ej-cps-rfa-2021_final_v2_3.2.21.pdf

-1-

AGENCY: U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)

Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ)

TITLE: Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS)

Cooperative Agreement Program

ACTION: Request for Applications (RFA)

FUNDING NO.: EPA-OP-OEJ-21-02

ASSISTANCE NO.: 66.306

DATES: ANNOUNCEMENT DATE: March 2, 2021 CLOSING DATE: May 7, 2021

Translations available: To receive a Spanish translation of this announcement, contact Jacob Burney in the Office of Environmental Justice at (202) 564-2907 or via email at burney.jacob@epa.gov. Please note that applications must be written in English only.

Applications written in languages other than English will not be considered for award.

Hay traducciones disponibles de este anuncio en Español. Si usted esta interesado en obtener una traduccion de este anuncio en Español, por favor llame a La Oficina de Justicia Ambiental conocida como “Office of Environmental Justice,” linea gratuita (1-800-962-6215).

DEADLINE: Application packages must be submitted by May 7, 2021 at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) through Grants.gov. Applications received after the closing date and time will not be considered for funding.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working to improve the environment and public health conditions of low-income communities and communities of color through the advancement of racial equity and environmental justice. This funding announcement supports the priorities detailed in President Biden’s Executive Order 13985 titled Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government and Executive Order 14008 titled Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. EPA continues to make effective responses to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the climate crisis top priorities. To address these multiple crises, this announcement places emphasis on projects focusing on COVID-19 impacts, as well as climate and disaster resiliency. EPA continues to make effective responses to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the climate crisis top priorities. To address these multiple crises, this announcement prioritizes projects focusing on COVID-19 impacts, as well as climate and disaster resiliency. The Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement Program provides funding to support community-based organizations in their efforts to collaborate and partner with local stakeholder groups (e.g., local businesses and industry, local government, medical service providers, and academia) as they develop community-driven solutions that address environmental and/or public health issues for underserved communities. For purposes of this announcement, the term “underserved community” refers to a community with environmental justice concerns and/or vulnerable populations, including people of color, low income, rural, tribal, indigenous, and homeless populations. Eligible projects must demonstrate use of the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Model to support their collaborative efforts during the project mailto:burney.jacob@epa.gov https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad

-2-period. Applying organizations should have a direct connection to the underserved community impacted by the environmental harms and risks detailed in the workplan. The long-term goals of the EJCPS Program are to help build the capacity of communities with environmental justice concerns and to create self-sustaining, community-based partnerships that will continue to improve local environments in the future. See Appendix A for information on applying to this opportunity.

FUNDING/AWARDS: The total estimated funding for this competitive opportunity is approximately $3,200,000. EPA anticipates awarding a total of twenty cooperative agreements of approximately $160,000 each within the 10 EPA Regions, subject to availability of funds, the quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations. Funded assistance agreements will have a two-year project period. Applicants should plan for projects to start October 1, 2021.

Note - prior to naming a contractor (including consultants) or subrecipient in your application as a “partner”, please carefully review Section IV.d, “Contracts and Subawards” of EPA’s Solicitation Clauses that are incorporated by reference in Section V.E of this announcement. EPA reserves the right to increase or decrease the total number of grants awarded or reject all applications and make no awards under this announcement. Such changes may be necessary as a response to the quality of applications received by EPA or the amount of funds available.

IS THE EJCPS PROGRAM RIGHT FOR MY ORGANIZATION’S PROJECT?

Before you read further into this Request for Applications (RFA), you need to first determine which program – the EJ Collaborative Problem Solving Program (EJCPS) which is the subject of this RFA or the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program (EJSG) which is issued separately -to apply for. Be aware, an applicant can receive a grant under only one of these programs – not both – so you should only apply for one of them. The RFAs for the EJSG and EJCPS are being released at the same time, but to increase accessibility and diversity among recipients, an applicant can only receive one of these grants under these FY 21 competitions. While an applicant can apply under either one or both of these opportunities, they can only receive one award, and if an applicant is tentatively identified for selection under both of them they will be notified that they will have to decide which award they want. Therefore, applicants need to think carefully about which program better lines up with their capacity and the scope of the project you will be proposing. Both programs promote the use of collaborative partnerships in addressing local environmental and/or public health issues, but they are very different.

