Citizens’ Monitoring And Technical Assessment FundRequest For Proposals: MTA Fund Summary

January 27, 2006

MTA Fund – Summary RfP, 2006

Dear Prospective Applicant,

We are pleased to provide a Request for Proposals (RfP) for funding from the Citizens’ Monitoring and Technical Assessment Fund (MTA Fund Summary, 2006).

This is a special funding round to award one grant of $50,000 to an eligible organization to prepare a summary of the projects and findings from the 103 grants awarded by the Citizens’ Monitoring and Technical Assessment Fund from 2000 to 2005. The primary purpose of the summary is to further disseminate the principal findings from the completed MTA Fund grants.

To assist groups to prepare their proposals, we are providing the attached RfP. This is a competitive grant, so strict adherence to the requirements in the RfP is essential. While the RfP is not lengthy, we have included detailed information on the history of the MTA Fund, the basic steps for applying, and the criteria your organization must meet. The specific questions that you must address in your proposal begin on page 8.

As you review this RfP, please be aware of the following:

the proposal MUST be submitted no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, February 28 (proposals received after this date will not be considered, at RESOLVE’s discretion);

the financial accounting requirements outlined and the requirement for complying with the Office of Management and Budget circulars in Section IV can be handled in any number of ways and tailored for your existing accounting system (these requirements are identical to grants from federal government agencies and are necessary under the settlement agreement that created the MTA Fund); and

the certifications in Section V are intended to establish that you are eligible for funding.

If you are considering applying for this grant, please inform me as soon as possible. Also, we encourage you to contact usasearly in the process as possiblewith any questions about the RfP.

Please pass this RfP along to others who might be interested in applying. This document, as well as additional information about the MTA Fund can be found at our Web site,

Please contact me at any time if you have any questions about the RfP or the application process.

Sincerely,

Bruce J. Stedman

Director, MTA Fund

Proposal Packet – Page 1

Citizens’ Monitoring And Technical Assessment FundRequest For Proposals: MTA Fund Summary

Grant Guidelines & Application Process

MTA Fund Summary, 2006

Key Dates and Deadlines to Remember

If you are considering applying for this grant, please inform RESOLVE as soon as possible.

The Proposal must be postmarkedon or before February 28, 2006.

Introduction

As part of a 1998 court settlement[1] between U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and 39 plaintiffs (non-profit peace and environmental groups around the country), the Citizens’ Monitoring and Technical Assessment Fund (MTA Fund) was established to provide money to non-profit, non-governmental organizations[2] and Federally recognized tribal governments working on issues related to the nuclear weapons complex.

The MTA Fund was established to help those groups procure technical and scientific assistance to perform technical and scientific reviews and analyses of environmental management activities at DOE sites. Between 2000 and 2005, 103 grants were awarded.[3] These grants also supported dissemination of the technical and scientific reviews and analyses undertaken with monies from the MTA Fund; the funds could not be used for litigation, lobbying, administrative support, or fundraising.

The MTA Fund represented an opportunity for citizens groups, tribes, and others to conduct their own research and monitoring of DOE environmental management activities at sites throughout the country. The MTA Fund also represented an opportunity to develop new approaches for community-based research that may be applicable to other environmental issues and problems.

The MTA Fund summary grant is intended to document the history of the Fund, summarize the technical approaches and findings of the projects, and to further distribute those findings.

Administering Organization

RESOLVE, Inc. administers the MTA Fund. RESOLVE is a neutral non-profit dispute resolution organization with special expertise in the environmental arena with offices in Washington, DC and Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1977, RESOLVE’s mission is to mediate controversial environmental issues and promote the effective use of conflict resolution in public decisionmaking. RESOLVE has experience managing technical assistance and research funds, and bringing groups together with technical experts to produce the highest quality research with practical applications.

Bruce Stedman, a Senior Mediator at RESOLVE directs the MTA Fund, with assistance from Paula Moreno and Jim Wano (RESOLVE’s Controller).

RESOLVE formed an Advisory Board[4] to oversee use of the MTA Fund and to advise RESOLVE on how the Fund should be distributed. Over the life of the Fund, the Advisory Board has been composed of individuals from organizations that were involved in the lawsuit against DOE that created the MTA Fund and others, including tribes that are and are not Federally recognized. In addition to the Advisory Board, RESOLVE has welcomed input from other organizations, tribes, and individuals, including those who believe their views may not be represented on the Advisory Board, and potential applicants, about how the MTA Fund should be managed and distributed.

For this grant the Advisory Board will assist RESOLVE in reviewing proposals and making recommendations to RESOLVE, but will not make funding decisions. Members of the Advisory Board also are available to assist applicants in initiating the proposal process. (See the Proposal Development section, below.) Under the terms of the court settlement, RESOLVE has sole discretion and decision-making authority with respect to the MTA Fund. RESOLVE will make all funding decisions.

