Request for Proposals: Equity Workforce Training, Equipment & Infrastructure

Applicants that previously received funding from prior Equity Workforce funding opportunities – Equity Workforce Planning Grants, Equity Workforce Planning and Capacity Grants, MWBE Support Grants, or Equity Workforce Training Implementation Grants – can apply for Strand C without also applying for Strand A, as long as all other eligibility criteria are met. Applicants that have not received prior Equity Workforce funding may only apply to Strand C if also applying to Strand A. Those organizations seeking equipment or infrastructure funding but not seeking funding for training implementation should consider applying to MassCEC’s Climate-Critical Training, Equipment, and Infrastructure grant or to other applicable capital grants from other funding sources.

Yes, applicants that concurrently apply to Strand C and Strand A are required to submit a complete application packet for Strand C and a separate application packet for Strand A to be considered for both.

While leveraging additional funding is encouraged, grantees awarded funding for equipment or infrastructure under this solicitation are not required to provide matching funds for the work proposed, however grantees that access ARPA funds via other MassCEC solicitations may be required to provide matching dollars per the terms of those RFP solicitations and awards.

Yes, a non-profit with a 501(c) designation is eligible to apply, as long as they meet the other eligibility requirements. These funds must be used for the eligible uses listed in the RFP and cannot used for lobbying.

This funding is intended to stimulate entry of underrepresented individuals into the Clean Energy Workforce and into pathways that lead to occupations in Climate-Critical Sectors. Pathways may involve programs such as job training programs, apprenticeships, certificate programs, 2-year degrees, and 4-year degrees. This funding is not intended to provide full college scholarships, and applications requesting funding to support partial scholarships will be assessed with consideration to other available financial aid and tuition supports available to institutional attendees. However, this funding can be used to implement the social support, education, and training of eligible individuals from targeted populations, which may include offsetting training and course fees, providing participant stipends, subsidizing wages for on-the-job training, etc. See Section VII of the RFP for further details on eligible uses

Yes, applicants are asked to leverage other resources, which may include federal grants and other matching sources of funding and/or funding that will continue after funds from this grant are expended to ensure the sustainability of the proposed program.

Yes, especially female Veterans, as they are underrepresented currently. Male veterans have moderate representation in the Clean Energy Workforce, but if their designation as a Veteran is in addition to being a member of an EJ Neighborhood, Federally Recognized or State Acknowledged Tribe, or Fossil Fuel Worker, it will be viewed favorably.

Yes, as long as the MOUs indicate either some level of commitment by the trade association and its members to interview program graduates for placement in appropriate positions or an outright commitment to hire graduates. The MOUs are intended to demonstrate and solidify a clear potential for entry into the Clean Energy Workforce through the training programs.

Through this solicitation, MassCEC may award some Planning Grants to those applicants that have a good concept but do not demonstrate the capacity to implement that concept at this stage. In addition, MassCEC offers rolling Equity Workforce Planning and Capacity Grants.

No, there are no specific limits on types of wraparound support services to be provided via these programs. Working with marginalized and underrepresented communities often requires comprehensive and holistic support services to ensure success, so those proposals with thoughtful wraparound support service plans will likely score more favorably.

Programs leading to attainment of a professional credential or a college degree or earning articulated credits may result in a more favorable score, but this is not a requirement under this solicitation, as certain occupation pathways do not align directly with college courses.

Under Strand A, there is no explicit cap on funds used to purchase or lease equipment. However, the amount requested must be reasonable within the context of the program and be a reasonable proportion of the proposed budget, and all equipment must be designated for use within the program. For larger capital purchases or leases, applicants are encouraged to consider applying to Strand C, in addition to Strand A, or to MassCEC’s Climate-Critical Training, Equipment, and Infrastructure grant. Under Strand C, the maximum amount of funds available per award for capital is $750,000, however applicants are encouraged to consider the administrative, installation, and maintenance costs within that maximum when proposing a budget. Acquisition of equipment for general operating purposes is not an acceptable use of this funding.

MassCEC is very interested in the supply chain related to Clean Energy Tech, such as the offshore wind and blue economy supply chain. Funding from this solicitation could be used to train individuals from targeted populations to enter jobs related to those supply chains, however, directly supporting decarbonization projects does not qualify as an acceptable use of these funds. Other RFP opportunities and departments at MassCEC may be a more appropriate match for those projects.

