226.6—State agency administrative responsibilities.

(a) State agency personnel. Each State agency must provide sufficient consultative, technical, and managerial personnel to:
(1) Administer the Program;
(2) Provide sufficient training and technical assistance to institutions;
(3) Monitor Program performance;
(4) Facilitate expansion of the Program in low-income and rural areas; and
(5) Ensure effective operation of the Program by participating institutions.
(b) Program applications and agreements. Each State agency must establish application review procedures, in accordance with paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3) of this section, to determine the eligibility of new institutions, renewing institutions, and facilities for which applications are submitted by sponsoring organizations. The State agency must enter into written agreements with institutions in accordance with paragraph (b)(4) of this section.
(1) Application procedures for new institutions. Each State agency must establish application procedures to determine the eligibility of new institutions under this part. At a minimum, such procedures must require that institutions submit information to the State agency in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section. For new private nonprofit and proprietary child care institutions, such procedures must also include a pre-approval visit by the State agency to confirm the information in the institution's application and to further assess its ability to manage the Program. The State agency must establish factors, consistent with § 226.16(b)(1), that it will consider in determining whether a new sponsoring organization has sufficient staff to perform required monitoring responsibilities at all of its sponsored facilities. As part of the review of the sponsoring organization's management plan, the State agency must determine the appropriate level of staffing for each sponsoring organization, consistent with the staffing range of monitors set forth at § 226.16(b)(1) and the factors it has established. The State agency must ensure that each new sponsoring organization applying for participation after July 29, 2002 meets this requirement. In addition, the State agency's application review procedures must ensure that the following information is included in a new institution's application:
(i) Participant eligibility information. Centers must submit current information on the number of enrolled participants who are eligible for free, reduced-price and paid meals;
(ii) Enrollment information. Sponsoring organizations of day care homes must submit current information on:
(A) The total number of children enrolled in all homes in the sponsorship;
(B) An assurance that day care home providers' own children whose meals are claimed for reimbursement in the Program are eligible for free or reduced-price meals;
(C) The total number of tier I and tier II day care homes that it sponsors;
(D) The total number of children enrolled in tier I day care homes;
(E) The total number of children enrolled in tier II day care homes; and
(F) The total number of children in tier II day care homes that have been identified as eligible for free or reduced-price meals;
(iii) Nondiscrimination statement. Institutions must submit their nondiscrimination policy statement and a media release, unless the State agency has issued a Statewide media release on behalf of all institutions;
(iv) Management plan. Sponsoring organizations must submit a complete management plan that includes:
(A) Detailed information on the organization's management and administrative structure;
(B) A list or description of the staff assigned to Program monitoring, in accordance with the requirements set forth at § 226.16(b)(1) ;
(C) An administrative budget that includes projected CACFP administrative earnings and expenses;
(D) The procedures to be used by the organization to administer the Program in, and disburse payments to, the child care facilities under its sponsorship; and
(E) For sponsoring organizations of family day care homes, a description of the system for making tier I day care home determinations, and a description of the system of notifying tier II day care homes of their options for reimbursement;
(v) Budget. An institution must submit a budget that the State agency must review in accordance with § 226.7(g) ;
(vi) Documentation of licensing/approval. All centers and family day care homes must document that they meet Program licensing/approval requirements;
(vii) Documentation of tax-exempt status. All private nonprofit institutions must document their tax-exempt status;
(viii) At-risk afterschool care centers. Institutions (independent at-risk afterschool care centers and sponsoring organizations of at-risk afterschool care centers) must submit documentation sufficient to determine that each at-risk afterschool care center meets the program eligibility requirements in § 226.17a(a), and sponsoring organizations must submit documentation that each sponsored at-risk afterschool care center meets the area eligibility requirements in § 226.17a(i).
