Some useful links
NSDI CAP Web site - http://www.fgdc.gov/grants
Where to find 2011 CAP announcement - http://www.fgdc.gov/grants/2011NSDICAP/2011CAPDescriptions
Grants.gov - http://www.grants.gov/
Apply for grants - http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp
Grants.gov animated overview - http://www.grants.gov/flash/GDGOverview.html
A narrated tutorial on how to complete a grant application package - http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp
USGS Help for Grants.gov - http://www.usgs.gov/contracts/grants/grantsgov.html
Where to request a DUNS Number - http://www.dnb.com/
Federal Central Contract Registry (CCR) - http://www.ccr.gov
Register Organizations on Grants.gov - http://www07.grants.gov/applicants/organization_registration.jsp
App to test your version of Abobe Reader - http://www.grants.gov/applicants/AdobeVersioningTestOnly.jsp
The status of a proposal in Grants.gov - https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/checkApplStatus.faces
What to Expect After Submission - http://www.grants.gov/assets/TrackingYourApplicationPackage.pdf
USGS State Geospatial Liaisons - http://liaisons.usgs.gov/geospatial
Questions and Answers
Q. I am having trouble sending my application to Grants.gov. What can I do?
You should contact the Grants.gov Contact Center. Problems can be reported to the USGS Grants.gov contact (lmahoney@usgs.gov) and/or the NSDI CAP Coordinator (burbanma@fgdc.gov).
MacIntosh based computer systems may have signification trouble submitting applications to Grants.gov.
Q. How long does it take to get set up in Grants.gov?
Please allow at least two weeks to set up your agency to login and submit applications via the Grants.gov system. The step by step information see How to Submit NSDI CAP Proposal.
Q. If I have trouble sending my application via Grants.gov may I submit it via email or send a hardcopy?
No, all proposals must be submitted via Grants.gov . Also, no applications (proposals) will be accepted after 2 pm (EDT) on January 6, 2011.
Q. Is it acceptable to send in letters of support after the submission deadline?
Yes. Letters can be faxed, emailed, and sent via the postal service. Fax number: 703-648-5755; email address: burbanma@fgdc.gov; postal service: NSDI CAP Coordinator, MS 590 National Center, Reston, VA 20192.
Q. What level of technical detail should be included in the proposals?
Look at the scoring criteria and the suggestions for length of proposals in the announcment - it's a balance. Proposals are ranked based on likelihood of success as revealed in responses to the scoring criteria elements. In general, significant technical details indicates greater understanding of the category and would underscore competence in the technical approach.
Q. We are preparing the budget for the CAP application and have a question on the instructions for SF-424A (page 3, Section A – Budget Summary Lines…). Does the program we are applying to not require functional or activity breakdown or does it?
The SF-424A is only a summary form. As a separate attachement, you must provide a detailed budget breakdown as follows (this is from page 9 in the announcement):
D. Budget Breakdown Attachment
As an attachment to the project narrative, please provide more budget
details than are required under the SF 424A form. The budget
format guide included in Attachment C can be used to include the
following information, separating the CAP funds and the in-kind
match.
Salaries and Wages. List names, positions, and rate of compensation. This should only include personnel actively involved in the project. If contract employees are to be hired, include their total time, rate of compensation, job titles, and roles.
Fringe Benefits. Propose your rates/amounts. If rates are audit approved, include copy of the audit agreement and/or the name of the audit agency.
Field Expenses. Briefly itemize the estimated travel costs (i.e., destination, number of people, number of travel days, transportation costs, and other travel costs such as mileage rate and per diem).
Other Direct Cost Line Items. Categories may include training, labor costs, software licenses, supplies, equipment, required travel, project logistics, and fees for consultants, publications, and project presentations. This is not an inclusive list; add other categories as appropriate and see the category description for additional details. Please itemize the costs to the greatest extent possible. If including contractual services, identify proposed contractors (individual or corporate) and provide the criteria by which contractors will be, or have been selected. If purchasing equipment or supplies these need to be dedicated to the project.
Total Direct Charges. Totals for items 1, 2, 3, and 4. The proposal must show the in kind match.
Indirect Charges (Overhead). Show proposed rate and amount. Proposals from States or universities must include a copy of the negotiated indirect cost rate agreement. Be sure that indirect charges apply only to those direct cost items allowable under the negotiated cost rate agreement. Usually, sub-contract direct costs are either excluded from indirect charges, or there is a cap on the amount of subcontract costs eligible for indirect charges.
