BILLING Code: (RUS-3410-15P)
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service
[DOCKET#: RUS-24-TELECOM-0019]
Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Broadband Technical Assistance Program for
Fiscal Year 2024
AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD)
agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announces the acceptance of
applications for the Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) Program for fiscal year (FY) 2024.
The BTA Program provides competitive cooperative agreement funding to eligible entities to
receive or deliver broadband technical assistance and training that promotes the expansion of
broadband into rural areas. Examples of broadband technical assistance projects may include
conducting feasibility studies, completing network designs, and developing broadband
financial assistance applications. This announcement lists the information needed to submit an
application.
DATES: Applications must be submitted through www.grants.gov/ and received no later than
[INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL
REGISTER] to be eligible for funding under this funding opportunity. Late or incomplete
applications will not be eligible for funding.
ADDRESSES: All applications must be submitted electronically at www.grants.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurel Leverrier, Assistant
Administrator, Telecommunications Program, Rural Utilities Service, United States
Department of Agriculture, telephone: (202) 720–9556, email: Laurel.Leverrier@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview
Federal Awarding Agency Name: USDA, RD, Rural Utilities Service
Funding Opportunity Title: Broadband Technical Assistance.
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity
Funding Opportunity Number: RUS-BTA-2024
Assistance Listing Number: 10.752
Dates: Applications must be submitted through www.grants.gov/ and received no later than
[INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL
REGISTER] to be eligible for funding under this opportunity. Late or incomplete
applications will not be eligible for funding under this opportunity.
Rural Development Key Priorities: The Agency encourages applicants to consider projects that
will advance the following key priorities (more details available at rd.usda.gov/priority-points):
• Creating More and Better Market Opportunities; Assisting rural communities recover
economically through more and better market opportunities and through improved
infrastructure.
• Advancing Racial Justice, Place-Based Equity, and Opportunity; Ensuring all rural
residents have equitable access to RD programs and benefits from RD funded projects;
and
• Addressing Climate Change and Environmental Justice; Reducing climate pollution and
increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to
rural communities.
Rural Partners Network (RPN): In addition, the Agency encourages applicants to work with
the RPN. The RPN is an all-of-government program that demonstrates to rural America that the
federal government can work differently to serve their unique needs in a way that is
community-centered and locally-driven. The RPN is a recognition by the Biden Administration
that it is time to do more for rural communities. Applicants to this funding opportunity are

encouraged to include RPN Community Networks in their proposals by identifying Community
Networks as collaborative partners or recipients of service. The RPN is supported by over 20
federal agencies and regional commissions, so including RPN Community Networks can help
facilitate coordination with other federal agencies that fund broadband technical assistance (i.e.,
NTIA, ARC, EDA) to ensure complimentary efforts and reduce the chance of duplicative
awards. Please visit www.rural.gov/community-networks for more information on locations of
the 36 RPN Community Networks spanning ten states and Puerto Rico. To access specific
contact information for prospective network participants to determine fit, please contact
RuralPartnersNetwork@usda.gov.
A. Program Description
1. Purpose of the Program.
The BTA Program provides financial assistance to eligible entities to receive or deliver
broadband technical assistance and training. Program funds must be used to support
broadband technical assistance activities that promote the expansion of broadband into rural
areas. Broadband technical assistance activities include, but are not limited to, project
planning and community engagement, financial sustainability, environmental compliance,
construction and engineering planning, accessing federal resources, and data collection and
reporting.
All applicants should carefully review and prepare their applications according to
instructions in the FY 2024 BTA Application Guide (Application Guide) and program
resources available on the program website at: www.rd.usda.gov/programsservices/telecommunications-programs/broadband-technical-assistance-program. Expenses
incurred prior to submission of an application will be at the applicant's own risk.
2. Statutory and Regulatory Authority.
The Rural eConnectivity Program is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., and Public
Law 115–141, Section 779 (2018). This BTA NOFO will use technical assistance funds

