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| 10.857 STATE BULK FUEL REVOLVING FUND GRANTS |
| (RUS) |
| FEDERAL AGENCY |
| RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE |
| AUTHORIZATION |
| Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended, Title I, Section 19, Public Law 106-472, 114 Stat. 2058, 7 U.S.C. 918a. |
| OBJECTIVES |
| To provide grants to State entities for revolving funds to promote more cost-effective fuel purchases for communities where fuel cannot be shipped by surface transportation. |
| TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
| Project Grants. |
| USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
| Funds must be used to establish and support a revolving fund to provide a more cost-effective means of purchasing fuel where fuel cannot be shipped by means of surface transportation. Not more than 4 percent of the funds made available under the grant may be used for planning and administrative expenses. |
| Applicant Eligibility |
| Applicants are limited to State entities and to entities of any Territory. possession or other area authorized to receive the services and programs of the Rural Utilities Service or the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended. Entities must be in existence as of November 9, 2000. |
| Beneficiary Eligibility |
| Assistance must be used to improve the cost-effectiveness of fuel purchasing for communities that are dependent on fuel deliveries by water or air. |
| Credentials/Documentation |
| None. |
| Preapplication Coordination |
| None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. |
| Application Procedure |
| Grant applications are accepted in response to a Notice of Funding Availability published in the Federal Register. Requirements for applications are described in the Federal Register notice and may be requested from the Agency. Eligible entities should provide expressions of interest in applying for grants to the Assistant Administrator, Electric Programs. |
| Award Procedure |
| Grants are awarded competitively. |
| Deadlines |
| Deadlines will be announced in Notice of Funding Availability published in the Federal Register. Applications will be accepted during the announced application window and awarded at the close of the window. |
| Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
| Grant approvals will generally be made within 60 days of the application closing date. |
| Appeals |
| Applicants may appeal rejections of ineligible applications to the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service under procedures in program regulations at 7 CFR Part 1709. |
| Renewals |
| Not applicable. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| None. |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| Grant agreements will run for a period of three years. Extensions may be granted. Funds will be disbursed on request of the Grantee. |
| Reports |
| Grantee will be required to provide periodic financial and performance reports. |
| Audits |
| Grantee will be required to report in accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations." |
| Records |
| Records must be kept as required under USDA and State regulations. |
| Account Identification |
| 12-0400-0-1-452. |
| Obligations |
| (Grants) FY 07 $500,000; FY 08 $0; and FY 09 est not reported. |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| Grants to States have ranged from $350,000 to $5,000,000. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| Grant allowed expansion of existing State revolving fund program to fully fund requests for assistance to secure adequate winter fuel supplies. Grantee reports that 60 remote communities benefitted from lower fuel costs through bulk purchase discounts and lower finance costs. |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| 7 CFR Part 1709. |
| Regional or Local Office |
| None. |
| Headquarters Office |
| Assistant Administrator, Electric Programs Rural Development Utilities Programs Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250-1560. Telephone: (202) 720-9540. Use the same number for FTS. |
| Web Site Address |
| http://www.usda.gov/rus/electric/hecgp/index.htm |
| RELATED PROGRAMS |
| 10.850, Rural Electrification Loans and Loan Guarantees; 10.854, Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| Expansion of state revolving loan fund for fuel purchases for isolated small rural communities; creation of State emergency loan fund to acquire fuel on behalf of financially distressed communities. |
| CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
| Proposals are selected competitively based on total scores received on evaluation criteria in grant announcement. |
|
General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
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