FINAL FY20 SFL RFA 6.30.20.pdf

AGENCY:

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY,

REGION 4

TITLE:

2020 SOUTH FL GEOGRAPHIC INITIATIVE

ACTION: REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA)

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER (FON): EPA-R4-SFL-2020-01

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NO: 66.436

RFA OPENS: June 29, 2020 RFA CLOSES: August 7, 2020 ANTICIPATED DATE OF SELECTION: September 25, 2020 ANTICIPATED AWARD: 60 days after the selection and notification date

The closing date and time for receipt of applications is August 7, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) in order to be considered for funding. Application packages must be submitted electronically to the EPA through Grants.gov (www.grants.gov) no later than August 7, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. (ET) in order to be considered for funding.

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: This RFA solicits applications to fund South Florida Geographic Initiative projects for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Protection Program, Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative, Caloosahatchee Estuary, Indian River Lagoon, Florida Bay, and Biscayne Bay. This RFA is an open competition for applicants to apply for funding for projects meeting the goals and objectives under these programs and initiatives.

Note to Applicants: If you name subawardees/subgrantees and/or contractors in your proposal to assist you with the proposed project, pay careful attention to the information in the CONTRACTS and SUBAWARDS provisions.

FUNDING/AWARDS: The EPA Region 4 anticipates awarding approximately $3,000,000 in FY 2020 to approximately twenty proposals with funding ranging from $75,000 with a maximum of $325,000 per project to address the Priorities described in Section I of this announcement. The total amount of funding and number of awards depends on funding availability, the quality of proposals received, and other applicable considerations. If additional funding becomes available, the EPA may select and award additional projects under this announcement. Unless pre-award costs are specifically approved by the EPA, recipients should not incur project costs, including nonfederal match, until they receive an award offer from the

EPA.

https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses

CONTENTS BY SECTION

I. Funding Opportunity Description II. Award Information III. Eligibility Information IV. Proposal Submission Information V. Proposal Evaluation and Review Information VI. Award Administration Information VII. Agency Contacts VIII. Other Information (Appendices)

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description

The EPA’s Strategic Plan is consistent with the EPA’s current priorities for improving aquatic ecosystems, which focus on improving water quality and aquatic ecosystems to ensure the goals and objectives of the project meet the EPA goals and measures under this program. Applicants must explain in their proposal how their project will further theses current priorities.

The EPA also requires that grant applicants adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements (see the EPA’s Order 5700.7A1, Environmental Results under Assistance Agreements). Applicants must 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 goals and objectives described above.

A. South Florida Program Background

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) was created through Public Law 101- 605, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act of 1990. The Sanctuary includes 2,900 square nautical miles of nearshore waters and coral reefs extending from Biscayne Bay to the Dry Tortugas. Recognizing the critical role of water quality in maintaining Sanctuary resources, Congress directed the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Florida, in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to develop a Water Quality Protection Program (WQPP) for the Sanctuary. The Act directs the WQPP to develop corrective actions and compliance schedules to address point and nonpoint sources of pollution to maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Sanctuary.

This includes restoration and maintenance of a balance, indigenous population of corals, shellfish, fish and wildlife, and recreational activities in and on the water. In addition to corrective actions, the 1990 Act requires public participation developing and implementing the program.

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-09/documents/fy-2018-2022-epa-strategic-plan.pdf https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf

In 1998, the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) was established by Executive Order 13089 to lead U.S. efforts to restore and protect coral reef ecosystems. In October 2002, the USCRTF implemented a National Action Plan to conserve coral reefs. The Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI) characterizes the existing condition of the coral reef ecosystem; quantifies and characterizes the land-based sources of pollution, identifies how sources of pollution impact the coral reef; develops strategies to reduce the impact of land-based sources of pollution; and increases public awareness and understanding of the effects of land-based sources of pollution on water quality and coral reefs.

