Document Type: Grants Notice

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-FS-2012-WBU
Opportunity Category: Discretionary
Posted Date: Nov 21, 2011
Creation Date: Nov 08, 2011
Original Closing Date for Applications: Mar 31, 2012 
Current Closing Date for Applications: Mar 31, 2012 
Archive Date: Apr 30, 2012
Funding Instrument Type: Grant 
Category of Funding Activity: Energy 
Environment 
Natural Resources 
Category Explanation:
Expected Number of Awards: 15
Estimated Total Program Funding: $3,000,000
Award Ceiling: $250,000
Award Floor: $50,000
CFDA Number(s): 10.674 -- Forest Products Lab: Technology Marketing Unit (TMU)
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: Yes

Eligible Applicants

State governments 
County governments 
City or township governments 
Special district governments 
Independent school districts 
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education 
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) 
Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities 
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education 
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education 
Private institutions of higher education 
For profit organizations other than small businesses 
Small businesses

Additional Information on Eligibility:

Agency Name

Forest Service

Description

The U.S. Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, Technology Marketing Unit, located at the Forest Products Laboratory, requests proposals for wood energy projects that require engineering services. These projects will use woody biomass, such as material removed from forest restoration activities, wildfire hazardous fuel treatments, insect and disease mitigation, forest management due to catastrophic weather events, and/or thinning overstocked stands. The woody biomass shall be used in a bioenergy facility that uses commercially proven technologies to produce thermal, electrical or liquid/gaseous bioenergy. The funds from the Hazardous Fuels Woody Biomass Utilization (WBU) Grant program must be used to further the planning of such facilities by funding the engineering services necessary for final design and cost analysis. Examples of projects might include engineering design of a 1) woody biomass boiler for steam at a sawmill, hospital or school, 2) non-pressurized hot water system for various applications, and 3) biomass power generation facility. To join in support of the public interest and general welfare to protect communities and critical infrastructure, the applicants to this program seek assistance to complete the necessary design work required to secure public and/or private funding for construction for developing local enterprises to better utilize woody biomass. In particular, USDA Rural Development has established grants and loan programs that might help fund construction of such facilities. The lack of engineering design often limits the ability of an applicant or business to receive federal, state or private funding.

If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact:

Susan LeVan-Green 
Program Manager 
Phone 608-231-9518 slevan@fs.fed.us