(ix) Documentation of for-profit center eligibility. Institutions must document that each for-profit center for which application is made meets the definition of a For-profit center, as set forth at § 226.2 ;
(x) Preference for commodities/cash-in-lieu of commodities. Institutions must state their preference to receive commodities or cash-in-lieu of commodities;
(xi) Providing benefits to unserved facilities or participants— (A) Criteria. The State agency must develop criteria for determining whether a new sponsoring organization's participation will help ensure the delivery of benefits to otherwise unserved facilities or participants, and must disseminate these criteria to new sponsoring organizations when they request information about applying to the Program; and
(B) Documentation. The new sponsoring organization must submit documentation that its participation will help ensure the delivery of benefits to otherwise unserved facilities or participants in accordance with the State agency's criteria;
(xii) Presence on National disqualified list. If an institution or one of its principals is on the National disqualified list and submits an application, the State agency must deny the application. If a sponsoring organization submits an application on behalf of a facility, and either the facility or any of its principals is on the National disqualified list, the State agency must deny the application;
(xiii) Ineligibility for other publicly funded programs— (A) General. A State agency is prohibited from approving an institution's application if, during the past seven years, the institution or any of its principals have been declared ineligible for any other publicly funded program by reason of violating that program's requirements. However, this prohibition does not apply if the institution or the principal has been fully reinstated in, or determined eligible for, that program, including the payment of any debts owed;
(B) Certification. Institutions must submit:
(1) A statement listing the publicly funded programs in which the institution and its principals have participated in the past seven years; and
(2) A certification that, during the past seven years, neither the institution nor any of its principals have been declared ineligible to participate in any other publicly funded program by reason of violating that program's requirements; or
(3) In lieu of the certification, documentation that the institution or the principal previously declared ineligible was later fully reinstated in, or determined eligible for, the program, including the payment of any debts owed; and
(C) Follow-up. If the State agency has reason to believe that the institution or its principals were determined ineligible to participate in another publicly funded program by reason of violating that program's requirements, the State agency must follow up with the entity administering the publicly funded program to gather sufficient evidence to determine whether the institution or its principals were, in fact, determined ineligible;
(xiv) Information on criminal convictions. (A) A State agency is prohibited from approving an institution's application if the institution or any of its principals has been convicted of any activity that occurred during the past seven years and that indicated a lack of business integrity. A lack of business integrity includes fraud, antitrust violations, embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, receiving stolen property, making false claims, obstruction of justice, or any other activity indicating a lack of business integrity as defined by the State agency; and
(B) Institutions must submit a certification that neither the institution nor any of its principals has been convicted of any activity that occurred during the past seven years and that indicated a lack of business integrity. A lack of business integrity includes fraud, antitrust violations, embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, receiving stolen property, making false claims, obstruction of justice, or any other activity indicating a lack of business integrity as defined by the State agency;
(xv) Certification of truth of applications and submission of names and addresses. Institutions must submit a certification that all information on the application is true and correct, along with the name, mailing address, and date of birth of the institution's executive director and chairman of the board of directors;
(xvi) Outside employment policy. Sponsoring organizations must submit an outside employment policy. The policy must restrict other employment by employees that interferes with an employee's performance of Program-related duties and responsibilities, including outside employment that constitutes a real or apparent conflict of interest. Sponsoring organizations that are participating on July 29, 2002, must submit an outside employment policy not later than September 27, 2002. The policy will be effective unless disapproved by the State agency;
(xvii) Bond. Sponsoring organizations applying for initial participation on or after June 20, 2000, must submit a bond, if such bond is required by State law, regulation, or policy. If the State agency requires a bond for sponsoring organizations pursuant to State law, regulation, or policy, the State agency must submit a copy of that requirement and a list of sponsoring organizations posting a bond to the appropriate FNSRO on an annual basis; and
(xviii) Compliance with performance standards. Each new institution must submit information sufficient to document that it is financially viable, is administratively capable of operating the Program in accordance with this part, and has internal controls in effect to ensure accountability. To document this, any new institution must demonstrate in its application that it is capable of operating in conformance with the following performance standards. The State agency must only approve the applications of those new institutions that meet these performance standards, and must deny the applications of those new institutions that do not meet the standards.
