2024-07-24_CNMP NOFO final.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Final Notice of Funding Opportunity

AGENCY: Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, Department of Defense

ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity Number OLDCC-24-F-0002

NOTICE: The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. 117-103) provides $75 million for this program to remain available until September 30, 2025.

SUMMARY: This Notice of Funding Opportunity announces the availability for State and local governments and Indian Tribes to obtain funding under the competitive Community Noise Mitigation Program through the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation to install noise mitigation insulation at covered facilities. To the extent practicable and as appropriate, the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation developed the selection criteria and other information to be consistent with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) policies and guidance associated with noise mitigation projects. This notice includes proposal requirements, the deadline for submitting proposals, and criteria that will be used to select proposal respondents that will have the opportunity to apply for a grant under this program.

The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation may award grants under this Notice to State and local governments and Indian Tribes for the purpose of reducing the impact of military fixed-wing aviation noise on “covered” facilities. Covered facilities include hospitals, daycare facilities, schools, facilities serving senior citizens, and private residences. These facilities must be located either within one (1) mile of a military installation or another location at which military aircraft are stationed (one mile is determined from the location’s outermost boundary), or within an area experiencing a day-night average sound level of 65 decibels or greater due to military fixed-wing aviation noise, based on documentation and analyses prepared in accordance with Department of Defense Instruction 4165.57, Air Installations Compatible Use Zones, the National Environmental Policy Act, or 14 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Part 150 (see resources at https://oldcc.gov/our-programs/community-noise-mitigation). Note: Under the statutory language, Congress instructed the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation to use the day-night average sound level (DNL) to qualify proposers for a grant. The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation recognizes that proposers in the State of California generally use the Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) and is working to address this issue with Congress for future grant funding rounds or programs.

Funding under this program requires a ten percent (10%) non-Federal project cost contribution from the proposer (Grantee). This funding can also be used to meet the Federal Aviation Administration’s non-Federal local match requirement associated with grants issued to airport sponsors under the Airport Improvement Program for noise mitigation with no additional non- Federal project cost contribution required.

Community Noise Mitigation Program

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In accordance with the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. 117-103), the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation shall coordinate with the Department of Transportation via the Federal Aviation Administration to minimize duplication of efforts with any other noise mitigation program compliant with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 150.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

a. Federal Awarding Agency: Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, Department of Defense.

b. Funding Opportunity Title: Community Noise Mitigation Program.

c. Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity.

d. Assistance Listing Number: 12.029.

e. Key Dates: The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation will hold two pre-proposal webinars at 3 p.m. EDT on August 14, 2024 and September 10, 2024 to review goals and objectives of this Notice of Funding Opportunity and answer questions from interested respondents. Details about participation in the pre-proposal webinars are available at the Community Noise Mitigation Program link (https://oldcc.gov/our-programs/community-noise-mitigation).

Complete proposals for Community Noise Mitigation Program grants must be submitted to the funding opportunity number on Grants.gov by 5 p.m. PDT on October 22, 2024 (the Proposal Deadline). After the Proposal Deadline is reached, the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation will screen proposals to ensure completeness and eligibility. Complete proposals from eligible entities will be referred to a Community Noise Mitigation Program Review Panel to evaluate against the criteria in Section E., paragraph 1. of this Notice. The Review Panel will submit a final proposal ranking to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment for approval. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment will return an approved list to the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation Director to invite a formal grant application in early December 2024. Once the application is approved and finalized, the Director will issue a grant award to the proposer (Grantee), which the Grantee must countersign. Generally, a Grantee will have five (5) years after the date of the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation award to expend the funds. If a Grantee is using the funds for non-Federal local match for grants issued by the Federal Aviation Administration under the Airport Improvement Program, the Grantee must fully execute an award with the Federal Aviation Administration within twelve (12) months of receiving a Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation award to ensure both that all Community Noise Mitigation Program grant funds are expended within five (5) years of award and all Federal Aviation Administration grant obligations are timely met. Any Grantee using Community Noise Mitigation Program funds for a Federal Aviation Administration match will agree to voluntarily terminate its Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation award if the requirement is not met.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This Notice identifies the criteria established for the selection of noise mitigation project(s) under the Community Noise Mitigation Program, which is intended to facilitate the installation of sound insulation in covered facilities. Through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. 117-103), $75 million in funding is available, with $56,250,000 allocated for funding at or near active-duty military installations and $18,750,000 allocated for funding at or near guard or reserve installations, of which $5 million shall be for grants to communities for which a nearby military installation has transitioned to a new type or model of aircraft after January 1, 2019. The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation must obligate these funds through a counter-signed grant agreement no later than close of business on September 30, 2025. The Generally, a Grantee will have five (5) years after the date of the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation award to expend the funds. If a Grantee is using the funds for non- Federal local match for grants issued by the Federal Aviation Administration under the Airport Improvement Program, the Grantee must fully execute an award with the Federal Aviation Administration within twelve (12) months of receiving a Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation award to ensure both that all Community Noise Mitigation Program grant funds are expended within five (5) years of award and all Federal Aviation Administration grant obligations are timely met. Any Grantee using Community Noise Mitigation Program funds for a Federal Aviation Administration match will agree to voluntarily terminate its Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation award if the requirement is not met. If all the funds are not awarded and obligated through this Notice of Funding Opportunity competition, the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation may reissue a Notice of Funding Opportunity for a second competition if sufficient time remains to obligate these remaining funds prior to September 30, 2025.

