Part 1: Program Guidelines, Application Process, Submission Instructions
DESCRIPTION OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is soliciting applications to study the feasibility of a DC Main Streets program for the Lower Georgia Avenue commercial corridor in Ward 1.
Grant Purpose and Availability
DSLBD will award one (1) grant of up to $50,000 to be used to produce a feasibility study which outlines how a DC Main Streets® program could be implemented to benefit retail businesses located along Georgia Avenue, NW between Florida Avenue, NW and Rock Creek Church Road, NW. The plan should address the following issues.
- Boundaries. The feasibility study should describe a district which would have the most likelihood of launching a successful revitalization program.
- Support from Business Owners and Commercial Property Owners. As the most crucial stakeholders in any commercial revitalization effort, the business and property owners should be included in any planning effort. A successful study will demonstrate how these two groups intend to help fund and lead a new Main Streets organization. It will also demonstrate how they will continue working together whether or not a new Main Street program is established.
- Support from Community Stakeholders. Neighborhood residents are the indirect beneficiaries and primary customers of the commercial revitalization effort. A successful study should demonstrate that neighborhood residents and community groups will support a revitalization effort as donors and as volunteer leaders. The study should also demonstrate the commercial district’s ability to serve residents, including Howard University students, as customers.
- Sustainable Funding. The new Main Streets organization should be able to operate effectively whether or not funding from DC Government is available in future years. This feasibility study should include a detailed five-year funding plan for the organization. Funding should include private organizations and neighborhood civic groups, as well as commitments from business and property owners.
- Main Street Four Point Approach®. The new organization will be expected to follow the Main Street Four Point Approach, designed by the National Main Street Center. The feasibility should explore whether this Approach is a good fit for this commercial district and how the Approach would benefit the proposed district.
- Pilot Project. Applicants should propose at least one (1) pilot project which could be completed with grant funds and which would benefit the commercial district. Examples of pilot projects could include a joint advertising campaign which was funded by participating businesses, a business promotional event funded by participating businesses and sponsors, or physical improvement to the commercial district, such as planting flowers.
The grantee will be announced in February 2015. The grant performance period is six months and all work must be completed between March 1, 2015 and August 31, 2015.
Selection Criteria
Applicants should demonstrate the following in their applications.
- Capacity and history of the applicant organization to complete the work requested. Previous projects and the experience of team leaders will show that the applicant possesses the expertise to successfully complete the grant. (25 points)
- Strength of the project implementation plan to achieve the desired outcome. Through a description of the implementation plan, including detailed timelines and budgets, applicants will show that they have a sound methodology for addressing the issues outlined above. (25 points)
- Community “buy in” to support all projects from the feasibility study and to support a revitalization effort of the identified project area. Business and property owners should be involved with preparing the grant application and implementing the study. They should demonstrate their support with matching funding. (25 points)
- Creativity and innovation in addressing revitalization issues along Georgia Avenue. (25 points)
Eligible Applicants
Any type of organization, for profit or not-for profit, which is based in Washington, DC may submit an application.
Application Process
Interested applicants must complete an application and submit it electronically via email on or before Friday, January 9, 2015 at 2 pm to [email protected]. DSLBD will not accept applications submitted via hand delivery, mail or courier service. Late submissions and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
You will receive an email message by 4 pmon Friday, January 9, 2015 to confirm that your application was received. If you do not receive a confirmation message, you should assume that your application was not received and will not be scored. If you believe that a technical error prevented your application from being received, please present proof of your attempts to submit an application no later than Monday, January 12, 2015, 5 pm.
DSLBD will host an Information Session on Thursday December 11, 2014 at 3 pm at DSLBD’s office (441 4th Street, NW, # 850 N –Potomac Room, Washington DC 20001). A photo ID is required to enter the building.
ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
Eligibility Requirements for which Applicants must submit Documentation
DC Government requires all organizations receiving grants to meet these requirements. To learn more about citywide grant requirements, visit the Office of Partnership and Grant’s Citywide Grants Manual and Sourcebook (http://opgs.dc.gov/book/citywide-grants-manual-and-sourcebook).
