Notice_of_Availability_of_State_and_Federal_Funds Notice of Availability of State and Federal Funds

5/20/09 N.Y. St. Reg. Notice of Availability of State and Federal Funds

NEW YORK STATE REGISTER

VOLUME XXXI, ISSUE 20

May 20, 2009

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDS

 

The Capitol Albany, NY 12224

NEW YORK STATE NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS, NEW YORK CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, AND/OR NEW YORK STATE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES

Student Empowerment Grants

The New York State Attorney General’s Office (“OAG”) invites eligible New York State not-for-profit corporations, New York charitable organizations, and/or New York State governmental entities to submit applications for Student Empowerment Grants. The OAG is awarding these grants through a competitive process to fund the projects described below. The funds for these grants were paid by certain student loan lenders and marketers and certain institutions of higher education pursuant to agreements arising out of the OAG’s investigation of illegal and deceptive practices in the student loan industry. The OAG anticipates awarding up to $13 million in grants. Eligible applicants are invited to submit applications for one or both of the following projects:

1. Project 1: Web-based, Live-Operator Staffed Student Loan Center.

A grant will be provided for the development and implementation of a free web-based, liveoperator staffed Student Loan Center for use by students, graduates and parents throughout the United States (“the Student Loan Center”). The Student Loan Center will provide comprehensive information concerning how to minimize student loan debt, how to choose the best student loan options, and assistance for distressed borrowers. The Student Loan Center will also provide tools enabling students and parents to interact in real-time with staff trained to answer questions about financing higher education and repayment issues. The Student Loan Center will also include some or all of the following features: (1) tools to assist students and parents in evaluating and comparing loan options, such as: (a) an online calculator that permits students, graduates, and parents to calculate the overall cost of loan products based on interest rates, fees, and other relevant factors, (b) objective side-by-side loan product comparisons, and/or (c) objective ratings of loan products; and/or (2) an online “reverse auction” that enables lenders to offer competitive bids for individual consumer’s loans.

2. Project 2: Public Service Announcement Campaign.

A grant will be provided for the development and implementation of a national public service announcement campaign (the “PSA Campaign”) that will provide consumer education about financing higher education. This PSA Campaign will use as spokespersons public figures, such as actors or musicians, who are popular among high school and college students. The PSA Campaign will provide information about how to minimize student loan debt and how to choose the best student loan options. The Campaign will also generate awareness of and interest in the Student Loan Center.

ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS: The applicant must be a New York State not-for profit organization, a New York State charitable organization, or a New York State government entity. Eligible organizations specifically DO NOT include institutions of higher education and their affiliates. APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH: July 6, 2009 at 12:00 noon. The projected contract start date is January 1, 2010.

This RFA, including application forms, has been posted on the OAG’s public website at www.oag.state.ny.us/bureaus/budget_fiscal/procurement.html.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR AN APPLICATION, CONTACT: Ron Wachenheim, Senior Purchasing Agent, Office of the New York State Attorney General, Budget and Fiscal Management Division, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341. Telephone: [phone]. email: [e-mail]

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

Division of Water 625 Broadway, 4th Floor Albany, NY 12233-3507

REGIONAL PUBLIC COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING ORGANIZATIONS IN NEW YORK STATE AND INTERSTATE PLANNING ORGANIZATIONS WORKING IN NEW YORK STATE

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

Clean Water Act Section 604(b)

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (Department) announces the availability of funds for Water Quality Management proposals that promote regional comprehensive water quality management planning activities as described in Section 604(b) of the federal Clean Water Act. The funds are a direct result of President Obama signing into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The ARRA provides $1.7 million to New York State for planning activities associated with Green Infrastructure, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), Phase II Stormwater for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) and Water Quality Management.

The 604(b) grants will fund up to 100% of the total project cost. The funding is for projects that are ready to proceed immediately. Projects that are awarded funding through this program must begin or have a signed contract by February 17, 2010. All work must be completed by February 17, 2012.

The list of eligible applicants and other specific information about the ARRA 604(b) funding can be found on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/53122.html

Applications must be postmarked no later than July 10, 2009. No hand delivered, facsimile, or electronic applications will be accepted.

Applications are to be submitted to: Susan Van Patten, Division of Water, Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, 4th Fl., Albany, NY 12233-3507

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

50 Wolf Rd. Albany, NY 12232

MUNICIPALITIES, TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITIES, TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS AND PUBLIC TRANPORTATION PROVIDERS

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 Public Transportation Transit Capital Assistance Program Funding–Non-Urbanized Areas of Upstate NY (areas less than 50,000 in population)

Comments will be accepted by the New York State Department of Transportation's, Public Transportation Bureau, regarding a proposed STIP amendment that adds ARRA Capital Assistance funding in non-urbanized areas of the State (areas less than 50,000 in population).

The ARRA Transit Capital Assistance Program authorizes $26,250,240 million in funding for capital expenses as defined by 49 U.S.C. section 5302(a)(1). Eligible capital projects include but are not limited to: bus replacement, preventive maintenance; transit-related ITS; rehabilitating buses; construction or renovation of bus related support facilities; and mobility management. Under the ARRA, the Federal share of a grant is up to 100 percent of the net project cost of capital projects.

ARRA Transit Capital Assistance program funds are apportioned by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) pursuant to existing statutory formulas. Funds are apportioned directly by FTA to Urbanized Areas (UZAs) of more than 50,000 in population and to the State for Non-urbanized areas of less than 50,000.

This program will create jobs in support of improving public transportation infrastructure in non-urbanized areas of the State and will enhance the availability of transportation alternatives. In addition, these infrastructure investments in public transportation offer communities significant opportunities to address sound approaches for achieving their transportation, environmental, and community objectives.

Outreach for this program was conducted by NYSDOT and the NYS Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Cabinet. Eligible applicants are now in the process of applying for projects to NYSDOT. These projects will be submitted to the Federal Transit Administration for consideration during the month of June.

Comments regarding this STIP amendment will be accepted during the period 5/6/09-6/6/09.

To view the proposed STIP amendment, please visit the NYSDOT web site: https://www.nysdot.gov/programs/stip or contact Thomas M. Vaughan, Public Transportation Bureau, Department of Transportation, 50 Wolf Rd., Albany, NY 12232, [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]