appropriated under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Pub. L. 117–58).
3. Definitions.
The terms and conditions provided in this NOFO are applicable to and for the purposes of
this NOFO only. Unless otherwise provided in the award documents, all financial terms not
defined herein shall have the meaning as defined by Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles.
Administrator means the Administrator of RUS, or the Administrator's designee.
Applicant means an entity requesting funding under this NOFO.
Application means the Applicant's request for federal funding, which may be approved in
whole or in part by RUS.
Award documents mean, as applicable, all associated award agreements.
Award means a cooperative agreement entered into under this NOFO.
Awardee means an eligible entity that has applied and been awarded federal assistance
under this part.
Broadband technical assistance refers to activities that support broadband expansion into
eligible rural areas and predevelopment planning activities, which may include, but are not
limited to, project planning and community engagement, financial sustainability,
environmental compliance, construction planning and engineering, accessing federal
resources, and data collection and reporting.
Cooperative agreement is the instrument used to fund the support of RD's goals of
increasing rural economic growth. In a cooperative agreement, federal employees participate
more closely in project activities, often working side-by-side with the cooperator.
Distressed communities are identified as communities whose economic well-being ranks
in the most distressed tier of the Distressed Communities Index. The most distressed tier of
the index are those communities with a score over 80. A GIS layer identifying distressed
communities can be found at www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-

programs/broadband-technical-assistance-program.
Indirect costs are costs that are not readily identified with a particular grant, contract,
project function or activity, but are necessary for the general operation of the organization
and the conduct of activities it performs.
Rural area means any area, as confirmed by the most recent decennial Census of the
U.S., which is not located within a city, town, or incorporated area that has a population of
greater than 20,000 inhabitants; or an urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or
town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants; and which excludes certain
populations pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)(H) and (I). For purposes of the definition of
rural area, an urbanized area means a densely populated territory as defined in the most
recent decennial Census.
Socially Vulnerable Communities means rural communities with a Social Vulnerability
Index (SVI) with a score of 0.75 or higher are eligible. For the purposes of this NOFO,
Puerto Rico, Guam, America Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, the Marshall
Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Hawaiian Census
Tribal areas are considered Socially Vulnerable Communities. A GIS layer identifying
socially vulnerable communities can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programsservices/telecommunications-programs/broadband-technical-assistance-program.
Tribe means the term as defined in the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of
1994 (Pub. L. 103–454; 108 Stat. 4791, 4792). An American Indian or Alaska Native Tribe,
band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges to
exist as an Indian Tribe under the Federally Recognized Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C.
5131).
Tribal entity includes all entities falling under the eligible legal structures, including but
not limited to: tribal owned corporations, tribal enterprises, subsidiaries of tribally-owned
corporations and enterprises, tribal authorities, tribal utilities, intertribal non-profits and

associations, Alaska Native Corporations and Alaska Native entities within the State of
Alaska recognized by and eligible to receive services from the U.S. Department of the
Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs, Native Hawaiian organizations including Homestead
Associations, State recognized tribes/nonprofits, and individually-owned Native American
entities.
Tribal Land means any area identified by the U.S. Department of Interior as Tribal Land.
A GIS layer of most Tribal Lands can be found on the RUS mapping tool located at:
www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/broadband-technicalassistance-program.
4. Application of Awards.
Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and completeness based on Sections C and D
of this NOFO. Applications determined to be eligible and complete will be further evaluated
based on criteria outlined in Section E. All applications will be competitively scored and
ranked. Notifications will be sent to Applicants` in accordance with Section F of this NOFO.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2024
Available Funds: The Agency estimates that approximately $25 million is available for
funding under this NOFO. RUS may, at its discretion, increase the total level of funding
available from any available funding source provided the awards meet the requirements of the
statute which made the funding available to the Agency.
Award Amounts: The minimum and maximum award amounts vary by funding category. The
Agency reserves the right to make the applicant an offer that varies in amount or scope from
the applicant's original request.
Funding Categories: Applicant must choose one of the following funding categories to be
considered for funding:

•

Technical Assistance Providers. The Agency estimates that up to $15 million is
available. The minimum award amount is $100,000 and the maximum award amount is
$1,000,000. Entities submitting an application under this funding category must
propose to deliver broadband technical assistance that will benefit rural communities.