In short, EJCPS is designed for organizations that are more established and familiar with federal grants, while EJSG funding, under the other competition, is designed for organizations that are: 1) just starting out, 2) have smaller staffs and operating budgets, and/or 3) have never received a federal grant before. The following chart may be helpful in deciding which competition(s) to apply for:

https://www.epa.gov/environmental-justice/environmental-justice-collaborative-problem-solving-cooperative-agreement-0 https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-small-grants-program

-3-

EJ SG EJCPS

Grant – no substantial EPA involvement (Semi-annual Reports, some Programmatic Terms and Conditions)

Cooperative Agreement – has substantial EPA involvement (Semi-annual Reports, monthly conference calls, and additional Programmatic Terms and Conditions)

Partnerships – need to develop and implement a plan to build, maintain, and sustain partnerships. Note that any financial transactions with partners that involve EPA funds are subject to the requirements described in EPA’s Solicitation Clauses that are incorporated by reference in Section IV of this announcement.

Partnerships – must have established partnerships demonstrated through submission of three signed Memoranda of Agreement from different stakeholder groups. Note that any financial transactions with partners that involve EPA funds are subject to the requirements described in EPA’s Solicitation Clauses that are incorporated by reference in Section IV of this announcement.

Project Purpose - to form collaborative partnerships, educate the community, develop a comprehensive understanding of the local environmental and/or public health issues, and identify ways to address these issues at the local level

Project Purpose - to address an existing local environmental and/or public health issue. To expand beyond community education to include more substantive activities (e.g. training, monitoring, experiments, etc.) that further address the issue(s).

Project Performance Measures – must link project performance measures to the following OEJ Program Performance Measures:

• Empowered Communities

• Stakeholder Consensus

Project Performance Measures – must link project performance measures to the following OEJ Program Performance Measures:

• Empowered Communities

• Stakeholder Consensus

• Environmental Results

• Sustainability

For more information about the EJSG and the EJCPS Programs visit OEJ’s Web site at: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-grants-funding-and-technical-assistance

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: For this competition, EPA may give special consideration to high ranking applications that focus on the following program priorities:

1) Public Education, Training, Emergency Planning, and/or Investigations on Impacts of COVID-19 on Underserved Communities and Vulnerable Populations– EPA may give special consideration to projects that address the impacts that the current COVID-19 pandemic has on vulnerable populations. Applicants may use funding to conduct public education, training, outreach, investigations and/or develop plans and programs to specifically work on mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 on EJ communities. Applicants are encouraged to develop innovative plans and processes to conduct effective outreach to underserved communities in the midst of social-distancing and local stay-at-home orders, especially in places where internet access may not be readily available to all residents. To qualify for this special consideration, applications must address the impacts of COVID-19 through eligible activities (see Section I.) Examples of eligible activities include (but are not limited to) 1) sharing information related to EPA-approved disinfectants to combat COVID-19 (List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2), 2) addressing https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-grants-funding-and-technical-assistance https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-grants-funding-and-technical-assistance https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

-4-underserved residents’ increased exposure to in-home pollutants and healthy housing issues as an unintended consequence of local stay-at-home orders, and 3) training of community health workers as community educators for environmental justice communities. NOTE:

EJSG funds cannot be used for Human Health Studies, including taking blood or other medical information from humans.

2) Projects addressing Climate, Disaster Resiliency, and/or Emergency Preparedness – The effects of climate change and extreme weather events tend to adversely impact the most vulnerable communities and populations disproportionately. Therefore, EPA may give special consideration to projects that address the needs of underserved and vulnerable communities that have been adversely impacted or are likely to be adversely impacted by natural disasters, including, but not limited to, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and future pandemics.

3) New applicants and grantees - High ranking applicants who have never received an EPA EJCPS award may receive additional consideration during the selection process in order to broaden the universe of EJCPS grantees.

The special considerations listed above will only be considered as “other factors,” in addition to the scoring criteria in Section V, in making selection decisions. Section V of this RFA shows additional other factors that may be considered during the selection process. The selection official may consider any (or all) of these “other factors” or none at all in making selection decisions.

PLEASE NOTE: All eligible organizations are encouraged to apply under this competition.

While EPA may give special consideration to projects related to COVID-19, Climate/Disaster Resiliency, and from new applicants/grantees as further explained in Section I, community projects focusing on other community needs are also allowed and encouraged under this competition.

