Through a partnership the Bureau of Land Management, Helium Operation, now delivers crude helium from an underground storage field, by upgrading the gas to pipeline quality, compressing the gas and transmitting through the governments conservation pipeline which supplies helium to private helium plants located along the government's pipeline. Private plants refine the helium, and supply private industry, government agencies and research projects. The helium sold is used to pay back the helium debt to ensure that the U.S. Government can redeliver crude helium into the conservation pipeline.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Projects are limited to entities that have a direct involvement with the implementation of the Helium Privatization Act and projects related to the elimination of the Helium Debt.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Public nonprofit institution/organization, Other public institution/organization, and Profit organization.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Anyone/general public.

Credentials/Documentation

None.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Coordinate cooperative project proposals with the Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Office for more information and requirements.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

A Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance, Standard Form 424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs, Standard Form 424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs, and a written proposal should be submitted through Grants.gov or via hardcopy to the project office and include: a title, objectives, timeframe, and a budget breakdown as specified in the funding opportunity announcement. No State plan is required with this application.

Award Procedures

Projects are reviewed at the Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Office. Final approvals rest with the State Director.

Deadlines

The deadline will be published in the Grants.gov announcement for each project.

Authorization

Helium Privatization Act of 1996, 50 U.S.C 167, Public Law 104-273.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Awards are anticipated within 90 days or less after the announcement closes. Further information will be available for the project at the time the funding opportunity announcement is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the point of contact listed in the funding opportunity announcement.

Appeals

None. Final award decisions are not subject to appeal. The Bureau of Land Management will provide all unsuccessful applicants with information on why their proposal was not selected for award.

Renewals

Not applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Projects are awarded for a one to five year period and funded on a year-by-year basis. Continuing funding will be re-evaluated each year based on performance, merit, and funding availability.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Recipients of funding are required to submit quarterly financial status reports using Standard Form 269, Financial Status Report, and quarterly, semi-annual, or annual performance reports 30 days following the end of the reporting period.

Final performance and financial status reports are due 120 days after the end date of grant performance.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance $500,000 (for fiscal years ending December 1, 2003) or more a year in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 (for fiscal years ending after December 1, 2003) a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

Recipients shall maintain project records in accordance with 43 CFR 12.953.

Financial Information

Account Identification

14-1108-0-1-302.

Obigations

FY 07 $6,900,000; FY 08 est $6,900,000; and FY 09 est $6,900,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Past partnership projects range between $714,600 and $6,129,800. Average amount is $3,400,000 or less.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Information can be found at the website listed below.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Office, Division of Minerals, 1474 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505.

Headquarters Office

Tim Spisak, Group Manager, Fluid Minerals, Bureau of Land Management, (WO-300), 1849 C St. N.W., 501-LS, Washington, DC 20240, Telephone: (202) 452-5061.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

General criteria used to select assistance proposals are based on their direct relationship to helium projects and a balanced review including relevance to program objectives, merit and cost effectiveness.