Agenda - Council - 08/25/2026 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 2026 Protect Community Forests The timeline below from "Application grant process, project selection, financial and capacity review" through "Contracts executed, grant work begins" is pending based on application submissions. Process Timeline RFA posted on the DNR website August 3, 2026 Questions from applicants on application process due August 31, 2026 Applications due September 14, 2026 Application grant review process, project selection, financial and capacity review September 15, 2026 — November 12, 2026 Grant notifications November 13, 2026 Grant agreement negotiations begin November 13, 2026 — February 3, 2027 Work plans approved, contract signing and execution February 3, 2027 — March 3, 2027 Contracts executed, grant work begins March 3, 2027 All grant work completed, final reimbursement request submitted June 1, 2029 DNR expects to contact selected grantees by November 13, 2026. If selected, grantees may only incur eligible expenditures after the grant contract is fully executed, and the grant has reached its effective date. Awards are not publicly announced until all grant agreements are fully executed. Required financial and grantee capacity review To protect the interest of the State and to ensure the effective and timely completion of publicly funded grant projects, agencies must ensure that entities that receive grants are financially and operationally capable of performing all duties required of the grant. The OGM 08-06 policy establishes minimum requirements for granting agencies conducting pre -award risk assessment and financial review of potential grantees. As required by Minn. Stat. §168.981/Chapter 62 - MN Laws, Article 7, Section 11, a pre -award risk assessment must be conducted for grant awards of $50,000 or more. This policy does not apply to Tribal governments. All grantees as defined in Minn. Stat. §168.981 Subd. 1 (c) applying for grants in the state of Minnesota must undergo a financial and capacity review prior to final grant award of $50,000 and higher. Such applicants must include the Pre -Award Risk Assessment Questionnaire and associated financial documents with their application. Review of the Pre -Award Risk Assessment Questionnaire and associated financial documents may result in a request for more information for the purpose of satisfying any DNR concerns. When requesting additional information from a potential grantee, DNR will give the potential grantee 15 calendar days to respond or to work with the DNR to develop a risk mitigation plan to satisfy the concerns. Questions: Submit questions to ucf.dnr@state.mn.us. Answers will be posted weekly online. Questions must be submitted no later than August 31, 2026 to be included on the website. Any questions asked after August 31, 2026 will not be addressed. Applicants seeking information after this date will be directed to the grant FAQs.