Application Notes:

Prior to submitting an application, applicants are required to complete a mandatory registration with FedConnect at www.fedconnect.net.

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on March 3, 2025.

Applications must be submitted online at www.ecivis.com/grants.gov. Mailed or faxed submissions will not be accepted.

Applications must include:

• SF 424
• SF 424A
• Project narrative
• Budget narrative and estimates
• Standard Title VI/non-discrimination assurances
• Certification regarding lobbying
• Approved negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (if applicable)

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.

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Establishment of clear goals and objectives focused on areas where a pipeline failure could pose a significant risk to people or to unusually sensitive environmental areas
• Identification of specific pipeline safety concerns or risks to stakeholders and/or communities to be addressed in affected geographic areas
• Applicant’s experience with, and commitment to, foster meaningful public involvement with affected operators and other key members of the community to ensure project success
• Alignment with challenges and strategies for advancing pipeline safety and whether the project seeks to improve performance and safety over time in such areas as engineering, damage prevention, land use planning, public awareness, education and outreach, emergency response, and community awareness
• Clear establishment of resources, milestones, and estimated project costs that align with project goals and objectives
• Identification of measurable results and deliverables and specification of how results will be evaluated and disseminated to affected stakeholders
• Potential for learning or technology transfer to other groups and communities

Refer to pages 11-14 of the NOFA file for additional information regarding the application evaluation process.

Refer to the NOFA file and Application folder for additional application information.

Match Notes:

Matching funds are not required for this program; however, applicants should detail any other funding sources, including other federal funding sources, for the project in the application.

Funding Notes:

Approximately $2 million is expected to be available to support awards of up to $100,000 each through this program.

The funding agency will also issue an additional award of $1 million to an eligible applicant for the purpose of improving the quality of technical assistance provided to communities or individuals under Title 49, Section 60130(c)(2) of the USC.

Award recipients may request up to 50 percent of the total award amount upon execution of the award agreement.

Awards are expected to be made by September 30, 2025. The project period will span 12 months from the effective date of award.

Funds may not be used for:

• Renewal or supplementation of existing projects
• Projects addressing pipeline facilities regulated under Public Law 93-153 (43 USC 1651 et seq.)
• Activities that involve fees or profit
• Lobbying
• Direct support of litigation
• Direct advocacy for or against a pipeline construction or expansion project or other pipeline policy matters
• Activities associated with regulatory compliance or typical operations and maintenance of pipeline facilities
• Expenses claimed and/or reimbursed by another program
• Expenses counted as match funds toward another federal program
• Costs disallowed or stated as ineligible in Title 2, Part 200 of the CFR

Refer to page 9 of the NOFA file for information regarding additional ineligible costs.

For FY 2023, a total of $2,000,580 was distributed via 12 awards ranging from $33,135 to $1 million through this program. Refer to the Award file for details.