It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that the budget sheet described above be used so that delays in processing an awarded proposal can be avoided. An award will not be issued until all required information and details have been provided.
Completeness of this information will be considered in review, but it is understood that this information is best guess estimation; therefore, prior approval of the Contracting Officer is not required for transfer of funds between direct cost categories when the cumulative amount of the transfers during the performance period does not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total award amount. Prior written approval is required from the Contracting Officer for transfers of funds in excess of the ten percent limitation.
Q. What is the start date for 2011 NSDI CAP projects?
The start date of a project is up to the discretion of the applicant but it must be no later than September 30, 2011, the end of the Federal fiscal year.
Q. What is the length of a CAP project?
One year. All projects end one year after the start date. Depending on circumstances it may be possible to obtain a no-cost extension for up to 6 months. USGS does not allow that cooperative agreements program projects to run longer than a year.
Q. Can Federal funds from another project be used as in-kind matching?
No, direct funding from other Federal contacts, grants, and cooperative agreements cannot be used as in-kind match funding.
Q. Would funding already spent this year towards a solution
count towards a match? If we've done work for
a Federal client which fits in the category of interest, can the
funds contributed towards this be applied to a new CAP
grant?
No. The agreement is for a new work period and in-kind and effort should take place during the same timeframe.
Q. What geographical area is covered by the 2011 NSDI CAP?
All 2011 projects must occur and cover areas in the United States and/or its territories and outlying areas . The GSDI Small Grant Program may provide a funding opportunity for areas outside the United States.
Q. Who may apply for an NSDI CAP award?
Any entity, except Federal agencies and non-US entities, may submit an application for a CAP award. This includes state government, local governments, tribal governments, academic institutions, commercial companies, and non-profit organizations.
Q. What types of groups have been awarded CAP projects in the past? For example, has any state or local government won a CAP?
All types of groups/entities have been awarded. The selection is based on the scoring criteria listed for each of the categories in the announcement.
Q. Can a Federal agency be a partner on the CAP project?
Yes. Federal agencies can be a partner to the applicant but not provide any of the direct in-kind funding.
Q. Which 2011 CAP categories have the 3 year restriction on eligibility?
There is restrictive eligibility language in all the categories. In general it is restrictive within the particular category. This means that if an institute received an award for category 3 they could not receive a 2011 award from the same category. The reason for this restriction is to provide funding opportunities to organizations that have not previously been awarded. Please make sure to read the full announcement for the details.
Q. What constitutes an "FGDC-endorsed" standard?
The endorsed standards can be found via this link.
Q. What is a cooperative agreement? Is it a grant?
A cooperative agreement (CA) is not a grant but it is very similiar. In a CA there is substantial involvement by Federal goverment in the project. In the grant the grantee runs the project without Federal government involvement. The involvement can include regular teleconferences, technical support, and administrative assistance in resolving issues.
Q. Who else has expressed interest in the CAP opportunities?
We cannot disclose applicant parties. In addition, the review team does not see the proposals until after the CAP closes.
Q. Can we issue an RFP after we submit the proposal or
do we have to have a vendor already selected?
No, the vendor does not need to be selected when the proposal is
submitted.
Q. Can the award cover any type of field data collection or
data creation?
The program does not fund data collection projects rather we
are looking for organizations that already have data that needs to be
added the National Spatial Data Infrastructure.
Q. Are there any tips available for those interested in
applying for Category 3, 4, or 5?
Yes, please see the Powerpoint presentation from the November 19th 50
States Initiative presentation (Webex) available on the 50 States Initiative
Web page.
Q. Are there any sample proposals available to get an idea
of what a typical proposal looks like?
No, there are no samples. We can share a submitted
proposal but first need to request permission from the applicant
to do so. It is suggested that applicants read in the announcement
the category narrative closely and when writing the proposal to use
section L. Project Narrative as the guide. It lists the scoring
criteria and emphasizes the areas of particular interest. When the
reviewers are reading the proposals if the materials follow the
guidance it will greatly easy their work and help with the scoring.
Three questions related to Category 1 Metadata Trainer and Outreach Assistance
1. If we are focusing on metadata training delivery is
there a particular training program, provided, or supported by FGDC we
could employ for this effort?
