Invitation from Sen. Conrad Burns to apply for R&D and infrastructure funds

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your interest in applying for Federal funding for Fiscal Year 2007. Attached you will find a copy of the Federal Funding Application for Fiscal Year 2007 form. Please take a moment to read the instructions and application carefully.

Each year, I receive hundreds of applications for assistance in securing federal funding for specific Montana or regional projects and programs. This process is intensely competitive on a national level, and each year, the Senate and House Appropriations Committees are unable to fund most requests.

I firmly believe in the principles of limited government and maintaining a balanced budget, and I have worked diligently to return the Federal government to firmer financial footing. Within those limitations, I will continue to fight for Montana priorities, and for Montana projects that are fiscally responsible, cannot be accomplished without Federal assistance, and which demonstrate a national benefit or are consistent with authorized national programs.

In order to provide the information required by the Appropriations Committee throughout the legislative process, please fill out the attached form as completely as possible for each item or project you want considered. Submit electronic copies of the form to my office via [email protected] no later than January 31, 2006.

Also enclosed is a copy of frequently asked questions, instructions, local office contact information, and other material explaining the congressional budget process and the contents of this form. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact my staff with questions about this process. I look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Senator Conrad Burns

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Who is eligible to receive a Congressional appropriation?

All funds must be administered by or through a Federal agency and are subject to additional regulations or policies that vary by agency. The ultimate recipient / beneficiary may be a Federal agency, state or local government agency, quasi-governmental entity (e.g., council of governments), or a not-for-profit organization. A private business is never specifically designated in an appropriation, but may be involved in the budget activity, through a publicly transparent contracting or other “partnership” arrangement with the entity receiving the appropriation. An application process will likely be required after the appropriation is made, and it may require applicants to compete for funds.

To whom do I send the completed application form and by what date?

Please submit an electronic copy, to Senator Burns’ office no later than January 31, 2006. If you have questions or need help as you develop your application, please call 1-800-344-1513 with your questions as early as possible.

Are new projects at a competitive disadvantage in securing funding compared to ongoing or previously-appropriated projects?

Yes. Overall spending limits are set by budget laws and by an annual Congressional budget resolution. Within these limits, new projects must compete with both ongoing projects and Presidential requests for new initiatives. Appropriations bills cannot support all of these. Ongoing projects and the President’s budget are usually given preference by Congressional Appropriators.

How important is the relevant particular Federal agency in the budget process?

Very. Each request received by the Senate Appropriations Committee is forwarded to the relevant agency for evaluation. The Appropriations Committee usually gives great deference to the recommendations of agency professionals.

Will partnering with other communities, organizations, or institutions increase my chances of securing funding for my project?

Yes. Congressional appropriators usually prefer programs with a wider regional interest or a more diverse community of interests.

What is the significance of “authorization” in the appropriations process? Why does the form request information about the authorization status of projects?

Congressional rules require that projects can only be funded if authority for the appropriation already exists in a separate law. In some cases, a project will need its own authorization. In others, a project may be funded under the already-existing authority of an ongoing program. 1(For example: Most Defense projects must be individually authorized in an annual Defense Authorization Act before they can be funded in a separate Defense Appropriations bill; some EPA water projects may be funded under already-existing, general authority in the Safe Drinking Water Act.)

Does success at one stage during the process guarantee funding?

No. Because of the long and complex Congressional budget process, it is possible that funding for projects may increase, decrease, or be eliminated entirely.

If funds for a particular project are successfully appropriated, how are funds distributed and when can the funds be expected?

After funds are appropriated, the grantee must complete an application process with the agency that has jurisdiction over the funds. Most appropriated projects must be successfully claimed within a certain period of time, so it is critical that the application process begin as soon as possible after the bill is signed into law. Availability of funds may vary greatly – by several months – depending on other laws, the nature of the program, agency procedures, and agency discretion.

Are there certain guidelines I should adhere to?

Fill out this form in its entirety, within the space allotted but please do not rearrange question order, or otherwise alter this form.

If you are submitting multiple requests, you must provide an overall priority ranking for each request.

Forms must be submitted electronically.

Defense projects submitted without a PE number or Line number will not be considered.

Submit projects to [email protected]

Depending on the nature of this project, you will be notified if additional information may be required.

THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS IS JANUARY 31, 2006.

Below, please find contact information for representatives in my State offices. I encourage you to contact the office in your area to discuss your project.

Billings Office – Phone: (406) 252-0550
Todd Capser, State Director Phone: 1-800-344-1513
Brenda Hawks Fax: (406) 252-7768
Kathy Marsh
Sharon Pearson

Great Falls Office – Phone: (406) 452-9585
Mike Brown – Deputy State Director Fax: (406) 452-9586
Sarah Converse

Bozeman Office – Phone: (406) 586-4450
Dennis Carlson Fax: (406) 586-7647
Misti Pilster

Helena Office– Phone: (406) 449-5401
Sharlene Snoddy Fax: (406) 449-5462

Butte Office – Phone: (406) 723-3277
Lisa Wheeler Fax: (406) 782-4717

Kalispell Office — Phone: (406) 257-3360
Denise Smith Fax: (406) 257 3974
Brenda Williams

Glendive Office — Phone: (406) 365-2391
Pam Tierney-Crisafulli Fax: (406) 365-8836
Cheryl Shaffer

Missoula Office — Phone: (406) 728-3003
Larry Anderson Fax: (406) 728- 2193
Erin Ballas

Federal Funding Application for Fiscal Year 2007
Office of Senator Conrad Burns
Please return this document by January 31, 2006 to the following email address:
[email protected]

As a senior member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Conrad Burns is able to secure Federal Grant funding for Montana research, infrastructure and economic development projects. In order to ensure a responsible use of taxpayer dollars, Senator Burns has asked that all applicants fill out the following form:

Project Name:

Date Submitted:

Organization Completing Application:

Contact Person:

Phone:

Email:

Address:

City:

County:

Zip Code:

Principal Investigator if different from contact:

Washington D.C. contact (if applicable):

Financial Status of the Organization (public/private – please elaborate):

Appropriations Bill/Subcommittee:

Federal Department/Agency:
If Defense project:
Budget Line Number:
PE Number:
Account Title:

Executive Summary (word limited):

Amount Requested for Project:

Total Cost and Timeline to complete this Project:

Bill/Report language required (if any):

Amount included in the President’s budget request for FY 2007:

Federal funding history (specify by Fiscal Year):

Was a similar application made for this or similar project in previous years?

Sources and amount of matching funds, if any (certain projects require local or state matching funds):

Relevant authorization law/bill status (if required):

Justification and impact on local community – why is good for Community, County, State, Nation:

Community/State Support of this project (please attach any letters of support from elected officials or related news articles):

What organizations, in the state or nationally, may oppose this application?

Business Plan – Please provide an itemized business plan and financial budget for this project including timelines.

Please provide a detailed explanation of how the project will create, preserve or support jobs in Montana, a timetable of when those jobs will materialize on an annual basis and the expected salary range of such jobs created.

Please provide detailed explanation for any funding that is expected to be spent outside of the State of Montana.

What efforts have you made to secure non-Federal funding for this project?

What other Congressional office(s) is this request being submitted to?