For FY20, Congress provided an additional $2,300,00 to the South Florida Program: $1,000,000 to monitor coral health in South Florida; and $1,300,000 to enhance water quality and seagrass monitoring in the Caloosahatchee Estuary, Indian River Lagoon, Florida Bay and Biscayne Bay, especially with respect to assessing the impact of Lake Okeechobee releases and Everglades Restoration Projects

This funding opportunity supports the Special Studies/Research component for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Protection Program, the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative and priorities identified in Biscayne Bay, Indian River Lagoon, Caloosahatchee Estuary, and Florida Bay. Examples of eligible Special Studies/Research program activities include: canal demonstration projects; stormwater demonstration projects; coral research;

endocrine disruptor impacts to marine fauna and flora; identifying and understanding cause/effect relationships of pollutants; developing effective remediation techniques for aquatic resources; addressing specific management questions and concerns; predictive models and monitoring tools; and overall improvement of our understanding of South Florida ecosystems.

B. Scope of Work to address the Priority Action Items

There are five Region 4 Priority Action Items identified below (priorities 1-5) that are addressed in the following report and website: Priority Action Items identified in Appendix 1: The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) Water Quality Protection Program Report to Congress, September 2013, (Additional priority items identified on pages 36-37). This report and web page provide applicants with additional information regarding priority action items, goals and objectives.

There are seven additional South Florida Geographic Initiative priorities included in the RFA (priorities 6 – 12) for coral health and geographic areas that include the Caloosahatchee Estuary, Indian River Lagoon, Florida Bay, Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys.

Applying the proposal evaluation criteria described in Section V., Project Evaluation and Review Information, competitive applications and proposals must address one or more of the priority action items(s) identified below and describe relevance to resource management in the South Florida ecosystem. Application amounts for Priority Action Items (1 – 12) range from $75,000 - $325,000.

Priority Action Items (1-5) – Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary https://southeastfloridareefs.net/ https://southeastfloridareefs.net/ http://ocean.floridamarine.org/FKNMS_WQPP/docs/wqpp/WQPP_Biennial_Report_to_Congress_2013.pdf http://ocean.floridamarine.org/FKNMS_WQPP/docs/wqpp/WQPP_Biennial_Report_to_Congress_2013.pdf http://ocean.floridamarine.org/FKNMS_WQPP/docs/wqpp/WQPP_Biennial_Report_to_Congress_2013.pdf

1. Improve Water Quality in Residential Canals (up to $150,000 per project) Demonstrate “test or prove” activities to improve water quality in the residential canal systems of the Florida Keys that may include pilot projects proving or testing feasibility or efficacy of innovative technologies; education and outreach program for Monroe County canal homeowners and marinas; impacts from seasonal sargassum; collecting bathymetric data; and monitoring to evaluate effectiveness of canal restoration techniques. Water quality results should be disseminated to the public as part of the outreach and education component. Innovative technologies or management practices identified must comply with all applicable regulations and water quality standards in effect in the Florida Keys.

2. Wastewater Shallow Injection Well Impacts (up to $325,000 per project)

Research/monitor central wastewater shallow injection wells in the Florida Keys to determine the impact to nearshore water quality of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Develop a study to determine if, and how, shallow injection well effluent travels through groundwater and surfaces in canals and nearshore waters. Project will identify pollutants, locations, quantify volume, movement and contribution to nearshore surface water degradation.

3. Non-municipal Wastewater Sources (up to $250,000 per project)

To identify an effective and economical approach to expand marina pump-out services in Monroe County. Develop strategies to evaluate the impacts from non-municipal sources (e.g., marine/RV sanitation devices) on centralized wastewater treatment systems; develop recommendations for modifying central wastewater systems to accept these sources and support expansion of pump-out infrastructure for marinas in Monroe County

4. Stormwater Pollutant Reduction Projects (up to $250,000 per project)

Investigate stormwater impacts from roads and paved surfaces to near-shore waters and/or residential canal systems that contribute to impaired water quality and ecological impacts.

Identify and demonstrate “test or prove” cost-effective innovative technologies and green infrastructure techniques to test and improve stormwater management and reduce water quality impacts from stormwater in the unique environment of the Florida Keys. The project or study shall include cost estimates for the construction and operation of the recommended best management practices and technologies. Recommended best management practices and technologies must comply with all applicable regulations and water quality standards.

5. Public Education and Outreach (up to $100,000 per project)

Environmental outreach projects that promote partnerships and increase environmental awareness and stewardship while providing the tools and skills necessary for public and government officials to protect and restore the coastal water quality and natural resources of the Florida Keys Ecosystem.

