Opportunity Information: Apply for RDRBS 2013 REAP
Apply for RDRBS 2013 REAP
- The Business and Cooperative Programs in the agriculture energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rural Energy for America Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.868 Rural Energy for America Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 6, 2013 and posted on Apr 8, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 31, 2013 In order to be considered for Fiscal Year 2013 funds, complete applications under this Notice must be received by the appropriate USDA Rural Development State Office no later than 430 p.m. local time of the dates as follows For renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant applications and combination grant and guaranteed loan applications May 31, 2013. For renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement guaranteed loan only applications On a continuous basis up to July 15, 2013. For renewable energy system feasibility study applications May 31, 2013. Energy audits and renewable energy development assistance grants, grant funding will not be available for Fiscal Year 2013, due to the statutory timeframe to award and obligate funds by April 1, 2013. Any application received after its applicable date and time, regardless of the postmark on the application, will not be considered for Fiscal Year 2013 funds.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $20,800,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 800 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses Individuals.
- Eligible applicants. To be eligible for this program, an applicant must meet the eligibility requirements specified in 7 CFR 4280.109, 7 CFR 4280.110(c), and, as applicable, 7 CFR 4280.112, 7 CFR 4280.122, 7 CFR 4280.170, or 7 CFR 4280.186. For the purpose of this Notice, and in addition to meeting the small business size determination as defined under small business in 7 CFR 4280.103, rural small business applicants must demonstrate that the majority (i.e., 51 percent or more) of their past 3 years annual receipts from their business operation are derived from a rural area. If the rural small business applicant has not engaged in business operations for the past 3 years, then information for as long as the rural small business applicant has been in business must be submitted. To ensure that there is sufficient information for the Agency to make this determination rural small business applicants, as part of their application requirements in 7 CFR 4280.116(b)(v)(A), should list the physical address, total annual receipts and number of employees for each urban or rural location. The Agency will make this determination for rural small business applicants that do not have any annual receipts (new businesses only) on the location of the rural small business applicant.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is a USDA Rural Development grant opportunity aimed at helping agricultural producers and rural small businesses lower their energy bills and reduce overall energy use while supporting broader national energy needs. The program funds three main types of work: feasibility studies for renewable energy systems (to determine whether a proposed project makes technical and financial sense), the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems, and energy efficiency improvements that reduce energy consumption in existing operations. In practical terms, REAP is meant to help rural operations invest in projects like on-site renewable generation or upgrades that cut waste, improve performance, and reduce long-term operating costs.
This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RDRBS-2013-REAP) is a discretionary grant program under CFDA 10.868, administered through USDA Rural Development's Business and Cooperative Programs. For this funding cycle, the government anticipated making a large number of awards (about 800 total), supported by an estimated total funding amount of $20.8 million. Individual awards could be as high as $500,000, indicating the program can support both smaller, straightforward upgrades and more substantial renewable energy installations, depending on project scope and eligibility.
Eligibility centers on two groups: agricultural producers and rural small businesses, with applicants listed broadly as small businesses and individuals. The detailed eligibility rules are tied to federal regulations in 7 CFR Part 4280, specifically including sections 4280.109, 4280.110(c), and other sections depending on the project type (for example, different requirements can apply to feasibility studies versus installation projects). A key additional requirement for rural small businesses in this notice is proof that the business is meaningfully rural in where it earns revenue. Specifically, rural small business applicants must show that at least 51 percent of their annual receipts over the past three years came from a rural area. If the business has operated for fewer than three years, it must provide records for as long as it has been operating. Applicants are expected to list each business location (urban and rural), including the physical address, total annual receipts, and number of employees, so USDA can determine whether the business meets the rural receipts test. For brand-new businesses with no receipts yet, USDA makes the determination primarily based on the location of the business.
Timing and submission requirements were strict for Fiscal Year 2013 consideration. Complete applications had to be received (not merely postmarked) by the appropriate USDA Rural Development State Office by 4:30 p.m. local time on the relevant deadline date. For renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant applications, as well as combination applications that paired a grant with a guaranteed loan, the deadline was updated to May 31, 2013 (with the earlier notice listing April 30, 2013). Feasibility study applications were also due by May 31, 2013. Guaranteed loan-only applications for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements were accepted on a continuous basis up to July 15, 2013. The announcement also notes that energy audits and renewable energy development assistance grants were not available for FY 2013 due to statutory timing constraints related to obligating funds by April 1, 2013. Any application arriving after the applicable deadline time and date would not be considered for FY 2013 funding, regardless of postmark.
For more details and program materials, the notice points to the USDA REAP information page at http://rurdev.usda.gov/BCPReap.html. Applicants needing help accessing the announcement or navigating the opportunity were directed to contact Kelley Oehler, Branch Chief, USDA Rural Development Energy Division, at (202) 720-6819.
REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) - FAQs (FY 2013 Notice)
What is the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)?
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is a USDA Rural Development grant opportunity intended to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses lower energy bills and reduce energy use, while supporting broader national energy needs.
What types of projects does REAP fund under this opportunity?
This notice describes funding for three main categories of work: (1) feasibility studies for renewable energy systems, (2) purchase and installation of renewable energy systems, and (3) energy efficiency improvements that reduce energy consumption in existing operations.
What is a feasibility study in the REAP context?
A REAP feasibility study is used to determine whether a proposed renewable energy system project makes technical and financial sense before moving forward with purchase and installation.
What are examples of projects REAP is meant to support?
In practical terms, REAP is meant to support rural operations investing in on-site renewable energy generation and/or upgrades that cut energy waste, improve performance, and reduce long-term operating costs.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this REAP notice?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed in the notice is RDRBS-2013-REAP.
What CFDA number is associated with this program?
The notice lists CFDA 10.868.
Is this a discretionary grant program, and who administers it?
Yes. This is described as a discretionary grant program administered through USDA Rural Development's Business and Cooperative Programs.
How much total funding was expected to be available in this cycle?
The government anticipated an estimated total funding amount of $20.8 million for this funding cycle.
How many awards were anticipated?
The notice states that the government anticipated making about 800 total awards.
What is the maximum individual award amount mentioned in the notice?
Individual awards could be as high as $500,000.
Who is eligible to apply for REAP under this notice?
Eligibility centers on two groups: agricultural producers and rural small businesses. The applicants are listed broadly as small businesses and individuals.
Where are the detailed eligibility rules defined?
The notice ties detailed eligibility requirements to federal regulations in 7 CFR Part 4280, including sections 4280.109, 4280.110(c), and other sections depending on the project type (for example, feasibility studies versus installation projects).
Is there a specific rural receipts requirement for rural small businesses?
Yes. Rural small business applicants must show that at least 51 percent of their annual receipts over the past three years came from a rural area.
What if a rural small business has operated for fewer than three years?
If the business has operated for fewer than three years, it must provide records for as long as it has been operating.
How does USDA evaluate businesses with multiple locations (urban and rural)?
Applicants are expected to list each business location (urban and rural), including the physical address, total annual receipts, and number of employees, so USDA can determine whether the business meets the rural receipts test.
How is eligibility handled for brand-new businesses with no receipts yet?
For brand-new businesses with no receipts yet, USDA makes the rural determination primarily based on the location of the business.
Where did applications have to be submitted?
Complete applications had to be received by the appropriate USDA Rural Development State Office.
Does the deadline depend on when the application is postmarked?
No. The notice is explicit that applications had to be received (not merely postmarked) by the deadline. Applications arriving after the applicable deadline time and date would not be considered for FY 2013 funding, regardless of postmark.
What time of day were applications due?
Applications had to be received by 4:30 p.m. local time on the relevant deadline date.
What was the deadline for renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant applications for FY 2013 consideration?
The deadline was updated to May 31, 2013 (the earlier notice listed April 30, 2013). This May 31, 2013 deadline applied to renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant applications, and also to combination applications pairing a grant with a guaranteed loan.
What was the deadline for feasibility study applications?
Feasibility study applications were due by May 31, 2013.
Were guaranteed loan-only applications accepted, and if so, for how long?
Yes. Guaranteed loan-only applications for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements were accepted on a continuous basis up to July 15, 2013.
Were energy audits and renewable energy development assistance grants available in FY 2013?
No. The announcement notes that energy audits and renewable energy development assistance grants were not available for FY 2013 due to statutory timing constraints related to obligating funds by April 1, 2013.
Where can applicants find more details and program materials?
The notice points to the USDA REAP information page at http://rurdev.usda.gov/BCPReap.html.
Who should applicants contact for help accessing the announcement or navigating the opportunity?
Applicants were directed to contact Kelley Oehler, Branch Chief, USDA Rural Development Energy Division, at (202) 720-6819.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RDRBS 2013 REAP) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Renewable Energy for America Program Apply for RDBCP REAP 2014 Funding Number: RDBCP REAP 2014 Agency: Business and Cooperative Programs Category: Agriculture Energy Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grants and Guaranteed Loans Apply for RBCP 08 REEEP Funding Number: RBCP 08 REEEP Agency: Business and Cooperative Programs Category: Agriculture Energy Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| FOA Biomass Research and Development Initiative Apply for DE FOA 0000510 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000510 Agency: Golden Field Office Category: Agriculture Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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