[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 177 (Thursday, September 11, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52810-52813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-21112]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Request for Proposals for Woody Biomass Utilization Grant--Forest 
Restoration Activities 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 product projects that increase the use of 
woody biomass from National Forest System 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 forest restoration 
activities, such as reducing hazardous fuels, handling insect and 
diseased conditions, or treating forestlands impacted by catastrophic 
weather events. These funds are targeted to help communities, 
entrepreneurs, and others turn residues from forest restoration 
activities into marketable forest products and/or energy products.

DATES: Pre-application Postmark Deadline: November 7, 2008. Full 
application Postmark Deadline: February 13, 2009.

ADDRESSES: All pre- and full-application packages must be sent to the 
following address: ATTN: Patricia Brumm, Grants and Agreements 
Specialist, Forest Products Laboratory, One Gifford Pinchot Drive, 
Madison, WI 53726-2398. Detailed information regarding what to include 
in the pre- and full-application, definitions of terms, eligibility and 
Federal restrictions are available at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu 
(under Woody Biomass Grants), and at http://www.grants.gov). Paper 
copies of the information are also available by contacting the USDA 
Forest Service, S&PF Technology Marketing Unit, One Gifford Pinchot 
Dr., Madison, Wisconsin 53726-2398, 608-231-9504.

[[Page 52811]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions regarding the grant 
application or administrative regulations, contact Patricia Brumm, 
Grants and Agreements Specialist, 608-231-9298, [email protected]; for 
program and technical questions, contact Susan LeVan, Program Manager, 
608-231-9504, [email protected].
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through 
Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To address the mutual goals of Public Law 
109-58, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and the anticipated Department 
of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriation Act of 
2009, the agency is requesting proposals to address the nationwide 
challenge in dealing with low-valued material removed from hazardous 
fuel reduction activities, restoration of insect and diseased 
conditions or catastrophic weather events. 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 forest management costs by increasing value of 
biomass and other forest products generated from forest restoration 
activities.
     Create incentives and/or reduce business risk for 
increased use of biomass from national forestlands (must include 
National Forest System lands, however, may also include other lands 
such as, BLM, Tribal, State, local, and private).
     Institute projects that target and help remove economic 
and market barriers to using small-diameter trees and woody biomass.
     Help generate renewable energy from woody biomass, 
including the use of new technologies.
     Build industry infrastructure around national forestlands 
where no or limited industry infrastructure exists.
     Expand working relationships between local forest products 
businesses and Forest Service offices.

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. If applicants have received a Woody 
Biomass Utilization Grant within the last 3 years, they are not 
eligible. Construction projects involving a permanent building or 
infrastructure item, such as roads, are not allowed with these Federal 
funds; however construction funds can be part of the non-Federal cost 
share. For Alaska, only applicants on the Seward Ranger District on the 
Chugach National Forest are eligible to apply for this grant. Cordova 
and Glacier Ranger Districts on the Chugach are not eligible. Ranger 
Districts on the Tongass National Forest are not eligible.
    b. Cost Sharing (Matching Requirement). Applicants must demonstrate 
at least a 20% match of the total project cost. This match must be 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 http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. By submission of an application, the applicant 
acknowledges the requirement that prospective awardees shall be 
registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database prior 
to award, during performance, and through final payment of any grant 
resulting from this solicitation. Further information can be found at 
http://www.ccr.gov. For assistance, contact the CCR Assistance Center 
(1-888-227-2423).

3. Award Information

    At least $4 million are available for granting under this program. 
Individual grants will not be less than $50,000 or more than $250,000. 
Funds are presently not available for this grant program. The 
Government's obligation under this program is contingent upon the 
availability of 2009 appropriated funds from which payment for grant 
purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government 
for any payment may arise until funds are made available to the Grants 
Officer for this program, and until the Cooperator receives notice of 
such availability, to be confirmed in writing by the Grants Officer. 
Successful applicants will be announced by early April 2009. The 
maximum length of the award is 3 years from the date of award. Written 
annual financial performance reports and semi-annual project 
performance reports shall be required. Applicants should be aware that 
the grant funds are regarded as taxable income and a form 1099 will be 
sent by the Forest Service to the IRS. Awardees are expected to follow 
all OSHA requirements regarding safe working practices and all 
applicable State and Federal regulations pertinent to the proposed 
project.

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 criteria discussed in section 5. All pre-
applications shall be screened to ensure compliance with the 
administrative requirements as set forth in the RFP. Applications found 
to be non-compliant shall be disqualified.
    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 notification is provided to each applicant.
    The second step requires the applicant to submit a full application 
package, which is based on the same evaluation criteria as the 
preliminary application. Each full application shall be screened to 
ensure that it meets the administrative requirements as set forth in 
the RFP. The full application package is evaluated for technical merit 
and financial feasibility. The reviewers discuss, rank, and make 
recommendations to Executive Steering Committee of Senior Federal 
officials.

5. Evaluation Criteria and Point System

a. Impact on National Forest System Lands Forest Restoration 
Activities: Total Points 40
     Condition of the forestlands proposed for the project, 
such as Fire Regime Condition Class (http://www.frcc.gov), insect and 
disease risk conditions, or degraded forestlands due to catastrophic 
weather events.

