[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 77 (Tuesday, April 22, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22471-22476]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-08778]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Requests for Proposals: 2014 Statewide Wood Energy Teams 
Cooperative Agreement; and 2014 Wood to Energy Grant

AGENCY: U.S. Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Forest Service requests proposals for the following 
two separate funding opportunities that are being announced at the same 
time for administrative efficiency, but have separate and unique 
application criteria, requirements, and review processes:
    (A) 2014 Statewide Wood Energy Teams (SWET) Cooperative Agreement, 
and
    (B) 2014 Hazardous Fuel Wood to Energy (W2E) Grant.
    The outcomes anticipated under these two separate funding 
mechanisms will advance the United States Department of Agriculture 
(USDA)'s initiative to expand wood energy use that supports forest 
management. These two funding opportunities enhance each other and 
collectively create opportunities for wood energy projects to access 
other USDA Rural Development programs. The SWET cooperative agreement 
helps communities do initial planning, educational outreach, and 
preliminary assessments to identify promising wood energy 
opportunities, whereas the W2E grant funds the design and other pre-
construction needs for specific wood energy projects. Both of these 
funding programs promote use of woody biomass from National Forest 
System lands and place more emphasis this year on encouraging 
clustering of projects that improve efficiencies and economies of 
scale. The requirements for the cooperative agreement and grant 
applications are presented separately after the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section of this announcement. In the rare case that an 
applicant qualifies and would like to apply for both the cooperative 
agreement and grant, then the applicant must submit separate 
application packages according to the requirements for each funding 
opportunity.

DATES: Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 11:59 p.m., is the application deadline 
for the SWET cooperative agreement. Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 11:59 
p.m., is the application deadline for the W2E grant.
    Pre-Application Informational Webinar: The U.S. Forest Service will 
hold an informational Webinar on May 1, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. for SWET and 
3:00 p.m. for W2E (both eastern time) to present these two funding 
opportunities and answer questions.

ADDRESSES: All applications must be submitted via email to the 
respective Forest Service Regional Biomass Coordinators listed below. 
These coordinators will be the point of contact for application 
submittals and final awards.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forest Service Region 1, (MT, ND,        Forest Service Region 2 (CO,
 Northern ID, & Northwestern SD), ATTN:   KS, NE, SD, & WY), ATTN: Mike
 Angela Farr, USDA Forest Service,        Eckhoff, USDA Forest Service,
 Northern Region (R1), Federal            Rocky Mountain Region (R2),
 Building, 200 East Broadway, Missoula,   740 Simms St, Golden, CO 80401-
 MT 59807, [email protected], (406) 329-    4702,
 3521.                                    [email protected],
                                          (970) 219-2140.
Forest Service Region 3 (AZ & NM),       Forest Service Region 4
 ATTN: Dennis Dwyer, USDA Forest          (Southern ID, NV, UT, &
 Service, Southwestern Region (R3), 333   Western WY), ATTN: Scott Bell,
 Broadway Blvd, SE, Albuquerque, NM       USDA Forest Service,
 87102, [email protected], (505) 842-      Intermountain Region (R4),
 3480.                                    Federal Building, 324 25th St,
                                          Ogden, UT 84401,
                                          [email protected], (801) 625-
                                          5259.
Forest Service Region 5 (CA, HI, Guam,   Forest Service Region 6, (OR &
 and Trust Territories of the Pacific     WA), ATTN: Ron Saranich, USDA
 Islands), ATTN: Larry Swan, USDA         Forest Service, Pacific
 Forest Service, Pacific Southwest        Northwest Region (R6), 1220 SW
 Region (R5), 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo,   3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204,
 CA 95492-1110, [email protected],        [email protected], (503) 808-
 (707) 562-8917.                          2346.
Forest Service Region 8 (AL, AR, FL,     Forest Service Region 9/
 GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX,      Northeastern Area, (CT, DL,
 VA, Virgin Islands, & Puerto Rico),      IL, IN, IA, ME, MD, MA, MI,
 ATTN: Dan Len, USDA Forest Service,      MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA,
 Southern Region (R8), 1720 Peachtree     RI, VT, WV, WI), ATTN: Lew
 Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30309,                McCreery, USDA Forest Service,
 [email protected], (404) 347-4034.          Northeastern Area--S&PF, 180
                                          Canfield St, Morgantown, WV
                                          26505, [email protected],
                                          (304) 285-1538.
Forest Service Region 10 (Alaska),
 ATTN: Daniel Parrent, USDA Forest
 Service, Alaska Region (R10), 161 East
 1st Avenue, Door 8, Anchorage, AK
 99501, [email protected], (907) 743-
 9467.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please direct questions regarding this 
announcement to the appropriate Forest Service Regional Biomass 
Coordinator listed in the table above or contact Ed Cesa 
([email protected] or 304-285-1530) or Steve Milauskas 
([email protected] or 304-487-1510) at the Wood Education and 
Resource Center (WERC) in Princeton, WV. Information regarding what to 
include in the application, eligibility, and necessary prerequisites 
for consideration are available at www.na.fs.fed.us/werc and 
www.grants.gov. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the 
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.

[[Page 22472]]

(A) 2014 Statewide Wood Energy Teams Cooperative Agreement

Summary

    The U.S. Forest Service is providing leadership and funding on 
behalf of a USDA multi-agency Wood to Energy Initiative by offering 
this request for proposals to support collaborative statewide wood 
energy teams that advance the installation of commercially viable wood 
energy systems in the public and private sectors that use woody biomass 
generated from National Forest System lands and other land ownerships. 
Public-private statewide teams are invited to seek funding to support 
the development of geographic and/or sector-based clusters of wood 
energy projects. Activities may include, but are not limited to: (a) 
Workshops and assistance that provide technical, financial, and 
environmental information; (b) preliminary engineering assessments; and 
(c) community outreach needed to support development of wood energy 
projects in the public and private sectors. Only proposals for work 
planned in States that have National Forest System lands will be 
considered.

DATES: Application deadline is Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 11:59 p.m.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The agreements awarded pursuant to this 
announcement may support one or more goals of Public Law 110-234, Food, 
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Rural Revitalization Technologies 
(7 U.S.C. 6601); Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014; and the 
nationwide challenge of disposing of woody residues from hazardous fuel 
treatments, other forest management treatments, and manufacturing 
residuals while expanding renewable energy opportunities in rural areas 
and markets for ecosystem restoration projects.
    Goals of the program are to:
     Promote commercially proven wood energy systems that use 
woody biomass from National Forest System lands.
     Expand markets that convert woody biomass into energy to 
support wildfire mitigation, forest restoration, and other forest 
management goals. Market expansion may include the development of a 
woody biomass fuel supply, such as fuel pellets and other modified wood 
fuel products.
     Develop a systematic approach to installing wood energy 
systems that will support clusters of projects or larger projects that 
improve the viability of businesses that harvest, process, and deliver 
wood fuels.
     Support the development or expansion of statewide wood 
energy teams that provide technical, financial, and environmental 
information required for developing wood energy projects to reduce the 
use of fossil fuels, including, but not limited to:
    [cir] Prefeasibility and preliminary engineering assessments.
    [cir] Education and outreach to support the installation of 
commercially available wood energy systems in the public and private 
sectors.
    [cir] Innovative approaches to manage and finance wood energy 
project development.

Cooperative Agreement Requirements

1. Eligibility Information
    a. Eligible Applicants. Eligible applicants are State, local, and 
Tribal governments; nonprofit organizations; or public utilities 
districts. Applicants may be either or both of the fiscal and 
administrative agents for the funding.
    b. Cost Sharing (Matching Requirement). Applicants must demonstrate 
at least a 1:1 non-Federal match of the amount received through the 
Cooperative Agreement. The match amount can be either cash or in-kind 
contributions. For example, if the Forest Service provides $250,000 
through the Cooperative Agreement, $200,000 could be provided in cash 
and $50,000 could be provided by in-kind contributions from non-Federal 
partners. In-kind salary contributions from Federal partners in the 
statewide teams do not qualify as a match.
2. Award Information
    Total funding anticipated for awards is approximately $1.7 million 
for the 2014 Statewide Wood Energy Teams. Individual Cooperative 
Agreements will not exceed $250,000. No legal obligation on the part of 
the Federal government will be incurred until appropriated funds are 
available and committed in writing through a cooperative agreement 
award letter issued by a Forest Service grant officer to a successful 
applicant. Cooperative Agreements exist for 3 to 5 years from the date 
of award. Written performance reports and financial reports will be 
required and submitted to the appropriate office as described in the 
final Cooperative Agreement. Ten percent of funding will be held by the 
administrator of the Cooperative Agreement until final reporting is 
completed. Cooperative Agreements require Forest Service personnel to 
have substantial involvement in projects.
3. Application Requirements
    This program requires that teams have had prior working experience 
or demonstrate capacity to form and develop effective working teams 
immediately upon award of funding. The following are key elements that 
applicants will need to include in their application submission:
    a. Applicants must include a list of each team member; the 
agencies, organizations, businesses, or interests the team member 
represents; and why this particular team composition will enable 
successful implementation of the proposed work plan. Evidence of 
outreach or description of what has been done to date to incorporate 
participation from underserved communities must be described. Letters 
of commitment from individual members or institutions to participate as 
part of the team should be included in an appendix.
    b. Applicants must explain how and why the team was begun and its 
accomplishments to date. Applicants must describe team management 
structure and which individuals fill which roles. Proposed teams should 
describe prior working relationships and accomplishments as a team or 
demonstrate their capacity to function as an effective team. If a 
formal strategic or organizational plan exists, then a summary of it 
can be included in the appendix. In addition, there should be evidence 
of prior ability to leverage resources and/or a clear plan with 
experienced individuals assigned that will carry out the team's plan to 
leverage resources, sufficient at minimum for the 1:1 match 
requirement.
    c. Applicants must include the geographic scope of the team's work. 
Only proposals for work planned in States that have National Forest 
System lands will be considered. Most teams will operate statewide. 
However, if a substate-level team is proposed, the applicant must 
explain and justify the importance of operating at a smaller geographic 
scale. Only one team per State will be funded. Proposals that focus 
most of their work in the following States will not be considered 
because they have already received substantial SWET funding: Alaska, 
California, Idaho, Minnesota, and New Hampshire. Multistate proposals 
will be considered. An applicant can submit individual proposals for 
multiple States, but must have letters of support from officials in 
each State.
    d. Applicants must include a proposed program of work for the life 
of the agreement, which could be for a period of 3 to 5 years. The 
program of work will include a statement of need and specific goals 
and/or objectives that articulate how the team plans to

[[Page 22473]]

accomplish the installation of clusters of wood energy projects or 
larger projects. Geographic and/or sector-based clusters (e.g. 
hospitals, prisons, inmate conservation camps, school campuses, poultry 
houses) should leverage similarities and needs of multiple projects to 
improve economies of scale and expand wood energy. The program of work 
must include expected timeframes and methods for identifying target 
areas, outreach to accomplish installations, engineering assessments, 
financing, sustainability issues, and other tasks as appropriate. This 
section should also identify potential challenges and uncertainties 
that could have a significant impact on the program of work.
    e. Applicants will estimate the number of systems planned, under 
construction, and installed for each year and the total length of the 
agreement period. Systems should be commercially available with a track 
record of successful operation, not experimental or demonstration 
systems. If the team has been functioning and has some projects in 
process, it is appropriate to show how this agreement will facilitate 
completion of these projects and provide a list of the projects already 
underway.
4. Application Evaluation
    Applications will be evaluated against the criteria discussed in 
Section 5. All applications will be screened to ensure compliance with 
the administrative requirements as set forth in this Request for 
Proposals (RFP). Applications not following the directions for 
submission will be disqualified without appeal. Directions can be found 
at http://www.na.fs.fed.us/werc/ under 2014 Statewide Wood Energy 
Teams.
    Applicants are encouraged to consult with the appropriate Forest 
Service Regional Biomass Coordinator to develop proposals. The 
nationwide competition will consist of a technical review of the 
proposed projects by Federal experts or their designees. Panel 
reviewers independently evaluate each proposal for merit and assign a 
score using the criteria listed in Section 5. Selected proposals will 
be submitted to the Forest Service national leadership, who will make 
the final decision on the selected proposals.
5. Evaluation Criteria and Point System
    Reviewers will assign points to each proposal based on its ability 
to meet the following criteria. A maximum of 100 total points can be 
earned per proposal.
     Alignment with statewide wood energy team goals identified 
in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION of this RFP. (20 points)
     Knowledge and skills of team members and composition of 
teams. (20 points)
     Team management and leveraged resources. (20 points)
     Program of work, budget, and projected accomplishments. 
(20 points)
     Communication; outreach; and methodology for announcing, 
selecting, and providing project assistance. (10 points)
     Geographic and/or sector-based (e.g. campuses, hospitals, 
prisons, poultry houses) project clusters. (10 points)
6. Application Information
    a. Application Submission. Applications must be submitted 
electronically to the individual email address for the respective 
Forest Service Regional Biomass Coordinator listed in the ADDRESSES 
section of this announcement by 11:59 p.m. on May 20, 2014. NO 
EXCEPTIONS. Paper submittals will not be accepted. If submitted through 
www.grants.gov, the application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on May 
20, 2014. Your Forest Service Region is generally determined by the 
State where the majority of the proposed work will be conducted under 
the cooperative agreement. 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. 
Consult with the respective Forest Service Regional Biomass Coordinator 
if you are not certain which Region would apply.
    b. Application Format and Content. Each submittal must consist of 
two separate PDF (or Word) files, as follows:

1. Proposal narrative and appendices (SWET Application Part 1 & Part 2, 
and Appendices)
2. Financial forms (SWET Application Part 3)
    Text must be no smaller than 11 point font. A normal page in an 
application is defined as 8.5 inches by 11 inches with at least \1/2\-
inch margins. Submit all application information at the same time. The 
application template and financial forms can be found at http://www.na.fs.fed.us/werc under 2014 Statewide Wood Energy Teams.
    A complete application includes the following items:

1. SWET Project Application, Part 1: Cooperator Contact Information
2. SWET Project Application, Part 2: Narrative Proposal, Program of 
Work, and Required Appendices
3. SWET Project Application, Part 3: Financial Forms must include SF-
424, SF-424A, SF-424B, AD-1047, AD-1049 (or AD-1052 for States and 
State agencies), AD-3030, and FS-1500-35 (certificate regarding 
lobbying activities).
    A maximum of 11 pages per proposal for items 1 through 
5 listed below will be accepted:
1. Qualifications and Summary Portfolio of Team Members (1.5 pages)
     Include each team member's name, affiliation, and years of 
experience in wood energy, including combustion technology, wood 
sourcing, financing, and community outreach.
     Describe outreach to underserved communities or what has 
been done to incorporate participation from underserved communities.
     Include a description of prior working relationships and 
accomplishments as a team, including Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), 
charters, or other formal agreements.
2. Project Narrative (3.5 pages)
     Describe how the team will be managed and which 
individuals will fill which roles.
     Describe the team's experience leveraging funds and its 
plan to leverage funds to support the team's operation and achieve the 
required 1:1 match.
     Describe methods for selecting areas of focus (e.g. 
geographic clusters, sector-based clusters, or larger projects to be 
targeted), including benefits regarding potential economies of scale 
and increased use of woody biomass.
     Describe methods for solicitation and selection of 
projects.
     Include the proposed geographic area where the team will 
work and the number of years requested for the cooperative agreement.
3. Program of Work (3.5 pages)
     Describe statement of need and specific goals and 
objectives.
     Describe projected accomplishments and deliverables, 
including estimated number of systems planned, under construction, and 
installed.
     Describe communication and outreach activities that create 
social acceptance in communities where projects are targeted.
     Describe monitoring plan, including annual and final 
reports provided to the agreement administrator, which will include 
summaries of community outreach activities, preliminary assessments, 
resource inventories, success stories, etc.
     Describe timeframe for activities described.

