Community Infrastructure Fund
Notice of Funding Availability
Executive Summary
NOFA Release Date: March 11, 2024
Proposal Due Date:
Annual Rolling Cycle
The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is publishing this Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to
solicit applications for grants under the 2024 Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF).
The CIF aims to target federal resources toward communities in the Mississippi River Delta and
Alabama Black Belt regions. CIF provides direct investment into community-based and regional
projects that address the DRA’s congressionally mandated infrastructure funding categories
(Basic Public Infrastructure and Transportation Infrastructure) and flood control projects.
Under federal law, at least 75 percent of DRA funds must be invested in economically
distressed counties and parishes and isolated areas of distress in the region.
This NOFA is organized to provide a general overview of the grant program as well as the
specific requirements needed to complete an application. Additional background
information on CIF is available here: Critical Infrastructure - Delta Regional Authority
(dra.gov).
Table of Contents
A.
DRA OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................................ 3
B.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ...................................................................................................................... 3
1. Program Overview ...........................................................................................................................................3
2. 2024 CIF Grants .................................................................................................................................................3
3. 2024 CIF Priorities, Objectives, and Funding Principles .............................................................4
C.
AWARD INFORMATION ......................................................................................................................... 7
1. Availability of Funding ..................................................................................................................................7
2. Period of Performance ..................................................................................................................................8
D.
ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION ................................................................................................................ 8
1. Eligible Applicants ...........................................................................................................................................8
2. Documentation of Economic Impact ......................................................................................................9
3. Cost Sharing or Matching .......................................................................................................................... 10
E.
APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION ....................................................................... 10
1. How to Apply .................................................................................................................................................... 10
2. Content and Form of the Grant Application .................................................................................... 10
3. Submission Dates and Times .................................................................................................................. 11
4. Application Submission Instructions ................................................................................................. 11
F.
APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION ......................................................................................... 11
1. Criteria ................................................................................................................................................................ 12
G.
AWARD ADMINISTRATION ............................................................................................................... 17
H.
DRA CONTACT INFORMATION ......................................................................................................... 17
I.
GENERAL DISCLOSURES ..................................................................................................................... 18
Appendix I ........................................................................................................................................................ 19
Appendix II ...................................................................................................................................................... 28
Appendix III ..................................................................................................................................................... 32
A.
DRA OVERVIEW
The DRA is a federal agency whose mission is to spur growth and economic development
within its eight-state region. Established by an act of Congress through the Delta Regional
Authority Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. § 2009aa1-13), DRA makes strategic investments of federal
appropriations into the critical and human infrastructure of Delta communities. DRA is
composed of the governors of the eight Delta states and a federal co-chair, who is
appointed by the president and approved by the U.S. Senate. Local participation is also
provided through 45 multi-county Local Development Districts (LDDs). DRA serves the 10-
million people residing in the 252 counties and parishes that include parts of the states of
Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.
(An interactive map of the DRA region can be found here.
)
B.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
1. Program Overview
Strategic investments in the 252 counties and parishes served by the DRA are helping to
improve the quality of life and boost economic development opportunities. One investment
tool the DRA uses is CIF, which provides direct investment into community-based and
regional projects that address the DRA’s congressionally mandated infrastructure funding
categories (Basic Public Infrastructure and Transportation Infrastructure) and flood
control projects.
The DRA works closely with the 45 LDDs in the DRA footprint that serve as front-line
project managers to ensure community-relevant project development and investment. CIF
investments emphasize job creation, regional collaboration, and funding partnerships in
communities.
To best build the foundations for long-term economic development and to complement
other federal and state resources in the region, federal funds shall be focused on the
activities in the following order or priority:
• Basic public infrastructure in distressed counties and isolated areas of distress.
• Transportation infrastructure for the purpose of facilitating economic development
in the region.
• Projects that address flood control
A comprehensive list of other federal administrative requirements can be found in Appendix I.
2. 2024 CIF Grants
The 2024 CIF competitive grant program is administered as follows:
Funding Availability Begins: March 11, 2024
All applications received will be reviewed monthly and screened for eligibility.
Applications that meet the eligibility criteria will be reviewed and scored. Top-scoring
applications will be selected to receive a 2024 CIF grant. Applications not selected for
funding can be revised and resubmitted, pending the availability of federal funds.
Applicants may contact their LDD for additional information about the 2024 CIF
application submission requirements as well as for assistance in developing their
applications. Technical questions about the NOFA should be directed to s[email protected]ov
with the subject line: CIF NOFA. Include the contact’s name, applicant organization, and
phone number in the body of your email.
In addition to the requirements described in this NOFA and online at Critical Infrastructure
- Delta Regional Authority (dra.gov), all applications must also meet the general
requirements for DRA funding and be consistent with DRA’s Regional Development Plan IV.
3. 2024 CIF Priorities, Objectives, and Funding Principles
This section provides information describing the 2024 CIF investment priorities and
objectives. Potential applicants should review this information thoroughly before
submitting a project proposal.
Background on DRA’s Strategic Investment Goals
As described in the agency’s strategic plan, Navigating the Currents of Opportunity:
DRA Regional Development Plan IV, as the theme of this plan underscores, the DRA’s
strategic goals reflect the Authority’s fourfold commitment to advancing infrastructure, job
creation, business expansion, and local economies. They are related and, to an extent,
interdependent in that they support one another. Also, each goal aims to enact specific
strategies. For example, infrastructure investments that reinforce resilience and
stewardship of resources preserve the region’s natural attractiveness. Investments that
contribute to residents’ health and well-being enable the stability and effectiveness of the
workforce.
•
Goal 1 - Invest in public infrastructure: Expand and invest in the resiliency of
the region’s public infrastructure to improve residents’ quality of life and
increase economic opportunity.
•
Goal 2 - Nurture local workforce ecosystems: Improve networks of agencies,
organizations, businesses, and educational institutions providing workforce
development opportunities.
•
Goal 3 - Promote business growth and entrepreneurship: Continue to
strengthen the competitiveness of the region’s employers and attract new
employers to the region.
•
Goal 4 - Support community placemaking and capacity-building: Expand efforts
to enhance sustainable and inclusive local placemaking, quality of life, and
community capacity.
CIF Investment Priorities
The 2024 CIF Investment Priorities build upon DRA’s Strategic Investment Goals and are
summarized and described below. Ultimately, the focus of the CIF is on investments that
are local or regional, industry and community-driven, and transformational to help
revitalize Delta communities and spur economic development in DRA’s eight-state region.
In general, DRA’s Investment Priorities are meant to advance economic development
strategies. Within this broad focus, DRA is targeting investments focused on nine key
priorities:
•
MOVE TOWARD EQUITY: Encourage stakeholders to enact programmatic and
policy-related changes to prioritize equity across the DRA’s programs to reflect
DRA’s commitment to prioritizing equity in its grants and programs. Enhance
regional sensitivity by responding to the unique needs, opportunities, and cultural
contexts presented across the region’s 252 counties and parishes.
•
ELEVATE RURAL COMMUNITIES: Prioritize investments in economically
distressed communities and in support of inclusive, sustainable rural communities.
Support the efforts of local grassroots organizations engaged in furthering progress
on DRA strategic goals, including promoting access to services, funding, and
programs that enable career stability, such as health care, housing, education, and
food security.
•
FOSTER TRUE COLLABORATION: Encourage productive partnerships by
prioritizing collaboration among states, economic development districts,
institutions of higher learning, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, and
DRA region residents.
•
ADOPT LEADING PRACTICES: Promote efficiency and effectiveness by
implementing collaborative, innovative, and evidence-based practices to rapidly
reinvest taxpayer dollars in the communities that the DRA serves. This includes
being accountable for performance targets and driving partners and grant
recipients to shoulder shared responsibility for meeting those targets.
•
MEASURE OUTCOMES: Use data to inform decisions regarding grants and
investments and track outcomes from those initiatives. Facilitate thought
leadership and data-sharing in order to promote transparency while monitoring
emerging challenges and ongoing progress.
•
LOOK TO THE LONG TERM: Prioritize investments that address the challenges
and needs of the DRA region not only today but in the future. Also, promote
investments in resilient infrastructure that ameliorate environmental impact.
•
EVIDENCE OF RESILIENT CONSTRUCTION METHODS AND MATERIALS TO BE
USED: The applicant must demonstrate through architectural and/or engineering
specs that resilient construction methods and materials will be utilized during the
construction of the project in order to protect against natural disasters.
•
DEMONSTRATION OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES WHICH PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE
CLEAN ENERGY AND/OR ADDRESS THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE: The
applicant must demonstrate innovative approaches to delivering energy efficient
and/or clean power, which are clean energy demonstration projects, which
support weatherization and other energy efficiency improvements to reduce the
associated energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, and which include clean
energy manufacturing and workforce development.
•
DEMONSTRATION OF INCREASING HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED
COMMUNITIES’ ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTHY FOODS: The applicant
must demonstrate project initiatives with a direct connection between economic
development and healthy food access.
Projects that do not fit this list of investment priorities may be considered for funding,
but all applications will be scored on their ability to address one or more of these priority
areas.
Applicants should incorporate these investment priorities vigorously into their proposed
projects. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to contact their LDD for specific
guidance pertaining to the eligible use of CIF funds.
Reporting Requirements
All projects supported with Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding shall be expected
to begin reporting project-level data in July 2023. For more reporting requirements, see
Appendix III.
