Reuse Assistance Grants: Fiscal Year 2007/08 Offering

Notice of Funds Available

This grant offering is now closed.  

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 non-hazardous 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 fiscal year (FY) 2007/08 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., businesses and nonprofits) are allowable. The applicant (local public agency) is responsible for administering the grant and is accountable for how the grant 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 or be a participant in another regional group. 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 fund innovative and ground-breaking reuse projects for both the commercial and public sectors. Eligible projects must focus only on the reuse of non-hazardous materials.

Ineligible Projects

Ineligible projects include, but are not limited to, website design or development, feasibility studies, composting, grasscycling, wood milling/grinding, and recycling projects. 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-13A, 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 directly enhancing opportunities for increasing reuse may be eligible costs. Costs must be reasonable, cost-effective, and focused on local needs. To determine whether or not a proposed project cost is eligible, you may submit a question in writing to one of the following addresses: Reuse Assistance Grants, P.O. Box 4025, MS-13A, Sacramento, CA 95812-4025 or RAGS@ciwmb.ca.gov. Grantees are bound by the State Administration Manual, available through the Department of General Services' website, and the requirements of the Grant Agreement.

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 to the Notice to Proceed or after the end of the grant term;
• Costs not included in the approved budget;
• Costs currently covered by another CIWMB loan, grant, or contract;
• Overtime costs (except for local public agency staff during specially scheduled evening or weekend events occurring outside the staff's normal work schedule that is pre-approved in writing by the CIWMB's Grant Manager, when law or labor contract requires overtime compensation;
• Out-of-state travel;
• Matching funds and grant funds not accounted for with supporting documentation;
• 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 (5) percent of the amount awarded to the Grantee;
• Rent or lease expenses above five (5) percent of the total amount awarded;
• Requesting reimbursement for overhead and indirect costs above five (5) percent per grant payment request;
• Any costs not consistent with local, state, and federal guidelines, regulations, and laws; and,
• Any other costs not deemed reasonable or related to the purpose of the grant by the CIWMB 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 (50) percent 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 (products and/or services received) and invoices received by the CIWMB after the issuance of the Notice to Proceed and before the end of the grant term.

Questions and Answers

All questions must be received in writing by February 28, 2007, via e-mail, fax (916-319-7416), or mail (Reuse Assistance Grants, MS-13A, P.O. Box 4025, Sacramento, CA 95812). Questions received via phone and/or after February 28, 2007, will not be answered. Answers will be posted on the RAGS Question and Answer page throughout the Question and Answer (Q&A) period. The final compilation of Q&As may be mailed/e-mailed on or about March 7, 2007, upon request and will include only the questions and answers listed for this offering.

Application

An application package may be obtained by:

• Downloading the application (MS Word, 587 KB | Adobe PDF, 529 KB);
• E-mailing a request to RAGs@ciwmb.ca.gov;
• Faxing a request to (916) 319-7416; or
• Mailing a request to:

California Integrated Waste Management Board
Reuse Assistance Grants Program, MS-13A
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 (100) percent post-consumer recycled content 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;
• E-mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted;

• All applications must be postmarked by Friday, March 23, 2007, or hand-delivered applications must be received by 3:00 p.m., Friday, March 23, 2007.

Applications submitted via the U.S. Postal Service should be addressed to:

California Integrated Waste Management Board
Grants Administration Unit, MS-19A
P.O. Box 4025
Sacramento, CA  95812-4025

Applications submitted via commercial delivery service should be addressed to:

California Integrated Waste Management Board
Grants Administration Unit, MS-19A
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA  95812-4025

Applications hand-delivered on or before March 23, 2007, must be received by 3:00 p.m. at:

California Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Services Center
1001 "I" Street, 1st Floor
Sacramento, California

• Clearly note "Reuse Assistance Grant Applicationâ€"Immediate Attention Requested" on envelope; and
• Incomplete applications, hand-delivered applications received after 3:00 p.m. on March 23, 2007, or mailed applications postmarked after March 23, 2007, 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 by commercial delivery service, by a means that permits tracking by the sender to ensure timely delivery and consideration of all grant applications. A dated receipt showing the delivery address will be required as proof of timely mailing in the event an application is lost or misdirected by the Post Office or delivery service.

CIWMB Award of Grants

The CIWMB anticipates consideration of staff funding recommendations at a Board meeting in the summer of 2007. All grant awards are subject to funding availability. The CIWMB reserves the right to reduce the amount of any grant request and/or to not award this grant.

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Last updated: July 11, 2008