(A) Performance Standard 1—Financial viability and financial management. The new institution must be financially viable. Program funds must be expended and accounted for in accordance with the requirements of this part, FNS Instruction 796-2 (“Financial Management in the Child and Adult Care Food Program”), and parts 3015, 3016, and 3019 of this title. To demonstrate financial viability, the new institution must document that it meets the following criteria:
(1) Description of need/recruitment. A new sponsoring organization must demonstrate in its management plan that its participation will help ensure the delivery of Program benefits to otherwise unserved facilities or participants, in accordance with criteria developed by the State agency pursuant to paragraph (b)(1)(x) of this section. A new sponsoring organization must demonstrate that it will use appropriate practices for recruiting facilities, consistent with paragraph (p) of this section and any State agency requirements;
(2) Fiscal resources and financial history. A new institution must demonstrate that it has adequate financial resources to operate the CACFP on a daily basis, has adequate sources of funds to withstand temporary interruptions in Program payments and/or fiscal claims against the institution, and can document financial viability (for example, through audits, financial statements, etc.); and
(3) Budgets. Costs in the institution's budget must be necessary, reasonable, allowable, and appropriately documented;
(B) Performance Standard 2—Administrative capability. The new institution must be administratively capable. Appropriate and effective management practices must be in effect to ensure that the Program operates in accordance with this part. To demonstrate administrative capability, the new institution must document that it meets the following criteria:
(1) Has an adequate number and type of qualified staff to ensure the operation of the Program in accordance with this part;
(2) If a sponsoring organization, documents in its management plan that it employs staff sufficient to meet the ratio of monitors to facilities, taking into account the factors that the State agency will consider in determining a sponsoring organization's staffing needs, as set forth in § 226.16(b)(1); and
(3) If a sponsoring organization, has Program policies and procedures in writing that assign Program responsibilities and duties, and ensure compliance with civil rights requirements; and
(C) Performance Standard 3—Program accountability. The new institution must have internal controls and other management systems in effect to ensure fiscal accountability and to ensure that the Program will operate in accordance with the requirements of this part. To demonstrate Program accountability, the new institution must document that it meets the following criteria:
(1) Board of directors. Has adequate oversight of the Program by its governing board of directors;
(2) Fiscal accountability. Has a financial system with management controls specified in writing. For new sponsoring organizations, these written operational policies must assure:
(i) Fiscal integrity and accountability for all funds and property received, held, and disbursed;
(ii) The integrity and accountability of all expenses incurred;
(iii) That claims will be processed accurately, and in a timely manner;
(iv) That funds and property are properly safeguarded and used, and expenses incurred, for authorized Program purposes; and
(v) That a system of safeguards and controls is in place to prevent and detect improper financial activities by employees;
(3) Recordkeeping. Maintains appropriate records to document compliance with Program requirements, including budgets, accounting records, approved budget amendments, and, if a sponsoring organization, management plans and appropriate records on facility operations;
(4) Sponsoring organization operations. If a new sponsoring organization, documents in its management plan that it will:
(i) Provide adequate and regular training of sponsoring organization staff and sponsored facilities in accordance with §§ 226.15(e)(12) and (e)(14) and 226.16(d)(2) and (d)(3) ;
(ii) Perform monitoring in accordance with § 226.16(d)(4), to ensure that sponsored facilities accountably and appropriately operate the Program;
(iii) If a sponsor of family day care homes, accurately classify day care homes as tier I or tier II in accordance with § 226.15(f); and
(iv) Have a system in place to ensure that administrative costs funded from Program reimbursements do not exceed regulatory limits set forth at §§ 226.12(a) and 226.16(b)(1); and
(5) Meal service and other operational requirements. Independent centers and facilities will follow practices that result in the operation of the Program in accordance with the meal service, recordkeeping, and other operational requirements of this part. These practices must be documented in the independent center's application or in the sponsoring organization's management plan and must demonstrate that independent centers or sponsored facilities will:
(i) Provide meals that meet the meal patterns set forth in § 226.20 ;
(ii) Comply with licensure or approval requirements set forth in paragraph (d) of this section;
(iii) Have a food service that complies with applicable State and local health and sanitation requirements;
(iv) Comply with civil rights requirements;
(v) Maintain complete and appropriate records on file; and
(vi) Claim reimbursement only for eligible meals.
