1739.15—Completed application.
A completed application must include the following documentation, studies, reports and information in form satisfactory to the Agency. Applications should be prepared in conformance with the provisions of this part and applicable USDA regulations including 7 CFR parts 3015, 3016, and 3019. Applicants must use the Agency's Application Guide for this program, found at http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/ containing instructions and all necessary forms, as well as other important information, in preparing their application. Paper copies of the application guide can be requested by contacting the Director, Broadband Division at the following address: Stop 1599, South Agriculture Building, Room 2868, Washington, DC 20250. Completed applications must include the following:
(b) An executive summary of the Project.
The applicant must provide the Agency with a general project overview that addresses the following categories:
(4)
A general overview of the broadband telecommunications system to be developed, including the types of equipment, technologies, and facilities to be used;
(5)
Documentation describing the procedures used to determine the unavailability of existing Broadband Transmission Service; and
(c) Scoring criteria documentation.
Each grant applicant must address and provide documentation on how it meets each of the scoring criteria detailed in § 1739.17.
(d) System design.
The applicant must submit a system design that contains the following, satisfactory to the Agency:
(1)
A narrative discussing the proposed Community Center, all costs of the Project, all existing and proposed facilities that are a part of the Project, the services to be provided by the Project, and the proposed Service Area;
(2)
Engineering design studies providing an economical and practical engineering design of the Project, including a detailed description of the facilities to be funded, technical specifications, data rates, and costs; and
(3)
A map of the proposed Service Area reflecting the proposed location of the Community Center and all participating Critical Community Facilities.
(4)
A budget for all capital and administrative expenditures reflecting the line item costs for Eligible Grant Purposes, the Matching Contribution, and other sources of funds necessary to complete the Project.
(f) Community-Oriented Connectivity Plan.
The applicant must provide a Community-Oriented Connectivity Plan consisting of the following:
(1)
A listing of all participating Critical Community Facilities to be connected. For those Critical Community Facilities in the Service Area which will not be included in the Project, an explanation of why they are not being included should be provided. The applicant must also provide documentation that it has consulted with agents of all Critical Community Facilities in the Service Area, and must provide statements as to their willingness to participate, or not to participate, in the proposed Project;
(2)
A description of the services available to local residents through the use of the Community Center;
(3)
A listing of the proposed Telecommunications Terminal Equipment, telecommunications transmission facilities, data terminal equipment, interactive video equipment, computer hardware and software systems, and components that process data for transmission via telecommunications, computer network components, communication satellite ground station equipment, or any other elements of the Project designed to further the deployment and use of Broadband Transmission Service, that the applicant intends to build or fund using the Agency's grant funds and the Matching Contribution; and
(4)
If other telecommunications carriers (including interexchange carriers, cable television operators, enhanced service providers, providers of satellite services and telecommunications equipment manufacturers and distributors) are participating in the delivery of services, a description of the consultations and the anticipated role of such providers in the proposed Project.
(g) Financial information and sustainability.
The applicant must provide a narrative description demonstrating the sustainability of the Project during the first two years and after completion and the sufficiency of resources and expertise necessary to undertake and complete the Project. The following financial information is required:
(1)
Certified financial statements, if available; otherwise, the most current income statement and balance sheet for existing operations; and
(h) A statement of experience.
Information on the owners' and principal employees' relevant work experience that would ensure the success of the Project. The applicant must provide a written narrative describing its demonstrated capability and experience, if any, in operating a broadband telecommunications system.
(i) Evidence of legal authority and existence.
The applicant must provide evidence of its legal existence and authority to enter into a grant agreement with the Agency and to perform the activities proposed under the grant application.
(j) Funding commitment from other sources.
If the Project requires additional funding from other sources in addition to the Agency's grant, the applicant must provide evidence that funding agreements have been obtained to ensure completion of the Project.
(k) Compliance with other federal statutes.
The applicant must provide evidence of compliance with other federal statutes and regulations, including, but not limited to the following:
(1)
7 CFR part 15, subpart A—Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of the Department of Agriculture—Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
(9)
Certification that grant funds will not be used to duplicate lines, facilities, or systems providing Broadband Transmission Service.