A8.6 - Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source.pdf

Contract Opportunity Special Notice

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R702

Aeris Financial Strength and Performance Rating Subscription for Re-lender Continued Eligibility Under the Community Facility Direct Loan Program for USDA Rural Housing Service Community Programs.

USDA, RURAL DEVELOPMENT

PROCUREMENT MANAGEMENT OFFICE

1400 INDEPENDENCE AVE, SW, WASHINGTON, DC 20250

Marisol Olivera marisol.olivera@usda.gov

20250

RD-SS-22-0001

February 18, 2022, at 3:00PM ET

N

N

561450

See Attachment

USA

https://www.rd.usda.gov/ marisol.olivera@usda.gov

Contract Specialist mailto:marisol.olivera@usda.gov https://www.rd.usda.gov/ mailto:marisol.olivera@usda.gov

DESCRIPTION

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE: The USDA, Rural Development (RD), Procurement Management Office, intends to award a sole source, Firm-Fixed Price Contract for a Base Year and Four Option Years to AERIS INSIGHT, INC., for Aeris Rating Reports and Performance Maps Subscription in order to meet the Federal Register Vol. 81, No. 129 dated July 6, 2016, 43987, requirement for Re-lender continued eligibility under the Community Facility (CF) Loan Program, providing Aeris Financial Strength and Performance Rating Reports and Performance Mapping services for Re-lender. Federal Register Vol. 81, No. 129 dated July 6, 2016, 43987 requires that the Re-lender has an Aeris Strength and Performance Rating of 1 or 2. Pursuant to H.R. Bill 133, Sec. 794 direct loans to eligible approved re-lenders are to remain available through fiscal year 2026 for the liquidation of valid obligations incurred in fiscal year 2016. (See attached)

Aeris Ratings Reports & Performance Maps is the only information service that provides in-depth, comprehensive review, including a site visit to the CDFI data intelligence and analysis from CDFIs nationwide for helping investors evaluate opportunities that meet their impact goals and risk parameters.

Aeris Ratings Reports & Performance Maps provide an assessment of CDFI impact and financial performance, risk and mitigates. Each report includes a up to 50-60-page in-depth analysis including analysts’ opinions, dozens of informative tables, charts, and graphs, five-years of historical financial and impact data, key ratios, and more. Aeris Performance Map gives access to real-time, CDFI financial and impact performance data, and all the tables and graphs from Aeris Rating Reports. It does a follow-up check annually and another full review every two or three years.

This contract action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit from only one Source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 and 13.106-1, Sole Source Awards. A Justification and Approval for Sole Source Justification will be prepared.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this requirement is 561450 Credit Bureaus with a Small Business Size Standard of $16.5 Million.

THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTATIONS.

NO SOLICITATION PACKAGE WILL BE ISSUED. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations.

However, interested parties may identify their interest by submitting capability information (not to exceed 5 pages) to this requirement no later than February 18, 2022, at 3:00PM, Eastern Time (ET), in-order-to establish the ability of the source to meet this requirement. Responses must include sufficient evidence that clearly shows the vendor is capable of providing same services mentioned above. If no written response is received that clearly demonstrates the vendor's ability to meet all of the salient features of the Aeris system, then USDA RD shall proceed with an award on a sole source basis to Aeris Insight, Inc.

A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

The USDA Rural Development will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice of intent. Only written responses will be considered. All responses from responsible sources will be fully considered. As a result of analyzing responses to this notice of intent, the Government shall determine if a solicitation will be issued. Any prospective contractor must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to be eligible for award.

Interested parties are encouraged to furnish information by email only with “RESPONSE TO INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE Aeris Financial Strength & Performance Rating Service” in the subject line. All documents submitted, will not be returned. All interested parties shall submit clear and convincing documentation demonstrating their capabilities to satisfy the requirements listed above to Contract Specialist, Marisol Olivera by email at marisol.olivera@usda.gov. The capability documentation should include general information and technical background describing in detail the prospective contractor's capabilities and experience that will demonstrate the ability to support these requirements.

