FY22 Economic Recovery Corps and Equity Impact Investments NOFO Final 6.16.22.pdf

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• Federal Agency Name: Economic Development Administration (EDA or the Agency), U.S.

Department of Commerce (DOC).

• Federal Funding Opportunity Title: FY 2022 CARES Act Economic Recovery Corps and Equity Impact Investments Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

• Announcement Type and Date: CARES Act Economic Recovery Corps and Equity Impact Investments NOFO publishing EDA’s application submission requirements and application review procedures under EDA’s Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program, as authorized by sections 209 and 703 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 3121 et seq.) (PWEDA). Effective date: June 1, 2022.

• Funding Opportunity Number: EDA-HDQ-RNTA-2022-2007441

• Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.307, Economic Adjustment Assistance

• Dates: The deadline for application submission is 11:59 pm Eastern Time on August 5, 2022. Proposals or applications received after the above deadlines will not be reviewed or considered. See section E of this NOFO regarding EDA’s review process and section G of the NOFO for EDA’s contact information.

• Eligible Applicants: Pursuant to section 3(4)(A) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. § 3122(4)(A)) and 13 C.F.R. § 300.3 (Eligible Recipient), eligible applicants under the EAA program include a(n): (i) District Organization of an EDA-designated Economic Development District (EDD);

(ii) Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes; (iii) State, county, city, or other political subdivision of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions; (iv) institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education; or (v) public or private non-profit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a general purpose political subdivision of a State unless EDA waives the cooperation requirement.

Under its EAA program, EDA is not authorized to provide grants or cooperative agreements to individuals or to for-profit entities. Requests from such entities will not be considered for funding.

• Funding Opportunity Description: Subject to the availability of funds, awards made under this NOFO will fund: 1) a network operator to recruit, place, and support economic recovery fellows into distressed regions across the country to help increase economic resilience and competitiveness and 2) projects designed to strengthen the impact EDA has on equity by facilitating EDA’s future and current grantee community’s ability to reach and serve underserved populations and communities.

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

FY 2022 EDA Economic Recovery Corps and Equity Impact Investments Notice of Funding Opportunity

A. Program Description

1. Overview

2. Additional Program Information

3. EDA Investment Priorities

4. Statutory Authorities for EDA’s Programs

B. Federal Award Information

1. What Funding Is Available Under this Announcement?

2. What Type of Funding Instrument Will Be Used to Make Awards? How Long Will a

Project’s Period of Performance Be?

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Applicable Disaster Declaration

3. Cost Sharing or Matching

D. Application Submission Information for Applicants

1. Address to Request Application Package

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

4. Submission Dates and Times

5. Other Submission Requirements

E. Application Review Information

1. Evaluation Criteria

2. Review for Eligibility and Completeness (Technical Review)

3. Investment Review Committee (IRC)

4. Due Diligence

5. Grants Officer’s Decision

6. Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) Review

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notification

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

H. Other Information

1. Right to Use Information

2. Freedom of Information Act Disclosure

3. Notice of Government-Wide Procurement Restriction

4. Past Performance and Non-Compliance with Award Provisions

5. Certifications Required by Annual Appropriations Acts for Corporations and for Awards over $5 Million

6. EDA’s Non-Relocation Policy

7. Audit Requirements

I. Instructions for Application Submission via Grants.gov

1. Register Early and Submit Early

2. Field Limitations and Special Characters

3. Verify That Your Submission Was Successful

4. Grants.gov Systems Issues

Appendix A Full Application Checklist

Appendix B Budget Template and Gantt Chart Samples

A. Program Description

1. Overview

This NOFO funds two distinct programs, both of which are described in more detail below: 1) the Economic Recovery Corps Fellows program and 2) the Equity Impact Investments program.

Prospective applicants should note that section C sets out eligibility criteria for applications under both Programs, and only applications meeting the eligibility criteria will be considered.

EDA may make changes or additions or cancel the Economic Recovery Corps and Equity Impact Investments NOFO at any time. All changes will be communicated via Grants.gov.

a. Economic Recovery Corps Fellows Program

i. Economic Recovery Corps Fellows Program Description

EDA is seeking applications from eligible parties to create and launch a nationwide network of Economic Recovery Corps Fellows (Fellows) to help regions recover from the coronavirus pandemic by providing supplemental staff resources (i.e., Fellows) to economic development capacity-building organizations to increase their ability to effectively engage in local and regional economic development. Eligible applicants should consider strategies to build and form a national initiative that will place and coordinate Fellows across America to support two key activities:

Technical Assistance – enable communities to access funding and participate in economic development programs and initiatives through preparation, training, and implementation assistance

Knowledge and Insights – study, organize, and disseminate information, data, and analysis to accelerate the adoption of future-focused economic development principles and practices

Specifically, the Economic Recovery Corps Fellows Program seeks applications to build, launch, and operate a national network of Fellows to increase communities’ ability to plan, prepare for, and participate in economic development activities. The network will:

• establish and strengthen communication, alignment, and collaboration between and among a broad and diverse set of key economic development stakeholders at the local, state, regional, tribal, and national level;

• identify, organize, and disseminate knowledge, practices, and insights that will further equitable economic development practices;

• improve access to federal, state, and philanthropic funding sources;

• serve as an industry liaison and convener for Federal stakeholders to distribute funding opportunities, identify collaboration opportunities, and share practices; and

• develop and evolve modern, equitable economic development strategies.

EDA seeks proposals that are high-impact and broad in their geographic reach, and asks applicants to propose the best model to achieve that impact and geographic reach.

For the purposes of this Fellows Program:

1) “Fellows” are individuals who serve as economic development recovery specialists for limited terms and meet specified eligibility criteria.

2) “Network Operator” refers to the organization or group of organizations funded through this program to build and launch a network of Fellows.

3) “Host Entity” refers to an economic development organization (EDO) or related government office that hosts and/or employs a Fellow to serve with their team/teams for the duration of the program.

4) “Capacity building” refers to the public sector’s role in investing in new ideas, knowledge transfer, and infrastructure to build a foundation so that the private sector can flourish (i.e., enable economic development to promote regional prosperity).

5) “Region” and “community” are used to refer to an appropriate political, economic, or geographic zone for addressing economic development.

6) “Industry Cluster” refers to businesses and support organizations that benefit from shared infrastructure, workforce, and suppliers and generate economic specialization in a region.

ii. Economic Recovery Corps Fellows Program Background

EDA’s mission is to lead the Federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA achieves this by providing financial and technical assistance to support locally driven, regionally oriented economic development strategies. The definitions of economic development and the local scope of practice have changed in response to shifts in regional and global economies, advances in technology, and other conditions and circumstances. EDA’s programs, roles, and investment priorities have also shifted since the agency was created over 56 years ago. EDA continues to provide support for planning, infrastructure, public works, and distressed areas, but now also covers strategies focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, disaster recovery, and facilitating state and local economic development capacity.

Through this Fellows Program, EDA aims to increase local staffing capacity and skillsets in communities and regions impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and build a national network of experts supporting complementary work at scale. The pandemic has caused, and continues to cause, economic injury to U.S. communities and regions in devastating ways, and, where communities were already experiencing distress and unequal access to economic prosperity, the pandemic has accelerated economic decline at unprecedented rates. EDA has invested in building back better, including through its Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act investments, and the Fellows Program is designed to help build on the progress catalyzed by those investments. As communities and organizations face depleted institutional resources, many are unable to develop and grow their staff to the level needed to fully execute their economic development plans and goals, particularly those established as part of a regional economic development planning process (e.g., Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS)). Further, an equitable economic recovery requires bringing a broad set of stakeholders into planning and decision processes, particularly from underserved communities, to identify equitable and robust solutions.

This Fellows Program is designed to help accelerate economic recovery in underserved communities by (1) the Network Operator building and launching a program that provides economic development organizations with subject matter expertise, strategic relationships, and coordination through (2) a national cohort of Fellows embedded in regions across the nation to enable communities and regions to recover with more equitable, resilient, and future-focused economies and industry clusters.

iii. Economic Recovery Corps Fellow Program Strategies and Goals

The Network Operator should build a Fellow recruitment, deployment, compensation, and engagement strategy that drives equitable economic development outcomes and complements established economic development infrastructure such as Economic Development Districts (EDDs) and/or University Centers (UCs), while enabling partnership and strategy development within new entities and communities, and/or new grantees represented in EDA’s programming, including the new ARP portfolio. While creativity in approach is encouraged, all strategies must clearly engage EDA-funded organizations and/or networks.

The Network Operator should represent an organization or group of organizations with extensive expertise in building a fellowship model in addition to providing advanced economic development training and technical assistance to underserved populations and geographies.1 The fellowship model and technical assistance plan should be well structured, feasible, and scalable;

as such, Network Operators are encouraged to apply with a partner organization or multiple organizations to represent the different areas of expertise needed to meet these requirements.

