Application Notes:

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on February 28, 2025. Hard-copy applications must be hand delivered or postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight by 4:30 p.m. ET on that date.

Applications must be submitted online at www.ecivis.com/grants.gov. Alternatively, one original and one hard copy of the application may be mailed, delivered, or hand delivered to the address provided in the Contact section. Faxed or emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Applications must include:

• SF 424
• Project abstract and eligibility statement (3 pages max)
• Project narrative proposal:
  • Table of contents
  • Executive summary (1 page max)
  • Project description (25 pages max)
• Forms and certifications:
  • SF 424A (if applicable)
  • SF 424C and SF 424D (if applicable)
  • SF LLL
  • Evidence of active or unexpired System for Award Management (SAM) registration
  • Form RD 400-1
  • Form RD 400-4
  • Environmental questionnaire
• Supplementary materials (10 pages max)

Applications must be formatted on standard-sized, numbered pages with one-inch margins. Preferred typefaces are 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, 10-point Verdana, or 10-point Courier font. Narratives may be formatted on single-spaced or double-spaced pages. Hard-copy applications must be printed on single-sided white pages.

The following are required in order to submit an application:

• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number
• SAM (System for Award Management) registration

Applicants may obtain a UEI number and verify or renew SAM registration status at www.ecivis.com/sam.

Prior to submitting an application, applicants may request technical assistance or other application guidance from Robin Meigel, using the information provided in the Contact section, if such requests are made prior to February 13, 2025.

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Project design and technical merit (65 points)
• Priority considerations (35 points)

Refer to the NOFA and Guide files for additional application information.

Match Notes:

Matching funds are not required for this program; however, the funding agency will consider other financial resources available to the applicant and any voluntary pledge of matching funds or other contributions in assessing the applicant’s commitment and financial capacity to complete the proposed project.

Funding Notes:

Approximately $8 million to $10 million is expected to be available to support awards ranging from $100,000 to $3 million through this program.

Award dates will vary depending on the timing of environmental reviews. Selected finalists are expected to be determined within six months of the application deadline.

The project period is three years. Approvals of any extensions to the original award term are at the sole discretion of the funding agency.

Costs of project development and feasibility analyses are limited to 10 percent of the total project costs.

Soft costs are limited to 15 percent of the award budget and may not exceed the following parameters:

• Planning studies and administrative expenditures are limited to 4 percent of the total award amount
• Indirect overhead charges are limited to 4 percent of the total award amount
• Equipment markups are limited to 10 percent of the total award amount, inclusive of any exclusive distribution rights, that may not be levied, unless service provider offers purchase credit to bridge receipt of award disbursements
• Project management services are limited to 8 percent of the total award mount or the actual cost of management services that is calculated as a function of time and hourly pricing
• Engineering design fees are limited to 10 percent of the total award amount

Funds may not be used for:

• Costs to prepare an application or any finders’ fees or incentives for assisting in the preparation or submission of an application
• Purchases of fuel or payment of utility bills
• Routine maintenance or other operating costs
• Purchase of equipment, structures, or real estate not directly associated with provision of residential energy services
• Projects that primarily or only consist of educational, outreach, and audit or assessment activities and do not include a substantial investment in physical infrastructure or energy saving improvements
• Projects that primarily benefit a single household or business
• Projects that primarily benefit areas outside of eligible communities
• Research, development, demonstration, or commercialization activities
• Political activities
• Payment of any judgment or debt owed to the United States

Refer to pages 22-23 of the NOFA file for additional information regarding unallowable costs.