RESOLVE is required by the settlement agreement to report annually to DOE on expenditures from the MTA Fund and on compliance with the applicable cost principles. While DOE will receive a copy of the final product from this grant, DOE is not reviewing or receiving copies of the applications. DOE has no role in determining how the funds are spent (as long as the settlement agreement and the cost principles are being followed), and DOE has no involvement in how projects are conducted (unless, of course, permission is needed to be on a DOE site to collect data) or in the final product. All decisions regarding the MTA Fund are made independently by RESOLVE.

Proposal Development

While not a requirement, prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to inform RESOLVE of your interest in applying to the MTA Fund at the earliest possible opportunity – by telephone, fax, or email. We ask that you notify us before submitting the proposal so that we may answer any questions you may have and to ensure that your proposal is fully complete as submitted. RESOLVE or an Advisory Board member may assist with:

  • identifying an appropriate technical advisor or researcher to partner with on an application;
  • developing methods or strategies for conducting the research or information distribution; and/or
  • explaining application requirements.

If you need assistance identifying an appropriate expert and/or a MTA Fund Advisory Board member to work with in developing your Proposal, please contact RESOLVE.

Eligibility

Eligible Organizations and Tribal Governments

Grants will be made only to non-profit, non-governmental organizations or Federally recognized tribal governments working on issues related to the nuclear weapons complex. The MTA Fund will consider collaborative proposals from eligible organizations and/or tribal governments. Organizations and communities of color and low-income communities and organizations are encouraged to apply.

Please contact MTA Fund Director, Bruce Stedman (202-965-6217) with any questions regarding eligibility.

Financial Overview

Grant Amount

The Summary Grant will be for $50,000 (inclusive of any General & Administrative and/or fiscal agent fee).

Prohibited Uses of Funds

Money from the MTA Fund may not be used to conduct litigation, lobbying, or fundraising. In addition, money from the MTA Fund may not be used for basic administrative support or for the purchase of equipment (e.g., computers and other office machinery, software, and laboratory machinery).

Application Procedures

Application Process

To speed review and approval of proposals, please follow the instructions and use the application forms provided. Using these forms will reduce the time needed for and improve the application review process. RESOLVE can provide hard copies and electronic versions of the forms and formats discussed in the applications packet upon request (they are also available on the MTA Fund website,MTA Fund Summary Grant RFP). As you prepare your proposal, please keep in mind the following:

  • please contact RESOLVE early to indicate your intention to make a proposal;
  • if you have questions, do not hesitate to contact us; and
  • be concise, clear, and specific in your proposal.

The MTA Fund will not pay any costs to prepare the proposal. These costs shall be borne by the submitter. Proposals will not be returned to the submitter, but each submitter will be informed regarding the decision on their proposal.

Proposal

Applicants are required to submit a proposal based on the Proposal Forms and Procedures section below. Be sure to submit the required Attachment A – Grant Proposal Checklist. Please use the checklist to be sure that all required information and forms are included in your proposal. If any requested information is not included with your proposal submission, in the "comments" section of the checklist please indicate the reason the information is not included and when it will be provided.

All proposals must meet the Proposal Evaluation Criteria (see below) to be considered. A proposal that fails to meet all of these conditions cannot be reviewed. Therefore, it is essential that every proposal clearly address each criterion. If you have questions regarding any of the listed criteria, please contact the MTA Fund as soon as possible so we can answer your questions and assist you in determining how the criteria can be met.

Proposal Deadline

Complete Proposals Must Be Postmarked on or before February 28, 2006

The deadline for submission of a proposal is February 28, 2006. We strongly encourage applicants to plan accordingly to meet this deadline. RESOLVE will use the postmark to determine whether an application has been submitted on time. Proposals postmarked after this date will not be considered. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions as soon as possible.

Where to Submit Proposals

Please submit one original (with all attachments) and four photocopies of Sections I, II, and IIIby mail or delivery to:

Citizens’ Monitoring and Technical Assessment Fund

c/o RESOLVE, Inc.

Suite 275

1255 23rd Street NW

Washington, DC 20037

Please do not staple or otherwise bind the original as this makes it more difficult for us to process proposals.

Fax or email submissions will not be accepted.

Please be certain to keep a copy of your proposal and
all other submitted materials for your records.

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

All proposals for conducting the MTA Fund Summary must meet the following criteria to be eligible for funding. Therefore, it is essential that every proposal clearly address each criterion. If you have any questions regarding any of the listed criteria, please contact the MTA Fund as soon as possible so we can answer your questions and assist you in determining how the criteria can be met.

