18-04_0.pdf

by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on November 15, 2018 t o receive consideration. Proposals received after 11:59 p.m. (ET) on November 15, 2018, will not be considered.

OVERVIEW SECTION

TITLE: “IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPLIANCE/PREVENTION UNDERGROUND

STORAGE TANK PROGRAM AND THE CLEANUP OF LEAKING UNDERGROUND

STORAGE TANK PROGRAM”

ACTION: Request for Proposals (RFP) – Initial Announcement

RFP NO: EPA-OLEM-OUST-18-04

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NO.: 66.816

DATES: The closing date and time for receipt of proposal submissions is November 15, 2018, 11:59 p.m. (ET). Proposals must be submitted electronically through https://www.grants.gov

SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits proposals to promote the prevention, identification, corrective action, and management of releases from federally-regulated underground storage tanks (USTs) through training of state and tribal personnel, information exchange, dissemination of the results of studies and research electronically, and coordination that promotes cooperation among federal, state, and tribal programs. Funding under this announcement shall be used for activities that support state and tribal underground storage tank compliance/prevention programs and state and tribal leaking underground storage tank cleanup programs. The goals of these cooperative agreements are to provide states and tribes with training opportunities, technical information, communication exchange of research and demonstration projects, and a forum for federal, state, and tribal partners to give insights on lessons learned.

FUNDING/AWARDS: The total estimated funding available under this competitive announcement is $3,200,000, subject to availability of funds, quality of proposals received, and other applicable considerations. EPA anticipates award of two cooperative agreements whose maximum estimated value each shall not exceed $1,600,000 from this competitive opportunity.

(Refer to Section 2(B)).

CONTENTS BY SECTION

1. Funding Opportunity Description

2. Award Information

3. Eligibility Information

4. Proposal and Submission Information

5. Proposal Review Information

6. Award Administration Information

7. Agency Contact https://www.grants.gov/ http:https://www.grants.gov

SECTION 1 - FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Introduction

There are approximately 555,000 active regulated underground storage tanks (USTs) nationwide that store petroleum or hazardous substances. The greatest potential threat from a leaking UST is contamination of groundwater, the source of drinking water for nearly half of all Americans. EPA, states, and tribes work together to protect the environment and human health from potential UST releases. For more information on EPA’s underground storage tank prevention and cleanup programs, go to www.epa.gov/ust.

B. Project Description

EPA’s Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST) is soliciting proposals to foster interaction, information sharing, and coordination among federal, state, and tribal programs responsible for the detection, prevention, and cleaning up of releases from federally-regulated USTs.

EPA anticipates awarding two cooperative agreements from this competitive announcement.

One cooperative agreement will support states and tribal UST release prevention programs and the other will support states and tribal leaking underground storage tank (LUST) cleanup programs. There are separate evaluation criteria for each agreement in Section 5 of this announcement. Applicants may submit proposals for either or both of the two cooperative agreements; however, applicants must submit a separate proposal for each award. EPA will not consider combined proposals.

The goal of these cooperative agreements is to improve program implementation by the following: providing states and tribes with training opportunities; serving as a source of exchange of outreach and communication regarding research and demonstration projects as they relate to UST release prevention and LUST cleanup; and, providing a forum for federal, state, and tribal partners to give insights on lessons learned. At a minimum, the proposals must include a description of activities associated with each cooperative agreement as follows:

1. State and Tribal Underground Storage Tank Release Prevention Program Support

The recipient will develop and implement training and information exchange opportunities for states and tribes that will foster the continued improvement of the UST release prevention program. These opportunities will allow federal, state, and tribal partners to interact with each other by sharing experiences and insights on UST release prevention issues. While face-to-face interaction is often advantageous for communication and exchange, other vehicles (such as webinars and conference calls) are encouraged, as appropriate, for lower-cost, more frequent interaction.

Exchanges may include, but are not limited to the following:

(a) UST Inspector Training http://www.epa.gov/ust www.epa.gov/ust

Serve as sponsor and coordinator for national UST inspector training for state and tribal UST inspectors. Training topics may be determined by an assessment of needs from state or tribal partners, or by technical and training requests from state or tribal partners. Training delivery and frequency should be provided in the most effective and cost-efficient manner. The successful recipient will provide feedback results to EPA after each training session. Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Organize a workgroup comprised of federal, state, and tribal partners that represent the interests of tank inspectors

• Organize planning meetings, taking meeting minutes, and distributing minutes to all workgroup members

• Finalize topics that will be presented during training

• Obtain competent trainers to speak on relevant topics

• Provide all logistical arrangements (e.g., training frequency, location selection, training venue, computer support, participant invitation/registration, training feedback, and other necessary training materials).

