RFA_CWR_2026_FINAL.pdf

RFA #26-OPD-36

New York State Department of State Office of Planning, Development & Community Infrastructure

Countywide Resilience Implementation Strategy Program

2026 REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

RFA Release Date: This Request for Applications (RFA) and additional grant resources have been posted on

August 27, 2026 on the Department of State’s (DOS or Department) website at https://dos.ny.gov/funding-bid-opportunities. All applicants are encouraged to review the RFA in its entirety as grant program requirements may change.

RFA Updates: Any updates and/or modifications to this RFA will be posted on the Department’s website at: https://dos.ny.gov/funding-bid-opportunities. Please use the RFA number listed on the cover page of the RFA to help locate a link to the specific page for this opportunity.

RFA Questions: Written questions will be accepted until September 17, 2026. Questions should be submitted by e-mail to Resilience@dos.ny.gov or in writing to the address below. When corresponding by e-mail, clearly indicate the subject as: “26-OPD-36 RFA Questions”.

To the degree possible, each inquiry should cite the RFA section and paragraph to which it refers. Responses to questions received by September 17, 2026 will be posted by October 1, 2026 on the Department’s website at: https://dos.ny.gov/funding-bid-opportunities. No responses will be provided to inquiries made by telephone, social media, or by contacting DOS staff directly via email or telephone.

It is recommended all applicants review the final responses. The responses to questions received during this time period will be official responses by the Department to questions and will be incorporated into this RFA.

Webinars: A webinar will be held on September 10, 2026 to provide an overview of the application process and program requirements. Webinar registration and recording will be posted on the https://dos.ny.gov/funding-bid-opportunities website.

Applications Due: Applications are due by 4:00 PM, October 26, 2026 and must be submitted through the web-based Consolidated Funding Application as noted below.

Application Submission: To apply, go to https://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/, or to access related Consolidated

Funding Application materials, go to http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/.

Contact: NYS Department of State

Office of Planning, Development & Community Infrastructure Attn: Countywide Resilience Implementation Strategy Program RFA Questions 99 Washington Avenue, Suite 1010 Albany, NY 12231 Resilience@dos.ny.gov

Letter of Support: Letters of support are encouraged but not required and may be submitted through the

CFA portal. Letters may be addressed to NYS Secretary of State c/o Office of Planning, Development & Community Infrastructure, 99 Washington Avenue, Suite 1010, Albany, NY 12231-0001.

https://dos.ny.gov/funding-bid-opportunities https://dos.ny.gov/funding-bid-opportunities mailto:Resilience@dos.ny.gov https://dos.ny.gov/funding-bid-opportunities https://dos.ny.gov/funding-bid-opportunities https://dos.ny.gov/funding-bid-opportunities https://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/ http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/ mailto:Resilience@dos.ny.gov

Countywide Resilience Implementation Planning Program RFA #26-OPD-36

Countywide Resilience Implementation Strategy Program

2026 REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

I. INTRODUCTION

The New York State Department of State’s Office of Planning, Development & Community Infrastructure (Department or DOS) is soliciting applications for grants to support the creation of Countywide Resilience Implementation Strategy Plans.

The strategies and projects included in these plans will advance the goals and actions identified in established local plans.

Approved, locally supported community plans are strategic or planning documents that have been formally adopted or endorsed by a local government, public agency, or multi-stakeholder planning body. These plans must reflect local priorities and include actionable items developed through community engagement or public input. These plans may focus on water quality, natural resources, or sustainable land use and include, but are not limited to, Coastal Lakeshore Economy and Resiliency Regional (CLEAR) Plans, Comprehensive Plans, Harbor Management Plans, Hazard Mitigation Plans, Local Waterfront Revitalization Plans (LWRPs), Natural Resource Management Plans, Resilient NY flood mitigation studies, and Watershed Management Plans.

The purpose of this program is to support the development of Countywide Resilience Implementation Strategy Plans that identify, prioritize, and advance implementation readiness of actions and projects that reduce climate-related risks and strengthen overall community resilience. Counties are uniquely positioned to address these challenges because they serve as critical conveners of municipalities, infrastructure providers, emergency managers, economic development organizations, agricultural interests, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders. Counties also play an important role in coordinating investments, leveraging resources, identifying regional priorities, and advancing projects that benefit multiple communities and sectors.

Over the past decade, local governments throughout New York State have developed a wide range of plans, studies, assessments, and strategies related to hazard mitigation, climate adaptation, economic development, infrastructure investment, watershed management, public health, housing, transportation, emergency management, natural resource protection, and community development. While these efforts contain valuable information and recommendations, many communities continue to face challenges in prioritizing actions, coordinating investments across sectors, and advancing projects from planning to implementation.

