[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 33 (Tuesday, February 19, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11622-11625]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03768]
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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,
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 33 / Tuesday, February 19, 2013 /
Notices
[[Page 11622]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Request for Proposals: 2013 Hazardous Fuels Woody Biomass
Utilization Grant Program
AGENCY: U.S. Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Request for Proposals.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, State
and Private Forestry (S&PF), Technology Marketing Unit, located at the
Forest Products Laboratory, requests proposals for wood energy projects
that require engineering services. These projects will use woody
biomass, such as material removed from forest restoration activities,
wildfire hazardous fuel treatments, insect and disease mitigation,
forest management due to catastrophic weather events, and/or thinning
overstocked stands. The woody biomass shall be used in a bioenergy
facility that uses commercially proven technologies to produce thermal,
electrical or liquid/gaseous bioenergy. The funds from the Hazardous
Fuels Woody Biomass Utilization Grant program (WBU) must be used to
further the planning of such facilities by funding the engineering
services necessary for final design and cost analysis. Examples of
projects might include engineering design of a woody biomass boiler for
steam at a sawmill, hospital or school; non-pressurized hot water
system for various applications; and biomass power generation facility.
To join in support of the public interest and general welfare, to
protect communities and critical infrastructure, the applicants
applying to this program seek assistance to complete the necessary
engineering design work required to secure public and/or private
funding for construction for developing local enterprises to better
utilize woody biomass. An example of public funding is the USDA Rural
Development grants and loan programs that might help fund construction
of such facilities. The lack of a professional engineering design often
limits the ability of an applicant or business to secure Federal, State
or private funding.
DATES: Monday, April 8, 2013, Application Deadline.
ADDRESSES: All applications must be sent to the respective Forest
Service Regional Office listed below for initial review. These offices
will be the point of contact for final awards.
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Forest Service Region 1, (MT, ND, Forest Service Region 2, (CO, KS,
Northern ID & Northwestern SD), NE, SD, & WY), ATT: Sherry
ATT: Angela Farr, USDA Forest Hazelhurst, USDA Forest Service,
Service, Northern Region (R1), Rocky Mountain Region (R2), 740
Federal Building, 200 East Simms St. Golden, CO 80401-4702,
Broadway, Missoula, MT 59807, [email protected], (303) 275-
[email protected], (406) 329-3521. 5750.
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Forest Service Region 3, (AZ & NM), Forest Service Region 4, (Southern
ATT: Dennis Dwyer, USDA Forest ID, NV, UT, & Western WY), ATT:
Service, Southwestern Region (R3), Scott Bell, USDA Forest Service,
333 Broadway Blvd. SE., Intermountain Region (R4), Federal
Albuquerque, NM 87102, Building, 324 25th St., Ogden, UT
[email protected], (505) 842-3480. 84401, [email protected], (801) 625-
5259.
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Forest Service Region 5, (CA, HI, Forest Service Region 6, (OR & WA),
Guam and Trust Territories of the ATT: Ron Saranich, USDA Forest
Pacific Islands), ATT: Larry Swan, Service, Pacific Northwest Region
USDA Forest Service, Pacific (R6), 333 SW 1st Ave., Portland,
Southwest Region (R5), 1323 Club OR 97204, [email protected],
Drive, Vallejo, CA 95492-1110, (503) 808-2346.
[email protected], (707) 562-8917.
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Forest Service Region 8, (AL, AR, Forest Service Region 9, (CT, DL,
FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, IL, IN, IA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN,
TN, TX, VA, Virgin Islands & MO, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT,
Puerto Rico), ATT: Dan Len, USDA WV, WI), ATT: Lew McCreery,
Forest Service, Southern Region Northeastern Area--S&PF, 180
(R8), 1720 Peachtree Rd. NW., Canfield St., Morgantown, WV
Atlanta, GA 30309, [email protected], 26505, [email protected], (304)
(404) 347-4034. 285-1538.
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Forest Service Region 10, (Alaska), ...................................
ATT: Daniel Parrent, USDA Forest
Service, Alaska Region (R10), 161
East 1st Avenue, Door 8,
Anchorage, AK 99501,
[email protected], (907) 743-
9467.