(2) Application procedures for renewing institutions. Each State agency must establish application procedures to determine the eligibility of renewing institutions under this part. Renewing institutions must not be required to submit a free and reduced-price policy statement or a nondiscrimination statement unless they make substantive changes to either statement. The State agency must require each renewing institution participating in the Program to reapply for participation at a time determined by the State agency, except that no institution may be allowed to participate for less than 12 or more than 36 calendar months under an existing application, except when the State agency determines that unusual circumstances warrant reapplication in less than 12 months. The State agency must establish factors, consistent with § 226.16(b)(1), that it will consider in determining whether a renewing sponsoring organization has sufficient staff to perform required monitoring responsibilities at all of its sponsored facilities. As part of the review of the renewing sponsoring organization's management plan, the State agency must determine the appropriate level of staffing for the sponsoring organization, consistent with the staffing range of monitors set forth at § 226.16(b)(1) and the factors it has established. The State agency must ensure that each currently participating sponsoring organization meets this requirement no later than July 29, 2003. At a minimum, the application review procedures established by the State agency must require that renewing institutions submit information to the State agency in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section. In addition, the State agency's application review procedures must ensure that the following information is included in a renewing institution's application:
(i) Management plan. For renewing sponsoring organizations, a complete management plan that meets the requirements of paragraphs (b)(1)(iv), (b)(1)(v), (f)(1)(vi), and (f)(3)(i) of this section and § 226.7(g) ;
(ii) Presence on National disqualified list. A renewing institution is prohibited from submitting a renewal application if it or any of its principals is currently on the National disqualified list. If such an institution submits an application, the State agency must deny the application. A renewing sponsoring organization is also prohibited from submitting a renewal application on behalf of a facility if the facility or any of its principals is on the National disqualified list. If a renewing sponsoring organization submits an application on behalf of such a facility, the State agency must deny the facility's application;
(iii) Ineligibility for other publicly funded programs— (A) General. A State agency is prohibited from approving a renewing institution's application if, during the past seven years, the institution or any of its principals have been declared ineligible for any other publicly funded program by reason of violating that program's requirements. However, this prohibition does not apply if the institution or the principal has been fully reinstated in, or determined eligible for, that program, including the payment of any debts owed;
(B) Certification. Renewing institutions must submit:
(1) A statement listing the publicly funded programs in which the institution and its principals have participated in the past seven years; and
(2) A certification that, during the past seven years, neither the institution nor any of its principals have been declared ineligible to participate in any other publicly funded program by reason of violating that program's requirements; or
(3) In lieu of the certification, documentation that the institution or the principal previously declared ineligible was later fully reinstated in, or determined eligible for, the program, including the payment of any debts owed; and
(C) Follow-up. If the State agency has reason to believe that the renewing institution or any of its principals were determined ineligible to participate in another publicly funded program by reason of violating that program's requirements, the State agency must follow up with the entity administering the publicly funded program to gather sufficient evidence to determine whether the institution or its principals were, in fact, determined ineligible;
(iv) Information on criminal convictions. (A) A State agency is prohibited from approving a renewing institution's application if the institution or any of its principals have been convicted of any activity that occurred during the past seven years and that indicated a lack of business integrity. A lack of business integrity includes fraud, antitrust violations, embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, receiving stolen property, making false claims, obstruction of justice, or any other activity indicating a lack of business integrity as defined by the State agency; and
(B) Renewing institutions must submit a certification that neither the institution nor any of its principals have been convicted of any activity that occurred during the past seven years and that indicated a lack of business integrity. A lack of business integrity includes fraud, antitrust violations, embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, receiving stolen property, making false claims, obstruction of justice, or any other activity indicating a lack of business integrity as defined by the State agency;
(v) Certification of truth of applications and submission of names and addresses. Renewing institutions must submit a certification that all information on the application is true and correct, along with the name, mailing address, and date of birth of the institution's executive director and chairman of the board of directors;
(vi) Outside employment policy. Renewing sponsoring organizations must submit an outside employment policy. The policy must restrict other employment by employees that interferes with an employee's performance of Program-related duties and responsibilities, including outside employment that constitutes a real or apparent conflict of interest. Sponsoring organizations that are participating on July 29, 2002, must submit an outside employment policy not later than September 27, 2002. The policy will be effective unless disapproved by the State agency;
(vii) Compliance with performance standards. Each renewing institution must submit information sufficient to document that it is financially viable, is administratively capable of operating the Program in accordance with this part, and has internal controls in effect to ensure accountability. To document this, any renewing institution must demonstrate in its application that it is capable of operating in conformance with the following performance standards. The State agency must only approve the applications of those renewing institutions that meet these performance standards, and must deny the applications of those that do not meet the standards.
