EPA-GM-2021-MiST_EPA_R4_06_01.pdf

U.S. EPA GULF OF MEXICO DIVISION

Healthy and Resilient Gulf of Mexico 2021 Request for Applications

Federal Agency Name: Environmental Protection Agency Funding Opportunity Title: Multiple; see below Announcement Type: Request for Applications Funding Opportunity Number: Multiple; see below Assistance Listing: 66.475

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.

KEY DATES: All dates listed below are tentative.

June 1, 2021 RFA Posted June 1, 2021 Please review the recorded webinar, Q&A, and the helpful hints for developing an application, posted at www.epa.gov/gulfofmexico before submitting questions. If the answer needed is not already included in the Q&A, please submit questions to GMP-RFP@epa.gov. Q&A will be updated weekly if new questions are received.

August 6, 2021 Applications due to the Gulf of Mexico Division at 11:59pm ET October 5, 2021 Anticipated Notification of Selection February 4, 2022 Anticipated Award

SUMMARY: This Request for Applications (RFA) solicits applications from eligible entities for grants and/or cooperative agreements to be awarded. These awards will improve water quality, habitat, community resilience, and environmental education in the Gulf of Mexico watershed within the Continental United States (see individual funding opportunities for geographic specifications). For a list of projects funded by the Gulf of Mexico Division (GMD) under previous RFAs, please see the EPA Gulf of Mexico story map. EPA is seeking applications for projects within the four funding opportunities listed below, each of which has a separate Funding Opportunity Number (FON) and is separately posted on www.grants.gov. Applicants must apply for the specific funding opportunity they are interested in. The four funding opportunities and associated FONs are:

• Improving Community Health through Microbial Source Tracking (Refer to Sec. I.E.1) o FON: EPA-GM-2021-MiST o Approximately $1,500,000 for 3 to 5 projects

• Trash Free Waters – Preventing More, Picking Up Less (Refer to Sec. I.E.2) o FON: EPA-GM-2021-TFW o Approximately $4,000,000 for 8 to 16 projects

• Building Community Resilience Through the Reduction and Prevention of Nonpoint Source Pollution (Refer to Sec. I.E.3) o FON: EPA-GM-2021-NPS o Approximately $2,000,000 available for 4 to 6 projects

• STEM Career Development for High School Aged Youth (Refer to Sec. I.E.4) https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses http://www.epa.gov/gulfofmexico mailto:GMP-RFP@epa.gov https://epa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=c87a6e2d16a84f2baa4bf3ea5a3c0cf9 https://epa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=c87a6e2d16a84f2baa4bf3ea5a3c0cf9 http://www.grants.gov/ o FON: EPA-GM-2021-HSCD o Approximately $1,500,000 available for 5 projects

FUNDING/AWARDS: Under this RFA, a total of approximately $9 million may be awarded as grants and/or cooperative agreements for approximately 20 -30 projects in the four funding opportunities listed above, contingent upon funding availability, the quality of applications received and other applicable considerations. In addition, EPA expressly reserves the right to make no awards under a particular funding opportunity or to adjust the number of awards and the amounts originally anticipated under a specific funding opportunity.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For your convenience, an RFA web page has been created at www.epa.gov/gulfofmexico where you can find information related to the RFA process, including a recorded webinar, frequently asked questions, budget spreadsheet and other information to assist you in developing your application.

http://www.epa.gov/gulfofmexico

Contents

I. APPLICATION INFORMATION

E. Funding Opportunities

E.1. Improving Community Health through Microbial Source Tracking

E.2. Trash Free Waters – Preventing More, Picking Up Less

E.3 Building Community Resilience Through the Reduction and Prevention of Nonpoint Source Pollution

E.4 STEM Career Development for High School Aged Youth

II. AWARD INFORMATION

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

C. Content of Application Submission

V. APPLICATION REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

Appendix A. Grants.gov Application Submission Instructions

Appendix B. Helpful Links

Appendix C. Eligible Area for I.E.2. Trash Free Waters - FON: EPA-GM-2021-TFW

I. APPLICATION INFORMATION

A. Background GMD is a non-regulatory program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) founded to facilitate collaborative actions to protect, maintain, and restore the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico in ways consistent with the economic well-being of the Region. To carry out its mission, GMD continues to maintain and expand partnerships with State and Federal agencies, federally recognized Tribes, local governments and authorities, academia, regional business and industry, agricultural and environmental organizations, and individual citizens and communities. For more information, please see https://www.epa.gov/gulfofmexico.