The programs and projects that fall within the scope are those that are funded through BIL
grants and cooperative agreements that support the construction, modernization, or major
alteration and renovation to support the structures, facilities, and equipment for in the
United States are considered within the scope of this requirement. These include:
•
roads, highways, and bridges
•
public transportation
•
dams, ports, harbors, and other maritime systems
•
intercity passenger and freight railroads
•
freight and intermodal facilities
•
airports
•
water systems, including drinking water and wastewater systems
•
electrical transmission facilities and systems
•
utilities
•
broadband infrastructure
•
buildings and real property
DRA’s outcome indicators will combine both quantitative and qualitative measures:
•
Indicator 1- DRA will, through reporting requirements as well as with the
support of our Monitoring and Compliance Program as well as our Delta
Research Program (funded by USDA RCAP), assess the extent to which
members of the public receive job training, as applicable, through the project.
•
Indicator 2 - DRA will, through reporting requirements as well as with the
support of our Monitoring and Compliance Program as well as our Delta
Research Program (funded by USDA RCAP), assess the extent to which jobs
are created and/or jobs are retained, as applicable, through the project.
•
Indicator 3 - DRA will, with the support of our Delta Research Program (funded
by USDA RCAP), a continuation of community engagement opportunities, and
utilizing publicly available data sets, assess the numerical changes as well as the
perceptions and experiences of the community members impacted by the
investment.
DRA has defined benefits as:
•
Jobs created
•
Jobs retained
•
Families affected (by improved infrastructure investment)
•
People trained
The Authority tracks the accrual of these benefits to disadvantaged communities on the
county/parish level via awardee reporting. For some projects, the Authority tracks these
benefits on more granular geographic levels, such as the local jurisdiction.
DRA definition(s) of “disadvantaged community:”
Delta Regional Authority defines, pursuant to its statute, 7 U.S.C. § 2009aa-5, a
disadvantaged community as a distressed county – one which is “the most severely and
persistently distressed and underdeveloped and has high rates of poverty or
unemployment.” This definition is applicable to all DRA-covered programs. DRA has also
applied to some of its human infrastructure program grants the USDA definition of
persistent poverty to define disadvantaged communities. “Persistent poverty counties are
counties that have had poverty rates of 20% or greater for at least 30 years.” USDA
Economic Research Service
C.
AWARD INFORMATION
1. Availability of Funding
2024 CIF grant funds are available as follows;
DRA is making $29,554,524 available for CIF project grants. CIF funding is provided by the
BIL ($14,777,262; Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, P.L. 117-58) and the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2023 ($14,777,262; P.L. 117-328).
In general, project awards will range from $500,000 to $2,000,000, depending on the type
of project and application score.
DRA reserves the right to negotiate the budget costs with the applicants who have been
selected to receive awards, which may include requesting that the applicant remove or
adjust certain proposed costs.
Projects must serve and benefit a portion of the Delta region as defined by the Delta
Regional Authority Act of 2000, as amended. The Delta region includes certain counties and
parishes in Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, and
Tennessee. If projects extend beyond the DRA region, only that portion that is within the
region is eligible for DRA funding. A map of the Delta region is available online at States -
Delta Regional Authority (dra.gov).
DRA will not be held responsible for proposal or application preparation costs. Publication
of this NOFA does not obligate DRA to award any specific grant or cooperative agreement
nor to obligate all or any part of available funds.
2. Period of Performance
Applicants can determine the required time period necessary to meet the objective of their
project. However, the period of performance for awards made under this program will be no
more than 24 months, with a start date indicated on the Notice to Proceed.
D.
ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
1. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include:
1. Counties/parishes, cities, or other political subdivisions of a state, including a special
purpose district of a state or local government engaged in economic or community
development activities or a consortium of political subdivisions,
2. Public or private nonprofit organizations or associations,
3. Regional development organizations,
4. Economic development organizations,
5. Workforce investment boards,
6. Unions/labor organizations,
7. Community-based organizations,
8. Faith-based organizations,
9. Public Institutions of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher
education,
10. Minority-serving institutions,
11. Trade/technical schools,
12. Historically Black Colleges & Universities, and
13. Federally recognized Tribes.
Eligible Activities (examples)
Applicants may propose projects that include any of the types of activities found in Appendix II.
2. Documentation of Economic Impact
Eligible CIF projects must be located within the Delta region as defined by the Delta Regional
Authority Act of 2000, as amended, and be targeted toward communities or regions that have
been recently impacted or can reasonably demonstrate that they will be impacted in the near
future, by the loss of employment in a locally- or regionally-significant industry sector, or identify
opportunities for improving the competitiveness of a locally- or regionally- significant industry
sector through expanded or enhanced workforce training and skills development.
Complete applications for a CIF grant must provide appropriate third-party economic and
demographic statistics for the applicable community or region to document the extent to which
contractions in a regionally significant industry sector have negatively impacted the community,
workforce, region, or identify evidence-based opportunities to support existing business(es) or
industry clusters. The applicant will need to cite the data source used to demonstrate impact.
Economic indicators, labor market analyses, official announcements made by local and regional
industries and firms, demographic or industry data, and peer-reviewed scholarly articles and
publications are strong sources of data to demonstrate these impacts. Applicants are encouraged
to provide data (median household income, unemployment rate, etc.) from federal sources that
may include, but are not limited to, the following sources.
•
U.S. Department of Agriculture
o Economic Research Service (ERS): https://www.ers.usda.gov
•
U.S. Department of Commerce
o Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA): http://www.bea.gov/
o U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey
(ACS): https://www.census.gov/programs-
surveys/acs/
o U.S. Economic Development Administration
(EDA): https://www.eda.gov
•
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
http://www.bls.gov/
•
U.S. Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS):
https://www.irs.gov/
•
Federal Reserve Bank
o St. Louis: https://www.stlouisfed.org/
o Atlanta: https://www.frbatlanta.org/
o Dallas: https://www.dallasfed.org/
3. Cost Sharing or Matching
The cost share must be non-federal unless allowed by statute. The cost share shall not
apply to a project providing transportation or basic public services to residents of one or
more distressed counties or isolated areas of distress in the region. Higher amounts of cost
share shall be will be given priority consideration.
1
E.
APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION
1. How to Apply
The electronic grant application will be available on March 11, 2024. Applicants may access
the application electronically at funding.dra.gov.
2. Content and Form of the Grant Application
CIF is administered in accordance with DRA’s standard application policies and procedures.
Application Sections
•
Project Name
•
Project Summary
•
Project Description
•
Project Purpose
•
Project Output and Outcomes
•
Community Demand
•
Employer Engagement (Participation Agreement preferred)
•
Budget and Budget Narrative
1
In general, DRA has the ability to accept other federal dollars as matching contributions. However, some federal
agencies and/or specific projects may have limitations on the use of other and/or total federal funding. Prospective
applicants are encouraged to consult with DRA program staff prior to submission if planning to use other federal
funds as a source to meet the matching funds requirement.
Τhe completion of federal forms and other supporting documentation will be required when an
application is selected for funding. Supplemental resources and additional guidance about
project application requirements are provided online at www.dra.gov.
3. Submission Dates and Times
The submission dates and times for the 2024 CIF grant competition are as follows:
2024 Community Infrastructure Fund
Funding Availability Begins: March 11, 2024
Applications will be reviewed and scored, and funding decisions will be made on a
monthly basis, pending availability of funds.
Potential applicants are encouraged to contact DRA programs staff or their LDD office
(https://dra.gov/resources/local-development-districts/) for additional information
about the 2024 CIF application submission requirements, as well as for assistance in
completing applications.
In addition to the requirements described in this NOFA and online at Critical
Infrastructure - Delta Regional Authority (dra.gov), all applications must meet the
general requirements for DRA funding and be consistent with DRA’s strategic plan.
Technical Assistance
LDDs may serve as technical assistance providers for DRA funding programs. In addition,
DRA staff are also available to discuss pre-award eligibility concerns, as well as post-award
requirements.
Additionally, DRA will provide technical assistance to unfunded applicants who send a
request to sedap.cif@dra.gov at the conclusion of the funding cycle.
4. Application Submission Instructions
Project applications (with related attachments) must be submitted electronically via the
CIF Portal, available at funding.dra.gov.
After an application is submitted, it undergoes a validation process during which the application
may be accepted or rejected due to errors, incomplete information, or eligibility disqualifications.
Applications that do not include required information or contain critical errors will not be
reviewed or evaluated for CIF funding.
F.
APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION
1. Criteria
DRA has instituted a technical review process to provide for an objective review of
applications. The evaluation criteria are based on the program’s priorities, objectives, and
funding principles outlined in Section B: Program Description of this NOFA.
