[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 24 (Monday, February 6, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5755-5759]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2545]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Request for Proposals: 2012 Hazardous Fuels Woody Biomass 
Utilization Grant Program

AGENCY: Forest Service.

ACTION: Request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, State 
and Private Forestry (S&PF), Technology Marketing Unit, located at the 
Forest Products Laboratory, request proposals for wood energy projects 
that require engineering services. These projects will use woody 
biomass, such as material removed from forest restoration activities, 
wildfire hazardous fuel treatments, insect and disease mitigation, 
forest management due to catastrophic weather events, and/or thinning 
overstocked stands. The woody biomass shall be used in a bioenergy 
facility that uses commercially proven technologies to produce thermal, 
electrical or liquid/gaseous bioenergy. The funds from the Hazardous 
Fuels Woody Biomass Utilization Grant Program (WBU) must be used to 
further the planning of such facilities by funding the engineering 
services necessary for final design and cost analysis. Examples of 
projects might

[[Page 5756]]

include engineering design of a (1) woody biomass boiler for steam at a 
sawmill, hospital or school, (2) non-pressurized hot water system for 
various applications, and (3) biomass power generation facility. To 
join in support of the public interest and general welfare, to protect 
communities and critical infrastructure, the applicants applying to 
this program seek assistance to complete the necessary design work 
required to secure public and/or private funding for construction for 
developing local enterprises to better utilize woody biomass. In 
particular, USDA Rural Development has established grants and loan 
programs that might help fund construction of such facilities. The lack 
of engineering design often limits the ability of an applicant or 
business to receive Federal, State or private funding.

DATES: Thursday, March 1, 2012, Application Deadline.

ADDRESSES: All applications must be sent to the respective Forest 
Service Regional Office listed below for initial review. These offices 
will be the point of contact for final awards.

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Forest Service Region 1              Forest Service Region 2
(MT, ND, Northern ID & Northwestern  (CO, KS, NE, SD, & WY), Att: Susan
 SD), Att: Angela Farr, USDA Forest   Ford, USDA Forest Service, Rocky
 Service, Northern Region (R1),       Mountain Region (R2), 740 Simms
 Federal Building, 200 East           St, Golden, CO 80401-4702,
 Broadway, Missoula, MT 59807,        [email protected], (303) 275-5742.
 [email protected], (406) 329-3521.
Forest Service Region 3              Forest Service Region 4
(AZ & NM), Att: Jerry Payne, USDA    (Southern ID, NV, UT, & Western
 Forest Service, Southwestern         WY), Att: Scott Bell, USDA Forest
 Region (R3), 333 Broadway Blvd,      Service, Intermountain Region
 SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102,           (R4), Federal Building, 324 25th
 [email protected], (505) 842-       St, Ogden, UT 84401,
 3391.                                [email protected], (801) 625-5259.
Forest Service Region 5              Forest Service Region 6
(CA, HI, Guam and Trust Territories  (OR & WA), Att: Ron Saranich, USDA
 of the Pacific Islands), Att:        Forest Service, Pacific Northwest
 Larry Swan, USDA Forest Service,     Region (R6), 333 SW 1st Ave,
 Pacific Southwest Region (R5),       Portland, OR 97204,
 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 95492-  [email protected], (503) 808-
 1110, [email protected], (707) 562-  2346.
 8917.
Forest Service Region 8              Forest Service Region 9
(AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC,     (CT, DL, IL, IN, IA, ME, MD, MA,
 OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, Virgin Islands   MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA,
 & Puerto Rico), Att: Dan Len, USDA   RI, VT, WV, WI), Att: Lew
 Forest Service, Southern Region      McCreery, Northeastern Area--S&PF,
 (R8), 1720 Peachtree Rd NW.,         180 Canfield St, Morgantown, WV
 Atlanta, GA 30309, [email protected],   26505, [email protected], (304)
 (404) 347-4034.                      285-1538.
Forest Service Region 10             Region 10 address after February
(Alaska), Att: Daniel Parrent, USDA   15, 2012:
 Forest Service, Alaska Region       Forest Service Region 10 (Alaska),
 (R10), 3301 C Street, Suite 202,     Att: Daniel Parrent, USDA Forest
 Anchorage, AK 99503-3956,            Service, Alaska Region (R10), 161
 [email protected], (907) 743-      East 1st Avenue, Door 8,
 9467.                                Anchorage, AK 99501,
                                      [email protected], (907) 743-
                                      9467.
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    Detailed information regarding what to include in the application, 
definitions of terms, eligibility, and necessary prerequisites for 
consideration are available at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu, and at 
www.grants.gov. Paper copies of the information are also available by 
contacting the Forest Service, S&PF Technology Marketing Unit, One 
Gifford Pinchot Dr., Madison, Wisconsin 53726-2398, (608) 231-9504.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions regarding the grant 
application or administrative regulations, contact your appropriate 
Forest Service Regional Biomass Coordinator as listed in the addresses 
above or contact Susan LeVan-Green, Program Manager of the Technology 
Marketing Unit, Madison, WI (608) 231-9504, [email protected]. 
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may 
call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-(800) 877-8339 twenty-four 
hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To address the goals of Public Law 110-234, 
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Rural Revitalization 
Technologies (7 U.S.C. 6601), and the anticipated Department of the 
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 2012 or 
equivalent, the Agency is requesting proposals to address the 
nationwide challenge of using low-value woody biomass material to 
create renewable energy and protect communities and critical 
infrastructure from wildfires.
    Goals of the grant program are to:
     Promote projects that target and help remove economic and 
market barriers to using woody biomass for renewable energy.
     Assist projects that produce renewable energy from woody 
biomass while protecting the public interest.
     Reduce the public's cost for forest restoration by 
increasing the value of biomass and other forest products generated 
from hazardous fuels reduction and forest health activities on forested 
lands.
     Create incentives and/or encourage business investment 
that uses woody biomass from our nation's forestlands for renewable 
energy projects.

