§ 1703.34 - Applications.

(a) Borrowers may file an application on any official workday during the first 14 days of every month. A borrower must send a copy of the application, except for an application that requests a zero-interest loan or grant for project feasibility studies, to the state single point of contact for state and local governments at the same time it submits the application to RUS. As discussed in § 1703.33(g), state and local governments have 60 days to review a borrower's proposal before the Administrator gives final approval to an application, except a proposal for project feasibility studies. The Administrator may establish a special application period if determined necessary.

(b) A completed application will consist of an original and two copies of:

(1) An application form. The application must include a completed application form, “Application for Federal Assistance,” Standard Form 424;

(2) A board resolution. The application must include a board resolution that:

(i) Requests a zero-interest loan and/or grant, including the amount of the zero-interest loan and/or the amount of the grant rounded to the nearest 1,000 dollars;

(ii) Includes the total combined deferment and repayment period requested for a zero-interest loan if less than 10 years;

(iii) Includes the board's endorsement of the proposed rural economic development project as described in the application;

(iv) States the proposed project does not violate §§ 1703.20 and 1703.21; and discloses any information regarding a conflict of interest, potential conflict of interest, or appearance of a conflict of interest that would allow the Administrator to make an informed decision;

(v) Authorizes an official of the borrower to requisition zero-interest loan or grant funds under this program;

(vi) For an application for a grant only, authorizes the chief executive officer of the borrower to execute and deliver on behalf of the borrower the certification Form AD-1049 regarding a drug-free workplace program as required in part 3017, subpart F of this title; and

(vii) Any other matters deemed necessary by the Administrator;

(3) Miscellaneous Federal forms. The application must include the following completed forms:

(i) Form AD-1047, “Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters—Primary Covered Transactions,” as required in part 3015, subparts A through E of this title; and

(ii) Assurance statement or certification statement required under the Uniform Act as set forth in § 1703.33(d). For pass-through-loans and pass-through-grants, the ultimate recipient of the proceeds of the RUS zero-interest loan or grant must sign the assurance statement that it will comply with the applicable provisions of the Uniform Act or sign a certification that the provisions of the Uniform Act will not apply to the rural development project which will be partially financed with the proceeds of RUS funds. If the borrower will not provide a pass-through-loan or pass-through-grant to another entity, the borrower must submit a completed assurance statement or certification regarding the applicable provisions of the Uniform Act, or have such an assurance statement on file at RUS;

(4) Contingent certifications and disclosures. As determined by the type and amount of requested funds, the application must include the following completed forms:

(i) For an application for a zero-interest loan in excess of $150,000 or for an application for a grant in excess of $100,000, a certification statement, “Certification Regarding Lobbying,” and, if the borrower is engaged in lobbying activities described under § 1703.33(h), a completed disclosure form, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities”; and

(ii) For an application for a grant only, a completed certification form, “Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (Grants),” Form AD-1049 as required in part 3017, subpart F of this title;

(5) Other requirements. The following:

(i) A section entitled “Selection Factors” as set forth in § 1703.35;

(ii) A section entitled “Project Description” as set forth in § 1703.36;

(iii) Except for applications for project feasibility studies, a section entitled “Environmental Impact of the Project” as set forth in § 1703.37;

(iv) Monitoring plan. For a pass-through loan and/or grant, a copy of the Borrower's plan to monitor the loan and/or grant and ensure that the requirements of this subpart are met; and

(v) Scope of work. For an application for a loan and/or grant, a proposed scope of work for the project.

(c) The Administrator may request additional information it considers relevant from the borrower.

(d) During the application review process, the borrower may change the amount of the zero-interest loan or grant funds requested or other portions of its application, only if approved by the Administrator. A borrower that changes its request from a grant to a zero-interest loan must submit information necessary for the Administrator to evaluate a loan proposal as set forth in this subsection, and submit a new board resolution requesting the loan.

(The information collection requirements contained in paragraph (b) of this section were approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 0572-0090)