20200609-DCIP FFO QAs - Part 1 (005) FINAL.pdf

Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program (DCIP) Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) Part 1 (FINAL) – FFO Questions and Answers

June 9, 2020

NOTE: This is an update to the Part 1 Answers document posted on June 4, 2020. This version supersedes prior versions.

A. DCIP Program

1. Must all of the proposed projects be located off of federal property?

Answer: The FFO is for grants “to assist State and local governments to address deficiencies in community infrastructure” which is defined in the authorizing statute as “ a project or facility . . .

that-(i) is located off of a military installation; and-(ii) is (I) owned by a State or local government; or (II) a not-for-profit, member-owned utility service.” Therefore, all of the proposed projects must be located off of a military installation (i.e., federal property under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department) but may be located on other federal property, provided the project or facility is owned by a State or local government or a not-for-profit, member-owned utility service.

2. How will proposals be determined as eligible for a non-urban (rural) area match waiver, if requested?

Answer: Only those projects located in a rural area are eligible for a waiver, if requested. The authorizing statute defines a rural area as “a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of not more than 50,000 inhabitants.” Proposers seeking a rural waiver should include information to demonstrate its project location falls within those parameters.

3. Ref rural geographic area. Does it count as rural if the installation is in an area that has been determined by Dept. Agriculture Rural Utility Service as rural?

Answer: No.

4. What is the process for requesting a match waiver for reasons of national security?

Answer: Proposers requesting a match waiver for reasons of national security should work with the installation to be supported by the proposed project to have information supporting a national security waiver included in the commander’s letter of endorsement.

5. Is the intent of criteria a) of section E of the FFO, Application Review Information, “Key considerations are that (i) Service members/families are at least 50% of the patrons/recipients/beneficiaries of the proposed infrastructure project” statement solely for active duty or would all personnel attached to the installation be included?

Answer: Criteria a), item (i) requests information from proposers regarding the percentage of military service members and their family members likely to benefit from the proposed project relative to the total installation population, including non-military personnel.

6. Does the “key consideration” wording used in criteria a) of section E of the FFO mean the ensuing numbered considerations are required and must be present in a proposal?

Answer: No. These are examples of information reviewers will consider when scoring the proposal against the criteria.

7. Does the eligible entity submitting a proposal need to retain clear title ownership to the project until its completion or for some minimum period of time after completion, and may an asset improved by an eligible entity through DCIP funding be transferred to another party?

Answer: Any improvements funded under this program will be secured by a Federal Interest position held by the Office of Economic Adjustment, established prior to the closeout of the award. This federal interest position requires that owner retain and maintain the improvements funded under this program for its original purpose the life of the project. Any proposed transfer of ownership or interest, or change in purpose of the completed project to any non-Federal parties, can only occur with prior approval from the Office of Economic Adjustment. Transfer to Federal parties is not consistent with the authority of this program.

8. Is there a preference to fund in the pre-construction or construction phases?

Answer: Please refer to Section C.3., Eligible Projects, of the FFO.

9. Are projects such [insert project type considered] eligible?

Answer: The FFO is for grants “to assist State and local governments to address deficiencies in community infrastructure,” which is defined as “(i) Any transportation project. (ii) A school, hospital, police, fire, emergency response, or other community support facility. (iii) A water, waste-water, telecommunications, electric, gas, or other utility infrastructure project.”

10. Is land/property acquisition eligible?

Answer: Yes.

11. For the local cost share contribution, does "in-kind" such as software solution from private entity count?

Answer: Potentially, yes. For instructions on both allowable costs under federal grant awards and how to structure inclusion of those costs in this proposal, please refer to Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200 (2 CFR 200); specifically, 2 CFR 200 Subpart E, cost principles, as well as 2 CFR 200.306.

12. If acquisition of the project construction site is donated (no exchange of funds), would OEA consider the Fair Market Value of that donation (e.g., appraisal report) to be credited toward the applicant's minimum (50%) match?

Answer: Yes, provided the estimation is consistent with Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200 (2 CFR 200); specifically, 2 CFR 200 Subpart E, cost principles, as well as

2 CFR 200.306.

13. What is meant by “owned” in the project description, project or space (land/facility)?

Answer: It is the facility that must be owned by a state or local government or a not-for-profit, member owned utility service. With respect to the real property on which the project is located, the only limitation is that the property NOT be a military installation (i.e., federal property under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department). The proposed project may be located on other federal property, provided the project or facility is owned by a State or local government or a not-for-profit, member-owned utility service.