•

Technical Assistance Recipients. The Agency estimates that up to $10 million is
available. The minimum award amount is $50,000 and the maximum award amount is
$500,000. Entities submitting an application under this funding category must be
beneficiaries of broadband technical assistance.

Anticipated Award Date: Awards are anticipated to be made by December 31, 2024
Period of Performance: Two-year period, beginning the date funds are released.
Renewal or Supplemental Awards: Not Applicable
Type of Assistance Instrument: Cooperative Agreement. RD is authorized to administer
cooperative agreement awards in accordance with 7. U.S.C. 2204b(b)(4) for BTA.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants.
Only entities legally organized as one of the following are eligible for financial assistance:
a) Federally recognized Tribes and Tribal entities;
b) States or local governments, including any agency, subdivision, instrumentality, or
political subdivision thereof;
c) A territory or possession of the U.S.;
d) An institution of higher education (including 1862 Land-Grant Institutions, 1890
Land-Grant Institutions, 1994 Land-Grant Institutions, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and
Historically Black Colleges and Universities);
e) Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) IRS status;
f) Cooperatives or mutual organizations;
g) Corporations; or

h) Limited Liability Companies or Limited Liability Partnerships
2. Project Eligibility.
a) To be eligible for funding assistance, the proposed project must promote the
expansion of broadband services into eligible rural areas.
b) Award funds may be used to assist eligible entities in identifying and planning for
the following purposes to deliver broadband services to rural areas:
i) Identify resources to finance broadband facilities from public and private
sources;
ii) Prepare feasibility studies, financial forecasts, market surveys, environmental
studies, and technical design information to support broadband services;
iii) Prepare reports and surveys necessary to support the need for broadband
services, the price range and to request financial assistance;
iv) Analyze and improve operations related to the management of broadband
facilities (i.e., implement automation, adopt new software, conduct training, etc.) and to the
efficiency of the entity.
c) The proposed project must include a component that allows for active participation
and substantial involvement by RD in the applicant's project proposal. Examples of measurable
substantial involvement include, but are not limited to the following:
i) Joint convenings of community members, partners, and stakeholders;
ii) Joint delivery of training for RD programs; and
iii) The development of training sessions and outreach materials;
It is the intent of the proposed project to engage RD staff in broadband technical assistance
activities, and it is the responsibility of the applicant to identify specific tasks where RD staff
can provide measurable, substantial involvement in the project. If such tasks are not identified,
the application will not be eligible for funding.
d) A certification from the appropriate Tribal official is required if a project is being

proposed by a non-tribal applicant over or on Tribal Lands. The appropriate Tribal official is
the Tribal Council of the Tribal Government with jurisdiction over the Tribal Lands at issue.
Any non-tribal applicant that fails to provide a certification to administer a project on Tribal
Lands will not be considered for funding.
3. Cost Sharing or Matching.
There are no cost sharing or matching requirements associated with this funding
opportunity.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package.
Application and supporting materials are available at Grants.gov. Applications must
contain all required information. To apply electronically, applicants must follow the
instructions for this funding announcement at Grants.gov.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission.
a) A fully completed application is required to be considered eligible for funding.
For an application to be considered complete, the applicant must complete and submit all
forms, information, and supporting documentation described below.
i) Written narrative proposal. The written proposal should be assembled into one
or more pdf file(s) and should conform to the order in which the evaluation criteria are
presented in Section E. The completed pdf file(s) should be uploaded into Grants.gov as an
attachment to the application. The maximum limit for the written narrative section is 25 pages.
Information exceeding 25 pages for the written narrative may not be considered for evaluation
by the scoring panel. The written narrative proposal must clearly identify the funding category
chosen.
ii) Standard Form (SF) 424, “Application for Federal Assistance.”
iii) SF 424B, “Assurances—Non-Construction Programs.”
iv) The Agency reserves the right to contact applicants to seek clarification on

submitted materials or request additional information.
b) The Application Guide provides specific, detailed instructions for each item of a
complete application. The Agency emphasizes the importance of including every item and
strongly encourages applicants to follow the instructions carefully, using the examples and
illustrations in the Application Guide.
3. System for Award Management and Unique Entity Identifier.
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 part 25 (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 sam.gov/content/entity-registration.
b) Each applicant 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) Each applicant must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance General
Representations and Certifications in SAM.
d) Applicants must provide a valid UEI in its application, unless determined exempt
under 2 CFR 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 Dates and Times.
Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov and received no later than
[INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL

REGISTER] to be eligible for funding under this opportunity. Late or incomplete
applications will not be eligible for funding.
Grants.gov requires some credentialing and online authentication procedures that
may take several business days to complete. Therefore, the applicant should complete
the registration, credentialing, and authorization procedures at Grants.gov in order to
submit an application. Instructions on all required passwords, credentialing, and software
are available on Grants.gov. If system errors or technical difficulties occur, use the
customer support resources available at the Grants.gov website.
The Agency will not consider new scoring or eligibility information that is submitted
after the application deadline. RUS reserves the right to ask applicants for clarifying
information and additional verification of assertions in the application.
5. Intergovernmental Review.
This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of
Federal Programs.”
6. Funding Restrictions.
In addition to costs identified as unallowable by 2 CFR part 200, award funds cannot be used to
pay for the following types of expenses (this is not a comprehensive list of unallowable costs,
see 2 CFR part 200).
a) Construction (in any form).
b) Activities serving communities in a non-rural area or those with existing
broadband access.
c) Duplicative project costs funded by another federal award.
d) Indirect Costs.
7. Other Submission Requirements.
Applications must be submitted electronically using Grants.gov. No other form of
application will be accepted. RUS will not accept applications through mail or courier delivery,

in-person delivery, email, or fax. RUS will approve no more than one application per applicant.
If an applicant submits more than one application for different projects, then the Agency will
only consider the application with the highest score. If an applicant submits more than one
application for the same project, then the Agency will only consider the latest submission.
E. Application Review Information
1. Evaluation Criteria.
The Agency will review each eligible, complete application based on the evaluation
criteria identified in this section. The written narrative proposal addressed in Section D of
this NOFO must address the criteria in the following order:
a) Project Work Plan (up to 30 points). The applicant can receive up to 30 points for
providing a detailed project work plan that demonstrates the soundness of the proposed
broadband technical assistance approach. The scoring criterion will be based on the following:
i) Work Plan Approach. The work plan approach should identify and detail
project objectives, rural communities to be served, project key goals, partnerships developed or
to be developed, and anticipated deliverables of the project. Applicants must list all rural
communities that will benefit from the broadband technical assistance project and describe
characteristics of the communities being served including information such as population size,
population density, poverty rate, and other economic indicators. Communities may be defined
at various geographic scales, including but not limited to, census blocks, towns, cities, and
counties.
ii) Work Plan Implementation. Applicants should include details on how the
technical assistance will be provided and how it will lead to expanded broadband service in
rural areas. Applicants should detail major task(s), involvement of key personnel, time period
of task(s), substantial involvement of RD staff, and expected deliverables.
iii) Budget and Work Plan Alignment. A detailed budget and budget justification
must be provided. The budget justification should align with the tasks detailed in the workplan.

