NOFO 693JK320NF0005 v.2.pdf

US DOT: PHMSA FY 2020 One-Call Grant Page 1 of 13 Notice of Funding Opportunity

Pipeline Safety One-Call Grant

Fiscal Year 2020

NOFO Posted Date: February 4, 2020 Application Due Date: March 19, 2020 Questions Due Date: March 05 16, 2020

Applicants must be registered with Grants.gov to apply for this grant. It is highly recommended that applicants begin the registration process as soon as possible to avoid delays in submission. Additionally, applicants must maintain a valid Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number and an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.SAM.gov.

Applicants must also register with FedConnect at https://www.fedconnect.net for an account before submitting an application. Your organization’s Marketing Partner ID number (MPIN), which can be retrieved from SAM, is required to create an account. For instructions on how to register in FedConnect and how to use the portal, view the FedConnect: Ready, Set, Go! Tutorial under the Need Help?

section on the FedConnect home page.

Assistance Listing Program Number (formerly CFDA)

20.721 One-Call Grants

PHMSA Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Number

693JK320NF0005

U.S. Department of Transportation

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

(PHMSA)

http://www.sam.gov/

US DOT: PHMSA FY 2020 One-Call Grant Page 2 of 13

Table of Contents

MISSION

SECTION A – PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A.1 Purpose A.2 Statute and Program Authority A.3 Background

SECTION B – FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

B.1 Funding B.2 Period of Performance B.3 Type of Award

SECTION C – ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

C.1 Eligible Applicants C.2 Cost Sharing or Matching

SECTION D – APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

D.1 Address to Request Application Package D.2 Content and Form of the Application D.3 Description of Cost Categories D.4 Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) D.5 Submission Dates and Times D.6 Funding Restrictions

SECTION E – APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

E.1 Criteria E.2 Review and Selection Process

SECTION F - FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

F.1 Federal Award Notices F.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements F.3 Reporting Requirements

SECTION G – FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

SECTION H – OTHER INFORMATION

US DOT: PHMSA FY 2020 One-Call Grant Page 3 of 13

PROGRAM SUMMARY

Federal Agency Name: United States Department of Transportation (DOT)

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

(PHMSA)

Funding Opportunity Title: Pipeline Safety One-Call Grants – Fiscal Year (FY) 2020

Announcement Type: Initial Announcement

Funding Opportunity Number: 693JK320NF0005

Assistance Listing Program 20.721 (formerly CFDA) Number:

NOFO Posted Date: February 4, 2020 Application Due Date: March 19, 2020, 11:59 pm ET Questions Due Date: March 05 16, 2020

US DOT: PHMSA FY 2020 One-Call Grant Page 4 of 13

MISSION

The mission of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is to ensure our nation has the safest, most efficient and modern transportation system in the world. DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) protects people and the environment by advancing the safe transportation of energy and other hazardous materials that are essential to our daily lives. To do this, the agency establishes national policy, sets and enforces standards, educates, and conducts research to prevent incidents. We also prepare the public and first responders to reduce consequences if an incident does occur. To accomplish this, PHMSA awards grants to states, localities, communities, and nonprofit organizations that help make sure pipelines operate safely and shipments arrive without incident.

SECTION A – PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A.1 Purpose PHMSA administers this grant program to provide funding for state agencies’ damage prevention efforts, including training, changing state underground damage prevention laws, related compliance activities, and public education.

A strong transportation network is critical to the functioning and growth of the American economy. The nation’s industry depends on the transportation network to move the goods that it produces, and facilitate the movements of the workers who are responsible for that production.

When the nation’s highways, railways, and ports function well, that infrastructure connects people to jobs, increases the efficiency of delivering goods and thereby cuts the costs of doing business, reduces the burden of commuting, and improves overall well-being.

Rural transportation networks play a vital role in supporting our national economic vitality.

Addressing the deteriorating conditions and disproportionately high fatality rates on our rural transportation infrastructure is of critical interest to the Department, as rural transportation networks face unique challenges in safety, infrastructure condition, and passenger and freight usage. Consistent with the R.O.U.T.E.S. Initiative, the Department encourages applicants to consider how the project will address the challenges faced by rural areas in advancing pipeline and hazardous materials (hazmat) transportation safety.

A.2 Statute and Program Authority The One-Call program is authorized by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (Public Law 105-178); 49 U.S.C. § 60114; the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act of 2016, (Public Law 114-183); 49 U.S.C. § 6106.