14. Does public ownership include improvements to the space, the facility/land the project is in, or both?

Answer: It is the facility that must be owned by a state or local government or a not-for-profit, member owned utility service. With respect to the real property on which the project is located, the only limitation is that the property NOT be a military installation (i.e., federal property under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department). The proposed project may be located on other federal property, provided the project or facility is owned by a State or local government or a not-for-profit, member-owned utility service.

15. How long is public ownership required?

Answer: Any improvements funded under this program will be secured by a Federal Interest position held by the Office of Economic Adjustment, established prior to the closeout of the award. This federal interest position requires that owner retain and maintain the improvements funded under this program for its original purpose the life of the project. Any proposed transfer of ownership or interest, or change in purpose of the completed project to any non-Federal parties, can only occur with prior approval from the Office of Economic Adjustment. Transfer to Federal parties is not consistent with the authority of this program.

16. Can we ask for consideration to be given for project construction on land licensed or leased from a military installation, as long as the property site is outside the installation’s secure boundary?

Answer: No. The FFO is for grants “to assist State and local governments to address deficiencies in community infrastructure” which is defined in the authorizing statute as “ a project or facility .

. . that-(i) is located off of a military installation; and-(ii) is (I) owned by a State or local government; or (II) a not-for-profit, member-owned utility service.” Therefore, all of the proposed projects must be located off of a military installation (i.e., federal property under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department) but may be located on other federal

17. Can we delay transfer of space to authority until we are selected to apply for the grant?

Answer: If a proposed project is not owned by a State or local government or a not-for-profit, member-owned utility service at the time of the proposal, the proposal is not an eligible proposal.

Additionally, please consider the language in Section C, part 1 of the FFO; specifically, that projects must be “construction ready” and that construction must commence within 12 months of a grant award.

18. Please clarify on page 2, "The total amount of funds available for awards may be reduced by amounts required to reimburse costs for program oversight and administrative services secured from non-DoD Federal agencies."

Answer: Proposals identifying a coordination role for another non-DoD Federal agency may identify funding from the award to reimburse that non-DoD Federal agency for program oversight and administrative services provided as part of delivery of the project.

19. Can we use [insert cost item] as a part of the match?

Answer: All questions regarding allowability of costs as a non-federal match are referred to Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200, Subpart E, Cost Principles.

20. During what period are costs allowable to be charged to the grant, either as a source for cost share (non-federal match) or for the federal award?

Answer: Unless pre-award costs are authorized as part of the grant, costs are reimbursable during the grant period and in accordance with the instructions provided in Section C., part 2 of the FFO.

21. If an installation sold housing to private developer, are infrastructure projects supporting the housing neighborhood still eligible?

Answer: Potentially, but only if those projects are not on property under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department. Proposed projects must be located off of a military installation (i.e., federal property under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department) but may be located on other federal property, provided the project or facility is owned by a State or local government or a not-for-profit, member-owned utility service. Real property leased to a private developer, where the developer owns the housing thereon, is still a military installation.

22. Do Nonprofit 501(c)(6) qualify as lead organizations?

Answer: State or local governments and not-for-profit, member owned utility services are the only entities eligible to receive grants under this FFO. Entities other than those identified above may partner with an eligible entity for project proposals, but the project must be owned by the eligible entity.

23. Under Eligible Costs - on page 4...... costs required to execute the project as well as capital equipment affixed to the real property... would play grounds on the school project be eligible to be included?

24. Will there be flexibility on the ability to start construction within 12 months of award for areas that have condensed construction seasons due to weather (i.e., Alaska due to extreme winter conditions)?

Answer: No. Proposers must provide a sufficiently detailed project schedule, including milestones such as final permitting and compliance (if required), land acquisition and site control (if needed), start of construction and end of construction, demonstrating that the project can commence within 12 months of grant award.

25. If a public school is not on the 2018 PSMI list, but is on military installation property, is it eligible for DCIP?

26. Where can I find information about ineligibility regarding schools on Public Military

Installations?

Answer: Funding restrictions are listed in section D.6 of the DCIP FFO. The Secretary of Defense 2018 Public Schools on Military Installations (PSMI) Prioritized List is available on OEA.gov.

