2021-07-02-DCIP FY21 FFO QAs - Part 1 (006) FINAL.pdf

Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program (DCIP) Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) Notice

FY21 Questions and Answers – Part I July 2, 2021

A. DCIP Program

1. What are the three DCIP eligibility components?

Answer: There are three components with this program: 1) the eligibility of the proposer, 2) the eligibility of the proposed project (type and ownership), and 3) the eligibility of the proposal based on its tie to an eligible local military installation.

2. Is there any partial funding available?

Answer: No. All proposed projects must result in a complete, useable, and stand-alone project

3. As I understand only projects that cost a minimum of $250,000 are eligible for DCIP, correct?

Answer: No. The total project cost (Federal and non-Federal award combined) under this program may not exceed $20 million nor be less than $250,000. So, a $250,000 award is the minimum grant amount allowed.

4. Are there dollars set aside for the different priorities? Or will the dollars only get allocated to priority 2 and 3 if they don't get allocated during priority 1?

Answer: No. There are no set-asides. The Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act prioritizes military value enhancements, followed by enhancements for military installation resilience, and military family quality of life (in that order) for this year’s program. The Defense Community Infrastructure Program review panel will score all proposals against the Selection Criteria identified in the Federal Funding Opportunity, which reflects the prioritization of DCIP enhancements as directed by Congress. Based on application of that scoring criteria, a final ranked listing will be provided to either the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Sustainment) or the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Energy, Installations and Environment), if confirmed at that time, for approval. Once approved, the listing will be provided to the Director, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, to invite of a formal grant application on or about August 13, 2021, and award funding consistent with the ranked proposals on or about September 16, 2021.

5. What is the grant application? Is it a formal paperwork item, or a rewritten, updated proposal that must be completed in two weeks?

Answer: A grant application is processed through Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation’s grants’ portal and contains Standard Forms 424, 424C, and other certifications prepared by the applicant. Most of the project information will be extracted from the successful applicant’s proposal. Those invited to apply will be assigned an Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation project manager who will assist you with this application.

6. What projects were awarded a DCIP Grant in FY20?

Answer: A list of FY20 Grant Awardees can be found at: https://oldcc.gov/defense-community-infrastructure-program-dcip.

7. Do you anticipate the average funding level of projects to be about the same this year to be competitive?

Answer: All eligible proposals submitted under the $20 million ceiling and above the $250,000 floor will be impartially ranked against the selection criteria. (Reference: DCIP FFO, Section D- Proposal Submission Information and Section E- Application Review Information).

8. Will the June 2nd DCIP Webinar be recorded or made available post-event to those who weren't able to view it live?

Answer: Yes, please visit https://oldcc.gov/defense-community-infrastructure-program-dcip to access the webinar recording.

9. Last year there seemed to be a funding focus on recreation-based projects. Will there be a focus on certain types of projects this year?

Answer: The Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act altered the Fiscal Year 2020 Defense Community Infrastructure Program prioritization that had favored military quality of lift projects. As specified in the Fiscal Year 2021 Federal Funding Opportunity, the Defense Community Infrastructure Program prioritizes military value enhancements, followed by enhancements for military installation resilience, and military family quality of life (in that order) for this year’s program. Most projects will likely reflect some combination of attributes that will enhance: (i) military value; (ii) military installation resilience; and/or, (iii) military family quality of life (including whether the impact of the community on alleviating installation commuter workforce issues and the benefit of schools or other infrastructure local infrastructure located off of a military installation that will support members of the armed forces and their dependents residing in the community) at a military installation.

10. Will all proposals which meet the DCIP requirements be funded?

Answer: Not necessarily. Proposals will be invited to apply for a grant in the order of their competitive ranking until the entire $60 million appropriation is accounted for and then obligated.

11. Last year several DCIP projects funded STEM/STEAM and community/recreation center projects. Is there a preference for projects like these, instead of utility projects (water/wastewater) that support the military installation?

Answer: The Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act prioritized military value enhancements, followed by enhancements for military installation resilience, and military family quality of life (in that order) for this year’s program. Most projects will likely reflect some combination of attributes that will enhance: (i) military value; (ii) military installation resilience;

and/or, (iii) military family quality of life at a military installation.

12. In the timeline slide it shows that the funds will be awarded and funding obligated Sept 16-23, 2021. When will the actual funds be available for use?

Answer: Funds will be obligated by September 30, 2021, for the final selected projects through a counter-signed grant award, and are available at that time pending completion of any special conditions incorporated into the grant agreement.

