Direct Component – Non-Construction Activities Page 1

RESTORE Act

Direct Component – Non-Construction Activities

U.S Department of the Treasury

Office of Gulf Coast Restoration

Initial Announcement

Funding Opportunity Number: GR-RDC-20-001

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number: 21.015

Key Dates: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis as long as funds are available in an 

applicant’s allocation. This funding opportunity announcement will close on December 31, 

2020. This funding opportunity announcement will either be extended or a new funding 

opportunity announcement may be posted again in early 2021, as determined necessary by the 

Department of the Treasury.
Direct Component – Non-Construction Activities Page 2

RESTORE Act

Direct Component – Non-Construction Activities

Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)

PART 1

I. Federal Awarding Agency: Office of Gulf Coast Restoration, Department of the 

Treasury

II. Funding Opportunity Title: RESTORE Act Direct Component – Non-Construction 

Activities

III. Announcement Type: Initial

IV. Funding Opportunity Number: GR-RDC-20-001

V. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number: 21.015

VI. Key Dates: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis as long as funds are 

available in an applicant’s allocation. This funding opportunity announcement will close 

on December 31, 2020. This funding opportunity announcement will either be extended 

or a new funding opportunity announcement may be posted again in early 2021, as 

determined necessary by the Department of the Treasury. Applications should be 

submitted at least 90 days before the requested start date of the award.

PART 2

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Under the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and 

Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act), Pub. L.

No. 112-141, § 1602, 126 Stat. 588 (2012), the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund 

(Trust Fund) was established in the Treasury of the United States. Eighty percent of 

all administrative and civil penalties paid after July 6, 2012 by responsible parties 

pursuant to a court order, negotiated settlement, or other instrument, under section 

311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act in connection with the Deepwater 

Horizon oil spill will be deposited into the Trust Fund and invested. The RESTORE 

Act created five components through which funds will be disbursed. 

Treasury is publishing multiple funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) as 

part of the RESTORE Act grant program. This announcement applies only to 

the Direct Component, and is only for applications for eligible non-construction 

activities, including projects with or without a non-federal cost-share for another 

federally funded project or program. This announcement also includes planning 
Direct Component – Non-Construction Activities Page 3

assistance needed to prepare the Multiyear Implementation Plan (Multiyear Plan)

required by the RESTORE Act. To apply for eligible activities involving 

construction and/or acquisition of real property or any other activity that requires a 

permit from a federal or state agency, including natural resource restoration projects, 

applicants should use the construction and real property acquisition funding 

opportunity announcement.

Trust Fund amounts are available to carry out eligible activities described in the 

RESTORE Act. These are: 

1. Restoration and protection of the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, 

marine and wildlife habitats, beaches and coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast 

region.

2. Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife and natural resources.

3. Implementation of a Federally-approved marine, coastal, or comprehensive 

conservation management plan, including fisheries monitoring.

4. Workforce development and job creation.

5. Improvements to or on State parks located in coastal areas affected by the 

Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

6. Infrastructure projects benefitting the economy or ecological resources, 

including port infrastructure.

7. Coastal flood protection and related infrastructure.

8. Planning assistance.

9. Administrative costs.

10. Promotion of tourism in the Gulf Coast region, including promotion of 

recreational fishing.

11. Promotion of the consumption of seafood harvested from the Gulf Coast 

region. 

Eligible activities 1 through 7 listed above must be carried out in the Gulf Coast 

region.

II. Federal Award Information

A. Total Funding Availability

The total funding available for eligible activities under the Direct Component will 

depend on the Trust Fund balance, any adjustments due to sequestration, pursuant 

to section 251A of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 

1985, as amended, and any adjustments due to obligations and disbursements 

through grants awarded to eligible recipients.

B. Award Amount

Each of the 47 eligible applicants may apply through one or more applications for 

its share of funds, described in Treasury regulations as a percentage of the 
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amounts available from the Trust Fund for the Direct Component. An eligible 

applicant may apply for up to 100 percent of its current net available allocation. 

Treasury will notify eligible applicants when revisions are made to the allocation 

tables, which include the amounts currently available and posted on Treasury’s

RESTORE Act website.

C. Anticipated Award Date

Treasury anticipates issuing a grant award within 60-120 days after receipt of a 

compliant application, depending on the complexity of the project. 

D. Period of Performance

Eligible applicants may submit one or more applications, each covering a 

performance period (or project period) of one year up to five years. Applications 

for funding for the preparation of a Multiyear Plan should not exceed two years. 

Applications should be submitted at least 90 days before the requested start date 

of the award.

E. Funding Instrument Type

Awards will be made as grants to eligible applicants. 

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are specified by the RESTORE Act and Treasury’s 

implementing regulations at 31 C.F.R. Part 34. Only the following entities may 

apply for funding under this announcement: 

1. The Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council or such administrative agent as 

it may designate. 

2. The Florida counties of Bay, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Dixie, Escambia, 

Franklin, Gulf, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lee, Levy, Manatee, 

Monroe, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Taylor, Wakulla, 

and Walton.

3. The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board of Louisiana

through the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana.