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

Proposals will be competitively scored by a Community Noise Mitigation Program Review Panel using the selection criteria provided in Section E., paragraph 1. of this Notice. The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation will only accept proposals through Grants.gov for funding through 5 p.m. PDT on October 22, 2024, (the Proposal Deadline). The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation will then invite successful respondents to complete a grant application on or about in early December 2024, based on their proposal’s ranking by the Community Noise Mitigation Program Review Panel. These applications will be invited in the order of the ranked proposals. If the program’s limited funding precludes an award sufficient to support the next project in order of ranking, the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation will invite the applicant with the next highest scoring project that can be supported with the funds that remain.

In the event an invited respondent is unable to submit a grant application, or if the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation determines that the invited respondent’s application materially differs from the proposal that was considered and ranked by the Review Panel, the next highest ranked respondent may be invited to submit a grant application based upon the availability of funds. To receive a grant award, an eligible proposer must submit both a successful proposal and a complete and acceptable grant application that are materially the same in project scope and status of environmental compliance and permits.

The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation will determine the final amount of each award. Final award amounts depend on the recommendation of the Community Noise Mitigation Program Review Panel, the availability of appropriations, and due diligence by the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation based on the provisions of 2 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in the review of an invited grant application, including consideration of the reasonableness, allowability, and allocability of the proposed funding.

All proposed projects must include a timeline with a demonstrated capacity to expend the funding and complete all proposed noise mitigation activities within a fifty-four (54) month maximum period of performance of the grant. If a Grantee is using the funds for non-Federal local match for grants issued by the Federal Aviation Administration under the Airport Improvement Program, the Grantee must fully execute an award with the Federal Aviation Administration within twelve (12) months of receiving a Community Noise Mitigation Program award to ensure both that all Community Noise Mitigation Program grant funds are expended within five (5) years of award and all Federal Aviation Administration grant obligations are timely met.

A completed project is one that can, within the period of performance:

Demonstrate it has attained a post-construction acoustical testing average room interior noise level below a day-night average sound level of 45 decibels within noise contour zones of day-night average sound level 65 – 75 decibels (subject to limitations on local building standards); or, For installations not located on a civil airport, demonstrate it has attained a post-construction acoustical testing average room interior noise level reduction of between 10

– 30 decibels within noise contour zones of day-night average sound level 75 decibels and above; or, When a guard or reserve component installation involves a military tenant or use at a civil airport, and Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation funding was used as the Grantee’s non-Federal local match to obtain a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration, the Grantee must provide evidence to the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation that they completed all required closeout documentation to the Federal Aviation Administration in accordance with FAA Order 5100.38D "Airport Improvement Program Handbook" for the grant issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Community Noise Mitigation Program Grantees will be subject to terms and conditions as specified by the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (available at https://oldcc.gov/grant-terms-and-conditions). Additional information about grant management and administration is available at https://oldcc.gov/grant-management-administration. Funding is limited, so project cost overruns are the responsibility of the Grantee. The Grantee’s ten percent (10%) non-Federal project cost contribution must be available for expending and under the control of the potential Grantee or otherwise integrated into the project implementation approach prior to proceeding with the project. Projects must be executed in accordance with an approved timeline submitted with the application and referenced in the grant agreement.