The Countywide Resilience Implementation Strategy Program is intended to help bridge this gap by supporting counties and their partners in developing implementation-focused resilience strategies that identify priority risks, evaluate resilience opportunities, advance projects capable of reducing climate-related vulnerabilities and strengthen long-term resilience outcomes. The Program will advance Article 14 of the NYS Environmental Conservation Law, which recognizes the interconnectedness of upland and coastal ecosystems and fosters approaches that maintain ecological health and integrity, promote social well-being and economic development, and include broad public participation in planning processes and decision making.

The program emphasizes action-oriented planning and project development rather than the creation of new stand-alone plans or technical assessments. Applicants are expected to leverage and synthesize existing plans, studies, geospatial analyses, community knowledge, and stakeholder expertise to develop a countywide understanding of resilience challenges and opportunities. The resulting Countywide Resilience Implementation Plan should serve as a practical decision-making and investment framework that helps guide future resilience actions, funding applications, project development efforts, and intergovernmental coordination.

Through this program, applicants will identify and prioritize resilience risks across multiple sectors, engage local stakeholders and residents, develop a portfolio of resilience projects, and advance implementation-ready products that position priority projects for future funding, design, permitting, and construction.

Countywide resilience strategies developed through this program should support integrated and multi-benefit approaches that strengthen resilience across sectors and communities. Strategies and projects should consider opportunities to provide multiple benefits such as reducing climate risks, protecting public health and safety, supporting economic vitality, improving environmental quality, enhancing ecosystem services, strengthening critical infrastructure, advancing equity, and improving quality of life.

Applicants shall organize risks, opportunities, and projects using the following Resilience and Adaptation Categories:

• Agriculture and Food Systems

• Energy and Utilities (including clean, renewable, and reliable energy)

• Community Health and Safety

• Economy and Workforce

• Emergency Management and Recovery

• Housing, Land Use and Community Development

• Infrastructure and Buildings

• Natural, Coastal and Watershed Systems

• Other locally significant resilience considerations identified through stakeholder engagement and project development activities.

The Department seeks projects that produce tangible and actionable outcomes that can be implemented over time.

Successful projects will identify priority resilience investments, strengthen partnerships among local and regional stakeholders, increase awareness of resilience challenges and opportunities, improve coordination among existing planning efforts, and advance projects toward implementation.

At the conclusion of the project, applicants will produce a Countywide Resilience Implementation Strategy Plan that serves as a countywide resilience investment and implementation framework. The strategy shall identify priority resilience risks, recommend actions and projects to address those risks, establish implementation pathways, identify potential funding opportunities, and provide a roadmap for advancing resilience investments that reduce future climate risks and strengthen communities throughout the county.

All selected applicants will participate in regular conference calls with one another, facilitated by the DOS Resilience and Community Infrastructure Division, to share insights, lessons learned, and other information gleaned during the planning process. These conference calls provide the applicants with technical assistance and the opportunity to learn from others that are underway in the Countywide Resiliency Planning process.

Applications to prepare a Countywide Resilience Implementation Strategy Plan may only include one plan per application.

II. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

The Department is making approximately $1,000,000 available to fund applications for the Countywide Resilience Implementation Strategy Program. The maximum grant funding will be $250,000 per award. State assistance awarded and paid to a grant recipient shall not exceed 90% of the total eligible costs set forth in the application and as approved by DOS.

The amount and source of secured match funds must be documented in the application. Applicants who propose an ineligible match source or insufficient match will be contacted to verify if they have additional match from eligible sources. Applicants who do not have another source of eligible match equaling 10% of the project costs will have their award reduced, up to and including reduced to $0, based on the amount of eligible match available.

Applicants who have received previous DOS planning grant funds may apply. Only one application may be submitted per applicant for the Countywide Resilience Implementation Strategy Program.

Countywide Resilience Implementation Planning Program RFA #26-OPD-36

III. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants are:

• New York State Counties eligible under NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) Article 14. NYS ECL Article 14 (The Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Act) applies to all New York coastal waters, their sub-basins, interconnected tributaries, bays, estuaries and watersheds including Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, the Niagara River, and the St. Lawrence River; the Hudson River; the Mohawk River; and marine & coastal geographies including the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island Sound, Block Island Sound, and Jamaica Bay. These criteria exclude Broome and Chenango counties from eligibility.

• New York State Regional Planning Councils included in the NYS Association of Regional Councils, https://www.nysarc.com/

• Not-for-profit organizations which meet the following criteria:

o Incorporated pursuant to New York State Not-For-Profit Corporation Law and o Pre-qualified through the New York Statewide Financial System (SFS) as of the application due date.

Information on this process is available at: https://www.sfs.ny.gov/index.php/vendors and https://grantsmanagement.ny.gov/get-prequalified.

