Opportunity Information: Apply for RDBCP REAP RES EEI 2018
The Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: RDBCP REAP RES EEI 2018) is a mandatory USDA Rural Development grant competition administered by the Rural Business-Cooperative Service under CFDA 10.868, commonly associated with the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The purpose of this funding is to help eligible applicants in rural areas move forward with projects that either install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements, ultimately reducing energy costs, improving energy reliability, and supporting rural economic activity tied to business and commerce as well as the energy sector.
This particular notice directs applicants to review the official Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) published on March 13, 2018. The NOSA is hosted on the USDA Rural Development website (www.rd.usda.gov) and can be located by navigating through Programs and Services, then For Businesses, then Rural Energy for America Program. The NOSA is the controlling document for this opportunity, meaning it contains the specific rules that govern eligibility details, eligible project types, scoring or ranking criteria, required forms and attachments, submission instructions, and any special conditions. While the short description here does not list all requirements, it makes clear that the program is designed for project-level investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Eligible applicants are identified primarily as rural small businesses that are for-profit and agricultural producers. The source data also indicates eligibility for small businesses and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), which suggests that certain tribal entities may qualify depending on how they are organized and how they meet the program's applicant definitions. In practice, REAP typically focuses on applicants who will own the project and realize the energy benefits, such as a rural business upgrading equipment to lower energy use or a producer installing an on-farm renewable energy system. Because the eligibility standards can be technical (for example, what counts as "rural," what qualifies as a "small business," and what documentation is required to prove applicant status), the NOSA is essential for confirming whether a specific applicant and project meet the program rules.
The funding instrument type for this opportunity is a grant, and the activity categories are listed as Business and Commerce and Energy, reflecting the program's role in supporting operating cost reductions and modernization in rural enterprises. The award ceiling is stated as $500,000, meaning individual grant awards could be made up to that maximum amount for qualifying projects, subject to the limits and cost-share rules established in the NOSA. The listing does not provide an expected number of awards in the extracted data, so the number of funded projects would depend on available appropriations, the volume and quality of applications received, and how USDA prioritizes applications under the program's scoring and ranking framework.
Key dates included in the opportunity record show a creation date of March 27, 2018, and an original application closing date of April 30, 2018. That closing date indicates the deadline for submission under this specific 2018 cycle, and applicants would be expected to follow the NOSA for the exact time of day, submission method, and any requirements around paper versus electronic submission, as well as what constitutes a complete application package.
Overall, this opportunity is a USDA Rural Development funding pathway for rural for-profit small businesses and agricultural producers seeking to invest in renewable generation or energy-saving upgrades, with grants available up to $500,000 per award under the 2018 solicitation, and with the definitive requirements and instructions provided in the March 13, 2018 NOSA referenced on the USDA Rural Development REAP webpage.Apply for RDBCP REAP RES EEI 2018
- The Rural Business-Cooperative Service in the business and commerce, energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.868.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-03-27.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-04-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Small businesses.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the name of this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is titled the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program. It is commonly associated with the USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is: RDBCP REAP RES EEI 2018.
3) Which federal agency administers this grant?
The grant is administered by USDA Rural Development, through the Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
4) What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.868.
5) Is this a grant or a loan?
This funding instrument type for this opportunity is a grant.
6) Is this a competitive opportunity?
Yes. The listing describes it as a mandatory USDA Rural Development grant competition.
7) What is the main purpose of the program?
The purpose is to help eligible applicants in rural areas move forward with projects that (1) install renewable energy systems or (2) make energy efficiency improvements, with the intended outcomes of reducing energy costs, improving energy reliability, and supporting rural economic activity connected to business/commerce and the energy sector.
8) What kinds of projects does this program support?
Projects fall into two broad categories: installing renewable energy systems and making energy efficiency improvements. Specific eligible project types, limits, and requirements are governed by the official Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA).
9) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are identified primarily as rural small businesses that are for-profit and agricultural producers. The source information also indicates eligibility for small businesses and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), subject to the program's definitions and requirements described in the NOSA.
10) Does the program only support rural applicants?
Yes. The opportunity is described as supporting eligible applicants in rural areas. Because the definition of "rural" can be technical, the NOSA is the controlling document for confirming whether a particular location qualifies.
11) Can agricultural producers apply?
Yes. Agricultural producers are specifically identified as eligible applicants in the description, subject to meeting the program's requirements in the NOSA.
12) Can for-profit small businesses apply?
Yes. Rural for-profit small businesses are specifically identified as eligible applicants, subject to meeting the applicable definitions and documentation requirements described in the NOSA.
13) Are tribal entities eligible?
The source information indicates eligibility for Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments). Whether a specific tribal entity qualifies depends on how it is organized and whether it meets the program's applicant definitions in the NOSA.
14) What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling listed is $500,000, meaning individual grant awards may be made up to $500,000 for qualifying projects, subject to the limits and any cost-share rules described in the NOSA.
15) How many awards will be made?
The extracted listing data does not provide an expected number of awards. The number of funded projects would depend on available appropriations, the volume and quality of applications received, and USDA's ranking/scoring priorities under the program.
16) What activity categories does this funding fall under?
The activity categories listed are Business and Commerce and Energy.
17) Where do applicants find the official rules and application instructions?
Applicants are directed to review the official Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) published on March 13, 2018. The NOSA is hosted on the USDA Rural Development website (www.rd.usda.gov) and can be found by navigating: Programs and Services, then For Businesses, then Rural Energy for America Program.
18) Which document controls eligibility details and application requirements?
The NOSA is described as the controlling document. It contains the specific rules for eligibility, eligible project types, scoring/ranking criteria, required forms and attachments, submission instructions, and any special conditions.
19) What does "controlling document" mean in this context?
It means the NOSA governs the definitive requirements for the opportunity. If there is any uncertainty about eligibility, project fit, required documentation, or how to submit, applicants are expected to follow the NOSA.
20) What is the key application deadline for this 2018 cycle?
The original application closing date listed is April 30, 2018.
21) Are there specific submission methods or time-of-day deadlines?
The listing notes that applicants should follow the NOSA for the exact time of day, submission method, and any requirements related to paper versus electronic submission, as well as what counts as a complete application package.
22) When was this opportunity record created?
The opportunity record shows a creation date of March 27, 2018.
23) What outcomes is USDA aiming for with this funding?
The stated outcomes include reducing energy costs, improving energy reliability, and supporting rural economic activity tied to business and commerce as well as the energy sector.
24) What types of applicants does REAP typically focus on, based on the description?
The description indicates REAP typically focuses on applicants who will own the project and realize the energy benefits, such as a rural business upgrading equipment to lower energy use or an agricultural producer installing an on-farm renewable energy system, as further defined and required by the NOSA.
25) Why is the NOSA especially important for determining eligibility?
The description notes that eligibility standards can be technical (for example, what counts as "rural," what qualifies as a "small business," and what documentation is required to prove applicant status). The NOSA is essential for confirming whether a specific applicant and project meet the program rules.
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