4. The Louisiana parishes of Ascension, Assumption, Calcasieu, Cameron, 

Iberia, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, 

St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. 

Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, and Vermilion. 

5. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

6. The Office of the Governor of the State of Texas, or an appointee of the 

Office of the Governor.
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Only the above-named entities are eligible applicants who may apply for funding. 

Treasury does not make Direct Component grants directly to other entities or 

individuals. Interested third parties may contact their jurisdiction listed in the 

above paragraph to learn more about how the eligible entities select proposed 

activities.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

 

No cost sharing or matching is required. Please note that federal grant 

requirements in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and 

Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 C.F.R. Part 200) apply to the entire 

grant award, including both the federal and the non-federal funds.

C. Other Criteria that Affect Eligibility

1. Each activity for which funding is sought under this announcement must be 

included in, and be consistent with a Multiyear Plan that has been prepared 

and approved by the applicant and reviewed and accepted by Treasury. This 

requirement does not apply to applications for planning assistance funding 

needed to prepare the Multiyear Plan. The required fillable forms, the 

RESTORE Direct Component Multiyear Plan Narrative and the RESTORE 

Direct Component Matrix, as well as other instructions for completing the 

Multiyear Plan, may be found on Treasury’s RESTORE Act Direct 

Component website.

2. Each applicant must complete an Operational Self-Assessment and must 

update and submit the Operational Self-Assessment annually by June 30.

Annual Operational Self-Assessments must be reviewed and accepted by 

Treasury before funds may be awarded for an application under this 

announcement. The required format and fillable form for the Operational 

Self-Assessment, as well as instructions for completing it, may be found on 

Treasury’s RESTORE Act Direct Component website.

3. As part of its first application, each Louisiana parish must certify to the 

Governor of Louisiana that the parish has a comprehensive land use plan and 

submit to Treasury a copy of a signed certification that complies with 31 

C.F.R. § 34.302(f). If the parish modifies its comprehensive land use plan, the 

parish must submit an updated certification. 

4. No application may be submitted for a proposed activity that is included in 

any paid out claim for compensation presented after July 6, 2012, to the Oil 

Spill Liability Trust Fund.

5. Activities designed to restore or protect natural resources must be based on the

best available science as defined in the RESTORE Act and Treasury’s final 

rule and clearly demonstrated in the proposed activity description See 31 

C.F.R. § 34.2. 
Direct Component – Non-Construction Activities Page 6

IV. Application Preparation and Submission Information

A. Application Package

Treasury uses the GrantSolutions.gov system to manage the application 

submission process, and application packages will be available only through 

GrantSolutions.gov at https://www.grantsolutions.gov. Only eligible applicants,

as defined in Section III, and their designated contractors as appropriate will be 

able to register with GrantSolutions.gov. Eligible applicants must register with 

GrantSolutions.gov and log in using the provided account information in order to 

access the various funding opportunity announcements and RESTORE Act Direct 

Component – Non-Construction Activities application packages available under 

the RESTORE Act.

During the application preparation process, eligible applicants should be sure to 

access and complete the specific application package within GrantSolutions.gov 

that corresponds to the correct RESTORE Act funding opportunity 

announcement, because each announcement has its own specific instructions, 

forms, and required attachments.

If you are an eligible applicant and require further information, need assistance 

with the GrantSolutions.gov account registration process, or if you do not have 

Internet access, contact Treasury using the contact information provided below in 

Section VII Federal Awarding Agency Contacts. 

Information also is available on Treasury’s RESTORE Act Direct Component

website.

B. Content and Form of Application

All applications under this FOA must be completed and submitted using the

RESTORE Act Direct Component – Non-Construction Activities application 

package provided by GrantSolutions.gov. An application must be submitted by 

the Authorizing Official, previously approved for enrollment and enrolled in 

GrantSolutions.gov.

Application packages must include the required standard forms, a Direct 

Component Application Narrative Supplement, a Title VI Narrative and other 

documentation required by Treasury. All standard forms are available 

electronically in GrantSolutions.gov at https://www.grantsolutions.gov. All forms 

in the GrantSolutions.gov application package must be completed and the 

applicant’s Authorizing Official must sign the certification electronically. 

Information that is not part of a standard form or a Treasury template included in 

the application package can be provided as part of a separate file attachment that 

the applicant can upload into the application package. All file attachments must 
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be in PDF file format, unless otherwise specified in this FOA or application 

guidance.

Any files uploaded into the GrantSolutions.gov application package must contain 

a valid file format extension in the filename. Any file submitted as part of the 

GrantSolutions.gov application package that is not in a PDF file format or in 

another format otherwise specified in this FOA, or contains password protection, 

will not be accepted for processing and will be excluded from the application 

during the review process. In addition, the use of compressed file formats such as 

ZIP, RAR, or Adobe Portfolio will not be accepted. Scanned copies should not be 

submitted through GrantSolutions.gov unless the applicant confirms the clarity of 

the documents. Documents must be scanned after they are signed. Pages cannot 

be reduced in size resulting in multiple pages on a single sheet. All documents 

that do not conform to the above will be excluded from the application during the 

review process.

