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There are three steps in the process of completing a Preliminary Engineering Assessment. At each step there is a Go/No Go decision made: 1.   Fill out a Pre-Assessment form and return to your state's program manager (listed on the form). The state program manager will review the form and determine whether a 'preliminary engineering assessment' is indicated. Click on the links below to view/download a Pre-Assessment form Idaho Montana Nevada North Dakota Utah The program manager will look at the size and number of buildings, the number of different heating systems, whether they are linked, the type of fuel source and other indicators to determine the Go/No Go decision. 2.   If a preliminary engineering assessment is warranted, you will receive an "engineer for a day" visit from the contractor we've hired to conduct the assessment. If you have your own engineer (at your own expense) do the assessment; their information would be acceptable. Here are two resources they may want to access if they haven't worked with biomass systems previously: http://www.biomasscenter.org/pdfs/Wood-Chip-Heating-Guide.pdf    This is a book authored by Tim Maker, of the Biomass Energy Resource Center in Vermont. http://www.mwcc.edu/renewable/documents/FinancialFeasibility.xls    This is a spreadsheet tool to help determine the financial feasibility of converting to biomass heat. It was developed by Bob Govett at the U of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The manual can be viewed or downloaded from:  http://www.mwcc.edu/renewable/documents/boilermanual.pdf The engineer looks for any critical on site pitfalls i.e. not enough space for chip storage and truck delivery, to determine the Go/No Go decision on whether completing a full report is warranted. 3.   The contractor prepares a written report. The report includes estimates of your potential construction costs and projected fuel savings. Currently it is provided at no cost to schools/facilities. Click here for a sample report. The state manager will present the results of your assessment in a written report and oral presentation, if requested. The preliminary engineering assessment report provides the facility decision makers with information to help them decide if they want to convert to a biomass system (Go/No Go). Contact your state program manager for details about potential funding sources in the form of grants and loans to fund the conversion. Click on the links below to view/download a Sample Report and/or two Summary Reports Sample Report Wood Pellets Summary Wood Chip Summary