CC SR 20250805 G - CalFire Fuel Mod Grant
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 08/05/2025
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration to approve the submittal of a grant application to the California Department
of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) Wildfire Prevention Grants Program for fuel
modification activities.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
1) Approve the submittal of a grant application for $948,000 to the California
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) Wildfire Prevention Grants
Program to fund fuel modification (brush clearing) activities;
2) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-___, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF
THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION
(CALFIRE) WILDFIRE PREVENTION GRANTS PROGRAM APPLICATION FOR
FUEL MODIFICATION ACTIVITIES”
3) Approve Amendment No. 3 to the professional services agreement with Blais &
Associates for grant support services thereby increasing the contract authorization
amount for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 by $40,664 from $59,336 to a total not-to-
exceed amount of $100,000; and,
4) Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute Amendment No. 3 in a form
approved by the City Attorney.
FISCAL IMPACT: The cost for Blais and Associates (B&A) to prepare and submit the
grant application on the City’s behalf is $7,975, which is included in
the FY 2025-26 operating budget for grant consulting services.
However, the existing Agreement has a not-to-exceed contract
authorization limit of $59,336 for FY 2025-26. Since Staff expect to
submit an especially high number of grant applications this year
considering the funding needs for the Landslide Complex and other
projects, the City Council is being asked to consider increasing the
authorized contract agreement amount by $40,664 for a not-to-
exceed amount of $100,000. This action will enable staff to apply for
future grant funding opportunities in FY 2025-26. Increasing the
contract limit for B&A does not automatically result in an expenditure
of $100,000 and can only be used within an existing approved budget
or with a City Council approved budget increase, should one be
needed. Approving amendment No. 3 does not obligate the City to
use any of the additional limit, should there be no suitable future
grants for which to apply.
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It should be noted that if awarded, the City Council will be asked to
accept grant funds for, among other things, accounting purposes for
both revenue and expenditure accounts. VR
Amount Budgeted: $140,000
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): 101-400-2999-5101 VR
(General Fund/Non-Departmental/Prof & Tech)
ORIGINATED BY: Vanessa Hevener, Project Manager
REVIEWED BY: Deanna Fraley, PE, Principal Engineer
Ramzi Awwad, Director of Public Works
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Resolution No. 2025-___ Approving the Submittal of a CalFire Wildfire
Prevention Grant Application (page A-1)
B. Amendment No. 3 with Blais & Associates for Grant Support Services (page B -
1)
C. CalFire Wildfire Prevention Grants Program Application (page C-1) -
forthcoming as late correspondence
D. Blais & Associates Proposal for Preparation of CalFire Wildfire Prevention
Grant Application (page D-1)
BACKGROUND:
On June 25, 2025, a grant application for the Wildfire Prevention (WP) Grants Program
through the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) was released.
The program is funded by Cap-and-Trade auction proceeds that are appropriated to
agencies that administer California Climate Investments (CCI). $135 million of these
proceeds are being allocated to the CalFire’s WP Grant Program in FY 2025-26 via the
CCI Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) and the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire
Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 (Proposition 4).
CalFire’s WP Grants Program provides funding for wildfire prevention projects and
activities in and near wildfire-threatened communities that focus on increasing the
protection of people, structures, and communities. The WP Grants Program funds three
types of activities: “Hazardous Fuels Reduction” (e.g., vegetation clearance, modification
of vegetation adjacent to roads, reduction of fuel load, etc.); “Wildfire Prevention Planning”
(e.g, wildfire risk mapping and creation or update of strategic wildfire planning
documents); and “Wildfire Prevention Education” with an emphasis on improving public
health and safety while reducing greenhouse gas emissions . Applications are due by
August 6, 2025 with all grant activities needing to be completed by February 15, 2029.
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DISCUSSION:
CalFire Wildfire Prevention Grant and Scope of Work
The Los Angeles County Fire Code requires property owners, including the City, to clear
hazardous vegetation around structures to create “defensible space” in Very High Fire
Hazard Severity Zones for effective fire protection of property, life, and the environment.
Fuel modification reduces radiant and convective heat and provides valuable defensible
space for firefighters to make an effective stand against an approaching fire front. The
Los Angeles County Fire Department and Los Angeles County Department of Agricultural
Commissioner/Weights and Measures, Weed Hazard and Pest Abatement Bureau
(LACDAC) jointly enforce these requirements. Given that the surrounding region is prone
to fires, the City is required to implement fire mitigation efforts to reduce the amount of
fuel loads on City properties, primarily in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve (Preserve)
by conducting fuel modification activities within 200-feet around structures and 10-feet
from the curb along a public roadway.
Since 2008, the City has used a combination of hand crews and goat grazing, which are
contracted separately, for fuel modification services annually covering approximately 300
acres within the Preserve. Staff recommend submitting a grant application (Attachment
C), with an associated resolution (Attachment A), authorizing staff to seek grant funding
in the amount of $948,000 to cover three years of annual fuel modification activities using
hand-operated machinery in approximately 112 acres. This includes activities such as
removal of dead vegetation as well as thinning and up-limbing of shrubs/trees that are
within 200 feet of any structures and along roadways to create defensible space.
Should the City receive this funding, it will further reduce the City’s cost for the fuel
modification program, which already received a grant in August 2024 through the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) via
the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) for the Goat Vegetation
Management Project (goat grazing) in the amount of approximately $1.3 million ($914,977
Federal cost share and $384,992 City’s cost share) for a period of three years ending in
2026 or 2027.
Grant Application Preparation and Submittal
The City has an existing professional services agreement (PSA) with Blais & Associates
(B&A) to monitor, prepare, and submit grant applications with the City’s approval.
Accordingly, B&A will be assisting in the preparation of the application and supporting
documents to apply for the CalFire Wildfire Prevention Grant for fuel reduction activities.
Due to the competitive nature of the grant, Staff believes that B&A’s grant writing skills
will enhance the City’s chances of obtaining this grant. The cost to prepare and submit
the grant application is $7,975 (Attachment D).
Considering other grant work B&A has performed under their existing PSA, Staff expect
to exceed the contract authorization limit initially envisioned under this PSA with future
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grant applications this fiscal year. Staff anticipates submitting a higher than average
number of grant applications in an effort to identify funding for landslide remediation
efforts and the Emergency Operations Center project, both of which are identified as
priorities in the Legislative Platform and City Council Goals. Therefore, Staff recommend
approving Amendment No. 3 to the PSA with B&A increasing the contract authorization
limit for FY 2025-26 by $40,664 from $59,336 to a total not-to-exceed amount of $100,000
to account for future grant support service needs (Attachment B). Please note that this
total is a not-to-exceed amount and may not be fully expended .
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution (Attachment A)
authorizing the submittal of the CalFire grant application to the CalFire WP Grants
Program for $948,000 to fund fuel modification (brush clearing) activities over a three year
period within City limits. Additionally, the City Council is being asked to approve
Amendment No. 3 to the PSA with B&A to increase the contract amount for FY 2025-26
by $40,664 from $59,336 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $100,000 for future grant
application services.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for
the City Council’s consideration:
1. Direct Staff to modify the application before submitting.
2. Direct Staff not to proceed with the application.
3. Take other action, as deemed appropriate.
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RESOLUTION NO. 2025-__
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES AUTHORIZING
THE SUBMITTAL OF THE CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE
PROTECTION (CALFIRE) WILDFIRE PREVENTION
GRANTS PROGRAM APPLICATION FOR FUEL
MODIFICATION ACTIVITIES
WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of California in cooperation with the
California State Legislature has enacted State of California Climate Investment, which
provides funds to the State of California and its political subdivisions for fire prevention
programs; and
WHEREAS, the State Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has
been delegated responsibility for the administration of the program within the State,
setting up necessary procedures governing application by local agencies, non -profit
organizations, and others under the program, and
WHEREAS, the City, as an applicant, will enter into an agreement with the State
of California to carry out the City of Rancho Palos Verdes Citywide Hazardous Fuels
Reduction Project (the Project”);
NOW, THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE, AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Authorizing the filing of an application for “California Climate
Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program”; and
Section 2. Certifies the City has or will have sufficient funds to operate and
maintain the Project; and,
Section 3. Certifies that funds under the jurisdiction of City Council of the City
of Rancho Palos Verdes are available to undertake the Project.
Section 4. Certifies the City will expend grant funds prior to February 15, 2029.
