Call for Proposals: Municipal Mini-Grants for Asset Management Inventory Development

Download the FULL REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Funding Opportunity Summary
Deadline:
January 31, 2016, 5:00PM
Funding Availability: Three grants of up to $5,000
Eligible Applicants: Rural municipalities in New York State


This call for proposals for the Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center’s (Syracuse EFC) mini-grant program is offered with support from United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA-RD).

Purpose

Provide municipalities with additional resources needed to fully conduct a water or wastewater Asset Management (AM) inventory. The Syracuse EFC seeks proposals that clearly define a need for such resources and indicate how the AM inventory will further the community’s development of a full Asset Management program. This mini-grant program is intended to provide support to rural municipalities in New York State.

Objectives

This mini-grant program seeks to provide rural municipalities with the proper tools and resources to fully conduct an Asset Management (AM) inventory for their water or wastewater system. An AM inventory can serve as a useful first-step for creating an Asset Management plan, which can then be used as a decision-making tool to aid municipalities in the development of a capital management plan. All awardees will be required to prepare a final report that documents the work conducted, explains the municipality’s plan for the results, and what the next steps will be. The Syracuse EFC will offer to provide no-cost AM training for communities who apply to this mini-grant program, regardless of award status.

Below are examples of how the mini-grant award may be utilized. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive, but provides guidance on possible areas of work. Combinations of use are also acceptable.

Possible Mini-Grant Funding Utilization:

  • Staff and/or intern time to conduct AM inventory
  • Hiring of a consultant to conduct AM inventory
  • Materials to support the AM inventory
  • Purchase of appropriate AM software for municipal computers

Who May Apply?

Rural municipalities within New York State may apply. A rural area, as defined by USDA-RD, is any location beyond the urbanized periphery surrounding a city of 50,000 or more—in essence, areas not located in a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). This program intends to serve communities with a population not in excess of 10,000 in rural areas.

How Much Funding is Available?

The Syracuse EFC will award three grants of up to $5,000 during one round of funding. Grant funds may be used for approved budget purposes, which may include compensation for staff time, student interns, consultant(s), materials, software, and other necessary expenses. Grant funds may not be used for overhead or administrative charges.

How and When to Apply?

Please submit one original hardcopy of your proposal, including appendices and any letters of support, plus one electronic copy of the proposal.  Proposals must be received no later than 5:00 PM on January 31, 2016. Awards will be announced no later than February 16, 2016. Work must be completed no later than August 31, 2016. Due dates for reports will be specified in the contract documents. No-cost extensions will not be allowed. Hard copies should be sent to the following address:

ATTN: Brad DeFrees
Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center
727 E. Washington St., Suite 202
Syracuse, NY 13210

Electronic copies should be sent to the following email address: badefree@syr.edu