To address the goals of the Fellows Program, the Network Operator will design and execute a national strategy to hire and embed Fellows in strategic locations and organizations that will further regional economic development goals and interests, such as within Economic Development District Organizations serving distressed regional economies. The national strategy will include a training and development plan with regular engagements for Fellows to network, share practices and strategies, and document practices and impacts to rapidly scale ideas and resources. Most importantly, activities executed by the Network Operator should clearly aggregate and enhance the local and regional work executed by the Fellows, resulting in a stronger national economic development recovery framework and infrastructure.

Example activities of the Network Operator might include:

• Technical Assistance o Design and implement a curriculum or training strategy to ensure Fellows have appropriate skills in grant writing, funding opportunities, community engagement, planning, effective use and analysis of data and tools, and public sector operations and administration to add significant value to their host communities, or design a support strategy to augment these skills through other means

1 For EDA’s definitions of underserved populations and geographies, see definitions 1 and 2 at https://eda.gov/files/about/investment-priorities/EDA-FY21-Investment-Priorities-Definitions.pdf#Underserved- Populations https://eda.gov/files/about/investment-priorities/EDA-FY21-Investment-Priorities-Definitions.pdf#Underserved-Populations https://eda.gov/files/about/investment-priorities/EDA-FY21-Investment-Priorities-Definitions.pdf#Underserved-Populations o Place Fellows in locations and/or organizations that will strategically enable distressed and underserved communities or organizations to participate in economic development

• Knowledge and Insights o Collaborate with national research and practice leaders to identify and organize strategic opportunities for execution across the network o Coordinate with relevant EDA networks and communities of practice (CoP), recently created through EDA’s Research and Networks NOFO, to connect Fellows to appropriate tools and trainings, and share best practices o Design, launch, and manage a national database that aggregates CEDS and equivalent regional economic development plans and other economic insights to help communities and partners such as federal agencies and philanthropy align on investment strategies and goals o Provide continued support to the Fellows to spread best practices and ensure information sharing and network building across the cohort, including opportunities to collaborate across multiple federal agencies

Example activities of the Fellows might include:

• Technical Assistance o Work closely with host agency and partners to implement locally generated economic development projects developed as part of the CEDS or CEDS-aligned economic recovery and resilience plan o Modernize economic development tools and insights to increase knowledge sharing and collaboration in a digital age, such as digitalizing CEDS or relevant regional economic development goals, plans, and activities o Provide technical assistance with project development, grant writing, performing feasibility studies, or developing impact analyses o Provide training on economic resilience, addressing systemic barriers in development and integrating impacts of climate change o Create links across a broad set of planning efforts, such as regional economic development plans, metropolitan transportation plans, land use plans, and local fair housing plans, as appropriate, to advance equitable economic development

• Knowledge and Insights o Partner with EDA University Centers to take knowledge gained through research and education and tailor it to specific EDO needs o Conduct outreach to underserved communities to determine their greatest needs and barriers to economic growth and incorporate those into planning efforts, as appropriate o Integrate a region’s or state’s CEDS into a coordinated or holistic strategy, and provide training to stakeholders to implement CEDS guidance o Assess and improve current planning processes as relates to inclusivity o Coordinate high-level advisory groups comprised of local business, government and community members o Connect local government or non-profit partners to local businesses to collaborate on workforce development

Any proposed activities should result in a more efficient and connected national economic development infrastructure that enables all benefiting regions to effectively plan for and participate in economic development programing and investment as measured by meaningful outputs and outcomes, such as the following examples:

• Increased connectivity, as measured by national CEDS (or CEDS-equivalent) coverage and the aggregation and dissemination of current plans in accessible and actionable digital and interactive formats

• Increased awareness and participation in grants and programs, as measured by participation in EDA and other federal economic development programs by new participants and communities, including those that are traditionally underserved

• Accelerated job creation, as measured by the forecasted jobs created or retained as a result of Fellows successfully developing projects and attracting investments

• Increased community engagement, as measured by the number of communities or community members who have benefited directly or indirectly from the Fellows’ work

• Increased capacity, as measured by the number of communities and/or organizations newly partnered to further federally funded economic development initiatives/grants and programs, including those that are traditionally underserved

Proposals under this Fellows Program may consider structuring their application to align with the following timeline:

• Preparation Phase: Months 1-6

• Implementation Phase: Months 6-18

• Scaling Phase: Months 18-54

Additional or follow-on funding after the scaling phase for the Economic Recovery Corps is not guaranteed at this time. Strategy around program sustainability will be considered as an evaluation criterion.