For applications submitted by a not-for-profit organization or regional planning council on behalf of a County, the application must include a letter or resolution from the County participating in the project which demonstrates its consent and support for the application to be submitted on their behalf.

Applicants may partner with counties or other organizations. Joint applicants should identify a lead applicant that the Department should recognize as the primary applicant for all purposes, including contract award. Only applications from eligible lead applicants will be evaluated for funding.

IV. ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

Funding awarded through this solicitation may be used for activities necessary to develop a Countywide Resilience Implementation Strategy Plan for a New York State County through an inclusive, community-informed, and implementation-focused planning process.

The purpose of the Countywide Resilience Implementation Strategy Program is to help counties identify, prioritize, and advance actions and investments that reduce climate-related risks, strengthen community resilience, improve coordination among local and regional partners, and position resilience projects for future funding and implementation. This is consistent with the strategic goals of statewide planning efforts under Article 14 of the NYS Environmental Conservation Law. In particular, activities should help expand local implementation of natural resilience measures at the watershed scale to achieve sustainable solutions to localized flooding and erosion issues and increase resilience to the impacts associated with climate change.

Projects funded through this program shall build upon existing plans, studies, technical analyses, geospatial data, and stakeholder knowledge. The program is not intended to fund the preparation of a new plan, comprehensive plan, climate adaptation plan, or stand-alone vulnerability assessment. Rather, applicants shall synthesize and leverage existing information to develop an actionable countywide resilience framework that identifies priority risks, resilience investment opportunities, and implementation-ready projects.

Applicants shall utilize existing local, regional, state, and federal planning efforts, as appropriate, including but not limited to hazard mitigation plans, comprehensive plans, local waterfront revitalization plans, watershed plans, transportation plans, capital improvement plans, infrastructure assessments, economic development strategies, emergency management plans, climate adaptation plans, environmental studies, and other relevant planning and technical documents.

https://www.nysarc.com/ https://www.sfs.ny.gov/index.php/vendors https://grantsmanagement.ny.gov/get-prequalified

Countywide Resilience Implementation Strategy Plans developed through this program should identify opportunities to reduce risks, improve resilience outcomes, support equitable investment, strengthen coordination among municipalities and stakeholders, and advance projects that provide multiple community benefits.

At a minimum, Countywide Resilience Implementation Strategy Plans shall include the following components:

1. Countywide Resilience Needs Assessment

The Countywide Resilience Needs Assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of the county’s current and future resilience needs, developed through the synthesis of existing plans, studies, technical analyses, available datasets, geospatial information, and stakeholder input. The Countywide Resilience Needs Assessment shall identify where climate hazards and other stressors create significant resilience challenges; evaluate the communities, infrastructure, ecosystems, and economic sectors most vulnerable to current and future climate impacts; identify existing resilience capabilities and ongoing initiatives; and document gaps in planning, policy, infrastructure, governance, funding, and implementation capacity.

The Needs Assessment is intended to establish a shared understanding of the county’s most significant climate-related challenges, vulnerabilities, resilience gaps, strengths, and opportunities in order to inform the development of resilience strategies, actions, implementation and investment priorities.

The Needs Assessment is not intended to constitute a new hazard or risk assessment. Rather, it shall compile, synthesize and summarize existing and future climate hazards, vulnerabilities, and resilience challenges affecting the County by leveraging existing technical data, mapping and geospatial analysis; plans and assessments; modeling and technical analyses; studies and reports; publicly available datasets as well as stakeholder input and public engagement findings.

Applicants are not expected to develop new technical models unless necessary to address locally significant data gaps.

The Needs Assessment will build upon existing federal, state, regional, county, and local planning efforts by integrating available information into a countywide evaluation of resilience needs across natural, built, social, economic, and institutional systems.

The completed Countywide Resilience Needs Assessment shall serve as the analytical foundation for identifying what the County must do to become more resilient in the short, medium, and long-term by evaluating and answering:

• Countywide Resilience Needs Assessment: What are the county’s most significant resilience needs, challenges, strengths, and opportunities?

• Resilience Strategies and Actions: What policies, projects, and programs are needed?

• Implementation and Investment Strategy: Who will do the work, when, how much will it cost, and what funding sources are available?

This assessment will establish a basis for identifying priority strategies, developing implementation actions, and advancing projects eligible for future funding and implementation. The assessment should emphasize both current conditions and future climate risks to support long-term resilience planning.

2. Priority Resilience Project Portfolio

Applicants shall develop a Priority Resilience Project Portfolio that translates the findings of the Countywide Resilience Needs Assessment into a prioritized set of actionable resilience initiatives. The Project Portfolio shall identify, evaluate, and prioritize projects that address the county’s highest resilience needs, reduce existing and future climate risks, close identified resilience gaps, and advance long-term adaptation objectives. Projects should emphasize actions that provide multiple community benefits, reduce risk to vulnerable populations and critical assets, and support implementation of local, regional, and state resilience priorities.

