(2) Develops and monitors plans, policies and programs designed to promote equal employment opportunity for RUS personnel under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. 621-634); the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.); section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; pertinent provisions of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.); and applicable rules, regulations and other equal employment, nondiscrimination stat

utes.

§ 1700.3 Office of the Deputy Administrator-Program Operations.

The Deputy Administrator-Program Operations directs and coordinates the electric, telephone and rural economic development programs, technical services, and borrower accounting activities; reviews Agency policies in these areas and, as necessary, implement changes; and participates with the Administrator and other officials in planning and formulating the programs and activities of the Agency.

§ 1700.4 Rural electric program.

(a) The Assistant AdministratorElectric directs and coordinates the rural electrification program of the Agency, participating with the Administrator and Deputy AdministratorProgram Operations and others in planning and formulating the programs and activities of the Agency.

(b) Regional Offices. (1) The two regional offices are the primary points of contact between RUS and electric distribution system borrowers. Each office administers the rural electric program for an assigned geographical area with assistance of field representatives located in areas assigned to them. The regional offices are composed of the following states and territories:

(i) Northern Region. Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin,

Wyoming, and present and former Pacific Trust Territories; and

(ii) Southern Region. Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and the Virgin Islands.

(2) The regional offices perform the following functions with respect to loan feasibility and security and accomplishment of the purposes of the RE Act:

(i) Administer the rural electrification program for distribution borrowers in the region, serving as the single point of contact for distribution borrowers;

(ii) Provide guidance to borrowers on Agency loan policies and procedures, and receives, evaluates, and processes insured and guaranteed loan applications and other requests for financing assistance;

(iii) If delegated the authority by the Administrator, Regional Directors may approve certain loans, lien modations and other actions;

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(iv) Assure that distribution and transmission systems and facilities are designed and constructed in accordance with the terms of the loan and proper engineering practices and specifications;

(v) Maintain oversight of borrower rate actions;

(vi) Provide guidance to borrowers on supplemental power resources; load and energy management; and the environmental aspect of the design, construction and operation of their systems;

(vii) Maintain necessary oversight of borrowers' financial management and technical operations and practices to assure the security of the government's loans. Institute operations and management studies or other forms of corrective action as necessary;

(viii) Works to ensure accountability of loan and other financial transactions; and

(ix) Supplements efforts of the Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights Staff to ensure borrower compliance with civil rights requirements.

(c) Power Supply Division. The Division performs the following functions:

(1) Administers rural electrification program responsibilities that relate to power supply borrowers, and serves as the primary point of contact between RUS and all such borrowers;

(2) Receives, evaluates, and processes insured and guaranteed loan applications and other requests for financial assistance from power supply borrow

ers;

(3) Develops and administers engineering and construction functions related to planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance for power supply borrowers;

(4) Maintains a continuing financial and management overview of power supply borrowers to ensure that their operations are consistent with sound fiscal policies and procedures, loan security, and with RUS loan contracts, mortgages and regulatory requirements. Initiates operations and management studies or other forms of corrective action as necessary;

(5) Provide guidance to borrowers on supplemental power resources; load and energy management; and the environmental aspects of the design, construction and operations of their systems;

(6) Works to ensure accountability of loan and other financial transactions; and

(7) Supplements efforts of the Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights Staff to ensure borrower compliance with civil rights requirements.

(d) Electric Staff Division. This division administers certain engineering and operating activities relating to the rural electric program. The division:

(1) Is responsible for engineering aspects of RUS's standards, specifications and other requirements with respect to design, construction, and technical operation and maintenance of power-plant, distribution, and transmission systems and facilities, including load management, energy conservation and communications;

(2) Develops engineering practices, policies, standards, and guidelines for the Agency relating to electric borrowers' systems; conducts analysis and provides guidance on matters relating to fuels for electric generating stations; analyzes the effects of environmental laws and regulations on RUS-financed electric systems; and develops

related policies and procedures for the Agency;

(3) Develops criteria, procedures and analyses for improvement of the operating performance of electric borrowers;

(4) Develops procedures, criteria and techniques for forecasting borrowers' power requirements; and develops and maintains expertise in matters relating to retail and wholesale rates;

(5) Develops policies and procedures for adherence to environmental laws and regulations, and reviews borrowers' environmental studies;

(6) Maintains and publishes a continuing updated list of materials compatible with current RUS standards;

(7) From time to time provides consultation with borrowers regarding engineering matters;

(8) Provides assistance to the other electric offices and, as appropriate, to borrowers; and

(9) Maintains liaison with other Government agencies, utilities, industry officials and professional organizations on the above matters.