13. Can an applicant submit multiple DCIP grant proposals for different DCIP projects, or is there a limit on the number of proposals an eligible entity can submit (assuming they have the installation endorsement)?

Answer: Proposers may submit more than one proposal and there is no limit. However, installation commanders are requested to articulate their priorities in the required local commander endorsement letter that must accompany each submitted proposal.

14. Does the proposal require a local installation endorsement letter, and a statement regarding the installation’s willingness to support the local community’s execution of the project (including the possible technical review of required National Environmental Policy Act environmental planning documents for the proposed project)?

Answer: Yes, this program requires an endorsement letter from the local installation commander and the installation’s cooperation with the eligible non-Federal entity. Military installations have a role in supporting the National Environmental Policy Act technical sufficiency review. The DCIP Commander Endorsement Letter should:

• Describe how does this project rank (#1 priority project) compared to other installation/community priorities.

• Acknowledge the installation is prepared to support the National Environmental Policy Act process and other aspects of the project.

• Explain how these enhancements will support the installation and what the impacts are without.

• Consider speaking to what the installation (and community) has done to support this enhancement; cite other funding avenues or other programs of assistance which have been used or investigated.

B. Supplement not Supplant

15. Is US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Financing considered Federal Funding?

Answer: Potentially, yes, with the exception of USDA discretionary loan programs. DCIP Federal funding may supplement but cannot substitute for or otherwise supplant other available Federal funds that are available for the proposed project.

16. If a project (access road) is currently being submitted under DAR does it still qualify for the

DCIP program?

Answer: No. Projects currently submitted for Defense Access Roads (DAR) funding prioritization are not eligible for Defense Community Infrastructure Program funding.

17. The language in the Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) (also referred to as a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)) prohibiting funds being supplanted - does that only pertain to Federal funds or does this program also prohibit supplanting local funds?

Answer: Defense Community Infrastructure Program Federal funding may not supplant other Federal funds that are available for the proposed project. This prohibition is not applicable to local, non-Federal funding under this program. Supplanting of funds occurs when DCIP Federal funding is provided instead of other Federal funding that is otherwise available for that project.

18. Are there any restrictions for the Department of Defense Federal funding to be matched by a State grant agreement?

Answer: With the exception of rural areas (defined as “a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of not more than 100,000 inhabitants), Federal funds under this program must be matched through non-Federal sources that provide not less than 30% of project funding, provided by state and local government and other third party sources. Proposers are strongly encouraged to confirm by referencing Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations part 200, subpart E, Cost Principles, that contemplated match funding sources are allowable as a match on a Federal grant.

19. Can DCIP Federal funding be used to match other partially Federally funded projects?

Answer: DCIP funds cannot be used as match for other Federal programs.

C. Project Location (on/off Federal property)

20. The FY21 DCIP Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) says a DCIP funded building cannot be built on Federal Land. The project we’re currently exploring would leverage the Enhanced Use Lease project that will give a developer a 50-year lease to develop a building outside the military installation fence line but it’s technically still on Federal Land. Is this a non-starter?

Answer: It is not eligible. Eligible activities include only hard construction and renovation costs outside of local installation property (defined as property not owned by or leased from the local installation or any component of the Department of Defense).

21. Is the termination of a fiber trunk line project just on the military installation allowed or is it a disqualifying factor?

Answer: DCIP funds are prohibited from being spent on any costs that are on installation-owned property.

22. If a local government has a long-term lease over Federal property would that local government be eligible to apply for funding?

Answer: Activities on property leased from any component of the Department of Defense is not eligible.

23. Can the community get a Real Estate Agreement for Property between the base and community to maintain and operate?

Answer: The project must be owned (fee simple) by a State or local government or a not-for-profit, member-owned utility service and be located off of a military installation (i.e., Federal property under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department).

D. Eligible Projects

24. Can Phase II of a project which is under Phase I construction possibly be eligible if funding has not been secured for Phase II?

Answer: Each phase or project would be considered on its own merits. A second phase to an existing project might be eligible given that it is severable from the first, not included in the scope of phase I, nor contingent on any subsequent phased projects.

25. Would a project supporting alternative transportation modes (bike/pedestrian facilities) be eligible?

Answer: Eligible community infrastructure projects include any complete and useable transportation project that support a military installation

26. Would a proposal partnering with a not-for-profit public transit operator to expand mass transit routes through new buses or expanded frequency that would benefit the installation be an eligible activity?

