Technical and Supervisory Assistance Grants
Published on AidPage by IDILOGIC on Jun 24, 2005
Purpose of this program:
To assist low-income rural families in obtaining adequate housing to meet their family's needs and/or to provide the necessary guidance to promote their continued occupancy of already adequate housing. These objectives will be accomplished through the establishment or support of housing delivery and counseling projects run by eligible applicants.
Possible uses and use restrictions...
Grant purposes: Grant funds are to be used for a housing delivery system and counseling program to include a comprehensive program of technical and supervisory assistance as set forth in the grant agreement and any other special conditions as required by RHS. Uses of grant funds may include, but are not limited to: (a) The development and implementation of a program of technical and supervisory assistance as defined in RD Instruction 1944-K, 1944.506(h) and (i); (b) payment of reasonable salaries of professional, technical, and clerical staff actively assisting in the delivery of the TSA project; (c) payment of necessary and reasonable office expenses such as office supplies and office rental, office utilities, telephone services, and office equipment rental; (d) payment of necessary and reasonable administrative costs such as workers' compensation, liability insurance, audit reports, travel to and attendance at RD approved training sessions, and the employer's share of Social Security and health benefits. Payments to private retirement funds are prohibited unless prior written authorization is obtained from the Administrator; (e) payment of reasonable fees for necessary training of grantee personnel. This may include the cost of travel and per diem to attend regional training sessions when authorized by the State Director; and (f) other reasonable travel and miscellaneous expenses necessary to accomplish the objectives of the specific TSA grant which were anticipated in the individual TSA grant proposal and which were included as eligible expenses at the time of grant approval. Ineligible activities: Grant funds may not be used for: (1) Acquisition construction, repair, or rehabilitation of structures or acquisition of land, vehicles, or equipment; (2) replacement of or substitution for any financial support which would be available from any other source; (3) duplication of current services in conflict with the requirements of RD Instruction 1944-k, 1944.514(c); (4) hiring personnel to perform construction; (5) buying property of any kind from families receiving technical or supervisory assistance from the grantee under the terms of the TSA grant; (6) paying for or reimbursing the grantee for any expenses or debts incurred before RHS/RD executes the grant agreement; (7) paying any debts, expenses or costs which should be the responsibilities of the individual families receiving technical and supervisory assistance; (8) any type of political activities, and (9) other costs including contributions and donations, entertainment, fines and penalties, interest and other financial costs, legislative expenses and any excess of cost from other grant agreements. Advice and assistance may be obtained from the national office where ineligible costs are proposed as part of the TSA project or where a proposed cost appears ineligible. The grantee may not change fees or accept compensation or gratuities from TSA recipients for the grantee's assistance under the program.
Who is eligible to apply...
Technical and Supervisory Assistance Grants may be made to public or private nonprofit corporations, agencies, institutions, organizations, Indian Tribes, and other associations. Listed below are a description and definition of eligible applicants: 1. Sponsored organization - A public purpose group other than a unit of government that is a beneficiary under a plan or program administered by a State, or political subdivision of a State or local government, and which is subject to approval by a Federal agency. Usually organized to work for a specific purpose. Examples: Community development agencies, model cities, and community action agencies; 2. public nonprofit institution/organization - A public owned agency or organization established to perform specialized functions or services for the benefit of all or part of the general public either without charge or at cost, making no profits and having no shareholders or receive dividends, includes institutions of higher education and hospitals. 3. Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Government - the governing body or a governmental agency of an Indian tribe, nation, pueblo, or other organized group or community (including native village as defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act) certified by the Secretary of the Interior as eligible for the special programs and services provided through the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and 4. private nonprofit institution/organization - privately owned organization or institution which represent community service networks, public information, technical assistance, and public education. Operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes such that no part of its earnings is for the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, includes private institutions of higher education and hospitals. Examples: Girl Scouts, American Civil Liberties Union.
Credentials/Documentation
Have the financial, legal, administrative, and operational capacity to assume and carry out the responsibilities that meet this requirement of actual capacity, it must either: (a) Have necessary background and experience with proven ability to perform responsibly in the field of low-income rural housing development and counseling, or other business management or administrative experience which indicated an ability to provide responsible technical and supervisory assistance; or (b) be assisted by an organization which has such background experience and ability and which agrees in writing that it will provide, without charge, the assistance the applicant will need to carry out its responsibilities; (c) legally obligate itself to administer TSA funds, provide an adequate accounting of the expenditure of such funds, and comply with the grant agreement and RHS regulations; (d) demonstrate an understanding of the needs of low-income rural families; (e) have the ability and willingness to work within established guidelines; and (f) if the applicant is engaged in or plans to become engaged in any other activities, it must be able to provide sufficient evidence and documentation that it has adequate resources, including financial resources, to carry on any other programs or activities to which it is committed without jeopardizing the success and effectiveness of its TSA project.
Note:This is a brief description of the credentials or documentation required prior to, or along with, an application for assistance.
