OIA Technical Assistance Program 2024 | OIA TAP 2024

OIA Technical Assistance Program (TAP) 2024 FAQs

What is the OIA Technical Assistance Program (TAP) 2024?

The OIA Technical Assistance Program (TAP) 2024 is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs (OIA). It is intended to support technical assistance efforts that directly benefit U.S. insular areas and affiliated island jurisdictions.

Which federal office is offering this grant?

This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs (OIA).

Is this funding offered as a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement?

This opportunity is offered as a grant (not a contract and not a cooperative agreement).

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The listing is under CFDA 15.875.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are non-federal entities that can demonstrate their proposed work will directly benefit one or more of the seven insular areas covered by the program.

Which jurisdictions are covered by the program?

The program covers the following seven insular areas and affiliated island jurisdictions: Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

Are local government agencies eligible?

Yes. Local government agencies (and utilities) located in or serving the covered jurisdictions may apply, as long as the proposed work directly benefits one or more of those jurisdictions.

Are utilities eligible applicants?

Yes. Utilities that are located in or serving Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau are included among eligible local government-related applicants, provided the work directly benefits one or more of these jurisdictions.

Can hospitals and health centers apply?

Yes. Hospitals and health centers may apply if the project purpose is tied to tangible benefits for one or more of the covered jurisdictions.

Can colleges and universities apply?

Yes. Institutions of higher education may apply if the project purpose is tied to tangible benefits for one or more of the covered jurisdictions.

Can nonprofit organizations apply?

Yes. Nonprofit organizations may apply as long as the proposed work will directly benefit one or more of the covered jurisdictions.

What does it mean that the project must "directly benefit" an insular area?

Based on the notice summary, eligibility depends on demonstrating that the proposed technical assistance work results in direct, tangible benefits to one or more of the listed jurisdictions, rather than general or indirect outcomes.

Are projects with general or indirect benefits eligible?

The program description emphasizes that the project purpose should be tied to tangible benefits for the covered jurisdictions rather than general or indirect outcomes, indicating that proposals without a clear direct benefit may not align with the opportunity.

Are Judicial branch entities eligible to receive funding under this opportunity?

No. OIA cannot provide funding to the Judicial branch of local governments under this opportunity, citing 2 CFR 200.444. This means courts and offices that are part of the Judicial branch are not eligible recipients.

Are Legislative branch entities eligible to receive funding under this opportunity?

No. OIA cannot provide funding to the Legislative branch of local governments under this opportunity, citing 2 CFR 200.444. This means legislatures and offices that are part of the Legislative branch are not eligible recipients.

If an office is part of a local government, is it automatically eligible?

No. Even if an entity is part of a local government structure, it is not eligible if it is within the Judicial or Legislative branches, because OIA cannot fund those branches under this opportunity.

What federal regulations govern administrative requirements and allowable costs for this grant?

The notice emphasizes compliance with the federal grant management framework in 2 CFR 200, which governs administrative requirements, allowable costs, and audit standards for federal awards.

What is 2 CFR 200 and why does it matter for applicants?

2 CFR 200 is the federal grant management framework referenced in the notice. It sets the rules for administrative requirements, allowable costs, and audit standards for federal awards, so applicants and recipients are expected to follow it.

What is the application deadline?

The original closing date for applications is March 15, 2024.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on October 26, 2023.

Is there a maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The listing shows an award ceiling of 0. In the summary provided, this typically indicates that a maximum award size was not specified in the summarized record, rather than meaning that no funding is available.

Does an award ceiling of 0 mean there is no funding?

Not necessarily. In the summary provided, an award ceiling of 0 is described as typically meaning that the maximum award size was not specified in the summarized record, not that funding is unavailable.

How many awards will be made?

The number of expected awards is not provided in the excerpted data.

Where can applicants find details about likely funding levels, award volume, or program priorities?

The excerpt indicates that applicants would normally need to consult the full announcement or related guidance to understand likely funding levels, the number of awards, and any program priorities that could affect competitiveness.

What should applicants pay attention to when preparing an application?

Applicants are directed to follow the application instructions closely, including the Application Package Checklist. The notice suggests that completeness and adherence to required forms and documentation are important for being considered.

What is the Application Package Checklist?

The opportunity references an Application Package Checklist as part of the application instructions, signaling that there are specific required forms and documentation that should be included for an application to be considered complete.