Eligible project stage
Do all applicants need a comprehensive building assessment ("CBA")?
Per 'Section 4. Eligibility' of the RFP, all applicants pursuing awards of $1 million or more will be required to submit a Mass Save® comprehensive building assessment, investment-level audit, or equivalent building study as part of their Green School Works application to ensure that the proposed project is part of a thoughtful decarbonization strategy. Eligible non-Mass Save Applicants can access equivalent technical assistance through Green School Works Technical Assistance Services. MassCEC recommends the completion of a CBA, or equivalent building study, for all projects regardless of budget.
Can schools apply for the Green School Works grant before having a completed CBA?
We understand that the CBA process can take a few weeks to months. If you can have a CBA in progress, we ask your application include documentation that show a CBA is underway, and any relevant information on the status of the CBA.
For projects that require a CBA, does it have to be a utility-commissioned CBA, or does an equivalent building audit also satisfy this requirement?
It does not have to be specifically a utility-commissioned CBA; any equivalent audit will be sufficient. Schools interested in applying and unsure if their equivalent study is sufficient may send us the report to see if it fulfills our CBA or equivalent requirement.
Can schools apply for Green School Works technical assistance and grant funding in parallel?
Yes, we encourage those interested in applying for the Implementation Grant also enroll in Green School Works Technical Assistance Services if eligible.
Would we need a comprehensive building assessment if we already have one through MassSave?
No, please attach the report to your application and include relevant details for applicable questions.
Eligible project technologies
Is a fossil fuel-powered technology eligible for grant funding?
No, fossil fuel-powered technologies are not eligible technologies under this funding. Applicants may keep fossil fuel equipment in place or as a backup; however, MassCEC cannot fund fossil fuel-powered generators or other equipment.
Does the 15% soft cost limit include overhead and profit on the construction project?
No, MassCEC does not consider the price to install or construct a project part of the soft cost cap.
Are air source heat pump projects eligible for Green School Works funding?
Yes, air source heat pump projects are an eligible technology.
Are electrification projects preferred?
We are looking to fund a diverse pool of projects, including, but not limited to, ITC-eligible technologies, phased projects, weatherization, and planning for larger electrification. We urge applicants to carefully consider 'Section 7. Selection Criteria' of the RFP to understand how we will be selecting which projects will receive funding.
Are hybrid roof top units an eligible technology?
No, MassCEC cannot fund any technologies that are powered by fossil fuels.
For a rooftop PV project, is roof repair an eligible cost?
Roof repair when enabling Solar PV is an eligible cost, however as noted in section 4 of our RFP, it is unlikely that projects where roof repair is the majority of the project budget will be competitive applications, since there are funding opportunities for those upgrades through the Massachusetts School Building Authority.
2. Timeline
If awarded, when does the funding need to be spent by? When do projects need to be completed?
There are no firm deadlines for when funding must be spent by. As per 'Section 4. Eligibility' of the RFP, MassCEC will prioritize projects that can begin construction within one year of contract signing and achieve project completion within three years of contract signing. We understand there may be delays during the construction process.
Interaction with other related funding opportunities
Will a school being in a Climate Leader Community be beneficial to an application?
While not required, applicants are encouraged to demonstrate thoughtful project planning and effective leveraging of other funding opportunities. This could include Climate Leader Community designation and associated funding as relevant. Full details on how we will select projects for funding can be found in 'Section 7. Selection Criteria' of the RFP.
Can a Green School Works grant be used to supplement an MSBA ARP project?
Schools invited into MSBA's ARP may apply to the RFP if they require assistance with cost share or other expenses that fall outside of MSBA eligible reimbursable costs. ARP recipients may also consider the recoverable grant option to cover and fund anticipated tax credit funding, more information on which can be found in 'Section 8. Budget and Award Details'.
3. How to Apply
Is there a character or word limit for the narrative responses?
There are no character limits, but we ask responses be kept to a reasonable length.
Can districts submit multiple proposals?
Yes, districts are able to submit multiple proposals.