A.3 Background The Secretary is authorized under 49 U.S.C. § 6106, to award grants in support of the One-Call program. The amount of any grant will not exceed $60,000 for a single recipient; however, total available funds and the maximum award amount are contingent upon Congress’ appropriation of funding for the One-Call program. The Secretary may support the improvement of various One- Call damage prevention activities by making a grant of financial assistance to a state. This grant

US DOT: PHMSA FY 2020 One-Call Grant Page 5 of 13 opportunity is open to state agencies that are permitted to conduct pipeline safety inspections per a 49 U.S.C. § 60105 certification and/or a 49 U.S.C. § 60106 agreement with PHMSA to perform pipeline safety inspections.

SECTION B – FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

B.1 Funding Subject to the availability of appropriations, PHMSA anticipates awarding approximately $1,058,000 under this NOFO. The amount of any grant may not exceed $60,000 per grant recipient; however, the total available funding and maximum award amount will be contingent upon an enacted FY 2020 appropriation. The funds may not be used for lobbying, regulatory compliance activities, the typical operations and maintenance of pipeline facilities, or in direct support of litigation.

Recipients may request 100 percent of the total amount of the award upon execution of the grant agreement.

B.2 Period of Performance The period of performance is 12 months from the effective date of award for each grant.

Applicants must only apply for funding that can be reasonably expended within this time frame and for projects that can be completed within the period of performance.

B.3 Type of Award If funding is made available, PHMSA intends to award multiple grants under this NOFO. The number of awards will depend on the availability of funding, the quality of applications, the number of applications received, and the dollar amounts requested. PHMSA may, at its discretion, award a grant based on the application in its entirety, award funds for only portions of a grant application, or reject the application. Submission of an application is not a guarantee of award.

B.4 Previous Awards Applicants that received a previous PHMSA One-Call grant award may apply for an FY 2020 One-Call grant. Additionally, applicants that applied for a previous PHMSA State Damage Prevention grant may also apply for an FY 2020 One-Call grant. Applicants may apply for grants under both programs for projects that are related, but cannot receive funding under both programs for projects that are identical in scope.

SECTION C – ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

C.1 Eligible Applicants This grant opportunity is only open to state agencies that are authorized to conduct pipeline safety inspections per a 49 U.S.C. § 60105 certification and/or a 49 U.S.C. § 60106 agreement with PHMSA.

In order to be eligible for a One-Call Grant, States must submit an application that demonstrates that it meets the minimum standards established in 49 U.S.C. § 6103 for a One-Call Grant

US DOT: PHMSA FY 2020 One-Call Grant Page 6 of 13 award. A State is also eligible to receive a One-Call Grant award if the State maintains an alternative one-call notification program that provides protection for public safety, excavators, and the environment that is equivalent to, or greater than, protection provided under a program that meets the minimum standards set forth in section 49 U.S.C. § 6103. PHMSA requires interested state agencies to answer the following questions and provide sufficient details to clearly demonstrate compliance with these requirements. Failure to provide the requested information may lead to rejection of the application.

• Does the State One-Call notification program allow all underground facility operators, including all government operators, to participate, as appropriate?1 List any pipeline exemptions.

• Does the State One-Call notification program allow all excavators, including all government and contract excavators, to participate, as appropriate?2

• Does the State One-Call notification program provide for flexible and effective enforcement under state law? Please provide a citation to the state statute for enforcement and identify the enforcement authority.

• Does the State One-Call notification program require that its notification system requirements are applicable, without exemptions, to municipalities, state agencies, or their contractors? Note: if you are currently classified as ineligible by PHMSA based on this requirement, you do not qualify for this grant.

• Does the State One-Call notification program consider the gravity of the offense and the risk to the public when determining appropriate enforcement?

• Does the State One-Call notification program provide no-cost underground facility locate requests, excluding design locate requests, for all individuals planning excavation activities?

• Does the State One-Call notification program provide for the voluntary participation of underground facility owners or activity of an excavator that the State determined to be a de minimis risk to public safety?

• Does the state, to the extent it determines it is appropriate and necessary, provide administrative or civil penalties commensurate with the seriousness of a violation of the State One-Call notification program by an excavator or facility owner?

C.2 Cost Sharing or Matching There are no requirements for cost sharing or matching.

