Research and Technical Assistance

To make awards to, or conclude cooperative agreements with States or local governments, or any nongovernmental or other private entity, to conduct research, and provide technical assistance related to community economic adjustment needs and assistan

Eligible respondents include any governmental or private entity. A "private entity" is defined for purposes of this listing as any entity that is non-governmental.

States and communities, including workers, businesses, and other community interests that may be affected by Department of Defense activity.

Applicants will be required to provide documentation consistent with the authority under which the assistance is being sought.

Topics and areas of specific interest to the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation may be identified in a Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) issued under this program. Proposals outside of a FFO, or beyond the identified topics and areas of interest in a FFO, may also be considered. Activities under this program must relate to assisting state and local governments to plan and/or carry out community adjustments and economic diversification required by: the proposed or actual establishment, realignment, or closure of a military installation; the cancellation or termination of a Department of Defense contract or the failure to proceed with an approved major weapon system program; a publicly announced planned major reduction in Department of Defense spending that would adversely affect a community; the encroachment on a military installation; or, the closure or the significantly reduced operations of a defense facility as the result of the merger, acquisition, or consolidation of the defense contractor operating the facility. Funding may not be used for direct hard- or soft-construction activities.

Length of assistance may extend across more than one period and will be determined on the basis of project need and requirements. Project periods should not exceed one year.

An applicant is notified of funding availability through letter, electronic mail communication, or a Federal Funding Opportunity Notice (FFO), and how to apply for the funding through this notification.

An application (SF 424, budget, program or project narrative and assurances) must be submitted that outlines the proposed project and expenditure of funds. Applicants will be invited to submit their applications and supporting documentation electronically to the Director, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, Department of Defense. In instances where, for whatever reason, an electronic application cannot be submitted, provisions may be made to accept a paper application addressed to: Director, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, Department of Defense, 2231 Crystal Drive, Suite 520, Arlington, VA 22202-3711

The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation considers each of the following equally-balanced factors as a basis for inviting formal award applications: Overall conformance with proposal requirements; Overall responsiveness of the proposal to support the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation and Defense Economic Adjustment Program; Overall expertise, experience, qualifications and ability of investigators; Overall reasonableness of budgeted expenditures.

Applications are reviewed by Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation staff. The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation may consult with other Federal agencies as necessary in consideration of an application. Any issues or concerns noted in the application may be negotiated with the applicant prior to the application being accepted as final by the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. Awards by the Director, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, will be made on the basis of an approved final application.

To the extent practicable, the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation will inform an applicant of approval within seven business days of the receipt of a final, completed application for planning assistance, and thirty business days of the receipt of a final, completed application to carry out community adjustments or economic diversification programs. The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation will promptly inform an applicant of the rejection of any application once its due diligence has been completed.