Discuss how the budget specifically supports the proposed activities discussed in the project
key tasks (as described above). The format of the budget's narrative can be in a chart,
spreadsheet, table, etc., but it should be readable on letter-size, printable pages. The
information needs to be presented in such a way that the reviewers can readily understand what
expenses are incurred to support the project. Statement(s) of work for any subcontractors and
consultants must be included as part of the application.
b) Organizational capacity (up to 20 points). All applicants must demonstrate the
capacity to deliver and/or support broadband technical assistance activities. The applicant can
receive up to 20 points based on organizational capacity and qualifications. The maximum 20
points for this criterion will be based on the following:
i) The applicant's proposal must demonstrate that the applicant has identified
appropriate key personnel, both in terms of number of personnel and qualifications of
personnel and should provide specific detail of qualifications of key personnel relating to
broadband technical assistance. Capacity of personnel to access data for needs assessments and
access to planners and other technical experts will be evaluated.
ii) Applicants that are technical assistance providers must specify the number of
years of providing broadband technical assistance, detail experience in providing broadband
technical assistance to rural communities, identify types of rural communities previously
served, and detail experience in performance evaluation.
c) Rurality (up to 20 points). Points will be awarded for serving the least dense rural
areas as measured by the population of the communities served.
d) Economic Need (up to 20 points). Economic need is based on the county poverty
percentage of the communities proposed to be served in the application. The percentages
must be determined by utilizing the U.S. Census Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates
(SAIPE) Program. Communities located in geographic areas, for which no SAIPE data exist,
will be determined to have an average SAIPE poverty percentage of 30 percent. SAIPE data

can be found on the program website.
e) Creating More and Better Markets (10 points). Projects located in or serving a rural
community whose economic well-being ranks in the most distressed tier of the Distressed
Communities Index are eligible for 10 points. The most distressed tier of the index are those
communities with a score over 80. A list of Distressed Communities can be found at:
www.rd.usda.gov/media/file/download/fy24distressedcommunityindexlist-.xlsx. Points will be
awarded for projects serving at least one distressed community.
f) Projects advancing Racial Justice, Place-Based Equity, and Opportunity (10 points).
Projects that meet one of the criteria below will receive 10 points.
i) Projects proposing to serve at least one rural community with a Social
Vulnerability Index (SVI) with a score of 0.75 or higher are eligible. For the purposes of this
NOFO, Puerto Rico, Guam, America Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, the Marshall
Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Hawaiian Census
Tribal areas are considered Socially Vulnerable Communities. A GIS layer identifying the
Socially Vulnerable Communities can be found using the mapping tool available at:
www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/broadband-technicalassistance-program.
ii) Projects that promote the expansion of broadband service on Tribal Lands.
Tribal Lands will be identified in GIS layers included in the BTA mapping tool available at:
www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/broadband-technicalassistance-program.
iii) Projects proposed by a federally recognized Tribe, including Tribal
instrumentalities and entities that are wholly owned by Tribes.
iv) Projects from or benefiting an RPN community network. A GIS layer
identifying RPN community networks can be found using the mapping tool available at:
www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/broadband-technical-

assistance-program.
g) Performance measures (up to 10 points). The applicant can receive up to 10 points
based on the proposed performance measures to evaluate the progress and impact of the
proposed project.
Performance measures should be based on the applicant's proposal and must include a
description for how the results of the technical assistance will be measured and the
benchmarks to be used for measuring effectiveness. Indicators to be used should be specific
and be quantifiable.
2. Review and Selection Process. Applications are ranked by the final score. RUS selects
applications based on those rankings, subject to the availability of funds. RUS will approve no
more than one application per applicant. If an applicant submits more than one application for
different projects, then the Agency will only consider the application with the highest score. If
an applicant submits more than one application for the same project, then the Agency will only
consider the latest submission. The Agency has the authority to limit the number of
applications selected in any one state or for any one project during a fiscal year. An application
receiving fewer points can be selected over a higher scoring application if there are insufficient
funds available to cover the costs of the higher scoring application.
The Agency reserves the right to offer the applicant less than the amount of funding
requested.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices.
RUS notifies applicants whose projects are selected for awards by mailing or emailing a
copy of an award letter. The receipt of an award letter does not authorize the applicant to
commence performance under the award. The award letter will include an agreement that
contains all the terms and conditions for the cooperative agreement. An applicant must
execute and return the agreement, accompanied by any additional items required by the