Section 5. Appoints the Director of Public Works, or designee, to conduct all
negotiations, execute and submit all documents including, but not limited to applications,
agreements, amendments, payment requests and so on, which may be necessary for the
completion of the aforementioned project.
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Resolution No. 2025-___
Page 2 of 2
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of August, 2025.
__________________________
David L. Bradley, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk
State of California )
County of Los Angeles )ss
City of Rancho Palos Verdes )
I, TERESA TAKAOKA, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, hereby certify
that the above Resolution No. 2025- __ was duly and regularly passed and adopted by
the said City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on August 5, 2025.
________________________________
Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk
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AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
THIS AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
(“Amendment No. 3”) by and between the CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES, a municipal
corporation (“City”) and BLAIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC., a Texas limited liability company
(“Consultant”) is effective as of August 5, 2025.
RECITALS
A.City and Consultant entered into that certain “Agreement for Professional Services”
dated June 20, 2023 (“Agreement”), whereby Consultant agreed to provide grant management
services (the “Services”) for one year for a Contract Sum of $62,507. The Agreement provided
for two additional one-year extensions at the City’s discretion.
B.On June 18, 2024, City and Consultant entered into the certain Amendment No. 1
to the Agreement to extend the Term of the Agreement through June 30, 2025, and increased the
Contract Sum by $59,048 to $121,555 (“Amendment No. 1”).
C.On June 17, 2025, City and Consultant entered into the certain Amendment No. 2
to the Agreement, as amended, wherein City exercised the option to extend the final Term of the
Agreement for one year through June 30, 2026, and increased the Contract Sum by $59,336 for a
maximum Contract Sum of $180,891 (“Amendment No. 2”).
D.City and Consultant now desire to further amend the Agreement, as amended
(“Amendment No. 3”), to increase compensation by $40,664 for a new Contract Sum of
$221,843.
TERMS
1.Contract Changes. The Agreement, as amended, is further amended as provided herein.
Deleted text is indicated in strikethrough and added text in bold italics.
Section 2.1, Contract Sum, is amended to read:
“Subject to any limitations set forth in this Agreement, City agrees
to pay Consultant the amounts specified in the “Schedule of
Compensation” attached hereto as Exhibit “C” and incorporated
herein by this reference. The total compensation, including
reimbursement for actual expenses, shall not exceed $180,891 (One
Hundred Eighty Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety One Dollars)
$221,555 (Two Hundred Twenty One Thousand Five Hundred
Fifty Five Dollars (the “Contract Sum”), unless additional
compensation is approved pursuant to Section 1.9.”
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01203.0006/985747.2 -2-
Section I of Exhibit “C” Schedule of Compensation shall be amended to include:
“For FY 2025-26, Consultant shall perform all tasks on a fixed fee basis per
the schedule below
Task Description Estimated Total
Cost
6) Research
Consultation,
Monitoring, Fact
Sheets
Monitor/send targeted grant
opportunities, summaries, and fact
sheets; Develop Monthly Grant Activity
Reports (GARs); Monthly calls to review
opportunities and grants in-progress;
Go/no-go consultation; Participate in
coordination calls with client; Develop
Year-End Grant Roll-Up Reports
$3,178
Monthly Fixed Fee
7) Grant Application
Development
Full turnkey or collaborative grant
writing development to include
submission (cost will vary by application
complexity and client involvement).
Quoted upon
request; up to
$21,200/year*
8) Grant Management
Services
Grant management and reporting
services (cost will vary by application
complexity and client involvement).
Quoted upon
request**
9) BGAPS Grant
Management Software
Proprietary grant management software
system
Quoted upon
request (30-day
FREE trial)
Total $59,336$100,000
*All grant proposal development projects are quoted upon request based on specific project
requirements (costs typically range between $5,000 - $25,000 per grant application).
**All grant reporting and management projects are quoted upon request based on specific
project requirements (costs typically range between $500 - $2,500/month per grant).”
[continued on next page]
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01203.0006/985747.2 -3-
2. Continuing Effect of Agreement. Except as amended by this Amendment No. 3 all
provisions of the Agreement, as amended, shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.
From and after the date of this Amendment, whenever the term “Agreement” appears in the
Agreement, it shall mean the Agreement, as amended by Amendment Nos. 1,2, and 3.
3. Affirmation of Agreement; Warranty Re Absence of Defaults. City and Consultant
each ratify and reaffirm each and every one of the respective rights and obligations arising under
the Agreement, as amended. Each party represents and warrants to the other that there have been
no written or oral modifications to the Agreement, as amended, other than as provided herein. Each
party represents and warrants to the other that the Agreement, as amended, is currently an effective,
valid, and binding obligation.
Consultant represents and warrants to City that, as of the date of this Amendment No. 3,
City is not in default of any material term of the Agreement, as amended, and that there have been
no events that, with the passing of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a material
default under the Agreement, as amended.
City represents and warrants to Consultant that, as of the date of this Amendment No. 3,
Consultant is not in default of any material term of the Agreement, as amended, and that there have
been no events that, with the passing of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a
material default under the Agreement, as amended.
4. Adequate Consideration. The parties hereto irrevocably stipulate and agree that they have
each received adequate and independent consideration for the performance of the obligations they
have undertaken pursuant to this Amendment No. 3.
5. Authority. The persons executing this Amendment No. 3 on behalf of the parties hereto
warrant that (i) such party is duly organized and existing, (ii) they are duly authorized to execute
and deliver this Amendment No. 3 on behalf of said party, (iii) by so executing this Amendment
No. 3, such party is formally bound to the provisions of this Amendment No. 3, and (iv) the
entering into this Amendment No. 3 does not violate any provision of any other agreement to
which said party is bound.
[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
B-3
IN WITNKSvS WHEREOF,llic parties hereto have executed this Amendment No.3 on
the dale and vear first-above written.
CITY:
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDLS.a
municipal corporation
David !..BradleN.Mavor
ATTEST:
Teresa Takaoka.('ily Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
AI.ESIIIRE&WYNDER,LLP
William W.Wynder.City Attorney
CONSULTANT:
Blais &Associates LLC.
a Texas limited liability company
By:
Naitfe:Jordan P.Carter
Title:Chief Executive OITicer
*
By:
TJordan P.Carter
President
Nar
Title:
Address:Blais &Associates
2807 Allen St.Ste.2050
Dallas I'X 75204
I wo corporate onicei'signatures rcquiretl when Consultant is a corporation,with one signature required from
eacli of the following groups:I)Chairman of the Board.President or any Vice President;and 2)Secretary,any
Vssistant Secretars.Chief Kinancial Officer or any Assistant Treasurer.(ONSl LTAN'PS SIGN.A'n RES
SH.AI.I.BE DEL’S NOTARIZED.AND APPROPRIATE A I TES l ATIONS SM ALL BE INCLEDEI)AS
MA’S BE REQUIRED in THE in LAWS.ARTICLES OI INC ORPOR A HON,OR OIIIER RULES OR
RECULA I IONS APPLICABLE l O CONSULTAN rS Bl SINESS EM ITV.
-4-01203.0006/^85747 2
B-4
01203.0006/985747.2
CALIFORNIA ALL-PURPOSE ACKNOWLEDGMENT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
On __________, 2024 before me, ________________, personally appeared ________________, proved to me on the
basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose names(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and
acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by
his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted,
executed the instrument.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true
and correct.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Signature: _____________________________________
OPTIONAL
Though the data below is not required by law, it may prove valuable to persons relying on the document and could
prevent fraudulent reattachment of this form.
CAPACITY CLAIMED BY SIGNER DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED DOCUMENT
INDIVIDUAL
CORPORATE OFFICER
_______________________________
TITLE(S)
PARTNER(S) LIMITED
GENERAL
ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
TRUSTEE(S)
GUARDIAN/CONSERVATOR
OTHER_______________________________
______________________________________
SIGNER IS REPRESENTING:
(NAME OF PERSON(S) OR ENTITY(IES))
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
___________________________________
TITLE OR TYPE OF DOCUMENT
___________________________________
NUMBER OF PAGES
___________________________________
DATE OF DOCUMENT
___________________________________
SIGNER(S) OTHER THAN NAMED ABOVE
A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the
document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy or validity of that document.
B-5
01203.0006/985747.2
CALIFORNIA ALL-PURPOSE ACKNOWLEDGMENT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
On __________, 2024 before me, ________________, personally appeared ________________, proved to me on the
basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose names(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and
acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by
his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted,
executed the instrument.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true
and correct.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Signature: _____________________________________
OPTIONAL
Though the data below is not required by law, it may prove valuable to persons relying on the document and could
prevent fraudulent reattachment of this form.
CAPACITY CLAIMED BY SIGNER DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED DOCUMENT
INDIVIDUAL
CORPORATE OFFICER
_______________________________
TITLE(S)
PARTNER(S) LIMITED
GENERAL
ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
TRUSTEE(S)
GUARDIAN/CONSERVATOR
OTHER_______________________________
______________________________________
SIGNER IS REPRESENTING:
(NAME OF PERSON(S) OR ENTITY(IES))
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
___________________________________
TITLE OR TYPE OF DOCUMENT
___________________________________
NUMBER OF PAGES
___________________________________
DATE OF DOCUMENT
___________________________________
SIGNER(S) OTHER THAN NAMED ABOVE
A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the
document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy or validity of that document.
B-6
Quote Prepared By:
Natale Lessey
949-589-6338
nlessey@blaisassoc.com
www.blaisassoc.com
Rancho Palos Verdes: Calfire Wildfire Prevention 7/21/25 1 of 2
Client Name
Client Contact(s)
Grant Program
Project Due
Project Name
Date Prepared
Project Cost
$7,975
$0
$0
$0
$0
$7,975
SUBTOTAL
Final Files (link)
Reproduction for hard copy (not applicable)
Express Delivery mail or courier services (not applicable)
GRAND TOTAL
Direct Costs
SUBTOTAL
Complete Application Form
Conference calls and client coordination. Provide 80% draft and 100% final to client for review. Incorporate up to two sets of written client
feedback and comments. Prepare final files for Client's permanent record keeping. Submit application via Cal Fire grants portal.
Indirect Cost Rate Documentation (if above 12%)
Develop GIS Shapefiles (for on-the-ground projects) *Discounted. City will complete this task, B&A will review.
Complete CEQA/NEPA Compliance Plan
Develop Budget and Budget Narrative *Discounted. City will complete this task, B&A will review.
Develop Scope of Work (to include description of project deliverables)
DAC Community Information
Develop Letter of Commitment
Develop Fire Hazard Safety Severity Zone Map *Discounted. City will complete this task, B&A will review.
Activity
Project Quote
July 21, 2025
$7,975
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Ramzi Awwad, Director of Public Works
CalFire Wildfire Prevention Grant
08/06/2025 3:00 PM PST
TBD
Preparatory work including reviewing guidelines and application materials; developing timeline & checklist; hosting a kick-off conference call
with client; attending to follow-up action items from kick-off call; preparing internal e-file system.
Develop Project Map(s) - Geopoint required for all projects / Treatment areas polygons required for Hazardous Fuels Reduction *Discounted.
City will complete this task, B&A will review.
Develop up to 3 Letters of Support
D-1
Quote Prepared By:
Natale Lessey
949-589-6338
nlessey@blaisassoc.com
www.blaisassoc.com
Rancho Palos Verdes: Calfire Wildfire Prevention 7/21/25 2 of 2
Signature Approving Costs and Authorizing Notice to Proceed Date
Printed Name
2) Total Available Funds: $135M.
3) Maximum Award: $950,000.
4) Match Requirement: Not required. However, matching funds is a positive factor.
Please note that this quote is fixed fee for service based on current conditions and understandings. Many factors may change during the
development of a project, including Client requests, that may increase the amount of work required to successfully perform services. During
the course of work, if there is a material change in scope, B&A will notify the point of contact and mutually agree to a change order or discuss
alternatives.
By signing this quote, the Client agrees to:
- Provide requested information prior to stipulated deadline, dates to be jointly agreed upon and incorporated into the Timeline and Checklist.
- Attend all scheduled calls and be available for ad-hoc calls, as needed.
- Respond to inquiries from the B&A team within one business day.
- Assign a person to be B&A's main point of contact throughout the duration of the project.
Notes and Assumptions
1) To best serve you, B&A has reserved staff time for this project until the response date requested in the transmittal e-mail.
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