We assemble a panel of our professional staff to review, rank, and recommend grant applications for funding to the Director. This panel may include representatives of our Regional Offices, with Headquarters staff overseeing the review, ranking, and recommendation process. Following the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. Appendix), the Director may invite nongovernmental organizations and other non-Federal entities to take part in an advisory panel to make recommendations to the Director.

Our panel of professional staff and any invited participants evaluate BIG Tier 2—National applications using the ranking criteria in the following table and assign points within the range for each criterion. We may give added information to guide applicants regarding these criteria in the annual NOFO on http://www.grants.gov. This may include the minimum total points that your application must receive in order to qualify for award.

In evaluating a proposed project under the criterion at §§ 86.51(a)(1) on the need for more or improved boating infrastructure facilities, we consider whether the project will:

(a) Construct new boating infrastructure in an area that lacks it, but where eligible vessels now travel or would travel if the project were completed;

(b) Renovate a facility to:

(1) Improve its physical condition;

(2) Follow local building codes;

(3) Improve generally accepted safety standards; or

(4) Adapt it to a new purpose for which there is a demonstrated need;

(c) Create accessibility for eligible vessels by reducing wave action, increasing depth, or making other physical improvements;

(d) Expand an existing marina or mooring site that is unable to accommodate current or projected demand by eligible vessels; or

(e) Make other improvements to accommodate an established eligible need.

(a) We consider these factors in evaluating a proposed project under the criterion at § 86.51(a)(2) on whether benefits to eligible users justify the cost:

(1) Total cost of the project;

(2) Total benefits available to eligible users upon completion of the project; and

(3) Reliability of the data and information used to decide benefits relative to costs.

(b) You must support the benefits available to eligible users by clearly describing them in the project statement and explaining how they relate to Need at § 86.43(a).

(c) We will consider the cost relevant to all benefits to eligible users that are adequately supported in the application. We may consider the availability of preexisting structures and amenities, but only in the context of the need identified at § 86.43(a).

(d) Describe in your application any factors that would influence project costs, such as:

(1) The need for specialized materials to meet local codes, address weather or terrain, or extend useful life;

(2) Increased transportation costs due to location; or

(3) Other factors that may increase costs, but whose actions support needed benefits.

(e) Describe any costs that are associated with providing a harbor of safe refuge.

In evaluating a proposed project under the criterion on boater access at § 86.51(a)(3), we consider:

(a) The degree of access that the BIG-funded facility will give;

(b) The activity, event, or landmark that makes the BIG-funded facility a destination, how well known the attraction is, how long it is available, and how likely it is to attract boaters to the facility; and

(c) The availability of services and safety near the BIG-funded facility, how easily boaters can access them, and how well they serve the needs of eligible users.

(a) The following may qualify as partners for purposes of the ranking criteria:

(1) A non-Federal entity, including a subgrantee.

(2) A Federal agency other than the Service.

(b) The partner must commit to a financial contribution or an in-kind contribution, or to take a voluntary action during the period of performance.

(c) In-kind contributions or actions must be necessary and contribute directly and substantively to the completion of the project. You must explain in the grant application how they are necessary and contribute to completing the project.

(d) A governmental entity may be a partner unless its contribution to completing the project is a mandatory duty of the agency, such as reviewing a permit application. A voluntary action by a government agency or employee is a partnership.

(a) When we evaluate a project under the criterion for match at § 86.51(b)(1), we consider how much cash the applicant and partners commit above the required minimum match of 25 percent of project costs.

(b) The contribution may be from a State, a single source, or any combination of sources.

(c) We will award points as follows:

(d) We must waive the first $200,000 in match for the entities described at § 86.32(a). We will determine the required match by subtracting the waived amount from the required 25 percent match and award points using the table at paragraph (c) of this section.

(a) We consider these factors for partner contributions in evaluating a proposed project under the criterion at § 86.51(b)(2):

(1) The significance of the contribution to the success of the project;

(2) How the contribution supports the actions proposed in the project statement;

(3) How the partner demonstrates its commitment to the contribution; and

(4) The ability of the partner to fulfill its commitment.

(b) We may consider the combined contributions of several partners, according to the factors at paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) To receive consideration for this criterion, you must show in your application how a partner, or group of partners, significantly supports the project by addressing the factors in paragraph (a) of this section.

(d) You may describe partner contributions in the project statement.

(e) Under this criterion, partner contributions need not exceed the 25 percent required match.

(a) In evaluating a proposed project under the criterion at § 85.51(c)(1), we consider whether the project will increase the availability of the BIG-funded facility for eligible users or improve eligible boater access to the facility by:

(1) Using a new technology or technique; or

(2) Applying a new use of an existing technology or technique.

(b) We will not award points for following access standards set by law.

(c) We will consider if you choose to complete the project using an optional or advanced technology or technique that will improve access, or if you go beyond the minimum requirements.

(d) To receive consideration for this criterion, you must describe in the grant application the current standard and how you will exceed the standard.

(a) In evaluating a proposed project under the criterion at § 86.51(c)(2), we consider if the project will include physical components, technology, or techniques that are:

(1) Newly available; or

(2) Repurposed in a unique way.

(b) Examples of the type of innovations we will consider are components, technology, or techniques that:

(1) Extend the useful life of the BIG-funded project;

(2) Are designed to allow the operator to save costs, decrease maintenance, or improve operation;

(3) Are designed to improve BIG-eligible services or amenities;

(4) Reduce the carbon footprint of the BIG-funded facility. Carbon footprint means the impact of the total set of greenhouse gas emissions;

(5) Are used during construction specifically to reduce negative environmental impacts, beyond compliance requirements; or

(6) Improve facility resilience.

(a) In evaluating a project under the criterion at § 86.51(c)(3), we consider if the application documents that the facility where the BIG-funded project is located has received official recognition for its voluntary commitment to environmental compliance, sustainability, and stewardship by exceeding regulatory requirements.

(b) The official recognition must be part of a voluntary, established program administered by a Federal or State agency, local governmental agency, Sea Grant or equivalent entity, or a State or Regional marina organization.

(c) The established program must require the facility to use management and operational techniques and practices that will ensure it continues to meet the high standards of the program and must contain a component that requires periodic review.

(d) The facility must have met the criteria required by the established program and received official recognition by the due date of the application.

(a) After the Director approves projects for funding, we notify successful applicants of the:

(1) Amount of the grant;

(2) Documents or clarifications required, including those required for compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

(3) Approvals needed and format for processing approvals; and

(4) Time constraints.

(b) After we receive the required forms and documents, we approve the project and the terms of the grant and obligate the grant in the Federal financial management system.

(c) BIG funds are available for Federal obligation for 3 Federal fiscal years, starting October 1 of the fiscal year that funds become available for award. We do not make a Federal obligation until you meet the grant requirements. Funds not obligated within 3 fiscal years are no longer available.