UPDATED NOTICE - PLEASE READ: April 6, 2023

EDA is excited to announce the launch of its new grants management platform: the Economic Development Grants Experience (EDGE). EDGE was developed to streamline the application and grants management process by implementing a single platform with increased transparency, improved user experience, higher data quality, and more efficiency throughout the entire grant lifecycle.

 

As of April 6th, 2023, applications can no longer be submitted on Grants.gov, and will ONLY be accepted through EDGE. To apply in EDGE, please go to: sfgrants.eda.gov. More information on how to apply is provided in the full NOFO.

 

PARTNERSHIP PLANNING program instructions: Please note that applicants will be invited to submit applications through EDGE for the Partnership Planning program. For more information, please reach out to your EDA point of contact.

Program Description:

EDA makes planning and local technical assistance investments to support economic development, foster job creation, and attract private investment in economically distressed areas of the United States.

Under the Planning program, EDA makes Partnership Planning, Short-Term Planning, and State Planning awards to eligible recipients to create and implement regional economic development plans designed to build capacity and guide the economic prosperity and resiliency of an area or region. More specifically, EDA makes Partnership Planning investments to designated planning organizations (i.e., District Organizations) serving EDA-designated Economic Development Districts and to Indian Tribes to facilitate the development, implementation, revision, or replacement of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS), which articulate and prioritize the strategic economic goals of recipients’ respective regions. EDA also makes Short-Term and State Planning awards for economic development planning activities that guide the eventual creation and retention of high-quality jobs, particularly for the unemployed and underemployed in the Nation’s most economically distressed regions.

Under the Local Technical Assistance program, EDA makes awards to strengthen the capacity of local or State organizations, institutions of higher education, and other eligible entities to undertake and promote effective economic development programs through projects such as feasibility studies, impact analyses, disaster resiliency plans, and project planning.

**Please note: While the published Notice of Funding Opportunity (available under "Related Documents") states that the ED900A form and the SF424B form are both required for a complete application, these forms are no longer required and have therefore been removed from the package template.

EDA Planning and Local Technical Assistance Programs Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• Federal Agency Name: Economic Development Administration (EDA), U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC).

• Federal Funding Opportunity Title: FY 2021 – FY 2023 EDA Planning and Local Technical Assistance Programs Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

• Announcement Type and Date: This NOFO publishes EDA’s application submission requirements and review procedures for applications received under EDA’s (i) Planning and (ii) Local Technical Assistance programs, authorized under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 3121 et seq.). Effective date: March 15, 2021

• Funding Opportunity Number:

  Regional Office	States Served	NOFO Number
  Atlanta Regional Office	AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN	EDA-ATL-TA-ATRO-2021-2006846
  Austin Regional Office	AR, LA, NM, OK, TX	EDA-AUS-TA-AURO-2021-2006848
  Chicago Regional Office	IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI	EDA-CHI-TA-CRO-2021-2006849
  Denver Regional Office	CO, IA, KS, MO, MT, ND, NE, SD, UT, WY	EDA-DEN-TA-DRO-2021-2006850
  Philadelphia Regional Office	CT, DE, DC, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, VA, WV, PR, VI	EDA-PHI-TA-PRO-2021-2006851
  Seattle Regional Office	AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, NV, OR, WA, AS, MP, GU, FM, MH, PW	EDA-SEA-TA-SRO-2021-2006853
  All Regional Offices		All PLLTA2021

• Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers: 11.302, Economic Development Support for Planning Organizations; 11.303, Economic Development Technical Assistance.

• Dates: There are no submission deadlines. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the publication of a new Planning and Local Technical Assistance Programs NOFO, cancellation of this Planning and Local Technical Assistance Programs NOFO, or all available funds have been expended. Please see section E of this NOFO for complete information on EDA’s review process.