27. Will projects that have environmental planning and permitting work done or substantially done outside of the NEPA process be considered as eligible?

Answer: A project is construction ready if construction of the project may commence within 12 months of award, and all necessary final design and planning, Federal and state/local environmental planning, and local permitting actions are substantially complete.

28. In an effort to start construction within 12 months, will design-build projects be considered as eligible projects?

Answer: Yes, provided construction of the project may still commence within 12 months of award.

29. What level of NEPA review is required at the proposal phase?

Answer: No level of NEPA review is required at the proposal phase, per se. However, sufficient environmental planning (which may result in an EA or EIS) is required to form the basis of a NEPA analysis. Provided that exists and NEPA compliance may be satisfied within 12 months of grant award, then sufficient environmental planning exists in the proposal.

30. Does the NEPA study have to be completed before the proposal is submitted, or within 12 months following award as a condition of being construction ready.

Answer: NEPA compliance must be complete before construction can commence.

31. Can you explain how a transportation project can meet the 50% threshold (not funding) for a location in an adjoining municipality?

Answer: It is up to the proposer to articulate how its proposed project will enhance the DCIP issue identified. With respect to the key consideration that service members/families are at least 50% of the patrons/recipients/beneficiaries of the proposed infrastructure project

32. If we know we will have families living at the installation in 2 to 3 years can we submit a project that would be in place prior to families living there?

33. Our proposed project is in a rural area and directly impacts a rural area; however, it does have indirect positive impacts on the community as a whole which exceeds the rural designation.

Would those indirect impacts result in a non-rural determination?

Answer: No. The rural area is being defined as a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of not more than 50,000 inhabitants and based on the geographic location of the proposed project.

34. Rural areas of less than 50,000 inhabitants are not required to offer matching funds to this proposal, correct?

Answer: Correct, if a proposed project is located in a rural area, defined as “a city, town, or unincorporated area that has a population of not more than 50,000 inhabitants,” the proposer is not required to offer matching funds for its proposed project.

35. Request clarification as to whether retired military members and their families that reside in the project community can be included in the 50% of Service and Family Members that benefit from the project.

Answer: No. Service members refers only to active duty military service members.

36. Can a not-for-profit, member-owned utility provider use this grant for an onsite resiliency project at a military installation where the utility company will own the infrastructure and holds a lease, license or easement that allows them to be on site?

Answer: No, because the site is still a military installation. The FFO is for grants “to assist State and local governments to address deficiencies in community infrastructure” which is defined in the authorizing statute as “ a project or facility . . . that-(i) is located off of a military installation;

and-(ii) is (I) owned by a State or local government; or (II) a not-for-profit, member-owned utility service.” Therefore, all of the proposed projects must be located off of a military installation (i.e., federal property under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department) but may be located on other federal property, provided the project or facility is owned by a State or local government or a not-for-profit, member-owned utility service.

37. If a project is owned by a county, would we be required to use the population of the entire county, or only the population to benefit from the project when determining whether it is rural or non-rural?

Answer: Location of the project determines rural or non-rural.

38. The guidelines say a non-eligible entity "may partner with an eligible entity for project proposals.” What does that mean? What does it mean to "partner" in this case?

Answer: Please refer to Section D, part 2.F. of the DCIP FFO regarding Project Parties.

39. Can project construction be made on land leased or licensed from a military installation? City and Post have a memorandum of agreement for project outside security boundary of post in this this buffer zone. Is this eligible?

Answer: No, if the land is owned by the United States and under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department, it is a military installation. A lease or license of the property does not change its character as a military installation. The FFO is for grants “to assist State and local governments to address deficiencies in community infrastructure” which is defined in the authorizing statute as “ a project or facility . . . that-(i) is located off of a military installation; and-

(ii) is (I) owned by a State or local government; or (II) a not-for-profit, member-owned utility service.” Therefore, all of the proposed projects must be located off of a military installation (i.e., federal property under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department) but may be located on other federal property, provided the project or facility is owned by a State or local government or a not-for-profit, member-owned utility service.

40. Would a CT Scanner in a hospital be considered fixed equipment?

Answer: Please refer to the definition of equipment as stated in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200.33. “Fixed equipment” is installed, immovable equipment in a structure.

41. What is the percentage weight value of each Tier?

Answer: Please refer to Section E, part 1 for weights of each scoring criteria.

42. Regarding B. Installation Need: "Service members and /or their families must be 50% or more of the population benefitted by the proposal;". We have a plan for water wells which should benefit the new Marine Base nearby, but it will be hard to quantify the 50% benefit. Will this potentially be an issue?

Answer: Criteria a), item (i) requests information from proposers regarding the percentage of military service members and their family members likely to benefit from the proposed project relative to the total installation population, including non-military personnel.

43. Can you please clarify who must secure the surety bond? Typically contractors are required to secure the bond.

Answer: The eligible entity submitting the proposal should secure the surety bond.

44. Why would NEPA be required if the project is not on federal land?

Answer: NEPA compliance is a condition of Federal funding, regardless of location.

45. So an Environmental Impact Analysis is required even if otherwise the project would not normally require one?

Answer: NEPA compliance is a condition of Federal funding.

46. Eligible Entity - is it "not-for-profit member owned utility service" meaning a utility cooperative type entity/agency or is a "not for profit" meaning.... a 501c3 that is not a utility company?

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

Yes, these can be utility cooperatives.

47. Can projects be submitted for installing broadband services on a base?

Answer: Not if the infrastructure will be located on the military installation. The FFO is for grants “to assist State and local governments to address deficiencies in community infrastructure” which is defined in the authorizing statute as “ a project or facility . . . that-(i) is located off of a military installation; and-(ii) is (I) owned by a State or local government; or (II) a not-for-profit, member-owned utility service.” Therefore, all of the proposed projects must be located off of a military installation (i.e., federal property under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department) but may be located on other federal property, provided the project or facility is owned by a State or local government or a not-for-profit, member-owned utility service.

48. Must the project be new construction or can acquisition of an existing structure be eligible?

Answer: A project does not have to be new construction. Eligible activities include only hard construction and renovation costs outside of a military installation, including reasonable allowances for contingencies, and capital equipment affixed to the real property with a depreciable life of not less than 7 years.

49. Is a project that receives federal formula or discretionary funding for transportation ineligible?

Answer: Potentially. DCIP federal funding may supplement, but cannot substitute for or otherwise supplant other available public funds that are available for the proposed project.

50. Please explain supplanting funds versus supplement.

Answer: Supplementing funding means working in coordination with or in addition to other funding, and supplanting funding means funding provided instead of other funding that is otherwise available for that project.

51. Can you elaborate on the statement regarding projects not being eligible for consideration under any existing Federal program? If a project is currently eligible for Federal funds, but funds have not been allocated, is the project eligible?

Answer: Yes, potentially. DCIP federal funding may supplement, but cannot substitute for or otherwise supplant other available public 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 instead of other funding that is otherwise available for that project.

52. The provision against supplanting funding is difficult to observe given the requirement for a project to be shovel ready for construction. What was the rationale behind this requirement? Is it a hard and fast rule?

Answer: Yes, DCIP funding supplementing but not supplanting other federal funding is a hard and fast rule.

53. If a project is eligible for federal pass through money, is it still eligible for this funding? For example, our state Department of Health manages a State Revolving Fund loan program that is funded through EPA that this project would be eligible for.

Answer: Potentially. There is a difference between a project being eligible for federal funding and that same project either being allocated or prioritized that federal funding.

54. We are considering a project that involves connecting an on-base waste water line to a municipal wastewater line. A small portion of the connection will have to occur on the installation property in order to make a successful connection. Would this type of project meet the government’s intent of the project occurring off the installation?

Answer: The grant would only be available for the portion of the project located off the installation. The FFO is for grants “to assist State and local governments to address deficiencies in community infrastructure” which is defined in the authorizing statute as “ a project or facility .

. . that-(i) is located off of a military installation; and-(ii) is (I) owned by a State or local government; or (II) a not-for-profit, member-owned utility service.” Therefore, all of the proposed projects must be located off of a military installation (i.e., federal property under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department) but may be located on other federal

55. Is Office of Economic Adjustment construction grant funding subject to Davis Bacon Act (DBRA) prevailing wage requirements?

Answer: No, not Office of Economic Adjustment funding that is by itself. If Office of Economic Adjustment funding is combined with other federal funding in a project that is subject to DBRA, then all funds in that project are subject to DBRA.

56. Will you please restate the project priorities?

Answer: Please refer to Section C, part 3 of the DCIP FFO.

