Final_Workforce RFA OW_1_13_21.pdf

Federal Agency Name: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of

Water, Office of Wastewater Management

Funding Opportunity Title: Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant

Program

Announcement Type: Request for Applications (RFA)

Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-OW-OWM-20-01

Assistance Listing Number: 66.445

Dates: The closing date and time for application submissions is March 26th, 2021 by 11:59 PM, Eastern Time (ET) in order to be considered for funding. Application packages must be submitted electronically to EPA through Grants.gov (Grants.gov) no later than 11:59 PM ET

March 26th, 2021, in order to be considered for funding. Questions about this RFA must be submitted in writing via e-mail and must be received by the Agency contact identified in Section

VII before March 8th , 2021. Written responses will be posted on EPA’s website at:

https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/innovative-water-infrastructure-workforce-development-program.

Note to Applicants: Following EPA’s evaluation of applications, all applicants will be notified regarding their status. If you name subawardees/subgrantees and/or contractor(s), including individual consultants, in your application as partners to assist you with the proposed project, pay careful attention to the information in the CONTRACTS AND SUBAWARDS provision found at http://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses.

COVID-19 Update: EPA is providing flexibilities to applicants experiencing challenges related to COVID-19. Please see the Flexibilities Available to Organizations Impacted by COVID-19 clause in Section IV of EPA’s Solicitation Clauses.

Summary:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting applications from eligible applicants as described in Section III.A to (1) assist in the development and use of innovative activities relating to water workforce development and career opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector, and (2) expand public awareness about drinking water and wastewater utilities and to connect individuals to careers in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector.

The proposed activities support progress toward the Agency’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 – 2022

Strategic Plan for the following goal and objective:

• Goal 1 - A Cleaner, Healthier Environment: Deliver a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment for all Americans and future generations by carrying out the Agency’s Core http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/innovative-water-infrastructure-workforce-development-program https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/innovative-water-infrastructure-workforce-development-program http://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses

Mission.

o Objective 1.2 - Provide for Clean and Safe Water: Ensure waters are clean through improved water infrastructure and, in partnership with states and tribes, sustainably manage programs to support drinking water, aquatic ecosystems, and recreational, economic, and subsistence activities.

EPA’s Strategic Plan is available at: https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan.

Eligible applicants under this competition are nonprofit professional or service organizations, nonprofit labor organizations, nonprofit community colleges, institutions of higher education, or other nonprofit training and educational institutions. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply. Nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal

Revenue Code that engage in prohibited lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the

Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible to apply.

The total estimated amount of federal funding potentially available under this announcement is approximately $1,000,000 depending on Agency funding levels, the quality of applications received, Agency priorities, and other applicable considerations. It is anticipated that up to five cooperative agreements will be awarded under this announcement, each with a project period of up to three years, depending on the amount requested and overall size and scope of the projects(s).

EPA expects each award to range from a minimum of $200,000 to no more than $500,000.

Applicants may not request more than $500,000 in federal funding per award. Applications requesting more than $500,000 in federal funds are not eligible and will not be reviewed.

CONTENTS BY SECTION

I. Funding Opportunity Description

II. Award Information

III. Eligibility Information

IV. Application and Submission Information

V. Application Review Information

VI. Award Administration Information

VII. Agency Contact

VIII. Other Information

SECTION I – FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Background

Drinking water and wastewater utilities provide a unique opportunity for access to stable, rewarding, and high-quality careers. As utilities make critical investments in infrastructure, drinking water and wastewater utilities can also invest in the development of a strong local workforce to strengthen communities and ensure a strong pipeline of skilled and diverse workers for today and tomorrow. To further the goal of ensuring a strong pipeline of skilled and diverse https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan workers in the water utilities sector, Congress authorized EPA to develop a grant program that will accelerate career pipelines and provide access to water utility workforce opportunities. As outlined in Section 4304 of America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 20181, eligible activities are referenced in Section I.B of this announcement. These project activities must address the workforce needs of water utilities.