Yes, organizations that have received prior funding from MassCEC are still eligible to respond to this solicitation, as long as the proposed program is separate and distinct from the programs supported by prior funding. Expansion of an existing proven program to include new target populations or upskilling the delivered curriculum may be viewed as separate and distinct; extending and sustaining the existing program without any impactful changes will not be viewed as separate and distinct.

Yes, funds can be used to cover the salaries and benefits of staff delivering services related to the program. While it is not a specific requirement for a grantee to retain staff brought on for the program after the term of the grant, those applications that include plans to leverage other resources to sustain the program following the term of the grant may score more favorably.

Each grantee will be assigned to a technical assistance (TA) provider who will advise them in the planning or capacity-building process to ensure that the deliverables and outcomes meet or exceed the expectations of the grant. Individual technical assistance sessions will be on an ongoing and as-needed basis as agreed upon between the TA provide and grantee. Grantees must also participate in small cohort sessions by participating in webinars to promote networking, share best practices, and strengthen their workforce development program design.  

If other funding sources are being used to cover the program costs, use the Matching column in the budget form to indicate which line items are being covered by other funding sources. 

MassCEC does not have a predetermined funding amount for the January and May deadlines. Funding for the May deadline will be contingent on the amount disbursed to awardees resulting from the January deadline application.

Yes. Applicants are not restricted from applying for multiple strands, but the capacity to successfully complete the work will be part of the award consideration. To apply to Strand C, if an applicant has not received prior Equity Workforce funding, the applicant needs to also apply to Strand A in a separate application packet.

An application to fund an additional training cycle of an existing MassCEC funded program will need to show that the expanded training will benefit a set of participants distinct from those who benefitted from the existing MassCEC grant.

Applicants must provide milestones in the application that show the outcomes resulting from the grant, such as the number of participants served, completion rate of the training program, and number of off-ramp or job placements upon program completion.

The RFP requires two MOUs or LOSs signaling potential placements for participants. The grant will allow for a six-month ramp-up that includes partnership development. If more employers will be involved beyond the first two signaled in the MOUs or LOSs, that ramp-up time could be time to increase your partners. The plan for solidifying partnerships should be explained in the application to be considered competitive.

MassCEC will consider all types of equipment and infrastructure, as the types of equipment and infrastructure will vary for different programs. Equipment and infrastructure that will provide longer term impact on the training program beyond the grant period will be viewed as more competitive by reviewers.

Yes, MassCEC will provide written feedback to applicants who did not receive funding for the current round. Applicants are encouraged to revise their proposals and resubmit by the next deadline.

They are not required to apply, but they are recommended as they make the application stronger. Once your application has been reviewed, we may reach out for written quotes for items included in the proposed budget.

We ask that you get a letter of support that shows that the other entity is aware of this application. The MOU or LOS should include the responsibilities of the entity as included in the application

State grants can be used as matching funds. However, grants from other MassCEC departments are not eligible as matching funds.

The matching funds must be specific to the requested line items and proposed project. Matching funds are required for only Strand C.

Strand C proposals that have an existing training program will be viewed as more competitive by reviewers. Equipment funding from Strand C cannot be given unless there is an established training program. If you do not have an established training program, we recommend looking into the Equity Workforce Planning & Capacity Grants.

Municipalities are not eligible for the workforce training grants. However, municipalities can partner with an organization that meets the eligibility criteria that can serve as a lead applicant.

Strand C is intended to secure equipment and infrastructure for training that will have a wider scale and impact on the clean energy workforce. An application that will only train their current workforce will be viewed as less competitive.

We do not have a specific format for the letter of support. We require letters of support on the company letterhead describing the responsibilities of the organization providing the letter. We prefer a letter signed by a high-level decision maker of the organization as possible.

The lead applicant will submit the budget and add partners in a subcontractor line. If the partner is receiving $50,000 or more from the requested amount, the lead applicant will need to submit an additional budget that includes the allocated amount for each line item for the given amount.

MassCEC reviews applications based on multiple factors, including geographic area. If you have received funding from the same grant, the application must be separate and distinct from the funded project. Diversifying the target geographic area will be viewed as distinct and more competitive.