Grant requirements

1. Eligibility Information

    a. Eligible Applicants. Eligible applicants are businesses, 
companies, corporations, state, local and tribal governments, school 
districts, communities, non-profit organizations, or special purpose 
districts (e.g., public utilities districts, fire districts, 
conservation districts, or ports). Only one application per business or 
organization shall be accepted.
    b. Cost Sharing (Matching Requirement). Applicants shall 
demonstrate at least a 20% match of the total project cost or 25% of 
the federal portion. This match shall be from non-federal sources, 
which can include cash or in-kind contributions.
    c. DUNS Number. All applicants shall include a Dun and Bradstreet, 
Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in their application. For 
this requirement, the applicant is the entity that meets the 
eligibility criteria and has the legal authority to apply for and 
receive a WBU grant. 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.
    d. Central Contractor Registration (CCR). The applicant 
acknowledges the requirement that prospective awardees shall be 
registered in the CCR database prior to award, during performance, and 
through final payment of any grant resulting from this solicitation. 
Further information can be found at www.ccr.gov. For assistance, 
contact the CCR Assistance Center (1-(866) 606-8220).

2. Award Information

    Total funding anticipated for awards is about $3.0 million for the 
2012 WBU

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program. Individual grants cannot exceed $250,000. The Federal 
government's obligation under this program is contingent upon the 
availability of 2012 appropriated funds. No legal liability on the part 
of the Government shall be incurred until appropriated funds are 
available and committed in writing by the grant officer for this 
program to the applicant. Grants can be for two years from the date of 
award. Written annual financial performance reports and semi-annual 
project performance reports are required, and shall be submitted to the 
appropriate grant officer. A grant awarded under this program will 
generate an IRS Form 1099 Miscellaneous Income that will be filed with 
the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and provided to the awardee. 
However, the USDA expresses no opinion on the taxability, if any, of 
the grant funds awarded. Awardees are expected to follow all 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements 
regarding safe working practices and all applicable Federal, State, and 
local regulations pertinent to the proposed project.

