Rural Energy for America Technical Assistance Grant Program

What does this program do?

The purpose of the REAP TAG Program is to enable applicants to provide technical assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses applying to REAP, with priority for applications assisting at least two or more of the following types of REAP Applicants: (a) agricultural producers, (b) REAP applicants pursuing projects located in disadvantaged or distressed communities, (c) Tribal entities, (d) REAP applicants pursuing projects using underutilized technologies, and (e) REAP applicants pursuing projects under $20,000. To meet this purpose, the Agency will make grants to eligible entities to provide services to assist potential REAP applicants in submitting complete applications.

Who may apply for this program?

Eligible applicants are: (1) A unit of state, Tribal, or local government or an instrumentality of a state, Tribal, or local government; (2) A land-grant college or university, or other Institution of higher education; (3) A rural electric cooperative (4) A public power entity; (5) A council, as defined under the Resource Conservation and Development Program, at 16 U.S.C. 3451. (6) A Not-for-profit entity;

How may funds be used?

REAP TAG funds can be used for a wide variety of activities including recruitment of renewable energy or energy efficiency projects, identification of electrical engineering services, preparation of REAP applications for Agency financial assistance, as well as preparing reports and assessments necessary to request financial assistance. Contracted services are allowable. All activities must be directly related to providing technical assistance to agricultural producers or rural small businesses to apply for assistance under REAP. Eligible activities include but are not limited to:

1. Assisting agricultural producers or rural small businesses to apply for assistance under REAP for energy efficiency improvements, or renewable energy systems.
2. Providing information on how to improve the energy efficiency of the operations and to use renewable energy technologies and resources in their operations.
3. Conducting and promoting energy assessments and audits as defined in 7 CFR 4280.103.
4. Preparing a technical report in accordance with 7 CFR 4280.110(g).
5. Assisting with filing for System Award Management (SAM) and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) registrations.
6. Assisting with completing a REAP grant application in accordance with 7 CFR 4280.116.
7. Assisting with planning construction and development in accordance with 7 CFR 4280.125.
8. Assisting with completion of environmental reports and/or documentation required for submittal of applications.

Eligible project costs may include:

1. Salaries;
2. Travel expenses;
3. Office supplies (e.g., paper, pens, file folders); and
4. Expenses charged as a direct cost or as an indirect cost of up to a maximum of 5 percent for administering the grant.

Funds may NOT be used for:

1. Payment for any construction-related activities;
2. Purchase or lease of equipment;
3. Payment of any judgment or debt owed to the United States;
4. Any goods or services provided by a person or entity who has a conflict of interest as provided in 7 CFR 4280.106;
5. Any costs of preparing the application package for funding under this notice;
6. Funding of political or lobbying activities; and
7. Payment or waiver of student tuition.

What funding is available?

The FY 2024 total funding amount is $16,000,000

What is the maximum amount of grant?

A grant award will not exceed $250,000 or $500,000 depending on the state or territory.   A single applicant will not be granted more than one (1) grant award. No award amount of less than $100,000 will be made.

What are the grant terms?

The grant period is at the discretion of the applicant but in any event no more than three (3) years.

How do we get started?

Electronic applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on March 21, 2024.

Are there additional requirements?

At the time of application, each applicant must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting its application in accordance with 2 CFR part 25. In order to register in SAM, entities will be required to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Review the SAMs webpage for instructions for obtaining the UEI. 

Applicants must maintain an active SAM registration, with current, accurate and complete information, at all times during which it has an active federal award or an application under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. 

Applicant must ensure they complete the financial assistance general certifications and representations in SAM. Applicants must provide a valid UEI in its application, unless determined exempt under 2 CFR 25.110. The agency will not make an award until the applicant has complied with all SAM requirements including providing the UEI. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the agency is ready to make an award, the agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

Who can answer questions?

Contact your State Rural Development Energy Coordinator.

What law governs this program?

The REAP TAG program is authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Pub. L. 117–169, “IRA”), Title II, Subtitle C, Section 22002, and will be administered by RBCS

Why does USDA Rural Development do this?

These technical assistance grants will provide hands-on support to farmers, ranchers and rural small business owners seeking federal funds for renewable energy systems, like wind and solar, and energy efficiency measures. These investments not only help producers and small businesses lower energy costs, but also access new markets and strengthen their operations.”