The following items are required:

1. Form SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance.

2. Form SF-424A, Budget Information – Non-construction Programs.

3. RESTORE Act Direct Component Application Narrative Form. (Completion 

of the template in GrantSolutions.gov is required.) 

4. RESTORE Act Direct Component Application Narrative Supplement. (The 

narrative supplement must be uploaded as a Word document.)

All applicants must provide a narrative supplement including the following 

information with the application as an upload in GrantSolutions.gov. The 

information is required unless it is not applicable to the project, program, or 

activity. Applicants should review this funding opportunity announcement 

and Treasury guidance for further explanation of requirements.

a. Applicant Name

b. Descriptive Project Title (refer to SF-424)

c. Additional Locations (not included in the Direct Component Application 

Narrative form, if applicable)

d. Proposed Scope of Work - A detailed scope of work that fully describes 

the project or program for which funding is requested, including:

1. Project or Program Description

2. Need

3. Purpose

4. Objectives that clearly identify with the eligible 

activity(ies)

5. How the proposed project activity will be carried out in the 

Gulf Coast Region as defined in 31 C.F.R. § 34.2. Attach a 

map showing the project location in the Gulf Coast Region.

6. Possible material risks in implementing and maintaining 

the proposed activity, e.g., operational, legal, regulatory, 
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budgetary, or ecological risks, with a brief discussion of 

mitigation strategies that the applicant may need to address 

in order to implement and/or maintain the proposed 

activity. If the applicant determines that there are no 

material risks, then include a statement summarizing the 

determination.

7. Key Personnel, including name and contact information for 

the following:

i. The applicant’s Authorizing Official who is authorized 

to sign the grant application and award, 

ii. The Project Director who is responsible for the project, 

and

iii. The Financial Officer who is responsible for 

maintaining the accounting and financial records of the 

grant. 

8. A description of all funding sources included on the SF‐

424. 

e. Budget Justification – Provide a detailed budget that supports the 

proposed scope of work. The budget justification should relate each 

budget category listed in the SF‐424A and SF‐424C (see below) to the 

specific tasks identified in the proposed scope of work, including any 

third party funding. The budget justification should provide specific 

justification for all budget categories that apply; including an 

explanation of the necessity, allowability, reasonableness, and 

allocability of proposed costs. 

1. Total Budget

2. Amount of Total Budget incurred pre-award

3. Personnel – This refers to salaries and wages paid to employees of 

the applicant organization who are directly involved in grant 

implementation. The budget justification must identify the 

personnel category type by Full-Time Equivalent (FTE), including 

FTE percentage for part-time employees, number of personnel 

proposed for each category, and the estimated funding amounts. 

The applicant’s budget justification should identify positions by 

title and function, include a brief description of duties, and state 

the rate of compensation and the amount of time to be allocated for 

each position. This line item does not include personnel hired as 

subrecipients; those costs are included in the “Contractual” line 

item. 

4. Fringe Benefits – This refers to the allowances and services 

employers provide their employees as compensation in addition to 

regular salaries and wages. Fringe benefits include, but are not 

limited to, the costs of leave (vacation, family-related, sick, or 
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military,) employee insurance, pensions, and unemployment 

benefit plans. The budget justification should identify the 

organization’s fringe benefit rate and/or explain the basis for the 

calculation for each position.

5. Travel – This refers to the expenses for transportation, lodging, 

subsistence, and related items incurred by employees who are in 

travel status on official business of the non-Federal entity. Such 

costs may be charged on an actual cost basis, on a per diem or 

mileage basis in lieu of actual costs incurred, or on a combination 

of the two, provided the method used is applied to an entire trip 

and not to selected days of the trip, and results in charges 

consistent with those normally allowed in like circumstances in the 

non-Federal entity's non-federally funded activities and in 

accordance with the non-Federal entity's written travel 

reimbursement policies. The budget justification must provide an 

estimated number of trips, points of origin and destination, and 

purpose of travel. It should also show how each trip (or type of 

trip) is needed to achieve the goals and objectives of the project or 

program. This line item does not include a subrecipient’s travel 

expenses; those costs are included in the “Contractual” line item.

6. Equipment - This refers to tangible personal property (including 

information technology systems) having a useful life of more than 

one year and a per-unit acquisition cost that equals or exceeds the 

lesser of the capitalization level established by the non-Federal 

entity for financial statement purposes, or $5,000. The budget 

justification must include an itemized listing of all equipment 

proposed under the agreement. For each item to be purchased, 

provide an estimated unit cost, estimated useful life, basis for the 

estimated useful life, and justification for items of equipment to be 

purchased. Include a lease versus purchase analysis for each item 

of equipment.

7. Supplies – This refers to all tangible personal property other than

equipment. A computing device is a supply if the acquisition cost 

is less than the lesser of the capitalization level established by the 

non-Federal entity for financial statement purposes or $5,000, 

regardless of the length of its useful life. The budget justification 

must include a brief description of and justification for the supplies 

required to perform the work. These costs should be listed by 

major supply categories, e.g., office supplies, computer supplies, 

and monitoring supplies, and include the estimated costs by 

category.

