Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

FY2012 Northeastern Area State & Private Forestry

Competitive Allocation RFP

FY2012 Northeastern Area State & Private Forestry

Competitive Allocation RFP

Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Why a Competitive RFP?Why a Competitive RFP? Meets legal requirement in 2008 Farm Bill

Flexibility for State Foresters and partners to pursue outcomes related to State Forest Action Plans

Transparent, efficient, credible, and collaborative process

Supports well-informed allocation decisions

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

What is Different for 2012?What is Different for 2012?

A combined RFP, not a single RFP

Combines 3 funding sources: Redesign, Forest Fire Hazard Mitigation, & Forest Health Management and Treatments

Each source has its own review criteria and ranking panel

Proposals submitted under ONLY one RFP category

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

What is the Same for 2012?What is the Same for 2012?

A process to ALLOCATE Federal dollars-- NOT a competitive grants program

NA works with State Foresters throughout the decision process

Meets priority needs as judged by an interagency review team

Identifies worthy, unmet project needs beyond available dollars

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Funding AuthoritiesFunding Authorities Funding authorities this year:

Fire Forest Health Forest Stewardship Urban & Community Forestry

Does not include or affect core S&PF program funding

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

RFP Combines the FollowingPreviously Separate RFPs:

RFP Combines the FollowingPreviously Separate RFPs:

National S&PF Competitive Resource Allocation (“Redesign” grants)

Forest Fire Hazard mitigation

NA Forest Health Management and Treatments

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Excluded from this RFPExcluded from this RFP Gypsy moth suppression, eradication & Slow the

Spread

Oak wilt control, Early Detection/Rapid Response, Evaluation Monitoring, FS Pesticide Impact Assessment Program, and Special Technology Development Projects

Forest Health methods

Purchase of fire department equipment, including fire weather stations

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Excluded from this RFPExcluded from this RFP

Purchase & installation of dry fire hydrants

Small business start-up funds

Research and development

Capital improvements (i.e. facilities)

Fire preparedness & suppression capacity building

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team, Wood Education Resource Center, and Forest Legacy grants

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Funding ParametersFunding Parameters

State can submit unlimited number of proposals

Considers & funds projects of various sizes

Proposals can be submitted under only one RFP category

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Funding ParametersFunding Parameters

Redesign grants: minimum Federal funding request per project is $25,000

Forest fire hazard mitigation or forest health management and treatment proposals: no minimum project proposal amount .

Maximum amount of Federal funds to any one State is 15% of total funds in the category.

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Who Can Submit Proposals?Who Can Submit Proposals?

State Foresters eligible to submit or authorize proposals (pass-through to partners)

State Agriculture agencies or others with State Forest Health Program duties submit proposals through the State Forester or directly with a letter of concurrence from the State Forester

All others must submit proposals through the State Forester

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Other Submission ConsiderationsOther Submission Considerations State Foresters encouraged to submit proposals

from cooperators; State Forester decides whether to forward proposals

Cooperators must submit proposals through the State Forester for where the work is to occur

Proposals due December 15

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

EligibilityEligibility Multistate proposals:

• Encouraged where appropriate

• No preferential consideration

• Need concurrence by all relevant State Foresters

Projects on non-Federal lands

Project length: up to 3 years

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Third-Party Pass-ThroughThird-Party Pass-Through

Clearly identify pass-through funds to third-party recipients; include organization name, contact info & funding amount

Third-party pass-through funds will count towards the State’s total allocation.

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Proposal RequirementsProposal RequirementsTo be ranked, applications must meet all of these requirements:

A. Link to the State Forest Resource Action Plan, national, and regional priorities

B. 50/50 matching funds (see Web site)

Questions about eligible match: Zaneta Hammond zhammond@fs.fed.us, 610-557-4015 or Lori Gordon 610-557-4106 lgordon@fs.fed.us

C. Appropriate & authorized use of Federal funds

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Category I: Redesign RFPCategory I: Redesign RFP

Applicants can “mix” or integrate State and Private Forestry programs, authorities and funds for priority outcomes.

Projects can blend Urban and community forestry; Forest Stewardship, forest health management on cooperative lands; forest health management, National Fire Plan; State Fire Assistance and State Fire Assistance, National Fire Plan.