B. Scope of Work This request for applications is for multiple funding opportunities. For specific information for each Funding Opportunity, see Section I.E.1-I.E.4.

C. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage, Anticipated Outputs/Outcomes and Performance Measures Pursuant to Section 6a of EPA Order 5700.7A1, “Environmental Results under EPA Assistance Agreements,” EPA must link proposed assistance agreements with the Agency’s Strategic Plan. EPA also requires that grant applicants and recipients adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements (see EPA Order 5700.7A1, Environmental Results under Assistance Agreements, https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements).

1. Linkage to EPA Strategic Plan The activities to be funded under this announcement support EPA’s FY 2018-22 Strategic Plan. Awards made under this announcement will support Goal 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment, Objective 1.2 of the EPA Strategic Plan: Provide for Clean and Safe Water (https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan). All applications must be for projects that support the goal and objective identified above.

2. Environmental Results EPA also requires that grant applicants adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements (see EPA Order 5700.7A1, Environmental Results under Assistance Agreements, https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements). 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 priorities described above. See RFA terms for definitions of outputs and outcomes. See Sections I.E.1 through I.E.4 for expected outputs and outcomes under each funding opportunity.

3. Performance Measures The applicant should also develop performance measures they expect to achieve through the proposed activities and describe them in their application. These performance measures will help gather insights and will be the mechanism to track progress concerning successful processes and output and outcome strategies and will provide the basis for developing lessons to inform future recipients. It is expected that the description of performance measures will directly relate to the project outcomes and outputs. The following are questions to consider when developing output and outcome measures of quantitative and qualitative results:

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

• How does the plan measure progress in achieving the expected results (including outputs and https://www.epa.gov/gulfofmexico 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 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 outcomes) and how will the approach use resources effectively and efficiently?

D. Statutory Authority This RFA is expected to result in the award of grants and/or cooperative agreements (hereafter collectively referred to as “grants”), to improve the Gulf of Mexico. GMD’s statutory authority to award grants is contained in the Clean Water Act Section 104(b)(3), which authorizes the award of assistance agreements to conduct and promote the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys and studies relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution. In addition, the Explanatory Statement for H.R. 133, CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021, directs EPA to “coordinate with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Gulf States, and other State, local, and private partners to leverage greater resources toward conservation projects on working-lands within the Gulf Region and Mississippi River Basin.”

E. Funding Opportunities Applications are requested for the funding opportunities described below, each of which has a different FON. There are four separate FONs for which applicants can apply, and each one is separately posted on Grants.gov.

E.1. Improving Community Health through Microbial Source Tracking FON: EPA-GM-2021-MiST Funding Opportunity Title: Gulf of Mexico - 2021 Request for Applications – Improving Community Health through Microbial Source Tracking

Scope. This funding opportunity is intended to generate applications for one of the following activities:

• Microbial source tracking studies in watersheds with documented high loads of unidentified fecal coliforms. For the purposes of this RFA, microbial source tracking is defined as an approach used to identify and track sources of fecal contamination impacting water quality in stream, river, lake, and marine (including beaches) ecosystems. Applicants should indicate whether there are resources available to mitigate the impairment once identified. Proposed projects should utilize partnership-based approaches focused on evaluating and protecting water quality.

• Innovative demonstration projects focused on reducing identified point source or nonpoint source fecal pollution in watersheds. Demonstration projects 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 demonstration project. The applicant must clearly explain in the proposal 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 RFA. If your project uses technologies, methods or approaches that have been used previously in other geographic areas and/or other situations, then your proposal must include an explanation as to how your demonstration project is different from such prior projects. The applicant must also explain what will be learned from the demonstration project.

• Innovative demonstration projects and simultaneous microbial source tracking for proof of concept. Please refer to how microbial source tracking and demonstration projects are defined above.

Background. Water contamination with fecal material can harbor pathogens, pose risks to human health, and result in significant economic loss due to closure of shellfish harvesting and recreational beaches (Rabinovici et al. 2004). Identifying sources of fecal contamination is important because the level of human health risk can change from one animal source to another. When water quality managers know the sources of fecal contamination, they can develop and prioritize targeted mitigation strategies.