[[Page 22474]]

4. Budget Summary and Justification in Support of SF-424A (2 pages)
     Address proposed expenditures in relation to the proposed 
program of work.
     Include cash and in-kind match, other Federal funds and 
staff time that may help accomplish the program of work, and fee 
structure for fee-for-services, if planned.
5. Project Outcomes, Annual Progress Reports, and Final Reports (0.5 
pages)
     List anticipated project outcomes and accomplishments, as 
well as desired results.
     Describe types of reports, documents, and success stories 
that will be provided at the end of the project to be posted to the 
WERC Statewide Wood Energy Team Web site.
     Annual progress reports are required on an annual calendar 
year basis. The reports will provide an overview of accomplishments of 
the goals and objectives described in the approved cooperative 
agreement narrative.
     A detailed final progress report is required and should 
include the following items:
    [cir] Final Summary Report--A brief overview of accomplishments of 
the goals and objectives described in the approved cooperative 
agreement narrative.
    [cir] Final Accomplishment Report--Includes various assessments, 
reports, case studies, and related documents that resulted from project 
activities.
    Final reports will be added to the WERC Statewide Wood Energy Team 
Web site.
7. Appendices
    The following information must be included in appendices:
    a. Letters of Commitment from Team Members or Institutions: Letters 
of commitment must be included in an appendix and are intended to 
display willingness to participate on the wood energy team. These 
letters must include commitments of cash or in-kind services from all 
those listed in the SF-424 and SF-424A. Each letter of support is 
limited to one page in length.
    b. Documentation of Team Member or Institution Experience with Wood 
Energy: Additional information about team member or institutional 
experience with wood energy should be provided in this appendix.
    c. Documentation of Formal Agreements, Charters, etc. (optional): 
Provide any written formal organizational framework that will guide the 
operation of the team such as MOUs, State Incorporation papers, or 
other instruments that establish the capacity and ability of the team 
to function and manage its actions.
    d. Federal Funds: List all other Federal funds received for this 
Wood Energy Team within the last 3 years; include agency name, program 
name, and dollar amount.

(B) 2014 Hazardous Fuels Wood to Energy Grant

Summary

    The U.S. Forest Service requests proposals for wood energy projects 
that require engineering services necessary for final design and cost 
analysis. The Hazardous Fuels Wood to Energy (W2E) Grant Program will 
fund projects for which some or all the woody biomass is generated from 
National Forest Service System lands as a result of hazardous fuel 
treatments, forest restoration activities, insect and disease 
mitigation, catastrophic weather events, or thinning overstocked 
stands. Projects that use woody biomass from multiple land ownerships 
(State, Tribal, or private lands) or multiple sources (wood products 
facilities, urban wood waste, etc.) will be considered as long as some 
of the woody biomass is generated from National Forest System lands. 
Projects that do not anticipate using any wood from National Forest 
System lands will not be eligible. The woody biomass must be used in 
commercially proven wood energy systems to produce thermal, electrical, 
liquid, or gaseous energy. Examples of projects might include, but are 
not limited to, engineering design of a woody biomass boiler that 
generates steam at a sawmill, hospital, or school; a nonpressurized hot 
water system; a biomass power generation facility; or geographic or 
sector-based clusters of wood energy systems. The lack of a 
professional engineering design often limits the ability of an 
applicant to secure Federal, State, or private funding. This program is 
intended for applicants seeking assistance to complete the necessary 
engineering design work, including permitting or other preconstruction 
analyses, required to secure public or private funding for construction 
of wood energy projects. An example of public funding is the USDA Rural 
Development grants and loan programs that might help fund construction 
of such facilities. This year, the W2E grant emphasizes geographic or 
sector-based clusters (e.g. hospitals, prisons, inmate conservation 
camps, school campuses, poultry houses) should leverage project 
similarities to improve economies of scale and expand the use of woody 
biomass for energy.
    DATES: Application deadline is Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 11:59 p.m.
    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 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 
2014, 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.
    The goals of the W2E 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.
     Create incentives and/or encourage business investments 
that use woody biomass from our Nation's forest lands for renewable 
energy projects.

Grant Requirements

1. Eligibility Information
    a. Eligible Applicants. Eligible applicants are for-profit 
organizations; State, local, and Tribal governments; school districts; 
communities; nonprofit organizations; 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 for this grant.
    b. Cost Sharing (Matching Requirement). Applicants must demonstrate 
at least a 20 percent match of the total project cost. This match must 
be from non-Federal sources, which can include cash or in-kind 
contributions.
2. Award Information
    Total funding anticipated for awards is approximately $2.8 million 
for the 2014 W2E program. Individual grants will not exceed $250,000. 
No legal obligation on the part of the Federal government will be 
incurred until appropriated funds are available and committed in 
writing through a grant award letter issued by a Forest Service grant 
officer to a successful applicant. Grants are typically 2 years from 
the date of award. Written annual financial