3. Application Prerequisites

    This grant program requires that projects have had considerable 
advance work completed prior to submitting a grant application. Only 
applications that have already completed and submitted (a) a 
Comprehensive Feasibility Assessment of the project by qualified and 
credible parties, (b) a Woody Biomass Resource Supply Assessment and, 
(c) past three years of Federal income tax returns shall be considered. 
In addition, applicants should have a Dun and Bradstreet rating that 
falls within the following categories:
    (1) Financial stress rating should be 1, 2 or 3, (1 being the best 
and 5 being the worst);
    (2) Credit score should be 1, 2, or 3, (1 being the best and 5 
being the worst); and
    (3) Paydex score should be between 60 and 100, (0 being the lowest 
and 100 the highest).

The two assessments and three years of tax returns shall be included 
with the submission. The Dun and Bradstreet ratings will be obtained by 
the Technology Marketing Unit for the review process. The three Dun and 
Bradstreet reports provide evidence of the financial capability of the 
applicant. Applicants will not be charged for the Dun and Bradstreet 
reports. All financial information is kept confidential.
    a. The Comprehensive Feasibility Assessment shall address, at 
minimum, the following items:
     Economic feasibility analysis of site, labor force wages 
and availability, utilities, access and transportation systems, raw 
material feedstock needs, and overall economic impact, including job 
creation and retention, displayed by employment associated with 
operating the facility itself and supplying the facility (jobs created 
and jobs retained on a full-time equivalent basis). Also required in 
the economic analysis is a market feasibility study, including analysis 
of the market(s) for the power, heat, fuel, or other energy product 
produced, market area, marketing plans for projected output, if needed, 
extent of competition for the particular target market(s), extent of 
competition for supply and delivered costs and general characterization 
of supply availability (more detailed information is provided in the 
Woody Biomass Resource Supply Assessment section).
     Technical feasibility analysis shall include an assessment 
of the recommended renewable energy technology, what other technologies 
were considered, why the recommended renewable energy technology was 
chosen, assessment of site suitability given the recommended renewable 
energy technology, actions and costs necessary to mitigate 
environmental impacts sufficient to meet regulatory requirements, 
developmental costs, capital investment costs, operational costs, 
projected income, estimated accuracy of these costs and income 
projections, realistic sensitivity analysis with clear and explicit 
assumptions, and identification of project constraints or limitations.
     Financial feasibility analysis shall include projected 
income and cash flow for at least 36 months, description of cost 
accounting system, availability of short-term credit for operational 
phase, and pro forma financial statements with clear and explicit 
assumptions.
     List of personnel and teams undertaking project 
development, implementation and operations, including a clear 
description of how continuity between project phases will be 
maintained. Describe the qualification of each team member including 
education and management experience with the same or similar projects, 
and how recently this experience occurred.
    b. The Woody Biomass Resource Supply Assessment shall provide a 
description of the available woody biomass resource supply. At a 
minimum, the assessment should address the following items:
     Feedstock location and procurement area relative to the 
project site;
     Types of biomass fuel available and realistic pricing 
information based on fuel specifications required by the technology 
chosen, including explicit break-out of forest-sourced, agricultural-
sourced and urban-sourced biomass;
     Volume potentially available by ownership, fuel type and 
source of biomass supply, considering recovery rates and other factors, 
such as Federal, State, and local policy and management practices;
     Volume realistically and economically available by 
ownership, fuel type and source of biomass supply, considering recovery 
rates and other factors, such as Federal, State, and local policy and 
management practices;
     Detailed risk assessment of future biomass fuel supply 
including, but not limited to, impacts of potential Federal, State, and 
local policy changes, availability of additional fuel types, increased 
competition for biomass resource supply and changes in transportation 
costs;
     Summary of total fuel realistically and economically 
available versus projected annual fuel use (i.e. a ratio usually 
exceeding 2.0: 1); and
     Minimum five-year biomass fuel pricing forecast for 
material or blend of material meeting fuel specifications delivered to 
project site (required for financial pro forma).
    c. Federal income tax returns: All applicants shall submit the last 
three years of federal income tax returns. Credit reports from Dun and 
Bradstreet, along with the federal income tax returns, are used to 
assess the financial capability of applicants.