South Florida Geographic Initiative Priorities (6 – 12) – Caloosahatchee Estuary, Indian River Lagoon, Florida Bay, Biscayne Bay and Florida Keys.

6. Florida Reef Tract Coral Health (up to $325,000 per project)

Develop innovative techniques to treat or mitigate the effects of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) impacting half of the reef building coral species on the Florida Reef Tract. Projects may include: identifying and propagating coral species that have demonstrated resistance to SCTLD; on the ground coral restoration demonstration projects; developing techniques to promote resistance to SCTLD in affected coral species; developing management options for resource managers to mitigate coral disease impacts and prevent further spread of the disease;

development of strategies for future reef restoration projects; and identifying coral, environmental conditions and areas that have survived the disease for resilient qualities (potentially genetic) essential for incorporation into future reef restoration.

7. Harmful Algal Blooms in South Florida (up to $325,000 per project)

EPA recognizes the environmental and economic challenges many communities face from harmful algal blooms (HABs) in freshwater and coastal ecosystems. The Agency encourages research and development of tools and technologies that help promote scientific progress towards preventing, mitigating and reducing HABS such as red tide, microcystis/cyanobacteria and sargassum impacting beaches, canals and nearshore waters in priorities regions that include Florida Bay, Caloosahatchee Estuary, Biscayne Bay, Indian River Lagoon and the Florida Keys.

8. Water Quality and/or Seagrass Monitoring (up to $325,000 per project)

Enhance water quality and/or seagrass monitoring networks in targeted areas such as the Caloosahatchee Estuary, Indian River Lagoon, Biscayne Bay or Florida Bay to quantity environmental impacts from land-based pollution; assess changes of ecological conditions and functions; evaluate effectiveness of management actions; determine causes of seagrass decline and evaluate health, species, and composition; evaluate impacts from Lake Okeechobee management; or develop early detection pollutants or harmful algal blooms.

9. Aquatic Habitat Restoration in South Florida (up to $325,000 per project)

Within the South Florida ecosystem, oysters, seagrass, mangroves, and shoreline plants play a vital role supporting healthy and resilient estuaries, bays and nearshore waters by providing food, habitat, nutrient removal, water filtration, carbon storage and shoreline stabilization. EPA supports the design and of habitat projects to reestablish, rehabilitate or enhance oysters, seagrass, or mangroves by building local capacity and engaging community volunteers to protect and restore these living resources.

10. Reducing Trash in South Florida (up to $100,000 per project)

The EPA Trash Free Waters Program seeks trash removal from rivers, estuaries, wetlands and beaches through clean-up events, trash prevention and education. Land based trash of mostly plastic material is a threat to wildlife and human health as it travels from land to water and into the ocean as marine debris. Projects may include trash prevention focusing on management activities to reduce trash from entering waterways; trash removal programs that include regular, organized cleanup events to remove trash from priority areas; and educational/outreach campaigns that modify behavioral practices to reduce trash in Florida’s waterways.

11. Analyses of Water Quality Data (up to $150,000 per project)

Conduct alternative analyses or “mining” of the existing suite of water quality data and satellite imagery to determine if water quality improvements, hotspot areas, or specific sources contributing to water quality degradation can be determined. Consider incorporating other monitoring tools, such as satellite imagery, to provide additional information about regional trends.

12. Sponge Restoration Techniques (up to $325,000 per project)

Incorporate current knowledge of hardbottom sponge community filtration and recruitment dynamics in a study for improving water quality. Develop a pilot study to demonstrate and evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, prospects, and potential impact on ecosystem services, including water quality, of reestablishing sponge communities on benthic habitat and coral reefs impacted from disease, harmful algal blooms and storm events within the geographic area of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Florida Bay or Biscayne Bay.

The EPA encourages applicants to include partnerships that will support the priority or priorities addressed in their proposal. Please see Section V of this announcement for the evaluation criterion that addresses partnerships. As part of the evaluation, EPA will consider the mutual interests of each partner(s), how their involvement addresses the common goals of South FL Project Action Items, how partnering with these entities will achieve the goals of this project, and whether partners are contributing monetary and/or in-kind for the project.