• Funding Opportunity Description: EDA makes planning and local technical assistance investments to support economic development, foster job creation, and attract private investment in economically distressed areas of the United States. Under the Planning program, EDA makes Partnership Planning, Short-Term Planning, and State Planning awards to eligible recipients to create and implement regional economic development plans designed to build capacity and guide the economic prosperity and resiliency of an area or region. More specifically, EDA makes Partnership Planning investments to designated planning organizations (i.e., District Organizations) serving EDA-designated Economic Development Districts and to Indian Tribes to facilitate the development, implementation, revision, or replacement of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS), which articulate and prioritize the strategic economic goals of recipients’ respective regions. EDA also makes Short-Term and State Planning awards for economic development planning activities that guide the eventual creation and retention of high-quality jobs, particularly for the unemployed and underemployed in the Nation’s most economically distressed regions. Under the Local Technical Assistance program, EDA makes awards to strengthen the capacity of local or State organizations, institutions of higher education, and other eligible entities to undertake and promote effective economic development programs through projects such as feasibility studies, impact analyses, disaster resiliency plans, and project planning.

• Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants for EDA financial assistance under the Planning and Local Technical Assistance programs include a(n):

  • (i) District Organization of an EDA-designated Economic Development District;
  • (ii) Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes;
  • (iii) State, county, city, or other political subdivision of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions;
  • (iv) institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education; or
  • (v) public or private non-profit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State.

  Note that eligible applicants for Partnership Planning awards are limited to EDA-designated District Organizations and Indian Tribes; other entities are not eligible for Partnership Planning awards. Additionally, individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible for awards under this Planning and Local Technical Assistance Programs NOFO; requests from such entities will not be considered for funding.

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FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

FY 2021 – FY 2023 Planning and Local Technical Assistance Programs NOFO

• EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ 1
• FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT................................................................................................ 3
• A. Program Description ..........................................................................................................5
  • 1. Overview ...................................................................................................................... 5
  • 2. EDA Investment Priorities ........................................................................................... 5
  • 3. EDA Program Information ........................................................................................... 5
  • 4. Statutory Authorities for EDA’s Programs .................................................................. 6
• B. Federal Award Information ..............................................................................................7
  • 1. What Funding Is Available Under This Announcement? ............................................ 7
  • 2. What Type of Funding Instrument Will Be Used to Make Awards and How Long Will a Project’s Period of Performance Be? ................................................................................. 7
• C. Eligibility Information .......................................................................................................8
  • 1. Eligible Applicants ....................................................................................................... 8
  • 2. Cost Sharing or Matching ............................................................................................ 8
  • 3. Economic Distress Criteria ......................................................................................... 11
• D. Application Submission Information ..............................................................................11
  • 1. Address to Request an Application ............................................................................ 11
  • 2. Content and Form of the Application ......................................................................... 11
  • 3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) ...................... 14
  • 4. Submission Dates and Times...................................................................................... 14
  • 5. Intergovernmental Review ......................................................................................... 15
  • 6. Funding Restrictions................................................................................................... 15
  • 7. Other Submission Requirements ................................................................................ 15
• E. Application Review Information .....................................................................................16
  • 1. Review and Selection Process .................................................................................... 16
  • 2. Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity System (FAPIIS) Review .................... 18
• F. Federal Award Administration Information .................................................................18
  • 1. Federal Award Notification ........................................................................................ 18
  • 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements .................................................... 18
  • 3. Reporting .................................................................................................................... 19
• G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts ...............................................................................19
  • Atlanta Regional Office ................................................................................................... 20
  • Austin Regional Office..................................................................................................... 20
  • Chicago Regional Office .................................................................................................. 20
  • Denver Regional Office ................................................................................................... 20
  • Philadelphia Regional Office ........................................................................................... 20
  • Seattle Regional Office .................................................................................................... 20
• H. Other Information ............................................................................................................20
  • 1. Right to Use Information ............................................................................................ 20
  • 2. Freedom of Information Act Disclosure .................................................................... 21
  • 3. Past Performance and Non-Compliance with Award Provisions ............................... 21
  • 4. Certifications Required by Annual Appropriations Acts for Corporations and for Awards over $5 Million ............................................................................................. 21
  • 5. EDA’s Non-Relocation Policy ................................................................................... 22
  • 6. Audit Requirements .................................................................................................... 23
• I. Instructions for Application Submission via the Economic Development Grants Experience (EDGE) ............................................................................................................23
  • 1. Register Early and Submit Early ................................................................................ 23
  • 2. Authorized Representative Requirement .................................................................... 24
  • 3. Verify That Your Submission Was Successful .......................................................... 24
  • 4. EDGE Systems Issues ................................................................................................ 25

A. Program Description

1. Overview

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) sets out application submission and review procedures for two of EDA’s Economic Development Assistance Programs authorized under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 3121 et seq.) (PWEDA): (i) Planning; and (ii) Local Technical Assistance. EDA publishes separate NOFOs for other funding opportunities, including: Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance, Build to Scale (formerly Regional Innovation Strategies), University Center, Research and National Technical Assistance, and Disaster Recovery.

