Technical Assistance Funding to Develop Grid Modernization Projects

This contracting action is the first step in a two-step solicitation process to administer $3.5 million of cost share provided by NYSERDA - sourced through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. New York was one of nine states and five tribal nations that were awarded a combined total of $125 million last November as the seventh cohort ofPreventing Outages and Enhancing the Resilience of the Electric Grid Grant.NYSERDA anticipates using the cost share as Step 1 in the solicitation process to provide technical assistance and fund implementation projects to eligible applicants. Each MUNI, COOP or any small grid operator within the State of New York that sells less than 4,000,000 MWh electricity annually will be eligible to receive an award of up to $200,000 towards technical assistance and/or implementation of eligible projects that do not exceed the maximum award amount. Providing this funding for technical assistance and implementation is critical to leveling the playing field so

that all eligible applicants regardless of size or budget will be able to apply.For those who choose to utilize some or all of the funding for implementation, intended projects must fall under one of the DOE approved project types listed: Adaptive protection technologiesAdvanced modeling technologiesHardening of power lines, facilities, substations, or other systemsMonitoring and control technologiesRelocation of power lines or reconductoring of power lines with low-sag, advanced conductorsReplacement of old overhead conductors & underground cablesUse or construction of DERs for enhancing system adaptive capacity during disruptive events, including microgrids and battery-storage subcomponentsWeatherization technologies and equipment The funding will be available on a first-come, first-served basis until funds have been exhausted with a one-time maximum award of up to $200,000 per applicant. Applicants will be required to directly procure any contractors needed for technical services which may include engineering, economics, grant application, and project implementation services. Those who choose to utilize the funding for technical assistance can decide to use the information generated by the technical consultant to apply to the Step two implementation funds in this grant cycle or hold off to subsequent years.Eligible entities are open to apply or not for the step one technical assistance, and application and/or award of technical assistance does not guarantee award for federal implementation funds and vice- versa.