Defense Community Infrastructure Program | OLDCC 24 F 0001

Opportunity Information: Apply for OLDCC 24 F 0001

The Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) is a competitive U.S. Department of Defense grant opportunity run by the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) to help state and local governments fix or upgrade off-base infrastructure that directly supports a military installation. The authority comes from 10 U.S.C. 2391(d), which allows DoD to award grants (and related agreements) or supplement other federal program funds so communities can address infrastructure deficiencies tied to installation readiness, mission support, and overall defense needs. In practical terms, the program is meant to close gaps where civilian-owned infrastructure is limiting an installation's ability to function, grow, train, deploy, or maintain quality support services for military personnel and their families.

Projects eligible under DCIP fall into three broad categories. First are transportation projects, which can include roads, intersections, bridges, transit access, or other transportation improvements that affect how people, equipment, and services move to and from an installation. Second are community support facilities, such as schools, hospitals and clinics, police and fire facilities, and emergency response capabilities, especially when those services are strained by installation-related population or operational demands. Third are utility infrastructure projects, including water, wastewater, telecommunications, electric, and gas systems. A key requirement is that the project must be located off the military installation, or on land under a military department's jurisdiction that is covered by a real estate agreement like a lease or easement. Ownership also matters: projects must be owned by a state or local government, or by a not-for-profit, member-owned utility service. The emphasis is on civilian infrastructure that is essential to the installation, not construction that would normally be done on-base through standard military construction channels.

Eligibility to apply is limited to government applicants as defined under federal grant rules. OLDCC can award directly to state governments and local governments (including counties, cities, townships, and similar entities), using the definitions in 2 CFR 200.1. The program also contemplates pass-through arrangements under 2 CFR 200.331 through 200.333, meaning an eligible government can apply and then pass funds to a subrecipient when appropriate. This is especially relevant for not-for-profit, member-owned utilities, which may participate as subrecipients rather than as direct applicants. If a utility-owned project is proposed, it must follow the federal interest requirements laid out in OLDCC grant terms and conditions. Importantly, subrecipients cannot apply on their own; proposals must be submitted by the eligible state or local government on the subrecipient's behalf, and any application submitted directly by a subrecipient will not be considered.

Applications are competitively scored based on selection criteria identified in the notice (referenced as Section E, paragraph 1). While the notice text provided does not list each criterion, it clearly indicates that projects will be ranked against established criteria rather than funded on a first-come basis. Applicants should expect a typical federal competitive framework focused on demonstrating the installation-related need, the project's impact, readiness and feasibility, and the overall value to defense and the community, with supporting documentation that allows reviewers to evaluate cost, schedule, and deliverability.

A central application requirement is a letter of support from the local installation commander for the installation that will benefit from the project. This letter is not a generic endorsement; it must, at minimum, describe the installation's need for the project and confirm the installation's willingness to support civilian execution to the extent practicable. The letter must also address coordination with OLDCC on technical review and on any National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation that may be required for the project. Where relevant, the commander should indicate whether the proposed project is defense-related critical infrastructure. There is also a special rule for projects that contribute to the training of cadets enrolled in an independent program at a covered educational institution: the proposal still must include support from an installation commander for the benefiting installation, even if the school is far from that installation.

Funding for this cycle totals $100 million, and the notice states the funds will expire if they are not obligated by the end of the business day on September 30, 2024, which places a real premium on timely, executable projects. The opportunity is listed as discretionary and uses a grant instrument. The funding opportunity number is OLDCC 24 F 0001, and the CFDA number associated with the program is 12.027. The stated maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $20,000,000 per award. The application deadline (original closing date) is June 17, 2024, and the opportunity was created on March 28, 2024.

In short, DCIP is designed for communities that can clearly show an installation-serving infrastructure shortfall, propose a well-scoped project owned by an eligible public entity (or a qualifying member-owned utility through a government pass-through), and secure strong commander-backed documentation that demonstrates real defense benefit, coordination commitment, and environmental compliance planning.

• The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Defense Community Infrastructure Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.027.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-03-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-06-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $20,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Others.

Apply for OLDCC 24 F 0001

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