agreement, within the number of days specified in theselection notice letter.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements.
The items listed in this NOFO, the Application Guide, and program resources implement
the appropriate administrative andnational policy requirements, which include but are not
limited to:
a) Using Form SF 270, “Request for Advance or Reimbursement,” to request
reimbursements (along with the submission of receipts for expenditures and any other
documentation to support the request for reimbursement).
b) Submitting an annual project performance activity report, no later than January
31st of the year following the year in which all or any portion of the award is first advanced
and continuing in subsequent years until completion of the project.
c) Ensuring that records are maintained to document all activities and expenditures
utilizing program funds and matching funds (receipts for expenditures are to be included in
this documentation).
d) Providing a final project performance report, no later than one hundred twenty
(120) days after the expiration date, termination of the award, the project completion, or the
final disbursement of the award by the awardee, whichever event occurs last.
e) Complying with policies, guidance, and requirements as described in the
following applicable Code of Federal Regulations, and any successor regulations:
i) 2 CFR parts 200 and 400 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards).
ii) 2 CFR parts 180 and 417 (Government-wide Nonprocurement Debarment and
Suspension).
iii) Complying with Executive Order 13166, “Improving Access to Services for
Persons with Limited English Proficiency.” For information on limited English proficiency and
agency-specific guidance, go to www.LEP.gov.

iv) Accountability and Compliance with Civil Rights Laws. The regulation found at
7 CFR part 1901 subpart E (www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-XVIII/subchapterH/part-1901/subpart-E) contains policies and procedures for implementing the regulations of
the Department of Agriculture issued pursuant to title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title
VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, title IX, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
Executive Order 13166, Executive Order 11246, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974,
as they relate to RD. Nothing herein shall be interpreted to prohibit preference to American
Indians on Indian Reservations.
The policies contained in this subpart apply to recipients. As recipients of federal
financial assistance, awardees are required to comply with the applicable federal, state and
local laws. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act prohibits discrimination by recipients of federal financial assistance. Recipients are
required to adhere to specific outreach activities. These outreach activities include
contacting community organizations and leaders that include minority leaders; advertising
in local newspapers and other media throughout the entire service area; and including the
nondiscrimination slogan, “This is an Equal Opportunity Program.”
Discrimination is prohibited by Federal Law, in methods that may include, but not be
limited to, advertisements, public broadcasts, and printed materials, such as brochures and
pamphlets.
By completing the Financial Assistance Representations and Certifications in SAM,
recipients affirm that they will operate the program free from discrimination. The recipient
will maintain the race and ethnic data on the board members and beneficiaries of the
program. The recipient will provide alternative forms of communication to persons with
limited English proficiency. The Agency will conduct Civil Rights Compliance Reviews on
recipients to identify the collection of racial and ethnic data on program beneficiaries. In
addition, the compliance review will ensure that equal access to the program benefits and

activities are provided for persons with disabilities and language barriers.
3. Reporting.
a) Performance Reporting. All recipients of financial assistance must provide annual
performance activity reports to RUS until the project is complete and the funds are expended.
A final performance report is also required; the final report may serve as the last annual report.
The final report must include an evaluation of the success of the project in meeting the program
objectives. Success of the project can be demonstrated by identifying the progress achieved in
securing financing to bring broadband service to the eligible rural area. Project performance
reports should include, but are not limited to, the following:
i) A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives established for that
period;
ii) A description of any problems, delays, or adverse conditions which have
occurred, or are anticipated, and which may affect the attainment of overall project objectives,
prevent the meeting of time schedules or objectives, or preclude the attainment of particular
project work elements during established time periods. This disclosure shall be accompanied
by a statement of the action taken or planned to resolve the situation; and
iii) Objectives and timetable established for the next reporting period.
iv) Activities demonstrating the coordination with the State Broadband
Office.
b) Recipient and sub-recipient reporting. The applicant must have the necessary
processes and systems in place to comply with the reporting requirements for first-tier
sub-awards and executive compensation under the Federal Funding Accountability and
Transparency Act of 2006 (Transparency Act) in the event the applicant receives
funding, unless such applicant is exempt from such reporting requirements pursuant to 2
CFR 170.110(b). The reporting requirements under the Transparency Act are found at 2
CFR part 170 (www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-170).