About this section:
This section indicates who can apply to the Federal government for assistance and the criteria the potential applicant must satisfy.
For example, individuals may be eligible for research grants, and the criteria to be satisfied may be that they have a professional or scientific degree,
3 years of research experience, and be a citizen of the United States. Universities, medical schools, hospitals, or State and local governments may also be eligible.
Where State governments are eligible, the type of State agency will be indicated (State welfare agency or State agency on aging) and the criteria that they
must satisfy.
Certain federal programs (e.g., the Pell Grant program which provides grants to students) involve intermediate levels of application processing, i.e., applications
are transmitted through colleges or universities that are neither the direct applicant nor the ultimate beneficiary. For these programs,
the criteria that the intermediaries must satisfy are also indicated, along with intermediaries who are not eligible.
How to apply...
Application Procedure:
Not applicable.
Note: Each program will indicate whether applications are to be submitted to the Federal headquarters, regional or local office, or to a State or local government office.
Award Procedure:
Award is made by the Rural Development State Director.
Note: Grant payments may be made by a letter of credit, advance by Treasury check, or reimbursement by Treasury check.
Awards may be made by the headquarters office directly to the applicant, an agency field office, a regional office,
or by an authorized county office. The assistance may pass through the initial applicant for further distribution by
intermediate level applicants to groups or individuals in the private sector.
Deadlines and process...
Deadlines
Contact the State office for application deadlines.
Note:
When available, this section indicates the deadlines for applications to the funding agency which will
be stated in terms of the date(s) or between what dates the application should be received.
When not available, applicants should contact the funding agency for deadline information.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 60 to 90 days.
Preapplication Coordination
Application Submission: (a) Upon notification that the applicant has been tentatively selected for funding, the State office will forward to the applicant a signed Form AD-622 and provide SF 424.1 with instructions to the applicant for preparation of an application; (b) upon receipt of Form AD-622, the applicant will submit an application, an original and two copies on Form SF 424.1, and provide whatever additional information is requested to the Field office within 30 days; and (c) upon receipt of an application on SF 42.1 by the Field office, a docket shall be assembled which will include the following: (1) Form SF 424.1 and the information submitted in accordance with RD Instruction 1944-k, 1944.526(a) (2); (2) Form AD-622; (3) any comments received in accordance with 7 CFR part 3015 subpart V, "Intergovernmental Review of Department of Agriculture Programs and Activities." See RD Instruction 1940-J, available in any RD office; (4) SF 424.1; (5) OGC legal administration made pursuant to RD Instruction 1944-K, 1944.526(c) (3); (6) grant agreement; (7) Form RD 1940-1, "Request for Obligation of Funds;" (8) Form RD 400-1, "Equal Opportunity Agreement;" (9) Form RD 400-4, "Assurance Agreement;" (10) Form RD 1940-20, "Request for Environmental Information;" (11) Form RD 1940- 22, "Environmental Checklist for Categorical Exclusions," Form RD 1940-21, "Environmental Assessment for Class I Actions" or exhibit H, subpart G of Part 1940 entitled, Environmental Assessment for Class II Actions; (12) the historical and archaeological assessment; and (13) the detailed budget for the agreement period based upon the needs outlined in the proposal and the comments and recommendations by RD. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Note:
This section indicates whether any prior coordination or approval is required with governmental or nongovernmental units
prior to the submission of a formal application to the federal funding agency.
Appeals
Appeal rights are available under Rural Development's Instruction 1900 Subpart B.
Note:
In some cases, there are no provisions for appeal. Where applicable, this section discusses appeal procedures or allowable rework time for resubmission
of applications to be processed by the funding agency. Appeal procedures vary with individual programs and are either listed in this section or
applicants are referred to appeal procedures documented in the relevant Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Renewals
Not applicable.
Note:
In some instances, renewal procedures may be the same as for the application procedure, e.g., for projects of a non-continuing nature renewals will be treated as new, competing applications; for projects of an ongoing nature, renewals may be given annually.
Who can benefit...
Eligible beneficiaries must be low- income, individual/family and rural sponsored organizations.
Beneficiaries
About this section:
This section lists the ultimate beneficiaries of a program, the criteria they must satisfy and who specifically is not eligible. The applicant and beneficiary will generally be the same for programs that provide assistance directly from a Federal agency. However, financial assistance that passes through State or local governments will have different applicants and beneficiaries since the assistance is transmitted to private sector beneficiaries who are not obligated to request or apply for the assistance.
What types of assistance...
Project Grants
The funding, for fixed or known periods, of specific projects. Project grants can include fellowships, scholarships, research grants, training grants, traineeships, experimental and demonstration grants, evaluation grants, planning grants, technical assistance grants, survey grants, and construction grants.
How much financial aid...
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable.
Note:
This section lists the representative range (smallest to largest) of the amount of financial assistance available. These figures are based upon funds awarded in the past fiscal year and the current fiscal year to date. Also indicated is an approximate average amount of awards which were made in the past and current fiscal years.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 03 $1,113,282; FY 04 est $2,000,000; and FY 05 est $925,000.