Applicants shall identify, evaluate, and prioritize resilience projects that address risks and resilience challenges included in the Needs Assessment. The Project Portfolio shall identify opportunities to improve resilience through coordinated

Countywide Resilience Implementation Planning Program RFA #26-OPD-36 planning, investments, policy changes, nature-based solutions, infrastructure improvements, emergency preparedness, land use strategies, ecosystem restoration, and community partnerships.

Resilience Projects may include structural, natural and nature-based, and non-structural solutions. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Climate-smart agriculture, agricultural water management, farmland protection and food system resilience

• Renewable energy, microgrid, and backup power projects, grid modernization

• Extreme heat planning, emergency sheltering, public health preparedness, cooling access, behavioral health support, resilience hubs

• Flood mitigation and stormwater management projects

• Nature-based and green infrastructure projects

• Wetland, floodplain, shoreline, and habitat restoration projects

• Critical facility resilience improvements

• Transportation and infrastructure resilience improvements

• Housing and community development initiatives

• Emergency preparedness and response improvements

• Planning, regulatory, and policy initiatives

• Monitoring, warning, and information systems

• Education and outreach initiatives

Applicants shall prepare a Project Profile for a minimum of ten (10) Priority Resilience Projects identified in the Needs Assessment. Project Profiles shall provide sufficient information to evaluate project purpose, anticipated resilience benefits, implementation readiness, funding opportunities, and next steps for project advancement. At a minimum, each Project Profile shall include the following:

• Project Name: Provide a concise and descriptive project title.

• Project Location: Identify the geographic location of the project.

o Municipal jurisdiction(s) o Street address or general location, if applicable o Watershed, coastline, corridor, neighborhood, district, or other relevant geographic area o Site location map o Regional location map o Where appropriate, applicants are encouraged to include GIS maps identifying relevant hazard areas, critical facilities, vulnerable populations, natural resources, infrastructure systems, or other project-specific considerations.

• Project Lead and Sponsors, including a description of the entity or entities with ownership, operational responsibility, permitting authority, or jurisdiction over the project area.

o Lead implementation entity o Project sponsor(s) o Supporting partners o Municipal, county, state, federal, nonprofit, academic, utility, or private-sector partners

• Identify the entity or entities with ownership, operational responsibility, permitting authority, or jurisdiction over the project area. Examples include:

o County government o Municipality o State agency o Utility provider o Special district o Private landowner o Other o Where multiple jurisdictions are involved, describe coordination requirements.

• Project Description: Provide a detailed description of the proposed project including existing conditions, proposed improvements or actions, project components, geographic extent, intended outcomes.

• Demonstrated Need and Resilience Challenge Addressed: Describe why the project is necessary and identify the specific resilience risks, vulnerabilities or challenges considering historic events and damages; repetitive losses;

existing infrastructure deficiencies; climate projections; existing studies or technical analyses; community-identified concerns; environmental degradation; economic losses; public health and safety concerns; air and water quality concerns; lack of affordable housing; etc.

• Resilience and Adaptation Category: Identify the primary and secondary Resilience and Adaptation Categories addressed by the project. Categories include:

o Agriculture and Food Systems o Energy and Utilities o Community Health and Safety o Economy and Workforce o Emergency Management and Recovery o Housing, Land Use and Community Development o Infrastructure and Buildings o Natural, Coastal and Watershed Systems o Other

• Project Benefits: Describe the primary and secondary resiliency co-benefits provided by the project to natural resources, public health, economic development, housing, energy reliability and affordability, emergency preparedness, and long term climate adaptation considering improved public safety; protection of critical facilities; improved ecosystem services; economic development outcomes; workforce benefits; reduced flood risk;

reduced greenhouse gas emission; benefits to disadvantaged communities and vulnerable populations; etc.

• Estimated Cost: Provide an estimated total project cost including planning, design, construction, administrative, etc. costs. Document the source and methodology and assumptions used to develop cost estimates.

• Potential Funding Sources: Identify potential funding sources and opportunities including capital funds; state grants; federal grants; bond financing; public-private partnerships; philanthropic funding; revolving loan programs; etc. For each source identified include information about why the project may be eligible and any known match requirements.

• Relevance to existing plans, studies, reports, initiatives, including comprehensive plans; watershed plans; capital improvement plans; local waterfront revitalization plans; hazard mitigation plans; continuity of operations plans;

response and recovery plans; climate action plans; transportation plans; economic development plans; etc.

• Grant application history: Has this project been included in a round of funding for a grant program? If so, identify the grant program and any feedback received in a debriefing consultation, if applicable.