c) Accounting Requirements: Agency accounting requirements include
compliance with Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States,
(GAAP), as well as compliance with the requirements of the applicable regulations: 2
CFR part 200 subpart E, Cost Principles, and 48 CFR part 31 Federal Acquisition
Regulations Contract Cost Principles, and when applicable, 48 CFR part 30 Cost
Accounting Standards. Awardees subject to non-GAAP or other accounting
requirements should provide reconciling schedules with annual reporting. The
Administrator may modify the accounting requirements if it is deemed necessary.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
1. Website: www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/broadbandtechnical-assistance-program. The BTA website maintains up-to-date resources and contact
information for the Program.
2. For inquiries regarding eligibility concerns, please contact program staff at
www.usda.gov/reconnect/contact-us. Other inquiries, please contact Christopher Proctor,
Technical Assistance Branch Chief, Telecommunications Program, Rural Utilities Service,
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), email Christopher.Proctor@usda.gov, telephone:
(202) 619–1739.
H. Other Information
1. Paperwork Reduction Act.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the information collection
requirements associated with the program, as covered in this notice, have been approved by the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0572-0160.
2. National Environmental Policy Act.
All recipients under this notice are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR part 1970.
However, awards for technical assistance and training under this notice are classified as a
Categorical Exclusion according to 7 CFR 1970.53(b), and usually do not require any

additional documentation. RUS will review each application to determine its compliance with 7
CFR part 1970. The applicant may be asked to provide additional information or
documentation to assist RUS with this determination.
3. USDA Non-Discrimination Statement.
In accordance with Federal civil rights laws and USDA civil rights regulations and policies,
the USDA, its Mission Areas, agencies, staff offices, 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 AD–
3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which can be obtained online at
www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling
(866) 632–9992, 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:
a) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil
Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410; or

b) Fax: (833) 256–1665 or (202) 690–7442; or
c) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
4. Equal Opportunity for Religious Organizations.
(a) Faith-based organizations may apply for this award on the same basis as any other
organization, as set forth at, and subject to the protections and requirements of, this part and
any applicable constitutional and statutory requirements, including 42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq.
USDA will not, in the selection of recipients, discriminate for or against an organization on the
basis of the organization's religious character, motives, or affiliation, or lack thereof, or on the
basis of conduct that would not be considered grounds to favor or disfavor a similarly situated
secular organization.
(b) A faith-based organization that participates in this program will retain its
independence from the Government and may continue to carry out its mission consistent with
religious freedom and conscience protections in Federal law. Religious accommodations may
also be sought under many of these religious freedom and conscience protection laws.
(c) A faith-based organization may not use direct Federal financial assistance from
USDA to support or engage in any explicitly religious activities except when consistent with
the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and any other applicable requirements. An
organization receiving Federal financial assistance also may not, in providing services funded
by USDA, or in their outreach activities related to such services, discriminate against a
program beneficiary or prospective program beneficiary on the basis of religion, a religious
belief, a refusal to hold a religious belief, or a refusal to attend or participate in a religious
practice.

Andrew Berke,
Administrator,
Rural Utilities Service,
USDA Rural Development.

[FR Doc. 2024-13691 Filed: 6/20/2024 8:45 am; Publication Date: 6/21/2024]