C. The EPA’s Strategic Plan Linkage & Anticipated Outcomes, Outputs & Performance Measures

Pursuant to Section 6a of the EPA Order 5700.7, “Environmental Results under the EPA Assistance Agreements”, the EPA must link proposed assistance agreements to the Agency’s Strategic Plan. The EPA also requires that grant applicants and recipients adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements (see the EPA Order 5700.7, Environmental Results under Assistance Agreements.

1. Linkage to the EPA Strategic Plan: All applications and proposals must support the

EPA’s Strategic Plan

Goal 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment: Deliver real results to provide Americans with clean air, land, and water, and ensure chemical safety; Objective 2 “Provide for Clean and Safe Water” and Goal 2: More Effective Partnerships: Provide certainty to http://intranet.epa.gov/ogd/policy/order/5700.7.pdf states, localities, tribal nations, and the regulated community in carrying out shared responsibilities and communicating results to all Americans.; Objective 2: Enhanced Shared Accountability.

The special studies included in this announcement of the federal funding opportunity support the EPA’s 2018-2022 Strategic Plan Goals.

2. Outputs: The term “output” means an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product related to an environmental goal and objective that will be produced over a period of time or by a specific date. Outputs may be quantitative or qualitative but must be measurable during an assistance agreement funding period.

Examples of outputs for projects include:

- Evaluation of the effectiveness of efforts to reduce or eliminate sources of pollution and to evaluate progress toward achieving and maintaining water quality and protecting and restoring coral reef habitat and other living resources.

- Characterization of sources and causes of water quality impairment within a watershed that will allow the development of management/action/restoration plan(s).

- Preparation and timely delivery of quarterly and draft/final project reports that document results of the special study project.

Progress reports and a final report will also be a required output, as specified in Section VI(C) of this announcement, “Reporting Requirement”.

3. Outcomes: The term “outcome” means the result, effect, or consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes may be qualitative and environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature, but may be quantitative. They may not necessarily be achievable within an assistance agreement funding period.

Projects to be funded with this announcement are expected to produce outcomes related to the outputs identified in the application and scope.

Examples of expected outcomes that may occur because of the technical/scientific information generated by the special studies projects associated with this announcement include:

- Increase knowledge of managers and elected officials concerning negative impacts of pollutants on water quality and living biological resources, which should lead to the development and implementation of action plans that will reduce pollutant loading and result in the conservation of natural resources.

- Maintenance and/or improvement of water quality.

- Maintenance of health of seagrass beds.

- Restoration and/or maintenance of coral reef habitat.

- Reduce pollutant loading to inland, nearshore and coastal waters.

4. Performance Measures: The applicant should also develop performance measures expected to be achieved through the proposed activities and they should be described in the proposal. These performance measures will help gather insights and will be the mechanism to track progress concerning successful process and output and outcome strategies and will provide the basis for developing lessons to inform future recipients.

D. Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for this action is the Clean Water Act (Section 104(b)(3)), which authorizes the award of assistance agreements for Water Quality and Watershed Management:

Experiments, Studies, Surveys, Demonstrations and Investigations. A demonstration project must involve new or experimental technologies, methods, or approaches, where the results of the project will be disseminated so that others can benefit from the knowledge gained in the project.

A project that is accomplished through the performance of routine, traditional, or established practices, or a project that is simply intended to carry out a task rather than transfer information or advance the state of knowledge, however, worthwhile the project might be, is not a demonstration. This announcement supports the Water Quality Protection Program for the Florida National Marine Sanctuary and the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative.

Below are examples of eligible projects under Studies/Research and Public Education and Outreach:

- Examples of eligible Studies/Research include: identifying and understanding the cause and effects relationships of pollutants, transport pathways, and biological communities of the Sanctuary; developing effective remediation techniques for aquatic resources; addressing specific management questions and concerns; development of predictive models and monitoring tools; and overall improvement of our understanding of South FL ecosystems.

Projects will be evaluated on scientific merit which include background of the project, statement of the purpose, significance of the study, research question and design, methodology, project assumptions/limitations and anticipated findings.

- Examples of eligible Public Education and Outreach include increases public awareness regarding residential canal remediation; impacts of non-point source pollution; increasing awareness of South FL aquatic resources; citizen monitoring; distribution of Best Management Practices literature; solicitation of public participation to assist with implementation of FKNMS Water Quality and Protection Program corrective actions.