Although several water quality methods exist for monitoring fecal contamination, methods that focus on accurate fecal source identification are imperative for developing management practices to control fecal sources from relevant point and non-point sources. Some potential non-point sources of fecal pollution include livestock operations; urban runoff as a result of increased residential, commercial, and industrial development; use of manure as fertilizer; persistence of combined sewer overflows; and malfunctioning septic systems. Wildlife is often assumed to be a relevant source of pollution in cases where no obvious contribution could be assigned to human activity and livestock farming. The variety of potential fecal sources impacting a watershed makes fecal source identification a complicated process and may require numerous partnerships in order to be successful. The goal of these projects should be to improve the understanding of water quality conditions and/or improve water quality (and human health) by addressing fecal sources identified through microbial source tracking.

Request for Applications. EPA expects to provide approximately $1.5 million for 3 to 5 projects in this funding opportunity. The maximum amount of federal funds that will be awarded for any project in this funding opportunity is $500,000. Proposed project periods may be up to three years.

Project Design. In addition to the information requested for project design in the project narrative guidance, also include:

Description of the known fecal issue(s), which includes the impact of the issue, any associated data and why source tracking is relevant/necessary

• Explanation of the experimental design for Microbial Source Tracking project, which includes where sampling will occur and how frequently, and describes methods to be used for identifying the unknown fecal source o The EPA Source Tracking Guide may be helpful in the study design process.

o EPA Microbial Source Tracking methods can be found here.

• Explanation of expertise (from at least one partner) in designing a microbial source tracking study

• If applicable, a description of the applicant and potential partners’ capabilities (i.e., resources available to mitigate the impairment once identified) to decrease fecal contamination and potentially reduce human exposure.

Outputs and Outcomes. In addition to the information requested for environmental results in the project narrative guidance, also include:

Outputs. Potential project outputs include:

• Identification and quantification of potential fecal sources within the project watershed/s

• Number of individuals contacted as a result of education and outreach concerning sources of fecal contamination

• Development of an actionable plan that includes partners and their roles and the resources and funding that will be utilized to decrease fecal contamination and reduce potential human exposure after the sources are determined https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyNET.exe/2000D20V.TXT?ZyActionD=ZyDocument&Client=EPA&Index=2000+Thru+2005&Docs=&Query=&Time=&EndTime=&SearchMethod=1&TocRestrict=n&Toc=&TocEntry=&QField=&QFieldYear=&QFieldMonth=&QFieldDay=&IntQFieldOp=0&ExtQFieldOp=0&XmlQuery=&File=D%3A%5Czyfiles%5CIndex%20Data%5C00thru05%5CTxt%5C00000009%5C2000D20V.txt&User=ANONYMOUS&Password=anonymous&SortMethod=h%7C-&MaximumDocuments=1&FuzzyDegree=0&ImageQuality=r75g8/r75g8/x150y150g16/i425&Display=hpfr&DefSeekPage=x&SearchBack=ZyActionL&Back=ZyActionS&BackDesc=Results%20page&MaximumPages=1&ZyEntry=1&SeekPage=x&ZyPURL https://www.epa.gov/cwa-methods/other-clean-water-act-test-methods-microbiological

Outcomes. One or more required:

• Number of communities where potential for human exposure will be reduced resulting in more resilient communities through the identification of fecal contamination sources, the education of the community regarding those sources, and the actions taken to address the sources

• Number of water segments or water bodies where there is improved understanding of fecal sources impacting water quality

• Number of water segments or water bodies where water quality was improved as a result of project activities

Additional outputs and outcomes accomplished as a result of project activities should also be included.

Additional Eligibility Criteria for projects under this FON. To be eligible for this funding opportunity, projects must be within the Gulf of Mexico watershed AND in the five Gulf states (AL, FL, LA, MS, TX).

E.2. Trash Free Waters – Preventing More, Picking Up Less

FON: EPA-GM-2021-TFW

Funding Opportunity Title: Healthy and Resilient Gulf 2021 - Trash Free Waters – Preventing More, Picking Up Less

Scope. This funding opportunity is intended to generate applications for innovative projects focused on utilizing partnership expertise in both governmental and nongovernmental organizations to prevent trash from reaching waterways. The project may include community-based trash removal components, but removal should not be the primary focus of the project. Projects could include:

• Fostering partnerships dedicated to establishing community-wide changes to promote prevention of trash.

• Utilizing education and incentives for organizations (e.g., businesses, schools, nonprofits) to replace unsustainable products/practices with reusable or innovative products/practices.