Answer: Eligible community infrastructure projects include any complete and useable transportation project that support a military installation

27. If you are adding to a school does it have to be a separate building or can it be an expansion?

Answer: An expansion could work but the project needs to be a complete and usable project.

28. Can a road improvement construction project be phased? For example, award and construct one phase then bid award the second phase after the first phase is completed.

Answer: Projects can be phased as long as any one proposed portion of phase meets the requirements of the DCIP Federal Funding Opportunity and the finished project is complete and useable.

29. Could a new, off-base solar farm with energy production to be shared between the host town and military installation be eligible as a proposal?

Answer: Yes, proposers are specifically encouraged to highlight how / whether the project proposed supports broader efforts towards minimizing potential interruptions to the mission, including energy resiliency and other efforts to better sustain the local mission. However, the title for improvements funded with Defense Community Infrastructure Program funding will vest with the grantee, which must be one entity only.

30. Can DCIP funding be used for habitat restoration and/or public access if it enhances ‘quality of life’ or ‘installation resilience’?

Answer: Yes, potentially, assuming the proposal meets the eligibility requirements found in Section C of the DCIP Federal Funding Opportunity.

31. Are OCONUS military installations eligible to apply for DCIP grants?

Answer: Eligible projects must be located within any of the States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or Guam.

32. Is cybersecurity considered infrastructure and an eligible project?

Answer: Eligible activities include only hard construction and renovation costs outside of local installation property (defined as property not owned by the local installation or any component of the Department of Defense).

33. Would a project which hasn't entered design phase by the proposal deadline be eligible for DCIP?

Answer: Proposals need to evidence that they are or will be able to break ground within 12 months of award, including the completion of all final design and regulatory permitting.

34. Our project is currently under final design and is currently scheduled to be bid in April of 2022 but may not be fully under contract by the proposed deadline for under construction but should be under contract and ready to begin before the end of FY 2022. Is there any flexibility on the 12-month timeline or the definition of under construction? We have seen some delays in the Federal agencies ability to meet current projected timelines for our final design due to COVID-19.

Answer: There is no flexibility on this requirement. “Construction ready” means that the proposed project development schedule must demonstrate the ability to commence construction or disturb the ground within twelve (12) months of funding, including necessary final design and planning, development of bid solicitation documentation, completed Federal and state / local environmental planning, site control, and completed permitting actions. The standard does not require and the applicant have all permits in hand; however, construction on the project must commence within twelve (12) months of grant award.

35. Would the relocation of a publicly owned Fair Grounds in a military potential accident zone and the expansion/improvement of a major highway adjacent to the military installation that is essential for travel to and from the installation be eligible?

Answer: Eligible community infrastructure projects are any complete and useable transportation project, school, hospital, police, fire, emergency response, or other community support facility; or water, wastewater, telecommunications, electric, gas, or other utility infrastructure project. Care should be taken to focus on the delivery of built enhancements or infrastructure.

36. Can you lease a building as part of the grant?

Answer: Only for the construction period, if needed, otherwise the focus of the DCIP program is on hard construction.

37. Please confirm these grants can be used to construct schools that support Department of Defense students off post.

Answer: Eligible projects may include off base schools that support the military installation.

38. Can existing facilities that require interior finishing qualify for DCIP? And if so, how would

National Environmental Policy Act apply? Thanks

Answer: Yes, potentially. However, the “finishing” activities proposed would need to meet the definition of “construction” as used in the Federal Funding Opportunity. The purchase of non-fixed assets is not eligible for Defense Community Infrastructure Program funding. All projects must meet the criteria outlined in the Defense Community Infrastructure Program Federal Funding Opportunity including compliance with National Environmental Policy Act prior to commencing any ground-disturbing activity under the Defense Community Infrastructure Program grant scope.

39. Does "construction ready" mean all permits in hand?

Answer: No, not necessarily. “Construction ready” means that the proposed project development schedule must demonstrate the ability to commence construction or disturb the ground within twelve (12) months of funding, including necessary final design and planning, development of bid solicitation documentation, completed Federal and state / local environmental planning, site control, and completed permitting actions. The standard does not require and the applicant have all permits in hand; however, construction on the project must commence within twelve (12) months of grant award.

40. If an existing structure is on the building site and it is slated to be demolished within the 12-month shovel ready time frame, does that demolition count as the project being shovel ready?

Answer: Potentially—if the demolition was included as part of the scope of the Defense Community Infrastructure Program project. All activities and costs identified as part of either the non-Federal or the Federal award are treated the same under the grant terms and conditions.

