Winrock - U.S. Programs
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Are nonprofit organizations eligible to apply for EECBG funding?
No, only local governments are eligible to apply. Local governments can include project activities in partnership with non-profits and businesses as outlined in the Request for Applications if they so choose.
If my county is ineligible to apply for funding, does that mean that any city within the county is also ineligible?
No, cities that are not included on the ineligible cities list are eligible to apply regardless of the eligibility status of their county government.
How much money can I apply for?
Local governments may submit applications for up to $750,000. Please note that the application deadline has passed and applications are not being accepted.
Do all of the funds have to be spent on a single initiative?
No, local governments may include as many separate activities as they would like within the application as long as each is accompanied by its own Activity Narrative Form and the total project request does not exceed the $750,000 limit.
I need to conduct an energy audit in order to determine the specifics of my retrofit activities. Can I apply for the money for the audit first and then apply later for the retrofit funds?
There will only be one round of funding available, so all costs must be included within a single application.
We would like to issue a sole source contract. What is the approval process to for a sole source contract?
Cities and counties can use the same sole source process as state agencies. Like any state agency, the city or county has to:
- Pick at least three firms from the Design Professionals listing
- Interview those firms with pertinent and consistent questions (the city or county develops the questions)
- Document the interviews (i.e. keep record of the interview questions and responses until three years after the grant ends)
- Select the professional.
If cities and counties follow this process, it will eliminate the need for them to seek sole source approval from the Arkansas Energy Office.
However, if any of the following conditions apply, the grantee must to respond to the 7-question sole source inquiry:
- Grantee seeks to contract for a project outside the scope of the design professionals listing,
- Grantee seeks to sole source with a contractor not registered with the Office of State Procurement
- Grantee believes it proper to directly pursue a sole source
It is important to note that the Arkansas Energy Office does not, as a matter of course, grant such sole source contracts. Historically, these sorts of contracts have been granted in only the most extreme of cases. It’s expected that a grantee would put services out for bid. Therefore, the method of selecting firms from the Design Professionals listing is the method to facilitate quick and proper procurement.
Can EECBG projects be supplemented with other grants?
Yes; however, eligible activities should clearly be defined and documented, and EECBG funding should be disbursed first.
How long will the turnaround be for reimbursement requests?
15 working days. The reimbursements requests must go first to Winrock International, who will approve and forward to the Arkansas Energy Office for disbursement of funds.
Can subrecipient request an advance of funds?
Yes. Requests must be submitted to Winrock with justification for the advance. For example, your contractor needs a deposit for a large equipment purchase. Justification will include a signed contract with vendor. NOTE: A 30-day advance has been approved by DOE for ARRA EECBG funding.
What is considered proof of payment which must accompany reimbursement requests?
A copy of the front of the check.
Is monitoring past the project end date required?
No. The project activities will end on the project end date. However, if you wish to monitor your energy savings past the project end date, it will confirm any energy savings created by your project. Confirmation of energy savings will assist the Department of Energy as it seeks EECBG projects to highlight and duplicate in other areas.