• Demonstrating innovative approaches to source reduction. For the purposes of this FON, source reduction is a practice that reduces, eliminates, or prevents pollution (trash or litter in the environment) at its source.

Background. Most of the trash that pollutes our rivers, lakes, estuaries, and oceans comes from sources on land. The average amount of trash generated by each person in the U.S. was 4.9 pounds per day in 2018. Trash or litter can end up in waterways and flow downstream into the ocean, where it becomes marine debris. It is estimated that 80% of the marine debris in the oceans originated from land-based sources. Plastics in the aquatic environment are of increasing concern because of their persistence and effect on the environment, wildlife, and human health. The Mississippi River drains approximately 40% of the United States and likely acts as a conduit for trash to reach the Gulf of Mexico. The most effective way to prevent marine and aquatic debris is to prevent waste in the first place through source reduction. The goal of this RFA is to reduce sources of trash pollution in the coastal zone or within 25 miles of the coastal zone where trash has a higher likelihood of getting into Gulf of Mexico waters. This

RFA also aims to reduce sources of trash pollution in certain metropolitan areas located on the Mississippi River or one of its major tributaries.

Request for Applications. EPA expects to provide approximately $4 million for 8 to 16 projects in this funding opportunity. The maximum amount of federal funds that will be awarded for any project in this funding opportunity is $500,000. Proposed project periods may be up to three years.

Project Design. In addition to the information requested for project design in the project narrative guidance:

• Include any existing background information that indicates current sources of trash that will aid in targeted prevention efforts

• Describe activities that will lead to source reduction

• Describe the method(s) used to quantify trash prevented o Examples of how to calculate:

Measure the difference between the identified baseline and monitoring after targeted prevention techniques take place A modeled or calculated approach including the estimated cubic feet and/or pounds of trash prevented from entering the environment and/or waste stream Number or volume of unsustainable products replaced with reusable or innovative materials

• If removal activities are included in the project, describe the method used to quantify trash removed. Applicants are encouraged but not required to use the Draft EPA Escaped Trash Assessment Protocol (ETAP) which can be found at this link: https://www.epa.gov/trash-free-waters/best-management-practices-tools

• Describe existing and/or anticipated partnerships with businesses, communities, cooperatives, and/or state and local governments that will help achieve sustainable measures that result in the reduction of trash in waterbodies

• Describe how the project will be sustainable after the project period ends.

Outputs The following are potential project outputs:

• Number of individuals reached through education and outreach activities

• Number of organizations (e.g., businesses, schools, nonprofits) engaged in trash prevention outreach activities

• Resources and/or programs developed or provided to educate consumers or organizations about their roles to reduce the amount of trash generated and to prevent trash pollution.

Outcomes Required:

• Amount of trash prevented from entering the environment (describe quantification method)

One or more required:

https://www.epa.gov/trash-free-waters/best-management-practices-tools https://www.epa.gov/trash-free-waters/best-management-practices-tools

• Water quality and/or understanding of water quality conditions are improved (report number of water segments or water bodies)

• Habitat is enhanced or restored (report in acres or linear feet)

• Consumer knowledge or understanding is improved as demonstrated by pre and post evaluations (report number of individuals with improved knowledge or understanding)

• Communities are made more resilient due to a change in practices or approaches resulting in the prevention of trash from reaching waterways (report number of communities)

Examples of additional project outcomes:

• Organizations that have changed business practices (report number)

• Organizations that utilize or develop more sustainable products available to consumers (report number)

• Trash removed from the environment (report in pounds, cubic feet, or both)

Additional Eligibility Criteria for projects under this FON To be eligible for this funding opportunity, projects must take place within the Gulf of Mexico watershed AND:

1. Within the coastal zone of one of the five Gulf States or

2. within 25 miles of the coastal zone of one of the five Gulf States, or

3. within the following metropolitan statistical areas (MSA):

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Memphis, Tennessee-Mississippi-Arkansas St. Louis, Missouri-Illinois Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, Iowa-Illinois Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota-Wisconsin Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, Arkansas Evansville, Indiana-Kentucky Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky-Indiana Cincinnati, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Kansas City, Missouri-Kansas Omaha-Council Bluffs, Nebraska-Iowa.

See Appendix C for a map of the eligible areas.