Criterion
Points
(maximum)
Project Information
Section Total
75 Points
I. I. Project Description 25 Points
a. Description of Project Service Area 7
b. Project Design 10
3
1
e. Project Timeline 4
II. Project Purpose 25 Points
a. Description of Need 12
b. Alignment with DRA’s Strategic Investment Goals 3
c. Alignment with CIF Investment Priorities 7
d. Alignment with Local Economic Development Priorities 3
III. Project Outputs and Outcomes 13 Points
a. Demonstration of Realistic and Attainable Outcomes 8
5
IV. Management and Team Partners 12 Points
a. Local and Regional Collaboration 5
include Community Colleges, Unions, Training Providers,
4
Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Minority Serving
3
Evidence of Community Demand or Employer Needs
Section Total
15 Points
I. Demonstration of Community Demand for Proposed Project 5
II. Evidence of Employer Engagement 3
7
Funding Information
Section Total
5 Points
I. Budget/Budget Narrative Alignment 5
Project Information – 75 Points
I. Project Description – 25 Points
The applicant should demonstrate how the proposed activities support community
and/or industry-driven economic development in the DRA region. To be considered
for full points, the applicant must include a description of the project service area,
alignment with strategic plans, project design and approach, and declare if project
activities will occur in a distressed county/parish and designated persistent poverty
county/parish.
a. Description of Project Service Area and Community Needs (7 Points)
The extent to which the applicant describes the project service area and
target population to be served by the proposed project. Applicants should
describe the service area’s socioeconomic challenges, including the service
area’s population, median household income, unemployment rate, and labor
force participation rate.
b. Project Design (10 Points)
The extent to which the applicant describes a coherent and feasible approach
for successfully addressing the identified needs of the community,
employers, job seekers, and workers. The project design must describe all
grant activities by demonstrating how the applicant will implement its
proposed project. The project design must include all documentation
required per Appendix II for all Water/Sewer projects. This section must also
clearly be reflected in the Work Plan, Project Timeline, Budget, and Budget
Narrative. The applicant must address factors that could impact the project’s
success and a related contingency plan, especially programmatic impacts
stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.
c. Demonstration of Inclusion in a Distressed County/Parish and Isolated
Areas of Distress in the Region (3 Points)
Pursuant to statute, DRA is authorized to fund up to 75 percent of its
projects based on their location or impact within a distressed area. If funds
remain available, we may fund projects in non-distressed areas. By statute,
DRA defines distress at the county/parish level. For isolated areas within
non-distressed areas, as approved by the federal co-chairman and state
members as required in statute, we define distress at the census tract level.
d. Demonstration of Inclusion in a Persistent Poverty County/Parish (1
Point)
The applicant must demonstrate that project activities take place in at least
one or more persistent poverty county/parish.
e. Project Timeline (4 Points)
Inclusion of a realistic project timeline beginning with the award
announcement to completion of the proposed project activities.
II. Project Purpose – 25 Points
The applicant must describe why the project is necessary, including the specific
needs of local residents and/or employers addressed by the proposed project. To be
considered for full points, the applicant must demonstrate how the project aligns
with DRA’s Strategic Investment Goals and CIF Investment Priorities. Additionally,
the applicant must describe how the proposed project aligns with local, regional, or
statewide economic and/or workforce development plans and priorities.
a. Description of Need (12 Points)
The extent to which the applicant describes the economic and/or workforce
to be addressed by the proposed project. Further, applicants should describe
how these needs are being addressed for residents, job seekers and/or
workers that are proposed to be served by the project.
b. Alignment with DRA’s Strategic Investment Goals (3 Points)
The extent to which the applicant demonstrates alignment with one or more
of DRA’s Strategic Investment Goals outlined in the agency’s Regional
Development Plan IV.
c. Alignment with CIF Investment Priorities (7 Points)
The extent to which the applicant demonstrates alignment with one or more of
CIF’s Investment Priorities.
d. Alignment with Local Economic Development Priorities (3 Points)
The applicant must identify and describe how the project aligns with an
existing local, regional, or state economic development plan(s) and/or
workforce strategy. Applicants must demonstrate how the project advances
relevant goals or addresses a component, need, or action item outlined in the
identified plan(s). Further, applicants must demonstrate how the project
activities and anticipated results address, support, or advance specifically
identified portions of the plan(s). DRA will accept the inclusion of any plan
published or produced by local public bodies, regional development
organizations, workforce investment boards, economic development
organizations, chambers of commerce, relevant state agencies, or related
organizations.
III. Project Outputs and Outcomes – 13 Points
a. Demonstration of Realistic and Attainable Outcomes (8 Points)
The applicant must provide specific, measurable, achievable, and reasonable
project outcomes to be accomplished during the period of performance. To be
considered for full points, the applicant must identify outcomes/outputs that align
with the needs, gaps, and challenges identified in the Project Description and
Project Purpose. At a minimum, the applicant must include the number of
communities served, individuals trained, jobs created/retained, and
industry/businesses served as anticipated project outcomes/outputs.
b. Demonstration of Jobs Created or Retained, Families Affected, or People
Trained (5 Points)
To be considered for full points, the applicant must identify project outputs
that result in at least one of the following achievable metrics: jobs created,
jobs retained, families affected, or people trained.
IV. Management Team and Partners – 12 Points
The applicant must identify key members of the project team and describe their
roles and responsibilities as a part of the project. To be considered for full points,
the applicant must demonstrate the project team has relevant experience and the
organizational capacity to manage and implement the proposed project, including
prior experience in or demonstrated capacity for managing complex federal
grants, but not limited to, requirements. Staff resumes and/or job descriptions
(for positions the applicant is proposing to fill with grant funds) must be included
as attachments to the application.
a. Local and Regional Collaboration (5 Points)
The applicant must demonstrate local and/or regional collaboration with
public and private partners. To be considered for full points, the applicant
must describe the role and responsibilities of each partner and identify any
leveraged resources (i.e., cash, in-kind, other).
b. Demonstration of Local and Regional Partnerships (to include
Community Colleges, Unions, Training Providers, etc.) (4 Points)
The extent to which the applicant demonstrates partnerships with local and
regional entities representing the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. To
be considered for full points, the applicant must provide letters of support
from engaged partners. Letters of support must describe the extent of each
partner’s engagement with the proposed project.
c. Demonstration of Partnership(s) with Historically Black Colleges and
Universities (HBCUs), Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and/or
Federally Recognized Tribe (3 Points)
The extent to which the applicant demonstrates substantial involvement of at
least one (1) HBCU, MSI and/or Federally Recognized Tribe. To receive full
points, applicants must provide letter(s) of engagement from at least one (1)
HBCU, MSI and/or Federally Recognized Tribe. Letters of engagement must
describe how the HBCU, MSI and/or Federally Recognized Tribe will be
involved in the proposed project, the extent to which a partnership between
them and the applicant has evolved and how it will be strengthened.
Evidence of Community Demand for Proposed Project – 15 Points
The applicant must provide some evidence of community demand or employer needs,
including letters of support. To be considered for full points, the applicant must provide a
detailed work plan for the entire period of performance, which may not exceed 24 months.
I. Demonstration of Community Demand for Proposed Project – 5 Points
The extent to which the applicant describes the community and/or industry
demand for the proposed project.
II. Evidence of Employer Engagement – 3 Points
The extent to which the applicant demonstrates employer engagement, whether
directly or indirectly, with the proposed project.
a. Inclusion of a Participation Agreement Guaranteeing Job Creation or
Retention (7 Points)
To receive full points, the applicant must include a Participation Agreement
from at least one employer for a reasonable number of jobs to be created or
retained within a 5-year period from the start of the project.
Funding Information – 5 Points
The applicant must provide the total amount of funding being requested from DRA and any
matching funds from non-DRA funding sources unless the project is an infrastructure
project in a distressed county/parish within the DRA region. The applicant must provide
information about the source(s) of the matching funds, including a letter of commitment or
other supporting documentation as evidence from each source. To be considered for full
points, the applicant must provide a detailed categorical budget narrative for both DRA and
non-DRA funds and describe how these costs align with the proposed project. Projects with
more cost share will be prioritized.
I. Budget and Budget Narrative Alignment – 5 Points
The applicant must complete a budget narrative form. Either Budget Form SF424A
(non-construction) or SF424C (construction), as applicable. In preparing the Budget
Form, you must provide a concise narrative explanation to support the budget
request. The Budget Narrative must provide a description of costs associated with
each line item on the budget form. The Budget Narrative should also include a
section describing any leveraged resources provided (as applicable) to support
grant activities. Leveraged resources are all resources, both cash and in-kind, in
excess of this award. Each category (personnel, travel, equipment, supplies, other)
should include the total estimated cost for the period of performance.
Review and Selection Process
Applications submitted to DRA within the 2024 CIF funding cycle will first be pre-screened to
determine eligibility and completeness. Once project eligibility has been determined, DRA
program staff will conduct a preliminary review to ensure the project scope is compatible with
program guidelines established in this NOFA. Once the preliminary review process is complete,
DRA program staff will review and score each application based on the criteria set forth in
Section F: Application Review Information.
DRA reserves the right to negotiate all budget costs with applicants who have been selected to
receive awards, which may include requesting that the applicant remove or adjust certain
proposed costs. Additionally, DRA may request that the applicant modify objectives or work
plans and provide supplemental information pertaining to any aspect of the application. DRA
also reserves the right to reject an application where information is uncovered that raises a
reasonable doubt as to the applicant’s ability to successfully fulfill the objectives and
requirements of the grant award.
DRA, under its complete and sole discretion, may select for award some, all, or none of the
applications received under this competitive solicitation. The award decision made by DRA is
final.
G.
AWARD ADMINISTRATION
Please see Appendix I for Award Administration requirements.
Administration of DRA awards are subject to the same regulations, restrictions, and
requirements as other federal awards. These include, but are not limited to, administrative
requirements and cost principles, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), past performance
and non-compliance, environmental and historic preservation, and the Americans with
Disabilities ACT (ADA) requirements.
H.