• Readiness Assessment: Describe all of the project components that have been completed or are in progress including completed technical studies, 30% design, feasibility study, grant funding application, site selection, environmental review, preliminary engineering, final design, permitting, property acquisition, funding commitments, procurement/bidding, construction readiness as applicable.

Countywide Resilience Implementation Planning Program RFA #26-OPD-36

• Recommended next steps for Implementation Advancement: Based on the current status provided in the

Readiness Assessment identify the specific actions required to advance implementation.

• Implementation Timeframe: Identify anticipated implementation schedule.

• Implementation Challenges and Constraints: Identify potential obstacles that may affect implementation including funding limitations; permitting requirements; environmental review; land ownership; regulatory barriers;

technical complexity; community concerns; timeframe; etc.

3. Advance Priority Project Implementation

Applicants shall develop implementation-ready products for a minimum of two (2) Priority Resilience Projects included in the Priority Resilience Project Portfolio. Implementation products shall advance projects toward funding, design, permitting, environmental review, or construction. Both implementation products shall demonstrate a clear pathway toward project delivery. Eligible implementation advancement products must lead directly to final design and/or construction of the project and may include:

• Grant applications

• Feasibility studies

• Benefit-cost analyses

• Preliminary engineering reports

• Conceptual designs

• Thirty percent (30%) designs

• Permitting strategies

4. Final Countywide Resilience Implementation

Applicants shall prepare a Final Countywide Resilience Implementation Plan that integrates project findings, stakeholder input, resilience priorities, and implementation recommendations. The Final Countywide Resilience Implementation Plan shall serve as an implementation-focused framework for advancing resilience investments throughout the County.

Required Deliverables:

• Executive Summary

• Countywide Resilience Needs Assessment

• Priority Resilience Project Portfolio (including a minimum of 10 Project Profiles)

• A minimum of two Project Implementation Advancement Products

• Appendices containing maps, technical analyses, and supporting materials

V. FUNDING AND BUDGET GUIDANCE

Applicants are required to provide a detailed budget justification for their funding request. When estimating the total eligible project cost, applicants should calculate the cost to complete each task included in the project scope of work, which may include costs associated with project management and grant administration. The budget may only include eligible costs described below, which directly support the project scope of work.

Applicants are encouraged to obtain multiple project quotes from consultants with relevant professional experience and background to inform the budget. Applicants are required to demonstrate that projects are ready to move forward.

Applicants will be required to prepare and submit a project work schedule and timeline that includes major tasks and milestones with completion dates for each.

Eligible Costs

Costs must be adequately justified, directly support the scope of work for the proposed project, and must be essential to project completion. All costs will be paid on a reimbursement basis and must be documented to the satisfaction of the Department. Eligible costs include the following:

Personal Services – including direct salaries, wages, and fringe benefits of the employees of the applicant for activities in direct relation to or in support of project implementation work by the applicant’s employees, including project management and grant administration. Fringe benefits must be outlined in the application and include the organization’s documented rate. DOS reserves the right to review, and at its sole discretion exclude, any items which are not consistent with fringe benefits which are included in the organization’s fringe rate.

Non-Personal Services – including supplies and materials, travel, equipment, consultant/contractual services for direct project related costs, project management, grant administration, and other goods and services required to complete the project.

Project management activities may include, but are not limited to, oversight and coordination of tasks and activities needed to produce contractual deliverables, consultant procurement and oversight, public outreach, and technical assistance.

Grant administration activities may include preparation of reports, vouchers, contract related administration and compliance with grant record keeping and reporting requirements. Grant administration may not exceed 15% of the award amount.

Local Match

State assistance awarded and paid shall not exceed 90% of the total eligible cost for the project. Local match of 10% of project costs shall include any of the items listed above in Eligible Costs. Local match must be outlined in the application for consideration.

Applicants must identify the amount, type and source of eligible local match, and demonstrate that it has been secured.

Applicants who propose an insufficient amount of match or an ineligible source of match will be contacted to verify if they have additional match from eligible sources. Eligible match includes any Federal, State, or local funding, excluding funding from the NYS Environmental Protection Fund. Applicants who do not have another source of eligible match equaling 10% of the project costs will have their award reduced, up to and including reduced to $0, based on the amount of eligible match available.

Ineligible Costs

The following costs are ineligible and will not be reimbursed with grant funds or accepted as local match:

• Indirect or overhead costs of the applicant or municipality such as rent, telephone service, administrative support not directly related to project work, computers, office equipment, general office supplies, general operations costs, membership fees, subscription costs

• Salaries and other expenses of elected officials

• Local match (10% of Total Project Costs) funded with other Environmental Protection Funding.