8. Contractual – This refers to purchases of property or services 

needed to carry out the project or program under a Federal award. 

It is not specific to the legal instrument used, so it may include 

both subawards and contracts. The budget justification must 

include the name of the proposed contractor or subrecipient, if 
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known, and list the amount budgeted for each contract or 

subaward. For proposed subawards, the application must include 

an itemized subrecipient budget by object class, with appropriate 

justification. 

9. Construction – This refers to the total costs of all construction 

categories carried out by the recipient (further broken down in the 

SF-424C). All costs must be project specific. The applicant’s 

budget justification must include a brief description of and 

justification for each of the budget categories on the SF-424C. viii.

10. Other – This refers to direct costs that do not fit any of the 

aforementioned categories, such as rent for buildings used to 

conduct grant activities, utilities and/or leased equipment, 

transportation expenses, tuition for training, etc. The budget 

justification should list and describe other items by major type, 

provide a cost estimate or budget for each item, and describe the 

basis for the cost estimates or budget computations.

11. Indirect Costs – This refers to costs incurred for a common or joint 

purpose benefitting more than one cost objective, and not readily 

assignable to the cost objectives specifically benefitted, without 

effort disproportionate to the results achieved. See Section IV. F 

of this FOA for details on the three percent cap on certain indirect 

costs, i.e., administrative costs. Indirect costs must be supported 

by either a current federally approved Indirect Cost Rate 

Agreement or an election to use the de minimis indirect cost rate. 

In accordance with 2 C.F.R §200.414(f), any non-federal entity, 

i.e., state government department, Florida county, or Louisiana 

parish, that has never received a negotiated indirect cost rate with 

the Federal government and receives less than $35 million in direct 

Federal funding per year, may elect to use a de minimis rate of 

10% of Modified Total Direct Costs within their Direct 

Component grant. Grantees must keep the documentation of this 

decision on file. Applicants electing to use the de minimis rate 

should include in their applications a letter or other similar 

document, signed by their Chief Financial Officer or other senior 

official, stating that the state government 

department/county/parish: 1) is electing to use the de minimis 

indirect cost rate of 10% of Modified Total Direct Costs based on 2 

C.F.R. §200.414(f); 2) has never previously negotiated an indirect 

cost rate with the Federal government; and 3) receives less than 

$35 million in direct Federal funding per year.

f. Identification of Other Funding Sources (if applicable) - Some Direct 

Component projects will require additional funds to cover the full cost 

of the project (“other funds”), which may include local government 

funds, state funds, or other federal funds. Treasury requires

documentation of proof of availability of other funds needed for 
Direct Component – Non-Construction Activities Page 11

completion of project activities. Treasury will not award funds for the 

non-federal cost-share of a project receiving funding from another 

Federal agency until the other Federal agency has approved the activity 

and Treasury receives documentation of the approval.

g. Contractor (if applicable) – Indicate if the applicant plans to contract 

out any work described in the Scope of Work and included in the 

Budget Justification above (do not include subrecipient’s contractors). 

Describe the expected number of contracts, method of procurement, 

and the applicant’s plan for monitoring contractor performance and 

compliance. If a contractor has already been selected include the 

following:

1. Name of each contractor;

2. DUNS number of each contractor;

3. Date the applicant executed each contract; and

4. Amount of each contract awarded.

h. Subrecipient (if applicable) - If the proposed project includes a 

subaward, include a separate, clearly defined scope of work and 

budget for the subrecipient. Describe how the applicant selected or 

plans to select subrecipient(s), the applicant’s plan for monitoring the 

subrecipient(s) performance and compliance, and the means by which 

the applicant will assess each subrecipient’s level of risk. If a 

subrecipient has already been selected include the following: 

1. Name of each subrecipient;

2. DUNS number of each subrecipient;

3. Date of applicant selection of each subrecipient; and

4. Amount of funds to be provided to each subrecipient

i. Milestones – List the milestones and the estimated timeframe for 

completion (i.e., performance period start date + number of months to 

completion)

j. Performance Measures – include the following (see illustrative list of 

performance measures on Treasury’s RESTORE Act Direct 

Component website):

1. Measure: An indicator of success toward reaching a goal. 

The measure should reflect how the applicant will evaluate 

success from the narrative of the accepted multiyear plan.

2. Baseline: The starting point of the measure. It is the status 

quo without the grant award.