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Detailed information regarding what to include in the application,
definitions of terms, eligibility, and necessary prerequisites for
consideration is available at www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu and at
www.grants.gov. Paper copies of the information are also available by
contacting the Forest Service, S&PF Technology Marketing Unit, One
Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53726-2398, 608-231-9504.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions regarding the grant
application or administrative regulations, contact your appropriate
Forest Service Regional Biomass Coordinator as listed in the addresses
above or contact the Technology Marketing Unit, Madison, WI, (608) 231-
9504, [email protected]: Individuals who use telecommunication
devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at
1-800-877-8339 twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year,
including holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To address the goals of Public Law 110-234,
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Rural Revitalization
Technologies (7 U.S.C. 6601), and the anticipated Department of the
Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriation Act of 2013,
the Agency is requesting proposals to address the
[[Page 11623]]
nationwide challenge of using low-value woody biomass material to
create renewable energy and protect communities and critical
infrastructure from wildfires.
Goals of the grant program are to:
Promote projects that target and help remove economic and
market barriers to using woody biomass for renewable energy.
Assist projects that produce renewable energy from woody
biomass while protecting the public interest.
Reduce the public's cost for forest restoration by
increasing the value of biomass and other forest products generated
from hazardous fuels reduction and forest health activities on forested
lands.
Create incentives and/or encourage business investment
that uses woody biomass from our nation's forestlands for renewable
energy projects.
Grant Requirements
1. Eligibility Information
a. Eligible Applicants. Eligible applicants are businesses,
companies, corporations, state, local and tribal governments, school
districts, communities, non-profit organizations, or special purpose
districts (e.g., public utilities districts, fire districts,
conservation districts, or ports). Only one application per business or
organization shall be accepted.
b. Cost Sharing (Matching Requirement). Applicants shall
demonstrate at least a 20% match of the total project cost. This match
shall be from non-federal sources, which can include cash or in-kind
contributions.
c. DUNS Number. All applicants shall include a Dun and Bradstreet,
Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in their application. For
this requirement, the applicant is the entity that meets the
eligibility criteria and has the legal authority to apply for and
receive a WBU grant. For assistance in obtaining a DUNS number at no
cost, call the DUNS number request line (1-866-705-5711) or register
on-line at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform.
d. System for Award Management (SAM). The applicant should be aware
that prospective awardees shall be registered in the SAM database prior
to award, during performance, and through final payment of any grant
resulting from this solicitation. Further information can be found at
www.sam.gov. For assistance, contact the SAM Assistance Center (1-866-
606-8220).
2. Award Information
Total funding anticipated for awards is about $3.0 million for the
2013 WBU program. Individual grants cannot exceed $250,000. The Federal
government's obligation under this program is contingent upon the
availability of 2013 appropriated funds. No legal liability on the part
of the Government shall be incurred until appropriated funds are
available and committed in writing through a grant award letter issued
by the grant officer to the applicant. Grants can be for two years from
the date of award. Written annual financial performance reports and
semi-annual project performance reports are required and shall be
submitted to the appropriate grant officer. A grant awarded under this
program will generate an IRS Form 1099 Miscellaneous Income that will
be filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and provided to the
awardee. However, the USDA expresses no opinion on the taxability, if
any, of the grant funds awarded. Awardees are expected to follow all
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements
regarding safe working practices and all applicable Federal, State and
local regulations pertinent to the proposed project.
3. Application Prerequisites
This grant program requires that projects have had considerable
advance work completed prior to submitting a grant application. Only
applicants that have already completed and submitted with their
applications: (a) A Comprehensive Feasibility Assessment of the project
by qualified and credible parties, (b) a Woody Biomass Resource Supply
Assessment and, (c) past three years of financial statements (balance
sheets, income statements and cash flow analysis) shall be considered.
Corporate annual reports will not be accepted as evidence of due
diligence for a business. In addition, for-profit applicants, as well
as non-profit organizations should have a Dun and Bradstreet rating
that falls within the following categories:
(1) Financial stress rating should be 1, 2 or 3;
(2) Credit score should be 1, 2 or 3; and
(3) Paydex score should be between 60 and 100 (0 being the lowest
and 100 the highest).