E.3 Building Community Resilience Through the Reduction and Prevention of Nonpoint Source Pollution

FON: EPA-GM-2021-NPS

Funding Opportunity Title: Healthy and Resilient Gulf 2021 – Building Community Resilience Through the Reduction and Prevention of Nonpoint Source Pollution

Scope. This funding opportunity is intended to generate applications for innovative demonstration projects that reduce nonpoint source pollution and enhance community resilience using green infrastructure (GI) practices.

• For the purposes of this FON, GI is defined as the range of measures that use plant or soil systems; permeable pavement or other permeable surfaces or substrates; stormwater harvest and reuse; or landscaping that allows storage, infiltration, or evapotranspiration of stormwater and reduces flows to sewer systems or to surface waters.

• Resilience is the capability to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from significant multi-hazard threats with minimum damage to social well-being, the economy, and the environment. GMD supports capacity building to assist communities in preparing for potential changes in the environment or future, disruptive events. For more information on GI for climate resiliency, visit https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/green-infrastructure-climate-resiliency.

• Potential projects should include but are not limited to green infrastructure elements found here.

Background. Green infrastructure is a cost-effective, resilient approach to managing wet weather impacts that provides many community benefits. While single-purpose gray stormwater infrastructure— conventional piped drainage and water treatment systems—is designed to move urban stormwater away from the built environment, green infrastructure reduces and treats stormwater at its source while delivering environmental, social, and economic benefits. Nonpoint source pollution such as stormwater runoff can carry trash, bacteria, heavy metals, and other pollutants to tributaries and into the Gulf of Mexico. As a result, polluted runoff can degrade water quality and result in negative consequences to ecosystems and human health.

Request for Applications. EPA expects to provide approximately $2 million for 4 to 6 projects in this funding opportunity. The maximum amount of federal funds that will be awarded for any project in this funding opportunity is $500,000. Proposed project periods may be up to three years.

Project Design. In addition to the information requested for project design in the project narrative guidance, also include:

• Description of the areas where activities take place

• Explanation of 1) how the project will help reduce the effects of non-point sources and 2) how it is a demonstration project (see definition of demonstration project here)

• Description of how the GI practices will provide ancillary benefits, for example: increase of permeable surface area, ecosystem services, community services such as habitat, access to greenspace, reduction in urban heat island effect, etc.

• Description of how the GI practices will make communities (see definition of communities here) which the GI practices are located more resilient to climate change, extreme storms, sea level rise, and/or natural disasters.

• Description of how the project may help increase the adoption, use, funding, and implementation of green infrastructure

• Description of implementing partners and their roles for the project

• Description of how the project will result in stormwater volume reduction and/or increased groundwater infiltration, and projected nutrient reduction benefits https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/green-infrastructure-climate-resiliency https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/green-infrastructure-climate-resiliency https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/what-green-infrastructure#:%7E:text=Green%20infrastructure%20uses%20vegetation%2C%20soils,and%20create%20healthier%20urban%20environments o Estimations may be made through direct monitoring or through a modeled approach.

o If utilizing models, please provide a description of the modeling approach, modeling results, and the model used. For more information, refer to:

https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/green-infrastructure-modeling-tools or https://www.epa.gov/water-research/green-infrastructure-modeling-toolkit

• Where applicable, provide a brief description of how soil hydrology and the soil’s capacity to infiltrate stormwater runoff will be assessed. For more information, refer to:

https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.2136/sssaj2014.05.0200 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204614000279?via%3Dihub

• Description of how the project will be sustainable after the project period ends

Outputs. The following are potential project outputs:

• Estimated reduction in nutrients and other pollutants via monitoring or modeling

• Number of habitat acres enhanced, protected or restored

• Number of communities that enhanced their knowledge or identify risk management actions related to climate and stormwater vulnerabilities

• Estimated volume of stormwater runoff captured and/or increased infiltration (if applicable)

• Education events/presentations (report number of events and participants)

Outcomes. One or more required:

• Acres of habitat enhanced, protected or restored over the life of the project with quarterly milestones clearly reflected. An initial baseline must be included to provide an accurate view of progress

• Improvement in at least one water quality parameter in a water body and/or segment over the life of the project with quarterly milestones clearly reflected. Applicant should evaluate the baseline conditions as a part of their project to provide an accurate view of progress.

o Examples of water quality parameters that could be demonstrated in a water quality improvement project include but are not limited to: excess nutrients, turbidity (and/or total suspended solids), dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature.

