Frequently Asked Questions

Eligible applicants include but are not limited to:

1. Community Anchor Institutions such as but not limited to:
   • Schools
   • Libraries
   • Recreation Centers
   • Community Health Centers
   • Non-Profit Organizations (including 501c4)
2. Buildings owned or operated by units of local government

In accordance with Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund Guidance from U.S. Treasury, eligible projects under this program will include construction or improvements to full-service community buildings, structures, and public spaces. Examples include, but are not limited to, schools, libraries, and community health centers that serve community needs. The physical structure must be available year-round to the public.

Example: A local library making expansions to their building. This additional space will be used to provide a computer lab that offers public access to devices for the purposes of increasing access to work, education, and health services.

Yes, the project must enable all three priorities to be eligible.

No.

While this program does not require matching funds, the PBDA will consider the following forms of match when evaluating applications:

• In-kind
• Federal/State/Local; copies of award letters or grant agreements must be provided for any federal, state, or local government grant, loan, or subsidy included as part of the proposed budget.

The Facilities program is considered a “last in” program and requires that any proposed matching funds be secured and available for use.

An applicant may pair CPF funding with other funding streams so long as:

• CPF funds must be used for complementary purposes.
• The applicant is responsible for adhering to any and all rules for both CPF funds and any paired funding streams.
• The project must be completed within the period of performance for CPF (December 31, 2026).

Minimum: $250,000
Maximum: $2 million

1. Pre-project development costs and uses, including:
   • devices and office equipment (equipment must facilitate the public use of broadband for the purposes of this program and at the discretion of the PBDA)
   • data-gathering
   • feasibility studies
   • community engagement and public feedback processes
   • equity assessments and planning
   • needs assessments
   • permitting, planning, architectural design, engineering design
   • work related to environmental, historical, and cultural reviews
   • costs of repair, rehabilitation, construction, improvement
   • acquisition of real property equipment.
2. Costs of repair, rehabilitation, construction, improvement, and acquisition of real property, equipment (e.g., devices and office equipment), and facilities.
3. Ancillary costs necessary to operationalize and put the capital assets to full use, including costs to increase broadband adoption and improve digital literacy. Administrative costs of the applicant to administer the grant are limited to 2.5 percent of the grant award.
4. Administrative costs include costs to complete the grant application, costs associated with monitoring of and reporting on the project, advertising costs, and personnel costs including salaries and fringe benefits for staff required for carrying out the project.

• General infrastructure projects
• Short-term operating leases
• Operating expenses, other than grant administration costs
• Securing other financing
• Covering interest on borrowed funds

For a full list of ineligible uses, please refer to the Facilities program guidelines.

No. Applicants must demonstrate that they will retain occupancy of the facility for five years after the completion of the project, but ownership of the facility is not required.

Administrative costs of the applicant to administer the grant are limited to 2.5 percent of the total grant award. These include costs such as completing the grant application, costs associated with monitoring and reporting on the project, and personnel costs including salaries and fringe benefits for staff required to carry out the project.

Yes.

No. However, the project may have multiple work elements under one project scope. For example, if a recreation center is looking to make ADA improvements, lighting, and HVAC upgrades, these elements can be listed under the same project. All work elements must further the goals of the program, to enable work, health, and education.

Yes, but the application must identify a primary applicant and the funding will only be awarded to that primary applicant. You may only list the primary applicant’s name but can detail co-applicants in your project narrative.

The applicant must identify the hours for which the facility or space will be open to the public, at no-cost, to accomplish needs regarding work, education, and health monitoring.

Yes.

The timeline is as follows:

• Guidelines posted: December 2023
• Application window open: January 2024 – April 2024
• Application review period: April 2024 – June 2024
• Awards announced: July 2024 – August 2024
• Contracting period: August 2024 – September 2024
• Construction begins: September 2024 – October 2024

Please note this timeline is tentative and subject to change.

Yes, all projects funded through this program must reach substantial completion and all funds must be spent by December 31, 2026. Substantial completion is defined as the date for which the project can fulfill the primary operations that it was designed to perform which are construct, acquire, or improve buildings (shared office space, recreation centers, schools, libraries, etc.) that are or will be open to the public and will directly enable work, education, and health monitoring at the respective facility.

Extensions, while rare, may be granted beyond this timeframe to the extent that factors deemed to be outside of the grantee’s control have significantly impacted project delivery timelines. Please note that extension approvals must come from both the PBDA and U.S. Department of Treasury, on a case-by-case basis.

Projects must be carried out in ways that produce high-quality infrastructure, avert costly delays, and promote efficiency. Projects funded by this grant program must comply with all applicable federal laws and regulations, and with all requirements for state and local laws and ordinances to the extent that such requirements do not conflict with federal laws.

In Pennsylvania, Prevailing Wage law applies to any project over $25,000.

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) has final authority to make prevailing wage applicability determinations. Applicants with further questions about wage laws may contact L&I at 717.787.5279.

Letters of support from key stakeholders are not required, but they are encouraged. Each applicant is required to provide proof that it notified, in writing, the appropriate local governments about the intended project.