Accordingly, if the costs for demolition are included either as part of the non-Federal or the Federal portion of the award, those activities would count towards the project being shovel ready—but would also need comply with all other grant terms and conditions, such as compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

41. If we have started the Design/Build down-select process but do not yet have final design, will that hurt our likelihood of being awarded?

Answer: Potentially, but only in comparison to other equal proposals that demonstrate completion of final design. Criterion c) of the Defense Community Infrastructure Program Federal Funding Opportunity requests evidence of immediate construction-readiness against the following six factors the Defense Community Infrastructure Program review panel will assign points for:

1. Final design and planning;

2. Development of bid solicitation documentation;

3. Federal and state/local environmental planning;

4. Site control;

5. Confirmation that non-Federal project funding is firmly committed and immediately available for expensing; and,

6. Local permitting actions. (Reference: DCIP FFO E.1.C)

42. What is acceptable proof/demonstration of "E. Project Engineering Information: A demonstration of the technical feasibility of the construction project? Would this be in narrative form or something else?

Answer: A proper demonstration of technical feasibility includes narrative or other supporting information to allow the proposal review team to conclude the project is technically constructible, sufficiently scoped, and can be accomplished in accordance with the cost and schedule presented.

43. If a project is developed in various stages and one of the phases will be "shovel ready" in accordance with the timeline but the entire project construction spans five years or more, is that phase eligible as a standalone project or is the whole entire project considered in determining eligibility?

Answer: Proposals may be for specific phases of a project. However, any phase must yield a severable, complete, and usable project.

44. Regarding "construction ready" evidence - will photos of ongoing construction suffice?

Answer: No, but photos can be included in the proposal. At a minimum, for the purposes of Section E., paragraph 1., criterion d) of the Defense Community Infrastructure Program Federal Funding Opportunity, respondents should include written affirmation that the proposed project meets the construction-ready standards identified in the DCIP Federal Funding Opportunity.

45. How far along in the planning process must an applicant be before submitting a proposal? Would construction/building schematics/site plans and environmental analysis/review be required as part of the submission process?

Answer: There is no requirement to have plans, schematics or environmental documents submitted with the proposal; however, there are a couple of items to consider. Construction must commence within 12 months of the grant award and be completed within five years.

Documentation such as an explanation of the technical feasibility of the project, the project development schedule, and the third-party cost estimate usually requires some planning. That noted, a complete design is not required.

E. Eligible Proposers

46. Would an institution of higher education be eligible to apply for the program?

Answer: A public college or university may be an instrumentality of state government and therefore an eligible entity.

47. Is an Economic Development Authority an eligible "local government" entity?

Answer: Potentially. Eligible proposers include state or local governments and not-for-profit, member-owned utility services owning infrastructure outside of, but supporting, a military installation. In some situations, local development authorities are entities of local government and in other situations, they are not. Proposers must verify this status on a case-by-case basis. Entities other than these may partner with an eligible entity for project proposals.

48. We, an NGO (not a utility), are proposing a bridge replacement project outside of an installation.

Once built, the bridge will become the property of the county. Who do we need to partner with to be compliant with the terms of this opportunity?

Answer: Eligible proposers include state or local governments and not-for-profit, member-owned utility services owning infrastructure outside of, but supporting, a military installation. Entities other than these may partner with an eligible entity for project proposals.

49. Are public school districts eligible to apply?

Answer: Yes. However, school construction projects cannot be for public schools on military installations, and must provide military quality of life benefits to an identified military installation as defined in 10 USC 2391(e).

50. Are all member-based non-profits eligible – or only utilities?

Answer: Not-for-profit, member-owned utility services owning infrastructure are eligible entities.

This may include utility cooperatives. However, entities other than those identified as eligible to receive direct funding under this notice may partner with an eligible entity for project proposals.

51. If State Government applies on our behalf could it be through a Natural Resource Agency?

Answer: Yes, potentially, assuming the Natural Resource Agency is a state or local governments and not-for-profit, member-owned utility services owning infrastructure outside of, but supporting, a military installation. Entities other than those identified above as eligible to receive direct funding under this notice may partner with an eligible entity for project proposals.