CONTENTS BY SECTION

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

A – Tips on Preparing an EJ Grant Application B – Visual Illustration of EJCPS Model C – Blank Logic Model Template D – Logic Model Guide – What each Category Means E – Example Completed Logic Model F – Blank Itemized Budget Sheet Template G – Example Completed Itemized Budget Sheet

H – Quality Assurance Project Plan Questionnaire

-5-

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION (back to Contents by Section)

A. DEFINITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

EPA defines “environmental justice” as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Fair treatment means that no one group of people, including racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic groups, should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, municipal, and commercial operations or the execution of federal, state, local, and tribal environmental programs and policies. Meaningful involvement means that: (1) potentially underserved community residents have an appropriate opportunity to participate in decisions about a proposed activity that will affect their environment and/or health; (2) the public’s contribution can influence the regulatory agency’s decision; (3) the concerns of all participants involved will be considered in the decision-making process; and (4) the decision-makers seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially underserved. An “underserved community”, for the purposes of this competition, refers to a community with environmental justice concerns and/or vulnerable populations, including people of color, low income, rural, tribal, indigenous and homeless populations that may be disproportionately impacted by environmental harms and risks and has a local environmental and/or public health issue that is identified in the applicant’s application.

B. BACKGROUND & EJ COLLABORATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING MODEL

The purpose of the EJCPS Program is for EPA to provide financial assistance to support community-based organizations to collaborate and partner with other stakeholders (e.g., local businesses and industry, local government, medical service providers, academia, etc.) to develop solutions that will significantly address environmental and/or public health issue(s) at the local level. The program’s objective is to support projects that demonstrate the utility of the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Model. Because this program requires substantial involvement and interaction between the applicant and EPA, these awards will be made in the form of cooperative agreements. See Section II.B of this solicitation for more details on cooperative agreements.

For the purposes of the EJCPS Program, collaborative problem-solving is defined as an effort to bring together groups and resources (e.g., information, labor, money) by three or more stakeholders to solve a set of problems that any single entity cannot solve individually. Collaborative problem-solving builds upon existing community understanding to establish and maintain partnerships capable of producing meaningful environmental and/or public health results. To provide a systematic approach towards collaborative problem-solving, OEJ has developed a Collaborative Problem-Solving Model (Model). Such a Model is intended to assist vulnerable and underserved communities in developing proactive, strategic, and visionary approaches to address their environmental justice issues and achieve community health and sustainability.

Collaborative problem-solving also involves developing a well-designed strategic plan with a built-in evaluation component to measure and achieve results on local environmental and/or public health issues and to sustain the partnerships. These elements are cross-cutting and interdependent and should be utilized in a proactive, strategic, and iterative manner. Determining

-6-which elements to undertake, and in what order, can vary greatly, however, depending upon the unique facts and circumstances surrounding each environmental and/or publ ic health issue. Not all the elements are required to be used in every situation. Rather, the CPS Model and its seven elements can be viewed as a “tool box” filled with different tools that can be used as needed. The seven elements are as follows:

1. Issue Identification, Visioning, and Strategic Goal-Setting;

2. Community Capacity-Building and Leadership Development;

3. Development of Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships and Leveraging of Resources;

4. Consensus Building and Dispute Resolution;

5. Constructive Engagement with Other Stakeholders;

6. Sound Management; and

7. Evaluation

For additional information about OEJ’s CPS Model, please see follow the link below:

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-06/documents/cps-manual-12-27-06.pdf

A key starting point for any collaborative problem-solving project is the identification of an environmental and/or public health issue and the community’s leadership in formulating goals (e.g., diesel reduction, lead abatement, reducing high incidence of asthma, land use changes, pollution prevention, implementation of fish advisories, hazardous waste, emissions reduction, risk reduction, community cleanups, or compliance with local environmental and/or public health regulations, etc.). Collaborative problem-solving involves the establishment and/or maintenance of partnerships between and among other stakeholders and the underserved community to address the community’s local environmental and/or public health issues.