  1. The applicant will conduct a review of the findings of the grants awarded by the MTA Fund and prepare a summary. A review will also be conducted of the dissemination activities undertaken by the grantees, which will be included in the summary.
  2. The proposal describes the methods to be used for researching and reviewing the grants, findings, and grantees, and considers particularly the following:
  • types of problems grantees addressed;
  • scientific/technical approaches and methods used by grantees;
  • findings of the projects;
  • approaches and methods undertaken by the grantees to disseminate the findings of the projects;
  • affects on the DOE sites and surrounding communities of the findings; and
  • history of the MTA Fund (including the lawsuit and settlement).
  • The proposal describes the methods to be used for the researching and reviewing the grants, findings, and grantees.
  • The proposal includes a plan for how the MTA Fund might disseminate the results to the public and others.
  • The proposal is for $50,000.
  • The proposed review and summary will be completed within a maximum of 8 months and issued in final written form. The proposal includes a schedule for completion.
  • The applicant is a non-profit, non-governmental organization or a Federally recognized tribal government working on issues related to the DOE nuclear weapons complex. A non-profit, non-governmental organization is defined as a non-profit organization that is not acting in fact, or was not formed for the purpose of acting, as an agent, agency or advocate for any local (including city or county) or state government or the federal government.
  • The proposal identifies the appropriately qualified candidate authors(s) to conduct the review and prepare the summary.
  • If the applicant received or served as an expert on a previous MTA Fund grant, the applicantmust have a record of high quality work on the previous MTA Fund grant and of timely adherence to MTA Fund reporting requirements.
  • The applicant demonstrates the capacity to produce the summary within the proposed timeframe and budget.
  • The proposal identifies the officers and key individuals responsible for managing the grant.
  • The applicant has the capacity to handle and account for money from the MTA Fund in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget Circular A-122 or Circular A-87. For information on these OMB circulars, please see Section IV of this RfP.
  • To the extent the research involves collecting data from or about individuals, the applicant demonstrates the capacity to adhere to established rules concerning research with human subjects, that the applicant can safeguard the rights and welfare of any people who are the subject of the research and the methods used to obtain information are consensual, adequate and appropriate.
  • Neither the applicant nor the expert(s) involved with implementing the proposal has a material financial interest relating to DOE and the U.S. nuclear weapons complex. A material financial interest is defined as:

(a)being employed by, or a contractor, subcontractor, or consultant to, DOE within the past 36 months, unless the applicant or the expert(s) has particular expertise or information, the use of which for the proposed project has the potential to enhance environmental protection and public safety in DOE’s environmental management programs; or

(b)a financial benefit, directly or indirectly, from the site(s) involved in the proposal.

A material financial interest does not include (i) grants or other awards of financial assistance to organizations or tribal governments from DOE for environment, health, or safety projects, even for the same site(s) included in the proposal, but which do not involve providing services to DOE, (ii) “contracts” given by DOE for the purpose of reimbursing expenses associated with organizations or tribal governments attending advisory or public meetings, or (iii) projects that are not related to the nuclear weapons complex.

  1. The proposal does not include uses of funds for conducting litigation, lobbying, or fundraising, or for general administrative support.

For More Information

Please contact the MTA Fund Director, Bruce Stedman by phone to 202.965.6217; by fax to 202.338.1264; by e-mail at . (Please note there is no “e” at the end of “resolv” in RESOLVE’s e-mail address.)

Proposal Procedures and Forms

Key Dates and Deadlines

If you are considering applying for a grant, please inform RESOLVE as soon as possible.

Proposals must be postmarked on or before February 28, 2006.

Instructions

Please include all of the requested informationin the order given (below) for Sections I and II. Be sure to include the applicable attachments requested in Section VI – Attachments.

Section I – General Information

  • Please provide the following information in the order shown.
  • Your replies to each requested item must be titled and numbered as shown (i.e.please organize your proposal as follows, using each of the item headings in the order shown below).
  • Please do not omit any of the requested items; if any requested information is not applicable, indicate with N/A.
  1. Date of Application

Date application was completed or date submitted.

  1. Applicant Name

Name of eligible organization or tribal government sponsoring the project. If using a fiscal agent, please include the name of the primary contact person at the fiscal agent as well as for the applicant.

  1. Project Title
  2. Contact Person

Include name, title, mailing address, direct telephone, and fax numbers of contact person who will work with MTA Fund staff, as necessary, to provide additional information and clarification as needed. Include an e-mail address if you have one.

  1. Applicant’s (or Fiscal Agent’s) Federal Tax Identification Number
  2. Name(s) of Person(s) Who Will Conduct the Review and write the Summary and Their Organizational Affiliation

Include, as appropriate, candidate author(s) to conduct the review and summary, applicant staff members, and other partners/collaborating organizations. Please indicate who will be paid from the requested MTA Fund grant, who will be paid from other sources, and who may be donating their labor (i.e., receiving no pay).

7.Project Duration

Provide a project timeline for the period April 1 to November 30, 2006 that includes all activities including dissemination of the summary once complete.

  1. Names and Titles of Officers, Directors, and Key Staff of a Non-Profit Organization, or if a Tribal Government the Officers and Individuals Responsible for Managing the Grant
  2. Name and Title of the Person Who Prepared the Proposal
  3. Authorized Signatures

Please indicate the names and titles of individuals who are authorized to enter the organization or tribal government into contracts or other binding agreements. Such individuals often include Executive Director, President, Tribal Council Chief or Executive, Fiscal Agent authorized representatives etc. (You need not provide the actual signatures at this time.)