Training delivery options (e.g., classroom, in-field, and web-based) and frequency should be provided in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.

At the discretion of the successful recipient, travel arrangements may be provided to UST state and tribal partners to ensure their representation at UST-related training events and meetings.

(b) The National Tanks Conference

Serve as a co-sponsor and planning team member, representing the interests of states and tribes.

Other co-sponsors/planning team members include EPA, other federal assistance agreement recipient(s), and state partners. Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Organize and host planning team meetings for conference that are beneficial and cost efficient (e.g., on-site, webinar, telephone conference)

• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate planning team conference calls

• Provide minutes of all meetings and calls to planning team members

• Represent the interests of states and tribes in the conference planning

• Organize and promote an exhibitor hall for demonstrations of UST related technology

• Develop conference communications and promotional activities

• Provide conference support such as record-keeping, registration, and other conference logistics.

• Host conference information and participant registration on the successful recipient’s website, which is a non-EPA domain server. As a result, the successful recipient will be required to post a privacy notice that provides information about how registration information is collected, used, maintained, and shared.

The successful recipient must incorporate green principles into every aspect of conference planning and utilize as many environmentally preferable measures as possible, in accordance with EPA’s Green Meetings initiative. Environmentally preferable measures may include but are not limited to selecting venues that minimize the distance the attendees have to travel and have efficient transportation and mass transportation routes, electronic distribution of conference handouts and materials, and recycling conference badges. More information can be found at http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/meet/greenmeetings.htm#mandate.

The successful recipient may collect fees from exhibitors (including federal exhibitors) and use those fees as “program income” to supplement EPA grant funding as authorized by 2 CFR §

200.80 and 2 CFR § 200.3072 CFR § 200.80 and 2 CFR § 200.307, as applicable.

The successful recipient will provide travel arrangements to UST state and tribal partners to ensure their representation at events and meetings. At the discretion of the successful recipient, travel arrangements may also be made available to other non-federal participants (e.g., speakers, presenters) invited by the recipient to participate in related events. Please see EPA Ethics Advisory 96-15 (http://www.epa.gov/wastewatergrants/96-15.pdf) for details on the Agency’s policies for co- sponsoring conferences and other events.

(c) National Tribal Meeting

Serve as a co-sponsor and planning team member. Other co-sponsors/planning team members include EPA and tribal UST partners. Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Organize and host planning team meetings that are beneficial and cost efficient (e.g., on-site, webinar, telephone conference)

• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate planning team conference calls

• Provide minutes of all meetings and calls to planning team members

• Represent the interests of tribes in the meeting planning

• Organize and promote an exhibitor hall for demonstrations of UST related technology

• Develop meeting communications and promotional activities

• Provide meeting support such as record-keeping, registration, and other logistics

• Host meeting information and participant registration on the successful recipient’s website, which is a non-EPA domain server. As a result, the successful recipient will be required to post a privacy notice that provides information about how registration information is collected, used, maintained, and shared.

The successful recipient must incorporate green principles into every aspect of meeting planning and utilize as many environmentally preferable measures as possible, in accordance with EPA’s Green Meetings initiative. Environmentally preferable measures may include but are not limited to selecting venues that minimize the distance the attendees have to travel and have efficient transportation and mass transportation routes, electronic distribution of conference handouts and materials, and recycling conference badges. More information can be found at http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/meet/greenmeetings.htm#mandate.

The successful recipient may collect fees from exhibitors (including federal exhibitors) and use those fees as “program income” to supplement EPA grant funding as authorized by 2 CFR § 200.80 and 2 CFR § 200.307, as applicable.

http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/meet/greenmeetings.htm#mandate http://www.epa.gov/wastewatergrants/96-15.pdf http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/meet/greenmeetings.htm#mandate http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/meet/greenmeetings.htm#mandate http://www.epa.gov/wastewatergrants/96-15.pdf http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/meet/greenmeetings.htm#mandate

The successful recipient will provide travel arrangements to UST tribal partners to ensure their representation at events and meetings. At the discretion of the successful recipient, travel arrangements may also be made available to other non-federal participants (e.g., speakers, presenters) invited by the recipient to participate in related events. Please see EPA Ethics Advisory 96-15 (http://www.epa.gov/wastewatergrants/96-15.pdf) for details on the Agency’s policies for co- sponsoring conferences and other events.

