Deadline to apply: Tuesday, July 12, 2016, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Where can I go to learn more about this Federal Funding Opportunity?

A recording of an Applicant’s Webinar can be found at: 

https://www.nist.gov/video/nice-webinar-nice-ramps-federal-funding-opportunityapplicants-webinar

The Applicant’s Webinar PowerPoint slides can be downloaded at: 

https://www.nist.gov/document/niceffowebinarpresentation5-18-16pdf

The full FFO PDF with details on this opportunity can be found at 

https://www.nist.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2017/01/27/ffo2016.pdf

Link to opportunity on Grants.gov: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/viewopportunity.html?oppId=283764

Additional questions may be directed to the NICE Program Office via email at 

nist.nice@nist.gov. 

Additional Helpful Links:

NICE Strategic Plan: https://www.nist.gov/itl/appliedcybersecurity/nice/about/strategic-plan

NICE Workforce Framework: https://www.nist.gov/itl/appliedcybersecurity/nice/resources/nice-cybersecurity-workforce-framework

CAE: https://www.caecommunity.org/

ATE: http://www.atecenters.org/security-technologies/ or https://www.nsf.gov/ate

Jobs Heat Map: http://nist.gov/nice/map/index.html

Ready to Work Checklist: 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/ready_to_work_factsheet_07222

014.pdf 

NICE Annual Conference & Expo: https://www.fbcinc.com/nice

Submitting the Application:

The RFP mentions 15 pages maximum. Is this single- or double-spaced?

The application may be formatted in single space or double space. Applicants should 

determine the appropriate spacing in relation to the content of their application 

and the other guidelines described in the Announcement of Federal Funding 

Opportunity.

The application package doesn't include the places to upload the technical proposal 
and abstract. How can I get them?

Application documents must be completed and attached by clicking “Add Attachments” 

found in item 15 of the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. This will 

create a zip file that allows for transmittal of the documents electronically via 

Grants.gov.

Use of Funding:

What are we permitted to use the grant funding for?

Funds may be used for the conduct (i.e. programmatic activities) and operational 

activities (i.e. grant administration, management, and oversight) directly 

associated with the award. General information on allowability of costs is 

available in 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 

Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, accessible at:

http://go.usa.gov/SBYh.

What should be achieved by this grant?

Applicants must establish (or identify if it already exists) a multistakeholder workforce 

partnership to include at least a K-12 school, an institution of higher education, 

and a local employer to support or implement the goals and objectives of the 

NICE Strategic Plan. Standup of this consortium, as well as the delivery of specific 

activities, such as training, adhere to the intent of the program.

In the "Statement of Work and Implementation Plan", is "Recruit employers in the 

community to support internships, apprenticeships, or coop programs in conjunction 

with education and training providers." the major activity? Or do you expect certain 

specific training activities to be developed and implemented for the employers?

The importance of one activity doesn’t necessarily outweigh the other. Successful 

applicants will be awarded based on their ability to effectively address local 

cybersecurity workforce development needs.

What is the time frame allowable to use this funding?

Applicants should anticipate completing their goals and objectives within a 15-month 

project period.

Applicants:

Will you be awarding based upon geography?
Geography may be taken into account at time of selection since one of the selection 

factors is “Regional Diversity”.

When you refer to eligible applicant as "non-profit including institutions of higher 

education" are you specifically referring to 501c3 non-profit corporations or just an 

applicant that is not private or for-profit?

For the purpose of this FFO, a non-profit organization is an entity that is not a 

government agency (state, local or tribal) or a for-profit.

If a legally formed non-profit is waiting for its exempt status can it still apply?

Yes.

Partnerships/Letters of Commitment:

How many total partnerships must be identified?

A multistakeholder workforce partnership must include at least 1) K-12 school, 2) an 

institution of higher education and 3) local employer. 

Participation from more than one organization of each of these types as well as from 

training and certification providers, economic development organizations, and 

other community organizations is encouraged

Do K-12 partners need to focus on all of K-12? Could the partner just focus on 

segments of K-12 (i.e. only middle school or only high school)?

There is no requirement to include all grade levels.

Are we required to have sub-awardees?

No. Members of the multistakeholder partnership are not required to receive funding.

Evaluation Criteria:

What metrics are useful when measuring the success of the grant?

The performance metrics should be developed in relation to the goals and objectives of 

your project, and the three goals identified in the NICE Strategic Plan, accessible 

at: http://nist.gov/nice/about/strategicplan.html.