Should I submit separate applications for different projects in my school district, or submit one for the entire district?
If a project is a connected and/or coordinated multi-school effort or co-delivered by the same designer and contractor, schools can submit one application or separate applications per site. If there are separate projects at multiple schools or sites in your district, please submit separate applications for each project.
Who should be the primary contact for the application?
The primary contact should be the individual representing the entity receiving the award. For example, if the municipality is the anticipated award recipient, a municipal representative should be listed as the primary contact.
Who should sign the agreement where the town owns the school building, but the regional school district leases the school?
The person who signs the agreement should be the primary contact of the entity that would receive the award.
My town is considering future eligible projects for this grant, but an upcoming town vote will determine final eligibility of the applicant's schools. How should we proceed?
We recommend that the applicant submit two proposals in their application, describing the situation and possible outcomes or approaches in detail (i.e., pending the outcome of the Town vote, we will inform MassCEC that we would like our application review process to proceed with school A vs school B).
I'm a consultant working with a school. Can I apply?
No, the applicant must be the school district or municipality. Consultants can be listed as secondary contacts if they are representing the project team.
Our school is waiting to hear if we are awarded external funding. We would like to use this funding in different ways if awarded. How should this be explained in the application?
MassCEC asks applicants to include both plans in the application as best they can, e.g., refer to Plan A (not awarded external funds) and Plan B (awarded external funds). If applicants would like to include tables or documentation for Plan B, these files can be uploaded at the end of the application. Please rename files so MassCEC can clearly identify what the file is.
Our district would like to submit multiple applications. How do we do that?
Applicants will need to sign out of their Jotform account, open the application, and fill in the application as available, press Save, click 'Skip Create an Account', then enter the email address you would like to send the link to for that specific application.
Whose resumes do you need?
MassCEC is expecting resumes from those team members who will meaningfully contribute to the project. This can include those working on project scope, engineering, soft costs, project management, etc. Another way to look at it is if they're closely involved in the project, e.g., frequently looped in on emails or meetings about the project, you may want to list them as a member on the project team and attach their resume. If any roles need to be procured, that can be stated in the application, but a resume is not needed.
4. Selection Criteria
Does the program consider MBTA Communities compliance?
No, that is not part of the selection criteria.
What should a school's percentage of low-income students be?
There is no specific percentage required for eligibility purposes, however it will be part of the selection criteria. If a school is serving a higher percentage of students from low-income families, it may score higher depending on the applicant pool. School districts may cite enrollment data from the district if it is a district-wide project.
5. Budget & Award Details
Will there be future rounds of funding through Green School Works?
We are expecting to award all available funding in this round. There are no additional approved funding rounds at this time.
Are there match requirements per community?
There are no match requirements per community. However, as per 'Section 7. Selection Criteria', funding impact will be considered as part of our evaluation. This would include the degree to which GSW funding would fill a gap that cannot be covered by other sources, such as existing municipal funds. Applications should highlight community support for a proposal, such as local funds, cooperation with other organizations, or involvement in a municipal initiative.
How will a recoverable grant work?
Full details on the recoverable grant offering can be found in 'Section 8. Budget and Award Details.' A hypothetical scenario is outlined below for illustrative purposes only. Additional detailed terms will be issued as part of the contracting process post-award.
Example: An elementary school proposes installing a $10 million ground-source heat pump system. The school applies for and is awarded a $4 million Green School Works grant. The school applies for and receives $3 million in direct pay federal tax credit funding. The school returns $3 million to MassCEC, minus the school's reasonable costs of applying to the tax credit.
How does the investment tax credit ("ITC") work?
Schools can claim the Investment Tax Credit (Sec. 48) via Elective Pay. Those seeking the ITC can expect to apply for a federal tax credit to the IRS, and once the project is complete, they can expect to receive direct payment equal to the value of the tax credit. This resource from UndauntedK12 provides helpful information about Energy Tax Credits for schools. This IRS FAQ answers many relevant questions about Elective Pay of tax credits. We recommend discussing potential tax credits with a tax professional.
