HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5d. Authorization to submit an application for CA Automated Permit Processing Program Grant (CalAPP, Solar Permitting) Item 5d
Department: Community Development
Cost Center: 4006
For Agenda of: 7/5/2022
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Michael Codron, Community Development Director
Prepared By: Michael Loew, Deputy Building Official
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR THE CALIFORNIA
AUTOMATED PERMIT PROCESSING PROGRAM GRANT
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo, California, authorizing an application for the California Automated Permit
Processing Program Grant released by the California Energy Commission.”
Policy Context
This grant funding opportunity supports the purpose and intent of Municipal Code 15.14,
to provide an expedited, streamlined solar permitting process that complies with the
Solar Rights Act and AB 2188 (Chapter 521, Statutes 2014, California Government
Code Section 65850.5).
This grant funding opportunity also supports the Climate Action, Open Space, and
Sustainable Transportation Major City Goals in the 2021-23 Financial Plan, which
focuses on proactively addressing the climate crisis by engaging in projects and
integrating best practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
DISCUSSION
Background
On June 1, 2022, the California Energy Commission (CEC) released a Grant Funding
Opportunity, GFO-21-402, to provide funding for cities and counties to establish online,
automated solar permitting. Senate Bill 129 (Skinner, Budget Act of 2021) appropriates
$20 million to the CEC to support a funding program, pursuant to this purpose, and
administered through the CalAPP Program.
Specifically, the application and solicitation manual (Attachment B) references SolarAPP+
when describing the kind of automated solar permitting platform this funding program is
intended to support. SolarAPP+ is a web -based portal, developed by the National
Renewable Energy Laboratory, that automates plan reviews for residential solar energy
system installations.
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Item 5d
Since March 2022, the Building and Safety Division has been meeting with SolarAPP+
representatives to discuss and plan the implementation of this process. SolarAPP+
integrates with Energov, the current permitting software used by the Community
Development Department, and with the recent May 2022 Energov upgrade, the City of
San Luis Obispo (City) now has the capability to automate the issuance of qualified solar
permits.
The City currently charges $179 for a solar permit. In order to meet the standards of
Municipal Code 15.14 and the California Solar Rights Act, the Building and Safety Division
outsources the review of all solar permit applications at a rate of $117 per review. The
implementation of SolarAPP+ would alleviate the $117 burden paid by the City per
application. Prior to submitting an application to the City, applicants will have the option
to pay SolarAPP+ a fee of $25 for a review that qualifies for an automated permit. This
$25 fee is paid directly to SolarAPP+ and will be in addition to the $179 permit fee paid
to the City.
Since the city has not yet completed the process of adopting an automated, online solar
permitting platform, the City is eligible to apply for funding to be utilized for any ongoing
allowable costs to complete full program implementation. This includes any time that staff
devotes to the application development, internal staff training, and public training for
future applicants.
Public Engagement
This is an administrative item, so no outside public engagement was completed. Public
comment can be provided to the City Council through written correspondence prior to
the meeting and through public testimony at the meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act does not ap ply to the recommended action in
this report, because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines
Sec. 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: Yes Budget Year: 2022-23
Funding Identified: Yes
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Item 5d
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
General Fund $ $0 $0 $0
State -- -- -- --
Federal -- -- -- --
Fees -- -- -- --
Other: -- -- -- --
Total $ $0 $0 $0
There will be no negative fiscal impact to the City. The City is eligible, based on having a
population less than 50,000, to receive up to $40,000 through this Grant Funding
Opportunity. Specific costs that qualify for reimbursement by this grant include:
1. In-house staff time
2. Third party consultation services
3. Training
4. Essential hardware and equipment necessary to support adoption
The grant requires the City to submit an invoice for reimbursement after full
implementation of the automated, online permitting platform.
Funding for the implementation of an automated, online permitting platform was going to
come from the Community Development Department operating budget, however, this
grant opportunity will reduce the burden on the General Fund and not create additional
workload for staff.