4. Application Evaluation

    Applications are evaluated against criteria discussed in Section 5. 
All applications shall be screened to ensure compliance with the 
administrative requirements as set forth in this Request for Proposals 
(RFP). Applications not following the instructions for submission shall 
be disqualified without consideration. Instructions can be found at 
www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu under 2012 Woody Biomass Utilization Grant 
Program.
    The appropriate Forest Service region shall provide a preliminary 
screen based on grant administrative requirements and regional 
priorities of environmental, social and economic impacts. Each region 
may submit up to seven proposals for the nationwide competition. The 
nationwide competition will consist of a technical and financial review 
of the proposed

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project by Federal experts from different federal agencies, experienced 
in energy systems, financing projects, and/or forestry. Panel reviewers 
will independently evaluate each proposed project for technical and 
financial merit and assign a score using the criteria listed in Section 
5. Technical and financial merits, along with the regional priorities, 
will be submitted to the Forest Service national leadership, who will 
make the final decision of the selected projects based on technical and 
financial merit and regional/national priorities.

5. Evaluation Criteria and Point System

    If a reviewer determines that a proposal meets basic requirements 
for a criterion, half the number of points will be awarded. More points 
can be earned if the reviewer determines that a proposal exceeds the 
basic criteria and fewer if a proposal falls short of the basic 
criterion. A maximum of 200 total points can be earned by a proposal.

Criteria

    a. Required Comprehensive Feasibility Assessment is thorough and 
complete, conducted by a qualified and experienced professional team; 
and project is economically viable using relevant and accepted 
financial metrics. Total Points 30.
    b. Required Woody Biomass Resource Supply Assessment conforms to 
professional standards for size and complexity of proposed facility, is 
suitable for appropriate lender or public financing review; and 
projected biomass quantity and sourcing arrangements from forested land 
management activities are clearly identified on an annual basis. Total 
Points 30.
    c. Number of projected jobs created and/or retained (direct or 
indirect) when project goes in service is reasonable and substantiated. 
Total Points 15.
    d. Amount and type of fossil fuel offset in therms/year once 
project is operational provides impact in geographic area appropriate 
for size of projected facility and is reasonable and substantiated 
(Note: 1 therm = 100,000 BTUs). Total Points 15.
    e. Documentation of partnerships and qualifications necessary for 
the development and operation of the proposed facility, including roles 
and directly relevant qualifications of Development, Engineering, 
Management, Construction and Operations Teams or similar, are adequate 
and appropriate for project. Total Points 30.
    f. Proposed engineering design components reflect accepted 
professional standards for type and complexity of proposed facility and 
are complete. Total Points 20.
    g. Financial plan and sources of funding are described in detail 
for all phases of the project, including, but not limited to, 
development, construction and operations. Total Points 30.
    h. Detailed description of federal, state and local environmental, 
health and safety regulatory and permitting requirements, and realistic 
projected timeline for completion are provided. Total Points 30.