The metadata curriculum (located at http://www.fgdc.gov/training/metadata-curriculum)
gives you the content requires for each duration of training. The
curriculum topics titles are linked to lessons or other resources for
training. Other resources are located at
http://www.fgdc.gov/metadata/online-metadata-resources . All these
resources should give you a leg-up on developing your own training
materials. We suggest you perform a "gap analysis" of the materials and
suggest development of the "gap" materials in your proposal. You may
include in your proposal the development of materials.
2. If we are to take the initiative and use trainers,
already employed with our organization is there a requirement for them
to be certified as Metadata Trainers?
If you have in-house trainers use the materials they use but
assure that you are meeting the requirements of the FGDC metadata
curriculum and state as such in your proposal. The trainers do
not need to be certified trainers but do include a resume of the
metadata workshops they have conducted and their role(s) in the
training. The FGDC doesn't plan to offer a Train the Trainer
workshop in the near future.
3. Are the training materials expected to be part of the
grant application (erg. developed in advance) or we should
include the material preparation as part of our proposal?
The training materials are not to be a part of the proposal
but should be listed in the proposal.
Q. Is there any helpful information for those applying
for Category 4 Fifty States Initiative: Business Plan Development
and Implementation?
Yes, see the slides from the December 8 webinar hosted by the
National Association of Regional Councils. The are posted at
http://narc.org/uploads/presentations/FY2010CAPGrantOpportunitiesWebinar120809.pdf.
Q: Is an organization that provides a "letter of
support" a collaborating organization?
Not necessarily--for example the governors office might
provide a letter of support. A collaborator like another State agency
is expected to do something to support a the project like provide 100
hours of an employees time and this could be stated in a letter of
support. In general, active support--doing something to aid the
project --by other organizations is encouraged.
Q: As metropolitan planning organization, we are a regional agency that is 100% federally funded. Are we still eligible?
Yes - if you are legally a nonprofit organization then you are eligible. However, you just will not be able to use any staff or other items paid for with Federal funds as match/cost-share. This is prohibited by 2 CFR 215.23 (OMB Circular A-110).
Q: I am interested in applying for a Category 3 award.
In the announcement under Category 3 in the item (2)
Organizational and Managerial Capacity It states in part ""Please
include information on the nature of the applicant’s organization and
its formally documented relationships with other participants in the
project." I'm not exactly sure what "formally documented
relationships with other participants" means. Can you
clarify?
The strategic and business plans will impact many
organizations in your State so it is good that you already have some
kind of relationship with them. The NSDI is all about sharing
data, technology, and other resources. Indicate where you may have some
kind of formal memorandum of understanding with State, regional, local
organizations within your State. It would be helpful if they
provided a letter of support or you provided some other kind of
documentation of the relationship.
Q: We are interested in the Fifty States Initiative
Category. The application says an applicant must have a federal
partner although there doesn’t seem to be any official partnership
documentation that is required. If an agency is listed in “C –
Collaborating Organizations” does that qualify them as the
partner? If they are listed in part 4 (Commitment to Effort) in
the narrative and provide a letter of support does that qualify them as
a partner?
It would be good to have a letter from your partner stating
their support. However, It is sufficient to show that they are part of
the team and identify what it is that they are going to contribute to
the project. For the Fifty States Initiative Category FGDC is
looking to see that you have a Federal partner.
Q: In the Commitment to Effort section what description for
“Role” and “Level of Support” is expected. For example role could
be technical or advisory as could level of support.
Describe what they are doing to support your project
i.e. giving $10,000 cash to buy a widget, spending 100 hours of a GIS
expert's time, serve on project advisory team, etc.
Q: On the “Other Key Contact Personnel” list is there any
reason not to list a non-governmental employee, i.e. would there be a
negative connotation. For example the lead of our Geospatial
Working Group is from the private sector, a group that has been and
will be critical to development of the database and application.
Is there any reason not to list him providing his firm does not benefit
financially from the grant?
Private sector participation is encouraged. So please include
all key project personnel.
Q: Do we need to register for the NSGIC mid-year conference
if we are only attending the Sunday 50 States Initiative
Workshop?
It is only necessary to register for the NSGIC Midyear if you plan to
attend the entire meeting. The 50 States Workshop is actually a
separate program.
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If there are additional questions please send an email Gita Urban-Mathieux (burbanma@fgdc.gov) and/or one of the categories leads.