52. If local government applied on our behalf would it be through a supervisor’s office?

Answer: Eligible proposers include state or local governments and not-for-profit, member-owned utility services owning infrastructure outside of, but supporting, a military installation. Entities other than those identified above as eligible to receive direct funding under this notice may partner with an eligible entity for project proposals. Proposers must ensure they are authorized to submit a Federal grant application on behalf of the proposing entity. If that authorized entity is a “supervisor’s office,” then, yes, it could be through that office.

F. Non-Federal Match

53. Does a larger non-Federal cost match have any impact on project ranking/prioritization?

Answer: No.

54. [Are] the $20 million ceiling and the $250,000 floor values total project cost or only the Federal amount?

Answer: They refer to the value of the Federal award, not the total project cost (which will be equal to or greater than the Federal award + the minimum 30% non-Federal match except in certain cases involving rural areas with a population of not more than 100,000 inhabitants. .

55. Regarding what counts towards the 30% match: will the waiving of rent money for the built-out space count as a portion of the 30% matching requirement? This would be for the entire 5-year time period for the space.

Answer: No. Rent funding or forbearance is not an eligible component of the non-Federal match for a DCIP construction proposal

56. We have several cities surrounding our military installation. If a specific city submits a project and their population is less than 100,000 will they be exempt from the local match? Or will the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation consider the total population surrounding an installation?

Answer: The location of the project, not the proposing entity’s location, determines whether the proposal is required to provide match funding. A match is not requires if the project is in a rural location (under 100,000) or located within a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) with a population under 100,000.

57. Must local match be appropriated by September 23 after August 13 notification? This can be challenging based on public process timelines.

Answer: No. Evidence of the availability of all non-Federal match funding, among other grant terms and conditions, is required prior to the disbursement of Federal award funding. However, evidence of the immediate availability of non-Federal match funding is a basis for scoring under criterion c) of the Defense Community Infrastructure Program Federal Funding Opportunity.

58. Is there a "matching funds" requirement?

Answer: Yes. Proposed projects in non-rural areas must agree to contribute not less than 30% of the total funding for the proposed project. Proposed projects in rural areas, defined to include a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of not more than 100,000 inhabitants, are not required to provide match funding. Project areas asserting rural eligibility must state explicitly in their proposal their status as a rural project area. Projects may be eligible for a match funding waiver on the basis of national security needs or importance. In such instances, the proposer must assert in their proposal the basis for this waiver, including a signed statement from the cognizant Military Department Secretary (or if one is not confirmed, the Acting Military Department Secretary) attesting to the national security need / importance of the proposed project.

59. Can local funds (non-Federal money) already expended on a construction project be considered as matching contribution?

Answer: All costs must have been incurred and expended after the enactment of the John S.

McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, August 13, 2018, and be reasonable, allowable, and allocable to the proposed project.

60. For the required match, are we allowed to use State and Local funding?

Answer: Yes, match can come from a combination of sources. For information on cost sharing or matching and how to structure inclusion of these in a proposal, please refer to 2 CFR 200.306.

61. For the 30% Match Requirement, can a Combination of State and Local funding be used?

Answer: Yes, Match can come from a combination of sources. For information on cost sharing or matching and how to structure inclusion of these in a proposal, please refer to 2 CFR 200.306.

62. How does the matching portion impact selection? In other words, does a grant requester get more "points" if they contribute more than 30%?

Answer: No. The amount of the match in excess of the 30% required or lack of a match for rural communities will not impact the scoring of the Fiscal Year 2021 Defense Community Infrastructure Program proposals.

63. Are there any issues if an installation commits funding from Facilities Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization (SRM), Operation and Maintenance (OMA), or in-kind contributions as part of non-Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant Program (DEAAG) funding cost share?

Answer: Defense Community Infrastructure Program Federal funding may supplement but cannot substitute for or otherwise supplant other Federal funds that are available for the proposed project.

Supplementing funding means working in coordination with or in addition to other funding, and supplanting funding means funding provided from a different Federal source otherwise available for that project that is now not being used in lieu of Defense Community Infrastructure Program funding. For instructions on cost sharing or matching and how to structure inclusion of these in a proposal, please refer to Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200 (2 CFR 200);

specifically, 2 CFR 200.306.

G. Military Value

64. Why are you using military value scores from the Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) 2005 report, won’t some of that data be out of date?

Answer: The Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act directed the Department of Defense to consider the military value scores from the 2005 BRAC report in developing criteria for this year’s DCIP competition. No more recent military value data has been released to the public and is readily transparent for all to view.

65. Will a project score better if it primarily improves Military Value and also improves to a lesser degree Resiliency and/or Quality of Life?