[[Page 52812]]

     Direct, tangible benefits with and without the grant 
(e.g., increased acres treated from forest restoration activities, 
increased value of raw material removed from forest restoration 
activities, and reduced Forest Service's cost per acre).
     Indirect, intangible benefits (including air quality and 
water quality improvements in socioeconomics of communities, in 
wildlife habitats, and in watersheds).
     Opportunities created for using woody biomass material 
around National Forest System lands in locations where no or limited 
industry capacity exists.
b. Technical Approach Work Plan: Total Points 25
     Technical feasibility of the proposed work.
     Adequacy and completeness of the proposed tasks.
     Timeliness and reasonableness of time schedule.
     Identified deliverables/tasks.
     Evaluation and monitoring plan (accountability measures of 
environmental, social, financial and forest restoration effects of 
proposed project).
     Potential for project to improve efficiencies or to 
accelerate adoption of cleaner technologies (air, water, waste) for 
biomass utilization.
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, 
and there is significant impact on reducing the Forest Service's cost 
per acre, 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. Further scoring criteria can be found at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu (under Woody Biomass Grants) and at http://www.grants.gov. Full application packages that do not submit ALL 
required financial information will be disqualified.

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 two paper copies 
(single-sided) of the pre-application and one original copy. All 
proposals for the pre-application must be on 8.5- by 11-inch plain 
white paper only (no colored paper, over-sized paper, or special 
covers) 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. Do not staple the original. Other bindings will not be 
accepted.
    b. Pre-Application Content. Project Summary, SF 424, and 424A shall 
be submitted with the application for acceptance. Assemble information 
in the following order: Project Summary, SF 424, SF 424A, project 
narrative, budget justification narrative, budget, and appendices. 
Forms for the Project Summary, SF424, and SF424A can be found at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu (under Woody Biomass Grants). The project 
narrative consists of statement of need, project coordinator(s) and 
partner(s), goals and objectives, technical approach work plan, impact 
on National Forest System forest restoration treatments, and evaluation 
and monitoring plan. The project narrative shall provide a clear 
description of the work to be performed and its impact on National 
Forest System lands. It shall address the technical approach work plan 
under criteria b in section 5. The project narrative is limited to 5 
pages, and excludes Project Summary Table, budget justification, 
budget, or appendices.
    c. 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 and decrease the 
cost per acre for those National Forest System lands that are at risk 
due to hazardous fuel buildup, insects and diseases, or catastrophic 
weather events. Applicants shall describe qualitatively and 
quantitatively how the project would decrease Forest Service treatment 
costs and/or increase the price one might offer for the woody biomass. 
Specifically, proposals should address the following:
     Condition of the forest or grassland, such as providing 
the Fire Regime Condition Class (http://www.frcc.gov), the insect and 
disease risk, or any catastrophic weather events and the consequences 
of the National Forest System not being able to do treatments because 
of the cost.
     Forest Service's current practices of handling material 
removed from forest restoration 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 project feasibility discussion at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu under Woody Biomass Grants or at http://www.grants.gov.
     Documentation of intangible benefits. Examples of tangible 
and intangible benefits are listed on the Technology Marketing Unit's 
Web site at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu (under Woody Biomass Grants) 
or at http://www.grants.gov.
     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 
create 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 at http://www.grants.gov, 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 November 7, 2008, and received no later than 5 p.m. Central Standard 
Time on November 14, 2008, by Patricia Brumm at the Forest Products 
Laboratory. Hand-delivered, or fax applications will not be accepted. 
E-mail applications should be submitted through http://www.grants.gov. 
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 two paper copies (single-sided) of the full 
application and one original copy. All proposals for the full

[[Page 52813]]

application must be on 8.5- by 11-inch plain white paper only (no 
colored paper, over-sized paper, or special covers) 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. Do not staple the 
original. Other bindings will not be accepted.
    b. Full Application Content. Project Summary Table, SF 424, and 
424A shall be submitted with the application for acceptance. Assemble 
information in the following order: Project Summary Table, SF 424, 
SF424A, project narrative, budget justification narrative, budget, 
financial feasibility, and appendices. Forms for the Project Summary, 
SF424, and SF424A can be found at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu (under 
Woody Biomass Grants). The project narrative consists of statement of 
need, project coordinator(s) and partner(s), goals and objectives, 
technical approach work plan, impact on National Forest System forest 
restoration activities, environmental documentation, project work plan 
and timeline, social impacts, evaluation and monitoring plan, and 
equipment description. The project narrative shall provide a clear 
description of the work to be performed, how it will be accomplished, 
and its impact on National Forest System lands. It shall address the 
technical approach work plan under criteria b listed in section 5. The 
project narrative is limited to a total of 10 pages and excludes 
Project Summary Table, 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. All financial information remains confidential and is not 
accessible under the Freedom of Information Act. If the applicant has 
questions about how confidential information is handled they should 
contact Patricia Brumm at [email protected]. The financial information 
should provide a general overview of historical and projected (pro 
forma) financial performance. Standard accounting 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 at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu (under Woody 
Biomass Grants) or at http://www.grants.gov for the financial 
information requirements, as well as Web sites for standard financial 
templates.
    d. Full Application Delivery. Full applications must be postmarked 
by February 13, 2009, and received no later than 5 p.m. Central 
Standard Time on February 20, 2009, by Patricia Brumm at the Forest 
Products Laboratory. Hand-delivered or fax applications will not be 
accepted. E-mail applications should be submitted through http://www.grants.gov. No exceptions allowed. Please send full 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 Is Required: This 
letter must describe the status of National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA), acres, timeframes, available volumes, and opportunities for 
applicant to access these volumes. These letters shall be submitted 
with both the pre-application and full application.
    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 is limited to one 
page in length.
    c. Key Personnel Qualifications: Qualifications of the project 
manager and key personnel 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 5, 2008.
James Hubbard,
Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. E8-21112 Filed 9-10-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P