57. Will partial awards be made or is it all or nothing?

Answer: Potentially, yes. As described in Section B of the DCIP FFO, all proposed projects must result in a complete and useable project, but the grant could be for only a portion of a project.

58. Can you clarify or provide more detail on what is meant by "substantially complete" final design?

This is listed as required for eligible projects.

Answer: Substantially complete means whatever the project requires in order for construction to commence within 12 months of grant awards. Eligible activities include only hard construction and renovation costs outside of local installation property (defined as property not owned by the local installation), including reasonable allowances for contingencies, and capital equipment affixed to the real property with a depreciable life of not less than 7 years. A project is construction ready if construction of the project may commence within 12 months of award, and all necessary final design and planning, Federal and state/local environmental planning, and local permitting actions are substantially complete. Meaning, those activities are complete-able within 12 months of award of a DCIP construction grant.

59. Do for profit Investor Owned Utilities qualify as "Entities other than those identified above as eligible to receive direct funding under this notice may partner with an eligible entity for project proposals." listed in Paragraph C.1?

60. Is there a distance from the base that is required for the project? For example, the base is 20 miles from the center of a major city, 40 miles from the community/city that wants to undertake this project.

61. Is the grant specifically for construction related projects? Are transportation opportunity service eligible for the project?

Answer: Please refer to Section C, part 3 of the DCIP FFO regarding Eligible Projects. The FFO is for grants “to assist State and local governments to address deficiencies in community infrastructure,” which is defined as “(i) Any transportation project. (ii) A school, hospital, police, fire, emergency response, or other community support facility. (iii) A water, waste-water, telecommunications, electric, gas, or other utility infrastructure project.”

62. We currently have an IRT road improvement project. Both DoD and our State government are contributing partners. However, upon further assessment with onsite visit of the project sites, there is a short fall in funding for the utility relocation phase. Would this be an eligible project under this funding opportunity?

Answer: Potentially, yes. The FFO is for grants “to assist State and local governments to address deficiencies in community infrastructure” which is defined in the authorizing statute as “ a project or facility . . . that-(i) is located off of a military installation; and-(ii) is (I) owned by a State or local government; or (II) a not-for-profit, member-owned utility service.” Therefore, all of the proposed projects must be located off of a military installation (i.e., federal property under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department) but may be located on other federal

63. Is the $25M 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 (federal award + the non-federal match).

64. How OEA plan to prioritize distribution of grants. (i.e., will they be targeting projects that can help ease the FSRM backlog, geographic distribution, etc.)?

Answer: Please refer to Section E, part 2 of the DCIP FFO.

65. Will you discuss preference to funding either pre-construction vs. construction phases?

Answer: Eligible activities include only hard construction and renovation costs outside of local installation property (defined as property not owned by the local installation), including reasonable allowances for contingencies, and capital equipment affixed to the real property with a depreciable life of not less than 7 years. Soft planning costs required for the planning, design and execution of the proposed project are allowable as a source for non-federal match. Eligible costs include, but are not limited to, project administration, inspection, construction, utilities, and contingency costs required to execute the project as well as capital equipment affixed to the real property with a depreciable life of not less than 7 years.

66. Is a local government project on leased Federal lands eligible? The project in-mind is located on a portion of land owned by Army Corps of Engineers, but everything on that land is managed and built out by the local government with a 50-year lease for that facility.

Answer: The FFO is for grants “to assist State and local governments to address deficiencies in community infrastructure” which is defined in the authorizing statute as “ a project or facility . . .

that-(i) is located off of a military installation; and-(ii) is (I) owned by a State or local government; or (II) a not-for-profit, member-owned utility service.” Therefore, all of the proposed projects must be located off of a military installation (i.e., federal property under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department) but may be located on other federal profit, member-owned utility service. The “term ‘military installation’ means a base, camp, post, station, yard, center, homeport facility for any ship, or other activity under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense, including any leased facility, which is located within any of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or Guam. Such term does not include any facility used primarily for civil works, rivers and harbors projects, or flood control projects.” If the Corps of Engineers property to which you refer is “used primarily for civil works, rivers and harbors projects, or flood control projects” it is not a military installation.

B. Proposal Submission

1. May proposals include more than one project?

Answer: No. One proposal per project.

