Please find links to the U.S. Treasury/ARPA for further information and FAQs below:

• Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal-governments/state-and-local-fiscal-recovery-funds
• Overview of the Final Rule (a summary of major provisions of the final rule for informational purposes; intended as a brief, simplified user guide): https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRF-Final-Rule-Overview.pdf
• Final Rule FAQs: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRF-Final-Rule-FAQ.pdf
• ARPA Compliance and Reporting Guidance Document: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRF-Compliance-and-Reporting-Guidance.pdf

The deadline for LOI submission was 9/30/22.  The County opened to receive submissions on 8/24/22.

• Submit Letter of Intent (LOI): 8/24/22 – 9/30/22

If the LOI is accepted by the County, you will be given access to the online Application Portal to proceed with your application.

• Apply via ARPA Portal: 10/14 – 12/2/22

* Dates are subject to change at the County’s discretion.

You can apply through Barnstable County’s website at the following link:

About The Barnstable County Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) (capecod.gov).

Additional information and instructions can be found at that link.

• Non-profit organizations
• Cape Cod towns and related sub-units, e.g.:
  • School Districts
  • Water Districts
  • Town Departments
  • Councils on Aging (and “Friends of”)
• For-profit organizations

Inter-agency, inter-town, sub-regional, public-private partnerships, and collaborations between applicants are encouraged.

• Invest in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure.
• Fund public health system costs associated with COVID response, other health services, and related capital investment.
• Address negative economic impacts of COVID on households, businesses, and non-profits; disproportionately impacted communities (includes housing and early ed./childcare).

NOTE: Water, Sewer, and Housing will be addressed in the next funding round under the large grant program.  However, if you have a project between $100K and $500K that would address these funding categories, then you are welcome to submit an LOI.

A strong project will be one that meets the Selection Criteria and, in doing so, addresses the related Regional Challenges, Cross-Cutting issues, and Project Outcomes.

 Project Selection Criteria:

1. Meeting project size/scope criteria
2. Addresses Regional Challenge(s)
3. Has a regional/sub-regional benefit
4. Addresses cross-cutting issues
5. Leverages alternative funding sources
6. Provides measurable outcomes
7. Sustainable beyond ARPA (2026)
8. Addresses circumstance(s) exacerbated by COVID-19

Regional Challenges:

1. Water Quality
2. Housing
3. Childcare
4. Economic Stability
5. Climate Change
6. Infrastructure (e.g., broadband)

Cross-Cutting Issues:

1. Barriers to Accessing Services (e.g., transport, language, digital divide, immigration status)
2. Diversity/Equity/Inclusion (DEI) and Vulnerable Populations
3. Social Determinants of Health
4. Climate Change Mitigation and/or Adaption
5. Use of Proven Concepts/Interventions
6. Inter-agency, Inter-town, Inter-organization Collaboration

Project Outcomes:

1. Funding spent by 12/31/2026
2. Quantifiable Impact
3. Return on Investment (ROI)

• ARPA funds can be used to cover costs incurred from March 3, 2021
• Funds must be obligated by the grantee and sub-grantees by December 31, 2024
  • The implication is that salaries cannot be paid past 12/31/24.
• The end of the period of performance is: December 31, 2026

• Small-sized Projects = $100K to $250K
• Medium-sized Projects = $250K to $500K

You will need to complete the Letter of Intent (LOI) application and submit it with the required documentation by 9/30/2022.

Please click here: https://www.capecod.gov/barnstable-county-federal-american-rescue-plan-act-arpa/ to access the application.

All pre-applicants must submit an LOI to move forward in the process. A review of the LOIs will allow County staff to:

1. Assess the likelihood of the project being ARPA-eligible.
2. Assess pre-applicants’ capacity and willingness to meet audit and reporting requirements set forth by the U.S. Treasury.
3. Identify potential duplication of effort and opportunities to encourage collaboration among pre-applicants.

You will need to provide the following information via the LOI application link: https://www.capecod.gov/barnstable-county-federal-american-rescue-plan-act-arpa/

Information needed for your LOI:

• Primary Applicant (Organization Name)
• Organization Address
• Organization Tax ID Number (TIN) or Employee ID Number (EIN), as applicable
• System for Award Management (SAM) https://sam.gov/content/home

(A SAM registration is required for any entity to bid on and get paid for federal contracts or to receive federal funds. These include for profit businesses, nonprofits, government contractors, government subcontractors, state governments, and local municipalities.  If you do not yet have a SAM registration you will be required to do so if your LOI is selected for application.)