Point of Contact: Marisol Olivera, Contract Specialist (e-mail: marisol.olivera@usda.gov).

Telephone inquiries will not be accepted.

mailto:marisol.olivera@usda.gov

A"'"'"''"'°'?INFORMATION

GPO

Federal Register/Vol. 81, No. 129/Wednesday, July 6, 2016/Notices 43987

Tribal Relations; (2), Administrator, Farm Service Agency; (3), Chief, Natural Resources and Conservation Services;

and ( 4) Assistant Secretary, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.

Members serve without compensation, but may receive reimbursement for travel expenses and per diem in accordance with USDA travel regulations for attendance at Council functions. Council members who represent the interests of Native American farmers and ranchers may also be paid an amount not less than $100 per day for time spent away from their employment or farming or ranching operation, subject to the availability of funds. Members may include:

(1) Native American farmers or ranchers who have participated in USDA loan, grant, conservation, or payment programs;

(2) Representatives of organizations with a history of working with Native American farmers or ranchers;

(3) Representatives of tribal governments with demonstrated experience working with Native American farmers or ranchers; and

(4) Such other persons as the Secretary considers appropriate.

No individual who is currently registered as a Federal lobbyist is eligible to serve as a member of the Council.

The Secretary of Agriculture invites those individuals, organizations, and groups affiliated with the categories listed above or who have knowledge of issues related to the purpose of the Council to nominate individuals for membership on the Council. Individuals and organizations who wish to nominate experts for this or any other USDA advisory council should submit a letter to the Secretary listing these individuals' names and business address, phone, and email contact information. The Secretary of Agriculture seeks a diverse group of members representing a broad spectrum of persons interested in providing suggestions and ideas on how USDA can tailor its farm programs to meet the needs of Native American farmers and ranchers. Individuals receiving nominations will be contacted and asked to return the AD-755 application form and a resume within 10 business days of notification. All candidates will be vetted and considered for appointment by the Secretary of Agriculture. Equal opportunity practices will be followed in all appointments to the Council in accordance with USDA policies. The Council will meet at least once per fiscal year.

Dated: June 30, 2016.

Gregory L. Parham, Assistant Secretary for Administration.

[FR Doc. 2016-16099 Filed 7-1-16; 4:15 pm]

BILLING CODE 3410-01-P

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Housing Service

Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) for Loans to Re-Lenders Under the Community Facility Loan Program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016

AGENCY: Rural Housing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; applications for Re lenders.

SUMMARY: The Rural Housing Service (RHS) has amended the Community Facility Direct Loan regulations to enable the Agency to make loans to qualified Re-lenders who will loan those funds to Applicants primarily for projects in or serving persistent poverty counties or high poverty areas that are eligible under the Community Facility Loan Program.

DATES: To apply for funds, the Agency must receive a complete application by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on August 8, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted to: Kristen Grifka, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Stop 0787, Room 0175, Washington, DC 20250- 0787.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Please contact Kristen Grifka at (202) 720-1504 or via email at kristen.grifka@ wdc.usda.gov for further information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview

Solicitation Title: Community Facility Direct Loan Program-Re-lending.

Announcement Type: Initial Notice.

Catalog of Federal Domestic

Assistance Number: 10.766.

Dates: For the list of dates please refer to the DATES section above.

Availability of Notice: This Notice is available through the USDA Rural Development site at: http:! I www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/notices solicitation-applications-nosas.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Purpose

The purpose of this Notice is to seek applications from Re-lenders who would loan those funds to Applicants primarily for projects in or serve persistent poverty counties or high poverty areas that are eligible under the Community Facility (CF) Direct Loan Program.

B. Statutory Authority

This program is authorized in 5 U.S.C.

301; 7 U.S.C. 1989; 7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(1).

II. Award Information

Type of Awards: Direct Loans will be made to eligible Re-lenders for the purpose of lending these funds to eligible CF applicants for eligible CF purposes in accordance with 7 CFR part 1942.

