Question
One of your Web RFGA-06 brief on page 2 of 2 1st paragraph, says the surface mailed RFGA-06 is due no later than October 2, 2006 mid-night. The actual request says "submitted and must be postmarked no later than Midnight on October 2, 2006 (Page 8)
Which one is correct?
Answer
Surface mailed submissions must be postmarked no later than October 2nd, 2006.
Electronic submissions must be received no later than 11:59PM central time, October 2nd, 2006.
We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.
Question
We applied, unsuccessfully, for RFGA-03, is it possible to reapply for RFGA-06? Also, is it possible to find out on what merits we missed funding for RFGA-03?
Answer
If you believe you have a product or technology that fits the criteria in RFGA-06 and that it can reasonably and successfully be brought to market, you are invited to reply regardless of prior applications or awards. You did not indicate in your email the organization name under which the previous application was submitted, so we have been unable to determine which application you refer to, but if you have questions about the outcome of a specific application you can contact Rudy Smaling, Program Director.
Question
I have identified a collaborator who should be able to provide cost sharing for the project. However, the official approval that is required cannot be secured until after the Oct. 2nd close date. Will a supporting letter that states "pending approval" suffice, with official approval coming prior to the announcement of the awards?
Answer
Yes, matching funds "pending" will be acceptable. If your project is selected for funding, matching funds must be committed before a contract can be signed.
Question
I have 2 questions and they are I am in New York can I apply for this grant? The second question is, can I apply an individual or do I have apply through a company.
Answer
There are no restrictions as to the location of the entity applying for an NTRD grant. You can apply for a grant as an individual or through a company. However, please note the grant selection criteria spelled out in the RFGA documentation.
Question
Is there anyway to view an actual grant proposal for anything that has ever been presented to HARC?
Answer
For a number of reasons, we have not posted actual NTRD grant applications online. If the purpose of your request is to obtain a model for how to present your application, we would refer you to the body of the RFGA itself for guidance. The RFGA specifies any required content or limits as well as the required forms. The decision to award funds to an applicant will be based on the scientific merit of the proposal, not the stylistic presentation. You should prepare your application in the manner that most readily captures and communicates the value of your technology, keeping within, of course, the required application parameters.
Question
Our company has two different products that may qualify for the grant. Should the application for both be sent to together, or do seperate applications need to be sent.
Answer
Please provide separate proposals, unless the two products are intended to be integrated into a single retrofit package.
Question
I am a little bit confused about the product requirements to apply for the grant. We have two different products that increase the efficiency of engines and thereby reduce emissions. The first product is a retrofit kit that modifies the return fuel check valve. The second product attaches to the fuel line and changes creates a charge in the fuel to help it better combine with oxygen in the cylinders. The products are currently be used for on-road applications and are in the process of being adapted to off-road and stationary applications. Please let me know if our products meet the requirements to apply for a grant.
Answer
If you believe your product can deliver greater than 25% NOx reductions in a cost effective manner and that the product has a realistic commercialization potential, you are encouraged to apply.
Question
We have learnt about this specific grant opportunity late last week. Is there a possibility to obtain some extra time to file our application?
Answer
To ensure maximum fairness to all interested applicants, the deadline indicated in the RFGA must be strictly enforced. We encourage you to refer back to the TERC NTRD web site (http://www.tercairquality.org/NTRD/) periodically to be alert to future solicitations.
Question
What is the length of time (years) the grant will cover?
Answer
All aspects of an application submitted under this RFGA should be governed by the objectives of the project and the work required to accomplish those objectives in the shortest amount of time reasonable. Thus, there is no predefined time limit for a project. Applicants should bear in mind, however, that time is of the essence in each of these projects. Further, the State of Texas authorizes funding for the NTRD program for only two years at a time. If you foresee that your project will require a relatively long period of time to complete, especially if it extends more than two years, you should consider organizing the project into "phases" that would enable early portions of the project to be authorized, monitored and completed independent of subsequent portions of the project. Generally speaking, longer term projects will need to demonstrate proportionately greater promise of viability and commercialization potential and, if awarded, will be subject to ongoing evaluation against predetermined achievement milestones.
Question
Is profit considered an allowable expense under RFGA-06?
Answer
This will be a cost-reimbursable grant subject to the rules of the Texas Uniform Grants Management Standards (UGMS). Only actual, incurred costs are eligible for reimbursement, so profit cannot be built into the budget.
Question
On page 4 of RFGA-06 it states that "Indirect costs, overhead, or other common use items such as telephone, tools, office supplies, etc., are not allowed and will not be covered." Our company typically includes these costs in our direct charge rates for labor. Will these costs be covered if charged as part of a fully burdened labor rate, or must they be removed from the rates charged to this grant?
Answer
Indirect costs may be included, either as part of a fully burdened labor rate or as a separate budget line item, up to a maximum of 15% of modified total direct costs. Indirect costs in excess of the 15% limit may be treated as cost sharing.
Question
Will fuel additives that reduce NOx emissions be considered in this RFGA? Also, can the grant funds be used for the costs associated with conducting 3rd party testing in order to obtain CARB verification?
Answer
Please note that NTRD has already funded a significant number of fuel additive projects. In addition, proposals for solutions that provide "significant" NOx reductions are sought. Fuel additives will be considered for this solicitation, but will have to make a pretty strong case considering the aforementioned.
Question
Are you targeting retrofits only for these technologies?
Answer
The solicitation is open to proposals for both retrofit and new engine technologies. However, new engine technologies must exceed prevailing NOx emissions standards by at least 25% to receive credit under TERP and be eligible for funding under NTRD. Given the the already stringent new engine NOx standards, cost effectiveness may be a significant limiting factor in receiving NTRD funding.
Question
Per the solicitation instructions testing is to be performed in accordance with ETV protocol and at South West Research. Given successful completion of testing, will EPA accept test results as approved under ETV nationally, or, will verification apply to Texas only?
Answer
The verification must be performed in accordance with EPA ETV protocol. ETV verification is accepted nationally.
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