• Change in willingness to adopt, fund, and implement green infrastructure practices as a result of project outreach resulting in more resilient stormwater management and communities. The applicant should include a description of their method for evaluating the change in willingness to adopt green infrastructure practices in their application. For example, number of projects that overcome barriers (including a description of the barriers) to green infrastructure adoption as a result of project outreach and number of communities that benefit from more resilient stormwater management.

Additional Eligibility Criteria for projects under this FON. To be eligible for this funding opportunity, https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/green-infrastructure-modeling-tools https://www.epa.gov/water-research/green-infrastructure-modeling-toolkit https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.2136/sssaj2014.05.0200 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204614000279?via%3Dihub projects must take place in the Gulf of Mexico watershed AND in the five Gulf states (AL, FL, LA, MS, TX).

E.4 STEM Career Development for High School Aged Youth

FON: EPA-GM-2021-HSCD

Funding Opportunity Title: Healthy and Resilient Gulf 2021 – STEM Career Development for High School Aged Youth

Scope. This funding opportunity is intended to generate applications for innovative projects focused on advancing Gulf environmental related work readiness skills in high school aged youth. These work-readiness projects may center around marine aquaculture or green infrastructure practices that improve water quality, restore habitat, enhance community resilience, and provide environmental education and outreach. Projects must include one of the following activities:

• Education and training programs on growing native species for habitat restoration; or rearing, breeding, and harvesting of fish, shellfish, or other species of the Gulf of Mexico (e.g., oyster farming, aquaculture, aquaponics)

• Education and training programs that develop skills in design, installation, and/or operation and maintenance of green infrastructure (e.g., bioswales, rain gardens, or living shorelines and the nexus to water quality, flood reduction, habitat creation, and/or community resilience)

Applicants are also encouraged to consider developing a student exchange learning program that connects schools in the Gulf of Mexico watersheds (upstream and downstream) through education and training programs described above (virtual student exchange program will also be acceptable).

Background. STEM career or workforce development programs build environmental stewardship by engaging high school students to develop the skills needed to secure full-time, sustainable employment as it relates to improving water quality; protecting, enhancing or restoring habitat; and/or gulf-resilient promoting smart growth practices. These green jobs reduce environmental contamination, build more resilient and sustainable communities, and increase environmental education thereby creating a healthier environment. Projects are encouraged to target Title I schools or informal education centers (e.g. Job Corp) that service students from communities impacted by environmental injustices within the five Gulf States.

Request for Applications. EPA expects to provide approximately $1.5 million and anticipates awarding a total of five projects, one project in each of the Gulf States (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas). The maximum amount of federal funds that will be awarded for any project in this funding opportunity is $300,000. Proposed project periods may be up to three years.

Project Design. In addition to the information requested for project design in the project narrative guidance, also include:

• Description of applicant’s ability to develop and execute marine aquaculture or green infrastructure work readiness programs through the one of the following activities:

o Education and training programs on growing native species for habitat restoration; or rearing, breeding, and harvesting of fish, shellfish, or other species native to the Gulf of Mexico (e.g., oyster farming, aquaculture, aquaponics) o Education and training programs that develop skills in design, installation, and/or operation and maintenance of green infrastructure (e.g., bioswales, rain gardens, or living shorelines and the nexus to water quality, flood reduction, habitat creation, and/or community resilience)

• Explanation of how program targets Title I schools or informal education centers (e.g. Job Corp) that service students from communities impacted by environmental injustices. Applicant must communicate prior engagement and project success in underserved and underrepresented communities with letters of support

• Description of how work readiness programs plan to educate students through new or existing programs

• Development of a baseline to assess knowledge, skills, and abilities and address measures taken to evaluate competencies for improvements, thereby providing evidence of environmental education levels improved

Outputs.

Required:

• Estimated number of expected audience(s) and/or individuals reached through the work readiness program

• Lesson plans, educational modules, etc. created

Examples of Additional Project outputs:

• Estimated number of habitat acres restored/enhanced.

• Estimated number of water segments improved.

• Estimated number of communities engaged.

Outcomes.

Required:

• Number of students whose career or academic path is shaped by the project (this estimate should only consider the project period identified)

Additional outputs and outcomes accomplished as a result of project activities should also be included.

