SECO Stimulus: RFA Posted for Texas Cool Schools

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts sent this bulletin at 08/09/2011 04:11 PM CDT

RFA Posted for Texas Cool Schools Grants

The Comptroller of Public Accounts, State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) will make grant funding available to help public schools replace old, inefficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

Purpose of Grants: Utilities represent the third-largest spending category for Texas schools, and much of this expenditure is driven by old, inefficient equipment. The Texas Cool Schools grant program is intended to help our state’s schools lower their operating costs by purchasing new and more energy-efficient HVAC systems.

“Across the state, many public school districts are facing smaller budgets and increased operating costs,” Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said. “Energy cost is the third-largest budget category for schools, and aging heating and cooling systems are the biggest contributor to this problem. Using this money to help school districts replace old heating and cooling systems will help districts stretch their maintenance budgets during tough times, and installing energy efficient new units will reduce utility bills and ease the burden on local taxpayers for years to come.”

Budget Allocation (Amount Available to Award): Competitive grants will be awarded in amounts ranging from $100,000 to $2 million.

Eligible Entities/Who Qualifies: Texas Public Independent School Districts (ISDs).

Funding Timeline
 Date*
RFA Released, Announcement Sent to ISDs 08/05/2011
Deadline for Non-Mandatory Letters of Intent to Apply (2 p.m. CT) 08/17/2011
Deadline for Submission of Questions (2 p.m. CT) 08/17/2011, 2 p.m. CT
Official Responses to Questions Posted 08/22/2011, or as soon thereafter as practical
Deadline for Submission of Applications (2 p.m. CT) 09/01/2011, 2 p.m. CT
Grant Agreement Execution / Commencement of Project As soon as practical

*Dates may be subject to change