EXHIBIT A - SCOPE OF SERVICES.pdf

August 14, 2026

SCOPE OF WORK

El Monte Mobility Hub Climate Resilience Project – CBO Partnership Opportunity

August 2026

OVERVIEW

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is seeking a qualified Community-Based Organization (CBO) that is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to serve as a Co-Applicant for the State’s Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program (EHCRP) Round 2 Advanced Infrastructure grant, administered by the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI). Through this procurement, Metro will select a local CBO partner to support pre-award activities, including grant application development, community engagement, and identifying potential programming and activation strategies for the El Monte Mobility Hub. If the grant is awarded, the selected CBO will continue to partner with Metro during project implementation in accordance with the grant agreement.

Project Background

Metro’s proposed project, El Monte Mobility Hub Climate Resilience Project: A Greener LA28 Games Legacy, will transform one of LA Metro’s highest ridership stations into a meaningful climate refuge for transit riders and community members. Metro is introducing public green space in place of under-utilized surface parking and investing in heat mitigation measures to counter the urban heat island effect.

The proposed improvements include approximately 30 native and drought-tolerant shade trees to expand the tree canopy and filter particulate matter and pollutants; 24,000 square feet of open space with water-wise, climate-adapted landscaping featuring native plants; shade structures providing 3,000 square feet of shade at the open spaces, entrance, and bus waiting areas; a "cool-down" zone equipped with misters and seating; two hydration stations with fountain and bottle-refill options; accessible pathways, seating, and circulation throughout the new public space; and micromobility parking with network upgrades to improve access and reduce vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions.

Task 1: Grant Application Development and Pre-Award Support

Task 1 is anticipated to begin September 2026 and the selected CBO will collaborate with Metro to develop the EHCRP grant application for the El Monte Mobility Hub Climate Resilience Project: A Greener LA28 Games Legacy by providing technical review, grant preparation and coordination, and strategic recommendations that reflect community priorities.

Task 2 (Optional): Post-Award Project Implementation (Contingent Upon Grant Award)

If Metro is awarded EHCRP funding, Task 2 is anticipated to begin in early 2027, depending on the State grant award process, and continue for up to 48 months from the date of the funding agreement with the State. During this phase, the selected CBO will partner with Metro to support project implementation, including expanded community engagement, station activation, broader policy and planning recommendations, and other community-focused activities, as identified in the grant agreement.

SCOPE OF SERVICES:

Metro seeks a collaborative partner that brings local knowledge, trusted community relationships, and creative ideas to help cement participatory processes for the El Monte Mobility Hub Climate Resilience Project: A Greener LA28 Games Legacy. The selected CBO will work with Metro to 1) apply to the EHCRP and build a framework for future work if awarded and 2) if awarded, build upon and expand existing Metro initiatives to activate the station realm, while identifying other community-focused opportunities at the El Monte Mobility Hub and coordinating eligible grant-funded work throughout project delivery, as is practicable.

The following tasks identify the work required. The period of performance is anticipated to be up to six (6) months from the Task Order execution for Task 1 (Optional Task 2 is described further below). Tasks may overlap or happen concurrently.

Task 1: Grant Application Development and Pre-Award Support

Task 1.1: Project Chartering Meeting

Participate in a virtual kickoff meeting with Metro to collaborate with the project team and co-develop a “Project Charter” that articulates shared goals, community values, and key engagement principles and participatory processes for the project.

Deliverables:

o One (1) 1-hour meeting attendance and participation.

o Project charter co-authored with Metro.

Task 1.2: Grant Application Support

Provide community-specific knowledge, insight, and input to Metro’s EHCRP application, anticipated for submission on October 13, 2026. Review applicable sections of the grant application narrative and recommend revisions, as appropriate, to ensure that the application reflects community context, CBO partnership roles, and an informed, thoughtful engagement approach given project constraints. Articulate community need and heat vulnerability with local knowledge and available/gathered evidence. Provide necessary documentation required by the State’s grant guidelines and participate in an interview and/or site visit, if invited by the State.

Deliverables:

o Review the full application for accuracy and alignment in how the community context, partnership role, and the engagement strategies are represented.

o Provide a refined scope, activities, staffing plan, and budget for the CBO’s role in the project workplan and budget workbook in coordination with Metro in alignment with “Optional Task 2: Post-Award Project Implementation.”

o Prepare and submit the required Co-Applicant letter of support required by the grant guidelines and other requested documentation (see Appendix Item A).

o Participate in the applicant interview and/or site visit, if invited by the State.

Task 1.3: Project Coordination Meetings

Participate in monthly virtual meetings post-application with Metro until grant award announcement.

Deliverables:

o Up to six (6) 1-hour meeting attendances and participation.