• Taxes, insurance, fines, deficit funding

• Loan and bond interest and associated fees

• Contingency costs

• Lobbying expenses

• Expenses associated with fundraising

• Tuition

• Costs incurred outside the contract term

Countywide Resilience Implementation Planning Program RFA #26-OPD-36

• Costs that, in DOS’s sole discretion, are not adequately justified or that do not directly support the scope of work for the proposed project

Failure to adequately justify direct project costs will render costs ineligible. Ineligible costs will be eliminated from the total project costs in the grant application.

VI. AWARD METHOD

DOS is making approximately $1,000,000 available for award under this procurement. Each application will be reviewed for eligibility and, if determined eligible, will be scored according to the application evaluation criteria. Applications deemed ineligible will not be scored. Eligible applications will be scored and funds will be awarded in rank order until available funds are fully distributed.

A total score of 100 points is possible for any application. An application must score a minimum of 60 program criteria points out of a possible 100 points from the Department of State review to be considered for an award.

DOS may make an award in whole or in part and may offer partial funding if a particular component of a project is ineligible or not ready to move forward or the budget requested is not adequately supported and justified. DOS may offer partial funding to an applicant if its application cannot be fully funded within the funds remaining; if the applicant declines the partial funding, funding may be awarded to the next highest-scoring unfunded application. If an awardee fails to satisfactorily negotiate a proper contract within a reasonable period of time, that funding may be awarded to the next highest-scoring unfunded application.

The opportunity to be debriefed will be provided, upon request, to eligible unsuccessful applicants. Requests must be made in writing within 15 calendar days of notification of status of award. Debriefings are expected to be conducted within 15 calendar days of the written request.

In the event unsuccessful applicants wish to protest the award resulting from this RFA, applicants should follow the protest procedures established by the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC). These procedures can be found in Chapter XI Section 17 of the Guide to Financial Operations (GFO): http://www.osc.state.ny.us/agencies/guide/MyWebHelp/.

VII. APPLICATION EVALUATION CRITERIA

Pre-Submission Requirements

Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Policy Applicants are required to complete and submit with their application the Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Certification to certify that their organization has in place and has implemented a Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Policy and has provided such policy to all of its employees, directors and board members. The certification may be found here: https://dos.ny.gov/procurement-forms. Such policy shall, at a minimum, meet the requirements of subdivision 11 of section five hundred seventy-five of the executive law. If the applicant cannot make this certification, they must include a signed statement setting forth in detail the reasons why. The Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Certification or signed statement is required to be submitted with the application.

Executive Order No. 16 Non-municipal applicants are required to complete and submit the Certification under Executive Order No. 16 Prohibiting State Agencies and Authorities from Contracting with Businesses Conducting Business in Russia. The certification may be found here: https://dos.ny.gov/procurement-forms.

Executive Order No. 16 Certification should be submitted no later than 4:00 pm on October 1, 2026, via email to Resilience@dos.ny.gov. The applicant’s name and CFA# should be included in the subject line.

http://www.osc.state.ny.us/agencies/guide/MyWebHelp/ https://dos.ny.gov/procurement-forms https://dos.ny.gov/procurement-forms mailto:Resilience@dos.ny.gov

Eligibility Requirements

All applications must meet the following criteria: (Pass/Fail)

• Application must be received by the due date and time stated on the cover page of this RFA.

• Applicant is an eligible applicant per RFA Section III. Eligible Applicants.

• The application must be for an eligible activity as defined in RFA Section IV.

Additionally, not-for-profit organizations must meet all of the following criteria:

• Incorporated pursuant to New York State Not-For-Profit Corporation Law and

• Pre-qualified through the New York Statewide Financial System (SFS) as of the application due date.

Additionally, for applications submitted by a not-for-profit organization or regional planning entity on behalf of a county:

• A letter or resolution from the County participating in the project which demonstrates its consent and support for the application must be submitted on their behalf.

Any application that does not meet these eligibility requirements will result in immediate disqualification of the application, which will not be further evaluated. Applications that meet the eligibility requirements will be reviewed using the Program Criteria outlined below.

Program Criteria (maximum of 100 points)

Applications will be evaluated by DOS to assess the degree to which they meet the elements of each criterion.

Applications may receive points for any or all elements of each of the evaluation criteria below.

1. Need and Opportunity for Countywide Resilience Implementation Plan Development (maximum 20 Points)

• Evaluates the extent to which the applicant demonstrates the need for a Countywide Resilience Implementation Plan and the opportunity to improve resilience outcomes through coordinated countywide action.

• The application demonstrates how past hazard events, climate impacts, infrastructure failures, environmental degradation, or other resilience challenges have affected communities, assets, and local governments.

• The application clearly describes current and future climate-related risks, vulnerabilities, and resilience challenges affecting the county, including impacts to:

o Agriculture and Food Systems o Energy and Utilities (including clean, renewable, and reliable energy) o Community Health and Safety o Economy and Workforce o Emergency Management and Recovery o Housing, Land Use and Community Development o Infrastructure and Buildings o Natural, Coastal and Watershed Systems o Other locally significant resilience considerations identified through stakeholder engagement and project development activities.