Answer: Yes, potentially. However, the final scoring of proposals is based on a number of considerations based on the selection criteria in the Federal Funding Opportunity.

66. What happens if the military value of a military installation was not established under BRAC 2005?

Answer: The local installation would receive 5 out of 25 points for criterion a) if it is not listed in the BRAC 2005 report.

67. How will joint bases be treated for military value?

Answer: In the case where a military installation has either changed names or become a joint base, the proposal should clearly indicate to which local installation as named in the BRAC 2005 report is most directly receiving the enhancement benefit. The score for criterion a) will be based on the identified local installation’s BRAC 2005 military value ranking. In the case where more than one installation will benefit from the proposed enhancement, the local installation with the highest quartile placement will be used to determine the score for criterion a).

68. How will National Guard bases be considered for military value if they are not listed in the BRAC 2005 report?

Answer: A National Guard base that meets the definition of a military installation as defined in the DCIP FFO is eligible to receive the benefit of a DCIP project enhancement. If a National Guard base does not have a BRAC 2005 Report military value score based on a Military Department or Joint-Cross Service product that proposal would receive 5 points for criterion a).

69. Do you have an example of a funded project that was considered under military value enhancement?

Answer: No, the military value criteria have been revised for FY21 and no military value projects were previously funded.

70. Military value has changed for one of our facilities since the BRAC. It was proposed to be closed but is now expanding and has been for several years. If we can publicly document this would it be considered?

Answer: No, The BRAC 2005 Report is the only widely accepted document in the public domain to which military value scores will be used to evaluate FY21 DCIP proposals.

71. Our community supports two installations. If they are in different quartiles, how would that be scored?

Answer: The proposal must clearly indicate which installation will benefit from the enhancement.

In the case where more than one installation will benefit from the proposed enhancement the local installation with the highest quartile placement will be utilized to determine the score for criterion a).

72. What happens when an installation is ranked differently on more than one table from a particular service? Which quartile ranking would govern for military value?

Answer: The BRAC 2005 military value table showing the installation's highest quartile placement will be used to assess the score for criterion a).

73. The BRAC 2005 report is daunting. We don't see our local installation name listed in the BRAC

2005 report. Is there some other place for us to look to help me determine what our military value is or how it will be scored?

Answer: If the local installation is not listed it may be because it was previously part of a base realignment or closure, changed name, or is not a military installation. If the military installation is not listed a proposal from an eligible entity would receive 5 of 25 points for criterion a). In the case where a military installation has either changed names or become a joint base, the proposal should clearly indicate to which local installation as named in the BRAC 2005 report is most directly receiving the enhancement benefit. The score for criterion a) will be based on the identified local installation’s BRAC 2005 military value ranking. In the case where more than one installation will benefit from the proposed enhancement, the local installation with the highest quartile placement will be used to determine the score for criterion a).

74. Will sites associated with the main site have the same military value?

Answer: Typically, yes. However, the relationship must clearly be indicated in the proposal. The military value score for criterion a) is based on the local installation that will receive the benefit of the enhancement.

75. The link to the military value tables is a 378-page document. Are there specific tables we should pay attention to within this document and can you point us to the relevant sections?

Answer: The sections that pertain to the local installation is where to start. The tables are broken down by service or joint cross-service groups. The table where the local installation is ranked the highest is the one to pay attention to. The BRAC 2005 military value table showing the installation's highest quartile placement will be used to assess the score for criterion a).

76. What if your base has a different name now?

Answer: Explain the situation in the proposal, clearly explained what the name of the installation was and list how it is listed in the BRAC 2005 report.

77. Is the point system for military value posted somewhere? I have seen the BRAC 2005 military value documents but is there somewhere the points for criterion a) documented?

Answer: For criterion a) points will be awarded as follows:

25 points - The facility proposed to benefit from the investment is in the top 25% for military value based on the BRAC 2005 report 20 points - The facility proposed to benefit from the investment is in the top 50% for military value based on the BRAC 2005 report 15 points - The facility proposed to benefit from the investment is in the top 75% for military value based on the BRAC 2005 report 10 points - The facility proposed to benefit from the investment is lower than the bottom 25% for military value based on the BRAC 2005 report 5 points - The facility proposed to benefit from the investment does not have a military value score based on the BRAC 2005 report

78. We attempted to look up the military value of <insert local installation> and found a number of scores for different aspects of the base. How do we determine the overall value?

Answer: The BRAC 2005 military value table showing the installation's highest quartile placement will be used to assess the score for criterion a).