Additional Eligibility Criteria for projects under this FON. To be eligible for this funding opportunity, projects must take place in the Gulf of Mexico watershed AND in one of the five Gulf states (AL, FL, LA, MS, TX)

F. RFA TERMS The following are defined for the purposes for this request for applications only:

Community: The term “community(ies)” means any group of people working on or planning for strengthening community resilience. This can include municipalities, cities, towns, states, specific Gulf of Mexico watershed waters, regional planning commissions, and other groups. Community should be defined within the project by the applicant.

Demonstration Project: The term “demonstration project" means a project that 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 demonstration project. The applicant must clearly explain in the proposal 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 RFA. If your project uses technologies, methods or approaches that have been used previously in other geographic areas and/or other situations, then your proposal must include an explanation as to how your demonstration project is different from such prior projects. The applicant must also explain what will be learned from the demonstration project.

Environmental Justice: The term “Environmental Justice” is defined 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.

Green Infrastructure: The term “Green Infrastructure” means the range of measures that use plant or soil systems; permeable pavement or other permeable surfaces or substrates; stormwater harvest and reuse; or landscaping that allows storage, infiltration, or evapotranspiration of stormwater and reduces flows to sewer systems or to surface waters.

Metropolitan Statistical Area: The term “Metropolitan Statistical Area” is defined as a Core Based Statistical Area associated with at least one urbanized area that has a population of at least 50,000. The Metropolitan Statistical Area comprises the central county or counties containing the core, plus adjacent outlying counties having a high degree of social and economic integration with the central county or counties as measured through commuting.

Microbial Source Tracking: The term “Microbial Source Tracking” is defined as an approach used to identify and track sources of fecal contamination impacting water quality in stream, river, lakes, and marine (including beaches) ecosystems.

Output: 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 over the term of the grant funding period.

Outcome: The term “outcome” means the result, effect or consequence that will be achieved by carrying out an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature, must be quantitative, and may not necessarily be achievable within a grant funding period.

G. Additional Information

Multiple Applications. Applicants may submit applications under each FON listed above and may submit multiple applications under the same FON as long as each application is for a different project. In addition, each individual project for which an applicant seeks funding must be covered by a separate application under the appropriate FON. An application cannot address more than one funding opportunity.

Subawardees and/or Contractors. If you name subawardees/subgrantees and/or contractor(s), including individual consultants, in your application as partners to assist you with the proposed project, pay careful attention to the “Contracts and Subawards” provisions at: https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses .

II. AWARD INFORMATION Amounts, Targets, and Number of Projects

A. Award Amounts Approximately $9 million in EPA funding is expected to be awarded under this RFA for approximately 30 projects in the four FONs described in Secs. I.E.1-I.E.4. The number of projects EPA will fund as a result of this RFA will be based on the quality of applications received, the availability of funding, and other applicable considerations. These amounts are estimates only (except as noted below) and are being provided solely for application preparation purposes. Please note, however, that the specified maximum amount in Secs. I.E.1-I.E.4 that will be awarded for an individual project in any funding opportunity establishes a per-project limit for the EPA funding; applications seeking EPA funding in excess of that amount will be rejected. In addition, an application for a multi-phase project will be treated as a request for the full amount for all phases. If that combined amount exceeds the specified maximum, the application will be rejected.

The actual award amounts and number of projects awarded under each of the funding opportunities in Secs. I.E.1-I.E.4 may differ from what is estimated for many reasons, including the number of meritorious applications received and funding availability. In addition, EPA reserves the right to increase or decrease (including decreasing to zero) the total number and amount of awards under each funding opportunity, or change the ratio of assistance agreements it awards among the funding opportunities.

EPA reserves the right to reject all applications and make no awards under any or all of the funding opportunities identified in this RFA or make fewer awards than anticipated.

B. Anticipated Project Start and End Dates This Request for Applications instructs applicants to submit certifications and other documentation required for a full and complete funding package so that their projects could, if selected, proceed expeditiously. The estimated project period for awards resulting from this solicitation will begin in Calendar Year 2022. Proposed project periods may be up to three years.

C. Funding Type Successful applicants will be issued a grant or cooperative agreement as appropriate. A cooperative agreement is an assistance agreement that is used when there is substantial federal involvement with the recipient during the performance of an activity or project. EPA awards cooperative agreements for those projects in which it expects to have substantial interaction with the recipient throughout the performance of the project. 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; collaboration during the performance of the scope of work;

in accordance with 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.

D. Additional Funding Information https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses

Additional Awards: EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy and guidance, if additional funding becomes available after the original selections are made. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than 6 months after the original selection decisions.