3. Target: The anticipated result of the measure. It is the 

anticipated new status with the grant award.

k. MYP Consistency - Describe whether the proposed scope of work 

differs from the corresponding project/program identified in the 
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applicant’s Multiyear Plan accepted by Treasury. If no differences 

exits, make an affirmative statement as to their consistency.

l. Best Available Science (if applicable) - The RESTORE Act requires 

activities designed to protect or restore natural resources to be based 

on the 'best available science,' which is defined in the Act as science 

that (a) maximizes the quality, objectivity, and integrity of 

information, including statistical information; (b) uses peer-reviewed 

and publicly available data; and (c) clearly documents risks and 

uncertainties in the scientific basis for such projects. The applicant 

must make a determination that a project designed to protect or 

restore natural resources is based on the best available science. (See 

Direct Component FAQs on Treasury’s RESTORE Act Direct 

Component website.) In order to support this determination, the 

applicant must:

1. Explain how the project’s natural resource protection 

and/or restoration objectives and proposed methods are 

based on best available science; 

2. Summarize any risks or uncertainties associated with the 

project and explain how these risks will be mitigated; 

3. Cite and describe peer reviewed literature or publicly 

available data. For each source cited, the applicant must 

provide sufficient citations, including:

i. Title;

ii. Journal in which the literature source appeared, if 

applicable;

iii. Publication date;

iv. Author(s); and

v. Web address if downloaded or available online.

4. Upload any cited planning documents, internal reports 

and/or other documentation of site conditions that are not 

part of peer-reviewed literature and/or are not publicly 

available with the application. 

5. Summarize the following: 

i. The peer-reviewed information that justifies the 

proposed objectives, including methods used for the 

proposed activity. 

ii. The literature sources’ conclusions and any 

uncertainties or risks in the scientific basis that 

would apply to the proposed activity. 

iii. How, if the information supporting the proposed 

activity does not directly pertain to the Gulf Coast 
Direct Component – Non-Construction Activities Page 13

Region, the applicant’s methods reasonably support 

and are adaptable to that geographic area. 

iv. An evaluation of uncertainties and risks in 

achieving the project’s best available science 

objectives over the longer term.

m. Permits or Authorizations (if applicable) – Provide a list of the 

specific federal, tribal, state, or other permits or authorizations 

required for the project and their status. If permits or authorizations 

have already been obtained, include them with the application. (For 

federal environmental requirements, see Environmental Checklist and 

Environmental Checklist Reference Guidance.)

5. A letter from the applicant’s highest official designating a senior authorized 

official who can legally bind the entity to execute the RESTORE Act Direct 

Component Application Certifications. A letter is not required if the 

applicant’s highest official executes the certifications.

6. RESTORE Act Direct Component Applicant Certifications signed by the 

senior authorized official. (Completion of the template in 

GrantSolutions.gov is required.)

7. SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, if applicable. See 31 C.F.R. 

Part 21 and the RESTORE Act Direct Component Applicant Certifications, 

Section E – Certification Regarding Lobbying. If applicable, the SF-LLL 

must be signed by the senior authorized official. Please note: If the senior 

authorized official is not submitting the application as the Authorizing 

Official in GrantSolutions.gov, then a signed SF-LLL should be uploaded as 

part of the application package; otherwise, the online SF-LLL will populate 

an electronic signature for whoever submits the application. (Completion of 

the template is required, if applicable.)

8. RESTORE Act Environmental Checklist. The applicant must identify the 

environmental laws that may apply to the eligible activity and the 

environmental documents that may be required. The applicant must include 

the status of all applicable Federal and state environmental compliance 

requirements and documentation of fulfilled requirements. Treasury 

financial assistance is subject to compliance with applicable Federal and 

state environmental requirements. (Completion of the template by the 

applicant in GrantSolutions.gov is required for all awards.)

For projects that will be implemented by a subrecipient, applicants may 

submit an Environmental Checklist completed by an authorized 

representative employed by the subrecipient. Documentation of the 

applicant’s review of the Environmental Checklist must be submitted with 

the application.

9. Current federally approved Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or election to use 

the de minimis rate, if indirect costs are included in the budget. See 5g, ix, 

Indirect Costs, in this section for additional information.

10. A map of the study or planning area which will be affected by the project, 

with the boundaries of the affected area clearly delineated. Only the 
Direct Component – Non-Construction Activities Page 14

following file formats will be accepted for maps: PDF, GIF, JPEG, or PNG. 

USGS maps are available in PDF format at 

http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod/maps.html.

11. Documentation of all funding sources identified in the RESTORE Act 

Direct Component Application Narrative Supplement. Treasury will accept 

the following documentation as proof of available other funds:

a. Bonds: When an applicant wishes to use bond funds as part of its 

budget on a project using Direct Component funds, it must show that 

it has the legal capacity and authority to issue bonds sufficient to 

cover the total cost of the project less the federal funds of the Direct 

Component grant. A statement from the applicant’s attorney or bond 

attorney certifying to the applicant’s capacity and authority will 

suffice as documentation.

b. Grants/Loans: When an applicant wishes to use a grant or loan from 

a third party as part of its budget on a project using Direct 

Component funds, it must provide a letter of commitment or similar 

confirmation, signed by an authorizing official, that it will receive a 

grant or loan from a third party sufficient to cover the total cost of 

the project less the federal funds of the Direct Component grant.

c. Local Funds (Cash): When an applicant wishes to use cash as part of 

its budget on a project using Direct Component funds, it must submit 

as part of its application an assurance signed by its Chief Executive 

Officer, attorney, or authorizing official certifying that the local 

funds will be available for the project, have been budgeted expressly 

for the project, and will not be used for any purpose other than the 

project. 