DRA CONTACT INFORMATION
DRA collaborates with the region’s LDDs to offer interested applicants and awardees
technical assistance, application support and review and post-award assistance. Applicants
may choose to work the LDD within their district. DRA strongly encourages interested
applicants to contact DRA programs staff and/or their respective LDDs with any questions
they have about CIF in general, as well as with any specific questions they have about the
use of agency funds to support projects in Delta communities and regions. Applicants with
additional questions are encouraged to submit these to sedap.cif@dra.gov.
I.
GENERAL DISCLOSURES
The 2024 CIF program awards will be made only to the extent that funds are available.
Publication of this NOFA does not obligate DRA to award any specific grant or
cooperative agreement or to obligate all or any part of available funds. Applicants
intending to contract with a specific individual, consulting group, or organization with
DRA funding must have a competitive procurement policy in place.
This NOFA does not commit DRA to award a contract, procure or contract for services or
supplies. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the NOFA, DRA reserves the right to
award grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts to communities or regions that best
meet the requirements of the NOFA and not necessarily to the lowest-cost proposers. DRA
solely reserves the right to accept or reject any or all responses received as a result of this
NOFA, to negotiate with all qualified sources, or to cancel in part or in its entirety this
NOFA if it is in the interests of DRA to do so.
Appendix I
DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY: AWARD ADMINISTRATION
1.
Administrative Program Requirements
All awardees will be subject to all applicable federal laws and regulations, including the OMB
Uniform Guidance and the terms and conditions of the award. The grant(s) awarded under
this NOFA will be subject to the following administrative standards and provisions.
i. Nonprofit Organizations, Educational Institutions, For-profit entities, and State,
Local, and Indian Tribal Governments–2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Administrative
Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards)
ii. All recipients must comply with the applicable provisions of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Public Law No. 113-328, 128 Stat. 1425
(codified as amended at 29 U.S.C. 3101 et. seq.) and the applicable provisions of the
regulations at 20 CFR Part 675 et. seq. Note that 20 CFR Part 683 (Administrative
Provisions) allows unsuccessful applicants to file administrative appeals.
iii. All entities must comply with 29 CFR Part 93 (New Restrictions on Lobbying), 29
CFR Part 94 (Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Financial
Assistance)), 2 CFR Part 180 (OMB Guidance to Agencies on Government-wide
Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement)), and, where applicable, 2 CFR Part
200 (Audit Requirements).
iv. All entities must comply with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IILA)
and the Build America, Buy America Act (the Act), Pub. L. No. 117-58, §§ 70901-52,
as well as the Executive Memorandum M-22-11, dated April 18, 2022, Initial
Implementation Guidance on Application of Buy America Preference in Federal
Financial Assistance Programs for Infrastructure.
2.
The Act requires the following Buy America preference:
(1) All iron and steel used in the project are produced in the United States. This
means all manufacturing processes, from the initial melting stage through the
application of coatings, occurred in the United States.
(2) All manufactured products used in the project are produced in the United States.
This means the manufactured product was manufactured in the United States, and
the cost of the components of the manufactured product that are mined, produced,
or manufactured in the United States is greater than 55 percent of the total cost of
all components of the manufactured product unless another standard for
determining the minimum amount of domestic content of the manufactured
product has been established under applicable law or regulation.
(3) All construction materials are manufactured in the United States. This means
that all manufacturing processes for the construction material occurred in the
United States.
Pursuant to Section 70914(c) of the Act, DRA may waive the application of a Buy
America preference under an infrastructure program in any case in which the FCC of
DRA finds that;
(1) applying the domestic content procurement preference would be inconsistent
with the public interest (a “public interest waiver”);
(2) types of iron, steel, manufactured products, or construction materials are not
produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities or of
a satisfactory quality (a “nonavailability waiver”); or
(3) the inclusion of iron, steel, manufactured products, or construction materials
produced in the United States will increase the cost of the overall project by more
than 25 percent (an “unreasonable cost waiver”).
Before applying a Buy America preference to a covered program that will affect
Tribal Communities, DRA will follow the consultation policies established through
Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments, and consistent with policies set forth in the Presidential Memorandum
of January 26, 2021, on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-Nation
Relationships.
i. Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs or Activities Receiving
Federal Financial Assistance.
ii. Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal
Financial Assistance from the DRA pursuant to the Age Discrimination Act of 1975,
as amended. The Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of age by recipients of
Federal financial assistance and in federally assisted programs or activities but
permits the use of certain age distinctions and factors other than age that meet the
requirements of the Act.
iii. Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities
Receiving Federal Financial Assistance pursuant to Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972, as amended (except sections 904 and 906 of those
Amendments) (20 U.S.C. 1681, 1682, 1683, 1685, 1686, 1687, 1688), which is
designed to eliminate (with certain exceptions) discrimination on the basis of sex in
any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, whether or
not such program or activity is offered or sponsored by an educational institution as
defined in these Title IX regulations.
iv. Implementation of the Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Provisions of
the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
v. Labor Standards for the Registration of Apprenticeship Programs and Equal
Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship and Training, as applicable.
vi. DRA will follow the procedures outlined in the agency’s Freedom of Information
Act (FOIA) policy. If DRA receives a FOIA request for your application, the
procedures in DRA’s FOIA policies for responding to requests for
commercial/business information submitted to the government will be followed, as
well as all FOIA exemptions and procedures. See generally 5 U.S.C. § 552
vii. DRA is supportive of the Presidential Administration’s comprehensive approach
to advancing equity for all in line with Executive Order 13985. As an identified
agency with covered programs, DRA will comply with the actions required of
agencies that manage covered Justice40 programs. These actions include identifying
the benefits of covered programs, determining how covered programs distribute
benefits, and calculating and reporting on reaching the 40-percent goal of the
Justice40 Initiative. Benefits include direct and indirect investments (and program
outcomes) that positively impact disadvantaged communities. Therefore, all entities
must comply with reporting, data collection, and evaluation necessary for DRA to
comply with Justice40 Initiative requirements as outlined in M21-28 Interim
Implementation Guidance for the Justice40 Initiative and EO 14008.
3.
Other Legal Requirements
a. Religious Activities
DRA notes that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000bb,
applies to all federal law and its implementation. If an applicant organization is a
faith-based organization that makes hiring decisions on the basis of religious belief,
it may be entitled to receive federal financial assistance under this grant solicitation
and maintain that hiring practice. Religious organizations are eligible, on the same
basis as any other organization, to seek DRA support or participate in DRA
programs for which they are otherwise eligible.
b. Lobbying or Fundraising the U.S. Government with Federal Funds
In accordance with Section 18 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Public Law
104-65) (2 U.S.C. § 1611), nonprofit entities incorporated under Internal Revenue
Service Code section 501(c)(4) that engage in lobbying activities are not eligible to
receive federal funds and grants. No activity, including awareness-raising and
advocacy activities, may include fundraising for, or lobbying of, U.S. federal, state, or
local governments (see 2 CFR 200.450 for more information).
c. Transparency Act Requirements
You must ensure that you have the necessary processes and systems in place to
comply with the reporting requirements of the Federal Funding Accountability and
Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. Law 109-282, as amended by the Government
Funding Transparency Act of 2008, Pub. Law 110-252, Title VI, Chap. 2, Sec. 6202),
as follows.
i. Except for those excepted from the Transparency Act under sub-
paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 below, you must ensure that you have the necessary
processes and systems in place to comply with the subaward and executive
total compensation reporting requirements of the Transparency Act, should
you receive funding.
ii. Upon award, you will receive detailed information on the reporting
requirements of the Transparency Act, as described in 2 CFR Part 170,
Appendix A, which can be found at
https://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-22705.pdf.
The following types of awards are not subject to the Federal Funding Accountability and
Transparency Act.
a. Federal awards to individuals who apply for or receive federal awards as natural
persons (e.g., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization he or she may
own or operate in his or her name).
b. Federal awards to entities that had a gross income, from all sources, of less than
$300,000 in the entities' previous tax year; and
c. Federal awards if the required reporting would disclose classified information.
d. Safeguarding Data Including Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
Applicants submitting applications in response to this NOFA must recognize that
confidentiality of PII and other sensitive data is of paramount importance to the
Delta Regional Authority and must be observed except where disclosure is allowed
by the prior written approval of the Grant Officer or by court order. By submitting
an application, you are assuring that all data exchanges conducted through or
during the course of performance of this grant will be conducted in a manner
consistent with applicable federal law and TEGL 39-11 (issued June 28, 2012). All
such activity conducted by recipient(s) will be performed in a manner consistent
with applicable state and federal laws.
