SWIFR Subawards for Local Governments
The Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS) is offering pass-through funding from the state's Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The SWIFR Subaward Grant offers funding for local government projects that will increase the diversion of materials from landfill disposal. Applicants may request up to $100,000 for equipment, vehicles, or infrastructure that do not involve construction, ground disturbance, or fixed installation.
The SWIFR Subaward Grant is open.
Proposals must be received by 5:00 p.m. on February 11, 2027. Download the request for proposals (RFP) for the SWIFR Subaward Grant using either link below.
For more information, please contact Alex Miller at 919-707-8190.
Frequently Asked Questions
North Carolina local governments, defined as counties, municipalities, councils of government and solid waste authorities.
Eligible applicants may request grant funding up to a maximum of $100,000. The total available funding for the grant program is $283,000.
The SWIFR Subaward Grants do not require a cash match, but the grantee is responsible for covering any project costs that exceed the awarded grant amount or fall outside the list of eligible expenses.
Grant funds may be used to purchase equipment, containers, or vehicles that do not involve construction, ground disturbance, or fixed installation. The purchases must support a project that will increase the diversion of materials from landfill disposal, resulting in measurable recovered tonnage. This may be accomplished by establishing new or expanding existing recycling or composting programs, including expanding access for increased participation.
Examples of eligible grant projects include but are not limited to:
Material handling equipment and/or containers to manage special waste streams such as construction and demolition debris, yard waste, or food waste.
Containers and signage to expand the collection of household recyclables or special recyclables (e.g., electronics, batteries, textiles) at convenience centers or drop-offs.
Collection infrastructure such as trucks, containers, and carts to implement or improve residential or commercial recycling or composting programs.
Grant funds can not be used for construction, site development, labor, employee salaries, administrative expenses, or contracted collection costs.
If awarded grant funding, purchases can begin after a fully executed contract is in place. The anticipated contract start date for SWIFR Subaward Grants is July 1, 2027. Expenses incurred before the start date of a fully executed contract are not reimbursable.
All SWIFR Subaward Grant funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis. Purchases must be made during the grant contract period and requests for reimbursement can be made after the grantee has completed and paid for grant purchases. State and local sales taxes are not reimbursable and should be excluded from grant expenditure totals. DEACS will reimburse 90% of eligible grant funds, withholding 10% of funds until receipt of an approved final report.
What federal requirements apply to this funding?
All purchases shall comply with applicable provisions of the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act. Manufactured products, construction materials, and iron and steel must be produced in the United States, consistent with BABA provisions. Subrecipient must ensure appropriate documentation and certification of compliance is obtained.
Note: EPA has approved a waiver for small projects in which the total project cost is less than $250,000. This waiver exempts small projects from BABA requirements and is effective through September 26, 2027.
Davis-Bacon and Related Acts require payment of prevailing wage rates for laborers and mechanics on service contracts of $2,000 or more; prohibit a contractor or subcontractor from inducing an employee into giving up any part of the compensation to which he or she is entitled; and require overtime wages to be paid for over 40 hours of work per week under contracts in excess of $100,000.
If the subrecipient is performing equipment installation or construction activities, they must first coordinate with the DEACS Grant Manager, who will consult with the EPA Project Officer, to ensure that the project complies with the National Environmental Policy Act, as well as any other applicable environmental cross-cutter review requirements.
All awarded projects are subject to other applicable federal requirements that pass down to the grantee as a subrecipient of EPA funding.
Final Report
All SWIFR Subaward grantees are required to submit a final report.
A draft report must be submitted to DEACS at least 30 days prior to the contract end date. The final report must be submitted by the contract end date. Your DEACS Grant Manager will provide a template.