6. Application Information

    a. Application Submission. Applications shall be time stamped by 
the USPS or other commercial delivery company by midnight Thursday, 
March 1, 2012. NO EXCEPTIONS. If submitted through grants.gov, the date 
submitted shall be by midnight, Thursday, March 1, 2012. One paper copy 
and an electronic version shall be submitted to the Regional Biomass 
Coordinator of your Forest Service region, as listed previously in the 
ADDRESSES section even if submitted through grants.gov. Your Forest 
Service region is generally determined by the state in which the 
bioenergy facility is located. However, in a few instances, two Forest 
Service regions may exist in one state. Forest Service regions can be 
located at http://www.fs.fed.us/maps/products/guide-national-forests09.pdf. The electronic version submitted to the Forest Service 
Regional Biomass Coordinator should be a single pdf file on a USB flash 
drive or compact disc (CD). No emails shall be accepted. Applications 
may also be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov.
    b. Application Format and Content. Each submittal shall be in PDF 
format. The application template form FPL-1500-4 is in Word format. 
After completing the template, the document should be saved as a PDF 
format either using Adobe Acrobat or Word software. The template form 
FPL-1500-4 along with directions for completing can be found at the 
www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu. Paper copy shall be single sided on 8.5- by 11-
inch plain white paper only (no colored paper, over-sized paper, or 
special covers). Do not staple. All forms and application template can 
be found at www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu 2012 Hazardous Fuels Woody Biomass 
Utilization Grant Program.
Outline of form FPL-1500-4 and mandatory appendices
    (1) Project Summary Sheet.
    (2) Title Page.
    (3) Project Narrative.
    The project narrative shall provide a clear description of the work 
to be performed, impact on removing woody biomass and creating renewal 
energy (e.g. tons of biomass removed that would have otherwise been 
burned, cost savings to landowners, source of biomass removed from 
forested areas, broken-out by ownership), and how jobs will be created 
and/or retained, and sustained. Application narrative should address 
the 15 discussion areas listed on the form FPL-1500-4.
    (4) Budget Summary Justification in Support of SF 424A.
    (5) Qualifications and Summary Portfolio of Engineering Services.
    For the engineering systems, the project usually consists of a 
system designer, project manager, equipment supplier, project engineer, 
construction contractor or system installer and a system operator and 
maintainer. One individual or entity may serve more than one role. The 
project team must have demonstrated expertise in similar bioenergy 
systems development, engineering, installation, and maintenance. 
Authoritative evidence that project team service providers have the 
necessary professional credentials or relevant experience to perform 
the required services must be provided. Authoritative evidence that 
vendors of proprietary components can provide necessary equipment and 
spare parts for the system to operate over its design life must also be 
provided. A list of the same or similar projects designed, installed 
and currently operating with references shall be provided along with 
appropriate contacts.

(6) Community Benefit Statement

    Provide a one page narrative on social, environmental, and economic 
impact and importance of project to community. Include substantiated 
facts and benefits, such as local employment rate, per capita income 
and fossil fuel impacts with and without the project. Include letters 
of support from community leaders demonstrating on-going community 
collaboration, where appropriate, in the appendix. Forest Service 
regions shall use this information to help evaluate regional impacts, 
particularly impact of job creation and retention as appropriate at the 
geographic scale for the region and how this grant award provides for 
the overall general welfare of the region.

(7) Appendices

    The following information shall be included in appendices and 
included in the single PDF file:
    a. Comprehensive Feasibility Assessment.
    b. Woody Biomass Resource Supply Assessment.

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    c. Quotes for Professional Engineering Services considered (minimum 
of two quotes): Rationale for selection of engineering firm, if already 
selected.
    d. Letters of Support from Partners, Individuals, or Organizations: 
Letters of support shall 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 shall include partner 
commitments of cash or in-kind services from all those listed in the 
SF424 and SF 424A. Each letter of support is limited to one page in 
length.
    e. Federal Funds: List all other Federal funds received for this 
project within the last three years. List agency, program name, and 
dollar amount.
    f. Miscellaneous, such as schematics.
    g. Last three years of federal income tax returns.
    h. Administrative Forms: SF 424, SF424A, SF 424B and AD 1047, 1048, 
1049 and certificate regarding lobbying activities are standard forms 
that shall be included in the application. These forms can be accessed 
at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu under 2012 Woody Biomass Grant Program.

     Dated: December 30, 2011.
Robin L. Thompson,
Associate Deputy Chief, State & Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 2012-2545 Filed 2-3-12; 8:45 am]
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