Task 1.4: Community Engagement and Preliminary Programming Strategy

Provide grounded, local expertise and recommendations to inform the project team’s approach to culturally relevant engagement and programming for the El Monte Mobility Hub before, during, and after construction. Advise on community context, site-specific considerations, and staffing needs to support meaningful engagement with transit riders, local businesses, and surrounding communities. Identify and recommend potential trusted local partners and/or activation opportunities that support use of El Monte Mobility Hub’s proposed climate resilience improvements. Based on the findings, conduct preliminary outreach to support potential future activities under “Optional Task 2: Post-Award Project Implementation.”

Deliverables:

o Advise project team on existing conditions and provide relevant sociocultural engagement, outreach, and programming strategies.

o Identify potential local community partners, engagement opportunities, and activation strategies for El Monte Mobility Hub.

o Conduct preliminary outreach using culturally responsive approaches to inform potential Task 2 implementation activities.

(OPTIONAL) Task 2: Post-Award Project Implementation - Contingent Upon Grant Award

This optional task is informed by the EHCRP grant guidelines and will be authorized only when all the following conditions are met:

LCI awards the EHCRP Round 2 funding to Metro for El Monte Mobility Hub Climate Resilience Project: A Greener LA28 Games Legacy.

The grant agreement between Metro and LCI is fully executed.

Metro and Contractor execute the Partnership Agreement required by the program, confirming final scope, budget, and payment terms.

Metro issues a written authorization identifying the tasks and the authorized budget for each.1

No work shall begin, and no costs may be incurred before execution of the grant agreement.

Any costs incurred before grant execution are not eligible for reimbursement under the EHCRP grant.2 The period of performance is 48 months from the grant award start date. The above provision applies to all tasks beyond Task 1.

Prior to proceeding with Optional Task 2, all tasks and deliverables shall be discussed, refined, and agreed upon with Metro to ensure feasibility, adherence to schedule, and overall project alignment. Metro anticipates further refinement of Optional Task 2 scoping to the awarded CBO under Task 1 in “Task 1.2: Grant Application Support.” However, Metro is asking for a preliminary approach at this time; please refer to Appendix Item B “EHCRP Final Grant Guidelines 2026” for guidance and Appendix Item C “El Monte Mobility Hub Climate Resilience Project: A Greener LA28 Games Legacy Project Background & Renderings” for further project details.

1 Metro reserves the right to procure a technical contractor to support day-to-day management as needed.

2 If the application is not funded, the agreement concludes at the end of Task 1. Neither party carries further obligation.

OPTIONAL Task 2 Subtasks, Contingent Upon Grant Award, are summarized in the table below.

Table 1. OPTIONAL Task 2 Project Subtasks at a Glance

Source: EHCRP Final Grant Guidelines 2026, page 11. Note “Purpose” is equivalent to task description for these subtasks.

APPENDIX

A. EHCRP Background & Partnership Structure and Eligibility B. EHCRP Final Grant Guidelines 2026 C. El Monte Mobility Hub Climate Resilience Project: A Greener LA28 Games Legacy

Project EHCRP Pre-Application & Renderings

Appendix A

EHCRP Background & Partnership Structure and Eligibility

BACKGROUND

The Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program

EHCRP funds infrastructure that protects California communities most vulnerable to extreme heat. Round 2 is funded by the 2024 Climate Bond (Proposition 4) and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, and is required to direct at least 40 percent of program funding to projects providing meaningful and direct benefits to Disadvantaged Communities or Vulnerable Populations, with a minimum of 10 percent supporting Severely Disadvantaged Communities.

Advanced Infrastructure Projects implement infrastructure already identified through prior planning and determined feasible. Awards range from $3 million to $4.5 million over a 48-month term. Metro will be applying under this category.

Program values Contractor would help advance

• Harm Reduction — acting with urgency to reduce heat-related illness and death through place-based infrastructure, in communities facing disproportionate exposure from historic and ongoing under-investment.

• Partnership — complementary roles and shared decision-making between community knowledge and institutional implementation capacity.

• Belonging — infrastructure designed with and for the people who will use it, reflecting local languages, cultures, and history.

• Lasting Community Benefits — building momentum, local support, and funding pathways for additional heat infrastructure beyond the grant term.

PARTNERSHIP STRUCTURE AND ELIGIBILITY

Co-Applicant Role

Under EHCRP program guidelines, a Co-Applicant is a required partner that receives funds through the Lead Applicant and carries assigned tasks in the project workplan and budget. Co- Applicant responsibilities, ahead of application, are:

• Ensuring the Co-Applicant’s key activities, detailed tasks, and allocated budget are reflected in the project workplan and budget submitted with the application.

• Submitting a letter of support with the application describing how the organization supports the goals of the project and how it plans to accomplish its components of the work.

• Providing financial statements from the last two years (balance sheets, income statements, statements of cash flows); the most recent Form 990 and IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter; and any audit findings from the last five years, if applicable.

Eligibility Requirements

• 501(c)(3) status: The CBO must be qualified to do business in California and qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

• Office proximity: Any CBO serving as Co-Applicant must maintain a staffed operational office within 100 miles of the infrastructure project site.