2. Quality of Scope of Work and Technical Approach (maximum 15 Points)

• The application demonstrates how existing plans, studies, datasets, geospatial analyses, and technical resources will be leveraged to inform project development and avoid duplication of effort.

• The application presents a clear and logical approach for completing required tasks.

Countywide Resilience Implementation Planning Program RFA #26-OPD-36

3. Project Portfolio Development and Implementation Advancement (maximum 25 Points)

• The application demonstrates a clear approach for identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing resilience projects that address countywide resilience challenges. Preference will be given to applications that demonstrate opportunities for:

o Multi-benefit projects o Regional projects o Cross-jurisdictional projects o Projects benefiting vulnerable populations o Nature-based solutions o Energy resilience projects o Critical infrastructure protection

• The application demonstrates a strong strategy for developing implementation-ready products and advancing projects toward funding, design, permitting, environmental review, or construction.

• The application identifies existing projects, studies, partnerships, or funding opportunities that position the Countywide Resilience Implementation Plan to rapidly advance implementation following completion.

4. Organizational Capacity (maximum 5 Points)

• Project Management Capacity: The application demonstrates that qualified personnel, organizational resources, and management systems are available to successfully complete the project.

5. Time Frame and Readiness (maximum of 5 points)

• Presents a clear and realistic schedule and timeline to complete the planning process within a maximum of three years or less that includes major tasks, milestones, and completion dates.

• Demonstrates the applicant’s ability to proceed with the project upon award.

6. Consistency with an ecosystem-based management approach as outlined in Article 14 New York Ocean and

Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Act (maximum of 10 points)

• Application addresses Ecosystem-Based Management Principles - Demonstrates how ecosystem-based management principles, including the use of natural and nature-based solutions, protection of ecosystem functions, and consideration of community needs and economic viability, will guide project development and resilience planning. (up to 4 points)

• Systems-Based Planning Approach - Demonstrates consideration of watershed, coastal, or Great Lakes systems, regional coordination, complex cross-jurisdictional issues, and the interconnectedness of natural and built environments. (up to 3 points)

• Science-Based and Adaptive Planning - Incorporates climate science, vulnerability assessments, best available data, and an adaptive management approach that supports long-term resilience and measurable outcomes. (up to 3 points)

7. Evaluation of Budget and Cost (maximum of 20 Points)

• Application describes and documents how the budget and cost were determined. Identifies the person(s) responsible for compiling the budget including relevant experience and background of all parties and the method/approach used to arrive at estimates. (up to 10 points)

• Budget includes adequate detail for all project components involved, is cost-effective, presents necessary and realistic costs, and does not contain extraneous or ineligible expenses. Budget is accurate and thorough. Budget narrative includes an explanation for the estimate of each budget line and clearly supports the applicant's need for financial resources requested to achieve project outcome. Budget narrative describes how the grant recipient will monitor expenditures during the life of the project to ensure that the project stays on schedule and within budget.

(up to 10 points)

VIII. NEW YORK STATE SMART GROWTH PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE POLICY ACT

Awards made through this grant program shall be consistent with the State’s Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act (Environmental Conservation Law, Article 6), where applicable.

IX. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

New York Statewide Financial System All grant applicants are encouraged to register through the New York Statewide Financial System. In addition, not-for-profit applicants are required to be registered and pre-qualified through the New York Statewide Financial System (SFS) as of the application due date. To register, log on to https://www.sfs.ny.gov/index.php/vendors.

Standard Cost Reimbursement Contract Each successful applicant must enter into a State of New York Contract for Grants with DOS, which will include standard clauses required by the NYS Attorney General, Appendix A (including compliance with Article 15-A of the New York Executive Law), the agreed upon work plan and budget, and other applicable attachments as required. The contract will: 1) be subject to approval by the Attorney General and State Comptroller; 2) require submission of final products in both hard copy and electronic format; 3) be subject to reimbursement only upon proper documentation and compliance with reimbursement procedures and 4) be subject to all other contractual requirements. The State of New York Contract for Grants including the attachments outlined above is available on DOS’s website. Please use the RFA number listed on the cover page of the RFA to help locate a link to the specific page for this opportunity.

To ensure that funds are awarded to applicants that are ready to move forward, the DOS reserves the right to rescind an award if the state contract is not signed and returned within a reasonable period of time. There will be no contract advance available to grantees. Expenses incurred prior to the start date of the state contract will not be reimbursed.

