Specifications include, but are not limited to: The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Clean Water Initiative Program (CWIP) is pleased to announce this Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Clean Water Workforce Capacity Development Initiative Block Grant (CWWCDIBG) funding program. This funding program is supported by the state Clean Water Fund (CWF) as a sub-initiative under CWIP’s Program and Partner Support. This funding program is also supported by federal Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dollars and as such will also include Lake Champlain-specific deliverables. The DEC CWIP is requesting proposals to manage a competitive Clean Water Workforce Capacity Development Initiative Block Grant (CWWCDIBG) program. Selected grantee (“Funding Program Administrator”) will solicit proposals to subgrant capacity funding to Clean Water Workforce partners in Vermont and then oversee these sub-agreements. Funding Program Administrator (FPA) will develop their own process for soliciting, prioritizing, and selecting proposals following guidance provided by CWIP. This guidance is subject to change and updated guidance should be followed for any proceeding sub-granting rounds hosted by the Funding Program Administrator. The intent of CWWCDIBG is to support and invest in the capacity of our clean water partners in Vermont, both current and potential, in an equitable1 and inclusive way to address unmet capacity needs and ensure a strong partnership network that continues to efficiently deliver high quality and high priority clean water projects. 1. Collaborate with CWIP staff to finalize all application and reporting templates/platforms to assist with achieving administrative simplicity for sub-grant applicants and recipients. 2. Solicit competitive proposals for organizational capacity development efforts. 3. Conduct communications and outreach to publicize competitive solicitation rounds. This includes posting solicitation round information on the Funding Program Administrator’s website and broadly distributing announcement of funding opportunities. Make and document a concerted effort to advertise this funding opportunity outside of the FPA’s typical channels to reach new or different audiences where feasible. 4. Provide hands-on technical support to interested sub-grant applicants or selected subgrantees who need assistance completing any required materials specific to this Block Grant. An informational webinar or workshop during solicitation periods is strongly encouraged. CWIP staff may assist with Q&A period during open solicitation rounds as needed. 5. Review proposals and determine alignment with applicable eligibility criteria provided by CWIP in the Clean Water Workforce Capacity Development Initiative Summary Document
