[Federal Register: October 1, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 191)]
[Notices]               
[Page 57049-57051]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01oc08-28]                         

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Economic Development Administration

[Docket No.: 0809241258-81264-01]

 
Introduction of New Application for Investment Assistance (Form 
ED-900)

AGENCY: Economic Development Administration (EDA), Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; introduce funding application form.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Economic Development Administration (EDA) publishes this 
notice to introduce its new Application for Investment Assistance (Form 
ED-900). Previously, applicants were required to complete and submit a 
Pre-Application for Investment Assistance (Form ED-900P), followed by 
an Application for Investment Assistance (Form ED-900A) if EDA deemed 
that the proposed project merited further consideration. In addition, 
applicants were required to submit additional application forms to 
address EDA's programmatic requirements, depending on the type of 
funding assistance sought. The new Form ED-900 consolidates all EDA-
specific requirements into a single application form. EDA will continue 
to require additional government-wide federal grant assistance forms 
from the Standard Form 424 family as part of the application package. 
This change, which is effective November 1, 2008, is prospective and 
will not affect previously submitted applications or require the 
submission of new application packages.

DATES: On October 1, 2008, EDA will make available the new Form ED-900 
for use by applicants seeking EDA investment assistance. There will be 
a one-month period to completely phase-in the use of the new Form ED-
900. Applications received before November 1, 2008 using previously 
issued application forms may still be processed; however, beginning 
November 1, 2008, only the Form ED-900, along with specific forms and 
attachments from the Standard Form 424 family, will be accepted for 
consideration. This applies to any applicant that already has submitted 
a Pre-Application for Investment Assistance (Form ED-900P). If EDA 
invites such an applicant's project, beginning November 1, 2008, the 
applicant must complete and submit the new Form ED-900, with guidance 
from EDA. Any applications received on or after November 1, 2008 using 
previously issued EDA application forms will be returned to the 
applicant with appropriate instructions on how to access and complete 
the new Form ED-900.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maureen Klovers, Office of Regional 
Affairs, Economic Development Administration; Telephone: 202-482-2785; 
E-mail: mklovers@eda.doc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    EDA's mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by 
promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions 
for growth and success in the worldwide economy. In implementing this 
mission pursuant to the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 
1965, as amended (42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.) (PWEDA), EDA advances growth 
by providing assistance to communities and regions experiencing chronic 
high unemployment and low per capita income to create an environment 
that fosters innovation, promotes entrepreneurship, and attracts 
increased private capital investment. Under PWEDA, EDA provides 
assistance through five economic development programs that support a 
wide range of economic development needs: (i) Public Works, which helps 
support the construction or rehabilitation of essential public 
infrastructure and facilities; (ii) Economic Adjustment Assistance, 
which provides a wide range of technical, planning, and infrastructure 
assistance and may include Non-Construction, Revolving Loan Fund, and 
Design and Engineering projects; (iii) Research and National and Local 
Technical Assistance, which supports research projects of leading, 
world class economic development practices and funds information 
dissemination efforts; (iv) Planning, which helps support planning 
organizations in the development, implementation, revision or 
replacement of comprehensive economic development strategies and 
includes Short-Term and State Planning projects; and (v) the University 
Center Economic Development Program, which is a partnership between the 
federal government and academia that helps to make the varied and vast 
resources of universities available to economic development 
communities.
    Previously, an applicant seeking EDA funding was required to 
complete and submit a maximum of three EDA-specific application forms: 
(i) A Pre-Application for Investment Assistance (Form ED-900P); (ii) an 
Application for Investment Assistance (Form ED-900A); and (iii) a 
program-specific supplement to Form ED-900A. The Standard Form 424 
family was embedded within the Form ED-900A and the applicable program-
specific supplement.

Structure of the New Form ED-900

    On October 1, 2008, EDA will introduce Form ED-900, which 
consolidates into a single application all of EDA's program-specific 
requirements contained in the ED-900P, the ED-900A, and the program-
specific components to ED-900A. The new Form ED-900 is divided into 
lettered sections that correspond to specific EDA program components 
(e.g., Local or National Technical Assistance; Construction 
Assistance), which address all of EDA's statutory and regulatory 
requirements. Only the first section, Section A, solicits general 
information regarding a proposed project and must be completed by all 
applicants for any type of assistance. Section B solicits specific 
economic data to help EDA assess an applicant's regional eligibility 
for Public Works or Economic Adjustment Assistance, and Section C 
solicits information to help EDA determine the applicant's maximum 
allowable investment rate for Planning, Local and National Technical 
Assistance, University Center, or Research and Evaluation projects. 
Section D solicits documents from non-

[[Page 57050]]

governmental applicants relevant to organizational capacity and 
structure. The remaining sections solicit information essential for EDA 
to assess project effectiveness and competitiveness by program type, 
such as project coordination with existing economic development 
strategies and potential impact. Sections E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, 
and N solicit such information from applicants for Non-Construction, 
Planning, Short-Term Planning, State Planning, Local or National 
Technical, University Center, Economic Adjustment, Revolving Loan Fund, 
Construction, and Design and Engineering Assistance, respectively. The 
Form ED-900 also contains a series of exhibits, which include EDA and 
Department of Commerce assurances and the Calculation of Estimated 
Relocation and Land Acquisition Expenses. The text of the Form ED-900 
specifies which exhibits are required for each type of applicant.