2. To whom should the letter of endorsement be addressed that is requested in section D, part 2.C of the FFO, Proposal & Submission Information?

Answer: The letter of endorsement should be addressed to the entity submitting the proposal.

3. May a proposal include more than one letter of endorsement or an additional letter from a senior military official?

Answer: Proposal submitters may submit more than one letter of endorsement, however, only one letter of endorsement from the Commander of the installation to be supported by the proposed project is required and the endorsement letter will count against the overall page limit for proposals.

4. May the letter of endorsement come from an official other than the Commander of the local installation?

Answer: Yes. The letter of endorsement may come from an official other than the commander of the local installation identified in the proposal; provided the individual is authorized to represent the installation on the issues addressed in the letter of endorsement.

5. Does it make any difference how strongly an installation commander advocates on behalf of a project?

Answer: The panel will consider the installation commander’s letter as it assesses each project against the established criteria.

6. What if we are unable to get an endorsement from the local installation even though we have asked?

Answer: Proposals are required to have a letter of endorsement from military service leadership representing the interests of the installation to be supported by the proposed project.

7. Which DoD official do you recommend letters of support for a project application be addressed to (including the letter of endorsement from the Commander of the local installation)? Should it be addressed to OEA Director Patrick O'Brien or someone else?

Answer: The letter of endorsement should be addressed to the entity submitting the proposal.

8. Form 424. Section 15 allows supporting documents as specified in agency instructions. Where are the instructions listing the required supporting documents?

Answer: The instructions are found in the DCIP FFO Section D.

9. What kind of documentation will be required to demonstrate that 50 percent of a project's users will be military members or families?

Answer: The documentation used is up to the proposer’s discretion.

10. Relating to the priority areas, what if the application touches all three areas - quality of life, resiliency and military importance. Can a proposal reference all three?

Answer: While a proposer may assert enhancement to all three of the priority DCIP issue areas, each proposal must select a primary issue for each proposal.

11. What are considered federal funds? Are State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans in this category?

Answer: Federal Funds are any funding source that comes from the federal government. SRF loans are federal funding if the source of the loan is a federal entity, such as Environmental Protection Agency State Revolving Fund funding.

12. What type of documentation is needed for to show evidence of the intended recipient's ability and authority to manage grants as well as to show that the Submitting Official is authorized by the proposer to submit a proposal and subsequently apply for assistance?

Answer: No specific documentation is required. Proposals should provide information in the narrative section regarding the eligible entity’s prior experience with federal grants and specifically federal construction grant awards.

13. Can the independent cost validation-review of the proposed budget occur during the proposal review period and be ready for the application, should the project be chosen?

Answer: No. Proposals must be complete upon submittal.

14. Do we need to hire a consultant to complete the independent cost estimate or can that be completed by City staff?

Answer: The independent cost estimate must be done by an entity other than a party named on the proposal.

15. Where it states "third party cost validation of cost estimates” - is that for the proposer to do or is that something that the grantor does?

Answer: The proposer must provide the independent cost validation of cost estimate as part of the submitted proposal.

16. How detailed are you expecting the estimate to be? Can the estimate be performed by the architect/engineer?

Answer: The independent cost estimate must be detailed enough to affirm the accuracy of the proposal amount requested for federal funding.

17. Please provide specifics regarding what you require on SF-424. What do you want for answers to questions 4, 5a, 5b, 9, 10, and 12?

Answer: Instructions on how to fill out the SF 424 as well as what general information to input are provided in the DCIP Instructions .PDF document available along with the DCIP funding opportunity on Grants.gov.

18. SF-424 question 8.f. do you want the contact information for the person that prepared the SF-424 and grant proposal (i.e. a consultant) or do you want contact information for someone at the applicant agency?

Answer: The contact information should be for someone from the eligible entity submitting the proposal.

19. If this is a proposal not an application, do you check Pre-application on the Form 424 "Type of Submission".

Answer: Yes. Instructions on how to fill out the SF 424 as well as what general information to input are provided in the DCIP Instructions .PDF document available along with the DCIP funding opportunity on Grants.gov.

20. Can more than one proposal be submitted by the same entity?

21. What is an acceptable grant application?

Answer: Not to be confused with the proposal submitted in response to this FFO, an acceptable grant application is an application determined to be complete, compliant with all pertinent Title 2 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200 regulations, and submitted successfully to OEA.

