[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 189 (Friday, September 30, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57250-57252]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19546]


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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: The USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, 
Technology Marketing Unit, located at the Forest Products Laboratory, 
requests proposals for forest products projects that increase the use 
of woody biomass from or near national forest lands. The woody biomass 
utilization grant program is intended to help improve forest 
restoration activities by using and creating 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 December 1, 2005.
    Full application Deadline: Close of business March 1, 2006.

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 at 
http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu (under Woody Biomass Grants). Paper copies 
of the information are also available by contacting the USDA Forest 
Service, S&PF Technology Marketing Unit, Madison, Wisconsin.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shawn Lacina, Grants and Agreements 
Specialist, (608) 231-9282, e-mail to [email protected], or; technical 
questions, contact Susan LeVan-Green, Program Manager, (608) 231-9504, 
e-mail to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To meet the shared goals of Public Law 108-
148 Healthy Forest Restoration Act, Public Law 109-190 the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005, and Public Law 109-54 Appropriation Act of 2006, 
the agency is requesting proposals to address the nationwide challenge 
in dealing with low-valued material removed from hazardous fuel 
reduction activities. 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 or near national forestlands (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 woody 
biomass grant project on or near 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, e.g., public utilities 
districts, fire districts, conservation districts, or ports. Only one 
application per business or organization will be accepted. Construction 
projects involving a permanent building or infrastructure item, such as 
roads, are not allowed.
    b. Cost Sharing (Matching Requirement). Applicants must demonstrate 
at least 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/.
    3. Award Information. At least $4.0 million are available for 
granting under this program. Individual grants will not be less than 
$50,000 or more than $250,000. Successful applicants will be announced 
by April 1, 2006. 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 is used for applications submitted under this solicitation. The 
first step requires the applicant to submit a preliminary application 
(pre-application). Pre-applications are evaluated on the evaluation 
criteria discussed in Section 5.
    A review panel of technical experts from Federal agencies judges 
the pre-applications. Panel members independently review the pre-
applications according to the evaluation criteria and point system. A 
total of 100 points is possible. As a result of this preliminary 
review, successful pre-applications are invited to submit a full-
application package. Unsuccessful pre-applicants are removed from 
further consideration for funding under this solicitation. In either 
case, a letter of

[[Page 57251]]

notification is provided to each applicant.
    The second step requires the applicant to submit a full-application 
package, which is evaluated based on the same evaluation criteria as 
the preliminary application. The full-application package is evaluated 
for technical and financial feasibility. The reviewers discuss, rank, 
and make recommendations to an Executive Steering Committee of Senior 
Federal officials.
    5. Evaluation Criteria and Point System. a. Impact on National 
Forest System Lands Hazardous Fuel Reduction Activities: Total Points 
40.
     Fire Regime Condition Class (http://www.frcc.gov).
     Direct, tangible benefits with and without the grant 
(e.g., increased acres treated for hazardous fuel treatments, increased 
value of raw material removed from hazardous fuel treatments, reduced 
cost per acre, etc).
     Indirect, intangible benefit (such as air quality 
benefits, water quality benefits, socio-economic impacts, wildlife 
habitat, and watershed improvements).
b. Technical Approach Work Plan: Total Points 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 plan
c. Financial Feasibility: Total Points 25
     Realistic budget and timeframe
     Thorough financial documentation (see description of 
required documentation under financial feasibility, Section 7. c.)
     Level of matching funds for the grant
d. Qualifications and Experience of Applicant: Total Points 10
     Experience, capabilities (technical and managerial)
     Demonstrated capacity
    If there are no technical or financial problems for the project, 
full points are given. If there are minor deficiencies, which could 
limit success, midway points are given. If there are major 
deficiencies, which could render the project unsuccessful, minimum 
points are 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 paper copies (single-sided) of the pre-application plus one 
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 
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 are 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 plan, budget 
justification narrative, budget, and appendices. The project narrative 
should provide a clear description of the work to be performed. It 
should address the technical approach work plan under criteria 2 in 
Section 5. The project narrative is limited to 5 pages, excluding cover 
page, and does not include the budget justification, budget, or 
appendices.
    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. 108-148) and decrease the cost. Applicants should describe 
qualitatively and quantitatively how the project would decrease Forest 
Service hazardous fuel removal costs and/or increase the price one 
might offer for the woody biomass. Specifically, proposals should 
address the following:
     Fire Regime Condition Class (http://www.frcc.gov).
     What Forest Service is currently doing with material 
removed from hazardous fuel activities.
     What would be done with this material if grant is awarded.
     Anticipated outcomes and measures of success.
     Documentation of costs and benefits of project as a result 
of the award (see financial templates on http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us).
     Documentation of intangible benefits. Examples of the 
information requested are listed on the Technology Marketing Unit's Web 
site at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu (under Woody Biomass Grants).
     Long-Term Benefits of Project: Applicant should address 
the length of time the benefits and impacts are anticipated (e.g., 
project will have long-term consequences, such as equipment 
improvements, or a one-time benefit, such as a subsidy.)
     Expansion capability: Does the project have the potential 
to expand the application to additional 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 from the 
Technology Marketing Unit's Web site at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu 
(under Woody 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 post marked 
by December 1, 2005, and received no later than 5 p.m. Central Standard 
Time on December 8, 2005, by the Technology Marketing Unit at the 
Forest Products Laboratory. Hand-delivered, e-mail, or fax applications 
shall not be accepted. No exceptions allowed. 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.
    a. Full-Application Submission. Specific content and submission 
requirements for the full application are as follows: Each submittal 
must be composed of three paper copies (single-sided) of the full 
application plus one 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 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.
    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

[[Page 57252]]

documentation, project work plan and timeline, social impacts, 
evaluation and monitoring, equipment description, budget justification, 
budget requirements, financial feasibility, 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 approach work plan under criteria 2 listed in Section 5. The 
project narrative is limited to a total of 10 pages excluding cover 
page, budget justification, budget, appendices and financial 
documentation.
    c. Detailed Financial Information. Detailed financial information 
is requested to assess the potential and the capability of the 
applicant. Financial information remains confidential. The financial 
information should provide a general overview of historical financial 
performance, projections (Pro Forma), and cash flow statements. 
Standard principles should be used for developing the required 
financial information. Strong applications have benefited from the use 
of a certified accountant to develop this information. Applicants 
should refer to the Technology Marketing Unit's Web site for the 
financial information templates, as well as an example http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu (under Woody Biomass Grants).
    d. Full-Application Delivery. Full applications must be postmarked 
by March 1, 2006, and received no later than 5 p.m. Central Standard 
Time on March 8, 2006, by the Technology Marketing Unit at the Forest 
Products Laboratory. Hand-delivered, e-mail, or fax applications shall 
not be accepted. No exceptions allowed. Please send pre-applications to 
the address listed 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 National Environmental Policy Act (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 page in length.
    c. Key Personnel Qualifications: Qualifications of the project 
manager should be included in an appendix. Qualifications are limited 
to two pages in length and should contain the following: resume, 
biographical sketch, references, and demonstrated ability to manage the 
grant.

    Dated: September 26, 2005.
Kent P. Connaughton,
Associate Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 05-19546 Filed 9-29-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P