[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 207 (Monday, October 27, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63891-63894]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-25514]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 207 / Monday, October 27, 2014 / 
Notices  

[[Page 63891]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Request for Proposals: 2015 Wood Innovations Funding Opportunity

AGENCY: Forest Service.

ACTION: Request for proposals.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service) requests proposals to 
substantially expand and accelerate wood energy and wood products 
markets throughout the United States to support forest management needs 
on National Forest System and other forest lands. The grants and 
cooperative agreements awarded under this announcement will support the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-79), Rural Revitalization 
Technologies (7 U.S.C. 6601), and the nationwide challenge of disposing 
of hazardous fuels and other wood residues from the National Forest 
System and other forest lands in a manner that supports wood energy and 
wood products markets.

DATES: The application deadline is Friday, January 23, 2015 at 11:59 
p.m. The Forest Service will hold an informational Pre-Application 
Webinar on November 5, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time to 
present this funding opportunity and answer questions. The link is: 
https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usda/join?id=BGW262&role=attend&pw=tK-%287%26Dwt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Information on application requirements, 
eligibility, and 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 800-877-8339 24 hours a day, every day of the year, 
including holidays.
    Please direct questions regarding this announcement to the 
appropriate Forest Service Regional Biomass Coordinator listed in the 
table below. If you have questions that a Coordinator is unable to 
assist you with, please 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 in Princeton, WV.

          Table 1--Forest Service Regional Biomass Coordinators
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forest Service Region 1 (MT, ND,     Forest Service Region 2 (CO, KS,
 Northern ID, & Northwestern SD),     NE, SD, & WY), ATTN: Mike Eckhoff,
 ATTN: Angela Farr, Forest Service    Forest Service, Rocky Mountain
 Northern Region (R1), Federal        Region (R2), 740 Simms St, Golden,
 Building, 200 East Broadway,         CO 80401-4702,
 Missoula, MT 59802,                  [email protected], (970)
 [email protected], (406) 329-3521.     219-2140.
Forest Service Region 3 (AZ & NM),   Forest Service Region 4 (Southern
 ATTN: Walter Dunn, Forest Service,   ID, NV, UT, & Western WY), ATTN:
 Southwestern Region (R3), 333        Scott Bell, Forest Service,
 Broadway Blvd. SE., Albuquerque,     Intermountain Region (R4), Federal
 NM 87102, [email protected], (505)     Building, 324 25th St, Ogden, UT
 842-3425.                            84401, [email protected], (801) 625-
                                      5259.
Forest Service Region 5 (CA, HI,     Forest Service Region 6 (OR & WA),
 Guam, and Trust Territories of the   ATTN: Ron Saranich, Forest
 Pacific Islands), ATTN: Larry        Service, Pacific Northwest Region
 Swan, Forest Service, Pacific        (R6), 1220 SW 3rd Ave., Portland,
 Southwest Region (R5), 1323 Club     OR 97204, [email protected],
 Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592,            (503) 808-2346.
 [email protected], (707) 562-8917.
Forest Service Region 8 (AL, AR,     Forest Service Region 9/
 FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC,      Northeastern Area (CT, DL, IL, IN,
 TN, TX, VA, Virgin Islands, &        IA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH,
 Puerto Rico), ATTN: Dan Len,         NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WV, WI),
 Forest Service, Southern Region      ATTN: Lew McCreery, Forest
 (R8), 1720 Peachtree Rd NW.,         Service, Northeastern Area--S&PF,
 Atlanta, GA 30309, [email protected],   180 Canfield St, Morgantown, WV
 (404) 347-4034.                      26505, [email protected], (304)
                                      285-1538.
Forest Service Region 10 (Alaska),
 ATTN: Daniel Parrent, Forest
 Service, Alaska Region (R10), 161
 East 1st Avenue, Door 8,
 Anchorage, AK 99501,
 [email protected], (907) 743-
 9467.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Grant Program Overview:
    Available Funding: The Forest Service plans to award approximately 
$5 million under this announcement. The maximum for each award is 
generally $250,000; however, the Forest Service may consider awarding 
more than $250,000 to a proposal that shows far reaching or significant 
impact. All awards are based on availability of funding.
    Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants are for-profit entities; 
State, local, and Tribal governments; school districts; communities; 
not-for-profit organizations; or special purpose districts (e.g., 
public utilities districts, fire districts, conservation districts, or 
ports).
    Matching Requirements: A minimum 35:65 match is required. That is, 
an applicant must contribute at least 35 percent of the total project 
cost. The Forest Service's share of the project will be no more than 65 
percent of the total. The applicant's match or contribution must come 
from non-Federal source funds. The match may include cash or in-kind 
contributions. All matching funds must be directly related to the 
proposed project. The source of third-party contributions must be 
identified in an accompanying letter of support.
    Deadline: Friday, January 23, 2015 at 11:59 p.m.
    Award Information: Grants and Cooperative Agreements awarded under 
this announcement are typically awarded for two to three years. 
Projects of greater complexity may be awarded for up to five years. The 
Forest Service will notify a recipient if their proposal is selected 
for award and indicate whether any additional forms or information is 
required and an estimate

[[Page 63892]]

of when they may proceed. The Federal government will incur no legal 
obligation until appropriated funds are available and a Forest Service 
Grant Officer returns a fully executed award letter to a successful 
applicant.
    Note: An award to a for-profit entity will generate an Internal 
Revenue Service (IRS) Form 1099 Miscellaneous Income that will be filed 
with the IRS and provided to the awardee. The Forest Service expresses 
no opinion on the taxability, if any, of the awarded grant funds.
    Reporting Requirements: A Federal Financial Report (SF-425) and 
progress report are required on an annual calendar year basis and must 
be submitted to the appropriate Grant Officer. A detailed final report 
is required and should include: (1) Final Summary Report (brief 
overview of accomplishments of the goals and objectives described in 
the approved award); and (2) Final Accomplishment Report (includes 
assessments, reports, case studies, and related documents that resulted 
from project activities). Ten percent of awarded funds will be withheld 
until an acceptable final report is approved by the Forest Service. 
Forest Service will post final reports on the Wood Education and 
Resource Center Web site.

Wood Innovations Grant Categories

    The Forest Service seeks proposals that significantly increase or 
stimulate markets for wood energy and wood products in a manner that 
has a measurable and meaningful long-term impact on National Forest 
System and other forest lands that need robust wood supply markets for 
low value wood.
    This Request for Proposal focuses on the following priorities to:
     Reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health on 
National Forest System and other forest lands.
     Reduce costs of forest management on all land types.
     Promote economic and environmental health of communities.
    Funding will be awarded to two separate categories outlined as 
follows.

Grant Category 1: Expansion of Wood Energy Markets

    The intent of this category is to stimulate, expand, or support 
wood energy markets that depend on forest residues or forest byproducts 
generated from all land types. Preference will be given to projects 
that make use of low value wood generated from National Forest System 
and other forest lands with high wildfire risk.
    The most competitive proposals will generate immediate and 
measurable on-the-ground results or substantially stimulate adoption of 
wood energy. Research based proposals or proposals incorporating 
technologies that are not commercially proven will not be competitive 
under this category.
    Grant Category 1 is separated into the following three main project 
types:

1. Statewide Wood Energy Teams

    Establish a statewide wood energy team that provides technical, 
financial, and outreach assistance for wood energy projects. Example 
team activities include, but are not limited to, holding public 
workshops, conducting prefeasibility and preliminary engineering 
assessments, offering training for Architects and Engineers to scope 
and design wood energy systems, and identifying financing 
opportunities.

    Note: You can view the activities of existing Statewide Wood 
Energy Teams at: http://na.fs.fed.us/werc/swet/. Proposals to 
establish a Statewide Wood Energy team in the following states will 
not be considered because a team is already in place: AK, AZ, CA, 
CO, ID, KY, MN, MT, NH, NM, NY, OR, VT, WA, WI, and WV.

2. Wood Energy Projects

    Complete engineering designs, cost analyses, permitting, or other 
requirements for wood energy projects that are necessary in the later 
stages of project development to secure financing.

    Note: Preference will be given to proposals that bundle or 
address multiple wood energy projects. Projects in early project 
scoping or planning that need preliminary analyses, pre-feasibility 
assessments, or other assistance that is typical in the early phases 
of project development will not be competitive.

3. Wood Energy Markets

    Expand or support wood energy markets that use low value wood 
residues for heating, cooling, or electricity production. Projects can 
include, but are not limited to the following:
    a. Develop a cluster of wood energy projects in a geographic area 
or specific sector (e.g., prisons, hospitals, universities, 
manufacturing sector, or industrial sector).
    b. Evaluate and recommend a commercial, institutional, or 
industrial sector most suitable for wood energy that has not 
traditionally used wood for heating, cooling, or electricity.
    c. Conduct a feasibility assessment of several municipalities that 
would be ideal candidates to construct a district wood energy system 
for heating, cooling, and electricity.
    d. Develop innovative financing or new funding opportunities for 
wood energy development.
    e. Overcome market barriers and stimulate expansion of wood energy 
in the commercial sector.

Grant Category 2: Expansion of Wood Products Markets

    The intent of this category is to promote markets that create or 
expand the demand for non-energy based wood products. Preference will 
be given to projects that support commercial building markets or other 
markets that use existing or innovative wood products. Wood energy 
projects will not be considered under this category because those 
projects can apply for funding under Grant Category 1.
    Projects can include, but are not limited to the following:
    1. Develop training on construction or manufacturing techniques 
that use new building materials or building designs (e.g., structural 
roundwood or cross-laminated timbers).
    2. Conduct a market analysis and perform targeted marketing to 
expand the use of wood materials in commercial construction (e.g., 
buildings or bridges).
    3. Establish statewide wood action teams that focus on using wood 
in support of Forest Service Regional/Area priorities and State Forest 
Action Plans.
    4. Facilitate establishment of new building codes to support 
expanded use of wood materials.
    5. Demonstrate the beneficial characteristics of wood as a green 
building material, including investments in life cycle assessments and 
environmental product declarations for wood products.
    6. Develop a carbon trading market protocol for wood building 
materials that accounts for the fossil carbon offset from using wood.
    7. Develop markets to use unexpected increases in volumes of wood 
caused by natural events (e.g., insects, diseases, hurricanes, 
tornadoes, and ice storms).
    8. Develop manufacturing capacity and markets for wood products 
that support forest ecosystem restoration, such as biochar, biofuel, 
mulch, and soil amendments.
    The above list of examples is not exhaustive and is intended only 
to give you a sense of the types of projects considered.
    Funding for construction projects or equipment purchases will not 
be funded under either Grant Category.

Application Process

    Application information is available at the following two Web 
sites:
     http://www.na.fs.fed.us/werc/ (under Wood Innovations)

[[Page 63893]]

     www.grants.gov (Search: Opportunity: USDA-FS-WERC-2015 or 
CFDA 10.674 Wood Utilization Assistance, Agency Forest Service).
    Applicants should consult with the appropriate Forest Service 
Regional Biomass Coordinator to develop proposals (see Table 1 of 
Contacts section). Proposals should align with Forest Service Regional/
Area priorities and State Forest Action Plans.
    Application Submission: Applications must be submitted by email to 
the respective Forest Service Regional Biomass Coordinator listed in 
the Contacts section of this announcement by 11:59 p.m. on January 23, 
2015. NO EXCEPTIONS. Paper submittals will not be accepted.
    Note: Your Forest Service Region is generally determined by the 
State where the majority of the proposed work will be conducted. Two 
Forest Service regions may exist in one State. You can locate your 
Forest Service region at: http://www.fs.fed.us/maps/products/guide-national-forests09.pdf. Consult with a Forest Service Regional Biomass 
Coordinator if you are not certain which Region applies.
    Application Format and Content: Each submittal must consist of two 
separate PDF files, preferably in a searchable format, as follows:
     PDF file #1: Application Part 1 (Cooperator Contact 
Information) and Application Part 2 (Proposal and Appendices).
     PDF file #2: Application Part 3 (Required Financial Forms, 
which must include SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, AD-1047, AD-1049 (or AD-
1052 for States and State agencies), AD-3030, FS-1500-35 (certificate 
regarding lobbying activities), and Financial Capability Questionnaire 
FS-1500-22).
    Note: The applicant must include a DUNS number and register at 
www.sam.gov to receive a federal award.
    Application Parts 1, 2, and 3 can be found at http://www.na.fs.fed.us/werc/ under Wood Innovations. Submit all application 
information at the same time.
    The Proposal in Application Part 2 must be presented on 8.5 x 11 
single-spaced pages with 1-inch margins using 12-point Times New Roman 
font. A maximum of 11 pages for items #1 through #5 listed below will 
be accepted for Application Part 2:
    1. Project Narrative (4 pages):
     The project narrative should provide a clear description 
and anticipated impact of the project, including the following where 
appropriate: (1) Magnitude of the impact on markets generating 
renewable energy or creating non-energy wood products; (2) Benefits to 
National Forest System lands (e.g., tons of biomass removed in fire-
prone areas, air quality improvements, cost savings for forest 
management, or carbon offsets); (3) Source of biomass removed from 
forested areas broken out by land ownership; and (4) Job creation and 
retention.
     Describe methods and reasoning for selecting areas of 
focus (e.g., geographic clusters, sector-based clusters, or larger 
projects to be targeted).
     Specify the number of years requested for the award.
    2. Program of Work (3 pages):
     Describe statement of need, goals, and objectives.
     Describe methods to accomplish goals and objectives.
     Specify projected accomplishments and deliverables.
     Discuss communication and outreach activities that create 
social acceptance in communities or markets where projects are 
targeted.
     Describe monitoring plan, which must include annual and 
final reports.
     Discuss all relevant aspects of the project, such as 
preliminary assessments, resource inventories, and success stories.
     Describe projected impact on wood energy or wood products 
markets.
     Include a timeline for key activities.
    3. Budget Summary and Justification in Support of SF-424A (2 
pages);
     Address proposed expenditures in relation to the proposed 
program of work.
     Specify cash and in-kind match, other Federal funds, and 
staff time that will help accomplish the program of work.
     Describe the fee structure if fee-for-services is planned.
    4. Qualifications of Staff, Organization, and Partners (1.5 page):
     Include key personnel qualifications, certifications, and 
relevant experience.
     Describe experience and success of any prior funded Forest 
Service projects.
    5. Project Outcomes, Annual Progress Reports, and Final Reports 
(0.5 pages):
     List anticipated project outcomes and accomplishments.
     Describe types of reports, documents, and success stories 
that will be provided at the end of the project to be posted on the 
Wood Education and Resource Center Web site.
    Documentation exceeding the designated page limit requirements for 
any given section will not be considered. Appendices should be very 
well organized so that a reviewer can readily find information of 
interest. Include information in the Appendices that will help a review 
panel better understand and evaluate your project. Below are examples 
of information to include in the Appendices:
     Feasibility Assessments
     Woody Biomass Resource Supply Assessment
     If appropriate, quotes for Professional Engineering 
Services and rationale for selection of contractor, if already 
selected.
     Letters of Support from Partners, Individuals, or 
Organizations, especially those playing a key role or providing any 
matching funds. Letters of support should display the degree of 
collaboration occurring between the different entities engaged on 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.
     Miscellaneous, such as schematics, engineering designs, or 
executive summaries of reports.
     List of all other Federal funds received for this project 
within the last 3 years (include agency, program name, and dollar 
amount).

Proposal Evaluation

    All applications will be screened to ensure basic compliance with 
the directions in this announcement. Applications not following the 
directions will be disqualified without appeal. A panel of Federal 
experts and their designees will perform a thorough technical review of 
eligible proposals and evaluate the proposals according to the criteria 
outlined in this announcement. Regional Foresters and the Northeastern 
Area Director will rank proposals according to regional and area 
priorities. The panel, Regional Foresters, and Northeastern Area 
Director will submit their recommendations to the Forest Service 
national leadership for a final decision.
    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 goals and objectives of this Request for 
Proposals. (20 points)
     Technical approach, deliverables, and timetable. (30 
points)
     Impact on wood energy or wood products markets. (20 
points)
     Qualifications, relevant experience, and roles of team 
members. (20 points)
     Leveraging of federal funds. (10 points)


[[Page 63894]]


    Dated: September 19, 2014.
James Hubbard,
Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 2014-25514 Filed 10-24-14; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P