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Criteria for Redesign Proposal SelectionCriteria for Redesign Proposal Selection

1. Priority issue or threat (25 points)

2. Measurable results and significant outcomes (35 points)

3. Collaboration (20 points)

4. Leverage (20 points)

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Category 2: Forest Fire MitigationCategory 2: Forest Fire Mitigation

Projects that:

Reduce hazardous fuels,

Increase awareness of wildfire prevention and mitigation

Reduce risk and mitigate hazards in communities and on private lands

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Criteria for Forest Fire Hazard Mitigation

Criteria for Forest Fire Hazard Mitigation

1. Forest fire hazard mitigation (25 points)

2. Relate accomplishments to State Forest Resources Action Plan; identify client benefit (25 points)

3. Partnerships & collaboration (20 points)

4. Innovative approach (20 points)

5. Capacity for replication (10 points)

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Category 3: Forest Health Management and Treatments

Category 3: Forest Health Management and Treatments

Projects promote sustainable forest management : Prevent, suppress or eradicate damaging

agents Restore forests after damaging events Enhance survey and technical assistance not

supported by core funds, Enhance public engagement in forest health

management

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Category 3: Forest Health Management and Treatments

Category 3: Forest Health Management and Treatments

Projects relate to these or other forest health issues: *

Asian longhorned beetle Emerald ash borer Hemlock woolly adelgid Thousand cankers disease Invasive plants

* Multiple-pest concerns or integrated proposals should be submitted to Category 1: Redesign RFP

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Criteria for Forest Health Management and Treatment

Criteria for Forest Health Management and Treatment

1. Address a major issue or concern (20 points)

2. Measurable Results/Outcomes (40 points)

3. Collaboration and Partnerships (15 points)

4. Technical soundness (30 points)

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Forest Health Treatment ProposalsForest Health Treatment Proposals Proposals that include treatment require form 3400-2

Support by biological evaluation, any required environmental analyses; work, safety & security plans

Document according to appropriate laws

Document landowner or jurisdiction consent to participate

Funds cannot be used to cut dead trees or trees with commercial value.

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Support for Proposal DevelopmentSupport for Proposal Development

NA Field Representatives and Field Office staff: New England & New York – Terry Miller, 603-868-7694 Mid-Atlantic – Bob Lueckel, 304-285-1540 Midwest – Barb Tormoehlen, 651-649-5276

Cooperative Fire staff assistance in Newtown Square coordinated through Field Representatives

Consult with NA and Field Office staff: it yields better proposals & enhances collaboration during the project

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

NA’s Guidance to StaffNA’s Guidance to Staff

Distribute the RFP broadly to established and new partners.

Engage early in the process.

Provide technical support to help state staff write highly competitive proposals.

Additional resources can be found on the NA RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Project SubmissionProject Submission

Fill out the application form

5-page maximum length (excluding budget tables, project timeline & letters)

Submit in PDF format to na-rfp@fs.fed.us

For help with proposals, contact Terry James: trjames@fs.fed.us 610-557-4107

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Collaborative Project Selection Steps

Collaborative Project Selection Steps

Preliminary review: completeness & eligibility

Evaluation & ranking by interagency review team of State and Federal members- including some State Dept. of Agric. Reps for category 3 (forest health).

Ranked list of proposals submitted to the NAASF Exec. Committee & NA Director by March 1

NA Director will work with NAASF Exec. Committee to approve projects

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Beyond Project SelectionBeyond Project Selection Funds provided via a grant agreement; standard

reporting requirements

Successful applicants must track and report accomplishments and successes

Projects ranked but not funded will be considered if additional funds become available

The list of ranked projects helps NA and NAASF make the case for unmet needs

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

FeedbackFeedback

Ongoing feedback is critical to success

Provide comments & suggestions through your Field Representative or directly to Jim Barresi or Ian MacFarlane

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Process EvaluationProcess Evaluation Recommendations for process changes made

to the NAASF Exec. Committee and NA Director by May 1, 2012

NAASF and NA Director will evaluate the RFP process and make appropriate changes for future years

Forest Service Northeastern Area State and Private ForestryForest Service Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry

NA FY12 RFP Web site: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/rfp

Questions?Questions?