22. What about letters of support, are they included in the 18 page requirement?

23. Please explain what you mean by an independent cost estimate.

Answer: An independent cost estimate is a cost estimate for the project prepared by an entity other than a project party and in conformance with Government Accountability Office cost estimating and assessment standards.

24. If a proposed project is located across two townships, can the county be the applicant, or should the application be a joint application between the two townships?

Answer: Proposals should be submitted by one eligible proposer, but partnerships with an eligible entity as the lead are acceptable.

25. For the Submitting Official documentation, would a letter from the local government suffice, or would you require an adopted resolution by the local government authorizing the proposal submission. Does this need to be done by the Proposal deadline or by the date in which the application is submitted (if invited)?

Answer: Eligible proposing entities should abide by whatever is their policy for identification and authorization of individuals to make commitments or submissions on behalf of that entity.

Supporting documentation of that authorization is not required.

26. For the 50% local match requirement, what information is required to validate that? Or is can we simply delineate that amount in the proposed sources and uses?

Answer: As specified in Section D, part 2.G. of the DCIP FFO, “An overview and commitment of all funding sources, including non-federal match source funding identified, requested under this notice, financial commitments for other Federal and non-Federal funds needed to complete the project (including any eligibility of Federal funds to be counted as the non-Federal share), documentation demonstrating that the requested funds do not supplant other available funds, and acknowledgement any cost overruns will be the obligation of the proposer. Proposing entity must also state its capability to obtain a surety bond as backstop ensuring successful completion of the project should cost overruns occur or other unforeseen financial impacts.” This breakdown between federal funds requested and non-federal funds identified should be clearly made in the SF 424 as well.

27. Does Grants.gov allow applicants to submit online more than one proposal and complete grant application package? [For example, if two different project budgets/grant amounts are proposed, or if candidate building sites have been identified but not selected pending the completion of an Environmental Assessment.]

Answer: Grants.gov requires each submission to be a standalone workspace.

28. Is a Benefit-Cost Analysis or Economic Impact Analysis required?

C. General

1. Do you have an idea of the number of applications you are expecting?

Answer: No

2. Is there a national budget ceiling for the grant, beyond the $50 million?

Answer: The Fiscal Year 2020 Authorization Act included $50 million for the Defense Communities Infrastructure Pilot Program (DCIP). No more than $50 million in total grants will be awarded in Fiscal Year 2020 for DCIP projects.

3. Who appoints the Review Panel and do we know the backgrounds desired by members of the panel?

Answer: In approving the DCIP program on May 6th, the Secretary of Defense identified the 5 positions that will comprise the internal review panel. No background information about the specific individuals is available.

4. If selected to submit a grant application, are you guaranteed a grant?

Answer: No. Final grant approval is subject to successful submission of a grant application, approval of that grant application by OEA, and signing of a grant award. All conditions of the grant must be met before a grant is awarded. OEA will assign a project manager to each selected applicant with the intent to award the grant by the end of FY20.

5. Where can we go to get the document referred to and read from during the Webinar?

Answer: The document you are referring to is the DCIP FFO which can be found on Grants.gov or oea.gov. The direct link to the DCIP FFO is https://oea.gov/sites/default/files/DCIP/2020-05- 26%20DCIP-FFO%20Final.pdf

6. Question about item L. - Would a regional agency applicant require Caltrans concurrence to nominate a project on the state highway system?

Answer: OEA recommends conferring with Caltrans. Otherwise, please refer to Section D, part 2.K. of the DCIP FFO.

7. Will we be able to get our score even if we were not invited for a grant application?

Answer: Entities submitting proposals not chosen for grant applications may request from OEA feedback on their proposal after September 30, 2020.

8. Which federal agency would review NEPA documentation for a project if not required unless DCIP funds are awarded?

Answer: The DCIP review panel will review all information submitted in proposals regarding environmental planning completed, and the Office of Economic Adjustment affirms compliance with NEPA for any construction grants awarded.

9. Does the not-for-profit utility follow DoD NEPA or follow the utility’s standard NEPA guidelines?

Answer: Please refer to Section B of the DCIP FFO, awards are subject to compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and entities invited to be applicants for grants under the Defense Community Infrastructure Program are responsible for providing the information required to satisfy NEPA and the Council on Environmental Quality NEPA regulations as well as any required state or local environmental regulations.