The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation may terminate an award for cause, including failure to comply with the approved timeline; noncompliance with other grant terms and conditions; or failure to obtain a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration under the Airport Improvement Program in instances where Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation funding is to be used to meet the Federal Aviation Administration’s non-Federal local match requirement.

All grants will be administered in accordance with 2 C.F.R. Part 200 and awards under this Notice will be issued in the form of a grant agreement, as described by Title 31 U.S. Code § 6304.

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Proposers The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation may award grants under this Notice to entities of State or local government as well as Indian Tribes. “State,” “local government,” and “Indian Tribe” are defined in 2 C.F.R. § 200.1. Sections 200.331-200.333 of 2 C.F.R. also prescribes how State and local governments and Indian Tribes that receive funding under the Community Noise Mitigation Program may act as pass-through entities. Proposals must be submitted by a State or local government or Indian Tribe on behalf of any proposed sub-recipient. An airport sponsor submitting a proposal must be owned by a State or local government or Indian Tribe to receive a Community Noise Mitigation Program grant.

The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation will accept proposals from any location meeting the eligibility criteria for the Community Noise Mitigation Program. If a proposer is requesting funds for properties that are noncontiguous, proposers should submit separate proposals. Noncontiguous means properties that are located in a different noise contour range as defined in Section G. of this notice. If a proposer is submitting multiple proposals for consideration, they must rank them by priority with one (1) being the highest priority. Each submitted prioritized proposal will be scored separately for funding consideration. To receive an award, an eligible proposer must submit both a successful proposal and an acceptable grant application.

2. Local Project Cost Share Contribution (Non-Federal) The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. 117-103), requires State or local government or Indian Tribe Grantees to contribute local project cost share (non-Federal project cost contribution) of not less than ten percent (10%) of the total requested grant amount.

Providing a non-Federal project cost contribution greater than ten percent (10%) does not impact scoring.

The non-Federal cost contribution may not count as a source of non-Federal match for other Federal project funding that may be used to fund the proposed noise mitigation project under this program. The ability to use other Federal funds as a source for non-Federal cost contribution for this program will be determined by the authority and appropriation providing those funds and whether the relevant grantor provides approval. All proposals that include other Federal funds as a funding match source must provide the effective date of the relevant Federal funding agreement. A selected Grantee must provide evidence that the Grantee’s non-Federal project cost contribution will be available within twelve (12) months of award.

In cases when the Grantee intends to use Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation funding to meet the non-Federal local match requirement to obtain a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration under the Airport Improvement Program, the ten percent (10%) local cost share under the Community Noise Mitigation Program is not required.

Expenses proposed as a source for the State or local government or Indian Tribe project cost contribution must be incurred and expended within the proposed project period of performance, commencing from the date of award, or no earlier than December 27, 2020, the date Congress first provided funding for the program, and no later than five (5) years after the grant award. If a Grantee is using the funds for non-Federal local match for grants issued by the Federal Aviation Administration under the Airport Improvement Program, the Grantee must fully execute an award with the Federal Aviation Administration within twelve (12) months of receiving a Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation award to ensure both that all Community Noise Mitigation Program grant funds are expended within five (5) years of award and all Federal Aviation Administration grant obligations are timely met. Any Grantee using Community Noise Mitigation Program funds for a Federal Aviation Administration match will agree to voluntarily terminate its Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation award if the requirement is not met.

3. Eligible Noise Mitigation Projects Projects are eligible for funding under the Community Noise Mitigation Program if they meet the following criteria:

are a “covered” facility, which includes hospitals, daycare facilities, schools, facilities serving senior citizens, and private residences;

are impacted by military fixed-wing aviation noise, meaning they are:

located within one (1) mile of a military installation or another location at which military aircraft are stationed or within a day-night average sound level of 65 decibels or greater of a military installation (Note. In these scenarios, the day-night average sound level is the only acceptable metric to demonstrate this criterion); or are located in an area impacted by military aviation noise within one (1) mile of a military installation or another location at which military aircraft are stationed or within a day-night average sound level of 65 decibels or greater (Note. In these scenarios, the day-night average sound level is the only acceptable metric to demonstrate this criterion);

demonstrate military fixed-wing aviation noise impacts based on documentation and analyses prepared in accordance with Department of Defense Instruction 4165.57 Air Installation Compatible Use Zones, the National Environmental Policy Act, or 14 C.F.R Part 150:

for Department of Defense locations, have a current Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ) study or noise contours from a National Environmental Policy Act document. Department of Defense Air Installation Compatible Use Zone Studies older than five (5) years require validation (in writing) by the military installation commander that they are representative of current operations;

for civil airport locations with a military use or tenant, including guard and reserve installations, have a current Noise Exposure Map (NEM) or noise contours from a National Environmental Policy Act document. Airport Noise Exposure Maps older than five (5) years require validation (in writing) by the airport sponsor that they are representative of current operations;

are located where work has not yet commenced, unless the Grantee intends to use Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation funding to meet the non-Federal local match requirement to obtain a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration under the Airport Improvement Program; and, are construction ready.

Refer to Section D of this Notice for additional project eligibility information.

Construction ready means proposals must demonstrate that a project is ready to commence within twelve (12) months of award and be completed within a fifty-four (54) month period of performance. If a Grantee is using the funds for non-Federal local match for grants issued by the Federal Aviation Administration under the Airport Improvement Program, the Grantee must fully execute an award with the Federal Aviation Administration within twelve (12) months of receiving a Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation award to ensure both that all Community Noise Mitigation Program grant funds are expended within five (5) years of award and all Federal Aviation Administration grant obligations are timely met. Documentation should include, or provide the status of, letters of commitment from relevant stakeholders (e.g., status of structure owner participation agreements), pre-construction acoustical testing results for 10% sampling of similar facilities, design and cost estimates, procurement procedures, a project timeline outlining receipt of Federal Aviation Administration financial assistance (if relevant), the status of federal and state/local environmental planning, and other relevant information depending on the scope of work proposed. Proposed projects must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and obtain any necessary permitting before project activities can commence.

Proposals must prioritize the installation of noise (or sound) mitigating insulation specifically based on noise contours. The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation will review projects in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and Executive Orders, including those addressing socioeconomic factors. Proposals should provide a brief description of all eligible structures within the footprint of the pertinent noise contour and demonstrate that funds will be applied in a manner that secures mitigation to all such structures in a fashion based on the severity of noise within those contours.

Eligible community noise mitigation projects include only noise mitigation activities outside of military installation or federally-owned property.

4. Eligible Noise Mitigation Project Activities Activities described below are eligible for Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation funding under the Community Noise Mitigation Program if they meet the criteria indicated.

Refer to Section G. of this Notice for a list of terms and definitions associated with the eligible noise mitigation activities described in this section:

Sound attenuating rooms which can consist of standard treatment packages (i.e., window and door replacement) and secondary treatment packages (e.g., caulking, weather stripping, installation of storm doors and windows, or ventilation packages).

o Sound insulation treatments are designed to reduce interior noise levels, due to aircraft noise, in covered facilities. Thus, a covered facility must experience existing interior noise levels that are 45 decibels or greater, with the windows and doors closed, to be considered eligible. The proposer must be able to demonstrate that the sound insulation treatment will achieve a reduction of interior noise levels as follows:

For covered facilities in locations where the noise contours are between day-night average sound level 65 – 74 decibels, (subject to limitations on local building standards) the sound insulation treatment must provide a reduction of at least 5 decibels and bring the average interior noise level below 45 decibels; or, For covered facilities in locations where the noise contours are located in day-night average sound level 75 decibels or higher, the sound insulation treatment must provide a reduction between 10 – 30 decibels. When these locations involve a military use or tenant at a civil airport location, the civil airport sponsor will be required to adhere to all eligibility requirements in FAA Order 5100.38D, Airport Improvement Program Handbook and additional supporting documentation may be needed for the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation to coordinate with the Federal Aviation Administration to make a final eligibility determination.

o In cases where sound insulation treatment (e.g., new doors, windows, or ventilation packages) will be installed, workmanship and product warranty information must be provided to the structure owner.

Pre-award operational and administrative costs may be used as part of non-Federal project cost contribution.

All covered facilities to be mitigated must have been first built prior to December 27, 2020, unless a recent basing action/mission change occurred after December 27, 2020, and resulted in new or altered noise contours. In the case of new or altered noise contours, all covered facilities to be mitigated must have been built prior to the signed Record of Decision issued by the Department of Defense based on the analysis prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.

Applying Block Rounding or Neighborhood Equity as defined in Section G. of this Notice may be allowable for residences only if the proposer provides supporting information for the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation to make a determination that the circumstances to apply block rounding or neighborhood equity is appropriate.

