Some useful links
NSDI CAP Web site - http://www.fgdc.gov/grants
Where to find 2013 CAP announcement - TBD
Grants.gov - http://www.grants.gov/
Apply for grants - http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp
Tutorials and documents to help with Grants.gov - http://www.grants.gov/applicants/app_help_reso.jsp
A narrated tutorial on how to complete a grant application package - http://www.grants.gov/assets/CompletingaGrants.govApplication.html
Where to request a DUNS Number - http://www.dnb.com/
System for Award Management (SAM) - https://www.uscontractorregistration.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
Track 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
the NSDI CAP Coordinator (burbanma@fgdc.gov).
Apple Mac based computer systems may have signification trouble submitting applications to Grants.gov.
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 the closing date.
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. Is it acceptable to send in letters of support and
memorandum of understanding 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. Can the USGS Geospatial Liaisons provide letters of
support?
No. Federal employees, which includes the liaisons, are
not permitted to provide letters of support. However, the FGDC
can request assessment of technical merit, past performance,
alignment with the State's GIS objectives or other issues during
the review of submitted proposals. In such cases, FGDC will contact a
USGS Liaison, the standards maintenance authority, or other Federal
employees for their assessment of the proposals.
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. Travel to major conference should include a justification for the travel - i.e. giving a presentation related to the proposed project).
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. 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 time frame.
Q. What are allowable expenses that can be used as in-kind
match?
Examples of in-kind resource match are: cash, salaries, contract
support, student assistance fees, travel expenses, venue costs,
software purchase, equipment dedicated to the project, computer servers
hosting data, production of outreach materials, third party in-kind,
and indirect costs or overhead charges. All contributions need to meet
the following criteria:
a. Verifiable from the applicants’ records
b. Not included as contributions for any other federally-assisted project or program
c. Necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient accomplishment of project or program objectives (A good test for this is to ask: "Would it be necessary to buy the service or property in order to accomplish the project objectives, and is the cost (value) reasonable for this purpose?")
d. Allowable under the applicable cost principles:• OMB Circular A-21: Cost Principles for Educational Institutions
• OMB Circular A-87: Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments, Attachment B (this contains information that is useful to applicant when determining allowable in-kind matches)
• OMB Circular A-122: Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizationse. Not paid by the Federal Government under another award, except where authorized by Federal statute to be used for cost matching
Q. What is the start date for 2013 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, 2013, 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.
Q. What geographical area is covered by the 2013 NSDI
CAP?
All 2013 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 entities, academic institutions,
commercial companies, and non-profit organizations.
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 direct in-kind funding. The partnership needs
to be demonstrated by a formal, signed agreement like a Memoranda of
Understanding. Federal employees cannot submit letters of support
or commitment but can provide letters confirming that they are
participating as a member of the project team.
Q. Which 2013 CAP categories have the 3 year
restriction on eligibility?
The 2013 categories 4 and 7 --- have a 3 year (2010,
2011, and 2012) restriction on eligibility but the restriction is
only for similar type of award. This means that you are
eligible for an award in any of the other 2013 categories. See
the 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 50 States Initiative Category?
Yes, please see the Powerpoint presentation from the November 19,
2010 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.
Q: 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.
Q: 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, 2010 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: 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: May my organization submit more than one proposal?
Yes - Organizations may submit proposals for more than one
category if the you meets eligibility requirements. You will need
to complete a separate application package for each category
submission. If you receive awards in more than one category
the projects will be combined into a single assistance award and
the funding will be a combined total of all the
awards.
Q: Can Tribes apply to category 4: Fifty
States Initiative: Business Plan Development and
Implementation?
Yes, the eligibility information is list in the announcement.
Q: I am a state employee, but the program I work for is
largely federally funded - can my salary be used for match?
The portion of your salary that is not Federally funded can be
used.
Q: Category 7: Geospatial Platform Cloud Service Testbed
requires documentation of an agreement with a federal organization.
What would this include?
Having a data exchange agreement for geospatial data with a
federal agency could take the form of a letter of agreement, an Inter
Agency Agreement (IIA) or MOU. If you do not see such a document
in-place by March 2012, then you would be rated less favorably in
review. It is an assumption of the grant, so an agreement letter at a
minimum would need to be secured before funds could be disbursed,
should you be selected for award.
Q: Category 7: Geospatial Platform Cloud Service Testbed
- What "documentation of a formal data exchange agreement" would
be needed as proof, and if all we have are project-based
partnership agreements, would we be disqualified based on the
above requirement, or would our proposal receive serious
consideration?
Development of data themes of national interest (alignment
with Framework data) would allow your proposal to be qualified. You can
reference the collaboration on NHD or other data exchange efforts as
background. The main objective is to enable the data stewards to
test
Cloud services for their data in an operational setting.
Q: In Category 5, under Commitment of Effort, it states that
“the applicant is required to provide copies of the MOU or other formal
agreements from the maintenance authority for an FGDC-endorsed
standard.” To my knowledge, there are no formal agreements in place.
Can you provide further guidance on this?
Provide the information that you can. Indicate your
partnerships with Federal entities and your involvement and knowledge
of the standard that is the focus of your project. During the review
period the review panel will contact the appropriate Federal contacts
and establish their level of support for a proposed standards project.
Each proposal is reviewed on a case by case basis.
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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.