306(a)(13), 7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(13). This delegation includes the authority to collect, service, and liquidate loans made or insured by Farmers Home Administration or its predecessor agencies, Farm Security Administration, the Emergency Crop and Feed Loans Offices of the Farm Credit Administration, the Resettlement Administration, and the Regional Agricultural Credit Corporation of Washington, D.C.

(2) Administration of title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.), except those functions pertaining to research.

(3) Administration of the Rural Rehabilitation Corporation Trust Liquidation Act (40 U.S.C. 440 et seq.), and under trust, liquidation, and other agreements entered into pursuant thereto.

(4) Administration of section 8, and those functions with respect to repayment of obligations under section 4, of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1004, 1006a).

(5) Administration of the Resource Conservation and Development loan program to assist in carrying out Resource Conservation and Development projects in rural areas under section 32(e) of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1011(e)).

(6) Administration of loan programs in the Appalachian region under sections 203 and 204 of the Appalachian Region Development Act of 1965 (40 U.S.C. app. 204).

(7) Administration of Farmers Home Administration assets conveyed in trust under the Participation Sales Act of 1966 (12 U.S.C. 1717).

(8) Administer the emergency loan and guarantee programs and the rural housing disaster program under sections 232, 234, and 253 of the Disaster Relief Act of 1970 (Pub. L. 91-606), the Disaster Relief Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-79), Pub. L. 92-385 approved August 16, 1972, and the Emergency Livestock Credit Act of 1974 (Pub. L. 93-357), as amended, and the Emergency Agricultural Credit Adjustment Act of 1978 (title II of Pub. L. 95-334).

(9) Administration of loans to homestead or desertland entrymen and purchasers of land in reclamation projects

or to an entryman under the desertland law (7 U.S.C. 1006a and 1006b).

(10) Administration of loans to Indian tribes and tribal corporations (25 U.S.C. 488-492).

(11) Administer financial assistance programs under part A of title III and part D of title I and the necessarily related functions in title VI of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2763-2768, 28412855, 2942, 2943(b), 2961) delegated by the Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity to the Secretary of Agriculture by documents dated October 23, 1964 (29 FR 14764), and June 17, 1968 (33 FR 9850), respectively.

(12) Administer the Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966 and joint regulations issued pursuant thereto by the Attorney General and the Comptroller General with respect to claims of the Farmers Home Administration U.S.C. 951, 953; 4 CFR, Chapter II).

(31

(13) Servicing, collection, settlement, and liquidation of:

(i) Deferred land purchased obligations of individuals under the Wheeler-Case Act of August 11, 1939, as amended (16 U.S.C. 590y), and under the item, "Water Conservation and Utilization Projects" in the Department of the Interior Appropriation Act, 1940 (53 Stat. 719, as amended).

(ii) Puerto Rican hurricane relief loans under the act of July 11, 1956 (70 Stat. 525).

(iii) Loans made in conformance with section 4 of the "Southeast Hurricane Disaster Relief Act of 1965." (79 Stat. 1301.)

(14) Administer responsibilities and functions assigned under the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2061 et seq.), and the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2251 et seq.), relating to rural credit and financial assistance.

(15) Provide leadership and coordination within the executive branch of a nationwide rural development program utilizing the services of executive branch departments and agencies and the agencies, bureaus, offices, and services of the Department of Agriculture in coordination with rural development programs of State and local

governments. (Sec. 526 (b) of the Revised Statutes, 7 U.S.C. 2204(b).)

(16) Coordinate activities relative to rural development among agencies under the Under Secretary for Small Community and Rural Development and, through appropriate channels, serve as the coordinating agency for other departmental agencies having primary responsibilities for specific titles of the Rural Development Act of 1972 and allied legislation.

(17) Administer a national program of economic, social and environmental research and analysis, statistical programs, and associated service work related to rural people and the communities in which they live including rural industrialization; rural population and manpower; local government finance; income; development strategies; housing; social services and utilization; adjustments to changing economic and technical forces; and other related matters.

(18) Work with Federal agencies in encouraging the creation of rural community development organizations.

(19) Assist other Federal agencies in making rural community development organizations aware of the Federal programs available to them.

(20) Advise rural community development organizations of the availability of Federal assistance programs.

(21) Advise other Federal agencies of the need for particular Federal programs.

(22) Assist rural community development organizations in making contact with Federal agencies whose assistance may be of a benefit to them.

(23) Assist other Federal agencies and national organizations in developing means for extending their services effectively to rural areas.

(24) Assist other Federal agencies in designing pilot projects in rural areas. (25) Conduct studies to determine how programs of the Department can be brought to bear on the economic development problems of the country and assure that local groups are receiving adequate technical assistance from Federal agencies or from local and State governments in formulating development programs and in carrying out planned development activities.

(26) Assist other Federal agencies in formulating manpower development and training policies.

(27) Authority to enter into contracts for the support of rural development.

(28) Administer section 601 of the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-620).

(29) Provide Department-wide operational support and coordination for loan and grant programs to foster and encourage the production of fuels from agricultural and forestry products or by-products.