Section II. Award Information

A. Funding Amount: The total estimated funding expected under this competitive announcement is approximately $3,000,000. The range of funding is $75,000 with a maximum of $325,000 per grant award.

B. Rejection of Applications: The EPA reserves the right to reject all applications and make no awards under this announcement or make fewer than expected.

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

D. Number of Awards: The EPA anticipates awarding approximately twenty assistance agreements under this announcement ranging in value from approximately $75,000 to a maximum of $325,000 per grant award, subject to the availability of funds, quality of evaluated applications, and other applicable considerations.

E. Project Period: The EPA anticipates that for awards made under this RFA, projects will begin in October 2020. Proposed project/budget periods can range from one to three years for this funding announcement.

F. Funding Type: The funding for selected projects will be in the form of grants or cooperative agreements. The appropriate funding type and programmatic grant terms and conditions will be added to the grant award document. For most projects associated with the WQPP for the FKNMS, a cooperative agreement is the preferred funding mechanism. The principal purpose of the federal and non-federal relationship established by a cooperative agreement is the transfer of money to the recipient to accomplish a “public purpose” of support or stimulation; in addition, there will be substantial involvement between the EPA Region 4, the FKNMS Water Quality Protection Program and the recipient during performance of the activity with coordination and collaboration to achieve the goals under this program. The successful applicant will be expected to participate and present project updates at the FKNMS Water Quality Protection Program meetings annually. If necessary, include and identify travel funds in the budget to attend these meetings.

G. Additional Awards: The EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this RFA, consistent with Agency policy and guidance, if additional funding becomes available after (or at the time) original selections are made. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months after the original selection decisions.

Section III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligibility Entities:

In accordance with CFDA 66.436, applications will be accepted from States, local governments, territories, Indian Tribes, and possessions of the U.S. (including the District of Columbia); public and private universities and colleges; hospitals; laboratories; public or private nonprofit institutions; and intertribal consortia.

Non-profit organizations, 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 “non-profit organization” because they are separately defined in the regulation: (i) institutions of higher education; and (ii) state, local and federally recognized Indian tribal governments. While not considered to be a “non-profit organization(s)” as defined by 2 CFR Part 200, Institutions of Higher Education and state, local and federally recognized Indian tribal governments are, nevertheless, eligible to submit applications under this RFA.

For-profit organizations are not an eligible entity for this funding opportunity. Additionally, non-profit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible to apply.

B. Leveraging or Cost Sharing or Matching:

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

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

Leveraged funds and resources may take various forms as noted below.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=28186a88aecbce2d22e98b6390db2209&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5

2. Voluntary cost share is a form of leveraging. Voluntary cost sharing is when an applicant voluntarily proposes to legally commit to provide costs or contributions to support the project when a cost share is not required. Applicants who propose to use a voluntary cost share must include the costs or contributions for the voluntary cost share in the project budget on the SF-424. If an applicant proposes a voluntary cost share, the following apply:

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

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

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

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

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

C. Threshold Criteria

These are requirements that if not met by the time of proposal submission will result in elimination of the application from consideration for funding. Only proposals from eligible entities (see above) which meet all criteria will be evaluated against the ranking factors in Section V of this announcement. Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration based on the threshold eligibility review will be notified within 15 calendar days of the ineligibility determination.

1. Proposals must address one or more of the Priority Action Items listed in Section I.B and describe relevance to resource management in the South Florida ecosystem;

however, the total grant amount should not be more than $325,000.

2. Proposals must substantially comply with the proposal/applicant and submission information instructions and requirements set forth in Sections IV of this RFA or else they will be rejected. However, where a page limit is expressed in Section IV with respect to the proposal, pages in excess of the page limitation will not be reviewed.

3. Proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov as stated in Section IV of this RFA

(except in the limited circumstances where another mode of submission is specifically allowed for as explained in Section IV) on or before the proposal submission deadline published in Section IV of this RFA. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their proposal is timely submitted.

4. Proposals received 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 the EPA mishandling or because of technical problems associated with Grants.gov or relevant SAM.gov system issues. An applicant’s failure to timely submit their proposal through Grants.gov because they did not timely or properly register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov will not be considered an acceptable reason to consider a late submission. Applicants should confirm receipt of their proposal with Ms. Jennifer Shadle as soon as possible after the submission deadline – failure to do so may result in your proposal not being reviewed.