b. Equity Impact Investments Program

i. Equity Impact Investments Program Description

Under the Equity Impact Investments Program, EDA is hoping to make one national award and is seeking applications from eligible parties to coordinate organizations with a proven track record of effectively working with, conducting outreach to and delivering outcomes for underserved populations and communities2 to improve equity outcomes for both future and current EDA grantees. EDA seeks proposals that will drive the equity outcomes of economic development work through a suite of technical assistance and coordination activities. Applicants should be well-versed in how to build and implement successful economic development plans that deliver tangible results. Applicants should leverage this expertise, along with a strong

2 For EDA’s definitions of underserved populations and geographies, see definitions 1 and 2 at https://eda.gov/files/about/investment-priorities/EDA-FY21-Investment-Priorities-Definitions.pdf#Underserved- Populations.

https://eda.gov/files/about/investment-priorities/EDA-FY21-Investment-Priorities-Definitions.pdf#Underserved-Populations https://eda.gov/files/about/investment-priorities/EDA-FY21-Investment-Priorities-Definitions.pdf#Underserved-Populations network of local and regional economic and community development organizations, to effectively bring organizations that serve underserved populations and communities into local economic development projects and plans. The primary goals of this program are to:

• Improve representation of organizations (e.g. community-based organizations), who traditionally represent and/or serve underserved populations and communities, in economic development planning and projects at the local/regional level. This could include, but is not limited to, working with a group of organizations serving underserved populations and communities and providing them technical assistance on tangible ways to systemically have a stronger impact and role in local economic development (e.g., through leadership and governance). Applicants could leverage a network of local economic development organizations (e.g., Economic Development Districts) to collaborate with organizations serving underserved populations and communities to achieve these outcomes.

• Build the capacity of and knowledge base within organizations serving underserved populations and communities on how to develop strong economic development plans and projects and ready them for investments. This could include, but is not limited to3:

o Increasing economic development understanding, readiness, and capacity through training and knowledge sharing, and assistance navigating partners and funders, including federal and philanthropic, to aid in implementation o Supporting any communities that received ARP investments or other investments from EDA in successful implementation of equity-related initiatives, including providing specific technical assistance and outreach o Aggregating, updating, and/or developing tools to help prospective grantees draft compelling applications and effectively compete for EDA grant programs by understanding EDA’s Investment Priorities, competitiveness factors, and relevant economic development outcomes and impacts o Forming strategic partnerships with local and regional organizations to increase the impact of projects on underserved geographies and communities (e.g., with employers, academia, local government, labor unions, economic development organizations, community-based organizations) o Assisting with building connections to position projects for other potential public or private funders so that organizations may access multiple alternative funding streams and capacity-building resources

3 EDA is separately funding CoPs for Good Jobs Challenge and Build Back Better Regional Challenge grantees. The Equity Impact Investment program grantee will be expected to work collaboratively with those CoPs to supply additional equity tools and expertise.

o Developing resources to assist eligible applicants locate, understand, and demonstrate alignment with the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) or equivalent strategies that cover the jurisdiction

• Provide technical assistance to existing EDA grantees on how to better access and reach underserved populations and communities and effectively incorporate them into their economic development projects to improve equity outcomes. This could include, but is not limited to, assisting grantees of EDA’s Good Jobs Challenge on how to effectively conduct outreach and recruitment to different underserved populations and communities to increase the number of workers participating in training programs that are from these populations and communities.

• Provide technical assistance and make connections for existing EDA grantees on partnering with a more diverse set of organizations that serve underserved populations and communities at the regional level and effectively bring them into coalitions and projects. This could include, but is not limited to, assisting grantees of EDA’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge on how to include a broader range of organizations that focus on serving underserved populations and communities into their coalitions and plans. Applicants may also want to coordinate with EDA networks and CoPs and national technical assistance (TA) leaders to support outreach and technical assistance to EDA grantees that drives equitable economic development outcomes at scale. Potential CoPs include Build Back Better Regional Challenge, Good Jobs Challenge, Coal Communities and Indigenous Communities grantees. Examples of TA providers include those working with EDA’s Revolving Loan Fund, rural, University Center, and other similarly focused groups of grantees. The desired outcomes would be to improve new quality job creation, recruitment, training, placing, and retaining local workers, particularly for the underserved, support for minority-owned business owners and entrepreneurs, and connecting grantees with organizations in their region that serve underserved populations.