Fiscal Year Funds: $500 Million of FY 2016 Direct CF Loan funds.

Available Funds: The Agency will make available $500 Million of Direct CF Loan funds to eligible Re-lenders for the purpose of carrying out this notice.

Award Amounts: Direct loans will be made in amounts based upon the availability of $500 Million of CF Direct Loan funds.

Award Dates: Awards will be made on or before September 30, 2016.

III. Definitions

Aeris Financial Strength and Performance Rating-Aeris is ratings system that rates community development financial institutions (CDFI). The Aeris rating methodology is designed for non-depository CDFis that have a majority of their assets invested in loans (as opposed to real estate, equity, or equity-like investments), and have at least five years of financing history. The Financial Strength and Performance Rating is an assessment conducted by AERIS of the CDFI's overall creditworthiness that is based on an analysis of past financial performance, current financial strength, and apparent risk factors.

Applicant. Those eligible entities described in 7 CFR 1942.17(b)(1) making application to the Re-lender to borrow funds for an eligible Community Facilities project.

Borrower. An Applicant who has received a loan from a Re-lender.

Full Recourse. Notwithstanding any provisions of the loan documents issued by the Re-lender for a Community Facilities project to the contrary, the Re lender shall be fully and severally liable for the payment and performance of all obligations under the debt instrument issued to the Agency, regardless if the Re-lender and applicant's assets financed by advancing relending funds have been fully liquidated and are inadequate to fully pay the loan amount, accrued interest, and all other related costs the Re-lender is liable for.

High Poverty Area. A census tract with a poverty rate greater than or equal to 20%. Areas that are considered to be High Poverty may be found on the following Web site: http://

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H. R. 133—51 the appropriation for ‘‘Office of the Chief Information Officer’’, $16,046,000 shall be transferred to and merged with the appropria-tion for ‘‘Food Safety and Inspection Service’’, and of which $9,815,000 shall be transferred to and merged with the appropria-tion for ‘‘Rural Development, Salaries and Expenses’’.

SEC. 793. Of the unobligated balances from prior year appro-priations made available under the heading ‘‘Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program’’ for the cost of broadband loans, as authorized by section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act, $12,000,000 are hereby rescinded.

SEC. 794. Funds made available in the Consolidated Appropria-tions Act, 2016 (Public Law 114–113) for the ‘‘Rural Community Facilities Program Account’’ under section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 U.S.C. 1926, for the principal amount of direct loans to eligible approved re-lenders are to remain available through fiscal year 2026 for the liquidation of valid obliga-tions incurred in fiscal year 2016.

SEC. 795. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to pay the salaries or expenses of personnel—

(1) to inspect horses under section 3 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 603);

(2) to inspect horses under section 903 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C.

1901 note; Public Law 104–127); or

(3) to implement or enforce section 352.19 of title 9, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).

SEC. 796. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine shall complete a review and provide a report to the Sec-retary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Congress, on the most recent edition of the dietary guide-lines for Americans that includes the following:

(1) A comparative analysis of the scientific methodologies, review protocols, and evaluation processes used to develop the most recently issued guidelines as compared to recommenda-tions included in the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine September 2017 report entitled ‘‘Redesigning the Process for Establishing the Dietary Guide-lines for Americans’’.

(2) A comparative analysis of the scientific studies used to develop such guidelines to determine the dietary needs of Americans with diet-related metabolic diseases as compared to the most current and rigorous scientific studies on diet and diet-related metabolic diseases available.

(3) An analysis of how full implementation of the rec-ommendations described in paragraph (1) would have affected the most recently issued guidelines.

SEC. 797. (a) There is hereby appropriated $3,000,000, to remain available until expended, for a pilot program for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to provide grants to State departments of agriculture and forestry commissions in states identified in the final environmental assessment published in the Federal Register on September 23, 2020 (85 Fed. Reg. 59735), to combat and treat cogongrass through established cogongrass control programs.

(b) Any remaining unobligated balances of funds made available for field crop and rangeland ecosystem pests under the heading

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