Soliciting Statements of Interest - Match and Gap Assistance Program.pdf

Statement of Interest Form Match and Gap Funding Assistance for Surface Transportation Projects

The Denali Commission is inviting statements of interest for rural Alaska transportation projects in need of local match or gap funding assistance. Many Alaskan communities lack the tax base or resources necessary to meet cost share requirements. This opportunity seeks to provide funding to cover local match needs or address funding gaps, facilitating the completion of surface transportation projects and supporting infrastructure development in rural communities.

Overview The Commission announces the availability of funds for match and gap funding assistance for surface transportation projects that identify specific shovel-ready transportation improvement projects. This announcement commits up to $5,000,000 for the purpose of this program from funds appropriated under Public Law 117-328 and allows for non-federal match via Section 309(h) Non-Federal Share of the Denali Commission Act of 1998 (42 U.S.C. 3121; Public Law 105-277), stating, “funds made available to carry out this section may be used to meet the non-Federal share of the cost of projects under title 23, United States Code.”

Applicants may request up to $1,000,000 per community for each application submitted through this funding opportunity.

The Commission will consider requests for surface transportation infrastructure activities where:

• The project is applying, has applied for, or has secured federal funding that requires a local match.

• The project demonstrates a need for gap funding, covering up to 30% of the total project cost, for an initiative that has received funding from other sources

Eligible Project Activities Respondents are encouraged to specify shovel-ready transportation projects and outline the funding required for their completion. Eligible expenses include construction, capital improvements, operational enhancements, and necessary supplies or equipment. To qualify, projects must demonstrate a need for match funding from another transportation program or require gap funding of 30% or less of the total construction cost.

Examples of projects activities include but are not limited to the following:

• Road improvements, including surface repair, dust control, drainage improvements

• “Board” roads, ATV, and multi-use trails and walkways

• Rural transit activities including capital and operating assistance

• All other surface transportation projects except for projects on airport facilities

The cost of repair and upgrade of equipment to a project proposal should not exceed 30 percent of the proposed total project. The Commission will consider requests for transportation activities that advances or leverages the following areas:

• Promotes local and regional connectivity

• Demonstrates project readiness

• Supports connection to multi-modal transportation options (roads, barges, boardwalks, winter and recreational trails, docks, etc.)

• Supports planned land use, and the pursuit of housing and economic development opportunities

• Improves community health and safety

• Protect ecologically sensitive, erosive, or potentially erosive sites

• Improves system resiliency to extreme climate trends and natural disasters

Applicant Eligibility Eligible projects must benefit the public in Alaska. Eligible applicants include municipal, borough, and tribal governments; Indian Tribes as defined by Title 25 US Code § 5304; regional tribal non-profit organizations; and other non-profit organizations.

Entities which do not have an active or pending award with the Denali Commission transportation program will be prioritized under this funding opportunity.

Review and Evaluation Process

The Commission will evaluate statements of interest on a rolling basis. A review committee of Commission staff and subject matter experts will conduct a conformance review and evaluate statements according to the priorities listed above, beginning to invite successful respondents by about January 15 to submit proposals. Invitations for proposal will give interested parties approximately 45 days to respond with a full proposal. The Transportation Advisory Committee, Commission staff and subject matter experts will evaluate full proposals. The Commission anticipates making awards in late spring 2025. The Commission reserves the right to partially fund projects, subject to the quality of funding assistance requests received and other relevant considerations.

This funding opportunity is expected to close February 28, 2025.

Statement of Interest Form Match and Gap Funding Assistance for Surface Transportation Projects

Applicant Information Please provide the following information.

Applicant (organization/entity):

Applicant’s Representative (name):

E-mail:

Telephone Number:

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):

Name of Primary Funding Agency:

Title of Primary Funding Program:

Does primary funder require match?

Gap Amount or Match % Required:

Grant # or Funding Code (if available):

Timeline (when notification is needed):

Anticipated procurement and construction start dates:

Statement of Interest Please provide information addressing each of the following questions utilizing the format below:

1. What is the transportation problem and who will benefit from your proposed project?

2. What is the proposed project solution?

3. What activities have been completed to make your project “shovel-ready”?

4. What are your current grant or funding sources?

5. What are project elements that have key funding needs?

Statement of Interest:

1. What is the transportation problem and who will benefit from your proposed project?

2. What is the proposed project solution?

Statement of Interest (continued):

3. What activities have been completed to make your project “shovel-ready”?

4. What are your current grant or funding sources?

5. What are project elements that have key funding needs?

Funding Request

Please provide the following information.

Total Project Cost:

Amount of Funds Requested:

Please note that the Commission typically operates on a reimbursement basis. Payments will be made in accordance with 2 CFR 200.305 by electronic transfer in response to a Standard Form 270 (SF-270).

Requests for reimbursements are processed as needed.

Acknowledgements and Signature

□ I acknowledge that I am duly authorized to represent my organization

□ I certify that my organization is in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service

Signature/Date:

Submission Please save a copy of this completed form for your records and send a copy of the Statement of Interest Form to the Commission via email at projects@denali.gov with “Match and Gap Funding Assistance for Surface Transportation Projects” in the email subject line.

Deadline: Rolling Basis Submit Applications: projects@denali.gov Direct Questions to: Janet Davis, Grants Officer jdavis@denali.gov

Nikki Navio, Transportation Program Manager nnavio@denali.gov

Email Subject Line: Match and Gap Funding Assistance for Surface Transportation Projects https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.305 mailto:projects@denali.gov mailto:projects@denali.gov mailto:jdavis@denali.gov mailto:nnavio@denali.gov