Ventilation systems or central air conditioning systems are allowable only in buildings that do not currently have a ventilation or central air conditioning system.

Phased projects with cycles of design/bid/construction of the period of performance are allowable but the first phase of the construction activities must begin within twelve (12) months of award.

Purchasing real property is allowable only when Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation funding will be used to meet the non-Federal local match requirement to obtain a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration under the Airport Improvement Program and where mobile homes are occupied in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular 150/5100-17, “Land Acquisition and Relocation Assistance for Airport Improvement Program Assisted Projects.”

5. Disallowed Noise Mitigation Project Activities The following activities are not eligible for grants under the community noise mitigation program:

Block Rounding for anything other than residences.

Building Code Corrections. If it is determined while designing a sound insulation project that a building needs improvements to conform to local building codes, Grantees are responsible for these costs.

Comfort or attractiveness improvements.

Demonstration Programs. This may include installation of unproven methods of reducing sounds such as installing white noise generators in classrooms.

Follow-on replacement. Follow-on replacement of windows, doors, equipment, or any items installed for noise reduction that appear to have met their useful life. Installation of noise reduction activities is limited to the initial installation only.

Inadequate maintenance corrections. Improvements to address inadequate maintenance.

Condemnation.

Mitigation of interior noise less than 45 decibels. Noise mitigation inside the day-night average sound level 65 decibel or higher contour where the interior noise level is less than 45 decibels.

Mitigation in lower noise contours. Noise mitigation of covered structures in noise contours lower than the day-night average sound level of 65 decibels, unless it can be demonstrated that the interior noise level is greater than 45 decibels.

Mobile Homes or Portable Classrooms. Sound insulation treatment for mobile homes and portable classrooms are not viable noise mitigation projects since mobile homes and portable classrooms are not permanent structures, and their design and construction are unlikely to achieve adequate noise level reduction. (Permanent modular buildings are not included in this category.)

Installation of noise monitoring equipment or systems.

Non-Aircraft Noise Mitigation. The mitigation must be based on aircraft noise associated with a military installation or another location at which the military operates fixed-wing aircraft.

Operational or administrative costs. Federal funds may not be used to pay for operational or administrative costs for a noise mitigation project.

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New Acquisition of land or easements." or "Acquisition of land or easements, except as otherwise noted.

Mitigation inside the installation Clear Zone or civil airport Runway Protection Zone.

Installation of a berm or exterior noise barrier.

6. Eligible Costs Projects submitted must ensure all associated costs are eligible for Community Noise Mitigation Program funding. Proposals with ineligible costs will not be considered or scored. An applicant may use a grant as non-Federal local match under the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program only if project costs are also eligible costs under that program.

Eligible Federal costs are limited to:

Supplies and labor directly associated with eligible noise mitigation activities;

Post-Construction acoustical testing costs; and, Contingency allowances, not to exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the total allowable costs before any bids are received, and ten percent (10%) after any construction contract has been awarded, may be included in proposal; however, grant payments are made on a reimbursable basis.

Non-Federal project cost contribution may include the types of activities listed above as well as:

Community engagement activities and outreach; and Costs associated with project administration, including, but not limited to, pre-inspections, legal fees, planning, pre-construction acoustical testing, environmental studies, project design, title and escrow, and project oversight.

All project costs must have been incurred and/or expended after December 27, 2020, including any planning, pre- and post-acoustical testing and design costs claimed as non-Federal project cost contribution.

D. PROPOSAL AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Proposal Submission Package Proposals must be submitted electronically as described in Section D., paragraph 4.

2. Content and Form of Proposal Submission Each interested respondent must submit a complete proposal, including a completed but unsigned Standard Form 424, through Grants.gov not later than the Proposal Deadline (see Section D., paragraph 4.). Please refer to the instructions provided with the Grants.gov Notice of Funding Opportunity on how to complete the Standard Form 424.

A proposal may not exceed twenty-one (21) pages (single-sided, single-spaced with 1-inch margins, 11-point Times New Roman font), including all maps, drawings, and attachments. The unsigned Standard Form 424, real property information, and documents showing that the project is construction-ready and the availability of any other participating Federal or non-Federal e funding do not count against the twenty-one (21) page limit and should be included as an appendix. Proposals that exceed the twenty-one (21) page limit will not be considered. A proposal shall include the following information:

A. Cover Page: All submissions must include a cover page that includes the information and only the information specified in Part A. of Section D. of this Notice. Submitters may access at their discretion a template to use for this Cover Page from this web link https://oldcc.gov/our-programs/community-noise-mitigation.