By submitting a grant application, you agree to take all necessary steps to protect
such confidentiality by complying with the following provisions that are applicable
in governing the handling of confidential information: You must ensure that PII and
sensitive data developed, obtained, or otherwise associated with DRA funded grants
is securely transmitted.
i. To ensure that such PII is not transmitted to unauthorized users, all PII and
other sensitive data transmitted via e-mail or stored on CDs, DVDs, thumb
drives, etc., must be encrypted using a Federal Information Processing
Standards (FIPS) 140-2 compliant and National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) validated cryptographic module. You must not e-mail
unencrypted sensitive PII to any entity, including DRA or contractors.
ii. You must take the steps necessary to ensure the privacy of all PII obtained
from participants and/or other individuals and to protect such information
from unauthorized disclosure. You must maintain such PII in accordance
with the DRA standards for information security and any updates to such
standards we provide to you. Awardees who wish to obtain more
information on data security should contact their Federal Project Officer.
iii. You must ensure that any PII used during the performance of your grant
has been obtained in conformity with applicable federal and state laws
governing the confidentiality of information.
iv. You further acknowledge that all PII data obtained through your DRA
grant must be stored in an area that is physically safe from access by
unauthorized persons at all times and the data will be processed using
recipient-issued equipment, managed information technology (IT) services,
and designated locations approved by DRA. Accessing, processing, and
storing of DRA grant PII data on personally owned equipment, at off-site
locations (e.g., employee’s home), and non-recipient managed IT services
(e.g., Yahoo mail), is strictly prohibited unless approved by DRA.
v. Your employees and other personnel who will have access to sensitive /
confidential / Proprietary / private data must be advised of the confidential
nature of the information, the safeguards required to protect the information,
and that there are civil and criminal sanctions for noncompliance with such
safeguards that are contained in federal and state laws.
vi. You must have policies and procedures in place under which your
employees and other personnel, before being granted access to PII,
acknowledge their understanding of the confidential nature of the data and
the safeguards with which they must comply with their handling of such
data, as well as the fact that they may be liable to civil and criminal
sanctions for improper disclosure.
vii. You must not extract information from data supplied by DRA for any
purpose not stated in the grant agreement.
viii. Access to any PII created by the DRA grant must be restricted to only
those employees of the grant recipient who need it in their official capacity to
perform duties in connection with the scope of work in the grant agreement.
ix. All PII data must be processed in a manner that will protect the
confidentiality of the records/ documents and is designed to prevent
unauthorized persons from retrieving such records by computer, remote
terminal, or any other means. Data may be downloaded to, or maintained on,
mobile or portable devices only if the data are encrypted using NIST-
validated software products based on FIPS 140-2 encryption. In addition,
wage data may be accessed only from secure locations.
x. PII data obtained by the recipient through a request from DRA must not be
disclosed to anyone but the individual requestor except as permitted by the
Grant Officer or by court order.
xi. You must permit DRA to make onsite inspections during regular business
hours for the purpose of conducting audits and/or conducting other
investigations to ensure that you are complying with the confidentiality
requirements described above. In accordance with this responsibility, you
must make records applicable to this Agreement available to authorized
persons for the purpose of inspection, review, and/or audit.
xii. You must retain data received from DRA only for the period of time
required to use it for assessment and other purposes or to satisfy applicable
federal records retention requirements, if any. Thereafter, you agree that all
data will be destroyed, including the degaussing of magnetic tape files and
deletion of electronic data.
e. Record Retention
You must follow federal guidelines on record retention, which require that you
maintain all records pertaining to grant activities for a period of at least three years
from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. See 2 CFR 200.333-.337
for more specific information, including information about the start of the record
retention period for awards that are renewed quarterly or annually and when the
records must be retained for more than three years.
f. Use of Contracts and Subawards
You must abide by the following definitions of contract, contractor, subaward, and
subrecipient.
Contract: Contract means a legal instrument by which a non-federal entity (defined
as a state or local government, Indian tribe, institution of higher education (IHE),
nonprofit organization, for-profit entity, foreign public entity, or a foreign
organization that carries out a federal award as a recipient or subrecipient)
purchases property or services needed to carry out the project or program under a
federal award. The term as used in this NOFA does not include a legal instrument,
even if the non-federal entity considers it a contract when the substance of the
transaction meets the definition of a federal award or subaward (see definition of
Subaward below).
Contractor: Contractor means an entity that receives a contract as defined above in
Contract.
Subaward: Subaward means an award provided by a pass-through entity (defined as
a non-federal entity that provides a subaward to a subrecipient to carry out part of a
federal program) to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to carry out part of a federal
award received by the pass-through entity. It does not include payments to a
contractor or payments to an individual who is a beneficiary of a federal program. A
subaward may be provided through any form of legal agreement, including an
agreement that the pass-through entity considers a contract.
Subrecipient: Subrecipient means a non-federal entity that receives a subaward
from a pass-through entity to carry out part of a federal program but does not
include an individual who is a beneficiary of such program. A subrecipient may also
be a recipient of other federal awards directly from a federal awarding agency.
You must follow the provisions at 2 CFR 200.330-.332 regarding subrecipient
monitoring and management. Also, see 2 CFR 200.308(c)(6) regarding prior
approval requirements for subawards. When awarding subawards, you are required
to comply with provisions on government-wide suspension and debarment found at
2 CFR Part 180 and codified at 2 CFR Part 2998.
g. Closeout of Grant Award
i. Any entity that receives an award under this Announcement must close its
grant with DRA at the end of the final year of the grant.
ii. The goal of the Grants Oversight and New Efficiency (GONE) Act is to close
out expired grants. The GONE Act requires the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) to instruct each agency, in coordination with the Department
of Health and Human Services (HHS), to submit to Congress and HHS by
December 31 of the first calendar year beginning after this Act's enactment a
report that:
a) Lists each federal grant award held by such agency,
b) Provides the total number of federal grant awards, including the
number of grants by time period of expiration, the number with zero-
dollar balances, and the number with undisbursed balances,
c) Describes the challenges leading to delays in grant closeout, and,
d) Explains, for the 30 oldest federal grant awards, why each has not
been closed out.
The covered grants are those within an agency's cash payment management
system that have been expired for two or more years and have not been
closed out. No later than one year after the head of an agency submits its
report, the agency head will notify HHS whether the agency has closed out
the covered grants discussed in its report. HHS is required to compile this
information and provide it to Congress.
4.
Other Administrative Standards and Provisions
Except as specifically provided in this NOFA, our acceptance of an application and an award
of federal funds to sponsor any programs(s) does not provide a waiver of any grant
requirements and/or procedures. For example, the OMB Uniform Guidance requires that
an entity’s procurement procedures ensure that all procurement transactions are
conducted, as much as practical, to provide full and open competition. If an application
identifies a specific entity to provide goods or services, the award does not provide the
justification or basis to sole source the procurement (i.e., avoid competition).
5.
Special Program Requirements
a. DRA Evaluation
As a condition of a grant award, awardees are required to participate in an
evaluation if undertaken by DRA. The evaluation may include an implementation
assessment across awardees, an impact and/or outcomes analysis of all or selected
sites within or across awardees, and a benefit/cost analysis or assessment of return
on investment. Conducting an impact analysis could involve random assignment
(which involves random assignment of eligible participants into a treatment group
that would receive program services or enhanced program services or into control
group(s) that would receive no program services or program services that are not
enhanced). We may require applicants to collect data elements to aid the evaluation.
As a part of the evaluation, as a condition of award, awardees must agree to:
(1) make records available to the evaluation contractor on participants,
employers, and funding;
(2) provide access to program operating personnel, participants,
operational and financial records, and any other relevant documents to
calculate program costs and benefits; and
(3) in the case of an impact analysis, facilitate the assignment by lottery of
participants to program services, including the possible increased
recruitment of potential participants; and
(4) follow evaluation procedures as specified by the evaluation contractor
under the direction of DRA.
b. Performance Goals
Please note that applicants will be held to the outcomes provided, and failure to
meet those outcomes may result in technical assistance or other intervention by
DRA and may also have a significant impact on decisions about future grants with
DRA.
6.
Definitions
Construction materials
Construction materials include an article, material, or supply – other than an item of
primarily iron or steel; a manufactured product; cement and cementitious materials;
aggregates such as stone, sand, or gravel; or aggregate binding agents or additives – that is
or consists primarily of:
• non-ferrous metals;
• plastic and polymer-based products (including polyvinylchloride, composite
building materials, and polymers used in fiber optic cables);
• glass (including optic glass);
• lumber; or
• drywall.
Domestic content procurement preference means all iron and steel used in the project are
produced in the United States; the manufactured products used in the project are produced
in the United States; or the construction materials used in the project are produced in the
United States.
Infrastructure:
Infrastructure includes a minimum, the structure, facilities, and equipment for, in the
United States (1) roads, highways, and bridges; (2) public transportation; (3) dams, ports,
harbors, and other maritime systems; (4) intercity passenger and freight railroads; (5)
freight and intermodal facilities; (6) airports; (7) water systems; including drinking water
and wastewater systems; (8) electrical transmission facilities and systems; (9) utilities;
(10) broadband infrastructure; and (11) buildings and real property. Infrastructure
includes facilities that generate, transport, and distribute energy.
Project:
Project means the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of infrastructure in the
United States.
Appendix II
DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY: ELIGIBLE AND INELIGIBLE
EXAMPLES
Eligible Activities and Entities
• Agencies or entities – The eligible entity must be organized and legally recognized
as either a nonprofit, public institution of higher learning, local form of government,
federally recognized tribes, or other local/state entity eligible to receive federal
funds. The entity should work closely with the LDD servicing the project area while
developing and submitting the online application. The LDDs certify the project
applications are complete and for eligible purposes as part of their role as the
authorized technical assistance provider.
• Economic Development – Eligible activities should include committed industry
partners actively seeking to expand or develop new facilities within a community,
retaining or hiring individuals from the available labor force, and contributing to the
betterment of the community and its surroundings. Economic Development
activities build upon and support a community’s existing assets as well as grow and
nurture new industry segments.
• Category 1: Basic Public Infrastructure – Projects located in distressed
counties/parishes and isolated areas of distress; these projects are defined as
follows: Basic Public Infrastructure shall mean water and wastewater facilities,
electric and gas utilities, broadband delivery and solid waste landfills, all of which
are fundamental services necessary to sustain and promote growth and/or attract
business(es), which have a useful life of 20 years or more.