EDA seeks proposals that are high-impact and broad in their geographic reach, and asks applicants to propose the best model to achieve that impact and geographic reach.

ii. Equity Impact Investments Program Background

Within EDA’s mission of preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy, EDA has a strong interest in making sure all populations and communities are equally able to participate in EDA funding opportunities. To that end, the Equity Impact Investments Program seeks to strengthen equitable reach of its programs by creating strong partnerships and collaborations with organizations that serve underserved populations and communities to (1) build the capacity of and knowledge base within organizations serving underserved populations and communities on how to effectively have strong representation in local economic development efforts and develop successful economic development plans and (2) enhance the ability of EDA’s ARP grantees’ projects to impact underserved populations and communities.

EDA expects that more funding would be requested to support the work around building capacity and knowledge for non-EDA grantees (#1 in the previous sentence) than the work around strengthening EDA grantee’s equity plans and outcomes (#2 in the previous sentence). While EDA hopes to award just one award to cover the entire country, EDA is open to applications that address just pieces of this work and not its entirety. Budgets should be proportionate to project scope proposed.

iii. Equity Impact Investments Program Strategies and Goals

By the end of an approximately 36-month period of performance, the grantee should be able to demonstrate the following outcomes:

• Built a strong network of organizations (which include sub-grantees) serving underserved populations and communities and have helped them develop a strong understanding of foundational economic development practices and principles

• Enabled underserved populations and organizations to begin to implement economic development strategies, programs, projects and related initiatives as measured by project starts, grants or investments received, CEDS executed or updated, or similar metrics

• Production of evergreen resources that EDA may provide to future grantees

• Demonstrably improved EDA grantees’ equity plans and outcomes through more targeted partnerships with organizations that serve specific underserved populations and communities

All strategies must demonstrate and describe an analysis across recent EDA investments that surfaces and identifies connections among grantees in distinct funding programs (i.e., geographic related as in rural and broadband, industry related as in STEM, challenges specific to Tribal communities, etc.). Applicants should incorporate that analysis and demonstrate their organization’s capacity to support specific stakeholder groups by providing detailed information on how their proposed assistance will meet the goals outlined above.

Ultimate success would be demonstrated through demonstrable outcomes for underserved populations and communities, through (1) measured growth in underserved communities' readiness and participation in economic development projects and activities, and diversification of EDA’s grantee community through more successful applications from organizations that serve underserved populations and communities and (2) improved equity plans and outcomes of EDA grantees. With more successful grants to such organizations, EDA’s programs will have a greater impact and reach into additional underserved populations and communities.

2. Additional Program Information

EDA has determined that the projects solicited under this Economic Recovery Corps and Equity Impact Investments NOFO are inherently in compliance with EDA’s requirement that each project be consistent with the region’s current CEDS or CEDS-equivalent. This is because activities funded under this NOFO will support effective regional planning. As such, specific discussion of the linkage to a CEDS is not required in applications submitted under this NOFO.

3. EDA Investment Priorities

All projects considered for EDA funding under this Economic Recovery Corps and Equity Impact Investments NOFO must be consistent with EDA’s Equity and Recovery & Resilience Investment Priorities. Applicants may also demonstrate that a project is consistent with any of

EDA’s other Investment Priorities. EDA’s Investment Priorities can be found at https://www.eda.gov/about/investment-priorities/. The priorities may be updated from time to time. Any future revisions will be reflected on EDA’s website on January 15, April 15, July 15, or October 15 of each year.

4. Statutory Authorities for EDA’s Programs

The statutory authority for the EAA program is section 209 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. § 3149). The statutory authorization of supplemental appropriations for economic disaster recovery activities is section 703 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. § 3233). Additional programmatic authority is provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Pub. L. 116-136).

Applicant eligibility and program requirements are set forth in EDA’s regulations (codified at 13 C.F.R. Chapter III), and all applicants must address these requirements. EDA’s regulations are accessible at the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations website at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/ECFR?page=browse. Under “Browse,” select “Title 13 – Business Credit and Assistance”, then “Go”, then “300-399”.

B. Federal Award Information

1. What Funding Is Available Under this Announcement?

Under the CARES Act (Pub. L. 116-136), Congress provided EDA with $1,500,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2022, to “prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus and for necessary expenses for responding to economic injury as a result of coronavirus.” Of the funds provided, EDA anticipates awarding two cooperative agreements (though a grant is also possible) under this NOFO for a total of approximately $25,000,000-$35,000,000. For the Economic Recovery Corps Program, EDA expects to award one grant or cooperative agreement of approximately $20,000,000-$30,000,000 and for the Equity Impact Investments Program, EDA expects to award one grant or cooperative agreement of approximately $3,000,000- $10,000,000.

