Climate-Critical Underrepresented Business Support

4. Which regions are currently seeking Hub applications?

For FY27, MassCEC seeks Hub applications for the three workforce regions that do not already have awarded Hubs: Berkshire, Cape and Islands, and Central Massachusetts. Prior CUBS solicitations awarded Hubs in Greater Boston, Northeast, Pioneer Valley, and Southeast.

5. Can an organization apply under more than one funding strand?

Yes. An organization may respond to more than one strand, but it must submit a separate, stand-alone application for each strand. Applicants may also submit multiple applications for distinct regions or distinct programmatic approaches, subject to the regional application rules described in the RFP.

6. If our organization is not ready to implement a CUBS program, can we apply for a planning or capacity grant?

Yes. Strand C Planning Grants support development of a detailed implementation plan for future CUBS-aligned programming. Strand D Capacity Building Grants support activities that strengthen an organization’s ability to implement, pilot, expand, or improve CUBS-aligned services. Planning awards range from $20,000 to $50,000 for six months to one year. Capacity Building awards range from $30,000 to $150,000 for one to two years. These grants are intended to support organizations building readiness to implement a future Hub or Spoke or to pilot a discrete component of CUBS-aligned business support. Applicants should clearly describe how planning or capacity initiatives will position the organization for future implementation or scaling within the Hub and Spoke ecosystem. Additionally, MassCEC may elect to award a Planning or Capacity Grant if the Hub or Spoke proposal does not yet demonstrate sufficient scope, readiness, or infrastructure to justify full implementation funding.

7. Is a Letter of Intent required for a Strand C Planning application?

No. Strand C applicants are strongly encouraged, but not required, to submit a Letter of Intent. The LOI allows an applicant to receive early feedback on alignment with the RFP’s goals, priorities, and scoring criteria. Submitting an LOI does not provide a preference or scoring advantage. Applicants should follow the LOI timeline and submission directions in the Workforce Development Data Solutions Platform.

8. What funding amounts and grant terms are available?

Strand A Hub awards range from $400,000 to $800,000 for three years. Strand B Spoke awards range from $150,000 to $400,000 for one to two years. Strand C Planning awards range from $20,000 to $50,000 for six months to one year. Strand D Capacity Building awards range from $30,000 to $150,000 for one to two years. Programs with participants must account for applicable post-program monitoring and metrics tracking obligations in the project schedule and budget.

9. What is the 12-month retention and outcome-monitoring requirement?

Retention services and participant outcome monitoring must continue for 12 months after participants complete their initial program services. Applicants should include this period as a funded program phase and budget for the staffing, participant engagement, data collection, reporting, and related costs needed to maintain contact, support continued progress, and collect required outcome data.

10. If our organization has received prior funding from MassCEC's MWBE Support Grants or other RFPs, are we eligible to apply to this RFP?

Yes, organizations that have received prior funding from other MassCEC Workforce Development RFPs are eligible to apply, as long as proposed work is separate and distinct from currently funded efforts. To be considered competitive, organizations that have received prior MWBE Support Grants must demonstrate successful outcomes and align to baseline services and requirements such as regional coordination expectations, data reporting, sectoral procurement navigation, and cross-referral responsibilities required by the CUBS Hub and Spoke model.

11. What participant outcomes are expected for Hub Procurement Navigation and Spoke programs?

At least 70% of participants enrolled in a Hub’s Procurement Navigation pathway or a Spoke program should achieve one or more approved business success outcomes. Examples include contracts or subcontracts secured, access to capital or financing, revenue growth, employee growth, entry into a climate-critical sector, market or customer-base expansion, participation in an approved vendor program, or another MassCEC-approved outcome. Applicants should also propose reasonable interim performance metrics aligned with their service model.

12. What types of businesses may CUBS-funded programs serve?

CUBS-funded programs must serve Massachusetts-based Underrepresented Businesses participating in, or positioned to enter, climate-critical industries and supply chains. The RFP defines an Underrepresented Business based on ownership and operation by members of traditionally underrepresented or underserved groups, recognized certification eligibility, or specified location and service or workforce connections to a designated Burdened Area. Applicants should review the complete definitions in the RFP when designing participant eligibility and intake processes.