(A) Performance Standard 1—Financial viability and financial management. The renewing institution must be financially viable. Program funds must be expended and accounted for in accordance with the requirements of this part, FNS Instruction 796-2 (“Financial Management in the Child and Adult Care Food Program”), and parts 3015, 3016 and 3019 of this title. To demonstrate financial viability, the renewing institution must document that it meets the following criteria:
(1) Description of need/recruitment. A renewing sponsoring organization must demonstrate that it will use appropriate practices for recruiting facilities, consistent with paragraph (p) of this section and any State agency requirements;
(2) Fiscal resources and financial history. A renewing institution must demonstrate that it has adequate financial resources to operate the CACFP on a daily basis, has adequate sources of funds to withstand temporary interruptions in Program payments and/or fiscal claims against the institution, and can document financial viability (for example, through audits, financial statements, etc.); and
(3) Budgets. Costs in the renewing institution's budget must be necessary, reasonable, allowable, and appropriately documented;
(B) Performance Standard 2—Administrative capability. The renewing institution must be administratively capable. Appropriate and effective management practices must be in effect to ensure that the Program operates in accordance with this part. To demonstrate administrative capability, the renewing institution must document that it meets the following criteria:
(1) Has an adequate number and type of qualified staff to ensure the operation of the Program in accordance with this part;
(2) If a sponsoring organization, documents in its management plan that it employs staff sufficient to meet the ratio of monitors to facilities, taking into account the factors that the State agency will consider in determining a sponsoring organization's staffing needs, as set forth in § 226.16(b)(1); and
(3) If a sponsoring organization, has Program policies and procedures in writing that assign Program responsibilities and duties, and ensure compliance with civil rights requirements; and
(C) Performance Standard 3—Program accountability. The renewing institution must have internal controls and other management systems in effect to ensure fiscal accountability and to ensure that the Program operates in accordance with the requirements of this part. To demonstrate Program accountability, the renewing institution must document that it meets the following criteria:
(1) Board of directors. Has adequate oversight of the Program by its governing board of directors;
(2) Fiscal accountability. Has a financial system with management controls specified in writing. For sponsoring organizations, these written operational policies must assure:
(i) Fiscal integrity and accountability for all funds and property received, held, and disbursed;
(ii) The integrity and accountability of all expenses incurred;
(iii) That claims are processed accurately, and in a timely manner;
(iv) That funds and property are properly safeguarded and used, and expenses incurred, for authorized Program purposes; and
(v) That a system of safeguards and controls is in place to prevent and detect improper financial activities by employees;
(3) Recordkeeping. Maintains appropriate records to document compliance with Program requirements, including budgets, accounting records, approved budget amendments, and, if a sponsoring organization, management plans and appropriate records on facility operations;
(4) Sponsoring organization operations. A renewing sponsoring organization must document in its management plan that it will:
(i) Provide adequate and regular training of sponsoring organization staff and sponsored facilities in accordance with §§ 226.15(e)(12) and (e)(14) and 226.16(d)(2) and (d)(3) ;
(ii) Perform monitoring in accordance with § 226.16(d)(4), to ensure that sponsored facilities accountably and appropriately operate the Program;
(iii) If a sponsor of family day care homes, accurately classify day care homes as tier I or tier II in accordance with § 226.15(f); and
(iv) Have a system in place to ensure that administrative costs funded from Program reimbursements do not exceed regulatory limits set forth at §§ 226.12(a) and 226.16(b)(1); and
(5) Meal service and other operational requirements. All independent centers and facilities must follow practices that result in the operation of the Program in accordance with the meal service, recordkeeping, and other operational requirements of this part. These practices must be documented in the independent center's application or in the sponsoring organization's management plan and must demonstrate that independent centers or sponsored facilities:
(i) Provide meals that meet the meal patterns set forth in § 226.20 ;
(ii) Comply with licensure or approval requirements set forth in paragraph (d) of this section;
(iii) Have a food service that complies with applicable State and local health and sanitation requirements;
(iv) Comply with civil rights requirements;
(v) Maintain complete and appropriate records on file; and
(vi) Claim reimbursement only for eligible meals.