(d) State and Tribal UST Meetings

At the request of states and tribes, the successful recipient will help facilitate regional all-state and tribal meetings that provide information on federal/state/tribal UST release prevention programs. Tasks may include but are not limited to:

• Plan, organize, and make logistical arrangements for the meetings

• Obtain speakers

• Document follow-up meeting action items

Topics to be discussed during these meetings may include, but are not limited to:

• UST compliance

• UST program initiatives

• Release prevention

• Owner/operator training and compliance assistance

• Training opportunities

• Alternative fuels and compatibility

The successful recipient may organize a planning team consisting of federal, state, and tribal partners to help assist with aforementioned tasks.

At the discretion of the successful recipient, travel arrangements may be provided to UST state and tribal partners to ensure their representation at UST-related training events and meetings.

(e) Distribution of Information

Provide a program for electronic distribution and information sharing of UST compliance/ release prevention related technical and policy information, outreach documents, studies, research, and demonstration projects that promote communication and information exchange between federal, state, and tribal UST partners.

• Develop and distribute a periodic publication related to UST compliance/release prevention through electronic and other means to federal, state, and tribal partners in a timely manner.

• Deliver information to states and tribes in a timely manner through electronic newsletters, websites, list servers, electronic forums, or other means. Websites may also advertise training opportunities that will be of interest to state and tribal UST compliance/release prevention programs, as well as link to other UST partner’s websites.

• Stay abreast of current UST compliance, release prevention, release detection issues, and pertinent technical and academic publications.

EPA will review all technical information relating to UST compliance/release prevention prior to distribution.

2. State and Tribal Leaking Underground Storage Tanks Cleanup Program Support

The recipient will develop and implement training and information exchange opportunities for states and tribes that will foster the continued improvement of the LUST cleanup program. These opportunities will allow federal, state, and tribal partners to interact with each other by sharing experiences and insights on LUST cleanup issues. While face-to-face interaction is often advantageous for communication and exchange, other vehicles (such as webinars and conference calls) are encouraged, as appropriate, for lower-cost, more frequent interaction.

Exchanges may include, but are not limited to the following:

(a) LUST Corrective Action Training

Serve as sponsor and coordinator for National LUST Corrective Action Training for state and tribal LUST partners. Training topics may be determined by an assessment of needs from state or tribal partners, or by technical and training requests from state or tribal partners.

Training delivery and frequency should be provided in the most effective and cost-efficient manner. The successful recipient will provide feedback results to EPA after each training session. Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Organize a workgroup comprised of federal, state, and tribal partners that represent the interests of LUST program personnel

• Organize planning meetings, taking meeting minutes, and distributing minutes to all workgroup members

• Finalize topics that will be presented during training

• Obtain competent trainers to speak on relevant topics

• Provide all logistical arrangements (e.g. computer support, participant invitation/registration, training feedback, and other necessary training materials)

Training delivery options (e.g., classroom, in-field, and web-based) and frequency should be provided in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.

At the discretion of the successful recipient, travel arrangements may be provided to UST state and tribal partners to ensure their representation at LUST-related training events and meetings.

(b) The National Tanks Conference

Serve as a co-sponsor and planning team member, representing the interests of states and tribes.

Other co-sponsors/planning team members include EPA, other federal assistance agreement recipient(s), and state partners. Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Organize and host planning team meetings for conference that are beneficial and cost efficient (e.g., on-site, webinar, telephone conference)

• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate planning team conference calls

• Provide minutes of all meetings and calls to planning team members

• Represent the interests of states and tribes in the conference planning

• Organize and promote an exhibitor hall for demonstrations of LUST related technology

• Develop conference communications and promotional activities

• Provide conference support such as record-keeping, registration, and other conference logistics

• Host conference information and participant registration on the successful recipient’s website, which is a non-EPA domain server. As a result, the successful recipient will be required to post a privacy notice that provides information about how registration information is collected, used, maintained, and shared.

The successful recipient will host conference information and participant registration on their website, which is a non-EPA domain server. As a result, the successful recipient will be required to post a privacy notice that provides information about how registration information is collected, used, maintained, and shared.

The successful applicant must incorporate green principles into every aspect of conference planning and utilize as many environmentally preferable measures as possible, in accordance with EPA’s Green Meetings initiative. Environmentally preferable measures may include but are not limited to selecting venues that minimize the distance the attendees have to travel and have efficient transportation and mass transportation routes, electronic distribution of conference handouts and materials, and recycling conference badges. More information can be found at http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/meet/greenmeetings.htm#mandate.

The successful recipient may collect fees from exhibitors (including federal exhibitors) and use those fees as “program income” to supplement EPA grant funding as authorized by 2 CFR §

200.80 and 2 CFR § 200.307, as applicable.

The successful recipient will provide travel arrangements to UST tribal partners to ensure their representation at events and meetings. At the discretion of the successful recipient, travel arrangements may also be made available to other non-federal participants (e.g., speakers, presenters) invited by the recipient to participate in related events. Please see EPA Ethics Advisory 96-15 (http://www.epa.gov/wastewatergrants/96-15.pdf) for details on the Agency’s policies for co-sponsoring conferences and other events.

(c) National Tribal Meeting

Serve as a co-sponsor and planning team member. Other co-sponsors/planning team members include EPA and tribal LUST partners. Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Organize and host planning team meetings that are beneficial and cost efficient (e.g., on-site, webinar, telephone conference)

• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate planning team conference calls

• Provide minutes of all meetings and calls to planning team members

• Represent the interests of tribes in the meeting planning

• Organize and promote an exhibitor hall for demonstrations of LUST related technology

• Develop meeting communications and promotional activities

• Provide meeting support such as record-keeping, registration, and other conference logistics.

• Host meeting information and participant registration on the successful recipient’s website, which is a non-EPA domain server. As a result, the successful recipient will be required to post a privacy notice that provides information about how registration information is collected, used, maintained, and shared.

The successful recipient must incorporate green principles into every aspect of meeting planning and utilize as many environmentally preferable measures as possible, in accordance with EPA’s Green Meetings initiative. Environmentally preferable measures may include but are not limited to selecting venues that minimize the distance the attendees must travel and have efficient transportation and mass transportation routes, electronic distribution of conference handouts and materials, and recycling conference badges. More information can be found at http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/meet/greenmeetings.htm#mandate.

The successful recipient may collect fees from exhibitors (including federal exhibitors) and use those fees as “program income” to supplement EPA grant funding as authorized by 2 CFR §

200.80 and 2 CFR § 200.307, as applicable.

The successful recipient will provide travel arrangements to LUST tribal partners to ensure their representation at events and meetings. At the discretion of the successful recipient, travel arrangements may also be made available to other non-federal participants (e.g., speakers, presenters) invited by the recipient to participate in related events. Please see EPA Ethics Advisory 96-15 (http://www.epa.gov/wastewatergrants/96-15.pdf) for details on the Agency’s policies for co- sponsoring conferences and other events.

(d) State and Tribal LUST Clean Up/Remediation Meetings

At the request of states and tribes, the successful recipient will help facilitate regional state and tribal meetings that provide information on federal/state/tribal LUST cleanup programs. Tasks may include but are not limited to:

• Plan, organize, and make logistical arrangements for the meetings

• Obtain speakers

• Document follow-up meeting action items

Topics to be discussed during these meetings may include, but are not limited to:

• LUST program initiatives

• Soil and groundwater contamination

• Petroleum vapor intrusion

• State LUST Fund implementation

• UST releases remaining

• Remedial technologies and remedy selection

• Other elements that are relevant to funding cleanups and improved LUST cleanup/remediation.

The successful recipient may organize a planning team consisting of federal, state, and tribal partners to help assist with aforementioned tasks.

At the discretion of the successful recipient, travel arrangements may be provided to UST state and tribal partners to ensure their representation at LUST-related training events and meetings.

(e) Distribution of Information

Provide a program for electronic distribution of LUST related cleanup, remediation, technical and policy information, outreach documents, studies, research, and demonstration projects that promote communication and information exchange between federal, state, and tribal UST partners.

• Develop and distribute a periodic publication related to LUST related cleanup and remediation through electronic and other means to federal, state, and tribal partners in a timely manner.

• Deliver information to states and tribes in a timely manner through electronic newsletters, websites, list servers, electronic forums, or other means. Websites may also advertise training opportunities that will be of interest to state and tribal LUST cleanup programs, as well as link to other LUST partner’s websites.

• Stay abreast of current LUST cleanup and remediation issues, and pertinent technical and academic publications.

EPA will review all technical information relating to LUST cleanup and remediation prior to distribution.

C. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage

The activities to be funded under this announcement support EPA’s FY 2018-22 Strategic Plan.

Awards made under this announcement will support Goal 1 (Core Mission: Deliver real results to provide Americans with clean air, land, and water, and ensure chemical safety.), Objective 1.3 (Revitalize Land and Prevent Contamination). Specifically, the activities to be funded under this announcement will be linked to EPA’s strategic plan consistent with EPAs current priorities for preventing releases of contamination. All applications must be for projects that support the goals and objectives identified above. Applicants must explain in their proposal how their project will further these current priorities.

(View EPA’s Strategic Plan online at: http://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan.html.)

http://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan.html

D. Measuring Environmental Results: Anticipated Outcomes/Outputs.

Pursuant to EPA Order 5700.7A1, “Environmental Results under EPA Assistance Agreements,” EPA requires that all grant applicants and recipients adequately address environmental outcomes and outputs. Outcomes and outputs differ both in their nature and in how they are measured. Applicants must discuss environmental outcomes and outputs in their proposed work plan.

1. Outcomes. The term “outcomes” refer to the result, effect, or consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health- related or programmatic in nature, must be quantitative, and may not necessarily be achievable during the project period. EPA anticipates outcomes from projects expected to be awarded under this announcement will include but are not limited to the following:

a. For the UST Release Prevention Program Support Assistance Agreement-- Improvement in compliance measures of underground storage tank systems and a corresponding reduction in UST releases as a result of state and tribal UST release prevention programs.

b. For the LUST Cleanup Program Support Assistance Agreement-- Increase in the number of LUST cleanups completed by states and tribes and a corresponding reduction in the releases remaining of leaking underground storage tanks.

2. Outputs. The term “outputs” refer to an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work products related to an environmental goal or objective, that will be produced or provided over a period of time or by a specified date. Outputs may be quantitative or qualitative but must be measurable during the project period. EPA anticipates the outputs from the project expected to be awarded under this announcement will include but are not limited to the following:

a. Coordination of state and tribal participation in approximately four (4) UST-related trainings and four (4) LUST-related trainings per year. Training will be provided based on the needs of states and tribes Training will be presented both in person and electronically, and provided in the most effective manner

b. Coordination of state and tribal participation in three (3) National Tanks Conferences (release prevention and cleanup activities related to USTs)

c. Coordination of tribal participation in one (1) National Tribal Meeting per year

d. Coordination of approximately four (4) all-states meetings per year

e. Development and distribution of (2) newsletters per year, that deliver UST prevention and LUST cleanup related technical and policy information to states and tribes

f. Development of a web page dedicated to UST release prevention information exchange between federal, state, and tribal partners https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements

g. Development of a web page dedicated to LUST cleanup and remediation information exchange between federal, state, and tribal partners

E. Supplementary Information.

The statutory authority for this action is the Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001, as amended; and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Public Law 94-580, 42 U.S.C.

6901 et seq.

SECTION 2 - AWARD INFORMATION

A. What is the amount of available funding?

The total estimated funding available under this competitive announcement is $3,200,000, subject to availability of funds, quality of proposals received, and other applicable considerations. EPA anticipates award of two cooperative agreements, whose maximum estimated value each will be approximately $1,600,000.

The proposed cooperative agreements will each be funded incrementally for five (5) years, depending on satisfactory performance, funding availability, and other applicable considerations. Maximum funding for the first year of each agreement shall not exceed $320,000. The proposal’s total budget may not exceed a maximum value of $1,600,000, excluding any voluntary cost share or leveraging.

EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this competition, consistent with Agency policy, if additional funding becomes available. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months from the date of original selection decision.

B. How many agreements will EPA award in this competition?

EPA anticipates award of two cooperative agreements resulting from this announcement, subject to availability of funds and the quality of the proposals received. One award will cover state and tribal underground storage tank compliance/prevention program support. The second award will cover state and tribal leaking underground storage tank cleanup program support.

Cooperative agreements permit substantial involvement between the EPA Project Officer and the selected applicants in the performance of the work supported. Although EPA will negotiate precise terms and conditions relating to substantial involvement as part of the award process, the anticipated substantial federal involvement for this project will include:

1. Close monitoring of the recipient’s performance to verify the expected results proposed by the recipient;

2. Collaboration during performance of the scope of work;

3. Review any proposed changes to the work plan and/or budget;

4. Review of proposed procurements in accordance with 2 CFR 200.317 and 2 CFR 200.318, as appropriate;

5. Review qualifications of key personnel (EPA does not have the authority to select employees or contractors employed by the award recipient);

6. Review and comment on the content of printed or electronic publications prepared under the cooperative agreement (the final decision on the content of reports rests with the recipient); and

7. Review and concur on project outputs for consistency with the EPA approved scope of work.

Applicants whose proposals are selected will be asked to submit a cooperative agreement application package to EPA. This package will include the application (Standard Form 424), a proposed work plan, a proposed budget, and other required forms. An EPA Project Officer will work with selected grantees to finalize the budget and work plan.

EPA reserves the right to reject all proposals and make no awards under this announcement or, to make fewer awards than anticipated.

C. Will proposals be partially funded?

In appropriate circumstances, EPA reserves the right to partially fund proposals by funding discrete activities, portions, or phases of proposed projects. If EPA decides to partially fund a proposal, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice any applicants or affect the basis upon which the proposal or portion thereof, was evaluated and selected for award and;

therefore, maintains the integrity of the competition and selection process.

D. What is the project period for award(s) resulting from this solicitation?

The estimated start date for projects resulting from this solicitation is September 1, 2019. All project activities must be completed within the negotiated project performance period of five years.

SECTION 3 - ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Entities

Proposals will be accepted from public authorities (State, interstate, intrastate, agencies designated by States or Territorial Governors to receive UST notifications, federally-recognized Tribes and Intertribal Consortia, and local), public agencies and institutions; private non-profit organizations and agencies that meet the requirements of Section 8001(a) and (b) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Profit-making organizations and the general public are not eligible.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

No matching funds are required under this competition. Although cost-sharing/matching is not required as a condition of eligibility under this competition, under Section 5 of this announcement EPA will evaluate proposals based on a leveraging criterion.

Leveraging is generally when an applicant proposes to provide its own additional funds/resources or those from third party sources to support or complement the project they are awarded under the competition which are above and beyond the EPA grant funds awarded. Any leveraged funds/resources, and their source, must be identified in the proposal (See Section 4 of the announcement). Leveraged funds and resources may take various forms as noted below.

Voluntary cost share is a form of leveraging. Voluntary cost sharing is when an applicant voluntarily proposes to legally commit to provide costs or contributions to support the project when a cost share is not required. Applicants who propose to use a voluntary cost share must include the costs or contributions for the voluntary cost share in the project budget on the SF-

424. If an applicant proposes a voluntary cost share, the following apply:

• A voluntary cost share is subject to the match provisions in the grant regulations 2 CFR Part 200 as applicable.

• A voluntary cost share may only be met with eligible and allowable costs.

• The recipient may not use other sources of federal funds to meet a voluntary cost share unless the statute authorizing the other federal funding provides that the federal funds may be used to meet a cost share requirement on a federal grant.

• The recipient is legally obligated to meet any proposed voluntary cost share that is included in the approved project budget. If the proposed voluntary cost share does not materialize during grant performance, then EPA may reconsider the legitimacy of the award and/or take other appropriate action as authorized by 2 CFR Part 200 as applicable.

Other leveraged funding/resources that are not identified as a voluntary cost share. This form of leveraging may be met by funding from another federal grant, from an applicant's own resources, or resources from other third party sources. This form of leveraging should not be included in the budget and the costs need not be eligible and allowable project costs under the EPA assistance agreement. While this form of leveraging should not be included in the budget, the grant workplan should include a statement indicating that the applicant is expected to produce the proposed leveraging consistent with the terms of the announcement and the applicant's proposal. If applicants propose to provide this form of leveraging, EPA expects them to make the effort to secure the leveraged resources described in their proposals. If the proposed leveraging does not materialize during grant performance, then EPA may reconsider the legitimacy of the award and/or take other appropriate action as authorized by 2 CFR Part 200 as applicable.

C. Threshold Eligibility Criteria

Proposals must meet the following “threshold criteria,” by the time of proposal submission.

Proposals that fail to meet any one of the threshold criteria will not be considered further.

Only proposals from eligible applicants (see Section 3(A)) that meet all of these threshold eligibility criteria will be evaluated. Proposals that meet the threshold criteria will then be evaluated based on the factors disclosed in Section 5(A), Evaluation Criteria. EPA will notify applicants who do not meet the threshold criteria within 15 calendar days of the “fail” determination.

The threshold criteria are:

1. Proposals must address the program elements described in Section 1(B), Project Description, of this announcement, applicable to the cooperative agreement they are applying for.

2. The total requested Federal assistance funding may not exceed $1,600,000. This excludes any leveraging or voluntary cost share. Proposals requesting Federal assistance funding in excess of this value will not be considered.

3. Applicants may submit proposals for either or both of the two project areas described in Section 1(B); however, a separate proposal package must be submitted for each project. Proposals for combined assistance funding will not be considered.

4. Proposals must substantially comply with the proposal submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section 4 of this announcement or else they will be rejected.

However, where a page limit is expressed in Section 4(D) with respect to the narrative proposal, pages in excess of the page limitation will not be reviewed.

In addition, proposals must be received via www.grants.gov as specified in Section 4(B) on or before the proposal submission deadline published in Section 4(B) of this announcement. Proposals received through www.grants.gov after the submission deadline will be considered late and returned to the sender without further consideration unless the applicant can clearly demonstrate that it was late due to EPA mishandling or because of technical issues associated with grants.gov or relevant SAM.gov system issues. An applicant’s failure to timely submit their proposal through Grants.gov because they did not timely or properly register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov will not be considered as acceptable reason to consider a late submission.

Applications submitted through Grants.gov will be time and date stamped electronically. If you have not received a confirmation of receipt from EPA (not Grants.gov) within 30 days of the proposal deadline, please contact Erin Knighton at (202)-564-0684 or knighton.erin@epa.gov. Failure to do so may result in your proposal not being reviewed.

5. All proposal materials must be submitted in English.

Ineligible activities: If a proposal is submitted that includes any ineligible tasks or activities, that portion of the proposal will be ineligible for funding and may, depending on the extent to which it affects the proposal, render the entire proposal ineligible for funding.

SECTION 4 - PROPOSAL AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Requirements to Submit Through Grants.gov and Limited Exception Procedures

Applicants, except as notes below, must apply electronically through Grants.gov under this funding opportunity based in the Grants.gov instructions in the announcement, If an applicant http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ mailto:knighton.erin@epa.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:grants.gov does not have the technical capability to apply electronically through Grants.gov because of limited or no internet access which prevents them from being able to upload the required application materials to Grants.gov, the applicant must contact OGDWaivers@epa.gov of the address listed below, in writing at least 15 calendar days prior to the submission deadline under this announcement to request approval to submit their application materials through an alternate method.

Mailing Address:

OGD Waivers c/o Jessica Durand USEPA Headquarters William Jefferson Clinton Building 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N. W.

Mail Code: 3903R Washington, DC 20460

Courier Address:

OGD Waivers c/o Jessica Durand Ronald Reagan Building 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Rm # 51278 Washington, DC 20004

In the request, the applicant must include the following information:

• Funding Opportunity Number (FON)

• Organization Name and Unique Entity Identifier (e.g., DUNS)

• Organization’s Contact Information (email address and phone number)

• Explanation of how they lack the technical capability to apply electronically through Grants.gov because of 1) limited internet access or 2) no internet access which prevents them from being able to upload the required application materials through Grants.gov.

EPA will only consider alternate submission exception requests based on the two reasons stated above and will timely respond to the request -- all other requests will be denied. If an alternate submission method is approved, the applicant will receive documentation of this approval and further instructions on how to apply under this announcement. Applicants will be required to submit the documentation of approval with any initial application submitted under the alternative method. In addition, any submittal through an alternative method must comply with all applicable requirements and deadlines in the announcement including the submission deadline and requirements regarding proposal content and page limits (although the documentation of approval of an alternate submission method will not count against any page limits).

If an exception is granted, it is valid for submissions to EPA for the remainder of the entire calendar year in which the exception was approved and can be used to justify alternative submission methods for application submissions made through December 31 of the calendar year in which the exception was approved (e.g., if the exception was approved on March 1, 2018, it is valid for any competitive or non-competitive application submission to EPA through December 31, 2018). Applicants need only request an exception once in a calendar year and all exceptions mailto:OGDWaivers@epa.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov will expire on December 31 of that calendar year. Applicants must request a new exception from required electronic submission through Grants.gov for submissions for any succeeding calendar year. For example, if there is a competitive opportunity issued on December 1, 2018 with a submission deadline of January 15, 2019, the applicant would need a new exception to submit through alternative methods beginning January 1, 2019.

Please note that the process described in this section is only for requesting alternate submission methods. All other inquiries about this announcement must be directed to the Agency Contact listed in Section 7 of the announcement. Queries or requests submitted to the email address identified above for any reason other than to request an alternate submission method will not be acknowledged or answered.

B. Submission Instructions

The electronic submission of your application must be made by an official representative of your institution who is registered with Grants.gov and is authorized to sign applications for Federal assistance. For more information on the registration requirements that must be completed in order to submit an application through grants.gov, go to Grants.gov and click on “Applicants” on the top of the page and then go to the “Get Registered” link on the page. If your organization is not currently registered with Grants.gov, please encourage your office to designate an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and ask that individual to begin the registration process as soon as possible. Please note that the registration process also requires that your organization have a Unique Entity Identifier (e.g. DUNS number) and a current registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) and the process of obtaining both could take a month or more. Applicants must ensure that all registration requirements are met in order to apply for this opportunity through grants.gov and should ensure that all such requirements have been met well in advance of the submission deadline. Registration on grants.gov, SAM.gov, and DUNS number assignment is FREE.

Applicants need to ensure that the AOR who submits the application through Grants.gov and whose Unique Entity Identifier (e.g., DUNS number) is listed on the application is an AOR for the applicant listed on the application. Additionally, the DUNS number listed on the application must be registered to the applicant organization’s SAM account. If not, the application may be deemed ineligible.

To begin the application process under this grant announcement, go to Grants.gov and click on “Applicants” on the top of the page and then “Apply for Grants” from the dropdown menu and then follow the instructions accordingly. Please note: To apply through Grants.gov, you must use Adobe Reader software and download the compatible Adobe Reader version. For more information about Adobe Reader, to verify compatibility, or to download the free software, please visit Adobe Reader Compatibility Information on Grants.gov.

You may also be able to access the application package for this announcement by searching for the opportunity on Grants.gov. Go to Grants.gov and then click on “Search Grants” at the top of the page and enter the Funding Opportunity Number, EPA-OLEM-OUST-18-04, or the CFDA number that applies to the announcement (CFDA 66.816), in the appropriate field and click the Search button.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/ https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:grants.gov http:grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:grants.gov

Please Note: All applications must now be submitted through Grants.gov using the “Workspace” feature. Information on the “Workspace” feature can be found at the Grants.gov Workspace Overview Page.

Application Submission Deadline. Your organization’s authorized official representative (AOR) must submit your complete proposal electronically to EPA through Grants.gov no later than November 15, 2018, 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

Application Materials

The following forms and documents are required under this announcement:

Mandatory Documents

1. Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424). Please note that the organizational Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number must be included on the SF-424. Organizations may obtain a DUNS number at no cost by calling the toll-free DUNS number request line at 1-866-705-5711.

2. Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)

3. Project Narrative. The project narrative must explicitly describe how the proposed project meets the guidelines established in Sections 1-3 of this announcement (including the threshold eligibility criteria in Section 3(C)) and must address each of the evaluation criteria set forth in Section 5.

Applications submitted through grants.gov will be time and date stamped electronically.

If you have not received a confirmation of receipt from EPA (not from grants.gov) within 30 days of the application deadline, please contact Erin Knighton (202) 564-0684 or knighton.erin@epa.gov. Failure to do so may result in your application not being reviewed.

C. Technical Issues with Submission

1. Once the application package has been completed, the “Submit” button should be enabled. If the “Submit” button is not active, please call Grants.gov for assistance at 1- 800-518-4726. Applicants who are outside the U.S. at the time of submittal and are not able to access the toll-free number may reach a Grants.gov representative by calling 606- 545-5035. Applicants should save the completed application package with two different file names before providing it to the AOR, to avoid having to re-create the package should submission problems be experienced, or a revised application needs to be submitted.

2. Submitting the application. The application package must be transferred to Grants.gov by an AOR. The AOR should close all other software before attempting to submit the application package. Click the “submit” button of the application package. Your Internet browser will launch and a sign-in page will appear. Note: Minor problems are not uncommon with transfers to Grants.gov. It is essential to allow sufficient time to ensure that your application is submitted to Grants.gov BEFORE the due date https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html mailto:knighton.erin@epa.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:grants.gov http:grants.gov identified in Section 4 of the solicitation. The Grants.gov support desk operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except Federal Holidays.

A successful transfer will end with an on-screen acknowledgement. For documentation purposes, print or screen capture this acknowledgement. If a submission problem occurs, reboot the computer – turning the power off may be necessary – and re-attempt the submission.

Note: Grants.gov issues a “case number” upon a request for assistance.

3. Transmission Difficulties. If transmission difficulties that result in a late transmission, no transmission, or rejection of the transmitted application are experienced, and following the above instructions do not resolve the problem so that the application is submitted to Grants.gov by the deadline date and time, follow the guidance below. The Agency will make a decision concerning acceptance of each late submission on a case-by-case basis.

All emails, as described below, are to be sent to Erin Knighton at knighton.erin@epa.gov with the FON in the subject line. If you are unable to email, contact Erin Knighton at (202) 564-0684. Be aware that EPA will only consider accepting applications that were unable to transmit due to Grants.gov or relevant Sam.gov system issues or for unforeseen exigent circumstances, such as extreme weather interfering with internet access. Failure of an applicant to submit timely because they did not properly or timely register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov is not an acceptable reason to justify acceptance of a late submittal.

a. If you are experiencing problems resulting in an inability to upload the application to Grants.gov, it is essential to call Grants.gov for assistance at 1-800-518-4726 before the application deadline. Applicants who are outside the U.S. at the time of submittal and are not able to access the toll-free number may reach a Grants.gov representative by calling 606-545-5035. Be sure to obtain a case number from Grants.gov. If the problems stem from unforeseen exigent circumstances unrelated to Grants.gov, such as extreme weather interfering with internet access, contact Erin Knighton at (202) 564-0684.

b.