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| Date Time | Keywords | Subject | Questions | Answers |
| 4/17/2009 11:18:00 AM | application process | RE: SF-424 | In section Part IV Section C.1 of the announcment it opens the paragraph with "Complete this form first to populate data in other forms." Was this supposed to be a hyperlink? If not, which SF-424 form does this section refer to? There seems to be multiple versions of this form available. Thank you. | No, this is not a hyperlink, just an underlined sentence. This refers to the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance that is part of the application package you need to download from grants.gov. You can find the application package on grants.gov by clicking on ‘Apply for Grants’, then click on ‘download a grant application package’ - use CFDA number 81.128. |
| 4/17/2009 11:26:00 AM | projects - transportation, eligibility, projects - efficiency | RE: Hybrid Vehicles | This question was asked earlier as part of a multi-part question, but I never found the answer. Can EECBG funds be used to purchase hybrid vehicles for the City fleet? Thank you. | Yes. This would be considered under Activity Area 7 Transportation Programs. While the purchase of hybrid vehicles does not fit directly into any of the bullets listed under Activity Area 7 in the announcement, the description of this Activity Area states that "entities may develop and implement programs to conserve energy used in transportation, including but not limited to..." The purchase of hybrid vehicles for use in a City Fleet is part of an energy efficient transportation program. |
| 4/18/2009 2:47:00 AM | application process, Scope, eligibility, projects - efficiency, projects - construction / buildings, tribes | RE: RE: RE: Ownership of Real Property | We are in the process of compiling information to submit our application for the EECBG funding to make energy efficiency retro-fits to our building. We are also contemplating forming a wholly-owned subsidiary to hold this particular building to limit the risks of liability. Can an Alaska Native Corporation utilize the funding to make energy efficient retrofits to a buidling owned by its wholly-owned subsidiary? Thank you., Good afternoon: I will try to clarify. Cook Inlet Region, Inc. is an Alaska Native Region Corporation federally recognized as a tribe. We are listed on attachment A of the announcement. Thank you., *** Nalini*** | Prior to addressing your question, I'd like to understand the nature of your organization. Only the entities (states, units of local government, and Indian tribes) listed in Attachment A of this announcement are eligible to apply. Are you from one of these entities? Based on the information provided, block grant monies can be used to retrofit a building owned by the wholly -owned subsidiary. If the wholly-owned subsidiary is a non-profit, then the retrofits could qualify under activity 5. It would depend on how the subsidiary is set up. |
| 4/18/2009 2:48:00 AM | application process, eligibility, metrics, projects - efficiency | RE: Project Eligibility | Benton County, Arkansas is slated to receive $609,300 in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) stimulus funding direct from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). We are planning to replace the current Road Department facility with a new energy efficient facility. The grant guidelines list Energy Efficiency Retrofits, but the facility is in such poor shape it would not be economically feasible to retrofit the current facility. If the construction of a new Road Dept. facility wouldn’t qualify for (5) Energy Efficiency Retrofits, would it qualify under (14) Any Other Appropriate Activity? Please advise. | The construction of a new facility could fall under activity Area 14 (other activities). An applicant would need to justify: (1) the long-term energy efficiency benefits of the new construction, and (2) the need for new construction rather than upgrades, improvements or retrofits to existing facilities. Applicants are advised that environmental review of new construction projects may take longer than retrofit projects. |
| 4/18/2009 2:51:00 AM | eligibility, scope, metrics, budgeting, projects - efficiency, projects - construction / buildings | RE: USE OF BLOCK GRANT FUNDS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION | Can we use block grant funds to purchase or construct new buildings? The effort would be to replace old, energy inefficient mobile homes, or stick built homes which are very old and inefficient. The funds could be used to purchase or construct replacement buildings or to issue bonds to support this effort. I know that the SEP grant forbids purchasing buildings, but don't see any rule about this under the block grant program. | The purchase of a new building outright is not allowable. Applicant may propose new-construction if in addition to the other criteria established in the FOA, the applicant can justify: (1) the long-term energy efficiency benefits of the new construction, and (2) the need for new construction rather than upgrades, improvements or retrofits to existing facilities. Applicants are cautioned that funds should be used in a manner that is most beneficial over the long term. One of the desired outcomes of the program is energy efficient buildings. How cost effective is it to use an allocation for new construction to replace inefficient homes? Wouldn¿t funds be better utilized (as in, go farther) and reach a larger audience by retrofitting existing buildings? The approach of new construction would have to be approved during the review process and would have to be shown by the applicant as the best use of the funds. Additionally, applicants are advised that environmental review of new construction projects may take longer than retrofit projects. |
| 4/18/2009 2:52:00 AM | reporting | RE: Requirements for seperate bank account at county/community level? | Is there any requirement that counties/communities receiving funding through EECBG (through the state) hold their funds in a seperate account as a means of keeping these dollars seperate and more easily accounted for? Thanks. | There is not a requirement for counties/communications to hold their funds in a separate account. However, it is the recipient’s responsibility to track and report funds separately to meet the reporting requirements of the Recovery Act and related OMB Guidance. See Attachment C to the announcement for a full listing of what grantees will be required to report on. |
| 4/18/2009 2:53:00 AM | scope, eligibility, projects - construction / buildings | RE: Buy American Provision | If we are using EECBG funds to install something such as a HVAC unit, do all parts (including every part inside the unit)have to be certified as "Made in the USA", please let us know...Thank You | No. The Buy American Provision for projects funded under the Recovery Act relates to construction. The HVAC would be considered a supply item; and therefore, all the parts would not have to be certified as ‘Made in the USA’. |
| 4/18/2009 2:54:00 AM | scope, eligibility, contracting, subgrants | RE: Local Preference re: Contracts | The EECBG guidance says, to the maximum extent practical, contracts should be fixed-price using competitive procedures. The City of Boise has a local preference ordinance to encourage doing business locally. Any counsel on whether that is copasetic with this EECBG program? Many thanks for your help. | It is acceptable to follow your established local procedures. Please also refer to 10 CFR 600.236 and .237 regarding procurement and subgranting. |
| 4/18/2009 2:54:00 AM | application process, scope, jobs | RE: Inventory of Required Contract Provisions | The rules and guidance governing the contract process for the EECBG funds can be difficult to interpret and in some instances perhaps not yet developed. It appears that a standard fixed price bid process will work, that Davis-Bacon requirements do apply, and that some other special contract provisions are required, but those specifics are not to be found. Is a summary available anywhere to help us comply with all rules and requirements? Thanks for your assistance. | Unfortunately, there is not a summary in one central location. Most helpful might be the Recovery Act Special Terms and Conditions at this site: http://management.energy.gov/documents/ARRAFATermsandConditions.pdf As well as the cost principles contained in 10 CFR 600.200 http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=60c498bc806bda434e024c24cebf7310&rgn=div6&view=text&node=10:4.0.1.3.9.3&idno=10 |
| 4/18/2009 2:55:00 AM | projects - efficiency, projects - transportation, eligibility, projects - construction / buildings | RE: Eligible Projects? | Are the following projects eligible under Energy Efficiency Retrofits - roof replacements for police, library and court buildings; window, furnace and/or boiler replacements in City buildings; sanitary sewer lift station pump replacements? Traffic Signals & Street Lighting - Replacement of City-owned street and parking lot lights with LED's? Development of Transportation Programs - Installation of sidewalks in City right-of-way where there currently are none; installation of new bike/pedestrian paths within City parks; replacement of existing fleet vehicles with alternative fuel vehicles? | The projects all seem appropriate under area 5 (retrofits), area 12 (traffic signals and lighting) and area 7 (transportation programs). |
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