FY17 ALERT Funding Announcment - FAQ.docx

Question: In the Funding Opportunity Announcement (HM-ALT-17-001, FY 2017 ALERT Funding Opportunity), PHMSA states that “applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are not eligible for consideration under this announcement.” What does this mean?

Answer: Existing projects funded under the FY 2015 ALERT grant should be completed using solely FY 2015 ALERT grant dollars. Applications accepted under the FY 2017 ALERT grant Funding Opportunity must show only new projects (i.e., projects not developed and completed with FY 2015 Alert grant funds). FY 2017 ALERT grant applications must reflect that training will be provided to volunteer or remote emergency responders who have yet to receive training. The only exception to the “new project” limitation is that FY 2017 ALERT grant applicants may include a training curriculum developed with prior year ALERT grant funds, so long as that curriculum has not been used previously in training under the ALERT grant program.

Question: With respect to the FY2017 ALERT Funding Opportunity, how does DOT define public/private partnerships?

Answer: When PHMSA states "This competitive grant opportunity requests applications from nonprofit organizations representing regional public-private partnerships”, we are referring to nonprofit organizations that have the ability to reach a large audience through active public/private partnerships they have with the emergency response community.