[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 236 (Thursday, December 9, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76695-76698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-30974]
========================================================================
Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 236 / Thursday, December 9, 2010 /
Notices
[[Page 76695]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Request for Proposals for 2011 Woody Biomass Utilization Grant
Program
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Request for proposals.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and
Private Forestry, Technology Marketing Unit, located at the Forest
Products Laboratory, requests proposals for wood energy projects that
require engineering services. These projects will use woody biomass
material removed from forest restoration activities, such as 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 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 such projects
include engineering design of a (1) woody biomass boiler for steam at a
sawmill, (2) non-pressurized hot water system for various applications
at a hospital or school, and (3) biomass power generation facility, or
similar facilities. This program is aimed at helping applicants
complete the necessary design work needed to secure public and/or
private investment for construction. In particular, USDA Rural
Development has established grants and loan programs that might help
fund construction of such facilities. However, engineering design must
be completed prior to submitting an application to this and other
Federal, State, or private funding sources.
DATES: Tuesday, March 1, 2011.
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.
Forest Service, Region 1, (MT, ND, Northern ID & Northwestern SD)
ATT: Dave Atkins, USDA Forest Service, Northern Region (R1), Federal
Building, 200 East Broadway, Missoula, MT 59807, [email protected],
(406) 329-3134
Forest Service, Region 2, (CO, KS, NE, SD, & WY)
ATT: Susan Ford, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region (R2), 740
Simms St., Golden, CO 80401-4720, [email protected], (303) 275-5742
Forest Service, Region 3, (AZ & NM)
ATT: Jerry Payne, USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region (R3), 333
Broadway Blvd., SE., Albuquerque, NM 87102, [email protected], (505)
842-3391
Forest Service, Region 4, (Southern ID, NV, UT, & Western WY)
ATT: Scott Bell, USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region (R4),
Federal Building, 324 25th St., Ogden, UT 84401-2300, [email protected],
(801) 625-5259
Forest Service, Region 5, (CA, HI, Guam and Trust Territories of the
Pacific Islands)
ATT: Janice Gauthier, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region
(R5), 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 95492-1110, [email protected],
(707) 562-8875
Forest Service, Region 6, (OR & WA)
ATT: Ron Saranich, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region (R6),
333 SW 1st Ave., Portland, OR 97204, [email protected], (503) 808-
2346
Forest Service, Region 8, (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN,
TX, VA, Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico)
ATT: Tim Mersmann, USDA Forest Service, Southern Region (R8), 1720
Peachtree Rd., NW., Atlanta, GA 30309, [email protected], (404) 347-
1649
Forest Service, Region 9, (CT, DL, IL, IN, IA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NH,
NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WV, WI)
ATT: Lew McCreery, Northeastern Area--S&PF, 11 Campus Blvd., Suite 200,
Newtown Square, PA 19073-3200, [email protected], (304) 285-1538
Forest Service, Region 10, (Alaska)
ATT: Steve Patterson, USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region (R10), 3301 C
Street, Suite 202, Anchorage, AK 99503-3956, [email protected],
(907) 743-9451
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
http://www.grants.gov. Paper copies of the information are also
available by contacting the U.S. Forest Service, S&PF Technology
Marketing Unit, One Gifford Pinchot Dr., Madison, Wisconsin 53726-2398,
608-231-9518.
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, 608-231-9518, [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 of 2011,
the Agency is requesting proposals to address the nationwide challenge
of using low-value woody biomass material to create renewable energy.
Goals of the grant program are:
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.
Reduce forest management costs 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 reduce business risk to increase
use of woody biomass from our nation's forestlands for renewable energy
projects.
[[Page 76696]]
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 percent match of the total project cost. 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 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 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
1-866-606-8220.
2. Award Information
Total funding anticipated for awards is $3.7 million for the 2011
WBU program. Individual grants cannot exceed $250,000. The Federal
government's obligation under this program is contingent upon the
availability of 2011 appropriated funds. No legal liability on the part
of the Government shall be incurred until funds are committed by the
grant officer for this program to the applicant in writing. Grants can
be for 2 years from the date of award. Written annual financial
performance reports and semi-annual project performance reports shall
be required and submitted to the appropriate grant officer. The grant
funds are taxable income and a Form 1099 Miscellaneous Income will be
sent by the U.S. Forest Service to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
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 prior to the grant application. Only applications that
have already completed, at minimum (a) a Comprehensive Feasibility
Assessment of the project by qualified and credible parties, and (b) a
Woody Biomass Resource Supply Assessment, shall be considered. These
two reports shall be provided for evidence and demonstration of the
viability of the project with the application in the Appendix.
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 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 5-year biomass fuel pricing forecast for material
or blend of material meeting fuel specifications delivered to project
site (required for financial pro forma).
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 directions for submission shall
be disqualified without appeal. Directions can be found at http://
[[Page 76697]]
www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu under Grants and Funding.
The appropriate Forest Service region will 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 project by Federal experts or their designees. Panel
reviewers 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, shall be submitted to the Forest Service national
leadership, who 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 minimum 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
minimum and less if the opposite. 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.
