[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 27 (Thursday, February 10, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7078-7080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-2562]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Request for Proposals for Woody Biomass Utilization Grant--
Hazardous Fuel Reduction on National Forest System Lands

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: As part of implementing the Administration's Healthy Forest 
Restoration Initiative, the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products 
Laboratory, requests proposals for forest products projects that 
increase the use of woody biomass from national forest lands. The woody 
biomass utilization grant program is intended to help improve 
utilization of, and create markets for, small-diameter material and 
low-valued trees removed from hazardous fuel reduction activities. 
These funds are targeted to help communities, entrepreneurs, and others 
turn residues from hazardous fuel reduction projects into marketable 
forest products and/or energy products.

DATES: Pre-application Deadline: Close of business March 15, 2005.
    Full application Deadline: Close of business May 16, 2005.

ADDRESSES: All pre- and full application packages must be sent to the 
following address: ATTN: Shawn Lacina, Grants and Agreements 
Specialist, Forest Products Laboratory, 507 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 
53705-2398. More detailed information regarding what to include in the 
pre- and full application and definitions of terms are available 
electronically at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu (under biomass grants). 
Paper copies of the information also are available by contacting the 
USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general questions, please contact 
Shawn Lacina, Grants and Agreements Specialist, via electronic mail at 
[email protected], or via telephone at 608-231-9282. For technical 
questions, please contact Susan LeVan-Green, Program Manager, via 
electronic mail at [email protected], or via telephone at 608-231-9504.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As authorized by Public Law 108-148, the

[[Page 7079]]

Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003, the agency is looking for 
creative solutions to address the nationwide challenge in dealing with 
low-valued material removed from hazardous fuel reduction efforts. The 
woody biomass utilization grant program has a pre-application 
submission process, and upon notification, selected pre-applicants will 
be asked to submit a full-application. Goals of the grant program are 
the following:
     Help reduce management costs by increasing value of 
biomass and other forest products generated by hazardous fuel 
treatments.
     Create incentives and/or reduce business risk for 
increased use of biomass from National Forest lands (must include 
National Forest System lands; however, may also include other lands 
such as, Bureau of Land Management, Tribal, State, local, and private).
     Institute projects that target and help remove economic 
and market barriers to using small-diameter trees and woody biomass.
     Require a Forest Service letter of support for the 
hazardous fuels projects on National Forest System lands.