SECTION D – APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

D.1 Address to Request Application Package PHMSA requires applicants for this funding opportunity to apply electronically through www.Grants.gov. Applicants must download the application package associated with this funding opportunity by following the directions provided at Grants.gov. A copy of this NOFO can also be retrieved from www.grants.gov using the following basic search

1 Minimum Standards for State One-call Notification Programs, 49 U.S. Code § 6103(b).

2 Minimum Standards for State One-call Notification Programs, 49 U.S. Code § 6103(b).

US DOT: PHMSA FY 2020 One-Call Grant Page 7 of 13 criteria:

(1) Keyword(s): One Call Program

(2) NOFO #: 693JK320NF0005

(3) CFDA Number: 20.721

To request a hard copy of the application package, please contact:

Fazal Mirza, Agreement Officer Acquisition Services Division Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, E21-344 Washington, DC 20590 Phone: (202) 366-6942 E-mail: fazal.mirza@dot.gov

If you are a hearing-impaired person, please contact the FR/TTY at 1-800-877-8339 or email PHMSA-Accessibility@dot.gov.

To begin the process, applicants must be registered with www.grants.gov to submit an application. It is highly recommended that applicants begin the registration process as soon as possible to avoid delays with submission. Failure to comply with the prescribed application requirements as described in this section will result in an application not being reviewed.

Accessing Grants.gov:

For new users, go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html, or go to the main page at http://www.grants.gov/ and select “Register.” NOTE: New user registrations for Grants.gov can take up to two weeks to complete. For additional questions on how to register, contact Grants.gov support by phone at (800) 518-4726 or by email at support@grants.gov.

Accessing FedConnect:

Applicants must register with FedConnect at https://www.fedconnect.net for an account before submitting an application. Your organization’s Marketing Partner ID number (MPIN), which can be retrieved from SAM, is required to create an account. For instructions on how to register in FedConnect and how to use the portal, view the FedConnect: Ready, Set, Go! Tutorial under the Need Help? section on the FedConnect home page. For other technical issues or questions, either email fcsupport@unisonglobal.com or call us at 1-800-899-6665 option 2. The FedConnect Support Center is staffed Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., EDT, except Federal holidays.

D.2 Content and Form of the Application Consistent with the Department's R.O.U.T.E.S. Initiative (https://www.transportation.gov/rural), the Department encourages applicants to describe how activities proposed in their application would address the unique challenges facing rural transportation networks, regardless of the geographic location of those activities.

mailto:fazal.mirza@dot.gov mailto:PHMSA-Accessibility@dot.gov mailto:support@grants.gov mailto:fcsupport@unisonglobal.com https://www.transportation.gov/rural

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Each application must consist of the following required documents:

1. Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form (SF) -424)

2. Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)

3. Project Narrative (template provided by PHMSA)

4. Budget Narrative and Estimates (template provided by PHMSA)

5. Standard Title VI/Non-Discrimination Assurances

6. Certification Regarding Lobbying

The application forms and templates are available on Grants.gov in the Forms Package and under the ‘Related Documents’ tab with detailed instructions on the application process.

Applicants must use Standard Form (SF) 424A through www.Grants.gov to submit their budget/cost proposal. The budget should reflect the applicant’s best terms from a cost and technical standpoint to perform the work. No fee or profit should be proposed.

D.3 Description of Cost Categories Additional budgetary information, broken out as described below, must provide detailed information on each cost element, consistent with the applicant's cost accounting system. The amounts requested for each budget category must be justified in a Budget section under each project in applicant responses to this announcement. Budget Narratives must address the following items:

• If your budget estimate includes indirect costs, please attach a copy of your approved indirect cost rate agreement along with your proposal. If your entity does not have an approved indirect cost rate agreement, please include a statement to that effect in your budget request (per the de minimis cost rate in 2 CFR Part 200).

• If your budget includes personnel costs, please include a complete breakdown, including personnel title/position, hourly rate, and the number of hours expected to be spent by each personnel on the proposed project.

• If your proposal includes travel costs, please include adequate details on how the cost has been calculated including travel fare, etc.

• If your proposal includes equipment costs, please include adequate details on how the cost has been calculated, including information on each specific equipment piece(s) required and their individual costs.

Applications that contain a request for indirect costs should include a budget narrative detailing the proposal for indirect costs, where allowable. The budget narrative should include a signed copy of the applicant’s approved negotiated rate agreement that is valid as of the date of the application, if this is not already on file with PHMSA State Programs division. If the applicant does not have an approved indirect cost rate agreement, PHMSA may consider requests for a grant-specific indirect cost rate, or the applicant may be eligible for the 10-percent de minimis rate provided by 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 200.414

***Further, please note that in order to comply with the requirements of 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E, and DOT’s Guide to Financial Assistance, PHMSA’s Agreement Officers and Grant

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Specialists may request additional information pertaining to your application during the application review/evaluation process. ***

D.4 Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) Each applicant is required to: (i) Be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid DUNS number in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration by PHMSA. PHMSA may not make a grant award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements. We recommend that applicants review the SAM database to ensure that their DUNS number is updated and active: https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. PHMSA will review an applicant’s registration status to ensure that the applicant is current on all Federal taxes and not on the list of parties excluded from Federal awards.

