The grant app states that the Budget Page is in addition to the 5-page limit, but is the listing of equipment also in addition to that limit? Also, I am assuming that a cover page would not count toward the 5 pages. Thanks!
Submitted by Jeff Geiger on Wed, 10/08/2008 - 19:07.
Two questions:
1. Part D of the application reads: "Process closes October 13 @ 4:00PM: Applications must be received by 12:00 PM. Proposals received after 12:00 PM will not be accepted." Later, it reiterates the 4:00 PM deadline. Which is it?
2. Is there an allowable rate of indirect for ESDs administering this grant?
Thank you!
Response: 1. The deadline for grant submission is 4:00 PM, Monday, October 13, 2008.
2. As the grant is written there is no provision for or against indirect costs for ESD administration of the grant. Technology support is one of the essential elements that ESD's provide their component districts. As such we are hopeful that support for this connectivity effort will be seen as part of that essential support.
In the grant application packet it mentions that "Successful Applicants should expect an award not to exceed $25,000." Is that award limitation per District/ESD or per site?0
Response: The $25,000 maximum is the maximum that can be awarded per grant application. An ESD region may have several grants in their region, and a school district may submit more than one application, but each grant application will be read and scored as indiviual applications and awaded as such.
Submitted by Jeff Geiger on Wed, 10/01/2008 - 14:03.
Given the application's five-page maximum (not including the budget), are we required to include letters of support from partnering agencies/organizations, or is it sufficient to list their specific roles and responsibilities within the text of the project description?
Response: Letters of support are not required to be included with the grant application. However, if you choose to include letters of support they are not counted in the 5 page maximum for the grant application.
What latitude do we have for modifying the design *after* an award? For example, we propose a specific Cisco device, and after the award recognize the potential of cost savings or technical design improvement by utilizing a different device or even different approach.
Response: Utilizing similar hardware to save money without compromising the technical viability of a project is acceptable.
Implementing a completly different approach and essentially reformulating the plan to provide access to bandwidth would require the grant awardee to submit a change request to the EESC Technology Director who would then present the change request to the LastMile Grant Sub-Committee for review and approval.
The grant document states, "Education Enterprise Steering Committee, is
using these funds for two purposes. The first purpose is to address
last mile connectivity issues around the state. The remainder of the
money, up to $250,000, is being used to enhance connectivity in and
between schools in a school district." Does this mean that the
in-district total awards will be $250,000 - and that the awards for
upstream links to ESDs or ISP are from additional funds?
Response: What this statement is referring to is that we are also partnering with the Oregon Health Network (OHN) to help in the creation of a state-wide fiber network. The current work being done on this effort is to create a fiber backbone that connects to all hospitals and community colleges in the state. Through our partnership with OHN schools would be able to ultilize this resource to provide high bandwidth to their schools.
I understand that we need to utilize (i.e. spend) any awarded funds by 6/30/09. My question is whether or not the project involving the construction / fiber / hardware has to be fully implemented by 6/30/09.
Example: An ESD is awarded a particular amount for wireless systems, but the final implementation of the wireless connectivity is a component of a larger project requiring coordination between multiple agencies , timeline, and subprojects. The final K12 impact of the project doesn't reach a production level until, say, 11/1/09.
Response: The grant does not specify that a larger project that this grant is helping to supplement has to be completed before 6/30/09, only that the funds awarded as part of this grant be expended before the June 09 deadline according to the plan submitted. Projects of this nature need to be clearly explained in detail and there should be assurances in place that the over-all project will be completed for the grant to receive consideration by the scoring team.
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Page Limit
The grant app states that the Budget Page is in addition to the 5-page limit, but is the listing of equipment also in addition to that limit? Also, I am assuming that a cover page would not count toward the 5 pages. Thanks!
Deadline, Indirect
Two questions:
1. Part D of the application reads: "Process closes October 13 @ 4:00PM: Applications must be received by 12:00 PM. Proposals received after 12:00 PM will not be accepted." Later, it reiterates the 4:00 PM deadline. Which is it?
2. Is there an allowable rate of indirect for ESDs administering this grant?
Thank you!
Response: 1. The deadline for grant submission is 4:00 PM, Monday, October 13, 2008.
2. As the grant is written there is no provision for or against indirect costs for ESD administration of the grant. Technology support is one of the essential elements that ESD's provide their component districts. As such we are hopeful that support for this connectivity effort will be seen as part of that essential support.
Funding Limits
In the grant application packet it mentions that "Successful Applicants should expect an award not to exceed $25,000." Is that award limitation per District/ESD or per site?0
Response: The $25,000 maximum is the maximum that can be awarded per grant application. An ESD region may have several grants in their region, and a school district may submit more than one application, but each grant application will be read and scored as indiviual applications and awaded as such.
Letters of Support
Given the application's five-page maximum (not including the budget), are we required to include letters of support from partnering agencies/organizations, or is it sufficient to list their specific roles and responsibilities within the text of the project description?
Response: Letters of support are not required to be included with the grant application. However, if you choose to include letters of support they are not counted in the 5 page maximum for the grant application.
Proposed vs final design
What latitude do we have for modifying the design *after* an award? For example, we propose a specific Cisco device, and after the award recognize the potential of cost savings or technical design improvement by utilizing a different device or even different approach.
Response: Utilizing similar hardware to save money without compromising the technical viability of a project is acceptable.
Implementing a completly different approach and essentially reformulating the plan to provide access to bandwidth would require the grant awardee to submit a change request to the EESC Technology Director who would then present the change request to the LastMile Grant Sub-Committee for review and approval.
upstream vs in-district awards
The grant document states, "Education Enterprise Steering Committee, is using these funds for two purposes. The first purpose is to address last mile connectivity issues around the state. The remainder of the money, up to $250,000, is being used to enhance connectivity in and between schools in a school district." Does this mean that the in-district total awards will be $250,000 - and that the awards for upstream links to ESDs or ISP are from additional funds?
Response: What this statement is referring to is that we are also partnering with the Oregon Health Network (OHN) to help in the creation of a state-wide fiber network. The current work being done on this effort is to create a fiber backbone that connects to all hospitals and community colleges in the state. Through our partnership with OHN schools would be able to ultilize this resource to provide high bandwidth to their schools.
question re implementation timelines
I understand that we need to utilize (i.e. spend) any awarded funds by 6/30/09. My question is whether or not the project involving the construction / fiber / hardware has to be fully implemented by 6/30/09.
Example: An ESD is awarded a particular amount for wireless systems, but the final implementation of the wireless connectivity is a component of a larger project requiring coordination between multiple agencies , timeline, and subprojects. The final K12 impact of the project doesn't reach a production level until, say, 11/1/09.
Response: The grant does not specify that a larger project that this grant is helping to supplement has to be completed before 6/30/09, only that the funds awarded as part of this grant be expended before the June 09 deadline according to the plan submitted. Projects of this nature need to be clearly explained in detail and there should be assurances in place that the over-all project will be completed for the grant to receive consideration by the scoring team.