1. Proposing Entity Name & Contact Information. Include: entity name and primary point of contact name, e-mail address, organization address, and the organization’s Unique Entity Identifier (“Unique Entity ID” obtained from SAM.gov).

2. Project Name. Name the proposal based on entity name and associated military installation. If multiple proposals are coming from one entity, number them in priority order (e.g., 1-Johnson County-Fort Blue).

3. Grants.gov Tracking Number (assigned to proposers once they log into Grants.gov and create a workspace based on a grant opportunity number).

4. Installation Type. State whether the proposer is seeking to mitigate noise caused by miliary fixed wing aircraft assigned to an active military installation or a reserve or guard component.

5. Location Type. State whether the installation is located on a civil airport.

6. Change in Aircraft. Indicate whether the associated military installation transitioned to a new type or model of aircraft after January 1, 2019, and state the type of aircraft and date of initial operational capability at the location.

7. Funding Type Request. Identify if the proposer is seeking funds for direct mitigation (which requires a 10% non-Federal project cost contribution), or to meet the Federal Aviation Administration’s non-Federal local match requirement associated with an airport sponsor’s grant request under the Airport Improvement Program.

8. Indicate the status of availability of cost contributions and other project funding.

This includes ten percent (10%) non-Federal project cost contribution and Federal Aviation Administration grant funding. Provide details about any of the following that apply:

A. All proposed non-Federal project cost share contributions are currently available and under the control of the potential Grantee;

B. All proposed non-Federal project cost share contributions that are not currently under the control of the potential Grantee, but will be available for use based upon the project implementation schedule;

C. Proposed non-Federal project cost contributions, including funding from another (not Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation) Federal grant source (to include the Federal Aviation Administration) that has already been awarded (e.g., financial agreement signed as of the date of this proposal); and/or, D. Proposed project cost share contribution that has been or will be used to pay for costs listed in the project budget that are not allowable under the e

Community Noise Mitigation Program, such as design, planning, environmental, indirect, and other soft costs.

B. Project Description: Description of the cause of the noise as it relates to eligibility for this program. Information may include a description of the installation’s mission, including the name of the installation or civil airport location.

C. Military Installation or Civil Airport Noise Contour Validation: Either (1) a letter from the active installation or guard / reserve Commander (or Military Department Headquarters), validating that the Air Installation Compatible Use Zone is current, or (2) a letter from the civil airport sponsor validating that the Noise Exposure Map, prepared pursuant to 14 C.F.R. Part 150, or noise contours in an analysis, prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, represent current operations. Include in the letter the type of military fixed-wing aircraft operating from the installation, if the location transitioned to a new type or model of military aircraft after January 1, 2019, and date of initial operational capability at the location. This letter should also state that the active installation or guard / reserve Commander and / or civil airport sponsor is willing to support the community’s execution of the project, to include assisting the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation with any technical review of required National Environmental Policy Act environmental planning documents for the proposed project.

If a civil airport location is seeking Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation funds directly, and therefore providing a 10% match, the local guard or reserve Commander shall provide a letter indicating willingness to support the community’s execution of the project as referenced above.

D. Compatible Land Use Background: The status and description of studies, such as (but not limited to) civil airport noise compatibility plans, installation / community-driven compatible use studies, or establishment of a Noise Compatibility Program for civil airport locations. This should include a description of activities that have been undertaken by the community to reduce the impacts of noise or make lands compatible within the established noise contours prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Department of Defense Instruction 4165.57, Table 2, and 14 C.F.R. Part 150, Table 1 in Appendix A.

This should also include a description of the current land use around an installation or civil airport within a day-night average sound level of 65 decibels and greater on the applicable noise contour map, or within one mile from the location’s outermost boundary.

This description should identify the percentage of undeveloped land within these noise contours and the percentage of the undeveloped land that is protected as compatible (e.g., zoning, conservation, etc.) in accordance with Department of Defense Instruction 4165.57, Table 2 or 14 C.F.R. Part 150, Appendix A – Noise Exposure Maps, Table 1 for civil airport locations (see resources at https://oldcc.gov/our-programs/community-noise-mitigation).