For state, local and tribal governments and other governmental entities
(school districts), appropriate sector ratings from Moody's should be
in the range from Aaa to A. Entities with Municipal Bond rating Baa to
Ba will be considered with reservations. Entities with Municipal Bond
Ratings between B and C (including B, Caa, Ca, and C) will not qualify.
The two assessments and three years of financial statements shall be
included with the submission. The Dun and Bradstreet and Moody's
financial ratings will be obtained by the Technology Marketing Unit for
the review process as evidence of the financial capability of the
applicant. Applicants will not be charged for the Dun and Bradstreet or
Moody's reports. All financial information is kept confidential.
a. The Comprehensive Feasibility Assessment shall address, at
minimum, the following items:
Economic feasibility analysis of site, labor force wages
and availability, utilities, access and transportation systems, raw
material feedstock needs, and overall economic impact, including job
creation and retention, displayed by employment associated with
operating the facility itself and supplying the facility (jobs created
and jobs retained on a full-time equivalent basis). Also required in
the economic analysis is a market feasibility study, including analysis
of the market(s) for the power, heat, fuel, or other energy product
produced, market area, marketing plans for projected output, if needed,
extent of competition for the particular target market(s), extent of
competition for supply and delivered costs and general characterization
of supply availability (more detailed information is provided in the
Woody Biomass Resource Supply Assessment section).
Technical feasibility analysis shall include an assessment
of the recommended renewable energy technology, what other technologies
were considered, why the recommended renewable energy technology was
chosen, assessment of site suitability given the recommended renewable
energy technology, actions and costs necessary to mitigate
environmental impacts sufficient to meet regulatory requirements,
developmental costs, capital investment costs, operational costs,
projected income, estimated accuracy of these costs and income
projections, realistic sensitivity analysis with clear and explicit
assumptions, and identification of project constraints or limitations.
Financial feasibility analysis shall include projected
income and cash flow for at least 36 months, description of cost
accounting system, availability of short-term credit for operational
phase, and pro forma financial 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
[[Page 11624]]
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 compared to projected annual fuel use (i.e., a ratio usually
exceeding 2.0:1); and
Minimum five-year biomass fuel pricing forecast for
material or blend of material meeting fuel specifications delivered to
project site (required for financial pro forma).
c. Financial Statements: All applicants shall submit the last three
years of historical financial statements (balance sheets, income
statements, and cash flow analysis).
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). Applicants not following the directions for submission shall be
disqualified without appeal. Directions can be found at
www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu under 2013 Woody Biomass Utilization Grant
Program. The appropriate Forest Service region shall provide a
preliminary review 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 from
different federal agencies, experienced in energy systems, financing
projects, and/or forestry. Panel reviewers will independently evaluate
each proposed project for technical and financial merit and assign a
score using the criteria listed in Section 5. Technical and financial
merits, along with the regional priorities, will be submitted to the
Forest Service national leadership 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 available points will be awarded.
More points can be earned if the reviewer determines that a proposal
exceeds the basic criteria and fewer if a proposal falls short of the
basic criteria. A maximum of 225 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 and
increased system fuel use efficiency (in percentage) once project is
operational. Annualized fuel use efficiency for average annual system
conditions is calculated as follows: Fuel Use efficiency = (Net BTUs
used by processes + BTUs of electricity produced by generator) divided
by (BTUs of inputted fuel to boiler (HHV)). Project provides impact in
geographic area appropriate for size of projected facility and is
reasonable and substantiated. (Note: 1 therm = 100,000 BTUs). Examples
of typical energy efficiencies include: 1) Electricity only = 25%; 2)
electricity plus low pressure steam for dry kilns = 45%; and 3) boiler
processes that use backpressure turbine ahead of process = 65%. All
calculations shall be shown. (See www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu under Woody
Biomass Grant program for Btu content of wood at various moisture
contents.) Total Points 30
e. Documentation of collaborations 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
i. Description of outreach efforts to maximize dissemination of
project results and pass on lessons learned. Total Points 10
6. Application Information
a. Application Submission. Applications shall be time stamped
showing the time of sending by United States Postal Service or other
commercial delivery company no later than midnight Monday, April 8,
2013. No exceptions. If submitted through grants.gov, the date
submitted shall be by midnight Monday, April 8, 2013. One paper copy
and an electronic version shall be submitted to the Regional Biomass
Coordinator of your Forest Service region, as listed previously in the
ADDRESSES section even if submitted through grants.gov. Your Forest
Service region is generally determined by the state in which the
bioenergy facility is located. However, in a few instances, two Forest
Service regions may exist in one state. Forest Service regions can be
located at http://www.fs.fed.us/maps/products/guide-national-forests09.pdf. The electronic version submitted to the Regional Biomass
Coordinator should be a single pdf file on a USB flash drive or compact
disc (CD). No emails shall be accepted.