Woody Biomass Grants Program

    1. Eligibility Information. a. Eligible Applicants. Eligible 
applicants are State, local, and Tribal governments, school districts, 
communities, non-profit organizations, businesses, companies, 
corporations, or special purpose districts, i.e., public utilities 
districts, fire districts, conservation districts, or ports.
    b. Cost Sharing (Matching Requirement). Applicants must demonstrate 
a 20% match from non-Federal sources, which can include cash or in-kind 
contributions.
    2. Duns Number. All applicants must include a Dun and Bradstreet 
(D&B), Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in their full 
application. For the purpose of this requirement, the applicant is the 
entity that meets the eligibility criteria and has the legal authority 
to apply for an award. For assistance in obtaining a DUNS number at no 
cost, call the DUNS number request line (1-866-705-5711) or register 
on-line at https://eupdate.dnb.com/requestoptions/government/ccrreg/ requestoptions/government/ccrreg/.
    3. Award Information. Up to $4.4 million is available for granting 
under this program. Individual grants or awards will not be less than 
$50,000 or more than $250,000. Successful applicants will be announced 
by June 1, 2005. The maximum length of the award is 3 years from the 
date of award. Written, quarterly financial and semi-annual performance 
reports will be required.
    4. Application Review Process. A two-step technical evaluation 
process will be used for applications submitted under this 
solicitation. The first step requires the applicant to submit a 
preliminary application (pre-application). Pre-applications will be 
evaluated on the criteria discussed in section 5.
    A review panel, consisting of technical experts from Federal 
agencies, will judge the pre-applications. Panel members will 
independently review the pre-applications according to the criteria and 
weighting factors. A total of 100 points is possible. As a result of 
this preliminary review, successful applications will be invited to 
submit a full-application package or be removed from further 
consideration for funding under this solicitation. In either case, a 
letter of notification will be provided to each applicant.
    The second step requires the applicant to submit a full-application 
package, which will be evaluated based on the same criteria as the 
preliminary application; namely, the criteria and point system listed 
on the Forest Products Laboratory's Web site at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu (under biomass grants).
    The full-application package will be evaluated using a two-tiered 
review system. The first tier involves technical reviews; the second 
tier involves financial review. Recommendations from the two-tier 
review will be discussed, ranked, and recommendations made to the 
Executive Steering Committee, consisting of Federal officials, for 
final selection.
    5. Evaluation Criteria and Point System
    a. Impact on National Forest System hazardous fuel reduction 
projects--Weight 40%.
     Condition Class, with higher condition classes receiving 
more points than the lower condition classes.
     Direct, tangible benefits with and without the grant 
(increased acres treated for hazardous fuel treatments, increased value 
of raw material removed from hazardous fuel treatments, cost per acre).
     Indirect, intangible benefit (such as air quality 
benefits, water quality benefits, socio-economic, wildlife habitat, and 
watershed improvements).
    b. Technical Approach Work Plan--Weight 25%.
     Technical feasibility of the proposed work.
     Adequacy and completeness of the proposed tasks.
     Likelihood of meeting project objectives.
     Reasonableness of time schedule.
     Identified deliverables/tasks.
     Timeliness--timeframe of the project.
     Evaluation and monitoring.
    c. Financial feasibility--Weight 25%.
     Realistic budget and timeframe.
     Thorough financial documentation.
     Level of match
    d. Qualifications and experience of applicant--Weight 10%.
     Experience, capabilities (technical and managerial).
     Demonstrated capacity.
    If there are no technical or financial problems for the project, 
full points will be given. If there are minor deficiencies, which could 
limit success, midway points will be given. If there are major 
deficiencies, which could render project unsuccessful, minimum points 
will be given.
    6. Pre-Application Information
    a. Pre-Application Submission. Pre-applications are required. 
Specific content and submission requirements for the pre-application 
are as follows: Each submittal must be composed of three (3) single-
sided paper copies of the pre-application plus one (1) electronic copy 
on a CD or 3.5-inch diskette in Microsoft Word for PCs or pdf format. 
Paper copies of the pre-application must be on 8.5- by 11-inch plain 
white paper with a minimum font size of 11 letters per inch. Top, 
bottom, and side margins must be no less than three-quarters (\3/4\) of 
an inch. All pages must be clearly numbered. The paper copies of the 
application package should be stapled with a single staple at the upper 
left-hand corner. No other bindings will be accepted.
    b. Pre-Application Content. Assemble information in the following 
order: Cover page, project summary, project narrative, statement of 
need, project coordinator(s) and partner(s), goals and objectives, 
technical approach work plan, impact on National Forest System lands on 
hazardous fuels treatments, evaluation and monitoring, budget 
justification, budget requirements, and appendices. The project 
narrative should provide a clear description of the work to be 
undertaken and how it will be accomplished. It should address the 
technical merit review criteria listed in section 5.
    The discussion of the impact on National Forest System lands is a 
critical component because these proposals are aimed at helping the 
Forest Service increase the number of acres treated under hazardous 
fuel treatments (as defined under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act, 
Pub. L.

[[Page 7080]]