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E. Project Description: Narrative summary of the proposed activities to be undertaken with the combination of Community Noise Mitigation Program funds, non-Federal project cost contribution, and any other sources. The description must include:

i. An explanation of the overall strategy and approach to prioritizing noise mitigation activities within the noise contour footprint (day-night average sound level of 65 decibels and greater) and how the specific project addresses lowering noise levels within covered facilities based on the severity of noise;

ii. A socioeconomic description of the entire noise contour footprint (day-night average sound level of 65 decibels and greater), including a map depicting the project area(s) in relationship to the installation or civil airport that includes labeled noise contours and identifies types of covered facilities;

iii. A list of entities involved in implementing the Community Noise Mitigation Program along with roles and responsibilities (e.g., State or local governments or Indian Tribe, etc.); and

iv. If possible, the proposer should demonstrate that the project incorporates energy efficiency, supports weatherization assistance efforts, and/or carbon reduction measures.

F. Project Information: A demonstration of the technical feasibility of the project to include pre-construction acoustical testing results, a post-construction acoustical test plan identifying Sound Transmission Class (STC) or Outdoor-to-Indoor Transmission Class (OITC) ratings for existing structures, and the materials recommended to attenuate each structure. If the following activities have not been completed, the proposer can submit a plan that addresses the status to include how the activities fit within the proposed Project Implementation Schedule and the methodology the proposer plans to use to address the activities to including achieving construction ready within twelve (12) months. The more responsive the proposal is to a need in these areas, the higher the score.

Pre-Construction Acoustical Testing Results o Proposers must describe their methodology for pre-construction acoustical testing, the results, and the suggested materials recommended to attenuate each type of structure.

Must include acoustical contractor statement of qualifications.

One or more of these statements may be attached as appendices and do not count towards the total page count.

Pre-construction acoustical testing must be complete for ten percent (10%) sampling of typical structures and/or rooms to demonstrate that the interior noise levels are above 45 decibels.

For one-of-a-kind structures, it is likely that no two rooms are the same. Therefore, applicants will do pre-construction acoustical testing in all variations of rooms. If identical rooms are present in these structures, then a minimum of two rooms should be tested.

Site Assessment (Property Survey) for Covered Facilities (site assessment data does not count towards page limitation and should be included as an appendix) e o Proposers must present a list of real property data for each covered facility proposed for noise mitigation as part of this project, including the type of covered facility, address, primary structure-built date, existing zoning and status of structure owner participation agreements. For each of these structures, proposers must also present information about the construction type, layout, and the number and type of rooms being considered for sound insulation treatments. Refer to Section G. 12 of this Notice for more details.

o In cases where the proposer is requesting funds for mitigation at a civil airport location where military fixed-wing aircraft operate, they must follow the Federal Aviation Administration Order 5100.38D, Airport Improvement Program Handbook regarding the definition of habitable areas.

Post-Construction Acoustical Testing Plan o Proposers must develop a post-construction acoustical testing plan that includes their post-construction acoustical testing methodology, estimated noise level reduction goals, and their plan for additional attenuation if goals are not achieved.

Construction contractor statement of qualifications. One or more of these statements may be attached as appendices and do not count towards the total page count.

Identification of Sound Attenuation Goal. Identify what the interior noise level reduction goal is for each covered facility (45 decibel within a day-night average sound level 65 – 75 decibel noise contour zone or specify a target decrease between 10 – 30 decibels within noise contour zones of day-night average sound level 75 decibels and above). Explain how the decrease in noise will be achieved and what Sound Transmission Class materials will be used in each covered facility. Not all structures must be tested, depending on the type of structures in the program boundary. The sampled structures must be the same structures used for pre-construction acoustical testing.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued an Advisory Circular 150/5000-9, “Guidelines for Sound Insulation of Structures Exposed to Aircraft Noise” which provides standards and procedures for the development and implementation of sound insulation programs intended to mitigate aircraft noise around airports. These guidelines include acoustical engineering principles, standardized acoustical testing methodology to identify structures that may be non-compatible with aviation noise, determining noise level reductions and establishing boundaries based on noise contours and other considerations, and developing plans to conduct pre- and post-construction acoustical testing. This Advisory Circular is for use by airport operators or sponsors, airport consultants or contractors, and the Federal Aviation Administration. However, all potential applicants should reference this Advisory Circular to develop proposals when seeking a grant from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation under the Community Noise Mitigation Program.

