National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program, FY 2011 Request for Proposals (RFP) | Apply Online

National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program (FY 2011 RFP) - FAQs

1) What is the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program (FY 2011 Request for Proposals)?

It is a nationwide U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding opportunity (grants and cooperative agreements) intended to cut diesel pollution and reduce peoples exposure to diesel exhaust by supporting diesel emission reduction projects that produce measurable emissions reductions and real-world public health and environmental benefits.

2) What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The main goal is to achieve measurable diesel emissions reductions, including both total tons of pollution avoided and reductions in real-world exposure to diesel exhaust, especially in locations where diesel emissions contribute to unhealthy air.

3) Does the program prioritize certain locations or communities?

Yes. The program places particular emphasis on diesel fleets operating in areas identified by the EPA Administrator as poor air quality areas. Projects are expected to target locations where diesel emissions contribute to unhealthy air and where reductions can deliver clear public health and environmental benefits.

4) What types of projects or solutions are eligible for funding?

The opportunity funds a range of diesel emission reduction approaches, especially those verified or certified through recognized programs. Examples listed include verified emission control technologies (retrofit devices, cleaner fuels, engine upgrades), verified idle reduction technologies, verified aerodynamic technologies, low rolling resistance tires, certified engine repowers, and full vehicle or equipment replacement.

5) Are diesel retrofit devices eligible?

Yes. Verified emission control technologies such as retrofit devices are identified as eligible approaches.

6) Are cleaner fuels and engine upgrades eligible?

Yes. The announcement explicitly includes cleaner fuels and engine upgrades as eligible verified emission control approaches.

7) Are idle reduction technologies eligible?

Yes. Verified idle reduction technologies are included as eligible solutions to reduce unnecessary engine running.

8) Are aerodynamic technologies and low rolling resistance tires eligible?

Yes. The opportunity includes verified aerodynamic technologies and low rolling resistance tires as eligible approaches to reduce fuel use and emissions by improving vehicle efficiency.

9) Are engine repowers eligible?

Yes. Certified engine repowers are listed as eligible larger-scale equipment changes.

10) Is full vehicle or equipment replacement eligible?

Yes. Full vehicle or equipment replacement is identified as an eligible option, particularly when older, higher-emitting diesel engines are replaced with cleaner options.

11) What kinds of vehicles, engines, or equipment can be included in a project?

A wide set of diesel vehicles, engines, and equipment types may be covered. Examples specifically named include buses; medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks; marine engines; locomotives; and nonroad engines, equipment, or vehicles used in construction, cargo handling (including ports and airports), agriculture, mining, and energy production.

12) Are buses eligible under this program?

Yes. Buses are specifically identified as an example of eligible diesel vehicles.

13) Are medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks eligible?

Yes. Medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks are specifically listed as eligible examples.

14) Are marine engines and locomotives eligible?

Yes. Marine engines and locomotives are explicitly included as examples of eligible equipment types.

15) Are nonroad diesel engines and equipment eligible (for example, construction or agriculture equipment)?

Yes. Nonroad engines, equipment, or vehicles are included, with examples such as construction and agriculture.

16) Are cargo handling operations at ports and airports eligible?

Yes. Cargo handling is specifically mentioned, including operations at ports and airports.

17) Are mining-related diesel engines and equipment eligible?

Yes. Mining is listed among the sectors where nonroad diesel engines, equipment, or vehicles may be included.

18) Does the program cover diesel sources used in energy production, including stationary equipment?

Yes. Energy production is listed as an eligible category and can include stationary diesel equipment such as generators and pumps, as described in the announcement.

19) Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?

Eligible applicants are primarily public and mission-driven entities. This includes regional, state, local, or tribal agencies (and intertribal consortia), port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality, and certain nonprofit organizations and institutions that meet the criteria described in the announcement.

20) Are tribal agencies and intertribal consortia eligible applicants?

Yes. Tribal agencies and intertribal consortia are specifically included among eligible applicant types.

21) Are port authorities eligible to apply?

Yes. Port authorities that have jurisdiction over transportation or air quality are included as eligible applicants.

22) Can nonprofits or institutions apply?

Yes, if they meet one of the eligibility descriptions provided: (a) they represent or provide pollution reduction or educational services to organizations or individuals that own or operate diesel fleets, or (b) their principal purpose is promoting transportation or air quality.

23) Where are additional applicant eligibility details described?

The announcement notes that additional eligibility details are provided in Section III of the full notice.

24) What type of EPA funding is this (grant, cooperative agreement, or both)?

This is a discretionary EPA funding opportunity using grant and cooperative agreement instruments.

25) What is the total estimated amount of funding available?

The total estimated funding is 32,000,000.

26) About how many awards does EPA expect to make?

The announcement indicates an expectation of approximately 50 awards.

27) What is the minimum and maximum award size?

Individual awards range from a floor of 30,000 to a ceiling of 3,000,000.

28) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

This opportunity is under CFDA 66.039, the National Clean Diesel Emissions Reduction Program.

29) Is there a cost share or match requirement?

Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applies. Recipients should plan to contribute non-federal resources consistent with the terms described in the full announcement.

30) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is EPA OAR OTAQ 11 01.

31) When was the opportunity posted?

The posted date is Nov 2, 2010.

32) What is the application deadline?

The application closing date is Jan 13, 2011. The announcement instructs applicants to consult Section IV of the full announcement for submission methods and any deadline-specific instructions.

33) What does the archive date mean for this opportunity?

The archive date is Feb 12, 2011, indicating the opportunity was formally archived after the competition period ended.

34) Where can applicants find instructions on how to apply and how to submit?

The announcement directs applicants to consult Section IV of the full announcement for submission methods and deadline-related specifics.

35) Who can be contacted for technical or access issues related to the full announcement?

For technical or access issues related to the full announcement, the listed contacts are Julie Henning at (734) 214 4442 and Jennifer Keller at (202) 343 9541.

36) What kinds of outcomes does EPA emphasize for proposed projects?

EPA emphasizes projects that can demonstrate measurable emissions reductions in total tons of pollution avoided and reductions in real-world exposure impacts, with an expectation that projects target places where diesel emissions contribute to unhealthy air.