Region 8
2012 Wetlands Program Development Grant Questions and Answers
Question from Shanny Spang Gion, Northern Cheyenne Tribe:
In the WPDG RFP on page 2 it states that "State and Tribal applicant cannot submit one proposal covering both tracks." Can you clarify for me what this means?
EPA Response: Applicants must submit a proposal for each track. They must be submitted separately.
Question from Brad Johnson, Ft. Collins, CO
The CWCB board meeting is March 21. We have an application in to CWCB for match funding. I believe they will make a decision that day, but obviously this is right up against the WPDG due date. Do you have any advice as to how to handle this? For instance, in the case that CWCB were to defer decision to a later date, or the formal commitment letter could not be made available before the due date.
EPA Response:
You cannot use a match that you do not have prior approval and/or communicated their intent . You may address in a support letter from the CWCB that their intent to support the proposal with match but has not been confirmed. If the proposal ranks high enough to get funded. The designated Project Officer for the grant will work with you to ensure all match identify in the proposal is confirmed.
Question from: Andria Marsh, Colorado State University
The announcement says that there is a preliminary proposal due by March 26th, and those who have based the initial review will be asked to submit a full proposal. Is the preliminary submission the 16pg workplan? Clarification will help us narrow/expand our proposal as needed.
EPA Response:
The simply answer to your question is yes. The announcement states that all proposals are due by March 26th and following EPA's evaluation of proposals, all applicants will be notified regarding their status. FINAL application(s) will be requested from the eligible applicants whose proposal(s) have been preliminarily recommended for award. Please reference pages 18 & 19 of the RFP for specific instructions on page limits of the proposal workplan.
Question from Janice Jackson, Fish & Wildlife, Olympia, WA
Can you advise if the referenced opportunity is available to states outside Region 8?
EPA Response:
The FY12/FY13 WPDG is for R8 States/Tribes only. Work must be completed within the 6 states (e.g., Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming).
Question: Why did R8 decide to implement a 2-yr funding process?
EPA Response: It would give us the opportunity to provide two fiscal years of funding under one RFP. Applicants know the contents of the RFP and have been through the process before making it easier for all. The RFP hasn’t changed in concept from FY11 and the focus is still WPPs and the Core Elements Framework.
Question: If a proposal doesn’t get selected, can they reapply in FY13?
EPA Response: No. They will have to wait until FY14 to reapply.
Question: If we do not get selected, will the Region hold proposals for the next solicitation (FY14)?
EPA Response: No. All applicants will need to re-apply under the FY14/FY15 Request for Proposals.
Question: Can one proposal be submitted for both Track One and Two?
EPA Response: No. Applicants must submit a proposal for each track. They must be submitted separately.
Question: Will they rank/score higher if they have an EPA approved WPP in place?
EPA Response: There are no additional points for having an EPA approved WPP; however, the focus of the FY12 WPDG RFP is the development of WPPs and there are more funds available under Track One to accommodate the RFP focus. The Region has discretion to move funds between the two tracks, if necessary.
Question: How will we handle second year funding?
EPA Response: All proposals will be incrementally funded. Incremental funding will be determined based on an assessment of the work plan. The increments will be determined based on the budgets submitted with the work plan and how best to support the work under the two-year project.
Question: Will we accept proposal for 1 year funding only?
EPA Response: Yes. We will accept proposals for 1 year funding. However, the Request for Proposals will not be announced until FY14. Applicants need to be aware there will be no announcement in FY13, which means no funds available.
Question: If we get awarded can we put our funds in a PPG? Can we have a multi-year PPG?
EPA Response: Yes. If awarded, applicants can put funds into their PPG. The PPG will be amended to accommodate the two year funding. Each applicant will be assessed as to the validity of using their PPG as the funding vehicle. If the applicant is experiencing an administrative burden using the PPG vehicle, the Wetland grant will be a standalone grant. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Question: What if the FY13 estimate is less than the final EPA R8 allocation? How will that affect the incremental funds for FY13?
EPA Response: If the Region receives less than the estimate, the incremental funds will be cut by the percentage of the difference. The Project Officers assigned to each grant will work with the grantees to determine how, what and where to adjust the funding and work plan, if necessary.
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