Compliance with Procurement Requirements

Municipalities All contracts by municipalities for service, labor, and construction involving not more than $35,000 and purchase contracts involving not more than $20,000 are subject to the requirements of General Municipal Law §104-b, which requires such contracts to comply with the procurement policies and procedures of the municipality involved. All such contracts shall be awarded after and in accordance with such municipal procedures, subject to the Minority or Women- Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) requirements as set forth below and any additional requirements imposed by the State as set forth in Attachment C of the State of New York Contract for Grants.

The municipal attorney, chief legal officer or financial administrator of the municipality shall certify to DOS that applicable public bidding procedures of General Municipal Law §103 were followed for all service, labor, and construction contracts involving more than $35,000 and all purchase contracts involving more than $20,000. In the case of contracts by municipalities for service, labor, and construction contracts involving not more than $35,000 and purchase contracts involving not more than $20,000, the municipal attorney, chief legal officer or financial administrator shall certify that the procedures of the municipality established pursuant to General Municipal Law §104-b were fully complied with, in addition to the MWBE requirements.

The municipal attorney, chief legal officer or financial administrator for the municipality shall certify to DOS that alternative proposals and/or quotations for professional services were secured by use of written requests for proposals through a publicly advertised process. This certification will verify that the procurement requirements were met and ensure the prudent and economical use of public funds for professional services of maximum quality at reasonable cost.

Not-for-Profit Organizations and Regional Planning Entities The chief legal officer or financial administrator of the not-for-profit or regional planning entity which is a grant recipient and serves as State Contractor, shall certify to the State that alternative proposals and quotations for professional services https://www.sfs.ny.gov/index.php/vendors

Countywide Resilience Implementation Planning Program RFA #26-OPD-36 were secured by use of written requests for proposals through a publicly advertised process satisfactory to meet the MWBE requirements set forth below and to ensure the prudent and economical use of public funds for professional services of maximum quality at reasonable cost.

Record Retention and Audits The successful applicant shall establish and maintain, in paper or electronic format, complete and accurate books, records, documents, receipts, accounts, and other evidence directly pertinent to its performance under the State of New York Contract for Grants with DOS. Payment requests may be subject to periodic reviews. The successful applicant will be required to agree to produce and retain for the balance of the term of the State of New York Contract for Grants, and for a period of six years from the later of the date of (i) the State of New York Contract for Grants and (ii) the most recent renewal or amendment of the State of New York Contract for Grants, any and all records necessary to substantiate upon audit, the proper deposit and expenditure of funds received under the State of New York Contract for Grants. Such records may include, but not be limited to, original books of entry (e.g., cash disbursements and cash receipts journal), and the following specific records (as applicable) to substantiate the types of expenditures noted (i) personal service expenditures:

cancelled checks and the related bank statements, time and attendance records, payroll journals, cash and check disbursement records including copies of money orders and the like, vouchers and invoices, records of contract labor, any and all records listing payroll and the money value of non-cash advantages provided to employees, time cards, work schedules and logs, employee personal history folders, detailed and general ledgers, sales records, miscellaneous reports and returns (tax and otherwise), and cost allocation plans, if applicable, (ii) payroll taxes and fringe benefits: cancelled checks, copies of related bank statements, cash and check disbursement records including copies of money orders and the like, invoices for fringe benefit expenses, miscellaneous reports and returns (tax and otherwise), and cost allocation plans, if applicable, (iii) non-personal services expenditures: original invoices/receipts, cancelled checks and related bank statements, consultant agreements, leases, and cost allocation plans, if applicable, (iv) receipt and deposit of advances and reimbursements: itemized bank stamped deposit slips, and a copy of the related bank statements.

Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Utilization (MWBE) Applicants must submit the MWBE Compliance Form with their application confirming their understanding of the MWBE requirement and agreeing to show due-diligence and make good faith efforts to provide meaningful participation by MWBE’s, whenever possible, if awarded the contract.

Contract Period Subject to the continued availability of funds in the budget, the contract period shall not exceed three years from the start date of the contract. The earliest start date for contracts is April 1, 2026. No extensions are anticipated, however special consideration for extensions due to extreme extenuating circumstances may be granted on a case-by-case basis.

X. SATISFACTORY PROGRESS

It is imperative that the grant recipient complete the project as set forth in the agreed upon work plan of the contract.

Failure to render proof of satisfactory progress or to complete the project to the satisfaction of the State may be deemed an abandonment of the project and may cause the suspension or termination of any obligation of the State. Satisfactory progress toward implementation includes, but is not limited to, executing contracts and submitting status reports and payment requests in a timely fashion, retaining consultants, written certification of compliance with procurement requirements, and completing tasks identified in the work plan within the time allocated for their completion. DOS may recapture awarded funds if satisfactory progress is not being made on the implementation of the awarded project.

Applicants should not submit applications if they do not expect to initiate the project within a reasonable time period after…