108-148). Specifically, applicants should address how and by how much 
the project would decrease Forest Service hazardous fuel removal costs 
and/or increase the price one might offer for the biomass. 
Specifically, proposals should address the following:
     Condition class description.
     What is currently being done with hazardous fuel removals.
     What would be done with removals if grant is awarded.
     Anticipated outcomes and measures of success.
     Documentation of tangible benefits of project as a result 
of the award. Documentation on intangible benefits. Examples of the 
information requested are listed on the Forest Products Laboratory's 
Web site at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu (under biomass grants).
     Long-Term Benefits of Project: Applicant should address 
the length of time that benefits and impacts are anticipated, whether 
or not the project will have long-term consequences (equipment 
improvements for long-term capacity to handle woody biomass), or just a 
one-time benefit, such as a subsidy, where benefits end when subsidy 
ends.
     Expansion capability: Does the project have the potential 
to expand the application to more forest treatment areas or to use more 
of the wood from treatments for higher valued uses?
    A full description of each content item can be obtained on the 
Forest Product Laboratory's Web site at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu 
(under biomass grants), or by calling the telephone number in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section, or by writing to the address in 
the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
    c. Pre-Application Delivery. Pre-applications must be received at 
Forest Products Laboratory no later than 5 p.m. Central Standard time 
on March 15, 2005; no exceptions will be allowed. All applicants must 
use certified or express mail service that allows tracking and 
documentation (e.g., Federal Express, U.S. Postal Service, United 
Parcel Service, or other) to submit their applications. Hand-delivered, 
e-mail, or fax applications will not be accepted. Please send pre-
applications to the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this 
notice.
    7. Full Application Information. USDA Forest Service will request 
full applications only from those applicants selected in the pre-
application process. Only full applications that have been requested by 
USDA Forest Service will be considered for funding under this 
solicitation.
    a. Full Application Submission. Specific content and submission 
requirements for the full application are as follows: Each submittal 
must be composed of three (3) single-sided paper copies of the full 
application plus one (1) electronic copy on a CD or 3.5-inch diskette 
in Microsoft Word for PCs or pdf format. Paper copies of the full 
application must be on 8.5- by 11-inch plain white paper with a minimum 
font size of 11 letters per inch. Top, bottom, and side margins must be 
no less than three-quarters (\3/4\) of an inch. All pages must be 
clearly numbered. The paper copies of the application package should be 
stapled with a single staple at the upper left-hand corner. Other 
bindings will not be accepted.
    Page limitations refer to all files and associated documents, 
including attachments, graphics, footnotes, endnotes, bibliography, and 
any other pertinent documents, when printed in their entirety (single 
sided), unless otherwise indicated in this solicitation.
    The project narrative should provide a clear description of the 
work to be undertaken and how it will be accomplished. It should 
address the technical merit review criteria listed in section 5.
    b. Full Application Content. Assemble information in the following 
order: cover page, project summary, project narrative, statement of 
need, project coordinator(s) and partner(s), goals and objectives, 
technical approach work plan, impact on National Forest System lands on 
hazardous fuels treatments, environmental documentation, project work 
plan and timeline, social impacts, evaluation and monitoring, equipment 
description, budget justification, budget requirements, financial 
feasibility, and appendices.
    Detailed financial information is requested to assess the potential 
and the capability of the applicant. This information will remain 
confidential. Business consultants and small business development 
centers can help applicants compile this information. Small business 
development centers are one source of assistance; their Web site is 
http://www.sba.gov/sbdc. For-profit applicants are required to submit a 
business plan consisting of the following elements: Management Plan, 
Marketing Plan, Proforma Statement, Project Break-Even Analysis, and a 
Sources and Uses Table. Non-profit applicants are required to submit a 
strategic plan consisting of the following elements: Scope of Work, 
Capability Statement, Implementation plan, Project Break-Even Analysis, 
and a Sources and Uses Table. Local, State, and tribal governments and 
special purpose districts are required to submit the following: scope 
of work, project work plan, and cost/benefit analysis (examples can be 
found at http://www.fpl.fs.fed/tmu (under biomass grants).
    c. Full Application Delivery. Full applications must be received at 
the Forest Products Laboratory no later than 5 p.m., Central Standard 
time on May 16, 2005; no exceptions will be allowed. All applicants 
must use certified or express mail service that allows tracking and 
documentation (e.g., Federal Express, U.S. Postal Service, United 
Parcel Service, or other) to submit their applications. Hand-delivered, 
e-mail, or fax applications will not be accepted. Please send full 
applications to the address provided in the ADDRESSES section of this 
notice.
    8. Appendices. The following information must be included in the 
appendix of the pre-application and the full-application package:
    a. Letter of support and biomass availability from local USDA 
Forest Service District Ranger or Forest Supervisor: This letter must 
describe the status of NEPA, acres, timeframes, available volumes, and 
opportunities for applicant to access these volumes.
    b. Letters of Support from Partners, Individuals, or Organizations: 
Letters of support should be included in an appendix and are intended 
to display the degree of collaboration occurring between the different 
entities engaged in the project. These letters must include commitments 
of cash or in-kind services from all partners and must support the 
amounts listed in the budget. Each letter of support should be limited 
to one (1) page in length.
    c. Key Personnel Qualifications: Qualifications of the project 
manager should be included in an appendix. Qualifications are limited 
to two (2) pages in length and should contain the following: resume, 
biographical sketch, references, and demonstrated ability to manage the 
grant.

    Dated: February 3, 2005.
Bov B. Eav,
Associate Deputy Chief for Reserach & Development.
[FR Doc. 05-2562 Filed 2-9-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P