Publication of this NOFO does not obligate DOC or EDA to award any specific grant or cooperative agreement or to obligate all or any part of available funds. The granting of any award is subject to the availability of funds at the time of award as well as to DOC priorities at the time of award. Neither DOC nor EDA will be held responsible for application preparation costs. If an applicant is awarded funding, neither DOC nor EDA is under any obligation to provide any future funding in connection with that award or to make any future award(s).

Amendments or renewals of an award to increase funding or to extend the period of performance are at the sole discretion of DOC and EDA.

Depending on demand under this NOFO, EDA may exercise its discretion to adjust the total amount available under this NOFO and other CARES Act NOFOs to ensure funds are used to maximum effect or to adjust to unforeseen changes in recovery efforts.

https://www.eda.gov/about/investment-priorities/ https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/ECFR?page=browse https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/ECFR?page=browse

2. What Type of Funding Instrument Will Be Used to Make Awards? How Long Will a Project’s Period of Performance Be?

Funding Instrument: EDA expects to award cooperative agreements under this NOFO. The nature of EDA’s “substantial involvement” (to be included in the terms and conditions of the award) will generally be collaboration between EDA and the recipient on the scope of work, including approval of the organizations at which fellows will be placed. Other possible examples of EDA’s “substantial involvement” may include, but are not limited to: (i) authority to halt immediately an activity if detailed performance specifications are not met; (ii) stipulation that the recipient must meet or adhere to specific procedural requirements before subsequent stages of a project may continue; and (iii) operational involvement and monitoring during the project to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.

Period of Performance: EDA expects the period of performance to be approximately 36-54 months. EDA expects that all projects will proceed efficiently and expeditiously, and EDA encourages applicants to clearly document how quickly they will be able to start and complete the proposed project scope of work. EDA’s CARES Act appropriations are available for making awards through September 30, 2022, though performance under the award may extend to no later than May 31, 2027.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants for Equitable Economic Recovery Corps and Equity Impact Investments awards include a(n):

a. District Organization;

b. Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes;

c. State, county, city, or other political subdivision of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions;

d. Institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education;

or

e. Public or private non-profit organization or association, including labor unions, acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State.4, 5

2. Applicable Disaster Declaration

EDA has determined that economic injury from the coronavirus pandemic constitutes a “Special Need,” and eligibility may be established on that basis without reference to the other economic distress criteria. This determination of nationwide eligibility for these funds is consistent with the

4 See Section 3 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. § 3122) and 13 C.F.R. § 300.3.

5 EDA, at its sole discretion, may waive the cooperation requirement for projects of a significant regional or national scope. See 13 C.F.R. § 301.2.

March 13, 2020 emergency declaration for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic pursuant to the Stafford Act for all states, tribes, territories, local governments, and the District of Columbia (https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/disaster-declarations#).

3. Cost Sharing or Matching

For Economic Recovery Corps and Equity Impact Investments awards, given the extent of the economic impact and in accordance with the agency’s statutory authority under section 703 of PWEDA, EDA generally expects to fund 100% of eligible project costs. While match is not required, inclusion of match in the application may make it more competitive.

Applications that propose matching share must document that the matching share will: (i) be committed to the project for the period of performance, (ii) be available as needed, and (iii) not be conditioned or encumbered in any way that may preclude its use consistent with the requirements of EDA investment assistance. To meet these requirements, applications must include for each source of matching share a commitment letter or equivalent document signed by an authorized representative of the organization providing the matching funds.

Documented in-kind contributions may serve as matching share, but they must be eligible project costs and meet applicable Federal cost principles and uniform administrative requirements.

Examples of in-kind contributions can include space, equipment, or services.6 Funds from other Federal financial assistance awards may be considered matching share funds only if authorized by statute, which may be determined by EDA’s reasonable interpretation of the statute.7

D. Application Submission Information for Applicants

Applications must include the materials listed in section D.2.a of this NOFO to be considered for funding.

EDA strongly encourages potential applicants to consult with the appropriate POC listed in section G of this NOFO to discuss whether proposed projects align with EDA’s Investment Priorities, eligibility requirements, and other requirements outlined in this NOFO. This consultation is limited to clarification of technical matters involving proposed projects.

1. Address to Request Application Package

Applications will only be accepted electronically through www.grants.gov (Grants.gov).

Applicants are advised to carefully read the submission information provided in section D of this NOFO. The date and time that an application will be deemed to be electronically received will be determined in accordance with the electronic submission instructions provided at Grants.gov.

See section D.4 of this NOFO for information regarding electronic submissions.

APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE APPLICATION DEADLINE WILL NOT BE

6 See Section 204(b) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. § 3144) and the definition of “In-Kind Contribution” at 13 C.F.R. § 300.3.

7 See the definition of “Local Share or Matching Share” at 13 C.F.R. § 300.3. See also 2 C.F.R. § 200.306.

https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/disaster-declarations

CONSIDERED FOR FUNDING. EDA strongly suggests that applicants submit applications substantially before the deadline.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

The tables below describe the EDA and Federal grant assistance forms and other documentation required for a complete application under this NOFO and may serve as a checklist for applicants in preparing their submissions.

All relevant forms must be signed electronically by the applicant’s Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR); please see section I.1.a of this NOFO for information on AOR requirements. The preferred electronic file format for attachments is Adobe portable document format (PDF); however, EDA will accept electronic files in Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel formats. EDA will not accept paper, facsimile, or email transmissions of applications except as described below in section D.4. Please refer to important information on submitting your application provided in section D.4. All documentation and data submitted should be current and applicable as of the date submitted. Applicants are encouraged to contact the appropriate contact listed in section G for technical assistance before submitting an application.

Complete applications must include the following documents:

Project Design and Substance Executive Summary Project Narrative Applicant Capacity and Project Management Budget Narrative and Staffing Plan Schedule of Major Milestones and Deliverables Resumes of Key Personnel Matching Share Documentation (as applicable)

Forms and Supporting Documentation SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) SF-424A (Budget Information Non-Construction Programs) CD-511 (Certification Regarding Lobbying) SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities)8 Organizational Documentation (if applicable, depending on your organization type)9 Indirect Cost Rate (ICR) Documentation (if applicable)10

8 Form SF-LLL is only required if the applicant or co-applicant has engaged the services of a registered lobbyist in connection with its proposed project.

9 Only certain types of eligible entities are required to submit organization documents, and the documentation required varies by eligible entity type. See section D.2.b.ii(1).

10 Applicants that do not have a current ICR agreement with a Federal agency are not required to submit this documentation and may elect to adopt a de minimis ICR. See section D.2.b.ii(2).

a. Project Design and Substance

The application must clearly articulate the overall goals of the project, the specific and distinct Scope of Work and concrete activities that will be accomplished under it. The application also must demonstrate each applicant’s capability to implement the proposed activities in accordance with the requirements of this NOFO. Applications will be evaluated based on the Evaluation Criteria outlined in section E. Applicants should carefully adhere to the word or page limits specified for each section of the application. Pages beyond the specified page limit for each section will not be read or considered.

i. Executive Summary

The Executive Summary should be a clear, concise, and descriptive summary of the proposed project, including which program the Applicant is applying for, either the Economic Recovery Corps Fellows Program or the Equity Impact Investments Program. Applicants should also clearly describe the proposed geographic scope of their project. This should be no more than 500 words and, if selected for funding, may be used in a public announcement or on EDA’s website.

ii. Project Narrative

The Project Narrative should address all activities that will be undertaken using the funds requested under this NOFO, a summary of how these activities support the overall project’s goals, and a clear vision for the final report. Applications must clearly describe how the proposed project aligns with EDA Investment Priorities.

The Project Narrative may not exceed 12-single sided, 8.5x11-inch pages, with a minimum 12-point font and 1-inch margins. Within the Project Narrative, applicants should address all elements listed in the evaluation criteria in section E.

iii. Applicant Capacity and Project Management

Applications must include a separate section on applicant capacity, including project management experience, that addresses the applicant’s ability to perform all activities that will be undertaken using the funds requested under this NOFO, a summary of how these activities support the overall project’s goals, and a clear vision for the final deliverables, including required final reports.

The Applicant Capacity and Project Management section may not exceed 5 single-sided, 8.5x11-inch pages, with a minimum 12-point font and 1-inch margins. (Note: resumes for key personnel should be included under Resumes for Key Personnel and will not count against the page limitations of this section.) Within the Applicant Capacity and Project Management section, applications should address how the applicant will be able to work collaboratively with Federal partners and economic development organizations, and demonstrate:

• For the Fellows Program, functional expertise running a fellowship/volunteer/intern program or equivalent o Experience with recruitment, training, and retention activities o Leadership and facilitation of projects related to robust programmatic content, actionable recommendations, and toolkits

• For the Equity Impact Investments Program, applicants should address:

o Understanding and network of local regional economic development organizations o Partnerships with national organizations that serve underserved populations and organizations that also have local, regional presence o Ability to convene and align multiple stakeholders and organizations on a common goal and deliver results and outcomes

• For both programs, applicants should demonstrate economic development expertise:

o Subject matter expertise in the various aspects of a regional ecosystem, including economic development, community development, workforce development, planning, and others

• Experience coordinating with Federal project managers and collaborating with various partners (including government agencies, private sector interests, education providers, non-profits, community and labor groups, workforce boards, utilities, housing counselors, etc.)

o Development of project governance structure should be as specific as possible regarding roles and responsibilities o Past experience working with organizations that have expertise working with underserved populations and communities if the applicant does not already possess the capability

iv. Budget Narrative and Staffing Plan

Applications must include a Budget Narrative that describes the costs associated with each line item on Form SF-424A. There is a sample budget template in Appendix B that applicants may use.