Yes, PBDA may elect to make partial awards.

Grantees must submit quarterly and annual progress reports to the PBDA through the completion of the Facilities Program. Reporting requirements and technical assistance will be provided once contracts are executed. The PBDA will also process reimbursement requests upon completion of expense reports throughout the project.

Additionally, successful applicants will be required to provide a final report three months after project completion. This final report will outline the activities that took place during the project, including a description of all construction that occurred, total project costs, and a description of the use of grant funds. The report will also include a summary of how the project implemented a sustainability plan addressed and enhanced equity in the community. The final 10 percent of grant funds will be held until the final report has been submitted to and reviewed by PBDA with any questions or concerns having been addressed by the applicant to PBDA’s satisfaction.

An entity which facilitates greater use of broadband service by vulnerable populations, including low-income individuals, unemployed individuals, and aged individuals that lack access to gigabit-level broadband service. These include:

• Any school
• Library
• Health clinic
• Health center
• Hospital or other medical provider
• Public safety entity
• Institution of higher education
• Public housing organization
• Community support organization

1. A sustainability commitment statement must be included to measure whether a project is sustainable.
2. Intended project outcomes (including what will be achieved, who will benefit, and by when) may be included.
3. Outputs (specific results that the project will generate) may be included. An output is the quantitative (countable) result of achieving the project’s objectives. Outputs demonstrate   how the project will bring about change). This will be largely project-specific, but examples could include; number of meetings/programs held, number of classes/trainings offered, number of individuals served, etc.
4. Activities (tasks needed to be completed for the output to be achieved) may be included. Examples: surveying, construction, community outreach, etc.
5. Indicators (observable or measurable characteristics or changes that represent achievement of the project outcome). The indicators selected should answer project evaluation questions and help determine whether or not the program objective has been achieved. Examples: Participation rates, attitudes, attendance
6. Means of verification (how indicator information will be collected) may be included. Examples: Surveys, discussion groups, etc.
7. Risks and assumptions (external conditions needed to reach results) may be included. Examples: Permitting, weather, cost of materials, etc.
8. Green initiatives statement (include any climate-positive mitigation strategies included in the project that aim to address climate risks) may be included.

Yes. A recipient may use funds to cover costs incurred during the period beginning March 15, 2021, for one or more eligible projects. For pre-award costs incurred after March 15, 2021, but prior to execution of the Grant Agreement, recipients are required to provide reasonable assurance that the costs were incurred pursuant to the negotiation of and in anticipation of the Capital Projects Fund award and are necessary for the efficient and timely performance of the project. Such costs are allowable only to the extent they would have been allowable if incurred after the date of the Capital Projects Fund award and only with the written approval of Treasury.

No. The facility must offer access at no-cost to the facility and network.

The period of performance ends December 31, 2026.

The facility must enable the public user to expand access to telehealth needs (e.g., conduct a doctor’s appointment or complete medical paperwork).

No. The facility must enable the public user to expand access to employment (e.g., apply for jobs or conduct an interview).

Yes.

Funds will be distributed on a reimbursement basis. The project applicant will pay for the work as it is completed and submit paid invoices to PBDA for reimbursement.

For technical inquiries regarding the submission of the online application, applicants may contact the Customer Service Center by calling 1.800.379.7448 or 717.787.3405, or by emailing ra-dcedcs@pa.gov, Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 5:00PM.

Those seeking technical assistance about the content of their application should email PBDA_CapitalProjectsFund@pa.gov, with “CPF Facilities” listed in the subject line.

Applicants may contact the PBDA directly by emailing PBDA_CapitalProjectsFund@pa.gov. We will respond to your message as soon as we are able, but please keep in mind that due to the volume of inquiries we are currently receiving, there could be a delay.

The application for this funding opportunity can be found on the Department of Community and Economic Development Electronic Single Application (ESA) for Assistance website at .

Additional supplemental information must be attached electronically to the application as directed on the “Addenda” tab within the Single Application for Assistance website. This could include any form, certification, financial statement, or data file mentioned in the Program Guidelines.

Please note that applications will not be reviewed on a rolling basis. PBDA will begin review upon the close of the application window. Additionally, award announcements will not be on a rolling basis but announced at the close of the review period.

If you have technical inquiries regarding the submission of the online application, please contact DCED’s Customer Service Center by calling 1.800.379.7448 or 717.787.3405, or by emailing Ra-dcedcs@pa.gov, Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 5:00PM.

Questions related to grant application content or specific inquiries about the Program should be directed to PBDA_CapitalProjectsFund@pa.gov with “CPF Facilities” listed in the subject line.

Administrative costs (limited to 2.5% of the total grant award) include costs of personnel salaries and fringe benefits for staff to complete the grant application, costs associated with monitoring and reporting on the project.

Salaries and fringe benefits for staff carrying out the project (such as project managers, program directors, subject matter experts, equity consultants, financial analysts, accountants, and attorneys) would be considered project costs.

Yes, the usage of COSTARS for estimates and procurement is acceptable for the program.