The AD-1047 is a USDA-issued certification form that participants must sign before entering any primary covered transaction with the federal government. A covered transaction is any grant, loan, cooperative agreement, contract, or other financial arrangement with the USDA. The form certifies that the signing party is not debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from federal programs at the time of signing.
The requirement comes from Executive Order 12549, Debarment and Suspension, which directs federal agencies to protect government resources by excluding non-responsible parties. The USDA implements this requirement through 2 C.F.R. § 180.335, which lists the specific ineligibility conditions participants must disclose and certify against before federal funds can be awarded.
Who Needs to Complete the AD-1047?
Any individual or organization entering a primary covered transaction with the USDA must complete the AD-1047. Covered parties include recipients of USDA grants, borrowers under USDA loan programs, parties to cooperative agreements, and federal contractors. Both the primary applicant and any sub-recipients involved in lower-tier transactions must certify their compliance status. The federal threshold requiring written certification is 5,000.
State and local government entities, tribes, nonprofit organizations, and private businesses may all be required to submit the AD-1047 depending on the type and amount of the USDA program transaction. Check with the specific USDA agency office handling your application to confirm the exact certification requirements for your program.
What Does the AD-1047 Certify?
Signing the AD-1047 certifies three specific compliance conditions. You confirm that you are not currently debarred, suspended, or voluntarily excluded from covered transactions. You also confirm that you have not been convicted of fraud or a related criminal offense within the past three years. Finally, you certify that no public transaction has been terminated against you for cause or default within the same period. All three conditions must be true at the time you sign.
How Do You Fill Out the AD-1047 Certification Form?
The AD-1047 is a straightforward form, but accuracy is critical. Errors or omissions can delay USDA application processing or trigger a compliance review. Follow these steps to complete it correctly.
Step 1: Verify Your Debarment Status
Before signing the AD-1047, search for your organization at SAM.gov. The System for Award Management Exclusions database lists all currently debarred and suspended parties. Confirm your organization is not listed before proceeding. Checking this takes less than two minutes and protects you from unknowingly submitting an inaccurate certification.
Step 2: Read Each Certification Statement Carefully
Each statement in the AD-1047 covers a specific compliance area. If you are uncertain about whether a particular statement applies to your situation, contact the relevant USDA program office or your legal counsel before signing. Do not sign any statement that does not accurately reflect your current legal status.
Step 3: Complete All Required Fields
Enter your full legal name, the name of your organization, and your official title. Include the transaction or program reference number if the application requires it. Make sure the name on the AD-1047 matches the legal name used on your other application documents. Inconsistencies between forms can cause processing delays.
Step 4: Sign and Date the Form
Your signature is a legal attestation that all information is accurate and complete as of the signing date. Submitting knowingly false information is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 and may result in termination of your program participation and additional legal consequences. Keep a copy of the signed form for your records before submitting it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Completing the AD-1047
Several errors commonly delay USDA application processing. The most frequent issue is using an informal or abbreviated organization name instead of the full legal name. Another common mistake is signing the form without first checking SAM.gov, leaving applicants uncertain whether they are eligible at the time they certify.
Applicants sometimes also forget to attach the AD-1047 to the final application package. This causes the application to be returned as incomplete. Some USDA program offices require original wet signatures on the certification form rather than photocopies or electronic signatures. Confirm the submission format requirements with your program officer before sending the package.
Failing to keep a signed copy is another avoidable error. If a discrepancy arises later about the terms of your certification, having your own copy is essential. Date your copy the same day you sign the original.
Related USDA and Federal Certification Forms
Many USDA applications require multiple certification forms alongside the AD-1047. The SF-424 Federal Grant Application is the standard application form for USDA grant funding and is submitted alongside the AD-1047 in most grant packages. The USDA Form RD 1980-21 is used for agricultural credit applications and also requires debarment certification from borrowers. The RD 400-1 Fair Housing Certification applies to USDA Rural Development programs and must be completed alongside the AD-1047 when equal opportunity requirements apply.
Common Questions About the AD-1047 Form
Is the AD-1047 required for every USDA transaction?
The AD-1047 is required for primary covered transactions above 5,000 with the USDA. This includes most grants, loans, and cooperative agreements. Smaller transactions may require only a verbal certification, but written certification is standard for most USDA program applications.
What happens if I made an error on the AD-1047 after submitting?
Contact the USDA program office or contracting officer right away. You may be able to submit a corrected form. Review all fields carefully before submitting to prevent delays and compliance issues. Keep a copy of every version you submit.
How long does a federal debarment period last?
Debarment periods typically last up to three years but can be extended based on the severity of the violation. Before completing the AD-1047, verify your organization status at SAM.gov to confirm you are eligible to enter covered transactions.
Is the AD-1047 specific to USDA programs only?
Yes. The AD-1047 is issued by and applies exclusively to USDA-covered transactions. Other federal agencies use comparable debarment certification forms as part of their own application packages. The non-procurement common rule at 2 C.F.R. Part 180 governs debarment standards across all federal agencies.
Where can I check if a party is currently debarred from federal programs?
The SAM.gov Exclusions database is the authoritative source for checking debarment and suspension status in federal programs. All federal agencies, including the USDA, use this system to verify participant eligibility. Checking this database before signing the AD-1047 protects both the applicant and the program officer handling the application.
