Reuse Assistance Grants: Fiscal Year 2005/2006 Offering

Notice of Funds Available

This grant offering is now closed.

Issued July 12, 2005

The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) approved the Reuse Assistance Grants (RAGs) to provide the incentives for California local public agencies to promote and apply the reuse of nonhazardous material(s). Reuse is defined as using a material over again in its current form without any significant processing that alters its material structure.

The CIWMB anticipates allocating two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) from FY 2005/2006 funds. Eligible applicants may request a maximum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). This is a competitive grant. All applications will be evaluated based on the criteria set forth in the application.

Applicant Eligibility

The RAGs are available to California local public agencies. For the purposes of this offering, a "local public agency" is a city, county, or regional agency that has obligations to develop and implement waste reduction programs pursuant to the requirements of Public Resources Code § 40900 et seq. Partnerships between local public agencies and private entities (e.g., business, nonprofit) are allowable. The applicant (local public agency) is responsible for administering the grant and is accountable for how the grant funds and matching contributions are expended. A local public agency may submit only one (1) application. Local public agencies may submit a regional application; however, regional participants may not also submit an individual application. The local public agency member of a local public agency/private entity partnership or the regional lead of a regional application are the only entities who may submit payment requests and receive reimbursement payments directly from the CIWMB. These entities are responsible for dispersing funds to others.

Eligible Projects

The RAGs are intended to foster creative and productive projects that reuse a material over again in its current form without any significant processing that alters its material structure. The RAGs are intended to advance the practical implementation of reuse activities throughout California. They are also designed to enhance local public agencies' responsibilities in the area of material reuse, encourage local public agencies to incorporate reuse activities into their waste reduction efforts, and promote reuse to their communities.

This offering's primary purpose is to encourage the establishment of tangible and long-term systems, infrastructure, projects, and/or facilities that recover materials for reuse that are otherwise destined for disposal. This offering's intent is to increase reuse opportunities for both the commercial and public sectors.

Ineligible Projects

Ineligible projects include, but are not limited to, feasibility studies, Web site-related projects, composting, grasscycling, wood milling/grinding, and any other recycling projects. Additionally, projects that propose to provide a service and/or product that is already provided free of charge by the State may be ineligible. To determine whether a proposed project is eligible, you may submit a question in writing to one of the following addresses: P.O. Box 4025, MS-14, Sacramento, CA 95812-4025 or RAGs@ciwmb.ca.gov.

Eligible Project Costs

All costs, whether paid for with grant funds or matching contributions, must be directly related to the approved proposal. Materials, services, equipment, or facilities that directly increase opportunities for reuse, may be eligible project costs. Costs must be reasonable, cost-effective, and focused on local needs.

Ineligible Project Costs

Any costs not directly related to the grant project are ineligible for grant funding or as matching contributions. Ineligible costs include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Costs incurred prior to issuance of the Notice to Proceed or after the end of the grant term;
• Costs currently covered by another CIWMB loan, grant, or contract;
• Overtime costs (except for local public agency staffing during specially scheduled evening or weekend events that are pre-approved in writing by the Grant Manager, when law or labor contract requires overtime compensation);
• Out-of-state travel;
• Any food or beverages (e.g., as part of meetings, workshops, training, events, etc.);
• Public education costs not directly associated with the concept of reuse;
• Profit or mark-up by the Grantee or partner;
• Cell phones, pagers, and other personal electronic and/or digital assistive devices;
• Overhead and indirect costs above five percent (5%) of the amount approved for payment;
• Any costs that are not consistent with local, state, and federal guidelines, regulations, and laws; and
• Any other costs not deemed reasonable by the Grant Manager.

Matching Contribution Requirement

Applicants are required to provide matching contributions and/or the value of staffing or consulting time dedicated to the grant in an amount equal to or greater than fifty percent (50%) of the requested grant amount. A grant partner may provide matching contributions. The matching contributions must be clearly identified in the approved Budget and are subject to the same restrictions and limitations as grant funds.

Grant Term

The grant term is approximately two (2) years. All costs must be incurred and paid, and invoices received by the CIWMB after the issuance of the Notice to Proceed and before the end of the grant term. In rare instances, if pre-approved in writing by the Grant Manager, goods received after the end of the grant term may be allowed if the delayed receipt is not within the control of the Grantee or the vendor.

Questions and Answers

All questions must be submitted in writing by September 30, 2005; instructions for submitting questions and details of the grant requirements are included in the application package. Answers to questions will be posted continually on the RAGs' Web site throughout the Question and Answer period.

Application

An application package may be obtained by:

• Downloading from the RAGs' Web site, www.ciwmb.ca.gov/reuse/Grants; or
• E-mailing request to RAGs@ciwmb.ca.gov; or
• Faxing request to (916) 319-7470; or
• Mailing request to California Integrated Waste Management Board, Reuse Assistance Grants Program, MS-14, P.O. Box 4025, Sacramento, CA 95812-4025.

Application Filing Instructions

• Applicants must submit one (1) original and three (3) copies of the application;
• Applications must be submitted on paper with one hundred percent (100%) post-consumer recycled content fiber that bears a recycled logo or text confirming the use of recycled paper. Specific pages containing full-color photographs or other ink-intensive graphics may be printed on photographic paper;
• Applications e-mailed or faxed will not be accepted;
• Applications must be postmarked on or before Thursday, October 27, 2005. Applications may be delivered on or before October 27, 2005 to the Environmental Services Center at the California Environmental Protection Agency's headquarters building located at 1001 "I" Street, 1st Floor, Sacramento, CA. Mailed applications must be received by the application deadline and sent to: California Integrated Waste Management Board, Grants Administration Unit, MS-10, P.O. Box 4025, Sacramento, CA 95812-4025;
• Clearly note "Reuse Assistance Grant Application—Immediate Attention Requested" on envelope; and
• Incomplete applications or applications postmarked after October 27, 2005 will be returned to the applicant and will not be considered for grant funding.

The CIWMB encourages applicants to send their applications, whether by U.S. Postal Service or a commercial delivery service, by a means that permits tracking by the sender, to ensure timely delivery of all applications.

CIWMB Award of Grants

The CIWMB anticipates consideration of staff funding recommendations at a Board meeting in early 2006. All grant awards are subject to funding availability. The CIWMB reserves the right to reduce the amount of any grant request.

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Last updated: June 25, 2008