20260630_Final_RD_RBCS_FIELDS_CertificationFillable.pdf

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Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program Certifications

As a USDA Rural Development Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program applicant, I affirm and certify the following:

A. The applicant entity is engaged – or proposing to engage – in fertilizer process manufacturing that will significantly increase domestic process manufacturing capacity and fertilizer availability.

B. The fertilizer project in which the applicant entity is engaged – or proposing to engage – intends to expand, or bring into operation new, independent domestic fertilizer production capacity in order to provide agricultural producers with additional domestic fertilizer options and strengthen the U.S. fertilizer supply chain.

C. A single application is being submitted by the applicant entity and any affiliated entities as defined in 13 CFR 121.103 or its successor, and any projects under the same applicant have been combined into one application.

D. The applicant entity and its affiliates do not hold a market share in production greater than or equal to the entity that holds the fourth largest share of that market for nitrogen, sulfur, phosphate, potash, or any combination thereof.

E. The fertilizer produced in the facility for which funds are being requested will be made available to U.S. farmers in support of agricultural productivity and the production of agricultural commodities.

F. The applicant entity is Domestically Owned.

G. The facility for which funds are being requested is physically located within – and operates within – the U.S. or U.S. territories.

H. The applicant entity will ensure the project will be constructed in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, agreements, permits, codes, and standards.

I. The applicant entity will process manufacture or plans to process manufacture in accordance with all federal, state, Tribal and local regulations governing fertilizer process manufacturing.

J. The applicant entity will ensure that any equipment required for the project is available or can be procured and delivered within the proposed project development schedule and will be installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications and design requirements

K. The applicant entity has reviewed and understands the federal, state, or

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Tribal regulatory requirements for obtaining an operating license (or its jurisdictional equivalent) to manufacture or process fertilizer at the time of application.

L. The applicant entity will be required to return any federal funds awarded if the applicant entity does not obtain an operating license (or its jurisdictional equivalent) to manufacture or process fertilizer.

M. All known relationships with USDA Rural Development employees have been identified.

N. If the project is located on Tribal lands and the applicant entity is not affiliated with the Tribe, a resolution of support from the governing body of the Tribe that has jurisdiction over the project site is included in the application package.

O. The applicant legal entity is in good standing and operating in accordance with the laws of the states in which, or Tribes with which, the applicant entity has a place of business.

P. The applicant entity has not been found – and will not be found – to be unfit to operate a facility because of convictions in a federal, state, or Tribal court.

Q. The applicant entity is not the subject of a pending administrative, civil, or criminal enforcement action.

R. The applicant entity is not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from participation in USDA programs.

S. The applicant entity is not presently involved in any bankruptcy proceedings.

T. The applicant entity has secured sufficient funding – including all required matching funds – to complete the project as proposed in the application.

U. I acknowledge that:

1. USDA Rural Development will screen the Do Not Pay System to verify the applicant:

a. Has an active registration in the System for Award Management

(SAM, available at this link: https://www.sam.gov)

b. Has not been debarred or suspended

c. Is not listed on the Credit Alert Verification Reporting System

d. Is not listed on the Treasury Offset Program

e. Does not appear on the Social Security Death Records list

f. Does not appear on the Automatic Revocation of Exemption List

(ARL)

2. The applicant entity is responsible for resolving any issues reported in the Do Not Pay System. If issues are not resolved by the time USDA Rural Development makes program awards, funds will be awarded to https://www.sam.gov/

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other eligible applicants.

V. I understand that USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service will rely on the accuracy of the submittals and certifications made with this application. I acknowledge that providing false or misleading information may result in determination of ineligibility, denial of the application, termination of an award, forfeiture of grant funds, or other remedies available to the Federal Government. I also understand I may be required to submit supporting information to validate the accuracy of my answers.

W. I understand that signing this document does not constitute an approved grant by USDA Rural Development.

RECOMMENDATION: Use the Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply Program Checklist (available under the “FIELDS, To Apply” tab at this link: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/fertilizer-investment-expansion-long-term-domestic-supply#to-apply) to ensure you have accurately completed all steps necessary to apply.

I, the undersigned, declare that I have fully reviewed the USDA Rural Development Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply Program application and accompanying documentation being submitted. To the best of my knowledge, all information is true, correct, and complete. I hereby agree with all program requirements specified above.

NOTE: Anyone who makes false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or entries is subject to a fine, imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both, as prescribed by 18 U.S.C. 1001 (information available at this link: https://www.govinfo.gov/).

Signature

Date [MM/DD/YYYY] https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/fertilizer-investment-expansion-long-term-domestic-supply#to-apply https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/fertilizer-investment-expansion-long-term-domestic-supply#to-apply https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2024-title18/pdf/USCODE-2024-title18-partI-chap47-sec1001.pdf