• Unique Entity ID (UEI) from SAM.gov
• Primary Contact Name
• Primary Contact Email
• Primary Contact Cell Phone Number
• Primary Applicant Organization Type (Check one):
  • Non-Profit Organization
  • For-Profit Organization
  • Governmental Organization
• Will you be collaborating with other organizations?
  • Please list them and their tax status  (Non-Profit; For-Profit; Government)
• Project Scope (Check one):
• Town-Specific: Enter town
  • Sub-Regional (multiple towns): Enter towns
  • Regional (residents may benefit regardless of where they live on Cape Cod)
• Project Eligible Use Expenditure Category
• Provide a Working Title for your project
• Estimated Project Start Date
• Estimated Project Completion Date
• Total Project Cost
• Amount to be requested from Barnstable County ARPA
• Please explain other sources and amounts of funding (if any)
• Budget (Line item, with justifications)

• Project Narrative

Please use these questions as your guide:

• What do you plan to accomplish with this project [identify the problem(s)]?
• How do you plan to accomplish this project (expected outcome and specific benefits)?
• How do you plan to use the funds?

• Project Staff and their roles
• Project Schedule and Key Milestones and Dates
• Additional documentation from Primary Applicant to be attached (depending upon organization type):
  • Non-Profit Organization
    • IRS Form 990
    • Audited Financial Statements
    • Financial statements, if audited documents are unavailable
    • Registration (MA Form PC -The Form PC is filed annually by all nonprofit charitable organizations conducting business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts).
  • For-Profit Organization
    • Federal Tax Returns, (2-3 years)
    • Audited Financial Statements
    • Financial statements, if audited documents are unavailable
    • Business Registration/Articles of Incorporation
  • Governmental Organization
    • Audited Financial Statements
    • Financial statements, if audited documents are unavailable
    • Single Audit Report (if available)
  • Attestation of willingness to comply with Application Terms and Conditions

Although the Letter of Intent Application (LOI) Process is open until 9/30/22, we encourage you to apply as quickly as possible.

You can use these grant funds to:

• Fund projects of regional benefit.
• Fund projects benefit populations disproportionately impacted by the COVID pandemic (POC, low SES, older adults, persons with disabilities).
• Fund projects reduce barriers to health care and human services, information, and economic opportunity.

• Fund revenue replacement for municipalities.
• Fund lost revenue and expenses for private for-profit and non-profit businesses.
• Fund premium pays for staff.
• Duplicate direct payments, grants, or loans as having already been made available from the CARES Act, FEMA, SBA/PPP, other.

The range of grants in this funding round will be from $100,000 to $500,000. We encourage applicants to partner with other organizations for regional projects to create a larger impact.

Yes, as long as funds are not used for operating expenses. The project should serve county residents and further the public good.  Funding is not meant to duplicate federal or state assistance previously made available in response to the COVID pandemic.  In addition, projects are encouraged to show a community benefit, and public-private partnerships are encouraged.

Yes, as long as you are not duplicating the use of funds for the same project.

No. The “floor” amount for this round is $100,000; the “ceiling” amount for this round is $500,000. We recommend collaborating with partners, if necessary.

Yes.

It would depend upon how the project is framed. Within the infrastructure/water/sewer categories, there are subcategories that relate to clean water, drinking water, and/or water sewer projects.

Yes.  The Primary Applicant will be the organization that will provide financial oversight of the grant if funded.  In the LOI, the Primary Applicant should describe collaborating agencies.

An ARPA-funded project is allowed to pay the salaries of staff working on the project (through 12/31/24). “Premium Pay” is a category of ARPA that Barnstable County has elected not to fund at this time.  Premium Pay is similar to a bonus payable to staff that worked in public-facing jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yes.

You may submit unaudited financial statements if you do not have audited statements.  Note, however, that a lack of audited financial statements could cause additional oversight and review by the County to offset the implied additional risk.

If the programs have a conceptual relationship and meet the eligibility requirements that make the project stronger, then you may wish to group the projects if you think doing so would make your application stronger.

Projects can be funded for a discrete part of a larger project that is underway.

Supplanting (reducing state or local funds for) a program or project with ARPA funds is not allowed. However, supplementing (adding, expanding, extending, etc.) an eligible program or project with available ARPA funds and existing funds is allowed.

Costs for planning and designing infrastructure-related projects are eligible. Project feasibility studies are not.

Barnstable County can only award ARPA funds for goods and/or services delivered within Barnstable County.  However, if an organization is physically located elsewhere in Massachusetts but does serve county residents, businesses, or non-profit organizations, then that may be considered.

Yes.  However, the project would be strengthened by having a strong sustainability plan.

There is a section within ARPA eligibility that includes assistance for business incubators and startup expansion assistance, but this does not fall within the non-profit area.  Please contact the SBA for additional information.

Within ARPA eligibility, there is a section for household assistance, mortgage assistance, utility assistance, for example. Multiple criteria must be met to receive funding in this category.

Yes. You will need to explain the overall project and how ARPA funds will be used.

Yes.

No.  The lowest amount is $100,000. The highest amount is $500,000.

We would need specific information about the fiscal sponsor and the network of collaborators on the project.  We understand that smaller entities may not have the fiscal infrastructure/capacity and may require a fiscal sponsor to represent the network and file reports.  Due to ARPA expenditure category criteria, ARPA funds CAN NOT be used to pay for fiscal sponsor services.  Applicants would have to find another source of funding to pay fiscal sponsors.

Yes.

There are subcategories within the major categories that are related to tourism. These may be found in the U.S. Treasury Final Rule Summary: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRF-Final-Rule-FAQ.pdf

This has not been identified as a priority versus other eligible funding options.

This depends on the type of overhead.  ARPA can cover additional staff salaries and fringe benefits. However, administrative costs and indirect costs are not allowable.

No. This is a competitive funding round, and we must treat all pre-applicants equally.

No.  The County is addressing wastewater treatment system projects on a municipal scale through funding Barnstable’s towns and is not accepting applications for privately owned wastewater treatment.

Yes.  However, note that the Selection Criteria places emphasis on projects of regional benefit.

ARPA funds cannot be used for federal grants that require a non-federal match or cost-sharing per the Uniform Guidance. Per the Final Rule, page 367: “As a general matter and as referenced in the Supplementary Information to the interim final rule, funds provided under one federal program may not be used by a recipient to meet the non-federal match or cost-share requirements of another federal program.”

There is an exception to this per the Final Rule, page 291: “The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act amend sections 602(c) and 603(c) of the Social Security Act to add eligible use of SLFRF funds, providing that SLFRF funds ‘may be used for purposes of satisfying any non-Federal matching requirement required for [an authorized Bureau of Reclamation project].’ This amendment permits the use of SLFRF funds to meet non-federal matching requirements of any authorized Bureau of Reclamation project, regardless of whether the underlying project would be an eligible use of SLFRF funds under the water and sewer infrastructure eligible use category.”

Generally speaking, if a project is funded by debt, free cash/retained earnings, etc., ARPA funds can be used in addition to complete the project/program goals as long as they align with ARPA eligibility, but if the project is funded by a grant, we recommend the applicant closely look into their grant agreement and requirements to see if there are any restrictions on how else the program may be funded.

This is not recommended.

The grant essentially covers expenses after March 3, 2021. If you plan to add a component to a pre-existing project and expenses were incurred after March 3, 2021, you would be eligible under those circumstances.

This is a competitive grant process.  Therefore, we cannot respond individually and separately to specific project-related questions.  Please refer to the FAQs to get answers to your questions.  Applicants can also send questions to arpa@capecod.gov for consideration in the FAQ.

As this is a public process, materials may be subject to review upon request.

Yes, to the extent that the project fits within the stated funding parameters.

Depending upon the Project Type in which the project falls, the funding could be provided on either an advancement or reimbursement basis.  Projects in the Address Negative Economic Impacts and in the Support the Public Health Response types are likely to be funded on a reimbursement basis, however the County, at its sole discretion, could to decide to advance a portion of the award.