§ 1700.5 Rural telephone program.

(a) The Assistant AdministratorTelephone directs and coordinates the rural telephone program of the Agency, participating with the Administrator and Deputy Administrator-Program Operations and other officials in planning and formulating the programs and activities of the Agency.

(b) Regional Offices. (1) The two regional offices are the primary points of contact between RUS and all telephone system borrowers. Each office administers the rural telephone program for an assigned geographical area with assistance of field representatives located in areas assigned to them.

(2) The regional offices are composed of the following states and territories: (i) Eastern Region. Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Virgin Islands, West Virginia, and Wisconsin; and

(ii) Western Region. Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and present and former Pacific Trust Territories along with the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.

(3) The regional offices have the following responsibilities with respect to loan feasibility and security and accomplishment of the purposes of the RE Act:

(i) Provide guidance to applicants and borrowers on Agency and Rural Telephone Bank loan policies and procedures, and make recommendations to the Administrator on applications for loans or guarantees. If delegated the authority by the Administrator, Area Directors may approve certain loans, lien accommodations and other actions;

(ii) Review and analyze borrowers' toll revenue settlements and local service rates for adequacy to meet loan service payments and other expenses;

(iii) Assure that telephone systems and facilities are designed and constructed in accordance with the terms of the loan and the Agency's regulations. They review, analyze and approve borrowers' engineering plans and specifications; engineering, equipment and construction contracts; and borrowers' payments to engineers and contractors. They work with the borrowers to assure that completed construction meets RUS standards for quality of service and loan security; and

(iv) Provide information to borrowers regarding management and technical operations and practices with respect to the feasibility and security of the Government's loans and achievement of RE Act purposes.

(c) Telecommunications Standards Division. This division administers engineering staff activities related to the design, construction, and technical operation and maintenance of rural telephone systems and facilities. The division:

(1) Develops Agency engineering practices, policies, guidelines and technical data relating to telephone borrowers' systems;

(2) Evaluates the application of new communications network technology to rural telephone systems;

(3) Develops standards, policies, and procedures in connection with construction activities financed by the rural telephone program;

(4) Provides advice and assistance to the regional offices and, as requested, to borrowers on the above functions and responsibilities; and

(5) Maintains liaison with other government agencies, utilities, industry officials, and professional organizations on the above matters.

(d) Rural Telephone Bank Management Staff. This staff performs the following functions:

(1) Prepares analyses and makes recommendations to the Assistant Governor of the RTB on RTB issues;

(2) Performs the calculations needed to determine the cost of money rate to RTB borrowers;

(3) Prepares the minutes of RTB board meetings;

(4) Develops practices and procedures for determining toll forecasts for the telephone regional offices, and develops the toll forecasts for borrowers with complicated settlement arrangements;

and

(5) Maintains liaison with other government agencies, utilities, industry officials, and professional organizations on the above matters.

§ 1700.6 Economic development and technical services.

(a) The Assistant AdministratorEconomic Development and Technical Services directs and coordinates the rural economic development and technical services programs of the Agency, participating with the Administrator and Deputy Administrator-Program Operations and other officials in planning and formulating the programs and activities of the Agency. Two staffs and one division report to this Assistant Administrator.

(b) Rural Development Assistance Staff. This staff performs the following functions:

(1) Administers the Agency's rural economic development and job creation programs;

(2) Formulates and develops regulations, procedures, directives, and bulletins concerning the execution of Agency rural economic development activities;

(3) In coordination with Agency personnel, provides guidance to borrowers on Agency rural economic development policies and procedures, and makes recommendations to the Administrator on borrowers' applications for rural economic development financial assistance;

(4) Provides economic and community development technical assistance to borrowers; and

(5) Advises Agency personnel on rural economic development matters.

(c) Program Support Staff. This staff has the following responsibilities:

(1) Prepares special and ongoing analyses regarding the operations of the Agency's loan, loan-guarantee, and grant programs, and supervises special projects as assigned;

(2) Develops and maintains Agency regulations and bulletins on pre-and post-loan policies and procedures, and provides advice and assistance to Agency staff and others regarding the achievement of program policies;

(3) Coordinates with corresponding program staffs regarding the implementation of program-wide policies;

(4) Coordinates joint program initiatives;

(5) Provides coordination and assistance on management development of RUS and borrower personnel, as assigned; and collaborates with borrowers' organizations and professional groups in management development;

(6) Develops and maintains a variety of loan fund control ledgers for electric and telephone program lending authorities; and

(7) Keeps abreast of external developments by state, local and Federal regulatory and legislative bodies relating to RUS programs.