79. Will OLDCC provide a table or a summary list of military value scores for all installations?

Answer: No, only the BRAC 2005 report will be used to assess the military value of the local installations and assist the review panel in scoring criterion a). There are multiple tables but there will be no comparison made between tables or the values that are listed. Only the placement of the local installation compared to other installations within the particular table will determine the quartile ranking.

80. The Air Force tables are listed alphabetically and are difficult to sort, is there a cheat sheet we can use to determine what quartile the AF installations are in, similar to how the Army laid out their military value rankings?

Answer: No. There won’t be any additional support documents that combine information from the BRAC 2005 report. All military value assessments will be made using publicly available information. Criterion a) will be scored and verified by DCIP review panel.

81. Is there a difference between the Military Value of an installation as listed in criterion a) and the

Military Value of an enhancement or project as listed in criterion b)?

Answer: Yes, there is a difference as follows:

The Military Value of an Installation comes from the final selection criteria for BRAC 2005 (69 FR 6948, February 12, 2004).

Military Value

1. The current and future mission capabilities and the impact on operational readiness of the Department of Defense’s total force, including the impact on joint warfighting, training, and readiness.

2. The availability and condition of land, facilities and associated airspace (including training areas suitable for maneuver by ground, naval, or air forces throughout a diversity of climate and terrain areas and staging areas for the use of the Armed Forces in homeland defense missions) at both existing and potential receiving locations.

3. The ability to accommodate contingency, mobilization, and future total force requirements at both existing and potential receiving locations to support operations and training.

4. The cost of operations and the manpower implications.

Other Considerations

5. The extent and timing of potential costs and savings, including the number of years, beginning with the date of completion of the closure or realignment, for the savings to exceed the costs.

6. The economic impact on existing communities in the vicinity of military installations.

7. The ability of both the existing and potential receiving communities’ infrastructure to support forces, missions, and personnel.

8. The environmental impact, including the impact of costs related to potential environmental restoration, waste management, and environmental compliance activities.

The Military Value prioritization of the enhancement or project to the extent to which a proposed project enhances Military Value comes Section 3002 of the Military Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002. (PL 107-107—December 28, 2001, 115 STAT. 1344) Section 2913, selection criteria for BRAC 2005 Round

(1) through preservation of training areas suitable for maneuver by ground, naval, or air forces to guarantee future availability of such areas to ensure the readiness of the Armed Forces,

(2) through preservation of military installations in the United States as staging areas for the use of the Armed Forces in homeland defense missions,

(3) through preservation of military installations throughout a diversity of climate and terrain areas in the United States for training purposes,

(4) based on the impact on joint warfighting, training and readiness, and/or

(5) based on contingency, mobilization, and future total force requirements at both existing and potential receiving locations to support operations and training

H. General

82. An eligible entity plans to use their own workforce for roughly 50% of the project and contract 50% of the project out. I would assume the current labor pay rate for the eligible entity would be acceptable to Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation?

Answer: Generally, yes. Established labor rates would be acceptable subject to verification.

Grantees are required to clearly document direct and fringe benefit rates.

83. Are there any maximum pay rates for in house construction or engineering work?

Answer: Yes. It is the GS-15 Step 10, which corresponds to the Federal maximum rate.

84. What are the procurement standard thresholds for non-Federal entities?

Answer: Applicants will need to be familiar with Federal procurement processes as detailed in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 200 (2 CFR 200). Communities are expected to select their professional service teams in accordance with these Federal standards. These are the procurement standard thresholds for informal and formal procurement methods (2 CFR 200.320) as well as compliance with state procurement guidance (2 CFR 200.317):

1) Micro-purchase threshold (less than to $10,000),

2) Federal simplified acquisition threshold (formerly known as the Federal small purchase threshold) (less than $250,000),

3) Sealed bids purchases (more than $250,000),

4) Proposals (more than $250,000), and

5) Non-competitive procurement; however, non-competitive procurement is generally not permitted under Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation grants.

85. The proposer anticipates utilizing a local Governmental organization to assist with National

Environmental Policy Act Environmental review compliance, Labor standards compliance, procurement compliance, administrative compliance, and report generation. Does the local Governmental organization need to be procured if DCIP grant funds are being used to pay for those services? Could the Local Government organization be added as a sub-recipient on the project and not need procurement?