5. Applicants may submit multiple proposals under this announcement but each one must be for a different project. If an applicant submits more than one proposal for the same project, the EPA will review the first one received and any additional proposals for the same project will be deemed ineligible.

6. Proposals requesting more than $325,000 in Federal funding will be deemed ineligible.

Section IV. Application and Proposal Submission Information

Applicants must explicitly address the following sections as part of their proposal package submittal.

A. Proposal Information

To simplify the review process, obtain the maximum degree of comparison, and provide a fair and equitable evaluation of proposals, reviewers will rely on the content of the entire proposal for evaluation purposes. Therefore, it is important that all proposals are complete and substantially comply with the standard format as described in detail in this Section. For http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ completeness of your grant proposal, please refer to the Proposal Submission Checklist (Appendix A). In addition to the forms listed in Section IV.D., each proposal must consist of the following components below:

1. Proposal Cover Page (see Appendix B for a sample)

2. A one-page project proposal summary (single spaced)

3. Proposal (16-page maximum double spaced)

B. Format of Proposal

The proposal should be readable in PDF or MS Word and consolidated into a single file and include the information below in paragraphs 1-13. Please note that there is a page limit for the proposal (see below). In addition to addressing the components listed below, applicants should ensure their proposal also addresses the evaluation criteria listed in Section V of this solicitation.

The proposal must be no more than sixteen (16) double-spaced 8.5 x 11-inch pages (a page is one side of paper). The page limit does not include documents specifically excluded from the page limit as noted below. Pages should be consecutively numbered for ease of reading. It is recommended that applicants use a standard 12-point type with 1-inch margins and that applicants format their proposal as described below. Applicants are advised that readability is of paramount importance and should take precedence in selection of an appropriate font for use in the proposal. Additional pages beyond the 16-page limit will not be reviewed. If a single-spaced proposal is submitted, it will only be reviewed up to the equivalent of the 16-page double-spaced page limit for proposal proposals [eight (8) single-spaced pages are the equivalent of the 16-page double-spaced proposal page limit; any excess pages whether single or double spaced will not be reviewed].

Proposals that do not substantially comply with the criteria above may be deemed ineligible.

1. Introduction for Addressing the Priority Action Items

a. Situation, Need, and Previous Efforts - Discuss notable gaps in knowledge or capabilities, why the proposed project should be performed, review significant work by yourself or by others in the proposed area of interest (include reference citations).

b. Objective(s) - State what is to be studied, measured, observed, or developed, and the anticipated results. State hypotheses that the proposed special study is designed to test.

c. Applications, Benefits, and Importance - Describe how the anticipated results relate to the goals/objectives of the FKNMS Water Quality Protection Program or the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative, the expected benefits, and their utility.

2. Methods and Approach

d. Description of Major Tasks - Divide the proposed effort into a meaningful set of tasks that must be performed to accomplish the objective(s) and describe each task.

State the tasks in the same order as the hypotheses they are designed to test.

Experimental design must be described with statistical tests, if applicable, for hypotheses proposed.

e. Environmental Impact - State and explain any possible impact that your project will have on the environment, including the type and duration of such changes. List in as much detail as possible the number of samples and species needed for your study.

Document the need for sampling and objectively discuss potential impacts.

f. Future Efforts - If there are future efforts that should be performed in order for your project to be meaningful, or of major significance, please describe briefly the type, extent, and timing of those efforts. Is this a multi-year project? If possible, the individual parts (i.e., each year's effort) should stand alone.

3. Project Management

g. Administration - Describe the administrative responsibilities and authority of the Principal Investigator.

h. Roles/Assignments and Participation Time - Describe the team composition (including names and affiliations of key individuals) and the assignments of team members to major tasks. Provide specific estimates of the time (in hours, days, etc., not percent) that each member will work on the project.

4. Support Requirements and Conditions

i. Cooperation from Other Organizations - If a clearance or permit(s) from any government agency is required for execution of the project please provide the name of the agency, the method of obtaining the clearance or permit, and the time required or state "none".

j. Date or Facility Access - If access is required to data or facilities held by another organization, please identify the data or facility, the nature and type of access required, the methods of obtaining such access, and the effect of being denied access or state “none”.

5. Results/Outputs and Deliverables

Two types of reports are required from principal investigators.

k. Bi-Annual Reports - The principal investigator shall provide bi-annual progress reports to the Project Officer on March 30th and September 30th of each year. These reports will consist of updates on progress toward work objectives, justification, approach, results to date, any problems encountered, actions taken to resolve problems, discussion of remaining tasks, and expenditures to date.

l. Final Report - Principal investigators shall prepare a draft final report summarizing the objectives, methods, approach, results, and significance of the study.

The draft final report will be reviewed by the Project Officer and returned with comments. The principal investigator will address the comments and submit the final report with revisions. The final report will be due within six months of the completion of the project.

m. Deliverable Items and Schedule - Describe what items of data are to be delivered.

State the format in which data will be presented. Provide a schedule for all deliverables.

6. Environmental Results – Outputs, Outcomes, and Results

n. Outputs (project products) - List the outputs expected to be produced through the completion of the proposed project; Outcomes (project objectives) - List the outcomes of the project to be accomplished as a result of the project outputs; Link to the EPA Strategic Plan - Describe how project products (outputs) and objectives (outcomes) support the EPA’s 2018-2022 Strategic Plan.

o. Tracking Outputs and Outcomes - Describe your approach for measuring and tracking your progress toward achieving the expected project output(s) and project outcome(s). Environmental Results-Applicants will be evaluated based on their plan and approach for measuring their progress towards achieving the expected project outcomes and outputs including those identified in Section I. B. 2. within this announcement.

7. Literature Cited

References used in the proposal narrative.

8. Budget Summary

This section of the proposal is a detailed description of the proposed budget and must include a detailed itemized list and discussion of how the EPA funds will be used.

Applicants must itemize costs related to personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contractual costs, other direct costs, indirect costs, and total costs within this section of the proposal.

Appendix C provides information on the individual cost categories. Provide a detailed budget narrative describing funding for personnel, fringe benefits, travel expenses, equipment, supplies, contractual if applicable and other expenses.

9. Programmatic Capability and Past Performance

Submit a list of federally funded assistance agreements (assistance agreements include Federal grants and cooperative agreements but not Federal contracts) similar in size, proposal and relevance to the proposed project that your organization performed within the last five years (no more than 5 agreements, and preferably the EPA agreements) and describe (i) whether, and how, you were able to successfully complete and manage those agreements and (ii) your history of meeting the reporting requirements under those agreements including whether you adequately and timely reported on your progress towards achieving the expected outputs and outcomes of those agreements (and if not, explain why not) and whether you submitted acceptable final technical reports under the agreements. In evaluating applicants under these factors in Section V, the EPA will consider the information provided by the applicant and may also consider relevant information from other sources, including information from the EPA files and from current/prior grantors (e.g., to verify and/or supplement the information provided by the applicant). If you do not have any relevant or available past performance or past reporting information, please indicate this in the proposal and you will receive a neutral score for these factors (a neutral score is half of the total points available in a subset of possible points). If you do not provide any response for these items, you may receive a score of 0 for these factors.

In addition, provide information on your organizational experience and plan for timely and successfully achieving the objectives of the proposed project, and your staff expertise/qualifications, staff knowledge, and resources or the ability to obtain them to successfully achieve the goals of the proposed project.

10. Voluntary cost share/match and other leveraged funds (See Section III.B also)

Demonstrate how you will leverage additional funds/resources beyond the grant funds awarded to support the proposed project activities and how these funds/resources will be used to contribute to the performance and success of the proposed project. This includes but is not limited to funds and other resources leveraged from businesses, labor organizations, non-profit organizations, education and training providers, and/or Federal, state, tribal, and local governments, as appropriate. Describe the amount and type of leveraged resources to be provided, how you will obtain the leveraged resources, the likelihood the leveraging will materialize during grant performance, the strength of the leveraging commitment, and the role the leveraged resources will play to support the proposed project activities.

Selected applicants are expected to abide by their proposed leveraging commitments during grant performance and the failure to do so may affect the legitimacy of the award.

11. Distinguishing between Subawards v/s Contracts: Per 2 CFR 200.330 and the EPA Subaward Policy for EPA Assistance Agreement Recipients GPI-16-01:

Subawards: Pass-through entities (subrecipients) make subawards to other organizations to carry out a portion of the Federal award under terms that establish a financial assistance relationship to accomplish a public purpose that is authorized under a Federal program. Subrecipients only receive reimbursement for their actual direct or approved indirect costs such that they do not “profit” from the transaction and subrecipients are subject to the same Federal requirements as the pass-through entity. Subrecipients include Institutes of Higher Education and units of government or nonprofit originations;

units of government or intergovernmental agreements; and between nonprofit organizations for collaborative projects.

Subrecipients under Subawards are required to provide the awardee with progress reports, as outlined in the agreement, in order for the awardee to provide progress report to the awarding agency (the EPA).

Contracts: procurement contractors (including individual consultants) typically provide goods and services on commercial terms, operate in a competitive environment and a reasonable profit is allowable.

Applicants must compete contracts for services and products, including consultant contracts, and conduct cost and price analyses, to the extent required by the procurement provisions of the regulations at 2 CFR Part 200. Applicants are not required to identify subrecipients and/or contractors (including consultants) in their proposal/application. However, if they do, the fact that an applicant selected for award has named a specific subrecipient, contractor, or consultant in the proposal/application EPA selects for funding does not relieve the applicant of its obligations to comply with subaward and/or competitive procurement requirements as appropriate. Please note that applicants may not award sole source contracts to consulting, engineering or other firms assisting applicants with the proposal solely based on the firm's role in preparing the proposal/application.

Successful applicants cannot use subawards to avoid requirements in EPA grant regulations for competitive procurement by using these instruments to acquire commercial services or products from for-profit organizations to carry out its assistance agreement. The nature of the transaction between the recipient and the subrecipient must be consistent with the standards for distinguishing between vendor transactions and subrecipient assistance found at 2 CFR 200.330, the definitions of subaward at 2 CFR 200.92 and subrecipient at 2 CFR 200.93, and Appendix A to EPA’s Subaward Policy. EPA will not be a party to these transactions. Applicants acquiring commercial goods or services must comply with the competitive procurement standards in 2 CFR 200.317-326 and cannot use a subaward as the funding mechanism.

https://www.epa.gov/grants/grants-policy-issuance-gpi-16-01-epa-subaward-policy-epa-assistance-agreement-recipients https://www.epa.gov/grants/grants-policy-issuance-gpi-16-01-epa-subaward-policy-epa-assistance-agreement-recipients https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-02/documents/gmc_subaward_policy_appendix_a_subrecipient_v_contractor_distinction_0.pdf https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-02/documents/gmc_subaward_policy_appendix_a_subrecipient_v_contractor_distinction_0.pdf

12. Partnership with other entities

The EPA may not require applicants to partner with other entities, it can allow or even encourage such partnering and evaluate this during the competitive evaluation process by including a partnership criterion in the solicitation. Partnerships are awarded points based on the proposal evaluation criteria described in Section V., Project Evaluation and Review of the RFA.

Explain how this project meets the mutual interests of each partner(s), how their involvement addresses the common goals of South FL Project Action Items, how partnering with these entities will achieve the goals of this project, and whether partners are contributing monetary and/or in-kind for the project. Letters of support will also meet the partnership requirement; however, the letters must address the mutual interests and involvement in the project. Please attach your letters of support within the Attachments area. If you are addressing the partnership within the proposal/proposal only, then it must be included as part of the 16-page limit.

Applicants that do not plan on partnering with other agencies or groups should demonstrate how they will be able to effectively perform and complete the project without such partnerships.

13. Attachments (are not included as part of the 16-page proposal/proposal limit)

Not to exceed 13 total pages, attachments may be used to provide biographies and qualifications, technical backup material to the text, details of computation, and other pertinent information. Techniques or methodologies, if critical to the successful completion of the research, should be discussed in detail within the proposal text (16-page limit). Do not attach copies of any journal articles or other proposals to your submittal.

Letters of Support - Attach any letters of support from partners.

Biographies and Qualifications - Provide a brief biography for each team member that highlights education, experience, and publications related to the proposed project.

Curriculum vitae must not exceed one- page single space per person.

NOTE: Proposals that do not follow the required format may be deemed ineligible and not reviewed.

C. 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 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 https://www.grants.gov/ 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…