[[Page 22475]]

performance reports and annual project performance reports are required 
and must be submitted to the appropriate grant officer. A grant awarded 
under this program to a for-profit organization will generate an 
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 1099 Miscellaneous Income that will 
be filed with the IRS and provided to the awardee. However, the U.S. 
Forest Service expresses no opinion on the taxability, if any, of the 
grant funds awarded.
3. Application Requirements
    a. Proposal Details. This grant program requires that projects have 
had considerable advance work completed prior to submitting a grant 
application. Only applicants that have already completed and submit the 
following with their application will be considered: (1) Comprehensive 
Feasibility Assessment of the project by qualified and credible 
parties, and (2) Woody Biomass Resource Supply Assessment.
    1. The Feasibility Assessment must address, at minimum, the 
following items:
     Economic feasibility analysis of the entire project, 
including site assessment, labor force wages and availability, 
utilities, access and transportation systems, and raw material 
feedstock needs. The analysis must include the overall economic impact, 
such as jobs created and retained on a full-time equivalent basis 
displayed by employment associated with operating the facility itself 
and supplying the facility. The analysis must also include a market 
feasibility study that analyzes market(s) for 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; delivered costs; 
and general characterization of supply availability (more detailed 
information is provided in the Woody Biomass Resource Supply Assessment 
section).
     Technical feasibility analysis that includes assessment of 
the recommended renewable energy technology, other technologies 
considered, why the recommended renewable energy technology was chosen, 
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, sensitivity 
analysis with clear and explicit assumptions, and identification of 
project constraints or limitations.
     Financial feasibility analysis that includes 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 statement 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 
relevant education and management experience with the same or similar 
projects and how recently this experience occurred.
    2. The Woody Biomass Resource Supply Assessment must provide a 
description of the potential woody biomass supply, including an 
estimate of the portion coming from National Forest System lands. At a 
minimum, the assessment should address each of 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 breakout 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. 
Specifically state the percentage of estimated volumes coming from 
National Forest System lands.
     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 estimated annual woody biomass that is 
available versus projected annual fuel use (i.e. a ratio usually 
exceeding 2:1).
     Minimum 5-year biomass fuel pricing forecast for material 
or blend of material meeting fuel specifications delivered to project 
site (required for financial pro forma).
    b. Creditworthiness Requirements. For-profit and nonprofit 
organization applicants must 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)
3. Paydex score should be between 60 and 100 (0 being the lowest and 
100 the highest)

    Corporate annual reports will not be accepted as evidence of due 
diligence for a business.
    Before successful proposals can be funded, the applicant must first 
obtain a DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet, and then register their 
organization at the System for Award Management Web site: www.sam.gov 
(formerly Central Contracting Registration). To verify that the 
organization has a DUNS number, or to take steps needed to obtain one, 
the applicant may call the dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line 
at (866) 705-5711, or go to http://www.dunandbradstreet.com. 
Applications submitted through www.grants.gov will not be accepted 
without a DUNS number.
4. Application Evaluation
    Applications are evaluated against criteria discussed in Section 5. 
All applications will be screened to ensure compliance with the 
administrative requirements as set forth in this RFP. Applications not 
following the directions for submission will be disqualified without 
appeal. Directions can be found at www.na.fs.fed.us/werc/ under 2014 
Wood to Energy Grant Program. The appropriate Forest Service Region 
will provide a preliminary review based on grant administrative 
requirements and regional priorities of environmental, social, and 
economic impacts. Each region may submit up to 7 proposals for the 
nationwide competition, which will consist of a technical review of the 
proposed project by Federal experts or their designees from different 
Federal agencies who are experienced in energy systems, financing 
projects, or forestry. Panel reviewers will independently evaluate each 
proposed project for merit and assign a score using the criteria listed 
in Section 5. Technical merits, along with the regional priorities, 
will be submitted to the Forest Service national leadership for final 
selection and announcement.
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

