The MPCA seeks proposals from eligible applicants for projects that aim to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the filling of underground storage tanks at gasoline dispensing facilities.
Applications must be received electronically through the SWIFT Supplier Portal no later than 4 p.m. CT on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
Questions and answers
Applicants who have any questions regarding this RFP must email questions to grants.pca@state.mn.us no later than April 22, 2024, using the subject line: “FY24 Vapor Recovery RFP Question.” Answers to questions will be posted frequently in the SWIFT Supplier Portal.
MPCA personnel are not authorized to discuss this RFP with applicants and contact regarding this RFP with any MPCA personnel may result in disqualification.
Eligibility
Eligible projects. Where a vapor recovery system is not required, eligible projects include the following:
- Installation of a Stage 1 vapor recovery system on an existing underground storage tank (UST)
- Repairs and parts replacements to make an existing Stage 1 vapor recovery system operational
- Installation of a Stage 1 vapor recovery system during the replacement of a UST
Eligible applicants.
- Privately owned gasoline-dispensing facilities (GDF) with 500 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees total at all locations combined, with monthly throughput of 100,000 gallons or less, outside of the seven-county metro area.
Monthly throughput means the total volume of gasoline that is loaded into, or dispensed from, all gasoline storage tanks at each GDF during a month. Monthly throughput is calculated by summing the volume of gasoline loaded into, or dispensed from, all gasoline storage tanks at each GDF during the current day, plus the total volume of gasoline loaded into, or dispensed from, all gasoline storage tanks at each GDF during the previous 364 days, and then dividing that sum by 12.
- Government- or tribal-owned gasoline dispensing facilities. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- city-owned facilities
- county highway departments
- public school districts
- technical and community schools
- Minnesota Department of Transportation-owned facilities
- MetCouncil-owned facilities
- public works departments
- correctional facilities
- police stations
- fire departments
- Nonprofit organizations
Available funds
Approximately $274,000 in funding is available.
- Maximum award: The maximum grant award is $24,500 per applicant.
- Match requirement: The match requirement is 25%, meaning the grant recipient must match at least 25% of the total grant amount. For example, a grant amount of $20,000 requires at least $5,000 match. Matching funds must be cash and may be obtained through loans or other non-state grants if the applicant chooses.
How to apply
The request for proposal (RFP) and application materials can only be viewed through the online SWIFT portal. The RFP is termed an “Event” within the SWIFT system.
- Go to the online SWIFT portal.
- Click on "Bidding opportunities".
- Find the event by name (MPCA-Stage 1 Vapor Recovery Grants) or ID (2000015310).
- Click "View Bid Package" to see the RFP and forms. (There’s no need to log in to see the documents.)
Grant applications are only accepted through the SWIFT portal.
- Register as a bidder in the SWIFT Supplier Portal, (Bidding = "applying")
- Choose "Register for an Account" and then "Register as a Bidder".
If you are already registered in the SWIFT system as a supplier (previously known as a vendor), use your supplier ID. Visit the SWIFT Supplier Portal under “Informational Tips” and “Supplier Portal Help” for more information. For questions about applying through SWIFT, please contact the Vendor Assistance Help Desk at 651-201-8100, option 1.
More information
VOCs are emitted during the transfer of gasoline from a delivery vehicle into USTs located at filling stations across Minnesota. Stage 1 vapor recovery is the process of recovering the VOCs emitted during this transfer. Emissions can be reduced by 95% using a vapor recovery system over submerged filling alone.
A 2008 federal rule, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP 6C), requires vapor recovery systems on underground storage tanks with more than 100,000 gallons of gasoline throughput per month. In January 2016, retail locations selling gasoline in the seven-county Twin Cities metro area were required to have a vapor recovery system. Without a vapor recovery system, retail locations subject to this regulation may not receive gasoline. In addition, the State of Minnesota requires an air permit if throughput exceeds 630,000 gallons per month with a Stage 1 vapor recovery system and 380,000 gallons per month without. For more information on regulations, visit https://www.pca.state.mn.us/regulations/gas-stations.