Benefits of the New Form ED-900

    The agency's goal in replacing the ED-900P, the ED-900A, and the 
program-specific supplements to ED-900A with the Form ED-900 is to 
reduce significantly the paperwork burden on applicants and government 
personnel and to reduce confusion over which program-specific component 
should be submitted. In addition, because the new Form ED-900 
consolidates all EDA requirements into a single application, EDA 
anticipates and encourages increased electronic application submission 
through Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov. According to Paperwork 
Reduction Act estimates approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB), the use of the ED-900 will reduce applicant burden from a 
combined 46 hours for Forms ED-900P, ED-900A, and the project specific 
component to 22 hours.

Where To Obtain the New Form ED-900 and Submission Instructions

    Applicants are advised to read carefully the instructions contained 
in the applicable Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) announcement under 
which they are applying, Form ED-900, and the relevant Standard Forms 
(SF) 424 in the SF-424 family. The content of the application is the 
same for paper submissions as it is for electronic submissions. EDA 
will not accept facsimile transmissions of applications.
    To apply for all types of EDA assistance, applicants must submit a 
completed Form ED-900 and the Application for Federal Assistance (Form 
SF-424), both of which are available at Grants.gov or http://
www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Application.xml. Applicants also must 
submit specific forms in the SF-424 family of forms, depending on 
whether the applicant seeks funding for a non-construction or 
construction-related project. For example, if an applicant seeks 
funding for a non-construction project, Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs (Form SF-424A) and Assurances--Non-Construction 
Programs (Form SF-424B) also must be submitted. If an applicant seeks 
funding for a construction project, Budget Information--Construction 
Programs (Form SF-424C) and Assurances--Construction Programs (Form SF-
424D) also must be submitted. The applicant also must submit a 
Department of Commerce (CD) form concerning lobbying, Certification 
Regarding Lobbying (Form CD-511) and may be required to submit to an 
individual background screening using Applicant for Funding Assistance 
(Form CD-346). The applicant also may be required to submit a 
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (Form SF-LLL). All of these forms 
previously were required and embedded within the Form ED-900A and the 
applicable program-specific supplement. The new Form ED-900 provides 
detailed guidance to help the applicant assess whether Forms CD-346 and 
SF-LLL are required. All above-noted forms are available through 
Grants.gov or at http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/Application.xml. 
You may find most forms on Grants.gov within the SF-424 Family Active 
Forms Repository at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/
FormLinks?family=15. Although the Form CD-346 is not available on 
Grants.gov as a mandatory form, the new Form ED-900 provides guidance 
on uploading the form for submission through Grants.gov in the optional 
documents section.
    Please note that an applicant need not complete all sections of the 
Form ED-900. As noted above, the sections an applicant must complete is 
determined by the program under which funding is sought. Based on 
program type, the following table details the sections and exhibits in 
the ED-900 that the applicant must complete. This table also is 
provided on the first page of the Instructions to the Form ED-900.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
         EDA program                  Required Form ED-900 section
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Works.................  Complete Sections A, B, and M and
                                Exhibits A, D and E.
Economic Adjustment..........  Complete Sections A, B, and K and Exhibit
                                C. Also Complete Sections M and Exhibits
                                A, D, and E if request has construction
                                components, and Section N if request has
                                only design/engineering requirements.
                                Complete Section E if request has no
                                construction components.
Partnership Planning.........  Complete Sections A, C, E, and F and
                                Exhibit C.
Short-Term Planning..........  Complete Sections A, C, E, and G and
                                Exhibit C.
State Planning...............  Complete Sections A, C, E, G, and H and
                                Exhibit C.
University Center............  Complete Sections A, C, E, and J and
                                Exhibit C.
Local Technical Assistance...  Complete Sections A, C, E, and I and
                                Exhibit C.
National Technical Assistance  Complete Sections A, C, E, and I and
                                Exhibit B.
Research and Evaluation        Complete Sections A, C, E and Exhibit B.
 Assistance.
Revolving Loan Fund..........  Complete Sections A, B, E, K, and L and
                                Exhibit C.
Design and Engineering.......  Complete Sections A, B, and N and Exhibit
                                C.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    All forms required for a complete application for EDA assistance 
may be submitted either: (i) In paper (hardcopy) format at the 
applicable regional office address provided below; or (ii) 
electronically in accordance with the procedures provided on 
Grants.gov.
    Addresses and Telephone Numbers for EDA's Regional Offices: 
Applicants in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North 
Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, may submit hard copy 
applications to: Economic Development Administration, Atlanta Regional 
Office, 401 West Peachtree Street, NW., Suite 1820, Atlanta, Georgia 
30308, Telephone: (404) 730-3002, Fax: (404) 730-3025.
    Applicants in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas 
may submit hard copy applications to:

[[Page 57051]]

Economic Development Administration, Austin Regional Office, 504 
Lavaca, Suite 1100, Austin, Texas 78701-2858, Telephone: (512) 381-
8144, Fax: (512) 381-8177.
    Applicants in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, 
Wisconsin and Muscatine and Scott counties, Iowa, may submit hard copy 
applications to: Economic Development Administration, Chicago Regional 
Office, 111 North Canal Street, Suite 855, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
    Telephone: (312) 353-7706, Fax: (312) 353-8575.
    Applicants in Colorado, Iowa (excluding Muscatine and Scott 
counties), Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South 
Dakota, Utah and Wyoming, may submit hard copy applications to: 
Economic Development Administration, 410 17th Street, Suite 250, 
Denver, CO 80202.
    Telephone: (303) 844-4714, Fax: (303) 844-3968.
    Applicants in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, 
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, U.S. Virgin Islands, 
Virginia and West Virginia, may submit hard copy applications to: 
Economic Development Administration, Philadelphia Regional Office, 
Curtis Center, 601 Walnut Street, Suite 140 South, Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania 19106.
    Telephone: (215) 597-4603, Fax: (215) 597-1063.
    Applicants in Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Guam, 
Hawaii, Idaho, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nevada, Northern Mariana 
Islands, Oregon, Republic of Palau and Washington, may submit hard copy 
applications to: Economic Development Administration, Seattle Regional 
Office, Jackson Federal Building, Room 1890, 915 Second Avenue, 
Seattle, Washington 98174.
    Telephone: (206) 220-7660, Fax: (206) 220-7669.
    Paper Submissions: Applicants choosing this option must submit one 
original and two copies of the completed application via postal mail, 
shipped overnight or hand-delivered to the applicable regional office, 
unless otherwise directed by EDA staff. Department of Commerce mail 
security measures may delay receipt of United States Postal Service 
mail for up to two weeks. Therefore, applicants who wish to submit 
paper applications are advised to use guaranteed overnight delivery 
services.
    Electronic Submissions: Applicants choosing this option should 
submit applications in accordance with the instructions provided at 
http://www.grants.gov. Please visit http://www.grants.gov/assets/
FindApplyUserGuide.pdf for detailed instructions on electronic 
submissions. You may access the application packages for EDA's two 
current funding announcements, Economic Development Assistance Programs 
(Funding Opportunity Number EDA021908) and Supplemental Appropriations 
Disaster Relief Opportunity (Funding Number EDA08112008) at http://
www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp. The preferred file 
format for electronic attachments to the new Form ED-900 (e.g., the 
project description and letters of commitment for construction 
projects) is portable document format (PDF); however, EDA will accept 
electronic files in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, or WordPerfect 
formats.
    Applicants should access the following link for assistance in 
navigating www.grants.gov and for a list of useful resources: http://
www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant_help.jsp. If you do not find an 
answer to your question under Frequently Asked Questions, try 
consulting the Applicant's User Guide. If you still cannot find an 
answer to your question, contact http://www.grants.gov via e-mail at 
support@grants.gov or telephone at 1.800.518.4726. The hours of 
operation for http://www.grants.gov are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
(Eastern Time) (except for federal holidays).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or for a 
paper copy of the applicable FFO announcement, contact the appropriate 
EDA regional office listed above. EDA's Internet Web site at http://
www.eda.gov also contains additional information on EDA and its 
programs.
    Paperwork Reduction Act: This document contains collection-of-
information requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). 
The use of Form ED-900 (Application for Investment Assistance) has been 
approved by OMB under the control number 0610-0094. The use of Forms 
SF-424 (Application for Financial Assistance), SF-424A (Budget 
Information--Non-Construction Programs), SF-424B (Assurances--Non-
Construction Programs), SF-424C Budget Information--Construction 
Programs, SF-424D (Assurances--Construction Programs), and SF-LLL 
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) has been approved under OMB 
control numbers 4040-0004, 4040-0006, 4040-0007, 4040-0008, 4040-0009, 
and 0348-0046, respectively. The use of Form CD-346 has been approved 
under OMB control number 0605-0001. Notwithstanding any other provision 
of law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be 
subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of 
information subject to the requirements of the PRA unless that 
collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control 
number.
    Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review): This notice 
has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive 
Order 12866.
    Executive Order 13132 (Federalism): It has been determined that 
this notice does not contain policies with Federalism implications as 
that term is defined in Executive Order 13132.
    Administrative Procedure Act/Regulatory Flexibility Act: Prior 
notice and an opportunity for public comments are not required by the 
Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for rules concerning 
grants, benefits, and contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2)). Because notice 
and opportunity for comment are not required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 
or any other law, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. ) are inapplicable. Therefore, a 
regulatory flexibility analysis has not been prepared.

    Dated: September 25, 2008.
Benjamin Erulkar,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development and 
Chief Operating Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-23116 Filed 9-30-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-24-P