Questions about the Workforce Development Grant Program grant application are accepted in writing only, no later than February 15, 2024. Similar or related questions may be grouped together or reworded for clarity and responded to as one question.
All questions and answers will be posted during the application period and are subject to updates. It is the applicant’s responsibility to check this website for the latest information regarding this grant cycle.
General | Eligibility | Certification | Funding | Application
General
- What is the purpose of this grant program?
The purpose of this grant is to provide employment and training for a new workforce to provide California Consumers with convenient opportunities to redeem California Redemption Value (CRV), using innovative technologies, for the purpose of AB 179.
- How long is the grant period?
The Grant Term begins on the date of the Notice to Proceed (NTP) email, which is sent after the grant is awarded and the Grant Agreement is fully executed. The Grant Term ends on April 1, 2026. For additional information, refer to the Grant Term section of the Application Guidelines and Instructions.
Eligibility
- Who are the eligible applicants for this grant?
Collection Programs (CP) that are building workforce development for innovative redemption models are the sole applicants for this grant. The CP must be certified and in good standing with CalRecycle.
- Are Individual Applications allowed for this grant?
No. Entities must submit a Joint Application in which at least three (3) identified dealer locations join for the purpose of grant implementation.
- How do I document Job training credentials?
If the project funded job training, provide the job training credentials (e.g. certification, license) earned as a result of the training.
- Is Equipment an eligible cost?
Yes, equipment is an eligible cost. For detailed information about eligible and ineligible costs refer to the Procedures and Requirements document.
- If grant monies are applied to distinct uses, are there any conflicts between the Workforce Development Grant and the Beverage Container Redemption Innovation (RIG) grant program?
The Workforce Development Grant Program and RIG grant program have different eligible entities.
- Can you clarify how grants will be awarded (which factors matter most)?
All complete and eligible applications will be placed in rank order based on the highest number of Dealers included in the application. If two or more applications have the same number of Dealers, the application proposing to serve the highest number of California consumers will be placed higher. For additional information, refer to the Grant Application Review Process section of the Application Guidelines and Instructions.
- We are developing Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), including the software that controls the machines and records the transactions in our backend systems. We need to hire additional software developers to satisfy evolving requirements for the expansion of our fleet of RVMs. The software that we write is copyrighted material. In the Terms and Conditions document, there is a section on Copyrights. Does the text in that section imply that any new software that is written by software developers that we hire for this grant could be distributed by CalRecycle to non-profit organizations?
Yes, any Copyright material that is developed using grant funds is subject to the Copyright provision of the Terms and Conditions.
- Will grants be awarded/denied in entirety or will “partial” grants be awarded (i.e. an applicant applied for $1M of grant monies, of which $200K was equipment – could they be awarded just the $800K?)
Generally, grants are awarded in their entirety, however there are times where the award amount would be reduced. For example, instances where the remaining funds are less than the requested grant amount or to remove ineligible costs.
- How do we account for/denote grant resources that will support multiple dealers in the application documents? (i.e. technicians who support RVM’s at many different RVM locations or a truck that services multiple dealers?)
If a technician will support multiple locations, include that information within the Narrative Proposal and Work Plan Table.
- How should we communicate commitment from dealers that they are supportive of RVM’s being installed at their locations? Would contractual documents suffice?
To show dealer support, include any contractual documents or letter from the dealer that verifies support of the RVM’s installation.
Certification
- Do applicants need to be certified and operational before the Grant Agreement is executed?
After an Applicant is awarded a grant, they will receive a Grant Agreement. The Grant Agreement needs to be signed by the Signature Authority and returned to CalRecycle no later than 60 days after receiving your notice of award. Awardees must be certified before receiving the Notice to Proceed (NTP). In addition, grantees must be operational within a designated time period, as stipulated in their Grant Agreement.
Funding
- Is this a reimbursement grant or do we get the funds (if awarded) at the beginning of the grant term?
This is a reimbursement grant. Payments are made to the grantee on a reimbursement basis only for eligible costs incurred during the Grant Term and as detailed in the approved Budget and Work Plan. To be eligible for reimbursement, costs must be incurred and fully paid (payments must be cleared), and all grant-funded items must be received by the grantee, after receiving a Notice to Proceed and before the end of the Grant Term. For additional information, refer to the Procedures and Requirements document.
- For reimbursement draws, is there a limit on frequency? (i.e. weekly, monthly, quarterly?)
The grantee may request reimbursement in conjunction with (or after) submission of the Progress Report, which is quarterly. For additional information, refer to the Procedures and Requirements document.
- Can payments be regularly scheduled or does a unique submission for payment need to be made for each draw?
The grantee must submit a completed Grant Payment Request and provide supporting documentation for each payment request. The Procedures and Requirements document contains detailed payment information.
- What are the expected terms of the payments? (time between request and payment)
CalRecycle will make payments to the grantee as promptly as fiscal procedures permit. The grantee can typically expect payment approximately 45 days from the date the Grant Manager approves a Grant Payment Request. The Procedures and Requirements document contains detailed payment information.
Application
- When is the application due?
Applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. on March 5, 2024.
- If a grant application is submitted before the due date, can feedback be provided on the application and the applicant have an opportunity to resubmit their application?
No. During an open solicitation period, CalRecycle will only answer questions regarding clarification of the application and the requirements in the application process during the Question and Answer Period. All submitted applications will be reviewed and ranked, at the same time, once the application period has ended.
Resources
For more information, visit Beverage Container Recycling Home