EDA’s programs provide economically distressed communities and regions comprehensive and flexible resources to address a wide variety of economic needs. Projects funded under this NOFO will support the DOC Strategic Plan (2018-2022) by, among other things, leading to the creation and retention of jobs and increased private investment, advancing innovation, enhancing the manufacturing capacities of regions, providing workforce development opportunities and growing ecosystems that attract foreign direct investment. Through its programs, EDA supports bottom-up strategies that build on regional assets to spur economic growth and resiliency. EDA encourages its grantees throughout the country to develop initiatives that present new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities.

2. EDA Investment Priorities

All projects considered for EDA funding under this NOFO must be consistent with at least one of EDA’s Investment Priorities. EDA’s Investment Priorities can be found at https://www.eda.gov/about/investment-priorities.htm. EDA’s website will be updated on January 15, April 15, June 15, or September 15 of each year if there are any revisions to these Priorities.

3. EDA Program Information

This section provides detailed information on the two programs to which this NOFO applies. EDA staff provides technical assistance to prospective applicants to assist in application development and submission. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the EDA representative listed for their applicable State in section G of this NOFO before submitting an application.

Applicants should describe how the EDA investment will complement, leverage, or otherwise align with other public and private investments to implement the project. In addition, applicants should indicate if other Federal funds have been secured for, or have been requested to support, any portion of the project for which an EDA investment is proposed. Where other Federal funding may be involved in the project, the applicant should provide the Federal program name and contact information with their application to facilitate interagency coordination and avoid duplication of resources.

a) Planning Program¹

Through the Planning program, EDA provides assistance to eligible recipients to manage and coordinate the development and implementation of regional economic development plans.

• Partnership Planning: EDA makes Partnership Planning investments to facilitate the development, implementation, revision, or replacement of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS), which are designed to help regions leverage their unique assets to help create and retain high-quality jobs. EDA provides Partnership Planning awards to designated District Organizations serving EDA-designated Economic Development Districts (EDD). In addition, EDA provides Partnership Planning awards to Indian Tribes to help organize and assist with the implementation of economic development activities within their areas. Only EDA-designated District Organizations and Indian Tribes are eligible recipients for Partnership Planning awards.
• Short-Term and State Planning: The Planning program also assists eligible recipients with Short-Term and State Planning efforts to stimulate and guide the creation and/or retention of high-quality jobs and private investment attraction. For example, EDA might provide Short-Term Planning funding to a coalition of Tribal and regional organizations to plan a coordinated response to the sudden loss of a significant employer in the affected area. EDA also makes Short-Term Planning awards to support the preparation or update of a CEDS for regions not served by a District Organization.

b) Local Technical Assistance Program²

The Local Technical Assistance program strengthens the capacity of local, regional, or State organizations and institutions to undertake and promote effective economic development programs through projects such as feasibility studies, impact analyses, disaster resiliency plans, and project planning. For example, EDA might provide funds to help a city prepare a feasibility study regarding the reuse of an abandoned manufacturing facility to advance local economic development.

4. Statutory Authorities for EDA’s Programs

The statutory authorities for the Planning and Local Technical Assistance programs are sections 203 (42 U.S.C. § 3143) and 207 (42 U.S.C. § 3147) of PWEDA, respectively.

Applicant eligibility and program requirements are set forth in EDA’s regulations (codified at 13 C.F.R. chapter III), and all applicants must address these requirements. Specific program requirements for the Planning program are set out at 13 C.F.R. part 303 and for the Local Technical Assistance program at 13 C.F.R. part 306, subpart A. For EDA’s Planning and Local Technical Assistance programs, this announcement supersedes the FY 2016 – FY 2019 EDA Planning Program and Local Technical Assistance Program Federal Funding Opportunity announcement dated March 20, 2018.