• Category 2: Transportation Infrastructure – Projects for the purpose of
facilitating economic development activities in the region; these projects are defined
as follows: Transportation Infrastructure shall mean basic physical structures
needed to support and/or create a transportation system, which shall include local
roadways, bridges, rail, port facilities, airports, and other structures deemed central
to an overall transportation system.
• Category 3: Flood Control – Projects that address local or regional flooding
concerns negatively impacting local economies within the DRA region.
• Health improvements – Projects that address existing health concerns for
industry and/or residents as they may relate to water and sewer
infrastructure deficiencies.
• Basic residential infrastructure – Basic Public Infrastructure projects for
communities in distressed counties/parishes or isolated areas designated
distressed in non-distressed counties/parishes may be considered, provided they
meet the program requirements set out in other applicable eligibility guidelines.
• Phased projects – Applications for early phases of a larger project where projected
outcomes will not be realized until a much later time, possibly after other funds are
awarded in subsequent cycles, may be considered eligible with proper assurances
from relevant project partners. DRA’s involvement in early-phase projects shall not
constitute a commitment on DRA’s part for future funding.
• Architectural and engineering fees – A&E fees are considered an allowable
expense; however, payment of these fees will be structured as follows: one-third
paid upon completion and acceptance of the plans, one-third paid upon receipt of a
successful bid, and the final one-third paid upon completion of the work.
Ineligible Activities and Entities
• Sub-grants of any type – Sub-grants are not allowed. Contracts for which the
awardee would receive a service as identified in the approved application are
allowed and should follow state bid and procurement laws.
• Entities involved in ongoing litigation – As a prerequisite for receiving an award,
the awardee must affirm within the award document package that the entity is not a
defendant in litigation pertaining to financial fraud, fraudulent business practices, or
any other malfeasance that could reasonably be construed to affect the integrity of
the DRA award.
• Pass-through efforts to support or enhance private property or property owners
– Eligible entities receiving an award shall not enter into lease agreements with for-
profit entities or individuals for the purpose of equipping or improving private
property. This constitutes a pass-through and is not allowable. Likewise, sub-grants,
as described, above constitute a pass-through and are not allowable.
• Activities which would constitute a conflict of interest or be considered less than
an arm’s length transaction – Any such potential circumstances must be disclosed
to DRA, in writing, prior to the application approval phase. DRA will review the
disclosure(s) on a case-by-case basis and determine the proper course of action
moving forward. Perceived conflicts, identified after funds have been awarded, will
result in the delay of payments until evidence can be provided to clarify the
relationship(s). Actual conflicts or transactions deemed to be less than arm’s length,
identified after funds have been awarded, may result in forfeiture of awarded funds,
the repayment of expended funds and/or legal action as deemed appropriate and
necessary by DRA.
• Projects that do not conform to the project state’s bid, procurement, or
contract laws – Lack of familiarity with the bid, procurement, or contract laws in
your state will not constitute a defense argument should DRA determine the laws
were ignored or not appropriately adhered to.
• Private university-led projects or programs – DRA will not consider private
universities to be eligible to receive federal funds directly or through a pass-through
relationship. If a project is determined to be managed and directed by a nonprofit
foundation affiliated with the private university, then the foundation could be
considered the eligible recipient.
• For-profit entities or individuals – DRA will not consider for-profit entities to be eligible
to receive federal funds directly or through a pass-through relationship. Eligible entities
may not be conduits for private sector entities. Property purchased with DRA funding
cannot, in turn, be sold or given to a private entity beneficiary. However, DRA can
indirectly assist and support the development of for-profits by improving public
infrastructure or providing needed workforce training, implemented or delivered by
eligible entities.
• Residential developments – Ineligible activities would include site work in a new
residential development or opening additional lots in an existing development,
construction of homes or spec-houses, any activity that may directly financially
benefit the developer, or running utilities to the site of a future residential
development.
• Uncommitted other project funds – Applications that describe, within the budget, a
majority of funding not yet committed or applied for may be found to be ineligible to
receive DRA funding. All projects must be able to begin within 12 months of the
notice to proceed and be substantially complete within 24 months.
• Spec-buildings/pads/industrial sites – Industrial building(s) constructed by
eligible entities for the purpose of attracting unidentified and/or uncommitted
tenants as an incentive to locate may be deemed speculative and ineligible to
receive DRA funding. Consideration will be given to market-driven, site
development projects which have, or have had, a third-party review, validation,
and subsequent commitment of investment to the project.
• Water meters, as a stand-alone project – DRA will not consider applications
eligible for funding, which places a major emphasis on the replacement of
unreliable, inoperable water meters. Consideration will be given to project
applications that include water meter replacement as a minor part of an overall
water system upgrade or extension, provided all work is completed on public
property or right-of-way.
• Maintenance and/or deferred maintenance projects – Maintenance shall mean
the work of keeping something in proper condition or upkeep. Deferred
maintenance shall mean to put off, postpone, or procrastinate the act of
conducting maintenance. However, consideration will be given to infrastructure
projects like the dredging of ports if demonstrated to result in job creation and/or
retention. Local/state/federal road, highway, or bridge maintenance projects will
not be eligible to receive DRA funding.
• Work performed on private property – Project activities conducted on privately
held property will be deemed ineligible to receive DRA funding. To be considered an
allowable expense, the property owner would be required to grant a permanent
easement or right-of-way to the eligible entity and proper access to said property.
• Seasonal or part-time jobs – Project applications that create or retain only
seasonal or part-time jobs will not be considered eligible for DRA funding.
• Project administration fees – Fees paid to consultants or other outside parties for
the express purpose of preparing the DRA application or administering the DRA
project funds shall not be considered an allowable expense. LDDs are identified
within DRA’s enabling legislation as the principal technical assistance providers and
program partners for DRA-supported programs.
• Eligible entity exceptions – 1) entities normally deemed to be eligible but due to
prior award history are barred from receiving DRA funding, and 2) eligible entities
owing any type of federal “bad debt” are precluded from applying for DRA funding
until such time as the federal bad debt is paid in full. Should a scenario arise where a
federal bad debt is incurred after a DRA award has been made, any disbursement of
award funds will be “swept” by the federal or state agency and applied toward the
bad debt. In this circumstance, no further DRA funds would be disbursed, and the
awardee would be responsible for repaying the “swept” amount and, potentially,
any other DRA funds previously received.
• Backup generators, as a stand-alone project – DRA will not consider applications
eligible for funding that only include purchasing and installing backup generators.
Consideration will be given to project applications that include backup generator(s)
as a minor part of an overall utility system upgrade. Consideration may be given to
this type of project application in extreme emergency and disaster situations.
• Documentation of water/sewer rates - DRA will consider any Basic Public
Infrastructure application lacking any of the following documentation ineligible for
funding: 1) current rates, 2) date of last rate study, 3) date of last rate increase, and
4) the percent of uncollected fees. These should be well documented and attached
to the application. A copy of the rate study is required as proof the recommended
rates were implemented.
This list of eligible and ineligible activities is not intended to be exhaustive; it is merely
provided as a guide to assist in determining typical funding scenarios.
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Appendix III
DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY: GENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS
Who can apply and receive funding?
Entities who are eligible to apply for and receive DRA funding include state and
local governments (state agencies, city, and county/parish), federally recognized
tribes, other public bodies and nonprofit entities with projects in the DRA region.
Eligible entities owing any type of state or federal “bad debt” are precluded from
applying for DRA funding until such time as the bad debt is paid in full. Should a
scenario arise where a bad debt is incurred after a DRA award has been made, any
disbursement of funds will be “swept” by the agency owed and applied toward the
debt. In this circumstance, no further DRA funds would be disbursed, and the
awardee would be responsible for repaying these funds to the DRA.
For-profit entities are a key component of economic development. DRA recognizes
that while it does not provide investments directly to for-profit entities, they may
derive indirect benefits from the funding provided to eligible entities that are
recipients of project funding. For example, an eligible entity that owns real property
may lease its property at fair market rates for a long-term lease to a for-profit entity.
Should an eligible entity/funding awardee ever decide to dispose of real property
purchased or improved, in whole or in part, with DRA project funds, it is the
awardee's responsibility to seek DRA approval prior to disposal. At the DRA’s
discretion, the return of project funds may be required after the sale of said
property. DRA will move to acquire property liens where it is in the best interest of
DRA to do so.
What components make up a quality application?
By focusing on the following details and the components stated within the
evaluation criterion, higher-quality applications should result (these areas of focus
are not intended to be a complete and comprehensive list):
• How will the DRA funds be spent/what will the DRA funds purchase?
• How will the activities described - for DRA funding - fit within the overall project?
• Was the budget prepared using preliminary engineering reports/cost
estimates, architecture plans, or completed plans?
• Are all other funds committed; if not, what is the status of each identified
funding stream?
• Awardees will have six months to confirm with DRA that all other funding
for the project is committed before the issuance of the Notice to Proceed,
• At the end of six months, the award may be rescinded and de-obligated.
• Do not repeat, restate, or copy and paste from one section of the
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narrative to another.
• Do not simply state, “see attached.” Supporting documentation should be
included in the “attachments” section of the application, and references
should be included in the narrative to show where the specific details are
located.
• Do not claim a health or safety risk exists without current supporting
documentation from a state or federal agency.
• If providing photographic evidence, make sure the photos are clear, and
the reviewers can identify what is in the picture and/or the source of
the problem.
How does the CIF process work?
Funding availability for the CIF will be announced annually through the publication
of a NOFA and shall remain open until all funds are exhausted. However, funding for
projects will depend upon the receipt of DRA’s appropriations and passage of the
DRA budget at the annual Governor’s Quorum Meeting, which takes place in
February each year. CIF funding shall be made available for eligible projects
approved in accordance with 7 U.S.C. § 2009aa1 et seq. and provided the state’s
share of administrative expenses of the Authority have been remitted in full and a
federal member has been appointed by the president.
Eligible applicants may prepare and submit applications on their own to the
Authority or they may choose to work with an LDD office. Subsequently, a review
and recommendation of project eligibility are made by DRA staff, and projects are
then scored and ranked. DRA staff will work with applicants and/or LDDs to address
weaknesses found in lower-ranked and ineligible applications. CIF applications will
be accepted on a rolling basis, and reviews and funding decisions will take place
monthly.
How are CIF projects selected for funding?
The selection process is made by DRA’s federal co-chair and may include consultation
with other interested parties. The actual determination of eligibility for CIF investments is
made by the federal co-chair, who bases the decision on the Eligibility Guidelines (see
Appendix II) and the recommendations of DRA staff.
What role do the LDDs play?
Upon the applicant’s choice, the appropriate LDD will assist in project and
application development. Project applications are submitted electronically either by
or through the LDD, whose territory includes the home county/parish of the
applicant and/or the county/parish being served. LDD staff will review and certify
the project is legitimate and meets the parameters of the DRA program. Ultimately,
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the DRA makes the final determination of eligibility. However, LDDs will also
acknowledge their role and responsibility as project managers for each project and
ensure each project is implemented and regulations are adhered to in a timely
manner. In the event an application is deemed ineligible by the DRA, the LDD also
serves as the local economic development agency that should also be
knowledgeable of other state and federal funding sources. Applicants are
encouraged to work closely with the LDD in identifying the best available resources
for the project.
To compensate the LDDs for the administrative work performed, project
administrative fees will be paid from the awarded funds. The formula for
determining project administration fees is five percent (5%) of the first $100,000
and one percent (1%) of all dollars in excess of $100,000. By example, a $200,000
award would include $6,000 in LDD project administration fees, thereby making
$194,000 available for the approved project. Further details of this arrangement
and other alternatives can be found in the LDD Memorandum of Agreement.
It should be noted that the appropriate time to consider the project administration
fee is when the application is being prepared. This should be discussed with the
applicant, and the fee included in the DRA requested amount. If the award is made
for a lesser amount, all parties should be aware that the awarded amount (project
funds) will also include the project administration fee. The administration fee is
ONLY paid to the LDD and will not be allowed for consultants or other project
managers. Should the LDD choose to waive their administration fee, all funds will be
considered project funds.
How can an application be completed and submitted?
Online project application process:
Application information is entered through the online portal. Information is entered
once, with appropriate fields populated throughout. The site is an interactive
resource that all groups can utilize as an invaluable management tool.
The bullet points below provide a brief tutorial on the DRA funding portal.
Applicants may work with and through the LDD, whose territory covers the
applicant’s home county/parish, to fill out the online application materials. All
applications will be electronically transmitted to the appropriate LDD, if not
generated by the LDD, for review and approval prior to being sent to DRA for
eligibility review and scoring. The LDD is committed to managing and providing
technical assistance to the applicant/awardee during this phase of the application
process.
After logging in to funding.dra.gov, the applicant and/or LDD will follow the steps below:
• Establish a login with secure credentials.
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• Applicants will be able to create, view, and edit project information –
However, once an application has been submitted to DRA, it will be hidden
from the applicant and LDD views to ensure only changes approved by DRA
are allowed.
• Once a project is funded, the application will again be visible to the awardee
and LDD.
• LDDs will have access to all projects within their district.
• Other parties granted access to the site will be able to view general
information about projects within each state or the region.
• Submitted applications are electronically directed to the appropriate LDD
office for review and certification (certification means the application is in
substantial compliance with the eligibility guidelines, as noted within the
associated NOFA). Applications can also be prepared by the LDD on behalf of
an applicant.
• Certified applications are kept in an electronic database for viewing, editing,
and/or printing.
• Electronic notification is sent to DRA indicating completed/certified
projects are ready for DRA review.
• DRA staff will review for eligibility, score and rank applications.
• The federal co-chairperson will make the final determination of eligibility.
• Electronic notification is then sent to the LDD, board member(s) and applicant,
• Upon the recommendation of the state and approval of DRA, eligible projects
may be selected at this time.
• DRA will proactively meet with each state individually to jointly determine the
state’s project selection recommendations.
• Each project is submitted for a board vote.
• Upon approval, the award documents are generated for each selected
project and electronically sent to the LDD and/or applicant.
• LDDs will work with the pre-awardees to provide necessary technical assistance,
• Award documents will be printed, signed, and uploaded to DRA via the
funding portal.
• Once the award documents are received, DRA will utilize the funding portal
to date/time stamp the receipt of documents; DRA staff will review and (if
complete) will issue a Notice to Proceed to the LDD and/or awardee.
• Project events/announcements may take place during this time; DRA
communications staff will coordinate these events or determine, on a
project-per-project basis, if an event is not necessary.
• Upon receipt of the Notice to Proceed, awardees may now begin incurring
expenses for the project or DRA portion of the project if so structured.
What happens to a project deemed ineligible?
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Contact will be made with the LDD and/or applicant, outlining reasons for
ineligibility, pursuant to the Eligibility Guidelines; other comments and necessary
information will be included by DRA staff to assist applicants with strengthening
future applications.
What happens next after a project is funded?
Once projects are funded, official announcements are coordinated with the chief
policy and communications officer’s office and each governor’s office. Press events
may be held in person with the DRA federal co-chairperson, other DRA staff
members, and the governor via conference call, public event, or written press
release. Award documents will be issued according to the type of project being
funded. As the award document signature page is returned via upload through the
funding portal and all documentation is found to be in order, a Notice to Proceed
will be issued, and the awardee will be authorized to begin accruing expenses
toward the project. The DRA reserves the right to select any awarded project for
individual press events. The DRA communications staff will contact the awardee and
LDD directly to make each party aware of the special event.
Until the Notice to Proceed has been issued, no social media announcements or local press
coverage is allowed.
No expenses accrued prior to the date of the Notice to Proceed will be allowed
unless prior approval was obtained in writing from DRA.
Projects funded at a lower amount by DRA must address the needed budget
modifications to the satisfaction of DRA. This process will include the completion of
a budget modification form and a scope of work modification form if necessary. All
modifications must be approved prior to the issuance of the Notice to Proceed.
Quarterly reports will also commence on the first calendar quarter after the date of
the Notice to Proceed. Reports are due each calendar quarter thereafter whether
project funds have been expended or not. Quarterly reports consist of a financial
status report (SF-425) and a comprehensive report narrative (SF-PPR). This report
can be completed and submitted online through the grants management system.
Awardee may provide the necessary information to the LDD or directly upload each
quarterly report. It is the responsibility of the awardee and/or LDD to upload each
quarterly report. Project start and end dates are derived from the information
provided in the form SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance). Receipt of the
Notice to Proceed shall determine the actual start date for all projects. For example,
a project has requested an 18-month completion time; the project must be
completed within 18 months of the Notice to Proceed date.
Contracting Procedures
Awardee shall provide a copy of all contracts from general and sub-contractors to DRA as
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they become available.
Exterior Project Sign
Any project that involves construction funded in whole or in part by the funds
provided under the DRA shall include an exterior project sign appropriately
acknowledging the assistance provided through the DRA program unless waived by
the DRA. The awardee shall be responsible for all costs associated with the
production and installation of the exterior project signage and provide
photographic proof of this sign within 30 days of DRA receipt of the construction
contract(s). See “DRA Project Sign Guidelines” for sign specifications.
Compliance
By executing the award documents, the awardee is affirming he or she will be
accountable for the way the funds are spent and for meeting the target outcome
measures. When a private entity is involved in a project, with the creation and/or
retention of jobs, DRA requires the company (or some responsible third party) to be
held accountable for attaining those metrics through the use of the Participation
Agreement (PA). At every level, accountability is vital to the success of the project
and, ultimately, the resurgence of this region. The DRA award agreement provides
for several other DRA-specific requirements for submitting reports, contracting
procedures, and disbursements of funds, to name a few.
LDDs play a key role in ensuring accountability at the local level. As part of the
technical assistance provided by LDDs, each district shall ensure awardee
compliance with the various DRA award requirements as well as state laws. Some
federal requirements, such as the Civil Rights Act and Americans with Disabilities
Act, are mandatory for all federal funding.
The federal and DRA-specific requirements pertain to all counties and parishes. State
laws, however, are specific to each state and, when necessary, may supersede DRA-
specific requirements. It is the responsibility of the awardee to follow all state laws during
the bidding, procurement and contracting portion of the project. This is an area where
LDDs can provide essential compliance oversight as part of the technical assistance
package.
Monitoring
DRA staff will work with and through the awardee and/or LDD to schedule site
visits. These monitoring visits will be like mini audits, as the Monitoring and
Compliance Coordinator will be looking for evidence of compliance and
accountability. The visit will include such items as a review of financial records,
procedures, contracts, and overall awardee capabilities. If deficiencies are found, it
is the awardee’s responsibility to implement the corrective action plan and bring
the project into compliance.
