EPA releases electric bus application deadlines
The EPA anticipates awarding approximately $400 million in competitive grant funding under the Clean School Bus (CSB) Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), according to a notice sent out this week. The program is soliciting applications nationwide for a grant competition to fund the replacement of existing school buses with clean and zero-emission (ZE) school buses.
All application packages need to be submitted electronically to EPA through Grants.gov no later than Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (ET) to be considered for funding.
Important Dates
Deadline for Submitting Questions
Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
NOFO Closes - Application Deadline: Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
Anticipated Notification of Selection: November 2023 to January 2024
Anticipated Awards: February to March 2024.
The FY23 CSB Grants NOFO includes information on how to prepare and submit an application package. The application package must be received by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on August 22, 2023. Please refer to Appendix B in the NOFO for an Application Submission Checklist to ensure that all required materials have been included in your application package.
Standard Form SF 424 – Application for Federal Assistance
Standard Form SF 424A – Budget Information
EPA Form 4700-4 - Pre-Award Compliance Review
EPA Key Contacts Form - Key Contacts Form
2023 CSB Grants Sample Project Narrative (docx) (694.08 KB, April 2023)
2023 CSB Grants Program Utility Partnership Template (docx) (643.61 KB, April 2023)
2023 CSB Grants Third Party Approval Certification (docx) (635.72 KB, April 2023)
2023 CSB Grants Priority Area List (pdf) (591.4 KB, April 2023)
2023 CSB Grants Prioritization Self-Certification Instructions (pdf) (220.29 KB, April 2023)
2023 CSB Grants Fleet Description Template (xlsx) (80.52 KB, April 2023)
2023 CSB Grants Prioritized School District List (pdf) (2.57 MB, April 2023)
2023 CSB Grants Prioritized School District Detailed List (xlsx) (751 KB, April 2023)
Eligible New Replacement Buses
To be eligible as a replacement, new buses must:
Have a battery-electric, CNG, or propane drivetrain
Be EPA certified vehicle model year 2021 or newer
Have a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,001 lbs. or more
Not be ordered prior to receiving official notification of selection for EPA funding
Be purchased, not leased or leased-to-own
Serve the school district listed on the application for at least five years from the date of delivery, unless the award is to an eligible contractor and the contract with the local educational agency (including charter schools operating as local educational agencies under State law) ends before the end of the 5-year period, in which case those school buses may be operated as part of another local educational agency eligible for the same or higher priority consideration
Please refer to the FY23 CSB Grants NOFO for specific information about this competition.
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