1. Incorporated and headquartered in the District of Columbia —DSLBD will verify. Applicants do not need to submit anything.
2. Proof of nonprofit status (if applicable) — Please provide tax-exempt status determination letter issued by the Internal Revenue Service with application.
3. Current with DC and Federal taxes and regulatory fees – Applicants must submit the following documentation.
a. DCRA Certificate of Good Standing issued by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) dated January 9, 2014 or later in RFA Part 2. NOTE: DCRA’s self-certification form is not the same as Good Standing Certificate and will not be accepted. It is also not the same thing as the OTR Certificate of Clean Hands.
b. IRS 990 filing (if applicable) for the Organization’s most recent fiscal year, signed and submitted with RFA Part 2.
4. Fiscally responsible—Applicants must submit their most recent certified audit. If no audit is provided, DSLBD will assess the Applicant as a “high risk grantee” status. If selected for award, high-risk grantees will be subject to a different level of reporting.
5. No criminal indictments or prior criminal charges— Please provide a Written Disclosure Regarding Criminal Involvement and Legal Proceedings signed by the Applicant Organization’s Board Chair or person authorized to negotiate on behalf of Organization. If the signatory is not the board chair, the Applicant must submit a copy of their complete bylaws and highlight the section regarding signatory authority. Registrants may obtain language for this document in RFA Part 2. This document should be signed no later than January 9, 2014.
6. Eligible to receive public funds — Please provide Statement of Certification signed by the Applicant Organization’s Board Chair or person authorized to negotiate on behalf of Organization. If the signatory is not the board chair, the Applicant must submit a copy of their complete bylaws and highlight the section regarding signatory authority. Registrants may language for this document in RFA Part 2. This document should be signed no later than January 9, 2014.
7. Insured throughout the grant period of performance (1/16/2015 through 9/30/2015)— If selected for Grant Award, an Organization must provide proof of insurance (insurance policy binders or cover pages) within 10 days of notification for:
a. General Liability with DC Government endorsement language;
b. Auto Insurance (for vehicle used to implement Program); and,
c. Workers’ Compensation;
8. IRS W-9 form. Grantee must provide a completed IRS form W9. The current W-9 form is available at http://www.irs.gov/Forms-&-Pubs.
RESERVATIONS
Funding for any grant award is contingent on continued grantor funding. The publication of this grant application does not commit DSLBD to make any awards.
DSLBD reserves the right to issue addenda and/or amendments subsequent to the issuance of the NOFA or RFA, or to rescind the NOFA or RFA. Funding for this award is contingent on continued funding from the grantor. The RFA does not commit the Agency to make an award.
DSLBD may suspend or terminate an outstanding RFA pursuant to its own grant making rule(s) or any DSLBD federal regulation or requirement.
DSLBD reserves the right to accept or deny any or all applications if DSLBD determines that it is in the best interest of the District to do so.
DSLBD shall not be liable for any costs incurred by an applicant in the preparation of one or more grant applications for this Program. The applicant understands and agrees that all costs incurred in developing and preparing any grant application shall be the applicant’s sole responsibility.
DSLBD may conduct pre-award on-site visits to verify information submitted in a grant application.
DSLBD serves as its own reference in evaluating applications. Applicants’ performance in managing previous grants will be factored into grant decisions.
DSLBD may enter into negotiations with an awardee and adopt a firm funding amount or other revision of the awardee’s proposal that may result from the negotiations.
In the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the grant application and any applicable federal or local law or regulation, or any ambiguity related thereto, then the provisions of the applicable law or regulation shall control and it shall be the responsibility of the applicant to ensure compliance.
QUESTIONS
Interested Applicants may:
- Ask questions at the Pre-Application Meeting on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at 3:00 PM at 441 4th Street NW, Washington DC 20001, Suite 850N, Potomac Room; or
- Email questions to [email protected]. After December 11, 2014 DSLBD will share all questions and responses with anyone who attends the Pre-Application Meeting.
Attachment(s):
