Information regarding Questions and Answers pertaining to the Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Oil and Gas Industry Recovery Assistance Fund will be populated as the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology responds to enquiries from applicants.
All questions must be directed to OGIRAFund@gov.nl.ca.
Please check back for updates.
Update: 2021-02-09
Q1: What is the evaluation process?
A1: Proposals will be accepted until February 19, 2021. Proposals will be screened to ensure that all eligibility criteria is met. Proposals that do not meet the minimum eligibility criteria will not be given further consideration. Only proposals that meet all eligibility criteria will move on for further evaluation.
Eligible applications will be assessed individually. Each is scored against the evaluation criteria set out in the Call for Proposals and all proposals are then ranked based on their individual score. Funds will be awarded starting with the highest scoring proposal and moving to the next eligible proposal on the list until all funds have been exhausted. As this is a competitive process, there may be eligible applications that do not receive funding.
Q2: Will applicants be notified if they are required to submit additional information?
A2: No. All proposals will be assessed based on the information provided. It is the applicants’ responsibility to ensure that their proposal clearly demonstrate how the proposed project meets the eligibility and evaluation criteria.
Q3: Do you have any additional details on what would be considered eligible (or conversely, not eligible) with respect to Materials and Equipment expenditures?
A3: Materials and equipment that would be directly tied to the proposed project would be eligible. That said, the priority for the funding is to support direct and indirect employment in the province, so a project with high materials and equipment costs relative to employment costs would score lower than a project with higher employment costs relative to materials and equipment.
Q4: Could you provide some more information on the eligible salary expenditures? It is not fully understood what is meant by “Net, actual documented cost based upon statutory payroll benefits and burdens and a ‘not to exceed’ percentage contribution (15%) of overhead”. Does this mean that we provide total salary costs (that include only the mandatory payroll benefits), which can include up to 15% to cover overhead associated with taking on new employees?
A4: This was an error in the Call for Proposals document. The reference to overhead should have been broken out separately from salaries. It should indicate that eligible costs include documented overhead costs to a maximum of 15% of total project costs, not including overhead. The Call for Proposals document has been updated accordingly.
Q5: Are there any set limits (max / min) to the size of the proposed projects?
A5: There are no set limits; however the intention is to fund as many projects as possible thereby maximizing the employment impact. The evaluation criteria includes the level of support that is being provided by the applicant as well as any additional funds that are bring secured from other sources. The higher the amount of support being requested from the Fund, the lower the proposal will score in that area.
Q6: Can potential projects leverage additional provincial funding?
A6: No. Projects funded under this program cannot also receive funds from other Provincial funding programs.
Q7: It is expected that that proponents work with owners/Operators of existing offshore assets to identify and scope a project as part of the application process or is it acceptable submit an application based on the development of technologies / innovations that will enable future economic benefit if adopted by local offshore facility owners/Operators?
A7: Regardless of the nature of the proposed project, proposals must clearly demonstrate how a project supports an existing offshore oil and gas installation or infrastructure linked to an existing installation; it is not a requirement to work with owners/operators.
Q8: Our company is evaluating multiple internal proposals and looking for guidance on how to optimize our submission(s)? For example, if we submit multiple proposals will our organization receive a lower evaluation due to quantity submitted? Similarly, if this is the case, are you able to advise if all categories of the selection criteria will receive the same evaluation weighting or if specific scores have been determined for each category?
A8: There is no limit to the number of proposals that can be submitted. Each proposal is assessed independently and scored based on the evaluation criteria. All proposals collectively are then ranked based on their scores. Applicants will not be penalized for submitting multiple applications.
All categories of the evaluation criteria do not carry the same weighting; in keeping with the goal of the fund to maximize employment for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, the priority is on employment impacts and the efficiency of employment created (the number of jobs created and the amount of funding requested).
Q9: What percentage of project costs are eligible for support by the fund (i.e., 100%, 75%, 50%, etc.)?
A9: There is no minimum or maximum percentage; however the evaluation criteria includes the level of support that is being provided by the applicant as well as any additional funds that are bring secured from other sources. The higher the amount of support being requested from the Fund, the lower the proposal will score in that area.
Q10: Will in-kind contributions be eligible for support? For example, day rate for equipment costs or in-kind ship time provided by industry partners.
A10: At the discretion of IET, reasonable in-kind contributions such as provision of space, access to equipment, meals and nutrition breaks, supplies, or travel reimbursement may be considered as the applicant’s contribution.
Q11: If the applicant is required to contribute towards the project costs, can investments (cash or in-kind) from other industry partners be used towards that contribution?
A11: There is no minimum applicant contribution amount required; however the evaluation criteria includes the level of support that is being provided by the applicant as well as any additional funds that are bring secured from other sources. Cash or relevant in-kind contributions from other industry partners toward project costs may be considered as leveraged funds for the project.
Q12: In the Call Document, it states that proposals will be evaluated and scored on five criteria. Does each criteria have the same scoring value of 20%?
A12: All categories of the evaluation criteria do not carry the same weighting; in keeping with the goal of the fund to maximize employment for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, the priority is on employment impacts and the efficiency of employment created (the number of jobs created and the amount of funding requested).
Q13: We have a question about rules regarding compensation for labour input. For example, Company X charges a shop rate for their labour. Is there a limit on how much that rate can be?
A13: Eligible salary expenses include net, actual documented cost based upon statutory payroll benefits and burdens. There is no set limit as to what that rate can be.
Q14: Is an audited financial statement, cash flow and pro forma statements required? Or is financial information prepared by the company site controller sufficient? Are you looking for local or total company financial statements?
A14: We require the submission of financial statements commensurate with the funding request. Externally audited statements are preferred for larger funding requests.
Q15: It is noted in the “Information to be provided in support of your application” on page 5 of the OGIRA funding Commercial Application that existing businesses are to provide “two to five years” financials and forecasts. What criteria determines if it is 2,3,4,or 5 years of information required?
A15: We require the submission of financial statements commensurate with the funding request. Applicants must provide a minimum 2 years of financials and forecasts. Depending on the amount of funding requested and duration of the proposed project, further financial information (i.e. 3-5 years) would be required. Larger requests require more comprehensive financial information.
Q16: The supporting documentation lists a Business Plan and Project Summary & Benefits. Is this two separate documents or one document incorporating the items listed such as Business Description, Project summary and Benefits Project Description, Project Budget, etc.?
A16: We require the submission of both a Business Plan and a Project Summary & Benefits; however it is up to the applicant how that information is submitted. The plan and documents should be as per the scope outlined in the Call for Proposals.
Q17: Is this pool of funding open to all commercial enterprises (that meet the Eligible Applicants criteria set out in the Call for Proposals) or is it limited to small and medium enterprises?
A17: It is not limited to small and medium sized enterprises.
Q18: Are sub-contractor quotes required as part of the proposal?
A18: Applicants are encouraged to include any documentation that supports their proposed budget and funding request.