Award Funding: Awards may be fully or incrementally funded, as appropriate, based on funding availability, satisfactory performance, and other applicable considerations.

Future Funding: Selection or award of funding under this RFA is not a guarantee of future funding.

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

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Entities: In accordance with Assistance Listing 66.475, applications will be accepted from governmental entities, including state agencies, interstate agencies, Indian tribes, local governments, institutions of higher learning (i.e., colleges and universities), and non-profit organizations (as defined at 2 CFR 200) are eligible to apply for funding under this RFA. School districts or high schools designated as one of the eligible entities above are eligible.

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. Coalitions: Groups of two or more eligible applicants may choose to form a coalition and submit a single application under this RFA; however, one entity must be responsible for the grant. Coalitions must identify which eligible organization will be the recipient of the grant and which eligible organization(s) will be subawardee(s) of the recipient. Subawards and subgrants must be consistent with the definitions of those terms in 2 C.F.R. § 200.92. The recipient must administer the grant, will be accountable to EPA for proper expenditure of the funds and reporting, and will be the point of contact for the coalition. As provided in 2 C.F.R. § 200.331(d), subrecipients or subgrantees are accountable to the recipient or grantee for proper use of EPA funding.

Coalitions may not include for-profit organizations that will provide services or products to the successful applicant. For-profit organizations are not eligible for subawards. For-profit organizations are eligible to receive contracts. Any contracts for services or products funded with EPA financial assistance must be awarded under the competitive procurement procedures of 2 C.F.R. § 200.319, as applicable.

The regulations also contain limitations on consultant compensation. (Please see 2 C.F.R. § 1500.9, formerly at 40 C.F.R. § 30.27(b) or 31.36(j), as applicable.) For additional information, please review the following Federal Register: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-7867.pdf .

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-7867.pdf

C. Eligible Activities: Projects submitted must fit under the following funding statute Clean Water Act, §104(b)(3), which authorizes the award of grants to conduct and promote the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys and studies relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution.

Demonstration projects 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 demonstration project. The applicant must clearly explain in the proposal 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 RFA. If your project uses technologies, methods or approaches that have been used previously in other geographic areas and/or other situations, then your proposal must include an explanation as to how your demonstration project is different from such prior projects. The applicant must also explain what will be learned from the demonstration project.

D. Ineligible Activities: If an application is submitted that includes any ineligible activities, that portion of the application will be ineligible for funding and may, depending on the extent to which it affects the application, render the entire application ineligible. The following are ineligible activities:

• Projects that do not comply with Clean Water Act Section 104(b)(3), which authorizes the award of assistance agreements to conduct and promote the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys and studies relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution.

• Actions required to settle a formal enforcement action or included in a court order; or specified as a required mitigation measure under a state, local, or federal permit for a specific project;

however, grant funding may be used to enhance or expand such projects beyond minimum requirements for compliance.

• Work involving only routine maintenance of storm water infrastructure and other facilities

• Projects which fall under the existing planning responsibilities of an individual state or local government (e.g., development of TMDLs or MS4 permits)

• Solely “gray infrastructure” projects (e.g., installation of sewer lines)

• Construction activities that are not a part of a demonstration project. This includes, but is not limited to, preliminary planning to determine the economic and engineering feasibility of a facility; the engineering, architectural, legal, fiscal, and economic investigations and studies;

surveys, designs, plans, working drawings, specifications, procedures, and other actions necessary to the construction of a facility; the erection, acquisition, alteration, remodeling, improvement, or extension of a facility; and the inspection and supervision of the construction of a facility.

E. Match or Cost-Share: There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement as a condition of eligibility under this RFA.

F. Threshold Eligibility Criteria: These are requirements that if not met by the applicant by the time of application submission will result in elimination of the application from consideration for funding. Only applications from eligible entities listed in Section III.A that meet these criteria by the time of application submission will be evaluated against the ranking factors in Sec. V.A. of this RFA (this includes the Additional Eligibility Criteria for each FON listed in Sections I.E.1 through I.E.4). Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration as a result of the threshold eligibility review will be notified by e-mail within 15 calendar days of the ineligibility determination.

1. Substantial Compliance: Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements set forth in Sec. IV.C of this announcement or else they will be rejected. Where a page limit is stated for the Narrative Proposal in Sec. IV.C, pages in excess of the limitation will not be reviewed.

2. Grant.gov submission: In addition,…