ALTERNATIVES
Continue the recommendation to a later meeting. The alternative is not recommended
as the funding will be available on a first come first serve basis and the City does not qualify
for expense reimbursement until after a grant agreement has been finalized.
ATTACHMENTS
A - Draft Resolution authorizing CalAPP Program Grant Application
B - Solicitation Manual
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R ______
RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2022 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION FOR THE
CALIFORNIA AUTOMATED PERMIT PROCESSING PROGRAM GRANT
RELEASED BY THE CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 129 (Skinner, Budget Act of 2021) appropriates $20 million
in funding to the California Energy Commission (CEC) for all incorporated cities, counties,
or cities and counties through a Grant Funding Opportunity (GFO); and
WHEREAS, the City Council of San Luis Obispo desire to submit a California
Automated Permit Processing (CalAPP) program grant application (“Application”), for
approval of grant funding to reimburse qualified expenses associated with implementing
an online, automated permitting platform that verifies code compliance and issues permits
in real time for a solar energy system; and
WHEREAS, the CEC announced GFO-21-402 and associated Application on June
1, 2022 for $40,000 to cities with a population of less than 50,000.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo as follows:
SECTION 1. Authorization. The City Council herby authorizes and directs City
Staff to apply for and submit to the CEC the Application.
SECTION 2. Agreement. In connection with the CalAPP grant, if the Application is
approved by the CEC, the City Council, acting though its Community Development
Director to submit the Application, enter into, execute, and deliver on behalf of the City, a
State of California Agreement (Standard Agreement) for the amount of $40,000, and any
and all other documents required or deemed necessary or appropriate evidence and
secure the CalAPP grant, the City’s obligations related thereto, and all amendments
thereto.
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Resolution No. _____ (2022 Series) Page 2
R ______
SECTION 3. Terms and Conditions. The City shall be subject to the terms and
conditions as specified in the GFO, and the Standard Agreement provided by the CEC
after approval. The Application and any and all accompanying documents are
incorporated in full as part of the Standard Agreement. Any and all activities funded,
information provided, and timelines represented in the Application will be enforceable
through the fully executed Standard Agreement. Pursuant to the GFO and in conjunction
with the terms of the Standard Agreement, the City hereby agrees to use the funds for
eligible uses and allowable expenditures in the manner presented and specifically
identified in the approved Application.
Upon motion of Council Member ___________, seconded by Council Member
___________, and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _______________ 20 22.
___________________________
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
ATTEST:
______________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________.
___________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
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GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
California Automated Permit Processing Program
GFO-21-402
https://www.energy.ca.gov/funding-opportunities/solicitations
State of California
California Energy Commission
June 2022
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Table of Contents
I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 1
A. PURPOSE OF SOLICITATION ...................................................................................................................................... 1
B. KEY WORDS/TERMS .............................................................................................................................................. 2
C. PROJECT SCOPE OF WORK ....................................................................................................................................... 2
D. FUNDING ............................................................................................................................................................. 3
E. KEY ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE ....................................................................................................................................... 6
F. QUESTIONS .......................................................................................................................................................... 6
G. APPLICANTS’ ADMONISHMENT & RESPONSIBILITY........................................................................................................ 7
H. BACKGROUND ....................................................................................................................................................... 7
II. APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................ 9
A. ELIGIBILITY ........................................................................................................................................................... 9
B. FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED .................................................................................................................................... 9
C. TERMS AND CONDITIONS ........................................................................................................................................ 9
III. APPLICATION ORGANIZATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS ............................................................... 10
A. APPLICATION CONTENT ........................................................................................................................................ 10
B. METHOD FOR DELIVERY ....................................................................................................................................... 10
IV. EVALUATION AND AWARD PROCESS ........................................................................................................... 11
A. APPLICATION EVALUATION .................................................................................................................................... 11
B. NOTICE OF PROPOSED AWARD AND AGREEMENT DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................. 11
C. GROUNDS TO REJECT AN APPLICATION OR CANCEL AN AWARD ..................................................................................... 12
D. MISCELLANEOUS ................................................................................................................................................. 12
E. EVALUATION CRITERIA .......................................................................................................................................... 13
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment
Number
Title of Section
01 Application Form (requires signature)
02 Agreement Terms and Conditions
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I. Introduction
NOTE: This solicitation is for the California Automated Permit Processing (CalAPP)
Program and the solicitation documents are unique and different from other California
Energy Commission solicitations. Please do not use attachments from other Energy
Commission grant solicitations as this will result in disqualification (e.g., EPIC and FPIP
programs).
A. PURPOSE OF SOLICITATION
The purpose of this solicitation is to provide funding for California cities, counties, or cities and
counties, to establish online, automated solar permitting. Senate Bill 129 (Skinner, Budget Act of
2021) appropriates $20 million in funding to the California Energy Commission (CEC) to support
a funding program pursuant to this purpose.
Funding through CalAPP is available to all incorporated cities, counties, or cities and counties to
implement an online, automated permitting platform that verifies code compliance and issues
permits in real time for a solar energy system.
To meet its clean energy goals, California needs new renewable and storage resources, including
rooftop solar and storage projects. Per the 2021 Senate Bill 100 Joint Agency Report, achieving
100% clean electricity in California requires an acceleration of the development of rooftop solar
projects. CalAPP funding is intended to encourage cities and counties to further enhance
permitting processes and accelerate processing and turnaround time, particularly regarding plan
review. Overall, funding is intended to promote the development of residential solar and solar-
plus-storage systems, greatly decreasing approval times, cutting permitting costs for local
governments and homeowners, and helping California meet its greenhouse gas emission
reduction goals through an easier installation process.
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B. KEY WORDS/TERMS
Word/Term Definition
Adoption A term for when a new automated permitting platform is fully installed
and operational for processing solar permits.
Applicant The entity that submits an application to this solicitation.
Application An applicant’s written response to this solicitation.
Authorized
Representative
Authorized Representative, the person signing the application form
who has authority to enter into an agreement with the CEC.
CalAPP California Automated Permit Processing Program
CAM Commission Agreement Manager, the person designated by the CEC
to oversee the performance of an agreement resulting from this
solicitation and to serve as the main point of contact for the Recipient.
CAO Commission Agreement Officer
CEC State Energy Resources Conservation and Development
Commission or, the California Energy Commission.
Days Days refers to calendar days.
NOPA Notice of Proposed Award, a public notice by the CEC that identifies
award recipients.
Platform Online, automated solar permitting platform
Project Manager The person designated by the applicant to oversee the project and to
serve as the main point of contact for the CEC.
Project Partner An entity or individual that contributes financially or otherwise to the
project (e.g., match funding, provision of a test, demonstration or
deployment site), and does not receive CEC funds.
Recipient An entity receiving an award under this solicitation.
Solicitation This entire document, including all attachments, exhibits, any
addendum and written notices, and questions and answers
(“solicitation” may be used interchangeably with “Grant Funding
Opportunity”).
State State of California
C. PROJECT SCOPE OF WORK
The applicant may apply for grant funding through CalAPP. Awarded applicants, in consultation
with the local fire department, district, or authority, shall implement an online, automated solar
permitting platform (platform), such as SolarAPP+. SolarAPP+ is a web-based portal, developed
by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, that automates project plan review and produces
code-compliant approvals to support building departments in quickly issuing permits for residential
solar energy system installations. Attachment 1, the Grant Application Form, is the scope of work.
If choosing to adopt a tool other than SolarAPP+, the CEC will verify that it meets the following
requirements:
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1. The platform verifies code compliance and issues permits in real time to a licensed
contractor for a solar energy system, or an energy storage system paired with a solar
energy system, that is no larger than 38.4 kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating.
2. The platform is consistent with the system parameters and configurations of SolarAPP+
as described in D.6, the Verification section of this solicitation manual.
D. FUNDING
1. Amount Available and Minimum/Maximum Funding Amounts
There is a minimum of $19,000,000 available for grants awarded under this solicitation.
Funding levels vary based on population size of the applicant’s jurisdiction, from a
minimum of $40,000 to a maximum of $100,000 per awarded applicant. Funding amounts
are the maximum that can be invoiced by the awardee to the CEC. The CEC will issue
payment only for eligible costs supported by required documentation.
Applicant Population Maximum Funding Award Amount
Less Than 50,000 $40,000
50,000 to 99,999 $60,000
100,000 to 200,000 $80,000
Greater Than 200,000 $100,000
2. Population Determination
The maximum funding award amount is determined by the latest population estimates as
of January 1, 2021, or sooner and provisional population estimates as of January 1, 2022,
provided by the State of California Department of Finance. Population estimates for each
city and county can be accessed at https://dof.ca.gov/forecasting/demographics/.
County applicants shall NOT include the population of each city within that county for the
purpose of identifying a corresponding award amount since each city can apply
individually. A county’s population for purposes of this GFO is considered the population
outside of incorporated cities within the county’s borders.
3. Statutory Funding Deadlines
Funding through CalAPP is available for encumbrance (funding reservation) until June 30,
2023, and available for liquidation until June 30, 2027. However, due to administrative
deadlines, Recipients will have to complete activities, including final invoicing before the
liquidation date. Deadlines to submit an application and complete funded activities are
identified in Section E below.
4. Budget Costs
Allowable Costs only include reasonable amounts and rates for the following:
Ongoing staff labor costs associated directly with the adoption, and maintenance
of a qualifying online, automated permitting platform, including:
In-house staff time, including IT resources
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Third-party consultation services
Ongoing, in-house staff time spent on staff training specific to the platform.
Ongoing costs associated with training installers, developers, and other external
parties in the use of the system, including but not limited to:
Facility rental
Training printouts and materials
Essential hardware or equipment necessary to support the adoption of a qualifying
platform, which could not otherwise be completed without such hardware or
equipment.
Following the adoption of an online, automated permitting platform, a maximum of
three years of maintenance and subscription costs for permit tracking software in
support of the adopted permitting platform.
Maintenance may include adding support for energy storage paired with
solar energy system permitting to an existing platform such as SolarAPP+.
Jurisdictions that have started the process of adopting an automated, online solar
permitting platform may still apply for funds to go towards any of the ongoing
allowable costs in this list in order to complete their full adoption.
Unallowable Costs include:
Software not related to the adoption of a qualifying online, automated permitting
platform.
Any costs incurred or activities conducted prior to entering into a grant agreement
with the Energy Commission or incurred after the grant agreement has ended.
Typically excluded items such as food and beverages.
Fines and penalties.
Advertising costs.
Permit processing fees charged by operator of an online platform to the user.
All other costs not identified as allowable.
Unreasonable amounts or rates.
5. Invoicing and Payment
Payment is issued as reimbursement for eligible costs.
CAM will provide template invoice spreadsheet to Recipient.
If invoicing for in-house staff time, the template invoice spreadsheet must identify
the employee’s name, hours worked, and billing rate to be included as a
reimbursable expense.
The first invoice must follow the successful adoption of a qualifying solar permitting
platform and will be verified by CEC staff prior to payment approval. Following the
first invoice after successful adoption, recipients may invoice as frequently as once
per month during the grant agreement for post-adoption activities allowed under
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section I.D.4. To avoid processing and workload delays, CEC staff highly
encourage a frequency of no more than quarterly.
Reimbursement is for:
Paid Costs. Paid costs are expenses which the Recipient has already
made payment.
o For invoicing, Recipient must submit paid invoices/receipts, or other
supporting documentation for line-item expenses over $500.
o For expenses under $500, Recipients will have to retain
documentation in case it is requested by CEC staff, such as part of
an audit.
6. Verification
The recipient shall submit the first invoice to the CEC following successful adoption of a
qualifying permitting platform. The applicant will indicate on the invoice form that the
platform has been fully adopted. CEC staff will verify successful adoption of a platform
prior to approving payment of an invoice. The applicant agrees to assist CEC staff with
verification, which may include:
Verifying adoption of SolarAPP+ with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
(NREL) or other authorized collaborating partner.
Declaration and attestation of completed grant requirements.
Written report, including screenshots, if the platform is not SolarAPP+.
An online virtual meeting that includes screen-sharing a live demonstration of the
platform and answering CEC staff questions.
In-person site visit to demonstrate an in-house platform to CEC staff.
Pictures, system overviews, and other items requested by CEC staff .
Applicants choosing to adopt a permitting tool other than SolarAPP+ will be required to
attest to minimum capabilities supported by the tool. Applicants must adopt a qualifying
tool that:
Performs an automated plan review for residential solar energy systems that
completes automatic code compliance checks based on user inputs (such as a
contractor), thereby enabling or otherwise issuing permits instantly when the
project is confirmed as code compliant, without the need for human review.
Supports online, immediate fee payment once an application is complete, which
may include auto-invoicing of permit fee costs.
Supports immediate generation of a permit job card following payment
confirmation.
Blocks noncompliant applications from receiving a permit.
Either:
o Stand-alone permitting tool; or
o Integrates with current software and inspection platform already in use
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CEC staff will review these capabilities during the verification process prior to approving
payment of invoices.
7. Reporting
Following adoption and verification of a qualifying platform, the Energy Commission may
request, and the Recipient will provide if requested, annual data on the number of permits
issued for solar energy systems and a solar energy system paired with an energy storage
system including relevant characteristics of those systems, such as system capacity.
E. KEY ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE
Key activities, dates, and times for this solicitation and for agreements resulting from this
solicitation are presented below. An addendum will be released if the dates change for activities
that appear in bold.
ACTIVITY DATE TIME1
Solicitation Release June 1, 2022
Deadline to Submit Applications May 1, 2023* 11:59 p.m.
Questions and Answers Ongoing
Anticipated Notice of Proposed Award Posting Date Ongoing
Anticipated Energy Commission Approval Ongoing
Anticipated Agreement Start Date Ongoing
Anticipated Agreement End Date May 31, 2027
* Because the encumbrance deadline for these funds is June 30, 2023, applicants filed late in the
process up to the deadline might not receive funds if the CEC cannot process them in time (e.g.,
many applicants wait until the last minute and submit all at once). Accordingly, applicants are
encouraged to apply as early in the application process as possible.
F. QUESTIONS
During the solicitation process, direct questions to the Commission Agreement Officer (CAO)
listed below:
Kevyn Piper, Commission Agreement Officer
California Energy Commission
715 P Street
Sacramento, California, 95814
Telephone: (916) 827-9241
E-mail: Kevyn.Piper@energy.ca.gov
The CAO can answer administrative questions directly to applicants. But if questions of a
technical nature arise, the CAO may answer by publicly posting questions and answers in order
to provide all applicants the information at the same time. If an applicant discovers a conflict,
discrepancy, omission, or other error in the solicitation at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. of the
application deadline date, the applicant may notify the CEC in writing via electronic mail and
1 Pacific Standard Time or Pacific Daylight Time, whichever is being observed.
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request modification or clarification of the solicitation. The CEC, at its discretion will provide
modifications or clarifications by either an addendum to the solicitation or by written notice to all
entities that requested the solicitation.
Any verbal communication with a Commission employee or anyone else concerning this
solicitation is not binding on the State and will in no way alter a specification, term, or
condition of the solicitation. Therefore, all communication should be directed in writing
via electronic mail to the assigned CAO.
G. APPLICANTS’ ADMONISHMENT & RESPONSIBILITY
This solicitation manual contains application requirements and instructions. Applicants are
responsible for carefully reading the solicitation, asking appropriate questions in a timely
manner, ensuring that all solicitation requirements are met, submitting all required responses in
a complete manner by the required date and time, and carefully rereading the solicitation before
submitting an application. In particular, please carefully read the Application and Evaluation
Criteria and Grounds for Rejection in Part IV of this Solicitation Manual and any other resource
materials located at: https://www.energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/programs/california-
automated-permit-processing-program-calapp.
Applicants are solely responsible for the cost of developing applications. This cost cannot be
charged to the State of California. Applicants should not submit any confidential information
in their applications. Applications that include confidential information will be rejected.
All submitted documents will become public records upon its inclusion on the ongoing posting of
the Notice of Proposed Awards.
In addition to any other right reserved to it under this solicitation or that it otherwise has, if the
CEC determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that if an agreement is not being successfully
executed with an applicant in a timely manner, the CEC may cancel a proposed award and award
funds to another applicant, if applicable.
H. BACKGROUND
CalAPP is authorized with the passage of Senate Bill 129 (Skinner, Budget Act of 2021). The
program is receiving $20 million from the General Fund (up to $1 million available for
administrative costs). The funds appropriated shall be used to support a grant program for
cities, counties, or cities and counties to establish online solar permitting.
Existing law requires every city, county, or city and county to develop a streamlined permitting
process for the installation of small residential rooftop solar energy systems, and to approve
administratively applications to install such systems through the issuance of a building permit or
similar nondiscretionary permit.
This solicitation addresses solar permitting processes for city and county building departments by
providing grant funding to further improve plan review and approval turnaround time, particularly
for small residential rooftop solar energy systems. Improving permitting processes to issue
permits quickly is intended to promote the development of solar and storage projects and support
California’s clean energy goals.
The Energy Commission is aware of proposed legislation that may impact CalAPP. if signed into
law. Senate Bill 379, introduced by Senator Wiener in 2021, in its amended version as of May 13,
2022, may require CalAPP awardees to comply with the following provision if this bill is signed
into law with existing provisions intact:
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Within one year of implementing an online, automated solar permitting system, a city,
county, or city and county shall report annually to the Energy Commission on the number
of permits issued for solar energy systems and an energy storage system paired with a
solar energy system and the relevant characteristics of those systems.
If this or any other law is enacted that impacts CalAPP, applicants agree to comply with the
provisions applicable to them.
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II. Applicant Eligibility Requirements
A. ELIGIBILITY
This solicitation is open to all California cities, counties, or cities and counties (including any
incorporated towns and villages) that will have costs associated with establishing online solar
permitting. Applications from any other entities will not be accepted. Grant applications must be
completed and signed by an authorized representative of the applicant’s jurisdiction or will be
rejected as indicated in Section IV.E.
B. FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED
Applications for grant funding will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Qualifying
applications for funding are intended to be accessible to any California jurisdiction interested in
adopting a qualifying online, automated permitting platform such as SolarAPP+. Eligible
applicants may only receive one award under this solicitation. Multiple applications submitted by
the same applicant will be rejected. Staff will continue receiving and processing applications until
funding is exhausted or until the application deadline, whichever is first.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to submit a complete application as soon as possible to
ensure that funding remains available. Applications will be reviewed on a pass/no pass basis
using criteria defined in this solicitation manual.
C. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Each grant agreement resulting from this solicitation will include terms and conditions that set
forth the recipient’s rights and responsibilities. By signing the Application Form (Attachment 1),
each applicant agrees to enter into an agreement with the CEC to conduct the proposed project
according to the terms and conditions that correspond to its organization, without negotiation.
Standard terms and conditions are included as Attachment 2. Failure to agree to the standard
terms and conditions by taking actions such as failing to sign the Application Form or indicating
that acceptance is based on modification of the terms will result in rejection of the application.
Applicants must read the terms and conditions carefully. The CEC reserves the right to modify
the terms and conditions prior to executing grant agreements.
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III. Application Organization and Submission Instructions
A. APPLICATION CONTENT
Below is a description of application materials. Completeness in submitting all required
information is critical for timely approval and successful implementation.
Application Form (Attachment 1)
This form requests basic information about the applicant and the project. The application includes
an original form that includes all requested information. The application must be signed by an
authorized representative of the applicant’s organization or will be rejected as indicated in Section
IV.E.
The application form collects information that will be used to develop and execute a grant
agreement with the CEC. By signing this document, the applicant attests that all information
provided is true and correct, and the applicant agrees to the terms of this solicitation.
B. METHOD FOR DELIVERY
The method of delivery for this solicitation is via email to the CalAPP program inbox,
CalAPP@energy.ca.gov. This allows applicants to submit their electronic documents to the
CEC prior to the date and time specified in this solicitation. Electronic files must be in Microsoft
Word XP (.doc format) or PDF formats unless originally provided in the solicitation in another
format. Attachments requiring signatures may be electronically signed or scanned and
submitted in PDF format with a wet signature. Applications received after the application
due date and time may not be processed. Please note the CEC is not responsible for
delays in submitting applications. The due date and time are based on when the CEC
receives the application. If an applicant sends its application before the due date and
time but it for whatever reason is delayed and the CEC does not receive it until after the
deadline, the application will be rejected. Please plan accordingly.
Applicants will receive an automated acknowledgement e-mail after submitting their application
via email to the CalAPP program inbox. You may contact the Commission Agreement Officer
identified in the Questions section of the solicitation for more administrative assistance.
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IV. Evaluation and Award Process
A. APPLICATION EVALUATION
Applications for grant funding will be evaluated and processed based on responses to the
information requested in this solicitation on a first-come, first-served basis. Information collected
in the application form (attachment 1) will be used to reach an award decision on a pass/no pass
basis. A passing application for funding is intended to be accessible to any eligible jurisdiction
interested in adopting a qualifying online, automated permitting platform. Submitted applications
will be assigned to CEC staff and processed in the order they are received. Applications achieving
a “no pass” mark will be reviewed by an Evaluation Committee for confirmation of that
determination.
Staff will continue accepting and reviewing applications until funding is exhausted or until the
application submittal deadline, whichever is first. Eligible applicants may only receive one award
under this solicitation. Multiple applications submitted by the same applicant will be rejected.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to submit a complete application as soon as possible to
ensure that funding remains available. Applications will be reviewed on a pass/no pass basis
using criteria defined in this solicitation manual.
Applications will be evaluated in one stage:
Application Evaluation - Pass/No Pass
Applications will be submitted to the Evaluation Committee for review based on the Application
and Evaluation Criteria in Section E of this Part.
An application must achieve a “pass” in each section of the Application and Evaluation
Criteria.
Clarification Interviews: The Evaluation Committee may conduct optional telephone
interviews with applicants during the evaluation process to clarify and/or verify information
submitted in the application. However, these interviews may not be used to change or add
to the content of the original application. Applicants will not be reimbursed for time spent
answering clarifying questions.
All sections must receive a passing score for the application to be approved for an
award.
B. NOTICE OF PROPOSED AWARD AND AGREEMENT DEVELOPMENT
1. Notice of Proposed Award
Applications that achieve a “pass” in the evaluation criteria will proceed.
CEC staff will post a Notice of Proposed Award (NOPA) on an ongoing basis at its
discretion that includes: (1) the total funding amount; and (2) the amount of each
award. The CEC will post the NOPA on its website, including an email to the program
list serve. Proposed awards must be approved by the CEC.
Debriefings: Unsuccessful applicants may request a debriefing after the release of
the NOPA by contacting the Commission Agreement Officer listed in Part I via
electronic mail. A request for debriefing must be received no later than 30 calendar
days after the NOPA is released.
Applications that are rejected or achieve a “no pass” mark may submit a new
application according to the requirements outlined in the solicitation.
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2. Agreements
Applications recommended for funding will be developed into a proposed grant
agreement to be considered for CEC approval. Recipients may begin the project only
after full execution of the grant agreement (i.e., signature by the Recipient and the CEC).
Agreement Development: The Contracts, Grants, and Loans Office will send the
Recipient a grant agreement for approval and signature. The agreement will include
the applicable terms and conditions and will incorporate this solicitation and the
application by reference. The CEC reserves the right to modify the award documents
(including the terms and conditions) prior to executing any agreement.
Failure to Execute an Agreement: If the CEC is unable to successfully execute an
agreement with an applicant in a timely manner, it reserves the right to cancel the
pending award and use the funds elsewhere, such as to fund the next eligible
application.
C. GROUNDS TO REJECT AN APPLICATION OR CANCEL AN AWARD
Applications that do not pass the screening stage will be rejected. In addition, the CEC reserves
the right to reject an application and/or to cancel an award for any reason, including any of the
following:
The application contains false or intentionally misleading statements or references that do
not support an attribute or condition contended by the applicant.
The application is intended to erroneously and fallaciously mislead the State in any way.
The application does not comply or contains caveats that conflict with the solicitation, and
the variation or deviation is material.
The applicant has included a statement or otherwise indicated that it will not accept the
terms and conditions, or that acceptance is based on modifications to the terms and
conditions.
The application contains confidential information or identifies any portion of the application
as confidential.
D. MISCELLANEOUS
1. Solicitation Cancellation and Amendment
It is the policy of the CEC not to solicit applications unless there is a bona fide intention
to award an agreement. However, if it is in the State’s best interest, the CEC reserves
the right, in addition to any other rights it has, to do any of the following:
Cancel this solicitation;
Revise the amount of funds available under this solicitation, including maximum
funding award amounts;
Amend this solicitation as needed; and/or
Reject any or all applications received in response to this solicitation.
If the solicitation is amended, the CEC will post it on the CEC’s website at:
https://www.energy.ca.gov/funding-opportunities/solicitations. The CEC will not reimburse
applicants for application development expenses under any circumstances, including
cancellation of the solicitation.
2. Modification or Withdrawal of Application
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Applicants may withdraw or modify a submitted application before the deadline to submit
applications by sending a letter to the Commission Agreement Officer listed in Part I.
Applications cannot be changed after that date and time.
3. Confidentiality
Though the entire evaluation process from receipt of applications up to the posting of the
NOPA is confidential, all submitted documents will become publicly available records
after the CEC posts applicant’s name on the ongoing NOPA or the solicitation is cancelled.
The CEC will not accept or retain applications that identify any portion as
confidential.
4. Solicitation Errors
If an applicant discovers any ambiguity, conflict, discrepancy, omission, or other error in
the solicitation, the applicant should immediately notify the CEC of the error in writing and
request modification or clarification of the solicitation. The CEC will provide modifications
or clarifications by written notice to all entities that requested the solicitation. The CEC
will not be responsible for failure to correct errors.
5. Immaterial Defect
The CEC may waive any immaterial defect or deviation contained in an application. The
CEC’s waiver will not modify the application or excuse the successful applicant from full
compliance with solicitation requirements.
6. Disposition of Applicant’s Documents
Upon the posting of applicant’s name on the ongoing NOPA, its application and related
materials submitted in response to this solicitation will become property of the State and
publicly available records.
NOTE ABOUT SIGNATURES: The CEC may have waived the requirement for a signature on
application materials for this solicitation. If a notice regarding CEC’s waiver of the signature
requirement appears here: https://www.energy.ca.gov/funding-opportunities/solicitations, the
waiver applies to this solicitation. In the event of a conflict between the notice and any langu age
in this solicitation regarding signatures, the notice will govern.
E. EVALUATION CRITERIA
Proposals will be evaluated based on the Evaluation Criteria below. ALL items in the Evaluation
Criteria must pass to be approved for a proposed award.
APPLICATION AND EVALUATION CRITERIA
The Application Form (Attachment 1) must respond to each criterion below. The responses
must directly relate to the solicitation requirements and focus as stated in the solicitation.
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Evaluation Criteria Pass/No
Pass
1. Administrative Screening
The application is received by the CEC by the due date and time
specified in the “Key Activities Schedule” in Part I of this solicitation and
is received in the required manner (e.g., by e-mail).
The application form is signed where indicated.
2. Complete Application
All required sections of the application form are complete, and all
information provided is true and correct to the best knowledge of the
applicant.
The applicant selected the correct funding amount according to the
corresponding population size.
3. Intention to Adopt Qualifying Platform
The applicant successfully identifies a qualifying permitting platform to
implement as required in Section I.C.
For platforms other than SolarAPP+, the applicant clearly describes its
capabilities and how it meets solicitation requirements.
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