These partnerships can include, but are not limited to the following stakeholder groups:

• Other local community-based non-profit organizations;

• Local, regional, and national environmental non-profit organizations;

• State, local, and tribal governments;

• Federal government agencies;

• Health care providers;

• Faith-based organizations and local churches;

• Philanthropic organizations;

• Civic organizations;

• Local economic and/or community development corporations/organizations;

• Educational institutions (e.g. schools, colleges, and universities);

• State, local and tribal government agencies;

• Local Businesses and Industry;

• Elected officials (you may not use Federal grant funds or cost-sharing funds to conduct lobbying activities); and

• Labor and professional organizations.

TYPES OF PROJECTS - The EJCPS Program has funded a wide range of projects and project types over the years that address local environmental and public health concerns through collaborative partnerships. All proposed projects should include activities designed to engage, educate, and empower communities to understand the local environmental and public health issues https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-06/documents/cps-manual-12-27-06.pdf

-7-and to identify ways to address these issues at the local level. Types of projects the EJCPS program has funded in the past include, but are not limited to, the following:

Air Quality & Asthma Water Quality & Sampling Food Access to reduce vehicle travel and fuel emissions Stormwater Issues & Green Infrastructure Lead contamination Pesticides and other Toxic Substances Healthy Homes Illegal Dumping Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Resiliency Environmental Job Training Youth Development through Environmental Education

To find the latest information about the EJCPS program visit the following link:

https://www.epa.gov/environmental-justice/environmental-justice-collaborative-problem-solving-cooperative-agreement-0

Full Project Summaries of past projects dating back to the year 2007 are also available at the link above.

All projects considered for funding under this announcement must include a work plan. All work plans should include strategies for addressing local environmental and public health issues, educating and empowering the community about those issues, and approaches to building consensus and setting community priorities. In addition, the work plan should demonstrate collaboration with other stakeholders (e.g., other community-based organizations, environmental groups, businesses, industry, federal, tribal, state and local governments, and academic institutions) in an effort to realize project goals and objectives and build project sustainability leading to on-going efforts that address the local environmental justice issue(s).

Virtual EJ Grantee Training Workshop – During the two-year project period, all EJCPS recipients will be required to attend a virtual EJ Grantee Networking and Training Workshop hosted by their nearest EPA regional office. Each EPA regional office will schedule and develop the agenda for their own workshop. The networking workshop is designed to: 1) connect current EJ grant recipients with past recipients and community partners, 2) assist all community stakeholders with strategic planning for their communities, 3) facilitate grantees accessing additional resources and 4) provide general project management and federal grant guidance.

EJ Grant Applicant Database - The EJ grant program strives to support as many community-based organizations that apply to our EJ grant opportunities as possible, regardless of their ultimate success in receiving a grant, by 1) familiarizing applicants with federal grant application requirements, 2) sharing expectations and responsibilities of managing federal grants, 3) providing constructive feedback and recommendations on ways to strengthen unselected applications, 4) helping organizations build sustainability into projects so they continue to grow and develop after the project period is over, and 5) facilitating connections with other potential resources that can help organizations address community needs. To facilitate the achievement of these immediate goals, all applicants who apply to the 2021 opportunity will be added to our EJ Grant Applicant https://www.epa.gov/environmental-justice/environmental-justice-collaborative-problem-solving-cooperative-agreement-0 https://www.epa.gov/environmental-justice/environmental-justice-collaborative-problem-solving-cooperative-agreement-0

-8-

Database. The database helps the Environmental Justice program identify and work with additional underserved communities outside the context of our grant awards.

C. QUALIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL STATUTES

The EJCPS Program is designed to address multi-statute environmental and/or public health issues.

For this reason, each project must include activities related to at least one of the following federal environmental statutes. Failure to clearly and conclusively identify and cite at least one of the federal statutes in your work plan may result in your project not being considered for award.

1. Clean Air Act, Section 103(b)(3): conduct research, investigations, experiments, demonstration projects, surveys, and studies (including monitoring) related to the causes, effects (including health and welfare effects), extent, prevention, and control of air pollution.

2. Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3): conduct and promote the coordination of research, investigations, training, demonstration projects, surveys, and studies (including monitoring) relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of water pollution.

3. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20(a): conduct research, development, monitoring, public education, training, demonstration projects, and studies on pesticides.

4. Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, Section 203: conduct research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstration projects, surveys, and studies relating to the minimizing or ending of ocean dumping of hazardous materials and the development of alternatives to ocean dumping.

5. Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442(b)(3): develop and expand the capability to carry out a program (that may combine training, education, and employment) for occupations relating to the public health aspects of providing safe drinking water.

6. Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001(a): conduct and promote the coordination of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstration projects, surveys, public education programs, and studies relating to solid waste (e.g., health and welfare effects of exposure to materials present in solid waste and methods to eliminate such effects).

Please note that applications supporting brownfields work or that include extensive clean-up activities beyond the need for a demonstration/experiment/training are not eligible for funding under this announcement.

7. Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10(a): conduct research, development, monitoring, public education, training, demonstration projects, and studies on toxic substances.

Eligible Project Activities - To be eligible for funding, an EJCPS project must consist of activities that fall within the terms of at least one of the above statutory grant authorities. Projects can

-9-address multiple statutes and include multiple eligible activities. The following is a list of the types of activities which may be considered for funding under this solicitation. It is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not all inclusive. Applicants can propose other activities as long as they fall within at least one of the statutory authorities listed above. Under this solicitation, applicants may submit COVID-19 related projects or general non-COVID-19 EJCPS projects as further discussed below.

• research

• public education

• demonstration projects

• training

• monitoring

• development

• investigations

• surveys and studies

• experiments

NOTE: EJCPS activities must relate to gathering or transferring information or advancing awareness. Applications should emphasize this “learning” concept, rather than trying to “fix” an environmental problem using a well-established method. All the eligible activities listed above promote learning and understanding and are acceptable activities. Examples of unacceptable grant applications involve performing: large-scale clean-ups, treatments, routine recycling services, and major disposal and/or energy recovery projects.

For projects that will support demonstration activities, the project must involve new or experimental technologies, methods, or approaches; where the results of the project will be shared so that others can benefit from the knowledge gained. A project that is accomplished through the performance of routine, traditional, or well-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. The applicant must clearly explain in the application how the technologies, methods, or approaches used are new or experimental and how the project otherwise meets the requirements of a demonstration as described in this RFP. If your project uses technologies, methods or approaches that have been used previously in other geographic areas and/or business sectors, then your application must include an explanation as to how your demonstration project is different from such prior projects and is a true demonstration. You must also explain what will be learned from the demonstration project. If your project is truly a demonstration and complies with other eligibility factors, then it will be considered for funding. Remember, your project doesn’t have to include demonstration activities. But if it does, then those activities must comply with the details listed above.

1. Examples of Potentially Eligible EJCPS Projects related to COVID-19

This is not an exhaustive list of project examples and is provided for illustrative purposes only to help applicants as they develop their applications. Types of COVID-19 projects include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. Development of public education and community outreach programs for underserved communities and vulnerable populations focusing on EPA-approved disinfectants (List

-10-

N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2) for combating COVID-19 virus outbreaks, as well as education activities related to COVID-19 vaccine information.

Outreach may include activities performed by and training for community health workers to share information about approved disinfecting chemicals, how to properly use them to mitigate viral outbreaks, and educational information about COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine safety. Outreach may also include training materials to best protect vulnerable residents who work in the environmental services fields that clean hospitals and manage trash removal within communities (i.e., hospital cleaning staff and sanitation workers). NOTE: EPA funds cannot be used to administer COVID- 19 vaccines to humans.

b. Public awareness programs addressing reducing childhood lead exposures and reducing exposure to asthma triggers in COVID-19 impacted communities with environmental justice concerns and/or vulnerable populations. Projects may include the use or examination of blood lead level data and/or research activities to identify effective ways to provide outreach and education to the public about causes and prevention of lead exposure and asthma, as well as ambient and indoor air quality issues within a community; and assessments that examine the impacts that COVID-19 has had on lead exposures and asthma triggers.

c. Projects focusing on food insecurity issues exacerbated in communities heavily impacted by COVID-19. Projects may include the development of urban agriculture and workforce training programs; planning and education related to demonstration gardens and raised garden beds; development of partnerships between local farmers markets, grocers, and/or school districts to identify potential food waste solutions and/or planning related to food access programs for underserved residents and students.

d. Healthy Homes campaigns to promote and share information about in-home environmental and health hazards that may increase vulnerability due to extended periods indoors due to local stay-at-home orders because of COVID-19, especially for residents in multi-family housing, sub-standard housing, and/or trailer park settings.

2. Examples of General EJCPS Projects

EJCPS projects can address a range of different environmental and public health issues unrelated to COVID-19 including climate and disaster resiliency. See the list below for general examples of EJCPS projects. This is not an exhaustive list:

a. Development of emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency plans and programs for underserved communities and vulnerable populations to minimize the exposure to pollutants in the event of a natural disaster. Disasters tend to disproportionately impact communities of color, low-income, rural, elderly, and youth populations. Disasters include but are not limited to hurricanes, tornadoes, coastal flooding, oil spills, wildfires, and earthquakes. Projects should address and/or prepare communities for the increases in pollution that can result from these and other disasters.

b. Research, assessment, and/or study of air quality issues related to living close to

-11-transportation networks (e.g., railroads, railyards, ports, heavily trafficked roadways) in the local area, especially in areas where data may be limited.

c. Assessment of nonpoint or point source releases of waterborne pollutants in underserved communities and the creative approaches used for mitigation;

d. Establishment of collaborative and coordinated efforts, processes or procedures, and communication strategies between neighborhoods and communities with local governments regarding ongoing projects and initiatives at local levels to maximize use of local resources and reduce duplication of efforts.

NOTE: For all of the above described activities, reasonable costs to encourage program participation (e.g. training and/or childcare stipends, rebates for disinfectants) may be allowable with prior EPA approval to the extent provided for in EPA’s Interim Guidance on Participant Support Costs.

D. EPA STRATEGIC PLAN LINKAGE & ANTICIPATED OUTPUTS, OUTCOMES

& PERFORMANCE MEASURES:

This announcement supports key priorities of the Biden-Harris Administration as detailed in Executive Order 13985 signed by President Biden on January 20, 2021 titled, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, and Executive Order 14008 signed by President Biden on January 27, 2021 titled Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. Specifically, the projects selected under this announcement will support the federal government’s efforts to advance racial equity, climate concerns, and support for underserved communities.

Pursuant to Section 6a of EPA Order 5700.7, “Environmental Results under EPA Assistance Agreements,” (see https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements). EPA must link proposed assistance agreements to the Agency’s Strategic Plan.

EPA’s Strategic Plan 2018 - 2022 is available at https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan The activities to be funded under this announcement are intended to further EPA’s current priorities for:

• EPA’s Strategic Plan 2018 - 2022 Goal 2 (More Effective Partnerships); Objective 2.2 (Increase Transparency and Public Participation) which states that EPA will: “Listen to and collaborate with impacted stakeholders and provide effective platforms for public participation and meaningful engagement…EPA will meet community needs through public participation and will build community capacity through grants, technical assistance, partnering, and meaningful engagement.”

Applicants should explain in their application how their project will further Goal 2; Objective 2.2.

(Increase Transparency and Public Participation).

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-09/documents/interim_guidance_on_participant_support_costs.pdf https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-09/documents/interim_guidance_on_participant_support_costs.pdf https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan

-12-

EPA Order 5700.7 also requires that grant applicants adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved 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.

1. Outputs (Evaluation Criteria, Section V.A) The term “output” means an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product related to an environmental goal and objective that will be produced or provided over a period of time or by a specified date.

Outputs may be quantitative or qualitative but must be measurable during the funding period. Application narratives should address the specific output measures related to the proposed project.

Examples of possible output measures for awards under this competition include, but are not limited, to:

The number of residents reached through a public outreach campaign for underserved communities sharing the most up-to-date information on EPA-approved disinfectants effective against COVID-19

The number of residents and/or health workers trained to reduce resident exposure to environmental/public health hazards that may lead to worse outcomes in humans infected with COVID-19 (e.g., number of residents tested for lead poisoning or asthma)

The number of residents or workers who receive specific training to mitigate an environmental/public health hazards (e.g., number of residents trained on safe shellfish harvesting)

Number of community assessments performed, and tools developed to measure air quality issues

The number of samples collected and related to waterborne pollution from nonpoint or point sources and their significance.

The number of homes/residents/communities reached or impacted by an environmental/public health program (e.g., number of homes that undergo an at-home lead assessment).

The number of homes assessed for specific environmental/public health hazards

A survey tool for collecting data from residents for a community assessment of environmental/public health hazards.

The number of resident participants in a survey to identify and prioritize environmental/public health needs of a community.

-13-

2. Outcomes (Evaluation Criteria, Section V.A.) The term “outcome” means the result, effect or consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity that relates to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature; must be quantitative; and may not necessarily be achievable within an assistance agreement funding period. Additionally, outcomes should be organized by expected time period (short-term, intermediate, and long-term). Short-term outcomes refer to changes in knowledge or attitudes and usually occur during the project period. Intermediate outcomes refer to changes in behaviors and actions due to the knowledge acquired and are usually measured within several months after the end of the project. Long-term outcomes refer to changes in conditions and are measured a year or several years after project completion. Short-term, intermediate, and long-term outcomes are related and build on one another. EPA encourages recipients to identify outcomes wherever possible because they lead to environmental and/or public health improvement more clearly than outputs. Using the previously listed output (creation of a community-wide indoor air monitoring program), There are examples of possible outcomes:

Examples of possible outcome measures expected to result from awards under this competition include but are not limited to:

The percentage increase of households in a local underserved area who have increased knowledge and understanding of EPA-approved disinfectants effective against COVID-19, how to use them, and where to get them.

The reduction of waterborne pollutants in local waterbodies and/or increase in fish populations.

The ongoing communication to the underserved communities resulting in measurable risk reduction in a specific media and communities’ participation directly in that risk reduction.

1. Short-term (change in knowledge) - Increase in number of residents that know about indoor asthma triggers (during project)

2. Intermediate (change in behavior) - Increase in number of residents that install and routinely check their home indoor air monitor (6 - 12 months after project)

3. Long-term (change in conditions) – Reduction in asthma rates among community residents (2+ years after project)

3. Performance Measurement Plan (Evaluation Criteria, Section V.A.) Applicants should describe how they plan to track and monitor their project performance and progress throughout the project period. Outputs and outcomes are critical components of an applicant’s overall plan for measuring their project’s performance. An applicant will be evaluated on the quality of their overall performance measurement plan including the proposed outputs, outcomes, and associated timeframes for achieving those results.

Generally, higher quality logic models and performance measurement plans include specific target metrics where possible for both outputs and outcomes. An applicant’s performance measurement plan will help gather insights, will be the mechanism to track

-14-successful progress, output and outcome strategies, and will provide the basis for developing lessons learned to inform future recipients. A logic model is useful in developing an overall performance measurement plan. See Appendices C and D for a sample logic model template.

The following questions are also useful to consider when developing output and outcome measures of quantitative and qualitative results:

1. What are the measurable short term and longer term results the project will achieve?

2. How does the project measure progress in achieving the expected results (including outputs and outcomes) and how will the approach use resources effectively and efficiently?

3. Are the projected outputs and outcomes specific and detailed? Did I include specific target measures where possible? Are my target measures reasonable and achievable within the project period and for the funding amount?

II. AWARD INFORMATION (back to Contents by Section)

A. FUNDING AVAILABILITY AND PROJECT PERIOD

Total estimated funding expected to be available for awards under this competitive opportunity is approximately $3,200,000 contingent on the availability of funds, the quality of applications, and other applicable considerations. Cooperative agreements are fully funded at time of award.

B. NUMBER OF ANTICIPATED AWARDS

EPA anticipates issuing twenty (20) awards nationwide, with two awards expected for each EPA region. Each award is not expected to exceed $160,000. Proposed projects are for two years.

Applicants should plan for an estimated project period start date of October 1, 2021.

The awards for selected projects will be in the form of cooperative agreements because the EJCPS program requires substantial involvement and interaction between the applicant and EPA. EPA will negotiate the precise terms and conditions of “substantial involvement” as part of the award process. Federal involvement may include: close monitoring of the recipient’s performance to verify the results proposed by the applicant; collaboration during the performance of the scope of work; in accordance with 2 CFR 2 CFR 200.317 and 2 CFR 200.318, as appropriate, review of proposed procurements; reviewing qualifications of key personnel; and/or review and comment on the content of printed or electronic publications prepared. EPA does not have the authority to select employees or contractors employed by the recipient. The final decision on the content of reports rests with the recipient

All awards are subject to availability of funds, the quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations. EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy, if additional funding becomes available after the original selections. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months

-15-from the date of the original selections. In addition, EPA reserves the right to increase or decrease the total number of cooperative agreements awarded or reject all applications and make no awards under this announcement. Such changes may be necessary as a response to the quality of applications received by EPA or the amount of funds available. In appropriate circumstances, EPA reserves the right to partially fund applications by funding discrete portions or phases of proposed projects. If EPA decides to partially fund an application, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice any applicants or affect the basis upon which the applicant or portion thereof, was evaluated and selected for award, and therefore maintains the integrity of the competition and selection process.

For a listing of EPA’s ten regions and the states for which they are responsible, please see Section VII of this solicitation.

C. PROJECT PERIOD

The estimated project period for awards resulting from this solicitation is two years, from October 2021 to October 2023.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION (back to Contents by Section)

A. Eligible Entities based on CFDA. In accordance with Assistance Listing 66.306 an eligible applicant must be one of the following:

• incorporated non-profit organizations—including, but not limited to, community-based organizations, grassroots organizations, environmental justice networks, faith-based organizations and those affiliated with religious institutions;*

• US Territories

• Tribal governments, must be either federally-recognized or state-recognized – including Alaska Native Villages; OR

• Tribal organizations

* Applicant organizations claiming non-profit status must include documentation that shows the organization is either a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization as designated by the Internal Revenue Service; OR a non-profit organization recognized by the state, territory, commonwealth or tribe in which it is located. For the latter, documentation must be on official state government letterhead.

Applicants must be located within the same state, territory, commonwealth, or tribe in which the proposed project is located. This means that an applicant’s registered address of record (i.e.

the address designated on their IRS or State-sanctioned documentation) must be in the same state, territory, commonwealth or tribe as the location of the proposed project. All projects must be located within the Unites States and its territories.

-16-

The following entities are INELIGIBLE to receive an award under this competition, but we encourage applicants to partner with these organizations, as appropriate (see Contracts and Subawards solicitation clause):

• colleges and universities;

• hospitals;

• for-profit businesses;

• state and local governments and their entities;

• quasi-governmental entities (e.g., water districts, utilities)*;

• national organizations and chapters of the aforementioned organizations**;

• non-profit organizations supporting lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995; and***

• Individuals

* Generally, a quasi-governmental entity is one that: (1) has a close association with the government agency, but is not considered a part of the government agency; (2) was created by the government agency, but is exempt from certain legal and administrative requirements imposed on government agencies; or (3) was not created by the government agency but performs a public purpose and is significantly supported financially by the government agency.

** National organizations are defined as comprising of one centralized headquarters or principal place of business that creates and controls the mission, structure and work carried out by its chapters or affiliates.

*** Funds awarded under this announcement may not be used to support lobbying activities or any activities related to lobbying or the appearance thereof. Subawards made to nonprofit organizations that lobby are not allowed.

B. THRESHOLD ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

These are requirements that, if not met by the time of application submission, will result in elimination of the application from consideration for funding. Only applications from eligible entities (Section III) that meet all of these criteria will be evaluated against the ranking factors in Section V. Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration because of the threshold eligibility review will be notified within 15 calendar days of the ineligibility determination.

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

However, where a page limit is expressed in Section IV with respect to the application workplan, pages in excess of the page limitation will not be reviewed.

In addition, initial applications must be submitted through Grants.gov as stated in Section IV of this announcement (except in the limited circumstances where another mode of submission is specifically allowed for, as explained in Section IV) on or before the application submission deadline published in Section IV of this announcement.

https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses#contractssubawards https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses#contractssubawards http://www.sam.gov/

-17-

Applicants are responsible for following the submission instructions in Section IV of this announcement to ensure that their application is timely submitted.

2. Applications submitted after the submission deadline will be considered late and deemed ineligible without further consideration unless the applicant can clearly demonstrate that it was late due to EPA mishandling or because of technical problems associated with Grants.gov or relevant SAM.gov system issues. An applicant’s failure to submit their application through Grants.gov because they did not timely or properly register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov will not be considered an acceptable reason to consider a late submission.

DO NOT WAIT! Register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov as soon as possible. Finalizing these registrations could take a month or more. You do not want a late registration to prevent you from being able to properly and timely submit your application through Grants.gov.

Applicants should confirm receipt of their application with Jacob Burney, burney.jacob@epa.gov, as soon as possible—failure to do so may result in your application not being reviewed.

3. Qualified Environmental Statutes: Projects must include activities related to at least one of the Qualified Environmental Statutes listed under Section I.C.