EPA is soliciting applications from eligible applicants for projects as described in Section I.B., Project Areas. These projects must address the workforce needs of water utilities. Applications must address only one primary Project Area

B. Project Areas

EPA is soliciting applications from eligible applicants for projects in five Project Areas, as described below. While EPA intends to make awards in as many Project Areas as possible, the

Agency reserves the right to make more than one award in a Project Area and the right to make no awards in a Project Area. Under this competition, only one application can be submitted per applicant. Applications must identify only one Project Area described below that is the primary focus of the application. If an applicant submits more than one application under this competition, EPA will contact them before the review process begins to determine which application(s) will be withdrawn. If the applicant is not able to communicate a decision within two business days of being contacted by EPA, EPA will accept the application which was submitted first through Grants.gov. All eligible applications will be evaluated based on the criteria in Section V including how well and thoroughly the Project Area is addressed (see

Section V). Additional information regarding the one application per applicant requirement may be found in the FAQ document available at https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/innovative-water-infrastructure-workforce-development-program.

Project Area 1: Targeted internship, apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and post-secondary bridge programs for skilled water utility trades.

Under Project Area 1, EPA is soliciting applications to expand public awareness about job opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector, and address the workforce needs of drinking water and wastewater utilities. This may be achieved by developing and implementing, for example, but not limited to, targeted internship, apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and post-secondary bridge programs for priority water utility trades through:

(1) On-the-job training;

(2) Skills development;

(3) Test preparation, including developing test materials for skilled trade apprenticeships;

(4) Advance training in the water utility sector relating to construction, utility operations treatment and distribution, green infrastructure, customer service, maintenance, and engineering; or

(5) Other supportive services to facilitate post-secondary success.

1 Section 1459E of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), as amended, (codified at 42 U.S.C. Section 300j-19e).

https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/innovative-water-infrastructure-workforce-development-program https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/innovative-water-infrastructure-workforce-development-program

Targeted internships, apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeship, and post-secondary bridge programs will result in training and developing the next generation of water professionals and will help address the workforce needs of drinking water and wastewater utilities.

Applicants should describe their proposed plan to share (or make available to geographically diverse areas) the Project Area, the results of the Project Area, and the lessons learned. For the purposes of this announcement and this Project Area, “results” mean: (1) developing and providing targeted internship, apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, or post-secondary bridge programs, for skilled water utility trades; and (2) an evaluation of how these programs have helped expand public awareness about the job opportunities in the water sector and addressed the workforce needs of drinking water and wastewater utilities. For the purposes of this announcement, “geographically diverse,” means in different areas of the country.

Applicants should include innovative approaches to address the workforce needs of drinking water and wastewater utilities. For the purposes of this announcement, “innovative” means new ideas and methods that are original and creative in approach. The applicant should demonstrate how these innovative approaches have the potential to more effectively reach the intended audience. As an example, this could mean a proposed approach to share the project activity, results, and lessons learned at workforce specialty conference(s) that include water utilities that are geographically diverse, of varying sizes, and serve urban, suburban and rural populations.

There may be other applicable and creative examples to share the information with water utilities that are geographically diverse, vary in size, and serve urban, suburban and rural populations.

Project Area 2: Education programs designed for elementary, secondary, and higher education students.

Under Project Area 2, EPA is soliciting applications to expand student awareness about the job opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector and to address the workforce needs of drinking water and wastewater utilities by developing education programs designed for elementary, secondary, and higher education students and provide training opportunities for secondary and higher education students that:

(1) Inform students about the role of drinking water and wastewater utilities in their communities;

(2) Increase student awareness of career opportunities, and increase student exposure to water utility careers through various work-based learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom;

(3) Connect students to career pathways related to water utilities.

For the purposes of this announcement, “secondary education” means education beyond the elementary grades and “higher education” means education beyond the secondary level (e.g.

community colleges, vocational schools and/or university level).

Applicants should describe their proposed approach to share (or make available) the Project

Area, the results of the Project Area, and the lessons learned to geographically diverse areas. For the purposes of this announcement and this Project Area, “results” mean (1) developing and providing education programs designed for elementary, secondary, and higher education students; and (2) an evaluation of how these education programs can help expand student awareness about the job opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector and/or can help address the workforce needs of water and wastewater utilities. For the purposes of this announcement, “geographically diverse,” means in different areas of the country.

Applicants should include their proposed plan to incorporate innovative approaches that will address the workforce needs of water and wastewater utilities. For the purposes of this announcement, “innovative” means new ideas and methods that are original and creative in approach. The applicant should demonstrate how these innovative approaches show the potential to more effectively reach the intended audience. As an example, this could mean a proposed approach to share the project area, results, and lessons learned at workforce specialty conference(s) that includes water utilities that are geographically diverse, of varying sizes, and serve urban, suburban and rural populations. There may be other applicable and creative examples to share the information with water utilities that are geographically diverse, vary in size, and serve urban, suburban and rural populations.

Project Area 3: Regional industry and workforce development collaborations to address water utility employment needs and coordinate candidate development, particularly in areas of high unemployment or for water utilities with a high proportion of retirement eligible employees.

Under Project Area 3, EPA is soliciting applications to expand public awareness about job opportunities in the water sector and address the workforce needs of utilities by establishing regional industry and workforce development collaborations that will address drinking water and wastewater utility recruitment and retention issues. Applications should describe water utility employment needs and provide information on if and how candidate development will occur in areas with high unemployment or for water utilities with high proportion of retirement eligible employees in the water utility community. States are beginning to encounter critical staffing shortages in areas of high unemployment and where water utilities have a high proportion of retirement eligible employees or forceable workforce vacancies. It is estimated that 30 to 50 percent of these workers will be eligible to retire within the next 5 to 10 years (Dickerson and

Butler, 2018). The 2018 Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Brookings Institution reports2 both have come to these conclusions and utility leaders are echoing this concern. Under this activity, applications should demonstrate a proposed approach to further the goal of building a stronger and more effective water utility workforce through collaboration opportunities with school systems, technical colleges, universities, community-based organizations, and other utilities.

Applicants should describe their proposed approach to share (or make available) the Project

Area, the results of the Project Area, and the lessons learned to geographically diverse areas. For the purposes of this announcement and this project area, “results” mean (1) developing and

2 These two reports include “Water and Wastewater Workforce: Recruiting Approaches Helped Industry Hire

Operators, but Additional EPA Guidance Could Help Identify Future Needs” (GAO, January 2018) and “Renewing the Water Workforce: Improving Water Infrastructure and Creating a Pipeline to Opportunity” (Brookings

Institution, June 2018).

implementing collaborative initiatives with school systems, technical colleges, universities, community-based organizations, and/or other utilities; and (2) an evaluation of how these initiatives addressed (will address) the recruitment and retention needs of water and wastewater utilities. For the purposes of this announcement, “geographically diverse,” means in different areas of the country.

address the workforce needs of water and wastewater utilities. For the purposes of this announcement, “innovative” means new ideas and methods that are original and creative in approach. The applicant should demonstrate how these innovative approaches show the potential to more effectively reach the intended audience. As an example, this could mean a proposed approach to share the project area, results, and lessons learned at workforce specialty conference(s) that includes water utilities that are geographically diverse, of varying sizes, and serve urban, suburban and rural populations. There may be other applicable and creative examples to share the information with water utilities that are geographically diverse, vary in size, and serve urban, suburban and rural populations.

Project Area 4: Integrated learning laboratories in secondary educational institutions.

Under Project Area 4, EPA is soliciting applications to expand student awareness about the job opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector and address the workforce needs of water utilities via integrated learning laboratories in secondary educational institutions that provide students with:

(1) Hands-on contextualized learning opportunities;

(2) Dual enrollment credit for post-secondary education and training programs; and/or

(3) Direct connection to water utility and industry employers.

For the purposes of this announcement, “contextualized learning” means relating subject matter content to meaningful situations that are relevant to students. For the purposes of this announcement, “secondary education” means education beyond the elementary grades and

“higher education” means education beyond the secondary level, for example college or university level.

Applicants should describe their proposed approach to share (and make available) the project area, results, and lessons learned in geographically diverse areas. For the purposes of this announcement and this Project Area, “results” mean (1) establishing integrated learning laboratories in secondary educational institutions that provide students hands-on contextualized learning opportunities, dual enrollment credit, and/or a direct connection to drinking water and wastewater utility and industry employers; and (2) an evaluation of how these initiatives addressed the recruitment and retention needs of drinking water and wastewater utilities. For the purposes of this announcement, “geographically diverse,” means in different areas of the country.

address the workforce needs of water utilities. For the purposes of this announcement, “innovative” means new ideas and methods that are original and creative in approach. The applicant should demonstrate how these innovative approaches show the potential to effectively reach the intended audience. As an example, this could mean plans to share the project area, results, and lessons learned at workforce specialty conference(s) that includes water utilities that are geographically diverse, of varying sizes, and serve urban, suburban and rural populations.

There may be other applicable and creative examples to share the information with water utilities that are geographically diverse, vary in size, and serve urban, suburban and rural populations.

Project Area 5: Leadership development, occupational training, mentoring, or cross-training programs that ensure incumbent drinking water and wastewater utility workers are prepared for higher level supervisory or management-level positions.

Under the Project Area 5, EPA is soliciting applications to expand public awareness about the job opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector, and address the workforce needs of water utilities through leadership development, occupational training, mentoring, or cross-training programs that prepares incumbent drinking water and wastewater utility workers for supervisory or management-level positions. This is intended to support retention of water utility workforce employees through skills development opportunities.

Applicants should describe their proposed approach to share (and make available) the project area, results, and lessons learned in geographically diverse areas. For the purposes of this announcement and this project area, “results” mean (1) establishing leadership development, occupational training, mentoring, or cross-training programs that prepares incumbent water and wastewater utility workers for supervisory or management-level positions; and (2) an evaluation of how these programs supported the retention of water utility workforce employees. For the purposes of this announcement, “geographically diverse,” means in different areas of the country.

address the workforce needs of water utilities. For the purposes of this announcement, “innovative” means new ideas and methods that are original and creative in approach. The applicant should demonstrate how these innovative approaches show the potential to more effectively reach the intended audience. As an example, this could mean plans to share the project area, results, and lessons learned at workforce specialty conference(s) that includes water utilities that are geographically diverse, of varying sizes, and serve urban, suburban and rural populations. There may be other applicable and creative examples to share the information with water utilities that are geographically diverse, vary in size, and serve urban, suburban and rural populations.

C. Project Partnerships

In Section 1459E of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), as amended (42 U.S.C. Section

300j-19e), Congress urges increased collaboration among federal, state, and local governments, and institutions of higher education, apprentice programs, high schools, and other community-based organizations to align workforce training programs and community resources with water and wastewater utilities to accelerate career pipelines and provide access to workforce opportunities.

Effective partnerships are important for the success of projects solicited under this announcement. In their applications, applicants should identify appropriate and necessary partnerships to successfully conduct the project. Applicants should also include a clear description of the roles of specific partners, or planned partners, in the project’s components/tasks. If you choose not to partner, applications will be evaluated based on how the applicant demonstrates how it will successfully conduct the project and meet the objectives described in Section I.B without the use of partners. If the applicant chooses to identify any partner entities who will receive subawards or procurement contracts (including consultants), please pay careful attention to the information to the CONTRACTS AND SUBAWARDS provision found at https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses before doing so as EPA will not consider their qualifications unless the applicant selects them in compliance with applicable regulations and provisions. Partnerships between organizations can greatly benefit from one another’s experience and expertise.

D. Transfer of Results

The application should include a description of the applicant’s proposed approach for active transfer of project results (as defined under each Project Area), methods and/or effective strategies to water utilities, states, tribes, and/or other interested stakeholders so that others may better build their water workforce. Examples of ways to transfer results include:

i. Sharing the results with relevant organizations through a website;

ii. Sharing the results with relevant drinking water and/or wastewater utilities and other relevant stakeholders;

iii. Conducting webinars or other outreach efforts, addressing workforce needs, to drinking water and wastewater utilities; and/or

iv. Sharing the results at conference(s) that includes water utilities.

E. EPA’s Strategic Plan Linkage and Anticipated Environmental Results

Applicants must demonstrate in their application how their project and proposed activities link to the Strategic Plan Goal and Objective identified below. This announcement is consistent with

EPA’s priority to provide for clean and safe water.

The activities to be funded under this announcement support EPA’s FY 2018-2022 Strategic

Plan, (available at: https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan). Awards made under this announcement will support progress toward Goal 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment: Deliver a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment for all Americans and future generations by carrying out the Agency’s core mission, Objective 1.2: Provide for Clean and Safe Water: Ensure waters are clean through improved water infrastructure and, in partnership with states and tribes, sustainably manage programs to support drinking water, aquatic ecosystems, and recreational, economic, and subsistence activities, of EPA’s Strategic Plan.

EPA also requires that grant applicants adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements (see EPA Order 5700.7A1, Environmental Results under Assistance Agreements, https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements. All proposed projects must address the https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements

Strategic Plan Goal 1, Objective 1.2, and include specific statements describing the environmental results of the proposed project in terms of well-defined outputs and, to the maximum extent practicable, well-defined outcomes that will demonstrate how the project will contribute to the overall protection of human health and the environment by ensuring safe drinking water and preventing water pollution.

Outputs and outcomes are defined as follows:

Outputs: Environmental outputs (or deliverables) refer to an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product 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.

Examples of anticipated outputs from the cooperative agreements expected to be awarded under this announcement for Project Area 1, Targeted internship, apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and post-secondary bridge programs for skilled water utility trades, may include, but are not limited to, the following:

▪ An increased number of participants in existing or new internship, apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, post-secondary bridge programs for skilled water utility trades.

▪ An increased number of internships, apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, or post-secondary bridge programs for skilled water utility trades.

▪ An increased number of available recruitment strategies, materials, and partnerships to inform potential applicants of internship, apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and post-secondary bridge programs for skilled water utility trades.

this announcement for Project Area 2, Education programs designed for elementary, secondary, and higher education students, may include, but are not limited to, the following:

▪ Establishment of new partnerships with community and technical colleges to provide classroom, online, and/or on the job training experiences for elementary, secondary, or higher education students

▪ Development, distribution, and use of age-appropriate educational materials to raise elementary, secondary, or higher education student awareness about opportunities in the drinking water or wastewater utilities sector.

this announcement for Project Area 3, Regional industry and workforce development collaborations to address water utility employment needs and coordinate candidate development, particularly in areas of high unemployment or for water utilities with a high proportion of retirement eligible employees, may include, but are not limited to, the following:

▪ Development of a new regional collaboration program or expansion of an existing collaboration program amongst organizations to address regional water workforce needs in areas of high unemployment or for water utilities facing potentially high retirement rates.

▪ Establishment of new partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, utilities, or other organizations to address the workforce needs of water utilities.

this announcement for Project Area 4, Integrated learning laboratories in secondary educational institutions, may include, but are not limited to, the following:

▪ Development of an innovative program or strategy in a secondary educational institution to recruit diverse populations to the water utility sector workforce.

▪ Development of new learning laboratories in secondary educational institutions for student awareness about drinking water and wastewater job skills.

this announcement for Project Area 5, Leadership development, occupational training, mentoring, or cross-training programs that ensure that incumbent drinking water and wastewater utility workers are prepared for higher level supervisory or management-level positions, may include, but are not limited to, the following:

▪ An increased number of drinking water or wastewater utility workers receiving leadership training and mentoring.

▪ An increased number of utility programs to train incumbent workers for management positions.

Outcomes: Environmental outcomes are the result, effect, or consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity that is related to the environmental or programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature. Outcomes should be quantitative and may not necessarily be achieved within the assistance agreement funding period.

Examples of anticipated outcomes from the cooperative agreements expected to be awarded under this announcement for Project Area 1, Targeted internship, apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and post-secondary bridge programs for skilled water utility trades, may include, but are not limited to, the following:

▪ An increased number of individuals that have completed internship, apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and post-secondary bridge programs and been placed in water and wastewater utility jobs.

▪ An increased number of individuals that have completed internship, apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and post-secondary bridge programs and received industry credentials that qualify them for utility jobs.

under this announcement for Project Area 2, Education programs designed for elementary, secondary, and higher education students, may include, but are not limited to, the following:

▪ Increased student awareness about career opportunities in the water and wastewater sector as documented by program assessments on knowledge acquisition.

▪ Integration of educational program into school’s science, technology, engineering, and math activities and programs.

under this announcement for Project Area 3, Regional industry and workforce development collaborations to address water utility employment needs and coordinate candidate development, particularly in areas of high unemployment or for water utilities with a high proportion of retirement eligible employees, may include, but are not limited to, the following:

▪ Enhanced sustainable regional collaborations that support the long-term water utility workforce needs.

▪ An increased number of individuals in high areas of unemployment being recruited into the water sector.

▪ Prompt ability to backfill for retiring employees to sustain the workforce.

▪ An increase in the skillset of water utility employees that would meet specific requirements in career advancement.

under this announcement for Project Area 4, Integrated learning laboratories in secondary educational institutions, may include, but are not limited to, the following:

▪ Increased student awareness about career opportunities in the water and wastewater sector as documented by program assessments on knowledge acquisition.

▪ Increased student involvement in programs that offer dual enrollment.

▪ An increased number of students entering the utility workforce or entering post-secondary training or education programs that support the water and wastewater utility workforce.

under this announcement for Project Area 5, Leadership development, occupational training, mentoring, or cross-training programs that ensure that incumbent drinking water and wastewater utility workers are prepared for higher level supervisory or management-level positions, may include, but are not limited to, the following:

▪ An increase in the number of internal promotions.

▪ An increase in candidate development opportunities that formally qualify incumbents to be considered for management and supervisory positions.

As part of the Project Narrative, an applicant will be required to describe how the project results will link the outcomes to the Agency’s Strategic Plan and to the goal to provide clean and safe water and increase workforce development opportunities for drinking water and wastewater utilities and increase public awareness of these workforce opportunities. In addition, applicants will have to describe their plan and approach for tracking and measuring their progress towards achieving expected outputs and outcomes. Additional information regarding EPA’s discussion of environmental results in terms of “outputs” and “outcomes” can be found at:

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf (see

EPA Order 5700.7, Environmental Results under Assistance Agreements).

F. Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for the awards expected to be made under this announcement is Section

1459E of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), as amended, (42 U.S.C. Section 300j-19e).

SDWA 1459E authorizes EPA to award grants to assist the development and use of innovative https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf activities relating to workforce development and career opportunities in the water utility sector, and to expand public awareness about water utilities and connect individuals to careers in the water utility sector.

SECTION II – AWARD INFORMATION

A. Amount of Funding

The total estimated amount of federal funding available under this announcement is approximately $1,000,000, depending on Agency funding levels, the quality of applications received, Agency priorities, and other applicable considerations. EPA expects each award to range from a minimum of $200,000 to no more than $500,000. Applicants may not request more than $500,000 in federal funding per application. Applications requesting more than $500,000 are not eligible and will not be reviewed. It is anticipated that up to five awards will be made under this announcement. While EPA expects to make up to five awards, there is no guarantee that this will be done, and EPA may award fewer awards based on the quality of applications received. Cooperative agreements funded under this announcement will have up to three-year project periods, depending on the amount requested and the overall size and scope of the project(s).

In appropriate circumstances, EPA reserves the right to partially fund applications by funding discrete portions or phases of proposed projects. If EPA decides to partially fund an application, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice any applicants or affect the basis upon which the application or portion thereof, was evaluated and selected for award, and therefore maintains the integrity of the competition and selection process.

EPA reserves the right to make no awards under this announcement or to make fewer awards than anticipated. While EPA intends to make awards in as many Project Areas as possible, the

Agency reserves the right to make more than one award in a Project Area and the right to make no awards in a Project Area. In addition, EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy and guidance, if additional funding becomes available. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months after the original selection decisions.

B. Type of Funding

It is anticipated that cooperative agreements will be funded under this announcement and that

EPA will have substantial involvement with the project work plan and budget. Although EPA will negotiate precise terms and conditions relating to substantial involvement as part of the award process, the anticipated substantial federal involvement may include the following:

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

2. Collaboration during performance of the scope of work, including participation in project activities, such as attending specific trainings.

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

4. Review and comment on tasks/deliverables and reports prepared under the cooperative agreement(s) (the final decision on the content of these reports rests with the recipient).

Section III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants under this competition are nonprofit professional or service organizations, nonprofit labor organizations, nonprofit community colleges, institutions of higher education, or other nonprofit training and educational institutions.3 Nonprofit organizations described in

Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in prohibited lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible to apply. For-profit organizations and individuals are not eligible to apply. EPA may ask applicants to demonstrate that they are eligible for funding under this announcement.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

No cost share or match is required under this announcement.

C. Threshold Eligibility Criteria

These are requirements that if not met by the time of application submission will result in the elimination of the application from consideration for funding. Only applications that meet all of these criteria will be evaluated against the ranking factors in Section V of this announcement.

Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration as a result of the threshold eligibility review will be notified within 15 calendar days of the ineligibility determination.

1. An applicant must meet the eligibility requirements in Section III.A of this announcement at the time of application submission.

2. Applicants must address one, and only one, of the five Project Areas listed in Section

I.B as the primary focus for their application. Applications that address more than one

Project Area as the primary focus will not be reviewed.

3. Under this competition, only one application can be submitted per applicant. If an

3Nonprofit organization, as defined by 2 CFR Part 200, means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative or other organization that: (1) is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable or similar purposes in the public interest; (2) is not organized primarily for profit; and (3) uses its net proceeds to maintain, improve and/or expand its operations. Note that 2 CFR Part 200 specifically excludes the following types of organizations from the definition of nonprofit organization because they are separately defined in the regulation: (i) institutions of higher education. Institutions of Higher Education are defined at 20 U.S.C. 1001. While not considered to be a non-profit organization(s) as defined by 2 CFR 200.70, public or nonprofit Institutions of Higher Education are, nevertheless, eligible to submit applications under this RFA applicant submits more than one application, EPA will contact them before the review process begins to determine which application(s) will be withdrawn. If the applicant is not able to communicate a decision within 48 hours of being contacted by EPA, EPA will accept the application received by Grants.gov first. Additional information regarding the one application per applicant requirement may be found in the FAQ document available at https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/innovative-water-infrastructure-workforce-development-program.

4. Applications for awards cannot request more than $500,000 in federal funds. Applications requesting more than $500,000 in federal funds will be rejected. Additional information regarding funding levels is available in Section II.A.

5. Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section IV of this announcement or else they will be rejected.

Where a page limit is expressed in Section IV.D.2 with respect to the Project Narrative, pages in excess of the page limitation will not be reviewed. Section IV.D.2 establishes a

15-page, single-spaced Project Narrative page limit.

6. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov as stated in Section IV of this announcement (except in the limited circumstances where another mode of submission is specifically allowed for as explained in Section IV) on or before the application submission deadline published in Section IV of this announcement. Applicants are responsible for following the submission instructions in Section IV of this announcement to ensure that their application is timely submitted.

7. Applications submitted after the submission deadline will be considered late and deemed ineligible without further consideration unless the applicant can clearly demonstrate that it was late due to EPA mishandling or because of technical problems associated with

Grants.gov or relevant System for Award Management (SAM)

(https://www.sam.gov/SAM/) system issues. An applicant’s failure to timely submit their application through Grants.gov because they did not timely or properly register in

SAM.gov or Grants.gov will not be considered an acceptable reason to consider a late submission. Applicants should confirm receipt of their application via e-mail with Hana

Abate at WaterWorkforceRFA@epa.gov within five business days after the submission deadline—failure to do so may result in your application not being reviewed.

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

Section IV. Application and Submission Information

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

Applicants, except as noted below, must apply electronically through Grants.gov under this funding opportunity based on the grants.gov instructions in this announcement. If an applicant https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/innovative-water-infrastructure-workforce-development-program https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/innovative-water-infrastructure-workforce-development-program https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:WaterWorkforceRFA@epa.gov https://www.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 OMS-ARM-

OGDWaivers@epa.gov or the address listed below in writing (e.g., by hard copy, email) 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 application 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, 2020, it is valid for any competitive or non-competitive application submission to EPA through December 31, 2020). Applicants need only request an exception once in a calendar year and all exceptions 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 https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:OMS-ARM-OGDWaivers@epa.gov mailto:OMS-ARM-OGDWaivers@epa.gov opportunity issued on December 1, 2020 with a submission deadline of January 15, 2021, the applicant would need a new exception to submit through alternative methods beginning

January 1, 2021. 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 VII 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 Unique Entity Identifier 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-OW-OWM-20-01, or the

Assistance Listing number that applies to the announcement (66.445), in the appropriate field and click the Search button.

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.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html…