[[Page 11625]]
Applications may also be submitted electronically through
www.grants.gov.
b. Application Format and Content. Each submittal should be in PDF
format. The application template form FPL-1500-4 is in word format and
is recommended to be used. After completing the template, the document
should be saved as a PDF format either using Adobe Acrobat or Word
software. The template form FPL-1500-4 along with directions for
completing can be found at the www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu. Paper copy shall
be single sided on 8.5- by 11-inch plain white paper only (no colored
paper, over-sized paper, or special covers). Do not staple. All forms
and application template can be found at www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu 2013
Hazardous Fuels Woody Biomass Utilization Grant Program.
Outline of form FPL-1500-4 and mandatory appendices
(1) Project Summary Sheet
(2) Title Page
(3) Project Narrative
The project narrative shall provide a clear description of the work
to be performed, impact on removing woody biomass and creating renewal
energy (e.g., tons of biomass removed that would have otherwise been
burned, cost savings to landowners, source of biomass removed from
forested areas, broken-out by ownership), and how jobs will be created
and/or retained, and sustained. Application narrative should address
the 15 discussion areas listed on the form FPL-1500-4.
(4) Budget Summary Justification in Support of SF 424A.
(5) Qualifications and Summary Portfolio of Engineering Services
For the engineering systems, the project usually consists of a
system designer, project manager, equipment supplier, project engineer,
construction contractor or system installer and a system operator and
maintainer. One individual or entity may serve more than one role. The
project team must have demonstrated expertise in similar bioenergy
systems development, engineering, installation, and maintenance.
Authoritative evidence that project team service providers have the
necessary professional credentials or relevant experience to perform
the required services must be provided. Authoritative evidence that
vendors of proprietary components can provide necessary equipment and
spare parts for the system to operate over its design life must also be
provided. A list of the same or similar projects designed, installed
and currently operating with references shall be provided along with
appropriate contacts.
(6) Community Benefit Statement.
Provide a one page narrative on the social, environmental and
economic impacts and the importance of the project to the community.
Include substantiated facts and benefits, such as local employment
rate, per capita income and fossil fuel impacts with and without the
project. Include letters of support from community leaders
demonstrating on-going community collaboration, where appropriate, in
the appendix. Forest Service regions shall use this information to help
evaluate regional impacts, particularly impact of job creation and
retention as appropriate at the geographic scale for the region and how
this grant award provides for the overall general welfare of the
region.
(7) Appendices.
The following information shall be included in the appendices and
scanned into a single PDF file:
a. Comprehensive Feasibility Assessment.
b. Woody Biomass Resource Supply Assessment.
c. Quotes for Professional Engineering Services considered (minimum
of two quotes): Rationale for selection of engineering firm, if already
selected.
d. Letters of Support from Partners, Individuals, or Organizations:
Letters of support shall be included in an appendix and are intended to
display the degree of collaboration occurring between the different
entities engaged in the project. These letters shall include partner
commitments of cash or in-kind services from all those listed in the SF
424 and SF 424A. Each letter of support is limited to one page in
length.
e. Federal Funds: List all other Federal funds received for this
project within the last three years. List agency, program name, and
dollar amount.
f. Miscellaneous, such as schematics.
g. Last three years of financial statements (balance sheets, income
statements, cash flow analysis).
h. Administrative Forms: SF 424, SF 424A, SF 424B and AD 1047,
1048, 1049 and certificate regarding lobbying activities are standard
forms that shall be included in the application. These forms can be
accessed at www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu under 2013 Woody Biomass Grant
Program.
Dated: November 2, 2012.
Victoria Christiansen,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief.
[FR Doc. 2013-03768 Filed 2-15-13; 8:45 am]
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