Offshore Wind Science and Research

4. Is there a word or page limit for applications? Can we submit additional supporting materials with our proposal beyond what is requested?

While there is no word or page limit, MassCEC appreciates concise responses within the Application Form (Attachment B) that facilitate an efficient and consistent review. While submission of additional supporting materials is permissible, MassCEC does not commit to reviewing those materials.

5. Does this RFP allow for subawards on project proposals (e.g., from one institution to another)?

Yes, grant agreements that result from successful applications to this RFP allow for subawards/subcontracts.

6. Is MassCEC requiring the use of a specific budget template? How detailed should the budget spreadsheet be?

MassCEC does not require the use of a specific budget template for this RFP. We recommend including as much detail as possible to justify the award requested and demonstrate the value the project would bring to the Commonwealth (see RFP Section IX: Selection Criteria, Table 2 - Budget & Funding).

7. Can I attribute cost share for activities that take place prior to the anticipated start date of the grant agreement with MassCEC?

No. Applicants must incur cost-share expenditures and in-kind contributions within the grant period. For successful applications, MassCEC will consider exceptions for expenditures and in-kind contributions which occur between the notification of award and the contract start date. Applicants are welcome to explain how a MassCEC award would add value and leverage previously expended funds and activities, as applicable.

8. What are examples of acceptable cash vs. in-kind contributions toward cost-share?

Examples of in-kind cost-share can include but are not limited to: personnel time devoted to project activities, facility space used for project activities, materials and supplies necessary for project activities, etc.Cash cost share is where an actual cash transaction occurs which can be documented in the accounting system. Examples of cash cost share payments include, but are not limited to: payment for materials or equipment directly related to the execution of the proposed project; payment for services provided by contractors and consultants for general and administrative tasks related to the execution of the proposed project. MassCEC will not accept as cost share funding from other MassCEC programs (e.g., Amplify Mass).

9. What are MassCEC's expectations for a subcontractor's cost share? Should the cost sharing be 10% cash or in-kind across both institutions in total, or 10% per institution budget?

MassCEC's cost share preferences and eligibility vary depending on whether the lead applicant is a private or public/non-profit entity (see Section X of the RFP, p. 14-15). If a subcontractor is providing cost share (cash or in-kind), it should be calculated in total across all institutions. Please see the language in the template Grant Agreement (Attachment C), specifically, 7(d). There is room for flexibility (see statement "this section may be updated based on program needs"), so we recommend providing justification for your cost share proposal if it does not align with the template language.

10. What does MassCEC consider to be indirect costs (IDC)?

Indirect costs are expenses that are necessary for overall operations but cannot be attributed specifically to a single project, such as general administration, utilities, and office space. Example: The compensation of an organization's finance, HR, or executive leadership staff who support the entire organization but are not working directly on the funded project. An IDC rate is the percentage of a project's total budget that is proposed to be charged to indirect costs.

11. The RFP notes that MassCEC prefers an applicant's indirect cost (IDC) rate to be ≤15% of the budget. My institution typically uses a higher IDC rate. Can I use unrecovered IDC as cost share in the budget?

MassCEC will consider in-kind contributions toward cost share for public and non-profit institutions (see Section X of the RFP, p. 14-15). In those situations, we will accept unrecovered IDC from an institution using a lower rate as part of the cost share; however, we will want to see documentation of your institution's federally approved cost rates. Please see the language in the template grant agreement (Attachment C), specifically, 7(d). There is room for flexibility (see statement "this section may be updated based on program needs"), so we recommend providing justification for your cost share proposal if it does not align with the template language.

12. Will MassCEC make exceptions for indirect cost (IDC) rates that exceed the preferred 15% maximum? Will MassCEC make exceptions around the amount or type of cost share? Are subcontractor mark-ups allowed (i.e., the mark-up reflects the lead consultant's fee, typically 10%, on subcontractor invoices for managing and overseeing subcontracted work)?

The cost share and IDC rates stated in the RFP are preferences and not requirements for eligibility. MassCEC does not have a policy prohibiting consideration of subcontractor mark-ups. Applicants should propose budgets, cost share structures, and IDC rates that are feasible for their respective organizations, provide maximum value to the Commonwealth, and include an explanation for any Cost Share or IDC rates that differ from the RFP's preferences. MassCEC will consider applicants' Cost Share and IDC rates and the associated explanations during proposal evaluation.

13. Who can see my data management and sharing plan (DMSP) when using DMPtool.org?

To ensure the privacy of your DMSP using the template on DMPtool.org, only individuals or organizations with a direct role in the proposed project should be listed as collaborators (e.g., you should not list RWSC or ROSA staff). The DMSP template has been made publicly available for use by applicants, and using it does not imply an organizational partnership or collaboration with either RWSC or ROSA. Please see Attachment E for full instructions on using the DMSP template.

14. What information does MassCEC typically share about awarded projects? Upon request, will MassCEC keep details of a proposal confidential?

MassCEC typically announces the names of awarded projects, brief descriptions, and members of project teams. Before submitting a proposal, applicants should review section XII of the RFP (Notice of Public Disclosure), as well as Section 6 (Publicity; Use of Name and Work Product) and Section 15 (Public Records and CTHRU) of the template Grant Agreement (Attachment C to the RFP). There is also reference to public records law in Attachment A: Signature Acceptance Form. To summarize, applications should be written with the understanding that they are considered public records and information contained within may be released if responsive to a public records request. There are exceptions which are detailed in the sections denoted above.

15. What do I need to redline for the template Grant Agreement (Attachment C) or Service Agreement (Attachment D)?

Applicants should redline contract terms known to be of potential concern (please keep in mind that MassCEC has limited ability to change the standard Agreement terms). Applicants do not need to complete the fill-in-the-blank fields or redline the Whereas clauses. If selected for funding, the Awardee and MassCEC will develop a final Agreement. You do not need to fill out the "Scope of Work/Services" section, because that information is captured in the Application Form (Attachment B).