(d) Borrower Accounting Division. This division ensures that accounting policies, systems and procedures with respect to borrowers' accounting operations meet regulatory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, General Accounting Office, Office of Management and Budget and Treasury Department requirements. The division:

(1) Provides recommendations and assistance in solving special program and administrative problems involving accounting interpretations and analysis, including the development and presentation of data to agency staff, regulatory bodies, and other agencies;

(2) Examines borrowers' records and operations and reviews expenditures of loan and other funds deposited in the RUS Construction Fund Account to determine that funds are expended in conformity with the RE Act. Reviews borrowers' plant accounting system and procedures to determine compliance with RUS regulations;

(3) Approves Certified Public Accountants to perform audits for borrowers and reviews their reports to determine conformance with acceptable accounting practices, procedures and standards;

(4) Develops proposed standards and procedures for Agency examination programs and evaluates adequacy and effectiveness of the review procedures;

and

(5) Evaluates borrowers' accounting systems and procedures and recommends changes, as necessary, to provide for more complete and accurate reporting of borrowers' operations. Provides advice and assistance to borrowers concerning the installation and operation of accounting systems;

(e) Area Offices. The division is organized into four geographic area offices each of which has several field accountants located throughout the area.

§ 1700.7 Office of the Deputy Administrator-Management and Policy

Support.

The Deputy Administrator-Management and Policy Support directs and coordinates the legislative, public information, administrative and budget activities of the Agency and participates with the Administrator and other officials in planning and formulating the programs, policies and other functions of the Agency. Activities are carried out by an Assistant Administrator-Management and others who report directly to the Deputy Administrator.

§ 1700.8 Office of Assistant Administrator-Management.

The Assistant Administrator-Management directs and coordinates the general administrative activities of the agency, participates with the Administrator and Deputy Administrators and other officials in planning and formulating the programs and activities of the agency. The Office of Budget and four other divisions are directed and coordinated by the Assistant Administrator-Management.

(a) The Office of Budget administers the budgetary and financial management program of the Agency. The office:

(1) Determines the annual funding needs for current and multi-year forecasts, participating with the Administrator in presenting and supporting the Agency's budget and program plans; and

(2) Administers budget execution, apportionment, allotment and use and control of all Agency funds.

(b) The Personnel Management Division administers the personnel program of the Agency, covering both headquarters and field personnel. The division.

(1) Administers the provisions of the Classification Act, to achieve uniform application of position classification principles and standards to all RUS positions; conducts organization studies and develops recommendations for changes; develops and administers the Agency's personnel management evaluation activities;

(2) Administers the employment program for the Agency, including staffing, recruitment, placement and separation; administers the Agency's merit promotion program; maintains liaison with the National Finance Center on personnel data processing activities including payroll;

(3) Administers Agency responsibilities for employee relations including: grievances and appeals, performance appraisals, performance recognition system, conflict of interest, awards, benefits, and leave;

(4) Directs, coordinates, and evaluates a program of employee training to achieve the maximum utilization of skills and abilities of personnel; conducts training sessions; plans and di

rects conferences; prepares training budget; approves training requests; and coordinates an information program for foreign visitors;

(5) Provides advice and assistance to Agency officials and employees to ensure sound and effective administration of the Agency's personnel program;

(6) Maintains working relations and liaison on personnel management matters with the staff and other agencies of the Department and other government agencies; and

(7) Participates with the Administrator, in conjunction with the Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights Staff, in the implementation and enforcement of USDA equal employment opportunity programs (see § 1700.2(c) (2)); coordinates equal employment opportunity complaint system with the Department; develops and administers the Agency's Federal Equal Opportunity Recruitment Program.

(c) The Administrative Services Division administers a wide array of management services. The division administers:

(1) General services involving contracting and procurement, space management, property and supplies management, records management and communications;

(2) The Agency's rulemaking and regulatory review activities, coordinating with the Office of the Federal Register, the Office of the General Counsel, and the Office of Management and Budget; and

(3) The Agency's publications issuance system and the forms and report program.

(d) The Automated Information Systems Division analyzes the application of data processing to RUS program activities, including feasibility studies of the costs and benefits of automated data processing. The division:

(1) Establishes standards and procedures for developing, maintaining and using the Agency's major automated systems covering borrower information, loan accounting and special management programs; performs systems analyses, development, and programming; and ensures data security;

(2) Operates the data processing equipment of the Agency, including the