Answer: DCIP funds cannot be used for planning and design. However, planning and design contributions may be considered as part of the applicant’s match. If the applicant decides to include this scope as part of the grant for the purpose of match, then these services can be obtained through procurement in accordance with 2 CFR 200.

86. Most of the engineering will be completed in house; however, some aspects of final design will be contracted out to licensed Engineers. Can engineering procurement take place after the grant application is submitted? Does the procurement need to be completed before application submission?

Answer: Yes, procurements can take place after grant award. However, “soft costs” such as engineering, planning and design cost are only eligible towards the project match. Also, the proposal would need to demonstrate the ability to break ground within one year. So, a proposal that has not commenced design may not be looked at as favorably as a comparable proposal where the design is complete.

87. Does the Military Installation Resilience (MIR) Program still exist or has MIR grant funding been absorbed under this program?

Answer: The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation MIR program still exists and is within the Military Installation Sustainability Program. This program encompasses the previous

Compatible Use / Joint Land Use Study program as well as the recently-authorized Installation Resiliency Authority. These programs are separate and independent from DCIP.

88. Where can I find information on Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation General

Terms and Condition, Program Specific Terms and Conditions and National Policy Requirements?

Answer: This information can be found on the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation Website. Interested parties should also be familiar with 2 CFR 200.

89. Can you speak to Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation's coordination with other

Federal Agencies and whether DCIP applicants should pursue joint proposals along with their NGO/state partners?

Answer: The Defense Community Infrastructure Program is wholly a Department of Defense grant program; therefore, there is no requirement to coordinate with other Federal agencies in the execution of this program. Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation does not have a position on applicants pursuing joint proposals with other NGO/state partners.

90. Is the grant funding firm and fixed to include construction as well as planning and design?

Answer: Grant awards are for a fixed amount. Any cost increases are the responsibility of the Grantee. Note that grant funds may only be used for hard construction costs. Soft planning costs required for the planning, design and execution of the proposed project are allowable as a source for non-Federal match only.

91. Is National Environmental Policy Act required for construction projects? Or will California

Environmental Quality Act (state permitting) suffice? Can it be part of the implementation statement of work proposed?

Answer: National Environmental Policy Act compliance is required for construction grants under this announcement. For those projects in states with their own environmental requirements, those requirements must also be satisfied, usually prior to the disturbance of the ground. National Environmental Policy Act can be part of the implementation statement of work; however, “soft” project planning and design costs—including environmental planning costs—are only eligible towards the project match, and projects must commence construction within 12 months of award.

92. Are engineering fees eligible for Federal funding under this program?

Answer: No. Engineering fees would fall under soft costs, which are only eligible as a non- Federal match cost.

93. Could you elaborate more on the administration and inspection costs that are eligible for Federal funding? We were thinking those tasks would be given to the engineer.

Answer: Eligible costs include, but are not limited to, project administration, inspection, construction, utilities, and contingency costs required to execute the project. However, soft planning costs required for the planning, design and execution of the proposed project are allowable as a source for non-Federal match. “Post planning” administration and inspection costs would be eligible for DCIP funding. “Planning and design” administration and inspection costs would only be allowable towards match.

94. What does Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation expect the grantee and the associated installation to do to assure National Environmental Policy Act compliance?

Answer: As the Federal granting agency for the project, the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation is responsible for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act for construction projects for which its funds are granted. To accomplish this, the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation requires that the grantee conduct the appropriate level of environmental review and analysis to support an Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation final National Environmental Policy Act determination. For example, for projects to which a Categorical Exclusion applies, the grantee supplies the associated installation with sufficient information and analysis to generate a record of categorical exclusion signed by the installation. This allows the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation to adopt the installation’s categorical exclusion determination for its own final National Environmental Policy Act determination in accordance with 40 CFR § 1506.3.

Similarly, for projects that require an Environmental Assessment, the grantee obtains a letter from the associated installation noting that an installation environmental subject matter expert has reviewed the assessment and found it to be technically sufficient. This informs the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation's finding of no significant impact for the project, as appropriate, to finalize the National Environmental Policy Act determination for the project.

Please note that performing an environmental review and documenting a categorical exclusion can take 1-2 months, while conducting an environmental assessment from start to finish can take 4 to 6 months.

95. Would the military installation be the National Environmental Policy Act lead for the project?

Answer: No, the grantee is the National Environmental Policy Act lead and will work with the military installation, state and local officials (as required under law), and the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation on the process of affirming compliance with NEPA.

Ultimately, the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation Director will make the final National Environmental Policy Act determination.