not require approval under
the provisions of the Act.
2. National Environmental Policy Act. All recipients under this Notice are subject to the
requirements of 7 CFR part 1970. The Agency will review each grant application to determine
its compliance with 7 CFR part 1970. The applicant may be asked to provide additional
information or documentation to assist the Agency with this determination.
3. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. All applicants, in accordance with 2
CFR part 25, must be registered in SAM and have a UEI number as stated in section D.3 of this
notice. All recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to report information about
first-tier sub-awards and executive total compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part 170.
4. Civil Rights Act. All grants made under this notice are subject to title VI of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 as required by the USDA 7 CFR part 15, subpart A and section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, title IX, Executive Order
13166 (Limited English Proficiency), Executive Order 11246, and the Equal Credit Opportunity
Act of 1974.
5. Nondiscrimination Statement. In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and
employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited
from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status,
income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for
prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases
apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons
with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information
(e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the responsible
Mission Area, agency, or staff office or the 711 Relay Service.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should complete a Form AD3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which can be obtained online at
usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf from any USDA office, by calling (866) 6329992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name,
address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in
sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and
date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be
submitted to USDA by:
(1) Mail:

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-9410; and

(2) Fax:

(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

(3) Email:

OAC@usda.gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Kathryn E. Dirksen Londrigan,
Administrator,
Rural Business-Cooperative Service,
USDA, Rural Development.
[FR Doc. 2024-12874 Filed: 6/11/2024 8:45 am; Publication Date: 6/12/2024]