D.5 Submission Dates and Times Complete applications must be received electronically through www.Grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on March 19, 2020. DO NOT PHYSICALLY MAIL ANY APPLICATIONS.

Applications received after this deadline may not be considered. PHMSA will only accept one application from each applicant.

Questions Due Date & Time: March 16, 2020 at 5:00 pm EDT NOTE: All questions MUST be submitted via the Message Center in FedConnect. Please do not send questions via e-mail. PHMSA is not responsible for answering questions that were received after the Questions Due Date & Time.

D.6 Funding Restrictions

• Advance written approval: Changes in project scope, budget, objectives, project period, or key personnel will require advance written approval by the PHMSA Grant Officer.

• Educational items: Federal regulation 2 CFR § 200.421 prohibits the use of grant funding for promotional materials; however, funding may be provided for items that are educational in nature. When requesting funds for educational items, applicants should provide a general description of the items that will be purchased and a plan for the distribution of those items.

• Federal regulation 2 CFR § 200.432 addresses the use of grant funding for meetings and conferences, which is permissible if the primary purpose of the function is the dissemination of technical information beyond the non-Federal entity and is necessary and reasonable for successful performance under the Federal award. The cost of meals, transportation, facility rental, speakers’ fees, and other items incidental to such meetings or conferences may be paid using grant funds; however, funding may not be used to cover costs associated with entertainment, such as shows or sporting events, or the purchase of alcoholic beverages.

• Funds provided under grant awards may not be used for lobbying, advocacy or in direct support of litigation.

• Construction is not an allowable activity under this announcement.

• Funds should not be used to cover costs associated with the normal operations of the one-call center.

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• All PHMSA awards are subject to the terms and conditions in the grant agreement and the cost principles in 2 CFR § 200, Subpart E – Cost Principles.

D.7 Other Submission Requirements PHMSA requires applicants for this funding opportunity to apply electronically through grants.gov. Applicants must download the application package associated with this funding opportunity at www.grants.gov.

Applicants should state whether the project is located in a Qualified Opportunity Zone designated pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 1400Z-1.

SECTION E – APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

E.1 Criteria Consistent with the Department's R.O.U.T.E.S. Initiative (https://www.transportation.gov/rural), the Department recognizes that rural transportation networks face unique challenges. To the extent that those challenges are reflected in the merit criteria listed in this section, the Department will consider how the activities proposed in the application will address those challenges, regardless of the geographic location of those activities.

PHMSA will evaluate applications through administrative, technical, and programmatic reviews based on the evaluation criteria.

PHMSA developed evaluation criteria to rate and select competing applications. Submission of an application is not a guarantee of award. PHMSA may, at its discretion, award a grant based on an application in its entirety, award only portions of a grant based on its application, or not award a grant at all.

Criterion 1. Relevance to Established Funding Priorities This criterion will be used to evaluate work proposed under each project in the application, particularly regarding projects that enhance public safety, protect the environment, minimize risks to excavators, and prevent disruption of vital public services. When evaluating public service disruption prevention, PHMSA will specifically look for projects that reduce the incidence of excavation damage to underground facilities through the voluntary adoption and efficient implementation of One-Call notification programs.

Funding priorities are established and communicated to all potential grantees by distribution of the One-Call Grant Application Guidelines, which are updated annually.

Criterion 2. Costs and Project Scope This criterion will be used to evaluate the prospective work under each element in the application and to assess whether the proposed projects will:

• Produce tangible results within the project period;

• Establish clear goals, objectives, milestones, and estimates of project costs; and

• Use funds efficiently and effectively.

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E.2 Review and Selection Process

PHMSA will evaluate applications through administrative, technical, and programmatic reviews based on the evaluation criteria.

Administrative Review: PHMSA will conduct an administrative review to ensure the application meets the eligibility criteria outlined in Section C on Eligibility Information. Each application will be reviewed for completeness to ensure it includes all the required elements to qualify for the grant. If the application does not meet the required elements, then the application is likely to be rejected.

Technical Review: PHMSA will conduct a technical review of the application to assess how the proposed work is to be performed; and whether the application(s) are responsive to the applicable program requirements (i.e. performance measurement, methodology, and technical merit). PHMSA may use outside stakeholders as part of the technical review panel. Member outside stakeholders may be comprised of damage prevention stakeholder groups with expertise in pipeline safety.