12. Treasury’s RESTORE Act regulations at 31 C.F.R. § 34.200(b) allow 

eligible applicants to use funds under the Direct Component to satisfy the 

non-Federal cost-share of an activity that is eligible for funding under 31 

C.F.R. § 34.201 and authorized by Federal law. Applicants seeking to use 

Direct Component funding to cover the non-Federal cost-share of another 

federally funded project or program which is a Direct Component eligible 

activity must include the following in its application:

a. If the other Federal agency already has approved the activity, the 

applicant must submit a copy of the grant agreement or other 

approval document as part of this Direct Component application.

b. If the other Federal agency has not approved the Direct Component 

activity, the applicant must submit a letter of commitment from that 

agency or other documentation that indicates that the applicant will 

receive funding, along with the project description/scope of work 

and performance metrics as part of this Direct Component 

application.

c. If the other Federal agency has not approved the activity, the 

applicant must submit a narrative describing the activity’s status and 

the approximate timeline for the Federal agency to approve or 

decline the activity as part of this Direct Component application.
Direct Component – Non-Construction Activities Page 15

Treasury will not award funds for the non-federal cost-share until the other 

Federal agency has approved the activity and Treasury receives 

documentation of the approval.

13. If a proposed activity was approved by another agency prior to July 6, 2012, 

the application also must include the following:

a. In the Application Narrative: 

i. The project description must clarify when the activity was 

approved, the name of the approving agency, the current status of 

the project, the original approved budget for the project, the 

amount of funds that have already been expended on the project, 

and the expected funds required for project completion. If any 

cost overruns have occurred or are expected to occur, the 

applicant must provide an explanation.

ii. The applicant must clearly explain how it addressed 

procurement, public input, and the RESTORE Act’s best 

available science requirement, and how its approach 

substantively fulfilled RESTORE Act requirements. 

See 33 U.S.C. § 1321(t)(1)(E).

iii. If the information requested in this application was included in 

the application for the earlier approving agency, the applicant 

may include cross-references between particular questions and 

responses.

b. Documentation showing that the activity was approved prior to July 6, 

2012, such as a grant approval letter, other approval documentation, or 

meeting minutes from the governmental entity with authority to approve 

the project. 

c. Documentation of the original budget and scope of work, e.g., approved

grant application or other approval documentation.

In addition, the State of Alabama must submit with each application a 

certification, signed by the authorized official, that the funding request was 

approved in accordance with 33 U.S.C. §1321(t)(1)(F), and that Alabama is in 

compliance with 33 U.S.C. §1321(t)(1)(F)(i)(IV).

More information on application policies and requirements is available on

Treasury’s RESTORE Act Direct Component website.

C. Civil Rights Act Title VI Narrative

(Include as a PDF upload in GrantSolutions.gov.)

All applicants must provide a Title VI Narrative as an upload in 

GrantSolutions.gov. The Title VI Narrative must be approved by the applicant’s 

board of directors or appropriate governing entity or official(s) responsible for 

policy decisions prior to submission to Treasury. Applicants must submit a copy 

of the board resolution, meeting minutes, or similar documentation with the Title 
Direct Component – Non-Construction Activities Page 16

VI Narrative as evidence that the board of directors or appropriate governing 

entity or official(s) has approved the Title VI Narrative. 

The Title VI Narrative, submitted with the application, shall include the 

information listed below. Treasury will accept a Title VI compliance form 

recently prepared and submitted to another Federal agency. If any 

information required by Treasury is not included in the other agency’s Title 

VI compliance form, the missing information must be submitted with the 

application for the Title VI Narrative to be considered a complete response. 

If any item listed below is not relevant to the project for which federal 

financial assistance is requested, the information should be marked as “not 

applicable.” The Title VI Narrative should include:

1. A statement that the Title VI notice to the public is posted in a prominent 

place or places, and the type of postings being used (i.e., in the recipient’s 

place(s) of business, in written communications to the beneficiaries, or on the 

recipient’s website). 

2. A list of any pending Title VI investigations, complaints, or lawsuits filed 

with the applicant. This list should include those investigations, complaints, or 

lawsuits that pertain to allegations of discrimination on the basis of race, 

color, and/or national origin that pertain to the applicant submitting the 

narrative. 

3. Information regarding the applicant’s Title VI compliance history if it has 

previously received funding from another federal agency. The information 

shall include a copy of any Title VI compliance review reports issued by such 

other federal agency in the previous two years. The information shall include: 

a. The purpose or reason for the review. 

b. The name of the agency or organization that performed the review. 

c. A summary of the findings and recommendations of the review. 

d. A report on the status and/or disposition of such findings and 

recommendations. 

4. A copy of the applicant’s plan for providing language assistance to persons 

with limited English proficiency, based on the Treasury LEP Guidance. 

5. Applicants that have program-related, non-elected planning boards, advisory 

councils or committees, or similar bodies, the membership of which is 

selected by the applicant, must provide a table depicting the racial breakdown 

of the membership of those committees, and a description of efforts made to 

encourage the participation of minorities on such committees or councils. 