(3) State agency notification requirements. Any new or renewing institution applying for participation in the Program must be notified in writing of approval or disapproval by the State agency, within 30 calendar days of the State agency's receipt of a complete application. Whenever possible, State agencies should provide assistance to institutions that have submitted an incomplete application. Any disapproved applicant institution or family day care home must be notified of the reasons for its disapproval and its right to appeal under paragraph (k) or (l), respectively, of this section.
(4) Program agreements. (i) The State agency must require each institution that has been approved for participation in the Program to enter into an agreement governing the rights and responsibilities of each party. The State agency may allow a renewing institution to amend its existing Program agreement in lieu of executing a new agreement. The existence of a valid agreement, however, does not eliminate the need for an institution to comply with the reapplication and related provisions at paragraphs (b) and (f) of this section.
(ii) State agencies may elect to enter into permanent agreements with institutions. However, if they elect not to enter into permanent agreements with institutions, the length of time during which such agreements are in effect must be no less than one and no more than three years, except that:
(A) The State agency and an institution that is a school food authority must enter into a single permanent agreement for all child nutrition programs administered by the school food authority and the State agency;
(B) If a State agency denies the application of a renewing institution, it must temporarily extend its agreement with that institution in accordance with paragraph (c)(2)(iii)(D) of this section;
(C) If the State agency determines that unusual circumstances warrant reapplication in less than 12 months, the State agency may approve the agreement with the institution for a period of less than one year.
(iii) Any agreement that extends from one fiscal year into the following fiscal year must stipulate that, in subsequent years, the agreement is in effect contingent upon the availability of Program funds. However, this does not limit the State agency's ability to terminate the agreement in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section.
(iv) The Program agreement must provide that the institution accepts final financial and administrative responsibility for management of a proper, efficient, and effective food service, and will comply with all requirements under this part. In addition, the agreement must state that the sponsor must comply with all requirements of title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and the Department's regulations concerning nondiscrimination ( parts 15, 15a and 15b of this title ), including requirements for racial and ethnic participation data collection, public notification of the nondiscrimination policy, and reviews to assure compliance with such policy, to the end that no person may, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under, the Program.
(v) The Program agreement must also notify the institution of the right of the State agency, the Department, and other State or Federal officials to make announced or unannounced reviews of their operations during the institution's normal hours of child or adult care operations, and that anyone making such reviews must show photo identification that demonstrates that they are employees of one of these entities.
(c) Denial of applications and termination of agreements— (1) Denial of a new institution's application— If a new institution's application does not meet all of the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section and in §§ 226.15(b) and 226.16(b), the State agency must deny the application. If, in reviewing a new institution's application, the State agency determines that the institution has committed one or more serious deficiency listed in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, the State agency must initiate action to:
(A) Deny the new institution's application; and
(B) Disqualify the new institution and the responsible principals and responsible individuals (e.g., the person who signs the application).
(ii) List of serious deficiencies for new institutions. The list of serious deficiencies is not identical for each category of institution (new, renewing, participating) because the type of information likely to be available to the State agency is different, depending on whether the State agency is reviewing a new or renewing institution's application or is conducting a review of a participating institution. Serious deficiencies for new institutions are:
(A) Submission of false information on the institution's application, including but not limited to a determination that the institution has concealed a conviction for any activity that occurred during the past seven years and that indicates a lack of business integrity. A lack of business integrity includes fraud, antitrust violations, embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, receiving stolen property, making false claims, obstruction of justice, or any other activity indicating a lack of business integrity as defined by the State agency; or
(B) Any other action affecting the institution's ability to administer the Program in accordance with Program requirements.
(iii) Serious deficiency notification procedures for new institutions. If the State agency determines that a new institution has committed one or more serious deficiency listed in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, the State agency must use the following procedures to provide the institution and the responsible principals and responsible individuals with notice of the serious deficiency(ies) and an opportunity to take corrective action.
(A) Notice of serious deficiency. The State agency must notify the institution's executive director and chairman of the board of directors that the institution has been determined to be seriously deficient. The notice must identify the responsible principals and responsible individuals (e.g., for new institutions, the person who signed the application) and must be sent to those persons as well. The State agency may specify in the notice different corrective action, and time periods for completing the corrective action, for the institution and the responsible principals and responsible individuals. At the same time the notice is issued, the State agency must add the institution to the State agency list, along with the basis for the serious deficiency determination, and provide a copy of the notice to the appropriate FNSRO. The notice must also specify:
(1) The serious deficiency(ies);
(2) The actions to be taken to correct the serious deficiency(ies);
(3) The time allotted to correct the serious deficiency(ies) in accordance with paragraph (c)(4) of this section.
(4) That the serious deficiency determination is not subject to administrative review;
(5) That failure to fully and permanently correct the serious deficiency(ies) within the allotted time will result in denial of the institution's application and the disqualification of the institution and the responsible principals and responsible individuals; and
(6) That the State agency will not pay any claims for reimbursement for eligible meals served or allowable administrative expenses incurred until the State agency has approved the institution's application and the institution has signed a Program agreement.
(B) Successful corrective action. (1) If corrective action has been taken to fully and permanently correct the serious deficiency(ies) within the allotted time and to the State agency's satisfaction, the State agency must:
(i) notify the institution's executive director and chairman of the board of directors, and the responsible principals and responsible individuals, that the State agency has rescinded its serious deficiency determination; and
(ii) offer the new institution the opportunity to resubmit its application. If the new institution resubmits its application, the State agency must complete its review of the application within 30 days after receiving a complete and correct application.
(2) If corrective action is complete for the institution but not for all of the responsible principals and responsible individuals (or vice versa), the State agency must:
(i) continue with the actions (as set forth in paragraph (c)(1)(iii)(C) of this section) against the remaining parties;
(ii) at the same time the notice is issued, the State agency must also update the State agency list to indicate that the serious deficiency(ies) has(ve) been corrected and provide a copy of the notice to the appropriate FNSRO; and
(iii) if the new institution has corrected the serious deficiency(ies), offer it the opportunity to resubmit its application. If the new institution resubmits its application, the State agency must complete its review of the application within 30 days after receiving a complete and correct application.
(C) Application denial and proposed disqualification. If timely corrective action is not taken to fully and permanently correct the serious deficiency(ies), the State agency must notify the institution's executive director and chairman of the board of directors, and the responsible principals and responsible individuals, that the institution's application has been denied. At the same time the notice is issued, the State agency must also update the State agency list and provide a copy of the notice to the appropriate FNSRO. The notice must also specify:
(1) That the institution's application has been denied and the State agency is proposing to disqualify the institution and the responsible principals and responsible individuals;
(2) The basis for the actions; and
(3) The procedures for seeking an administrative review (in accordance with paragraph (k) of this section) of the application denial and proposed disqualifications.
(D) Program payments. The State agency is prohibited from paying any claims for reimbursement from a new institution for eligible meals served or allowable administrative expenses incurred until the State agency has approved its application and the institution and State agency have signed a Program agreement.
(E) Disqualification. When the time for requesting an administrative review expires or when the administrative review official upholds the State agency's denial and proposed disqualifications, the State agency must notify the institution's executive director and chairman of the board of directors, and the responsible principals and responsible individuals that the institution and the responsible principal and responsible individuals have been disqualified. At the same time the notice is issued, the State agency must also update the State agency list and provide a copy of the notice and the mailing address and date of birth for each responsible principal and responsible individual to the appropriate FNSRO.
(2) Denial of a renewing institution's application— (i) General. If a renewing institution's application does not meet all of the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section and in §§ 226.15(b) and 226.16(b), the State agency must deny the application. If, in reviewing a renewing institution's application, the State agency determines that the institution has committed one or more serious deficiency listed in paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section, the State agency must initiate action to deny the renewing insti