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 post marked by
Tuesday, March 1, 2011, and received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday,
March 4, 2011. NO EXCEPTIONS. 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. Your
Forest Service region is determined by the State or Forest Service
region where the bioenergy facility will be sited. The electronic
version submitted to the Regional Biomass Coordinator should be on a
USB flash drive or compact disc (CD). No emails shall be accepted.
Applications may also be submitted electronically through http://www.grants.gov.
b. Application Format. Each submittal shall be in PDF format, with
a minimum font size of 11 letters per inch. Top, bottom, and side
margins shall be no less than three-quarters of an inch. All pages
shall be clearly numbered. 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.
c. Application Content. All forms can be found at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu under Grants and Funding.
i. 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. The project narrative is limited to 10
pages, and excludes Project Summary, SF 424 and SF 424A, budget summary
justification, community benefit statement, and letters of support.
The project narrative shall include, but is not limited to, the
following:
Geographical location where project takes place, condition
of the forestland(s), and consequences of not doing forest health
treatments.
Current handling and disposal practices for material
available for project.
Proposed woody biomass bioenergy facility, markets and
customers, amount of woody biomass that will be used on an annual
basis, amount and type of fossil-based fuel offset and recommendations
from the Comprehensive Feasibility Assessment.
Various required elements of the engineering design
analysis and bid process. The engineering design analysis shall ensure
public safety, compliance with all relevant and applicable laws,
regulations, agreements, permits, codes, and standards. Engineering
services shall only be procured from qualified parties, usually
professional engineering firms that assume responsibility and liability
for system design. The engineering analysis must be complete,
comprehensive, and include site selection, system and component
selections, including emissions systems, and system monitoring
equipment. Minimum analysis shall include: (1) Fuel specification; (2)
equipment specification and design layout; (3) load and power analysis;
(4) alternative scenarios with pros and cons of each and associated
cost analysis; (5) siting requirements for each scenario; (6)
agreements, permits and certifications necessary for each alternative;
and (7) bid preparation.
Brief discussion of qualifications of proposed engineering
firm (full description of qualifications and portfolio of designs shall
be included in Appendix 3).
Explanation of how the project will improve efficiencies
for harvesting or processing woody biomass into renewable energy.
Detailed description of technologies that the engineering
services will analyze (combustion, two-stage gasification,
fermentation, etc.).
Clear explanation of how the project will retain, create,
or expand local jobs opportunities once the system is operational, how
these jobs will be sustained, and how they will be documented for audit
purposes.
Project work plan, including start and end dates, key
tasks, previous
[[Page 76698]]
project feasibility studies (as appropriate), and timelines.
Identification of individuals responsible for implementing
and ensuring project success.
Long-term benefits of project and the length of time the
benefits and impacts are anticipated.
Expansion capability, such as potential to expand the
application.
Environmental documentation and permits, if applicable,
and positive and negative environmental consequences to forested lands
with and without project.
Projected reduction in green house gases and water
pollution, improvements in wildlife habitats, and adoption of new
cleaner technologies.
Explanation of evaluation and monitoring plans and how
these would be implemented to evaluate degree of success.
Description of accountability and reporting procedures to
ensure all requirements of this grant are achieved.
ii. Appendices.
The following information shall be included in appendices to the
application in addition to the Comprehensive Feasibility Assessment and
Woody Biomass Resource Supply Assessment.
Qualifications and Portfolio of Engineering Services: 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 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.
Quotes for Professional Engineering Services Considered
(minimum of two quotes): Rationale for selection of engineering firm,
if already selected.
Community Benefit Statement (maximum one page): 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. Letters of support from community leaders
demonstrating on-going community collaboration, where appropriate.
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. This information
will not be sent forward to technical reviewers.
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 SF 424 and SF 424A. Each letter of support is limited to
one page in length.
Federal Funds: List all other Federal funds received for
this project within the last 3 years. List agency, program name, and
dollar amount.
Administrative Forms: AD 1047, 1048, 1049, SF 424B and
certificate regarding lobbying activities are standard forms that need
to be included and are required before a grant can be awarded. These
forms can be accessed at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu under Grants and
Funding.
c. Application Order. Assemble information in the following order.
Project Summary (one page limit)
Application for Federal Assistance SF 424 and Budget
Summary SF 424A
Project Narrative (10 page limit)
Budget Summary Justification in support of SF 424A (two
page limit)
Appendices
(1) Comprehensive Feasibility Assessment.
(2) Woody Biomass Resource Supply Assessment.
(3) Qualifications and experience portfolio of engineering firm who
will do engineering design work.
(4) Quotes for professional engineering services (minimum of two
quotes).
(5) Community Benefit Statement (maximum of one page).
(6) Letters of support or commitment.
(7) List of all other federal funds received for this project.
(8) Administrative Forms (found at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu).
(a) SF 424B Assurances.
(b) AD 1047 Certification Regarding Debarment Primary Tier.
(c) AD 1048 Certification Regarding Debarment Lower Tier.
(d) AD 1049 Certification Regarding Drug Free Workplace.
(e) Certification Regarding Lobbying.
Dated: November 30, 2010.
Robin L. Thompson.
Associate Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 2010-30974 Filed 12-8-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P