6. A description of the location of existing or proposed facilities connected with 

the proposed project, program, or activity, and whether the location has or will 
Direct Component – Non-Construction Activities Page 17

have the effect of unnecessarily denying access to any persons on the basis of 

prohibited discrimination (race, color or national origin). 

7. A list of the applicant’s pending applications for federal financial assistance 

and existing assistance. (A download file from USAspending.gov is 

acceptable for existing federal financial assistance.) 

8. A description of the procedures the applicant will use to ensure subrecipients 

comply with Title VI and a proposed schedule of Title VI Narrative 

submissions from the subrecipient for this project or program. 

D. Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and System 

for Award Management (SAM)

1. All applicants must have a DUNS number. A DUNS number may be obtained 

from Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. by telephone, currently 866–705–5711, or the 

Internet, currently at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. This number should be 

entered in the block with the applicant's name and address on the cover page 

of the application, block 8c on the Form SF 424, Application for Federal 

Assistance. The name and address in the application should be exactly as 

given for the DUNS number. Applicants should obtain this DUNS number 

immediately to ensure all registration steps are complete prior to submitting 

an application.

2. All applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management 

(SAM); the website for the SAM system is at https://www.sam.gov. 

Registering an account with SAM is a separate process from submitting an 

application. Applicants are encouraged to register early. All applicants must 

be registered in SAM prior to submitting an application. Applicants must 

maintain an active registration with SAM at all times, prior to submitting an 

application and throughout the entire period of performance of an award. 

Applicants are required to renew their registration with SAM annually. 

Failure to renew a SAM registration prior to application submission may 

prevent an applicant from being eligible to receive a grant award. 

Certification in SAM.gov has now replaced the SF-424B Assurances as part 

of the application. Applicants must successfully register with SAM prior to 

registering in the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act 

Subaward Reporting System (FSRS) at https://www.fsrs.gov as a prime 

awardee user. Prime recipients must maintain a current registration with the 

SAM system, and may make subawards only to entities that have DUNS 

numbers. Organizations must report executive compensation as part of the 

registration profile at https://www.sam.gov by the end of the month following 

the month in which an award is made, and annually thereafter based on the 

reporting requirements of the Federal Funding Accountability and 

Transparency Act (FFATA) of 2006, Pub. L. No. 109-282, as amended by the 

Government Funding Transparency Act of 2008, Pub. L. No. 110-252, § 
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6202, 122 Stat. 2387 (2008), and as amended by the Digital Accountability 

and Transparency Act (DATA Act) of 2014, Pub. L. No. 113-101, and 

implemented by 2 C.F.R. Part 170.

3. Treasury cannot make a grant award to an applicant who has not obtained a 

DUNS number and does not maintain an active registration with SAM. See 2 

C.F.R. Part 25.

E. Submission Dates and Times

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis as long as funds are available in 

an applicant’s allocation. Applications should be submitted at least 90 days 

before the requested start date of the award. This funding opportunity 

announcement will close on December 31, 2020. This funding opportunity 

announcement will either be extended or a new funding opportunity 

announcement may be posted again in early 2021, as determined necessary by the 

Department of the Treasury.

F. Intergovernmental Review

Applications under this program are not subject to Executive Order 12372,

"Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." Please check box “C” on item 

19 of the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance because Review by State

under Executive Order 12372 does not apply. State review requirements may still 

apply. 

G. Funding Restrictions

1. Not more than three percent of the total award amount may be used for 

administrative costs as defined in 31 C.F.R. § 34.2. An applicant may use 

either the grant-by-grant or aggregate method to determine allowable 

administrative costs pursuant to 31 C.F.R. § 34.204(a). If the applicant 

chooses the aggregate method, the application should include the following:

a. A written request to use the aggregate method for calculating 

administrative indirect costs and the dollar amount requested.

b. Table of administrative costs requested to date and the available funds in 

the recipient’s administrative indirect cost pool. (We recommend using the 

worksheet from the Aggregate Method Administrative Cost Tool).

The three percent limit does not apply to the administrative costs of 

subrecipients. All subrecipient costs are subject to the cost principles in 

Federal law and policies on grants. See 31 C.F.R. § 34.204.

2. Pursuant to the Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Guidance at 2 

C.F.R. Part 200, Treasury will not allow reimbursement of costs incurred 

before an award is made, unless an applicant demonstrates that the costs were 

incurred directly pursuant to the negotiation and in anticipation of the award, 

and that the costs were necessary for the efficient and timely performance of 
Direct Component – Non-Construction Activities Page 19

the scope of work. Such costs are allowable only to the extent that they would 

have been allowable if incurred after the date of the award and only with 

Treasury's written approval. All costs incurred before the Federal awarding 

agency makes the Federal award are at the recipient’s risk. Any pre-award 

costs should be requested as part of an application under this funding 

opportunity announcement. The applicant must clearly describe the proposed 

pre-award costs in the scope of work and budget justification, and provide a 

compelling justification as to why Treasury should approve them. Applicants 

considering including pre-award costs in an application should contact 

Treasury as soon as possible to discuss them.