Note:
The dollar amounts listed in this section represent obligations for the past fiscal year (PY), estimates for the current fiscal year (CY), and estimates for the budget fiscal year (BY) as reported by the Federal agencies. Obligations for non-financial assistance programs indicate the administrative expenses involved in the operation of a program.
Account Identification
12-2009-0-1-604.
Note:
Note: This 11-digit budget account identification code represents the account which funds a particular program.
This code should be consistent with the code given for the program area as specified in Appendix III of the Budget of the United States Government.
Examples of funded projects...
Not applicable.
About this section
This section indicates the different types of projects which have been funded in the past. Only projects funded under Project Grants or Direct Payments for Specified Use should be listed here. The examples give potential applicants an idea of the types of projects that may be accepted for funding. The agency should list at least five examples of the most recently funded projects.
Program accomplishments...
Not applicable.
Criteria for selecting proposals...
To be established, this is a new program.
Assistance considerations...
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Assistance is normally for one to two years. Requesting TSA checks: (a) The initial TSA check may cover the applicant's needs for the first calendar month. If the first calendar month is a partial month, the check will cover the needs for the partial month and the next whole month. (b) the initial advance of TSA grant funds may not be requested simultaneously with the request for obligation of TSA grant funds. The initial advance must be requested on Form RD 440-57 in accordance with the FMI after it has been received from the Finance Office indicating that funds have been obligated; and (c) all advances will be requested only after receipt of Standard Form 279 from the grantee. The amount requested must be in accordance with the detailed budget, including amendments, as approved by RHCDS. Standard Form 270 will not be submitted more frequently than once every 30 days. In no case will additional funds be advanced if the grantee fails to submit required reports or is in violation of the grant agreement.
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Note:
A formula may be based on population, per capita income, and other statistical factors. Applicants are informed whether there are any matching requirements to be met when participating in the cost of a project. In general, the matching share represents that portion of the project costs not borne by the Federal government. Attachment F of OMB Circular No. A-102 (Office of Management and Budget) sets forth the criteria and procedures for the evaluation of matching share requirements which may be cash or in-kind contributions made by State and local governments or other agencies, institutions, private organizations, or individuals to satisfy matching requirements of Federal grants or loans.
Cash contributions represent the grantees' cash outlay, including the outlay of money contributed to the grantee by other public agencies, institutions, private organizations, or individuals. When authorized by Federal regulation, Federal funds received from other grants may be considered as the grantees' cash contribution.
In-kind contributions represent the value of noncash contributions provided by the grantee, other public agencies and institutions, private organizations or individuals. In-kind contributions may consist of charges for real property and equipment, and value of goods and services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to the grant program. When authorized by Federal legislation, property purchased with Federal funds may be considered as grantees' in-kind contribution.
Maintenance of effort (MOE) is a requirement contained in certain legislation, regulations, or administrative policies stating that a grantee must maintain a specified level of financial effort in a specific area in order to receive Federal grant funds, and that the Federal grant funds may be used only to supplement, not supplant, the level of grantee funds.
Post assistance requirements...
Reports
Grant Evaluation, Closeout, Suspension, and Termination: (a) Grant evaluation will be an ongoing activity performed by both the grantee and RHS. The grantee will perform self-evaluations by preparing periodic project performance reports in accordance with 1944.541. RHS will also review all reports prepared and submitted by the grantee in accordance with the grant agreement and this part.
Note:
This section indicates whether program reports, expenditure reports, cash reports or performance monitoring are required by the Federal funding agency, and specifies at what time intervals (monthly, annually, etc.) this must be accomplished.
Audits
Within 45 days after the grant ending date, the grantee will complete closeout procedures as specified in the grant agreement.
Note:
This section discusses audits required by the Federal agency.
The procedures and requirements for State and local governments and nonprofit entities are set forth in OMB Circular No. A-133.
These requirements pertain to awards made within the respective State's fiscal year - not the Federal fiscal year,
as some State and local governments may use the calendar year or other variation of time span designated as the fiscal year period,
rather than that commonly known as the Federal fiscal year (from October 1st through September 30th).
Records
Grantees are required to maintain financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to the grant for a period of at least 3 years after the submission of the final Project Performance report.
Note:
This section indicates the record retention requirements and the type of records the Federal agency may require.
Not included are the normally imposed requirements of the General Accounting Office.
For programs falling under the purview of OMB Circular No. A-102, record retention is set forth in Attachment C.
For other programs, record retention is governed by the funding agency's requirements.
Regulations...
Authorization
Housing Act of 1949, Section 525(a), 42 U.S.C. 1490(e)(a).
Note:
This section lists the legal authority upon which a program is based (acts, amendments to acts, Public Law numbers, titles, sections, Statute Codes, citations to the U.S. Code, Executive Orders, Presidential Reorganization Plans, and Memoranda from an agency head).
Regulations, Guidelines, And Literature
7 CFR 1944 Subpart K.
|