[[Page 22476]]

basic criteria. A maximum of 100 total points can be earned by a 
proposal, as illustrated below:
     Feasibility assessment shows economic viability for the 
proposed project. (20 points)
     Woody Biomass Resource Supply Assessment demonstrates: (1) 
An adequate long-term supply of wood to satisfy lender or public 
financing requirements, and (2) the degree to which the project 
supports hazardous fuel reduction or forest health management needs on 
National Forest System lands. (20 points)
     Demonstrates appropriate partnering, technical expertise, 
and financial health of applicant. (20 points)
     Presents a realistic timeline, scope, and project 
accomplishments. (20 points)
     Includes geographic or sector-based clusters (e.g. 
campuses, hospitals, prisons, poultry houses). (20 points)
6. Application Information
    a. Application Submission. Applications must be submitted 
electronically to the individual email address for the respective 
Forest Service Regional Biomass Coordinator listed in the ADDRESSES 
section of this announcement by 11:59 p.m. on June 3, 2014. NO 
EXCEPTIONS. Paper submittals will not be accepted. If submitted through 
www.grants.gov, the application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on June 
3, 2014. Your Forest Service Region is generally determined by the 
State where the majority of the proposed work will be conducted under 
the grant. 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. Consult with 
the respective Forest Service Regional Biomass Coordinator if you are 
not certain which Region would apply.
    b. Application Format and Content. Each submittal must consist of 
two separate PDF (or Word) files, as follows:

1. Proposal narrative and appendices (W2E Application Part 1 & Part 2, 
and Appendices)
2. Financial forms (W2E Application Part 3)

    Text must be no smaller than 11 point font. A normal page in an 
application is defined as 8.5 inches by 11 inches with at least \1/2\-
inch margins. Submit all application information at the same time. The 
application template and financial forms can be found at http://www.na.fs.fed.us/werc/ under 2014 Wood to Energy Grants.
    A complete application includes the following items:

1. W2E Project Application, Part 1: Cooperator Contact Information
2. W2E Project Application, Part 2: Narrative Proposal and Required 
Appendices
3. W2E Project Application, Part 3: Financial Forms must include SF-
424, SF-424A, SF-424B, AD-1047, AD-1049 (or AD-1052 for States and 
State agencies), AD-3030, and FS-1500-35 (certificate regarding 
lobbying activities).

    A maximum of 15 pages per proposal for items 1 through 
4 listed below will be accepted:
1. Project Narrative (10 pages)
    The project narrative must provide a clear description of the work 
to be performed; impact from removing woody biomass and creating 
renewable energy, especially how it benefits National Forest System 
lands (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); how jobs will be created, 
retained, and sustained; and how geographic or sector-based clusters 
will be incorporated into the project. Application narrative should 
address the discussion areas listed in the W2E Application, Part 2.
2. Budget Summary Justification in Support of SF-424A (2 pages)
3. Qualifications and Summary Portfolio of Engineering Services (2 
pages)
    For the engineering systems, the project usually consists of a 
system designer, project manager, equipment supplier, project engineer, 
construction contractor of 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 wood energy 
systems development, engineering, installation, and maintenance. The 
application must include authoritative evidence that project team 
service providers have the necessary professional credentials or 
relevant experience to perform the required services and that vendors 
of proprietary components can provide necessary equipment and spare 
parts for the system to operate over its design life. A list of the 
same or similar projects designed, installed, and currently operating 
must be provided along with appropriate contacts.
4. Community Benefit Statement (1 page)
    Provide a one-page narrative on social, environmental, and economic 
impact and importance of project to community. Examples include, but 
are not limited to, fossil fuel offsets, jobs created, community 
support, fuel savings, forest management benefits, or local businesses 
supported.
7. Appendices
    The following information must be included in appendices:
    a. Comprehensive Feasibility Assessment.
    b. Woody Biomass Resource Supply Assessment.
    c. Quotes for Professional Engineering Services (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 are intended to display the degree of collaboration 
occurring between the different entities engaged in the project. These 
letters must include partner commitments of cash or in-kind services 
from all those listed in the SF-424 and SF-424A.
    e. Miscellaneous, such as schematics.
    f. Federal Funds: List all other Federal funds received for this 
project within the last 3 years. List agency, program name, and dollar 
amount.
    Documentation exceeding the designated page limit requirements for 
any given section will not be considered.

    Dated: March 4, 2014.
James Hubbard,
Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 2014-08778 Filed 4-21-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P