Programmatic Review: PHMSA will conduct a programmatic review to assess programmatic factors. Programmatic factors are relevant and essential to the process of selecting applications that best achieve the program objectives, in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, policies, and guidelines. Programmatic factors may include history of performance, program priorities, and other modal needs (i.e. rural areas and Qualified Opportunity Zones).

Based on the results from each review, each application will receive an overall rating either as:

Rating Guideline Highly Recommended - The application demonstrates that the NOFO requirements are very well understood and the approach will likely result in very high-quality performance. The application clearly addresses and exceeds requirements. The application contains outstanding features that meet or exceed on multiple dimensions the expectations of the Government. The application aligns very well with the DOT objectives and priorities. The risk of poor performance is very low.

Recommended - The application demonstrates that the NOFO requirements are understood and the approach will likely result in satisfactory performance. The application addresses and meets requirements with some minor weaknesses. The application demonstrates requisite experience, qualifications, and performance capabilities. The application aligns with the DOT objectives and priorities. The risk of poor performance is low.

Acceptable - The application demonstrates that the NOFO requirements are mostly understood and the approach will likely result in satisfactory performance for part of the requirements. The application addresses some of the requirements with some weaknesses. The application demonstrates some experience, qualifications, and/or performance capabilities. The application partially aligns with the DOT objectives and priorities. The risk of poor performance is moderate.

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Not Acceptable - The application does not meet the NOFO requirements. The application fails to address many requirements. The applicant may be ineligible to apply for the grant. The application could not satisfy critical requirements without a major revision and/or a rewrite of the application or a major redirection effort. The application does not align with the DOT objectives and priorities. The risk of poor performance is high.

Selection Process Final award recommendations will be made by the PHMSA Administrator after taking into consideration recommendations made during the administrative, technical, and programmatic reviews. The Secretary of Transportation will make final award selection decisions.

SECTION F - FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

F.1 Federal Award Notices PHMSA’s grant awarding official will award grants to responsible and eligible applicants who submit the most qualified applications under the procedures set forth in this NOFO. All funds provided by PHMSA must be expended solely for the purpose for which the funds are awarded in accordance with the approved application and budget, regulations, terms and conditions of the award, applicable Federal cost principles, and the Department’s financial assistance regulations.

Grant funds may not be used for lobbying or litigation, cover costs associated with the normal operations of a one-call center, or be used for costs associated with regulatory compliance programs for pipeline operators.

Unsuccessful applicants will be notified that their application was not selected for funding.

The grant award agreement will provide pertinent instructions and information including, at a minimum, the following:

1) The legal name and address of the recipient;

2) Title of project;

3) Name(s) of key personnel chosen to direct and control approved activities;

4) Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) assigned by PHMSA;

5) Period of Performance;

6) Total amount of financial assistance approved for the project;

7) Legal authority(ies) under which the award is issued;

8) Assistance Listing Program (formerly CFDA) number and name;

9) Applicable award terms and conditions; and

10) Approved budget plan for categorizing allocable project funds to accomplish the stated purpose of the award and other information or provisions deemed necessary by

PHMSA.

F.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements Several Federal statutes and regulations apply to grant applications considered for review and grants awarded under this program. See Attachment 1: Terms and Conditions of this

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NOFO for a list of statutes and regulations that are applicable. See Attachment 2: Standard Title IV/Non-Discrimination Assurances.

F.3 Reporting Requirements Recipients must submit a final performance report in FedSTAR no later than 90 days after the end of the grant period of performance. Instructions on how to complete the report will be sent separately to each grant recipient.

SECTION G – FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

Technical Primary Point of Contact Rex Evans

DOT/PHMSA

Phone: (217) 801-8014 Email: rex.evans@dot.gov

Grant Agreement Officer Fazal Mirza

DOT/PHMSA

Phone: (202) 366-6942 E-mail: fazal.mirza@dot.gov

NOTE: All questions related to the content of this funding opportunity MUST be submitted via the Message Center in FedConnect. Please do not send questions via e-mail.

Only for technical issues or questions related to FedConnect, please email fcsupport@unisonglobal.com, applicant can submit questions through the portal on their website, or call 1-800-899-6665 option 2.

Only for technical issues or questions related to www.Grants.gov, please email support@grants.gov.

SECTION H – OTHER INFORMATION

Given the complexity of some aspects of the application process, technical assistance is available to rural applicants and inexperienced or under-resourced applicants to help with the application process. Please contact the technical primary point of contact listed in Section G.

mailto:fazal.mirza@dot.gov mailto:support@grants.gov