3. Proposal costs of the current accounting period normally should be treated as 

indirect costs per 2 C.F.R. § 200.460. Applications including proposal costs 

as direct costs should provide a detailed justification as to the appropriateness 

for charging the proposal costs directly to the prospective award. 

H. Other Submission Requirements

All applications must be submitted via the GrantSolutions.gov system,

https://www.grantsolutions.gov. 

Documents that require a signature may be scanned and uploaded into the 

application package. In GrantSolutions.gov, the name of whoever submits the 

application automatically appears as the signature of the Authorized 

Representative on the SF-424. While GrantSolutions.gov will allow anyone 

enrolled in the system to submit an application, Treasury requires that the 

Authorizing Official, a full-time employee, submit the application. Applicants 

may contact Treasury using the contact information provided below in the event 

of technical difficulties.

V. Application Review Information

A. Evaluation Criteria

This is a noncompetitive grant opportunity. Each application will be evaluated 

for completeness and conformance with the RESTORE Act and Treasury’s 

implementing regulations at 31 C.F.R. Part 34 and the Uniform Guidance at 2 

C.F.R. Part 200. Treasury also will evaluate each applicant’s ability to administer 

an award successfully, using information sources such as, the Operational SelfAssessment, audits under the Single Audit Act, and OMB-designated repositories 

of government-wide eligibility qualification or financial integrity information.

B. Review and Selection Process

Treasury will perform an initial eligibility review of applications as they are 

submitted. Treasury also will assess each application for completeness and 
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compliance with the requirements of the RESTORE Act, applicable federal 

statutes, regulations, and grant policies. If the application is for a project designed 

to restore or protect natural resources, Treasury will assess whether the applicant 

reasonably demonstrated that the project is based on the best available science as 

defined in the RESTORE Act and Treasury’s final rule at 31 C.F.R. § 34.2.

Treasury may seek the assistance of governmental and nongovernmental subjectmatter experts to provide technical input to its best available science review and 

environmental checklist review. Applications will be selected for funding if they 

fulfill all application requirements and funding is available in the applicant’s 

Trust Fund allocation.

C. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates

Successful applications will be announced and awarded on a rolling basis as they 

are reviewed. All awards will have a start date of the first day of the month.

D. Review of Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System 

Information (FAPIIS) Data

Treasury, prior to making a Federal award with the total amount of the Federal 

share being greater than the Simplified Acquisition Threshold currently set at 

$250,000, is required to review and consider any information about the applicant 

that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through 

SAM (currently FAPIIS). See 41 U.S.C. § 2313(e)(2)(A). 

Each applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity 

and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any 

information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is 

currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through 

SAM. Treasury will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the 

other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a 

judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of 

performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by 

applicants as described in 2 C.F.R. § 200.205. 

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

Treasury will notify applicants of application determinations via email, either 

directly from Treasury or via email notifications issued through the 

GrantSolutions.gov system. Treasury will provide successful applicants with a 

Notice of Award. Applicants will need to formally accept the award within 30 
Direct Component – Non-Construction Activities Page 21

days, via the GrantSolutions.gov system, in order for the award to become legally 

binding. Awards must be accepted by the Authorizing Official enrolled in 

GrantSolutions.gov.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 

Awards made under this announcement are subject to the RESTORE Act, 

Treasury’s regulations at 31 C.F.R. Part 34, other applicable federal statutes,

regulations, and grant policies. Below is a list of requirements with which the 

applicant will need to comply. This is not an exhaustive list. The RESTORE Act 

Standard Terms and Conditions and Program-Specific Terms and Conditions for 

awards under this announcement are posted on Treasury’s RESTORE Act Direct 

Component website.

1. Lobbying Restrictions at 31 C.F.R. Part 21.

2. Government-wide Debarment and Suspension Requirements at 31 C.F.R. 

Part 19.

3. Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace at 31 C.F.R. Part 

20.

4. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act and regulations at 2 

C.F.R. Part 170.

5. Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit 

Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 C.F.R. Part 200 and any Treasury 

regulations implementing these requirements.

6. Award Term for Trafficking in Persons at 2 C.F.R. Part 175.

7. Treasury Title IX regulations at 31 C.F.R. Part 28.

8. Treasury Title VI regulations at 31 C.F.R. Part 22.

9. Treasury Age Discrimination regulations at 31 C.F.R. Part 23.

Special award conditions may be applied to an award under this announcement.

C. Reporting

Applicants who receive awards will be required to file the SF-425 Federal 

Financial Report. Performance reporting also is required via the SF-PPR, the 

RESTORE Act Status of Performance Report, and the RESTORE Act Milestones 

Report. All financial and performance reports must be filed semi-annually via 

GrantSolutions.gov during the grant award’s period of performance, unless a 

special award condition specifies more frequent reporting. The Operational SelfAssessment form must be updated annually.

I. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
Direct Component – Non-Construction Activities Page 22

For questions regarding this announcement, please contact the Office of Gulf Coast 

Restoration at restoreact@treasury.gov. 

Information also is available at Treasury’s RESTORE Act Direct Component

website.