• Ineligible entities: For-profit entities, individual community members, and state and federal agencies cannot serve as Lead Applicant, Co-Applicant, Contributor, or fiscal sponsor. A coalition cannot substitute for the CBO requirement.

Appendix B

EHCRP Final Grant Guidelines 2026

Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program

Round 2 Grant Guidelines

June 2026

Guideline Overview

What is the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program?

The Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program (Extreme Heat Program) is housed within the Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program (ICARP) at

Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI). The Program provides funding for projects to protect

California communities most vulnerable to the impacts of extreme heat. Round 2 will fund infrastructure projects with funding from the 2024 Climate Bond (Proposition 4) and the

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

What projects does the Extreme Heat Program fund?

Early Infrastructure Projects fund heat-related infrastructure planning and a demonstration project that tests proposed approaches. Awards range from $750,000 to $1.2 million.

Advanced Infrastructure Projects fund the implementation of heat-related infrastructure projects that have been identified through prior planning efforts and determined to be feasible.

Awards range from $3 million to $4.5 million.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applications must include a Lead Applicant and at least one Co-Applicant. Eligible Lead

Applicants and Co-Applicants include Local and Regional Public Entities, Community-Based

Organizations (CBOs), Public Higher Academic Institutions, California Native American Tribes, and Coalitions.

How do you apply?

Step 1: Submit a Pre-Application Interest Form via Submittable. Window 1 opens on

June 16, 2026, and closes on July 21 at 2:00 PM PST. Technical Assistance requests are only accepted during Window 1. Window 2 opens on July 1, 2026, and closes on August

11 at 2:00 PM PST.

Step 2: Submit the Full Application Form via Submittable. The Full Application Form is only available to applicants who have completed a Pre-Application Interest Form. The

Full Application Form must be submitted by October 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM PST.

What are the funding priorities?

The Extreme Heat Program will direct at least 40% of its funding to projects with meaningful and direct benefits for Disadvantaged Communities (DACs) or Vulnerable Populations. Of that

40%, a minimum of 10% must support Severely Disadvantaged Communities (SDACs).

Table of Contents

1. Background

2. Program Values

3. Early Infrastructure Projects

4. Advanced Infrastructure Projects

5. Workplan and Eligible Activities

6. Eligibility

7. Funding Priorities

8. Application Process

9. Post-Award Requirements

10. Legal Notes

11. Appendix

Appendix A: California Native American Tribes FAQs

Appendix B: Belonging Guide

Appendix C: Eligible Projects Examples

Appendix D: Workplan Examples

Appendix E: Guide to Assessing Funding Priority Points

Appendix F: Scoring Criteria

Appendix G: Glossary of Terms

1. Background

1.1 Program Background and Development:

The Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program (the Extreme Heat Program) was established through SB 155, the Public Resources Trailer Bill (2021), which allocated resources beginning in the 2022 23 fiscal year.

Round 1 was shaped by listening sessions with over 800 participants, a public comment period, and discussions with community-based organizations (CBOs). LCI awarded $32 million to 47 grantees across 23 counties.

Round 2 builds on lessons learned from Round 1. Early feedback was collected from over 500 community members across 10 input sessions in 2025 and a public comment period on the draft guidelines was held in early 2026. This round is funded by the 2024 Climate Bond

(Proposition 4) and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The Climate Bond requires that the

Extreme Heat Program directs at least 40% of its funding to projects with meaningful and direct benefits for Disadvantaged Communities (DACs) or Vulnerable Populations. Of that 40%, a minimum of 10% must provide meaningful and direct benefits to Severely Disadvantaged

Communities (SDACs).

1.2. Extreme Heat and Community Resilience:

Extreme heat is one of California's deadliest climate hazards, with events becoming more frequent and severe1. Across the state, regions long accustomed to hot weather are experiencing heat that is more intense and prolonged, while historically cooler areas are facing hotter conditions for which they are unprepared. In both cases, temperatures threaten physical and mental health, worsen underlying medical conditions, and fall hardest on those most vulnerable. Extreme heat also strains California's natural systems, driving wildfires and droughts that compound the impacts to communities whose cultural, spiritual, and economic wellbeing depends on healthy landscapes.

Addressing the threats posed by extreme heat requires more than technical solutions; it requires building lasting community capacity to withstand, recover from, and adapt to increasingly intense and prolonged heat events. The Extreme Heat Program funds solutions that go beyond individual projects and works alongside grantees to build resilience through the implementation of physical and social infrastructure, ensuring that solutions are effective, equitable, and built to last.

1 Schmeltz, M. T., Smith, J. A., Olmos, I., & Quintero, E. (2022). Extreme Heat Governance: A Critical Analysis of Heat Action Plans in California. American Journal of Public Health, 113(1), 15-19.

https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.307117

2. Program Values The Extreme Heat Program is guided by four core values that shape how projects are designed, delivered, and sustained. Together, these values reflect a commitment to protecting the people most harmed by extreme heat, doing so in partnership with the communities they serve, creating infrastructure that fosters a sense of belonging, and ensuring that investments contribute to lasting change.

2.1 Harm Reduction: reflects a commitment to acting with urgency to reduce immediate heat-related illness and death, particularly in communities that face disproportionate exposure due to historic and ongoing inequities in infrastructure investment. This value shifts the focus away from relying solely on individual behavioral change and toward focused, place-based infrastructure interventions that directly reduce risk. It emphasizes a clear understanding of how extreme heat exacerbates harm and the importance of implementing solutions that intentionally reduce harm.

2.2 Partnership: recognizes that effective solutions require both community knowledge and implementation capacity. Communities most affected by extreme heat bring critical lived experience and insight into local conditions, while public agencies and other institutions provide the authority, resources, and scale needed to deliver infrastructure. This value emphasizes intentional, complementary partnerships and shared decision-making, ensuring that projects are both grounded in community realities and positioned for successful implementation and long-term support.

2.3 Belonging: ensures that infrastructure is designed with and for the people who use it.

Projects center the needs of communities through inclusive, community-driven design processes. They incorporate input from diverse residents, reflect local languages and cultures, and acknowledge past and ongoing harm. By engaging trusted community voices, projects create spaces that are safe, welcoming, and reflective of the communities they serve.

2.4 Lasting Community Benefits: recognizes that addressing extreme heat requires investments that extend beyond individual projects, contributing to the long-term resilience and well-being of communities vulnerable to extreme heat. Through activities, lessons learned, and relationships generated during the grant term, projects should build momentum for additional investment. By cultivating community interest and political support, projects can leverage additional resources to scale infrastructure solutions and broaden their long-term benefits.

3. Early Infrastructure Projects

3.1 Purpose: Applicants must develop a heat-related infrastructure planning document that identifies where infrastructure will be deployed and how it will protect vulnerable populations from extreme heat within a defined geographic area. The planning document must be supported by an infrastructure demonstration project, and both must be completed within 30 months of the grant award start date.

3.2 Award Range: $750,000 to $1.2 million.

3.3 Eligible Projects: Eligible projects must produce a planning document for the installation or modification of infrastructure whose primary purpose is to protect people from extreme heat.

Projects may include:

Built environment solutions, such as cool pavements, shading, passive and mechanical cooling, building upgrades, hydration stations, and transit shelters.

Nature-based solutions, such as urban forestry, green spaces, green stormwater infrastructure.

Projects that integrate both built and nature-based solutions.

All projects must produce two deliverables: Planning Document and Infrastructure

Demonstration Project.

3.4 Program Requirements:

Infrastructure Demonstration: 25% 60% of the total budget must support the demonstration project.

Partnerships: At least 8% of the total budget must go directly to partners (Co-Applicants and/or Contributors) for assigned workplan activities.

Belonging Activities: At least 4% of the total budget must support Belonging design and implementation activities. See Section 5. Workplan and Eligible Activities. See Appendix

B: Belonging Guide.

Post-Award Activities: Applicants must set aside $25,000 in their budget to participate in required post-award activities. See Section 9. Post-Award Requirements.

Indirect Costs: Up to 15% of the total budget can be allocated for indirect costs.

3.5 Infrastructure Demonstration Project Requirements: A demonstration project is required to inform the planning document and must be completed before the planning document is finalized. By testing a proposed infrastructure system, grantees will deliver immediate cooling benefits to their communities while generating insights needed to produce a credible and actionable planning document and build support for future investment. Infrastructure

Demonstration Projects must be set up to:

Provide Shade or Cooling: Deliver immediate heat relief to communities through the installation of physical infrastructure.

Test Belonging Approaches: Test strategies that engage potential users in the co-creation of infrastructure that reflects the community it serves and is welcoming, accessible, and safe.

Test the Infrastructure Design: Test the design of the demonstration project by identifying which components work well, which do not, and what should be adjusted before scaling.

Learn from the Implementation Process: Learn the processes to design, permit, and install heat resilience infrastructure in a community, generating practical lessons that can inform the implementation of future infrastructure solutions.

Build Momentum: Generate community and political support for extreme heat infrastructure and develop support for the policies and investments articulated in the plan.

While the infrastructure type for the demonstration project must be identified at the time of application (e.g., cool pavement, misting stations, etc.), applicants have flexibility to determine

, provided that the demonstration produces the required components.

3.6 Planning Document Requirements: Eligible Planning Documents must take one of the following forms:

An Infrastructure Master Plan is a strategic planning document focused specifically on heat-resilient infrastructure within a defined geographic area. It establishes a community vision for the infrastructure needed to protect people from extreme heat and provides a roadmap for long-term investment and implementation. Infrastructure

Master Plans may focus on a specific type of infrastructure (microgrids, urban forestry, home retrofits, hydration stations, and cool corridors) or on cooling and shade infrastructure more broadly through efforts, such as cool parks or a shade master plan.

An Extreme Heat Action Plan is a broader comprehensive plan that addresses community preparedness and response to extreme heat, including public awareness, communications, emergency response, and infrastructure investment. All Extreme Heat

Action Plans must include a dedicated infrastructure planning section. At a minimum, this section must identify where infrastructure investments are needed, the types of infrastructure required to address community needs, how the infrastructure will be designed and implemented, and the financial strategies to implement them.

Required Planning Elements: While the two plan types differ in scope, both must address all required planning elements listed below and include community engagement, local partnerships, and evidence of Belonging strategies (see Appendix B: Belonging Guide):

Priority Areas: Identification of high-need areas where infrastructure investments are lacking or insufficient.

Infrastructure Strategy: Identification and justification of infrastructure types that address community needs and have community support.

Partnerships: Identification of entities that could support design, implementation, operation, and maintenance.

Design Principles: A set of community-informed principles that describe what the infrastructure should achieve and how it should function for the community it serves. These principles should guide future design decisions and be used to inform grant proposals or design scopes of work.

Implementation Cost Estimates: Preliminary pre-construction costs estimates for proposed infrastructure investments, including designs, contingencies and scaling considerations, as appropriate.

Implementation Roadmap: A high-level roadmap that provides a clear and credible outline of how the community intends to move from planning to action. The roadmap may include proposed next steps, potential funding opportunities, key milestones, and the entities responsible for advancing implementation.

Optional Consideration: Applicants will identify infrastructure solutions that address community heat resilience needs. Applicants seeking to move a specific solution closer to implementation may also develop preliminary engineering and design materials, such as construction documents at the 15% or 30% design stage.

Applicants may also identify permitting requirements, site control needs, and other considerations necessary to support future implementation.

3.7 Eligible Project Examples: see Appendix C: Eligible Projects Examples.

4. Advanced Infrastructure Projects

4.1 Purpose: Applicants must implement infrastructure that protects vulnerable populations from extreme heat. Projects must be informed by prior planning efforts that demonstrate a feasible infrastructure solution and a defined project location (see Section 4.5: Project

Feasibility Requirements). Additionally, applicants must develop a Future Implementation

Playbook that documents lessons learned and identifies opportunities to expand or replicate heat resilience investments in the future. Applicants must demonstrate that construction will be completed within 48 months of the grant award start date.

4.2 Award Range: $3 million to $4.5 million.

4.3 Eligible Projects: Eligible projects must primarily protect people from extreme heat and demonstrate sufficient readiness to proceed toward implementation.

Projects may include:

Built environment solutions, such as cool pavements, shading, passive and mechanical cooling, building upgrades, hydration stations and transit shelters.

Nature-based solutions, such as urban forestry, green spaces, and green stormwater infrastructure.

Projects that integrate both built and nature-based solutions.

All projects must produce two deliverables: Completed Infrastructure Project and a Future

Implementation Playbook.

4.4 Program Requirements:

Infrastructure Construction: At least 70% of the total budget must support infrastructure implementation and construction activities.

Partnerships: At least 6% of the total budget must be allocated directly to partners (Co-

Applicants and/or contributors) for assigned workplan activities.

Belonging Activities: At least 2% of the total budget must be allocated to support

Belonging design and implementation activities. See Section 5. Workplan and Eligible

Activities and Appendix B: Belonging Guide.

Post Award Activities: Applicants must set aside $50,000 in their budget to participate in required post-award activities. See Section 9. Post-Award Requirements.

Indirect Costs: Up to 15% of the total budget can be allocated for indirect costs.

4.5 Project Feasibility Requirements: Applicants must demonstrate that the proposed project is feasible and can reasonably advance to construction within the 48-month grant term.

Applications must include the following:

Identification of the proposed infrastructure solution and project site.

Preliminary cost estimates: A cost estimate table or equivalent document providing planning-level cost estimates for the proposed infrastructure.

Preliminary design or engineering documents: Conceptual drawings, site plans, or other early-stage documents demonstrating project feasibility.

Site control: Formal site control documentation will be required upon award. See

Section 9. Post-Award Requirements.

The following are not required but may strengthen the demonstration of feasibility:

Site-specific feasibility information, such as structural assessments, utility requirements, or equipment specifications.

Existing plans, studies, or prior planning efforts relevant to the proposed project.

Evidence of progress toward permits or environmental review, if applicable.

4.6 Completed Infrastructure Requirements: All proposed infrastructure must be fully installed, operational, and compliant with all required inspections and approvals by the end of the grant term. Applicants must also develop a long-term operations and maintenance plan identifying the entity responsible for ongoing operation, maintenance, and stewardship.

4.7 Future Implementation Playbook Requirements: Applicants must produce a written document that supports future investment building on the progress made by the completed infrastructure. The Playbook should identify opportunities to expand, replicate, sustain, or scale fundraising, planning, design, and implementation efforts. The Playbook may take the form of a policy memo with recommendations to local jurisdictions, an implementation toolkit, a financing and funding strategy, a technical guide, or design guidelines.

4.8 Eligible Project Examples: See Appendix C: Eligible Projects Examples.

5. Workplan and Eligible Activities

5.1 Simplified Workplan and Budget: Applicants must complete a Simplified Workplan and

Budget template as part of the application and contracting process. Upon contract execution, awarded applicants will submit a detailed workplan as a first-quarter deliverable.

The Simplified Workplan and Budget is structured around six tasks designed to help applicants identify the key milestones needed to produce the required deliverables for their project type.

Task Purpose

Task 1: Project Initiation Develop the detailed workplan, finalize partnership agreements, and establish the project team.

Task 2: Community

Assessment and

Engagement

Conduct community or site-specific assessments and engagement to inform the planning document and infrastructure deployment.

Task 3: Infrastructure

Readiness

Complete all pre-construction activities and obtain program readiness approval before deployment.

Task 4: Infrastructure

Deployment

Construct and install the infrastructure and prepare the community to access and use it.

Task 5: Planning and Policy Complete either the Planning Document for Early

Infrastructure OR Future Implementation Playbook for

Advanced Infrastructure.

Task 6: Project

Administration

Fulfill all reporting, administrative, and peer learning requirements throughout the grant term.

Table 1. Project Tasks at a Glance

5.2 Eligible Activities: Within each Task, the eligible activities listed are intended to guide applicants in developing their workplan. Applicants must address each Task but have flexibility in selecting the activities most appropriate for their project. Unless otherwise noted, eligible activities apply to both Early and Advanced Infrastructure Projects.

5.3 Tasks Definitions:

Task 1. Project Initiation:

Upon contract execution, applicants must initiate project kick-off activities, including the development of a detailed workplan and execution of partnership agreements. Both deliverables are due at the end of the first quarter of the grant term. Eligible activities include:

Detailed Workplan and Budget Development (Required): Upon contract execution, applicants must develop a detailed workplan using the provided template. This deliverable is due by the end of the first quarter following contract execution and will serve as the roadmap for project implementation.

Partnership Agreement (Required): Applicants must finalize and submit a formal

Partnership Agreement with all Co-Applicants and Contributors.

Staffing and Procurement: Applicants may conduct staffing and procurement activities necessary to prepare for project implementation, including hiring staff and onboarding, consultant procurement, requests for proposals (RFPs), subcontracting, purchasing and project management setup.

Task 2. Community Assessment and Engagement:

This task covers the assessment and engagement activities necessary to inform project design and implementation based on community needs and site conditions. For Early

Infrastructure Projects, activities must focus on broad community-level vulnerability assessments to inform the planning document and demonstration project. For

Advanced Infrastructure Projects, activities must focus on site-specific assessments that optimize the design and configuration of the proposed infrastructure to maximize heat protection. Eligible activities include:

Community and Heat Vulnerability Assessments: Grantees must conduct activities that assess the physical and social conditions of the community they will serve:

o Early Infrastructure Projects: broad community-level assessments to understand how extreme heat affects the community as a whole (e.g., exposure and vulnerability assessments, heat mapping, tree canopy analysis, health outcome data review, identification of existing cooling assets).

o Advanced Infrastructure Projects: site-specific assessments to optimize the configuration of the already identified infrastructure for maximum cooling benefit (e.g., shade angle analysis, surface temperature mapping, structural assessments, and utility and equipment placement reviews).

Community Engagement: Applicants must ensure that communities most affected by extreme heat have a meaningful role in shaping how the project is planned and implemented (e.g., facilitated workshops, community listening sessions, communication campaigns, outreach to trusted messengers, site visits of similar projects, site-specific community input sessions).

Task 3. Infrastructure Readiness:

This task covers all pre-construction activities needed to ensure the project is ready for infrastructure deployment. For Early Infrastructure Projects, this task focuses on preparing the demonstration project for implementation. For Advanced Infrastructure

Projects, this task focuses on completing all feasibility requirements necessary to begin full infrastructure construction. This task is completed when projects receive Readiness

Review approval that lets them move into infrastructure deployment. Eligible activities include:

Pre-Construction: Applicants must complete all activities needed to prepare the project for infrastructure deployment:

o Early Infrastructure Projects: Finalize the demonstration project location and complete all pre-construction activities needed for deployment, including design, site investigations, permitting, procurement, and evidence of site control.

o Advanced Infrastructure Projects: Building on the previously identified infrastructure solution and location, complete all feasibility requirements

(see Section 4. Advanced Infrastructure Projects) and any remaining pre-construction activities, such as permits, procurement documentation, and evidence of site control.

Belonging Design (Required): As part of pre-construction, grantees must incorporate belonging principles into infrastructure design to ensure projects are safe, welcoming, and reflective of the communities they serve. Activities may include engaging community members, especially those most vulnerable to extreme heat, through an intentional design process that may involve artists, cultural bearers, social workers, or indigenous knowledge experts. Final designs must incorporate cultural and place-based elements that reflect community identity and support long-term use and ownership. See Appendix B: Belonging

Guide. Belonging design activities must be completed prior to Readiness Review.

Readiness Review (Required): Applicants must complete a formal readiness review confirming that the demonstration project or infrastructure project is ready for deployment before deployment costs can be invoiced. The Readiness

Review must be completed by month twelve.

Task 4. Infrastructure Deployment:

This task includes all activities necessary for construction and installation. For Early

Infrastructure Projects, this task consists of deploying the demonstration project. For

Advanced Infrastructure Projects, this task consists of completing full infrastructure construction. Eligible activities include:

Infrastructure Deployment: Applicants must complete all construction, installation, inspection, testing, and commissioning activities necessary to deliver the infrastructure.

Community Preparedness and Operational Readiness: Applicants must ensure that staff and community members are prepared to access, operate, and maintain the infrastructure. Activities may include workforce training, outreach and communications, preparedness protocols, and long-term maintenance planning.

Task 5. Planning and Policy:

In this task applicants will develop written deliverables and may also conduct activities to track the performance of the infrastructure. Eligible activities include:

Planning Document Development (Required Early Infrastructure Projects):

All activities necessary to produce the required planning document, including data analysis, drafting, stakeholder review sessions, and presentations to councils or decision makers.

Future Implementation Playbook (Required Advanced Infrastructure

Projects): All activities necessary to produce the playbook, including workshops to reflect on lessons learned, stakeholder meetings, drafting, and presentations of results to councils, decision makers, or potential funders.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Applicants must establish and implement a strategy to assess infrastructure effectiveness and evaluate whether project or program objectives are being achieved. Activities may include measurement of temperature reduction, shade coverage, infrastructure utilization, community feedback, surveys, interviews, focus groups, and other evaluation methods appropriate to the project.

Task 6. Project Administration:

Applicants must complete all required reporting, documentation, and peer-to-peer learning activities throughout the grant term. Templates will be provided for all deliverables. Required reporting requirements include:

Progress Reports: Applicants must submit quarterly reports ahead of each check-in with informal, high-level snapshots of progress, milestones, and challenges; a mid-term report tracking progress against the detailed workplan to confirm the project is on track and flag any risks or technical assistance needs;

and a final report summarizing accomplishments and documenting activities completed throughout the grant term.

Case Study: Applicants must produce a project case study at the end of the grant term documenting lessons learned and effective practices to help other community efforts learn from each other and advance the field.

Post-Award Activities: Applicants must participate in quarterly peer-to-peer learning sessions and other program-sponsored activities intended to support collaboration, knowledge exchange, and other activities to support peer learning and capacity building.

6. Eligibility

6.1 Eligible Applicants: The following entity types are eligible to apply as a Lead Applicant:

Local and Regional Public Entities: including cities, counties, city/county, Metropolitan

Planning Organizations (MPOs), Joint Power Authorities (JPAs), Regional Transportation

Planning Agencies (RTPAs), Councils of Governments (COGs), Congestion Management

Agencies, Groundwater Sustainability Agencies, School Districts, Special Districts (i.e., political subdivisions authorized under a State statute to provide services not offered by local cities or counties, such as climate resilience districts, resource conservation districts, and harbor districts), local and regional public authorities and agencies, and other political subdivisions. Community Choice Aggregators will be considered on a case-by-case basis due to the variability in their structure and authority to ensure compliance with statute.

California Native American Tribes: on the contact list maintained by the Native

American Heritage Commission (NAHC) for the purposes of Chapter 905 of the Statutes of 2004 (Pub. Resources Code, § 21073). LCI acknowledges the sovereignty of federally recognized tribes. Federally recognized tribes serving as Lead or Co-Applicant will not be required to submit a limited waiver of sovereign immunity.

Community-Based Organizations (CBOs): defined as entities qualified to do business in

California and qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including nonprofit organizations, non-governmental organizations, philanthropic organizations, faith-based organizations, and community foundations.

Coalitions: defined as collaboratives or associations of non-profit organizations fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or academic institution.

Public Higher Academic Institutions: including public universities, community colleges, and individual campuses of the University of California and California State University.

Private universities with 501(c)(3) status are also eligible. The University of California

Agriculture and Natural Resources Division is an eligible applicant. Note that system-level offices such as the University of California President's Office and California State

University Chancellor's Office are not eligible (see Section 6.2 Ineligible Applicants).

6.2 Ineligible Applicants: The following entities are not eligible to apply as a Lead Applicant, Co-

Applicant, Contributor, or fiscal sponsor.

For-Profit Entities: including private for-profit universities.

Individual Community Members: They can be subcontracted by grantees to conduct research or other services.

State and Federal Agencies: State and federal agencies are not eligible to apply, including regional conservancies, councils, and commissions listed on the State Agency

Listing, and system-level offices representing a higher education institution (e.g., University of California President's Office, California State University Chancellor's

Office). Note that individual campuses and divisions are eligible (see Section 6.1 Eligible

Applicants). State and federal agencies may still provide technical assistance, planning, design, data analysis, research, or other services to eligible applicants.