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G. Support Letters: Letters of support from all necessary stakeholders including, but not limited to, community development corporations, key elected officials, building and safety officials, other funders, etc. Letters of support do not count towards page count maximum and must be included as appendices.

H. Sources of Funds: An overview showing that all funding sources will be committed within twelve (12) months of award. The overview must show non-Federal project cost contributions with demonstrated commitment and unconditioned availability, any eligible Federal funds to be counted in the funding contribution total, and acknowledgement that any cost overruns will be the obligation of the proposer. For projects requiring contributions from individual project participants (e.g., structure owners), provide the mechanism for securing these funds. This may include establishing a line of credit to backstop the anticipated contributions from project participants and an escrow account to deposit contributions. Contributions from structure owners are considered as program income. The proposing entity must also state its capability to secure a surety bond (e.g., a bid guarantee, performance bond, or payment bond) prior to the commencement of installation of insulation or construction activity as defined by 2 C.F.R. § 200.326.

I. Project Budget: Provide a preliminary breakdown of sources and uses for the proposed project(s) including, but not limited to, cost of project administration, and activity soft and hard costs. Identify the uses of project funding, including a total project cost estimate, with major cost elements broken out for project administration, inspection, renovation/insulation activities, utilities, and contingency costs.

J. Project Implementation Schedule: A sufficiently detailed project schedule must be included that explains the project execution strategy. Provide a detailed project timeline that includes, at a minimum, any community engagement, procurement of contractors, development of project guidelines, project entitlements, environmental regulatory requirements, as applicable (including the National Environmental Policy Act and permits), construction period, pre- and post-acoustical testing, and project completion.

Discuss the project execution strategy and identify milestones. The proposer must demonstrate that the proposed construction portion of the project can commence within twelve (12) months upon receipt of a grant, that the grant funds will be spent steadily and expeditiously once the project commences, and the project can be completed within no more than fifty-four (54) months following the grant award. If a Grantee is using the funds for non-Federal local match for grants issued by the Federal Aviation Administration under the Airport Improvement Program, the Grantee must confirm that it can execute an award with the Federal Aviation Administration within twelve (12) months of receiving a Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation award to ensure both that all Community Noise Mitigation Program grant funds are expended within five

(5) years of award and all Federal Aviation Administration grant obligations are timely met. Incomplete or inaccurate construction schedules will result in a proposal being removed from further consideration. If a proposer is submitting multiple proposals, due to noncontiguous covered facilities, they must demonstrate how each submitted proposal fits within a combined timeline.

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K. Environmental Compliance: Construction, renovation, demolition, and ground disturbance may not begin for a grant project until the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation determines that the National Environmental Policy Act documentation is complete and is of sufficient quality to inform a reliable conclusion about the potential environmental impacts of the project. All submissions must include the following information related to meeting the environmental analysis and documentation requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act.

1. A brief narrative describing how environmental analysis and documentation requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act have been or will be met in sufficient detail to support a National Environmental Policy Act determination or finding.

2. This narrative should:

a. Provide a list and completion status of all required environmental permits, authorizations, and approvals.

b. Explain how all environmental requirements, including permits and review pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, will be completed.

c. Include all required consultation or compliance efforts for a proposed project, such as, but not limited to, the National Historic Preservation Act and Clean Air Act.

d. Describe coordination efforts with other relevant Federal and State agencies and their requirements for National Environmental Policy Act compliance, including the associated and benefitting installation or command.

e. Include environmental contractor qualifications statement. One or more of these statements may be attached as appendices and do not count towards the total page count.

3. If awarded a grant, the Grantee will be required to prepare environmental analyses and documentation pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act implementing regulations at 40 C.F.R. Parts 1500-1508. Failure to articulate clear consensus on the Federal and State/local environmental planning in collaboration with the associated military installation command is grounds for proposal disqualification. If environmental review was already completed by another agency or the associated military installation for the proposed project, this documentation must be of sufficient quality for the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation to adopt or otherwise use it for its independent determination under applicable laws.

Where applicable, include status on project compliance with other environmental laws that support but are independent of the National Environmental Policy Act process, such as Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Records of consultations conducted in accordance with relevant statutes and environmental e permits must be included with the National Environmental Policy Act documentation.

4. If the grant issued from Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation is to be used to meet the Federal Aviation Administration’s non-Federal local match requirement for a grant under the Airport Improvement Program, the airport sponsor is not required to demonstrate compliance with the National Environmental Policy…