Applications must also include a Staffing Plan listing all positions proposed to be charged to the project whether as federal or non-federal costs. The Staffing Plan must include the position titles, salaries, percentage of time dedicated to the project, and amount of salary charged to the project for each staff member assigned to the project. The sum of all salaries charged to the project must equal the amount on the “Personnel” budget line item on Form SF-424A. The Staffing Plan should provide a description of how the personnel will carry out the proposed project, including the adequacy and previous performance of the proposed team to carry out project activities.

v. Schedule of Major Milestones and Deliverables

Applications must include a schedule detailing the expected start and end date of all major milestones and deliverables (e.g., what data points, what analysis, etc.) described in the Project Narrative. The schedule should be outlined in months (e.g., “One month from award…”), such that an evaluator could easily discern in how many months the Applicant could start the project from the date of project award, in how many months each of the key project milestones and deliverables will be accomplished from the date of project award, and the anticipated number of months after the date of project award that the project will be completed, generally not to exceed a 54-month award period for the Economic Recovery Corps Fellows Program and a 36-month award period for the Equity Impact Investments Program. Applications should incorporate preparation of the final report and presentation into the project timeline and period of performance.

This is best conveyed through a Gantt Chart. There is a sample Gantt Chart in Appendix B that applicants may use.

vi. Resumes of Key Personnel

Applications must include the resumes of key project staff, each of which should not exceed two pages in length. Resumes should be compiled and uploaded together as one PDF file.

vii. Matching Share Documentation (as applicable)

If matching share is provided, applications must include commitment letters or equivalent documents that demonstrate that all matching funds (whether cash or in-kind) from all sources (i.e., any applicant, any co-applicants, and any other sources of matching funds) referenced in the application will be unencumbered, unrestricted, and committed at the time of award and that are signed by authorized representatives of the sources of the matching funds. Authorized representatives must have the authority to execute documents and to obligate and expend funds on behalf of their respective organizations.

Each matching share commitment letter must

1. state whether the contribution is cash or in-kind;

2. if in-kind, provide a valuation for in-kind contributions;

3. state whether the contribution is from a non-federal source or from a federal source that is explicitly authorized by statute to be used as matching share (as discussed in section C.3);

and

4. state that, at the time of award, the matching share

a. is committed to the project,

b. will be available as needed, and

c. is neither conditioned nor encumbered in any way that would preclude its use consistent with the requirements of EDA investment assistance.

b. Forms and Supporting Documentation

i. Forms

Applications must include the following forms, either per applicant or per application, as noted:

Form Description Number

SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance One per applicant SF-424A Budget Information—Non-Construction

Programs One per application

CD-511 Certification Regarding Lobbying One per applicant

SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable)11

One per applicant

ii. Supporting Documentation

Applications must include the following supporting documentation, as applicable:

Documentation Number

Organizational Documentation (if applicable)

For each applicant, depending on entity type

ICR Documentation (if applicable)

For each applicant

(1) Organizational Documentation

Each applicant and co-applicant must provide documentation that supports each applicant’s or co-applicant’s organizational status as an eligible entity where applicable (section C.1 of this

NOFO).

• States, Indian tribes, cities or other political subdivisions of States, and institutions of higher education that are 100% publicly controlled are not required to submit organizational documentation.

• Nonprofit organizations must submit documentation that demonstrates their status as nonprofit organizations. This must include articles of incorporation, bylaws, certificate of good standing, and a copy of the most recent (not older than 18 months) IRS Form 990 (Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax) (without attachments or schedules).

• Other entities, including institutions of higher education that are not 100% publicly controlled, must provide documentation that demonstrates their organization type.

(2) Indirect Costs (if applicable)

If indirect costs are included in the budget, the applicant must include documentation to support the indirect cost rate they are using (unless claiming the 10 percent de minimis indirect cost rate, discussed below). The applicant must submit a copy of its current, approved, and negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA).