NGDISM FY23 NOFO FAQs 2023-06-09.pdf

FY 23 NGDISM Grant Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Sorted by Category, then Question number. Updated June 9, 2023

Categories:

• Applications - preparing, submitting, required forms/documents.

• Eligibility - applicant eligibility; for project eligibility see Technical.

• Funding - grant award clarification, budget(s), costs, bids/bidding of proposed projects/contracts.

• Technical - eligible projects/equipment.

• Other - items not listed above.

Category Question Response

Question Number for reference only

Applications, contact info

I only see one location available on the SF-424 for a single contact. Where should additional contacts be listed?

There are two contact information sections on the SF424:

1. The programmatic/application contact in Section 8f.

2. The authorized representative’s contact in Section 21.

Applications, equipment documentation

What level of documentation is required to ask for new Leak Detection Equipment?

Applicants should describe the need for the equipment such as current leaks or unlocatable pipe. The project narrative should include sufficient detail about the equipment and how it will support the purpose of the grant program. Quotes or market research should be provided to justify the cost of the equipment.

Applications, GDAR

How do tribes include the Gas Distribution Annual Report if we are not a PHMSA regulated utility?

For federally recognized tribes, please submit documentation about your natural gas distribution system so that PHMSA may verify that the eligibility requirements are met.

Funding, $10M cap

Are there plans to cap project awards at $10M like FY2022?

PHMSA does not have any current plans to cap awards at $10M 172

Funding, bids/bidding

Are there restrictions to public bidding of proposed project(s)?

Applicants should follow their own procurement policies and ensure that those policies align with 2 CFR § 200.318 General procurement standards. You must, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure open and free competition in your procurement process. 2 CFR § 200.319.

Question Number for reference only

Funding, combined FYs award amount

With FY23 & 24 are combined does that change the applicant amount an entity can apply for?

No. The statutory cap of 12.5%, of one billion dollars (or $125 million) is authorized over the grant’s five years per applicant/entity. 183

Funding, engineering fees

Can engineering fees be included as part of the PHMSA Grant funding?

On the required Standard Form (SF) 424C, Budget Information for Construction Programs, applicants must identify all costs associated with proposed projects by line item. SF-424C, lines 4 and 5, are for architectural and engineering fees. Applicants should refer to the SF- 424C instructions when completing the SF-424C to understand what is allowable under these line items.

Funding, FY22 highly recommended and not awarded

How many applications received a rating of Highly Recommended and did not receive funding In the last funding cycle (FY 2022)?

24 highly recommended applications were unfunded. The total funding requested by FY22 applicants well exceeded our available FY22 grant funding and PHMSA was unable to fund all applications/projects rated highly recommended.

Funding, FY23, FY24, FY25

Please explain the logistics of the funding spread over 2 calendar years.

Does FY23 cover 2023 and 2024? Will there be a FY24 NOFO?

Projects funded through the FY23 NOFO will utilize FY23 and FY24 funding. There will be a FY24 NOFO utilizing FY25 funds. PHMSA will recover any deobligations throughout the program and make them available for the final year of funding.

Funding, inflation

Can cost estimates include an inflation factor?

Yes. Cost estimates should be the best possible estimates/projections.

Applicants are encouraged to account for all anticipated costs, including fluctuations/any anticipated increases, when preparing their project budgets. Once a Notice of Grant Agreement (NGA) is executed, PHMSA is unable to add additional grant funding to cover additional costs. However, if the award is for more than the actual costs, PHMSA will reimburse for the actual costs.

Funding, match

What is the required match what percent?

There is no match requirement with this grant program. 176

Question Number for reference only

Funding, match other Agencies

Can this funding be used as a match in conjunction with funding from other agencies such as FEMA or HUD?

PHMSA recommends that applicants contact the agencies to understand any match restrictions. Generally, federal programs with a match requirement requires entities to use nonfederal funds.

Funding, period of performance

My town has a lot of work to do, but we can’t possible do it all in a couple of years (we don’t have the bandwidth to oversee the work, etc.) Can we apply one time for a grant for the entire project and receive grants split up over 4 years?

Yes, applicants are encouraged to apply for projects that can be completed in five years or less. If an entity is selected for an award, the performance period will depend on the timeline submitted in the grant application. Applicants selected for an award do not have to come back in to apply each year for a previously awarded project.

Funding, reapply and period of performance

Can recipients reapply? My town received a grant last year (2023) but we have more work to do… can we reapply? If so, will the performance period overlap with the previous grant’s 60 months, or do we get an additional 12 months?

Unawarded FY22 NGDISM projects and/or new projects may be submitted for FY23/future NGDISM NOFO funding. If an entity has multiple approved NGDISM projects under different NOFOs, the period of performances of all approved projects may overlap.

Funding, repay USDA

Can this funding be used to repay a USDA loan for a project that has not started?

PHMSA recommends that applicants contact the USDA loan office to understand any loan repayment restrictions. 184

Other, award amount What is the typical value of an award? FY 2022 awards ranged from $100K – $10M 172

Other, feedback after provisionally selected

Will applicants who did not receive provisional funding receive any grant application feedback to help improve future applications?

PHMSA has completed its debrief period for FY 2022 applications.

Nearly 60 applicants received debriefs. 140

Question Number for reference only

Other, previously submitted applications

How do we get access to previously submitted successful applications?

Requests to obtain previously submitted successful applications must go through PHMSA’s FOIA office. PHMSA.FOIA@dot.gov 168

Technical, access issue(s)

Are projects related to access issues eligible?

These projects are a low priority for the program unless a compelling safety case can be made. NGDISM grant applications must demonstrate that the proposed project will lead to infrastructure updates that reduce safety risks and/or leaks. Relocation of pipelines or distribution mains due to access issues is a low-priority project in comparison to other projects having a higher safety risk.

Technical, legacy plastic

Are projects that replace legacy plastic pipe still considered Eligible Projects?

Yes. 148

Technical, meter

Is Advanced Metering Infrastructure?

(AMI) eligible?

The purchase of equipment to improve an operator’s leak detection system or address a vulnerability that could lead to the unsafe operation of a system falls within the scope of the program. However, applicants should consider whether equipment costs are reasonable and cost effective compared to other equipment that serve the same purpose.

Technical, risk assessment(s)

Are risk assessment activities an eligible project expense?

No. Activities that are already required by regulation such as updating DIMP plans is considered to be out of scope. 211

Technical, valves

Is installing new valves to reduce the number of miles of pipes and customers of being shut off for repairs grant eligible?

Upgrades for normal operator maintenance required by regulations do not meet the intent of this grant. 147