13. Can an individual Underrepresented Business apply directly for a CUBS grant?

No. The funding is not intended to benefit a single business or a very limited number of businesses. Our other funding opportunities may be better suited for you. If you are an underrepresented business and you want to implement a job training pipeline for individuals from environmental justice neighborhoods and other underserved populations to enter the clean energy sector, you may consider applying to the Equity Workforce Training Implementation RFP or the Climate-Critical Workforce Training, Equipment & Infrastructure RFP. The Workforce Development team has a public-facing partnerships list located on the main MassCEC Workforce RFP site. This list is updated every month and can be a good opportunity to network with other potential applicants such as training providers; build community; and learn about other workforce development programs. Let us know if you are interested in joining the networking list.

14. What makes a proposed sector or business pathway responsive to the RFP?

Applicants should identify the climate-critical sectors, occupations, projects, procurement opportunities, or supply chains that participating businesses will enter, serve, or support. General small-business support, sustainability planning, or operational improvements are not sufficient unless the proposed work advances participation in climate-critical industries, occupations, projects, procurement opportunities, or supply chains. The RFP identifies clean heating and cooling, electrification, battery storage, networked geothermal, and clean transportation as areas of current and continued demand, while allowing applicants to make a case for other responsive climate-critical sectors.

15. What regions should an organization apply to serve?

Hub applicants seeking to operate in more than one region must submit a separate application for each region. A Spoke may submit one application to serve multiple regions when the service model, sector focus, target businesses, and delivery approach do not significantly vary by region. Separate Spoke applications are required when the work requires different service plans, services, or sector focuses by region. Multi-region Spokes must demonstrate sufficient staffing capacity to coordinate with multiple Hubs and meet referral, case-management, and reporting expectations.

16. Who is responsible for participant data collection and reporting?

All grantees must collect and report participant-level data and program performance to MassCEC monthly through the Workforce Development Data Solutions Platform. Hubs must also collect and consolidate regional performance information from Spokes. Spokes must report performance information to both MassCEC and the regional Hub. Applicants should include staff capacity, systems, and procedures for intake, baseline assessment, service tracking, outcome monitoring, cross-referrals, and reporting.

17. Can two or more organizations jointly apply as a Hub?

Yes. MassCEC encourages collaborative Hub models that combine complementary strengths. One organization must be identified as the Lead Applicant and will be responsible for the application, grant agreement, administration, oversight, and outcomes. Partners receiving grant funds or implementing a defined portion of the scope must be identified as subcontractors in the application and budget, with clear roles and responsibilities. The RFP permits Hubs to subcontract with partners or third-party vendors to deliver elements of the required services, but the Lead Applicant must retain overall responsibility.

18. Can an organization participate in more than one application as a subcontractor or partner?

The RFP does not prohibit an organization from participating in multiple applications. Each application should clearly identify the organization’s role, scope, staffing commitment, and budget, and applicants should demonstrate sufficient capacity to fulfill all proposed commitments. Any potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed. Subcontractors with expertise in service delivery in a clean energy sector may also want to consider applying as a Spoke.

19. How should applicants budget indirect (overhead) costs and fringe benefits?

Applicants with a current federally approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement must use the approved rate and cost base. Applicants without a current NICRA may apply an indirect rate of up to 15% to direct personnel costs only. Indirect costs may not be applied to materials, subcontractors, equipment, or other cost categories. Fringe rates must reflect actual or projected benefit costs, may vary by position when supported by the organization’s practices, and must be clearly explained.

20. Are office rent, venue rental, equipment, or other facility costs allowable?

Event-space or venue rental may be allowable when directly tied to outreach or program delivery. However, the purchase or lease of venue space or equipment intended for general operating purposes is not eligible. Applicants should distinguish program-specific direct costs from general operating or overhead costs and explain the basis for each proposed line item.

21. What circumstances would lead to an applicant interview or requests for supplemental information?

Interviews are scheduled as needed. MassCEC may request additional information or supplemental documentation when clarification is needed during review, when considering a Hub proposal for a Spoke award, or when exploring a collaborative Hub structure. Supplemental documentation is generally due within two weeks or by the deadline stated in MassCEC’s request.

22. What documentation is required from subcontractors and other partners?

Applications proposing subcontracted partners must include Letters of Commitment or Letters of Support and may include MOUs. The documentation should clearly describe the partner’s anticipated role, commitment, and responsibilities. Partner organizations receiving funds or implementing a defined portion of the scope must be identified as subcontractors in the application and budget.