(30) Assist the Commodity Credit Corporation in administering section 509 of the Rural Development Act of 1972, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2669).

(b) Reservations. The following authorities are reserved to the Under Secretary for Small Community and Rural Development:

(1) Making and issuing notes to the Secretary of the Treasury for the purposes of the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund and the Rural Development Insurance Fund as authorized by the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1929, 1929(a)) and the Rural Housing Insurance Fund as authorized by title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 1487).

(2) Administering loans for rural telephone facilities and service in rural areas of 1,500 or less as authorized by the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.).

[38 FR 14953, June 7, 1973, as amended at 40 FR 33025, Aug. 6, 1975; 43 FR 11689, Mar. 21, 1978; 44 FR 26507, May 4, 1979; 44 FR 30313, May 25, 1979; 45 FR 52355, Aug. 7, 1980; 45 FR 66445, Oct. 7, 1980; 46 FR 19216, Mar. 30, 1981; 46 FR 23914, Apr. 29, 1981; 46 FR 47752, Sept. 30, 1981]

§ 2.71 [Reserved]

§ 2.72 Administrator, Rural Electrification Administration.

(a) Delegations. Pursuant to § 2.23(c) and (e) and subject to policy guidance and direction by the Under Secretary for Small Community and Rural Development, the following delegations of authority are made by the Under Secretary for Small Community and Rural Development to the Administra

tor, Rural Electrification Administration:

(1) Administer the Rural Electrification Act as amended (7 U.S.C. 901950(b)).

(2) Administer the Consolidation Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.) with respect to financing for community antenna television services or facilities.

(3) Administer responsibilities and functions assigned under the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2061 et seq.), and the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2251 et seq.), relating to financial assistance.

(b) Reservations. The following authorities are reserved to the Under Secretary for Small Community and Rural Development:

(1) Making requests and certifications to the Secretary of the Treasury in connection with fundings of the rural electrification and rural telephone programs under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended, and the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.

(2) Approving acquisition of telephone lines, facilities, or systems financed by the rural telephone bank under 7 U.S.C. 948(a)(2).

(7 U.S.C. 1989; delegation of authority by the Sec. of Agri., 7 CFR 2.23; delegation of authority by the Asst. Sec. for Rural Development, 7 CFR 2.70)

[38 FR 14953, June 7, 1973, as amended at 40 FR 33025, Aug. 6, 1975; 44 FR 30313, May 25, 1979; 46 FR 19216, Mar. 30, 1981, 46 FR 47752, Sept. 30, 1981]

Subpart J-Delegations of Authority by the Assistant Secretary for Administration

§ 2.74 Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration.

(a) Delegations. Pursuant to § 2.25, subject to reservations in § 2.26, the following delegation of authority is made by the Assistant Secretary for Administration to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration, to be exercised only during the absence or unavailability of the Assistant Secretary:

(1) Perform as Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration, all the

duties and exercise all the powers which are now or which may hereafter be delegated to the Assistant Secretary for Administration.

[40 FR 6313, Feb. 11, 1975]

§ 2.75 Director, Office of Operations and Finance.

(a) Delegations. Pursuant to § 2.25 (b), (c), and (d), the following delegations of authority are made by the Assistant Secretary for Administration to the Director, Office of Operations and Finance:

(1) Promulgate departmental policies, standards, techniques, and procedures, and represent the Department, in the following:

(i) Contracting for and the procurement of administrative and operating supplies, services, and construction.

(ii) Socioeconomic programs relating to contracting, excepting those matters otherwise assigned to the Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization.

(iii) Selection, standardization, and simplification of program delivery processes utilizing grants, contracts, and/or agreements.

(iv) Acquisition, leasing, utilization, value analysis, construction, maintenance, and disposition of real and personal property including control of space assignments and use.

(v) Acquisition, storage, distribution, and disposition of forms and supplies. (vi) Telecommunications.

(vii) Mail management.

(viii) Motor Vehicle fleet and other vehicular transportation.

(ix) Transportation of things.

(x) Prevention, control, and abatement of air and water pollution at Federal facilities (E.O. 11507).

(xi) Implementation of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Policies Act of 1970 (Pub. L. 91646).

(xii) Develop and implement energy management actions related to the internal operations of the Department. Maintain liaison with other Government agencies in these matters.

(2) Operate, or provide for the operation of, centralized departmental services to provide printing, copy reproduction, offset composition, supply,

telephone, telegraph, mail, automated mailing lists, excess property pool, space allocation, central Secretary's records, departmental administrative regulation and secretarial issuances, and related management support.

(3) Exercise the following special authorities:

(i) The Director, Office of Operations and Finance is designated as the Department's debarring officer, and authorized to perform the functions of 41 CFR Subpart 1-1.6 and 41 CFR Subpart 4-1.601-1(a).

(ii) Promulgation of Department schedule of fees and charges for reproductions, furnishing of copies, and making searches for official records pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552.

(iii) Conduct liaison with the Office of the Federal Register including the making of required certifications pursuant to 1 CFR Part 4.

(iv) Maintain custody and permit appropriate use of the official seal of the Department.