B. Federal Award Information

1. What Funding Is Available Under This Announcement?

For fiscal year 2021, EDA was appropriated $33.5 million for Planning programs and $10 million for Technical Assistance programs pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. 116-260, Title 1 of Division B, 134 Stat. 1182 (December 27, 2020)) and its accompanying explanatory statement. EDA allocated approximately $2.8 million of the planning funds for Short-Term and State Planning awards and approximately $30.7 million for Partnership Planning awards. EDA allocated approximately $1.6 million of the technical assistance funds for Local Technical Assistance awards.

The funding periods and amounts referenced in this NOFO are subject to the availability of funds at the time of award as well as DOC and EDA priorities at the time of award. Neither DOC nor EDA will be held responsible for application preparation costs. Publication of this announcement does not obligate DOC or EDA to award any specific grant or cooperative agreement or to obligate all or any part of available funds. DOC or EDA may cancel or withdraw this NOFO at any time.

The average award amounts set out below are provided only for information and may prove useful for planning purposes. EDA anticipates making awards in similar amounts, subject to the availability of funding. Actual amounts awarded may be higher or lower depending on the nature of the proposed project and the availability of funds. Applications for funding of activities related to existing awards may compete with applications for new awards. The large majority of funding under the Planning program is for Partnership Planning grants for EDA-designated District Organizations and Indian Tribes.

• The median amount of Partnership Planning and Short-Term Planning investments has been approximately $70,000. Historically, EDA has awarded funds for between 320 and 450 Planning projects a year, of which, approximately 310 have been for Partnership Planning awards.
• The median amount of Local Technical Assistance investments has been approximately $100,000. Historically, EDA has awarded funds for between 30 and 50 Local Technical Assistance projects a year.

2. What Type of Funding Instrument Will Be Used to Make Awards and How Long Will a Project’s Period of Performance Be?

• Funding Instrument: Subject to the availability of funds, EDA may award grants or cooperative agreements to eligible applicants to help support economic development project-based activities. EDA will award a cooperative agreement on a case-by-case basis if substantial agency involvement is required. For a cooperative agreement, the nature of EDA’s “substantial involvement” (to be included in the terms and conditions of the award) will generally be collaboration between EDA and the recipient on the scope of work. Other possible examples of EDA’s “substantial involvement” pursuant to a cooperative agreement may include, but are not limited to: (i) authority to halt immediately an activity if detailed performance specifications are not met; (ii) stipulation that the recipient must meet or adhere to specific procedural requirements before subsequent stages of a project may continue; (iii) involvement in the recipient’s selection of key personnel; and (iv) operational involvement during the project to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.
• Period of Performance: The period of performance for a given project will depend on the type of project, scope of work, and the EDA program under which the grant or cooperative agreement for the project is awarded. Partnership Planning investments generally range from one to three years in duration but typically are for three years. Other Planning investments and Local Technical Assistance investments are usually 12 to 18 months in duration, but a specific award may allow for up to three years for completion of the scope of work.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants for investment assistance under this NOFO include a(n):

• a. District Organization;
• b. Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes;
• c. State, county, city, or other political subdivision of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions;
• d. Institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education; or
• e. Public or private non-profit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State.³

Note that eligible applicants for Partnership Planning awards are limited to EDA-designated District Organizations and Indian Tribes; other entities are not eligible for a Partnership Planning award.

Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible for awards under this Planning and Local Technical Assistance Programs NOFO; requests from such entities will not be considered for funding.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing is an essential element of any EDA project. The availability and committed nature of matching funds is a competitiveness factor in evaluating applications against each other, as discussed in section E.1.a.v of this NOFO. Although meeting specific economic distress criteria is not a prerequisite for funding under the Planning and Local Technical Assistance programs, the economic distress level of the region impacted by a project serves as the basis for establishing the EDA share of the total cost of a project.

a) EDA Investment Rate for Planning Awards

The Federal share of a Planning award generally may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the project. However, the Federal share may be increased to an amount not to exceed 80 percent of the total cost of the project. EDA’s maximum investment rate for a Planning award is determined by the average per capita income or unemployment rate of the most economically distressed county (or equivalent political unit, e.g. parish) within the region served by the project, as outlined in Table 1 below:⁴

TABLE 1

| Projects located in regions in which: