FY 2020 Radium Decontamination and Remediation NOFO - S20AS00007.pdf

March 10, 2020

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (NOFO)

Radium Decontamination and Remediation of Facilities at Land-Grant Universities

Impacted by the Former US Bureau of Mines

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• Federal Agency Name: The Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance (OEPC), Department of the Interior (DOI)

• Funding Opportunity Title: Radium Decontamination and Remediation of Facilities at Land Grant Universities Impacted by the US Bureau of Mines

• Announcement Type: Initial

• Opportunity Category: Discretionary

• Funding Opportunity Number: S20AS00007

• Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 15.982

• Dates: Applications must be submitted, no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, May 12, 2020.

• Application Submission Address: Application must be submitted at https://www.grants.gov.

• Funding Opportunity Description: OEPC seeks applications from eligible applicants for the cleanup of radiologic material at land-grant universities contaminated by radium by the actions of the former US Bureau of Mines.

• Anticipated Funding Amounts: In Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, OEPC anticipates that up to approximately $12,000,000 may be available to fund the remediation and cleanup.

• Funding Instrument Type: Grant.

• Eligible Applicants: Eligibility is limited to Institutions of Higher Education that meet specific conditions. (See Section C, Eligibility Information for details).

• Cost Sharing Requirements: Cost sharing is not required.

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Table of Contents

A. Program Description

B. Federal Award Information

C. Eligibility Information

D. Application and Submission Information

E. Application Review Information

F. Federal Award Administration Information

G. DOI Federal Awarding Agency Contact

FULL TEXT OF THE NOTICE

A. Program Description

The statutory authority for this one-time, competitive grant program comes from the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, Pub. L. 116-93, 133 Stat. 2317 (Dec. 20, 2019); and, Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977, Public Law 95-224.

The U.S. Department of the Interior, through the Central Hazardous Materials Fund (CHF) Program and the Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance (OEPC), is offering a one-time, competitive grant or grants that will fund radium decontamination and remediation of facilities located at any land-grant university that was contaminated by actions of the former United States Bureau of Mines. To be eligible, any receiving land-grant university must have been notified by Federal or state agencies that such contamination exceeds allowable levels for radium.

B. Federal Award Information

The Federal award information for the Radium Decontamination and Remediation Land- Grant universities proposal follows:

1. OEPC is soliciting applications for financial assistance for the FY 2020.

2. The funding mechanism for the Radium Decontamination and Remediation Land Grant

University proposal will be a grant. The total allocation for this competitive grant is estimated at $12,000,000.

3. Applicants may request funding up to $12,000,000.

4. Anticipated start dates will be based on OEPC funding schedule and timing of funding appropriations.

5. Each grant will be for a period of time consistent with the approved proposal but not to exceed five years from date of award.

6. Each recipient grantee may apply for non-funded extension of time, subject to approval by OEPC, as necessary to complete the work.

7. In accordance with 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 200 Section (§) 51, a Grant

Agreement creates an appropriate legal relationship between OEPC and the performing organization to carry out a public purpose authorized by a law of the United States [see

31 U.S.C. 6302, 6304]. OEPC or its designated representative reserves the right to remain involved during the course of the approved work.

8. Funding for this radium cleanup grant proposal is contingent upon availability of appropriations. In no event will OEPC be responsible for application preparation cost if this program fails to receive funding or is cancelled because of agency priorities.

Publication of this NOFO does not obligate OEPC or the Department of the Interior to award.

Proposals will not be accepted that constitute quality control or consumer evaluations for commercial products.

9. Pre-Applications. There are no pre-applications with this NOFO.

10. OEPC, or its designated representative, anticipates involvement under this competitive grant which may include one or more of the following areas:

a. Approval of the recipient’s proposal;

b. Review and approval of the recipient's progress reports;

c. Approval of specified key personnel; and

d. Concurrence in the substantive provisions of subawards.

C. Eligibility Information

The eligibility information for the Radium Decontamination and Remediation Land-Grant universities proposal are as follows:

1. Eligible Applicants.

a. Eligible applicants are limited to land-grant universities that were subjected to radium contamination by actions of the former United States Bureau of Mines and have been notified by Federal or state agencies that such contamination exceeds allowable levels.

b. Eligible applicants must provide proof of notification from a Federal or State Agency that radium contamination exceeds allowable levels as part of the grant application.

2. Eligible Applications.

a. Proposals must specifically include a statement affirming that the applicant will only use licensed service provider(s) to perform this radiologic cleanup and decontamination project to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

b. Proposals must include salaries, travel, equipment, materials, and services.

c. Proposals must include a statement that affirms any data produced under this award and any sub award(s) must be made available to the Government for public release, consistent with applicable law, to allow meaningful third party evaluation and reproduction of the following: (1) the scientific data relied upon; (2) the analysis relied upon; and (3) the methodology, including models used to gather and analyze data.

3. The OEPC requires recipients to maintain financial data to provide for the safeguard and accountability of Federal funds, to include written procedures for purchases, accounting system, cash management; and organizational structure in accordance with 2 CFR 200 § 303, Internal Controls, examples include the following:

a. Provide accurate, current, and complete financial information about Federal awards and, for subawards.

b. Maintain records that adequately identify the sources of funds for federally assisted activities and the purposes for which the award was used, including authorizations, obligations, unobligated balances, assets, liabilities, outlays or expenditures, and any program income. Accounting records must be supported by source documentation such as canceled checks, paid bills, payrolls, and time and attendance records.

c. Maintain effective control over and accountability for all cash, real and personal property, and other assets under the award; adequately safeguard those assets; and ensure that they are used only for authorized purposes.

4. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that proposed budget costs are allowable, allocable, and reasonable; in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Programs, 2 CFR 200 § 403; 200 § 404 and 200 § 405.

5. Applicants must have an accounting and payroll system maintained in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, at 2 CFR Part 200.

6. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing or matching is not required for the Radium

Decontamination and Remediation Land-Grant University competitive grant proposals.

7. Suspension and Debarment: Funds will not be awarded to any applicant that is presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily exclude from cover transactions by any Federal debarment or agency, or are presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a government entity.

No funds will be awarded to recipients who have within a three-year period preceding this proposal been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public (Federal, State, local) transaction or contract under a public transaction; violation of Federal or State antitrust statutes or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, and making false statements or receiving stolen property.

8. Federal Performance and Integrity System (FAPIIS): Prior to any award of Federal funds, the Federal award agencies will review and consider information about the applicant that is in Federal Performance and Integrity System FAPIIS. Applicants may review and comment on information about them in FAPIIS and the agency will consider any applicant comments in making award decisions; and address post-award grant reporting requirements and inform applicants about post-award FAPIIS reporting requirements, in accordance with 2 CFR 200 § 212(c)(5).

9. Conflicts of Interest Disclosures:

a. Applicability. Applicants must state in their application if any actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission, in accordance with 2 CFR 200 § 112 and the Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act apply under 2 CFR 1402 § 112.

1. This section intends to ensure that non-Federal entities and their employees take appropriate steps to avoid conflicts of interest in their responsibilities under or with respect to Federal financial assistance agreements.

2. In the procurement of supplies, equipment, construction, and services by recipients and by subrecipients, the conflict of interest provisions in 2 CFR 200 § 318 apply.

b. Requirements.

1. Non-Federal entities must avoid prohibited conflicts of interest, including any significant financial interests that could cause a reasonable person to question the recipient's ability to provide impartial, technically sound, and objective performance under or with respect to a Federal financial assistance agreement.

2. In addition to any other prohibitions that may apply with respect to conflicts of interest, no key official of an actual or proposed recipient or subrecipient, who is substantially involved in the proposal or project, may have been a former Federal employee who, within the last one (1) year, participated personally and substantially in the evaluation, award, or administration of an award with respect to that recipient or subrecipient or in development of the requirement leading to the funding announcement.

3. No actual or prospective recipient or subrecipient may solicit, obtain, or use non-public information regarding the evaluation, award, or administration of an award to that recipient or subrecipient or the development of a Federal financial assistance opportunity that may be of competitive interest to that recipient or subrecipient.

c. Notification.

1. Non-Federal entities, including applicants for financial assistance awards, must disclose in writing any conflict of interest DOI’s Financial Assistance Officer or pass-through entity in accordance with 2 CFR 200 § 112, Conflicts of Interest.

2. Recipients must establish internal controls that include, at a minimum, procedures to identify, disclose, and mitigate or eliminate identified conflicts of interest. The recipient is responsible for notifying the DOI’s Financial Assistance Officer in writing of any conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of the award, including those that have been reported by subrecipients.

d. Restrictions on Lobbying. Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under this grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR Part 18 and 31 USC 1352.

e. Procedures. The DOI Financial Assistance Officer will examine each conflict of interest disclosure on the basis of its particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or cooperative agreement, and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.

f. Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Government may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200 § 338, Remedies for Noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR Part 180).

10. Subawards: The award recipient must request and receive written approval from

DOI’s Financial Assistance Officer before any subawards can be made to a subrecipient. If the recipient is permitted to make subawards under this award, the recipient must execute a legally binding written agreement with the subrecipient.

This agreement must incorporate all the terms and conditions of your Award, including any Special Award Conditions, and must include the information at 2 CFR 200 § 331. The recipient must perform all responsibilities required of a pass-through entity, as specified in 2 CFR Part 200.

The recipient must evaluate and document each subrecipient’s risk of noncompliance with Federal statutes, Federal regulations, and the terms and conditions of the sub award for purposes of determining the appropriate subrecipient monitoring strategy, as described in 2 CFR 200 § 331(b).

11. Delinquency on Federal Debt: Any organization or individual that is indebted to the United States, and has a judgment lien filed against it for a debt to the United States, is ineligible to receive a Federal grant. Applicants are required to indicate in their applications if they are delinquent on any Federal debt. By signing the SF-424, the applicant is certifying that they are not delinquent on Federal debt in accordance with OMB Circular A-129 (Examples of relevant debt include delinquent payroll or other taxes, audit disallowances, guaranteed and direct student loans, benefits that were overpaid, etc.). If an applicant is delinquent on Federal debt, they should attach an explanation that includes proof that satisfactory arrangements have been made with the Agency to which the debt is owed.

If the applicant discloses a delinquency, DOI may not award the grant until the debt is satisfied or satisfactory arrangements are made with the agency to which the debt is owed. In addition, once the debt is repaid or satisfactory arrangements made, and it will continue to take that delinquency into account when determining whether the applicant would be responsible with respect to a DOI grant, if awarded.

Anyone who has been judged to be in default on a Federal debt and who has had a judgment lien filed against him or her should not be listed as a participant in an application for a DOI grant until the judgment is paid in full or is otherwise satisfied.

No funds may be re-budgeted following an award to pay such an individual. The DOI will disallow costs charged to awards that provide funds to individuals in violation of this requirement.

12. Mandatory Disclosures: The non-Federal entity or applicant for a Federal award must disclose, in a timely manner, in writing to the DOI awarding agency or pass-through entity all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the federal award (45 CFR 75.113). Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 45 CFR 75.371, including suspension or debarment. (See also 2 CFR parts 180 and 376, and 31 U.S.C. 3321). Submission is required for all applicants and recipients, in writing, to the awarding agency and to the DOI Office of Inspector General (OIG) all information related to violations of federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the federal award. Disclosures must be sent in writing to:

U.S. Department of the Interior Office Attention: Fraud Hotline 1849C Street NW Mail Stop 4428 Washington, D.C. 20240 Website: www.doioig.gov Phone Hotline: Toll Free 1.800.424.5081 Washington, D.C. area: 202.208.5300

13. In accordance with 2 CFR 200 § 300, applicants must comply with the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, 2 CFR 170.

14. Applicant's failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the time of an application deadline will result in the Federal awarding agency returning the application without review or, even though an application may be reviewed, will preclude the Federal awarding agency from making a Federal award.

15. Data Availability

a. Applicability. The Department of the Interior is committed to basing its decisions on the best available science and providing the American people with enough information to thoughtfully and substantively evaluate the data, methodology, and analysis used by the DOI to inform its decisions.

http://www.doioig.gov/

b. Use of Data. 2 CFR 200 § 315 applies to data produced under a Federal award, including the provision that the Federal Government has the right to obtain, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the data produced under a Federal award as well as authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data for Federal purposes.

c. Availability of Data. The recipient shall make the data produced under this award and any sub award(s) available to the Government for public release, consistent with applicable law, to allow meaningful third party evaluation and reproduction of the following: (1) the scientific data relied upon; (2) the analysis relied upon; and (3) the methodology, including models used to gather and analyze data.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package. The application is available at www.grants.gov under NOFO number S20AS00007.

2. Forms and Content of Application Submission. The application must contain the required forms and documents available on grants.gov:

a. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance, must be signed by an authorized representative of the applicant organization.

i. SF-424, Item 12, should list the NOFO number: S20AS00007.

ii. SF-424, Item 18, should list the total estimate budget amount to complete the project as defined in the application including the Federal amount requested and other funding sources being leveraged towards the project.

b. SF-424C, Budget Information – Constructions Programs

c. SF-424D, Assurances – Construction Programs

d. SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities or Lobbying Form, Certification

Regarding Lobbying.

e. Project Performance Site Locations(s), OMB Number 4040-0010

f. Project Abstract, OMB Number 4040-0010

g. Key Contacts Form, OMB Number 4040-0010

3. Application Format

a. Submissions. All applications must be submitted utilizing www.grants.gov.

b. Font. Use 12-pitch font and 1-inch margins.

i. Smaller type may be used in figures and tables but must be clearly legible.

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ii. Figures, Graphs, Images, and Pictures. Should be of a size that is easily readable or viewable and may be landscape orientation.

c. Page Limit. The page limit of the Application Package must not exceed a total of 30 pages.

The Technical Proposal for the application is limited to twenty (20) pages;

Required forms are excluded from the application package page count; and Resumes are limited to two pages and are also excluded from the

Application Package page count.

d. Page Size. 8 ½ inches by 11 inches

e. Application Language: English

f. Application Replacement Pages. Applicants may not submit replacement pages and/or missing documents once an application has been submitted. Any revisions must be made by submission of a new application that must be received by DOI by the submission deadline.

g. Pre-Applications. There are no pre-applications with this NOFO.

h. Cover Sheet. The cover sheet for the technical proposal should reference the

Radium Decontamination and Remediation Land-Grant University Funding Opportunity number S20AS00007.

i. Page layout. The Technical Proposal must be in portrait orientation.

j. Page Numbering. Number pages sequentially.

k. Table of Content. Include major sections and the corresponding page numbers.

4. Full Proposal. The full proposal must include the main documents and supplementary documents described below:

a. Technical Proposal. The Technical Proposal is a document of no more than 20 pages. It should describe in depth the scope of the proposal, its goals and objectives, experimental procedures, methodologies, its schedule, personnel working on the study their qualification and the instructional capabilities of the applicant.

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b. The Project Abstract. This is a concise summary/abstract of the proposed project’s decontamination and cleanup plan along with related health and safety plans and environmental review requirements. The project summary/abstract must contain a summary of the proposed activity suitable for dissemination to the public. It should be a self-contained document that identifies the name of the applicant, the project director/principal investigator(s), the project title, the objectives of the project, a description of the project, including methods to be employed, information to support environmental compliance review requirements, the potential impact of the project (i.e., benefits, outcomes), and major participants. The executive summary must not exceed one (1) single-sided page. The abstract does not count toward the page limit of the technical proposal.

c. Problems, Solutions and Technical Approach. This is a description of the projects and problem(s) proposed to be addressed. The proposed cleanup levels and applicable cleanup standards. This section should explain what solutions are needed to address problem, who would benefit from the solutions, and what the anticipated impacts are if the problems are solved. This section should also include a description of the technical approach that the applicant plans to employ to address the identified problems.

d. Statement of Work and Potential Impact of the Results. This is a complete statement of work to meet the technical approach that directly addresses the problems described in the Problems, Solutions and Impact Statement of the Technical Proposal. The statement of work must include a schedule of milestones for the overall project, the applicant’s plan to manage the project tasks, and metrics for measuring the success of the proposed efforts and potential impact of the results.

e. Qualifications and Experience of Key Personnel and Resources Availability-

This is a description of the qualifications, proposed roles, and level of planned effort of the project participants, including the proposed role of the lead project manager, the project management team, key personnel and staff. A description of the Applicant’s access to the necessary equipment and facilities to accomplish the proposed objectives should be included.

f. Stakeholder Coordination and Involvement. This is a description of the communication and outreach to engage with for example but not limited to Agreement/Non-Agreement State, members of the public and interested parties.

g. Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The grant awarded pursuant to this announcement will be of Federal funds, thereby necessitating review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Applicants should include a description of how they intend to comply with NEPA requirements in their application.

h. Budget Narrative—This is a detailed breakdown of each of the object class categories as reflected on the SF-424 C (This does not count toward the page limit of the Technical proposal). The budget justification should address all of the budget categories for which Federal funds are requested. The written justification should include the necessity and the basis for the cost. Proposed funding levels must be consistent with the project scope, and only allowable costs should be included in the budget. Information on allowable cost is available in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 CFR 200 and Financial Assistance Interior Regulation at 2 CFR 1402.

i. Administrative and Legal Expenses--At a minimum, the budget justification for all personnel should include the following: name, job title, commitment of effort on the proposed project in terms of average number of hours per week or percentage of time, salary rate, total direct charges on the proposed study, description of the role of the individual on the proposed project and the work to be performed.

j. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement--If indirect costs are included in the proposed budget, provide a copy of the approved negotiated agreement if this rate was negotiated with a cognizant Federal audit agency. If the rate was not established by a cognizant Federal audit agency, provide a statement to this effect. Neither OEPC nor OSMRE negotiates indirect cost agreements. Alternatively, in accordance with 2 CFR 200 § 414(f) applicants that have never received a negotiated indirect cost rate may elect to charge indirect to an award pursuant to a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct cost (MTDC), in which case a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement is not required. Indirect agreements will not be negotiated by OSMRE or OEPC. Applicants proposing a 10 percent de minimis rate pursuant to 2 CFR 200 § 414(f) should note this election as part of the budget and budget narrative portion of the application. In addition to these requirements, applicants must also meet the provisions of 2 CFR 1402.414, with respect to deviations on negotiated indirect cost rate.

5. Application Submission must completely address the following:

a. The applicant must have written measurable goals for the project.

b. Background information must provide a comprehensive description of the relevance of the project.

c. The remediation proposal should demonstrate that they have considered the best possible decontamination and cleanup options available with a high probability of success.

d. The Applicant must have a plan to address radiological surveys, confirmatory surveys, site access controls and, health and safety plans for the project.

e. If the total project costs include in-kind donations of services or materials, the applicant must provide the documentation that these service or materials are properly valued in accordance with 2 CFR 200 § 306.

f. Identification of Proprietary Information: technical data or other data (i.e., trade secrets, confidential financial or commercial information), or other privileged information which the applicant prefers to withhold from public disclosure or use by DOI for any purpose except for proposal evaluation may be included in this application. To protect confidential data, each page must be specifically identified indicating each paragraph or line that contains confidential data the applicant wishes to protect.

6. The following costs could be allowable under a Radium Decontamination and Remediation Land-Grant University competitive grant if they are necessary and reasonable for the project:

a. Award, Inspection, and Administrative costs directly associated with the approved project, such as financial and program administration of the grant, preparing reports, traveling to the project site for monitoring purposes, and supply and laboratory costs for sampling and analysis.

b. Pre-and post-construction monitoring of an approved project.

c. The post-construction monitoring must not require an extension of the performance period of your grant.

d. In accordance with 2 CFR. 200.403; Factors Affecting Allowability of Costs, 200.404, Reasonable Costs, and 200.405, Allocable Costs, the non- Federal entity is responsible for ensuring that costs charged to a projects are allowable, allocable, and reasonable.

7. The following costs are not allowable under a Radium Decontamination and

Remediation Land-Grant University proposal:

a. Overhead.

b. Liability insurance.

c. Public relations.

d. Project groundbreakings and dedications.

e. Payments to an organization or individual that owes the Federal government money or is in violation of Federal regulations.

f. Equipment.

g. Design Costs.

8. Information that successful applicants must submit after notification of DOI to make a Federal award, but prior to a Federal award.

A unique entity identifier or DUNS number and System for Award Management (SAM). Unless the applicant is an individual or Federal awarding agency that is exempt from the requirements under 2 CFR 25 § 11(b) or (c) or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR 25 § 110(d) all recipients are required to: (i) be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during with it has an active Federal award or an allocation or plan under consideration by the Federal warding agency. Registration instructions are at www.sam.gov or www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html.

9. Submission Dates and Times:

a. To ensure consideration in the current fiscal year, applications must be received at www.grants.gov, no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, May 12, 2020.

Applications submitted after this deadline will not be reviewed or considered.

b. Review of Applications, selection of successful applicants, and award processing is expected to be completed approximately 60 – 120 days after the end of the review process.

10. Web Site www.grants.gov Application Submission and Receipt Procedures:

This section provides the application and submission instructions for OEPC’s program applications. Please read the following instructions carefully.

http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html

a. Electronic Delivery

DOI is participating in the grants.gov initiative to provide the grant community with a single site to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. DOI requires applicants to submit their applications online through www.grants.gov.

b. How to register to apply for a DOI competitive grant through the website www.grants.gov.

Read the instructions below about registering to apply for DOI funds. Applicants should read the registration instructions carefully and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process. Reviewing and assembling the required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information.

Organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number, active System for Award Management (SAM) registration, and Grants.gov account to apply for grants. If individual applicants are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity, then you may begin with step 3, Create a Grants.gov Account, listed below.

Creating a Grants.gov account can be completed online in minutes, but DUNS and SAM registrations may take several weeks. Therefore, an organization’s registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact the entity’s ability to meet required application submission deadlines.

Complete organization instructions can be found on Grants.gov here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html.

1. Obtain a DUNS Number: All entities applying for funding, including renewal funding, must have a DUNS Number from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). Applicants must enter the DUNS Number in the data entry field labeled “Organizational DUNS” on the SF-424 form. For more detailed instructions for obtaining a DUNS Number, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain- duns-number.html.

2. Register with SAM: All organizations applying online through

Grants.gov must register with the System for Award Management (SAM). Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through Grants.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually. For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register- with-sam.html.

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3. Create a Grants.gov Account: The next step is to register an account with Grants.gov. Follow the on-screen instructions or refer to the detailed instructions here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html.

4. Add a Profile to a Grants.gov Account: A profile in Grants.gov corresponds to a single applicant organization the user represents (i.e., an applicant) or an individual applicant. If you work for or consult with multiple organizations and have a profile for each, you may log in to one Grants.gov account to access all of your grant applications. To add an organizational profile to your Grants.gov account, enter the DUNS Number for the organization in the DUNS field while adding a profile.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html.

5. EBiz POC Authorized Profile Roles: After you register with

Grants.gov and create an Organization Applicant Profile, the organization applicant’s request for Grants.gov roles and access is sent to the EBiz POC. The EBiz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) role, thereby giving you permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the organization. You will be able to submit your application online any time after you have been assigned the AOR role. For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html.

6. Track Role Status: To track your role request, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html.

7. Electronic Signature: When applications are submitted through www.grants.gov, the name of the organization applicant with the AOR role that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. The EBiz POC must authorize people who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as a user with the AOR role; this step is often missed and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

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c. How to Submit an Application to DOI via www.grants.gov. Applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different web forms within an application. For each notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) announcement, you can create individual instances of a workspace.

Below is an overview of applying on www.grants.gov. For access to complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html.

1. Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

2. Complete a Workspace: Add participants to the workspace to work on the application together, complete all the required forms online or by downloading PDF versions, and check for errors before submission.

The Workspace progress bar will di splay the state of your application process as you apply. As you apply using Workspace, you may click the blue question mark icon near the upper-right corner of each page to access context-sensitive help.

3. Adobe Reader: If you decide not to apply by filling out web forms you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace. The individual PDF forms can be downloaded and saved to your local device storage, network drive(s), or external drives, then accessed through Adobe Reader. NOTE: Visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software at:

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

4. Mandatory Fields in Forms: In the forms, you will note fields marked with an asterisk and a different background color. These fields are mandatory fields that must be completed to successfully submit your

5. Complete SF-424 Fields First: The forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant name, address, and DUNS Number. Once it is completed, the information will transfer to the other forms.

6. Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the close date to provide you with time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.

7. Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application.

The number will be listed on the Confirmation page that is generated after submission. Using the tracking number, access the Track My Application page under the Applicants tab or the Details tab in the submitted workspace.

8. For additional training resources, including video tutorials, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html.

d. Applicant Support: The web site, www.grants.gov provides applicants 24/7 support via the toll-free number 1.800.518.4726 and email at support@grants.gov. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact the number listed in this application.

e. If you are experiencing difficulties with your submission, it is best to call the grants.gov Support Center and get a ticket number. The Support Center ticket number will assist your organization with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

f. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission:

1. Online Submission. All applications must be received by 11:59 p.m.

Eastern Time on the due date established for each program. Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by www.grants.gov. An electronic date/time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by www.grants.gov. The applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of their application. This applicant with the AOR role will also receive the official date/time stamp and Grants.gov Tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission.

When OSMRE successfully retrieves the application from Grants.gov, https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:support@grants.gov and acknowledges the download of submissions, Grants.gov will provide an electronic acknowledgment of receipt of the application to the email address of the applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application. Again, proof of timely submission shall be the official date and time that Grants.gov receives your application. Applications received by Grants.gov after the established due date for the program will be considered late and will not be considered for funding by

OSMRE.

Applicants using slow internet, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that transmission can take some time before Grants.gov receives your application. Again, Grants.gov will provide either an error or a successfully received transmission in the form of an email sent to the applicant with the AOR role attempting to submit the application. The Grants.gov Support Center reports that some applicants end the transmission because they think that nothing is occurring during the transmission process. Please be patient and give the system time to process the application. Late applications will neither be reviewed nor considered.

2. NOFO Amendments. Any amendments to this NOFO will be announced through www.grants.gov. Applicants may sign up on www.grants.gov to receive amendments notification e-mails.

For further information or questions regarding applying for the Radium Decontamination and Remediation Land-Grant University S20AS00007 announcement, contact Yetunde Richardson by phone at (202) 208-2766 or by e-mail at yrichardson@osmre.gov.

E. Application Review Information

1. EVALUATION CRITERIA:

The review criteria are designed to enable the review panel to assess the quality of a proposed study and determined the likelihood of its success. Review criteria are outlined below with specific detail and scoring points:

Criterion 1: NEED ASSESSMENT (25 point) Items under this criterion address Problems, Solutions and Technical Approach of the proposal.

The extent to which:

1. The documentation supports the assertion that the Applicant is on the http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ javascript:__doPostBack('ctl00$ctl00$body$homebody$RecentDocuments$C$RecentDocumentsControl$RecentDocumentResults$ctl00$DocumentNumberLink','') mailto:yrichardson@osmre.gov approved US Department of Agriculture list of land-grant universities.

2. The documentation provided shows radium contamination exceeding allowable levels as evidenced by laboratory and radiological survey reports.

3. The proposed study will address specific environmental, health and, or safety impacts related to radium contamination that is known to currently exist at the site.

4. The proposed project is governed by one or more Federal or state cleanup law or regulations (Please provide citations).

Criterion 2: METHODOLOGY AND WORK PLAN (40 POINTS) Items under this criterion address the Statement of Work and Potential Impact of the

Results section of the proposal.

The extent to which:

1. The project description and statement of work are thoroughly discussed, detailed, and logically sequenced.

2. The proposed decontamination and cleanup activities of radium contamination will be performed by a licensed service provider that possesses the required expertise in the assessment, monitoring and, cleanup of radiologic material.

3. The proposal addresses all technical variables that could reasonably be expected.

4. Is the proposed time frame appropriate for the stated scope of work?

Criterion 3: IMPACT/BENEFITS (20 POINTS)

Item under this criterion address the Statement of Work and Potential Impact of the Results.

1. The proposal includes a project design that will comply with applicable environmental laws, including but not limited to cleanup requirements under CERCLA and, or its equivalent.

2. The proposal addresses all technical variables that could reasonably be expected to impact success.

Criterion 4: RESOURCES/CAPABILITIES (10 POINTS)

1. The roles and responsibilities are clearly defined for each of the primary participants in the proposal.

2. Each entity participating in the decontamination and cleanup of radiological material has the ability to deliver the services, and otherwise meet the needs of the project.

3. The applicant is able to implement and fulfill the requirement of the proposed project based the resources availability.

4. The applicant has broad based support, technical expertise, and, consultants to complete the project.

c. Criterion 5: FINANCIAL SUPPORT REQUESTED (5 POINTS)

The SF-424 C, Budget Information – Construction Programs, an itemized budget form, along with the budget justification components of the budget narrative, are being used in the review of this section. Together, these documents will provide the reviewers with the information to determine the reasonableness of the requested support.

1. The budget justification clearly documents how and why each line item request supports the goals and activities of the proposed project.

2. The estimated cost to the government of proposed activities appears reasonable.

2. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

a. Proposals, reports, documents and other information related to applications submitted to DOI and/or relating to financial assistance awards issued by DOI will be reviewed and considered by Federal employees or by non-Federal personnel who have entered into nondisclosure agreements covering such information, when applicable.

b. Initial Screening of all Financial Assistance Applications. All applications received in response to this NOFO will be reviewed to determine whether they are eligible, complete, and responsive and aligned with the respective program objectives and research grant areas as described in the Program Description.

Applications determined to be ineligible, incomplete, and/or non-responsive based on the initial screening will be eliminated from further review. However, DOI, in its sole discretion, may continue the review process for an application that is missing non-substantive information that can easily be rectified.

c. Completeness. Full Review of Eligible, Complete and Responsive Applications. All applications that are determined to be eligible, complete, and responsive will proceed for full reviews in accordance with the review and selection processes set forth below for each of the respective programs.

d. Timeliness. Applications received by Grants.gov after the established due date for the program will be considered late and will not be considered for funding by

DOI.

e. Threshold Screening. DOI will screen applications and proposals for the adequacy of the budget and compliance with program requirements.

i. DOI may request that the applicant modify objectives or work plans and provide supplemental information.

ii. DOI also reserves the right to reject an application where information is uncovered that raises a reasonable doubt as to the responsibility of the applicant.

iii. DOI may select some, all, or none of the applications, or part(s) of any particular application.

iv. The final approval of selected applications and issuance of awards will be the OEPC Director, Headquarters, Washington, DC.

f. DOI reserves the right to negotiate the budget costs with the applicants that have been selected to receive awards, which may include requesting that the applicant remove certain costs.

3. MERIT REVIEW EVALUATION, REVIEW, RANKING AND

RECOMMENDATION

a. At least three impartial reviewers, knowledgeable in the subject matter of this

NOFO and its objectives, will evaluate each application based on the evaluation criteria.

b. While every application will have at least three reviews, applications may have differing numbers of reviews if specialized expertise is needed to evaluate the application. The reviewers may discuss the applications with each other, but scores will be determined on an individual basis, not as a consensus.

c. Each reviewer will assign individual scores to each criterion for each application.

d. The scores provided by each reviewer for each application will then be combined to form a composite score for each application, which serves as the basis for the relative ordering or ranking of applications.

e. DOI may select some, all, or none of the applications, or part(s) of any particular

4. SELECTION FACTORS

a. The Merit Review Panel Lead will compile and recommend applications for award based upon the relative ordering ranking of the applications.

b. The Selecting Official must prepare a Recommendation Memorandum for the Approving Official, which demonstrates that the evaluation and selection process was compliant with the procedures published in the NOFO.

c. The Approving Official may approve funding based on the Recommendation

Memorandum however, application may be awarded out of rank order based on one or more of the following selection…