(v) Promulgate policy for the use of the official flags of the Secretary and the Department.

(vi) Make determinations and findings authorizing use of negotiation in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 252(c)(11) for purchases and contracts for experimental, developmental, or research work, or for the manufacture or furnishing of property for experimentation, development, research, or test which will not require the expenditure of more than $25,000 (41 CFR 1-3.211; 1-3.303).

(vii) Coordinate collection of historical material for Presidential Libraries.

(viii) Oversee the safeguarding of unclassified materials designated "For Official Use Only."

(ix) Establish standards for and coordinate the issuance of employee identification within the Department.

(4) Provide procurement, property management, space management, communications, messenger, paperwork management, and related services (with authority to take actions required by law or regulation to perform such services) for:

(i) The Secretary of Agriculture;

(ii) The general officers of the Department, except the Inspector General,

(iii) The offices and agencies reporting to the Assistance Secretary for Administration, and

(iv) Provide such of the above services, as may be agreed, for any other officers or agencies of the Department not included in paragraphs (a)(4) (i), (ii), or (iii) of this section.

(5) Exercise full Department-wide contracting and procurement authority for automatic data processing and data transmission equipment, software, services, maintenance, and related supplies. This authority includes the promulgation of departmental directives regulating the management of contracting and procurement functions related to the above.

(6) Provide support services normally furnished by the Office of Operations and Finance and needed by the Department in carrying out defense responsibilities.

(7) Exercise general responsibility and authority for all matters related to the administration of the Department's accounting and finance operations including:

(i) Financial administration, including accounting and related activities.

(ii) Development, maintenance, and operation of Department-wide payroll and personnel statistics, payment, billing and collection, and accounting and related reporting systems.

(8) Formulate and promulgate departmental financial policies, procedures, and regulations.

(9) Provide staff assistance for the Secretary, general officers, and other Department and agency officials.

(10) Review financial aspects of agency operations and proposals.

(11) Represent the Department in contacts with the General Accounting Office, the Treasury Department, the Office of Management and Budget, and other organizations or agencies on matters related to assigned responsibilities.

(12) The Director, Office of Operations and Finance is designated as the Department's Director of Finance.

(13) Provide management support services for the National Finance Center, and by agreements with

90-007 0-82--10

agency heads concerned, provide such services for other USDA tenants housed in the same facility. As used herein, such management support services shall include:

(i) Personnel services, as listed in § 2.25(e)(10), and organizational support services, with authority to take actions required by law or regulation to perform such services.

(ii) Procurement, property management, space management, communications, messenger, paperwork management, and related administrative services, with authority to take actions required by law or regulation to perform such services.

(14) Administer the Department's records, forms, reports, and directive management programs.

(15) Provide budget, accounting, and related financial management services, with authority to take action required by law or regulation to provide such services for working capital funds and general appropriated and trust funds for

(i) The Secretary of Agriculture,

(ii) The general officers of the Department, except the Inspector General;

(iii) The Offices and agencies reporting to the Assistant Secretary for Administration, and

(iv) Provide such of the above services, as may be agreed, for any other officers and agencies of the Department not included in paragraphs (a)(15), (i), (ii), or (iii) of this section.

(16) Manage and operate the total USDA data processing program through all stages of the data processing management cycle: Advance planning, feasibility, design, equipment selection and acquisition readiness effort, systems installation, system impact appraisal, time sharing and service center arrangements, systems monitoring, evaluation, and security.

(17) Plan, develop, install, and manage departmental data bases and assist in the maintenance of such systems to satisfy agency needs.

(18) Develop an integrated computer network for use with Department agencies and offices.

(19) Provide personnel services, as listed in § 2.25(e)(10), and organizational support services, with authority

to take actions required by law or regulation for:

(i) The Office of Governmental and Public Affairs;

(ii) The Office of the General Counsel;

(iii) The Office of Budget, Planning and Evaluation; and

(iv) The offices and agencies reporting to the Assistant Secretary for Administration.

(20) Administer the Department's management improvement program including the provision of assistance to agencies through management studies and planning review; review the management and operating policies and processes; search for more economical approaches to the conduct of business and provide such other assistance as will aid in improving the management effectiveness and operation of the Department's programs.

(21) Administer the Department's management review program. This authority includes the development and promulgation of departmental directives regulating the management review function.

(22) Develop, design, install, and revise systems, processes, work methods, and techniques, and undertake other system engineering efforts to improve the management and operational effectiveness of the USDA.

(23) Exercise authority under the Department's Acquisition Executive to integrate and unify the management process for the Department's major system acquisitions and to monitor implementation of the policies and practices set forth in OMB Circular No. A109; Major Systems Acquisitions. This delegation includes the authority to:

(i) Insure that OMB Circular No. A109 is effectively implemented in USDA and that the management objectives of the Circular are realized.

(ii) Review the program management of each major system acquisition.

(iii) Review any departmental acquisition for designation as a major system acquisition under A-109.

(24) Formulate and promulgate Department management policies, procedures and regulations.

(25) Promulgate departmental policies, standards, techniques, and proce