Entities determined to be ineligible following the Eligibility Review (see Section 8. Application

Process) may submit an eligibility appeal by providing a formal letter within fifteen days of receiving their ineligibility determination. The letter should outline why they believe they meet the eligibility criteria. The Extreme Heat Program may take up to forty-five days to review the appeal. The final decision rests solely with LCI.

6.3 Team Structure:

Applicant Team: All applications require a Lead Applicant and at least one Co-Applicant.

Applications may also include Contributors, Supporters, and contractors. Together, these roles make up the Applicant Team.

Co-Applicant Requirement: A Co-Applicant is required to ensure each team has the expertise, community participation, implementation and operational capacity needed to deliver the project. The table below outlines how the requirement can be met based on the Lead Applicant type.

Lead Applicant Co-Applicant Requirement

Local or Regional Public Entity CBO or California Native American Tribe

CBO

Local or regional public entity or California Native American Tribe

Public Higher Academic Institution Both a CBO and a local or regional public entity or California Native American Tribe

Coalition Both a CBO and a local or regional public entity or California Native American Tribe

California Native American Tribe No co-applicant required

Table 2. Co-Applicant Requirements by Lead Applicant Type o CBO Office Requirement: Any CBO serving as a Co-Applicant must maintain a staffed operational office within 100 miles of the infrastructure project site. If the Lead

Applicant is a CBO but does not meet this requirement, the Applicant Team must include an additional qualifying CBO as a Co-Applicant. Coalitions cannot be used in place of a CBO to meet this requirement.

o Exception for CBO Lead Applicants Without a Co-Applicant (Early Infrastructure

Projects Only): CBO Lead Applicants that cannot apply with a local or regional public entity or California Native American Tribe at the time of application must include the following in their application:

o Justification: An explanation of the barriers to partnering with a local or regional public entity or Tribe, how the CBO will engage with such entities throughout the project, and how the CBO plans to develop new partnerships through grant activities as described in the workplan and budget.

o Letter of Support: Submitting a letter of support from the relevant local or regional public entities or Tribe is encouraged.

o Partnership Development: Partnership development activities must be included in the project workplan and budget.

Applications that fail to include a justification and partnership development response will be considered ineligible.

6.4 Team Roles and Responsibilities:

Lead Applicant: The Lead Applicant is responsible for submitting the application and, if awarded, will receive and manage grant funds. Key responsibilities include:

o Submitting the Pre-Application Interest Form and Full Application Form.

o Providing financial statements from the last two years as part of the application, including balance sheets, income statements, and statements of cash flows; for nonprofits, the most recent Form 990 and IRS 501(c)(3) Tax

Determination Letter; and any audit findings in the last five years, if applicable.

o Responding to a formal award notification with a letter approved by their governing body confirming acceptance of the award and commitment to implementing the project. This letter must be received within 60 days of award notification or LCI reserves the right to rescind the award.

o Entering into a grant agreement with the state.

Co-Applicant: Co-Applicants are required partners who receive funds through the lead applicant. Key responsibilities include:

o Ensuring the Co-Applicant's key activities, detailed tasks, and allocated budget are included in the project workplan and budget.

o Submitting a letter of support with the application that describes how the entity supports the goals of the project and how the Co-Applicant plans to accomplish their components of the work.

o Providing financial statements from the last two years as part of the application, including balance sheets, income statements, and statements of cash flows; for nonprofits, the most recent Form 990 and IRS 501(c)(3) Tax

Determination Letter; and any audit findings in the last five years, if applicable.

o If awarded the Co-Applicant will enter a formal Partnership Agreement with the Lead Applicant. The agreement should include the respective obligations of all parties, commitments to fulfill those obligations, a process for conflict resolution, and any other components necessary to ensure a strong and enforceable agreement. LCI will provide a template, though its use is not required.

Contributor: Contributors are optional partners who can be included in the project proposal, workplan, and budget without detailed tasks, allowing their role to be developed post-award.

o Contributors are not required to submit a letter of support.

o If awarded, Contributors will be required to enter into a formal Partnership

Agreement with the lead applicant meeting the same minimum requirements as the Co-Applicant partnership agreement above.

Supporter: Supporters are optional partners included in the proposal to illustrate local support for the project. Supporters do not receive funding and may participate in some project activities without additional funds.

o Supporters may be local or regional public entities, advocacy organizations, elected officials, or CBOs.

o Supporters must submit a letter of support that discusses how the proposed infrastructure will protect people from extreme heat in the community; why the lead applicant and partners are well-positioned to deliver the project;

and, if applicable, how the supporter will be involved in project activities.

o Each application may include up to five supporters.

Contractor: Contractors are entities paid by the grant to accomplish specific tasks.

They are separate from the Applicant Team, do not need to be identified at the time of application, and will be selected using the rules and guidelines of the Lead

Applicant. Contractors can be nonprofits or private entities.

7. Funding Priorities

7.1 2024 Climate Bond Requirements: The Extreme…