§ 1700.146 - Chiefs, Regional Engineering Branches—Telephone.

The Chiefs, Regional Engineering Branches—Telephone in conformance with applicable regulations and RUS policy are delegated authority to approve or execute for the telephone program:

(a) The following matters for unpaid and outstanding loans:

(1) Financial Requirement Statements, RUS Form 481; and

(2) Construction loan budget adjustments except those involving change of loan budget purposes or new or revised administrative findings.

(b) The following matters concerning technical specifications and borrower facilities and organization:

(1) The selection by a borrower of an engineer or an architect and contracts for engineering and architecture services;

(2) Final inventory documents and payments to contractors and engineers;

(3) Statements of final engineering fees;

(4) Borrowers’ proposals and cost estimates for force account engineering and construction;

(5) Plans and specifications for central office equipment, radio, and microwave equipment, garage and warehouse buildings and for nonstandard central office equipment buildings;

(6) All major construction contracts. Major construction shall be defined as any project estimated to cost more than $250,000 in total;

(7) Borrowers’ proposals for purchase of additions and modifications to central office equipment;

(8) Borrowers’ Environmental Reports; and

(9) Borrowers’ Outside Plant Layouts.

(c) In addition, all authorities conferred upon other persons in § 1700.148 (a) and (b).