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To implement these visits in a timely and efficient manner, the Authority will utilize
the Site Visit Monitoring and Compliance Checklist. Typically, the awardee and/or
LDD will be notified that a project has been selected for a site visitation. As a
courtesy, the awardee will then receive no less than ten business days to compile all
requested information prior to the pre-scheduled visit by DRA staff. The actual visit
will commence, and a written appraisal will be forwarded to the awardee and/or
LDD within 30 days. A project’s funding may be recommended for de-obligation if it
is determined after careful review through monitoring that the awardee is not
complying with the agreed award administration or that the project is likely unable
to be accomplished as agreed upon.
Reporting
The most important aspect of the monitoring process is providing timely, accurate
and, comprehensive quarterly reports. It is the responsibility of the awardee to
provide this information to the DRA and/or LDD in a timely manner, and it is the
responsibility of the awardee and/or LDD to review and upload this information
to the grants management system as part of the technical assistance package.
Project Compliance (team member: Star Hoskins – shoskins@dra.gov)
Quarterly Reports will be reviewed by the Critical Infrastructure team, and projects
needing attention will be shared with the Project Compliance team for follow-up.
All quarterly reports will be input into the grants management system. Quarters are
described as calendar quarters, and reports are due to DRA by the 15th of the month
following the end of each quarter. (Due by January 15th, April 15th, July 15th, and
October 15th). Notifications will go out from the funding portal 15 days prior to the
quarter’s end, on the quarter’s end, and on the due date. A late notice will go out the
day after the due date.
These reports and the information therein are vital to helping DRA and LDD staff
understand the status of each project. There should never be an instance where a
project reports “no activity.” If, for that quarter, there was no progress toward
completion, there must be an explanation as to why there was no progress and what
tasks are expected to occur next quarter. Further, the report shall state how the
awardee expects to meet the approved timeline. Project monitors need this
information to make sound decisions regarding changes in scope requests, timeline
extensions and project site visits.
Final Report Narratives will be input into the grants management system within
30 days of completion.
• Any deficiencies in reporting will be communicated by Mrs. Darci Malam,
SEDAP Program Manager, and approval from Mrs. Malam will be
necessary before reports are officially accepted,
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• Any questions or feedback regarding actions taken by Monitoring and
Compliance should be directed back to Monitoring and Compliance staff,
and,
• As a reminder, the quarterly report should thoroughly describe what
actions took place in the previous quarter and what problems or
challenges were experienced during the previous quarter. How those
challenges were/will be overcome, and what actions will take place in the
next quarter – all of which should tie directly to the approved scope,
budget, and timeline.
Final report narratives are due at project closing and should reflect the actual
outcomes of the project as compared to the outcomes projected in the application
materials. An introspective assessment of the project’s perceived success or failure
is also required. If a printed document is produced with DRA funding, an electronic
copy should be included.
Continuing reporting is required to track the items pledged by the firm within the
PA and ensure the outcomes are achieved. As previously mentioned, the PA is used
in economic development to guarantee outcomes.
All jobs must be created within two years from the date of project completion and
then maintained for three years from the date of project completion.
A jobs report detailing the status of jobs pledged within the PA will be input into the
grants management system once per year for three years following the date of
project completion.
The report is to state the employee’s first initial, last name, and date of hire.
All capital expenditures pledged within the PA must be fulfilled within three years
from the date of project completion.
Proof of capital expenditures will be input into the grants management
system once per year for three years following the date of project completion.
Reimbursements
Funds are reimbursed to awardees for eligible expenses as determined by 2 CFR
200. The required supporting documentation (i.e., itemized bills, invoices and
receipts, detailed accounting of personnel costs, copies of contracts and/or a
contractor’s partial pay estimate, etc.) may be provided to the LDD or directly
uploaded by the awardee into the grants management system. If provided, the LDD
will review the materials and associated budget balances before uploading the
request into the grants management system. As outlined in the approved DRA
Budget, there could be DRA costs as well as non-DRA costs; invoices should be
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provided for ALL costs. All funding sources should be drawn down as approved in
the budget. Budget items that include both DRA and non-DRA sources will be drawn
down at the predetermined pro-rata share. Other budget items may be dedicated
100 percent to DRA or a non-DRA source.
• All reimbursement requests, scope changes, modifications, etc., will be
received by the Critical Infrastructure team using the proper forms via the
grants management systems,
• Reimbursement requests will not be paid unless the project is in compliance
with reporting requirements or any other deficiency such as a project that is
beyond its performance period, and,
• Any questions or feedback regarding actions taken by the Critical
Infrastructure staff should be directed back to the same team.
Upon receipt, review, and approval of the request, funds will be transferred
electronically to the account established for the project by the awardee, which must
match the banking information registered in SAM.gov. Further information for
SAM.gov is listed below. DRA’s reimbursement process generally takes eight to ten
business days to complete. However, delays could occur if errors in the
documentation are found or there is a lack of sufficient supporting details; the DRA
staff will work with and through the awardee and/or LDD to make necessary
corrections. This does not take into consideration the amount of time needed by the
awardee and/or LDD to collect, review, and upload the request. Awardees should
consult the LDD providing the technical assistance for LDD processing times.
System for Award Management (sam.gov) and Central Contractor Registration
(CCR)
It is imperative that awardees keep information in the System for Award
Management, better known as SAM.gov updated. Awardee information in SAM.gov
must be updated yearly. Failure to update information in SAM.gov will result in the
return of payments by the U.S. Treasury. It is the responsibility of the awardee to
update all information. Neither the DRA nor LDD has access to the awardee’s
SAM.gov information. Step-by-step instructions can be found on www.dra.gov.
There are several important items to remember for SAM.gov registration. They are
as follows:
Registration is FREE at https://beta.sam.gov/. Beware of imposter sites or
companies that will complete your registration for a fee.
An active SAM.gov registration is required in order to be awarded a contract with
the federal government and to be paid for work performed.
If you had an active record in CCR, you have an active record in SAM.gov. To update
or renew your records in SAM.gov, you will need to follow the instructions in the
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guide. Your CCR login will NOT work in SAM.gov.
You will obtain a UEI number when you complete the SAM.gov registration.
You must have a Tax Identification Number (TIN or EIN) in order to register a
business. Your business is referred to as an “entity” by SAM.gov.
If your CCR profile is linked to an email address that is no longer active within
your firm, contact the Federal Service Desk at www.fsd.gov. After completing the
migration, contact the SAM.gov hotline to submit your registration. You must
review and save the entire SAM.gov record in one sitting.
Due to IRS validation, it will take 3-5 business days for your registration to become active.
Change of Scope Request
Occasionally, an awardee would like to make subtle changes to the original project
scope, which will require prior written approval from DRA. Utilizing the applicable
following form: 1) Budget and Program Modification Request Form 216a, 2)
Budget Comparison Form 216b, or 3) Change of Scope Request Form 819r, a
request should be submitted to DRA detailing the proposed change. Upon receipt,
DRA staff will review and make the appropriate administrative decisions.
Change of Scope requests include, but are not limited to, the following examples:
no-cost budget modification within budget categories, timeline extension, size of
the overall project, expansion/reduction of services, etc. Any change in the size of a
project due to other funding sources withdrawing from the project must result in a
viable, fully funded, and eligible project.
Under most circumstances, timeline extensions will be limited to one (1) per project
and shall not exceed 12 months from the original completion date. Consideration for
additional extensions may be given to projects that have endured extraordinary
circumstances out of the control of the awardee, provided the awardee has been
diligent in advising the LDD and the DRA of these challenges throughout the
process. The extension must be submitted to DRA no later than 90 days prior to the
project end date.
Any request which would result in a different project or project purpose other than
the originally approved project would not meet the guidelines for a change of scope.
Project funds are made available for specific project purposes, not to awardees to
use until expended. Requests determined to be more than a change of scope will be
declined, and an explanation of the decision will be provided to the awardee.
Project Closeout
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DRA recognizes that de-obligation of funds is occasionally required at the end of a
project, which may occur upon completion of all necessary work or when an
awardee does not live up to the expectations to which they committed. De-
obligation can occur in one of two ways: 1) administratively or 2) by rescission of
funds.
Administrative de-obligations occur upon the successful completion of a project.
Once the final report is received and all administrative payments have been made,
any remaining funds shall be de-obligated. The awardee should provide written
notice to DRA that the project is complete and the remaining funds are no longer
needed for the project. When fully approved, these funds will be de-obligated with
the U.S. Treasury and available to the state for future project funding. A final report
will be required, as referenced in the “Reporting” section above.
Rescission of funds occurs when an awardee allows 12 months to pass without a
reimbursement request for eligible expenses, not including LDD administrative fees.
The rescission of funds is now a federal mandate, as outlined in the Grants Oversight
and New Efficiency (GONE) Act. The goal of the GONE Act is to close out expired
grants. The GONE Act requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to
instruct each agency, in coordination with the Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS), to submit to Congress and HHS by December 31 of the first calendar
year beginning after this Act's enactment a report that:
• Lists each federal grant award held by such agency,
• Provides the total number of federal grant awards, including the number of
grants by time period of expiration, the number with zero-dollar balances,
and the number with undisbursed balances,
• Describes the challenges leading to delays in grant closeout, and,
• Explains, for the 30 oldest federal grant awards, why each has not been closed out.
The covered grants are those within an agency's cash payment management system
that have been expired for two or more years and have not been closed out. No later
than one year after the head of an agency submits its report, the agency head will
notify HHS whether the agency has closed out the covered grants discussed in its
report. HHS is required to compile this information and provide it to Congress.