EPA-I-OW-OWM-22-01_Updated.pdf

Federal Agency Name: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)

Funding Opportunity Title: ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCE CENTER GRANT

PROGRAM

Announcement Type: Request for Applications (RFA)

Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-I-OW-OWM-22-01

Assistance Listing Number: 66.203

DATES: The closing date and time for application submissions is Friday, July 1, 2022 at 11:59 PM, Eastern Time (ET). Application packages must be submitted electronically to EPA through Grants.gov no later than Friday, July 1, 2022 at 11:59 PM, ET in order to be considered for funding. Questions about this RFA must be submitted in writing via e-mail and must be received by the Agency contact identified in Section VII by Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 11:59PM. Written responses will be posted on EPA’s website at:

www.epa.gov/waterfinancecenter/efcn. EPA strongly recommends interested applicants refer to the FAQs on this this website prior to submitting a question.

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 (http://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses).

EPA will provide a webinar on completing applications under this announcement. The date, time, and information on how to register for the webinar is available at:

https://www.epa.gov/waterfinancecenter/efcn. The webinar will be recorded and posted on the website approximately two weeks after the webinar is held.

NOTE: Prior to naming a “partner” or other entity in your application who will receive EPA funding as part of your project carefully review the guidance on contracts and subawards in EPA’s Solicitation Clauses as well as additional guidance in this RFA.

CONTENTS BY SECTION

I. Funding Opportunity Description II. Award Information III. Eligibility Information IV. Application and Submission Information V. Application Review Information VI. Award Administration Information VII. Agency Contact http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.epa.gov/waterfinancecenter/efcn http://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses http://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://www.epa.gov/waterfinancecenter/efcn

SECTION I – FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Background

The nation has made significant progress in addressing environmental and public health needs over the past fifty years, but more remains to be done. At the same time, the cost of facilities, programs, services, and activities needed to meet environmental challenges continues to grow.

Many communities with significant pollution issues and infrastructure needs have not been able to access federal funding and financing programs to address these concerns. EPA recognizes that existing environmental gains cannot be preserved, nor further progress achieved, unless tribes, state and local governments, utilities, and non-governmental organizations have the resources to develop and sustain water infrastructure and to pay for the growing costs of protecting the environment and public health.

As EPA looks to support continued environmental progress, we are mindful that many communities have never been able to access safe and reliable infrastructure, and many communities are already dealing with the impacts of climate change. Climate change acts as a threat multiplier, exacerbating existing stressors that impact public health, degrade the quality of our waterways, and destabilize the critical water infrastructure we rely upon. Disadvantaged communities are particularly vulnerable to these impacts. Vulnerable populations include low-income communities and communities of color, children, elderly, Indigenous people, and tribes.

Through this grant program, EPA seeks to support projects that help communities address the environmental and financial resource challenges they face. The Agency also seeks to maximize the impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), signed in November 2021. BIL is a historic opportunity to upgrade environmental infrastructure, particularly in underserved and disadvantaged communities, including tribes, across our nation. BIL provides the largest federal investment in water in the history of our nation. It includes over $50 billion in water infrastructure investments, most of which will be available through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) programs. BIL also includes more than $5 billion for Superfund and brownfields clean-up work and $5 billion for decarbonizing our nation’s school buses. Disadvantaged communities will need technical assistance (TA) to access this funding and identify sustainable, enduring infrastructure solutions. EPA, in partnership with the states and other key stakeholders, is committed to offering technical assistance to help more communities identify infrastructure needs, plan for capital improvements, and apply for the funds available through BIL.

With the funds included in this funding opportunity, EPA will carry out its mission of protecting human health and the environment by ensuring that the vital services provided by the EFCs reach communities who need them most.

Accordingly, with this RFA, EPA is seeking applications from organizations with a demonstrable history of providing effective, results-oriented technical assistance. These entities will provide local governments, states, tribes, and non-governmental organizations with eligible services, such as support in administering funds, capacity building, technical assistance, training, reports/studies, tools, and other eligible activities to protect human health and the environment.

The Agency’s priorities include maximizing the potential for BIL funds to provide significant benefit to disadvantaged, and/or tribal communities; tackling the climate crisis; and advancing environmental justice and equity. EPA believes the EFCs will play an important role in helping to ensure that communities that have struggled to secure public funding receive the help they need to access resources to support infrastructure improvements that protect public health, safeguard the environment, and mitigate environmental justice concerns.

Note: Environmental justice is 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. This goal will be achieved when everyone enjoys:

• The same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, and

• Equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.

More details on EPA’s approach to environmental justice can be found at EPA’s Environmental Justice webpage.

B. Project Description

EPA is soliciting applications from eligible entities to serve as a Regional EFC for an EPA Region (either covering the entire Region or a specific geographic area of the Region) or as a National EFC for EPA Headquarters. EPA encourages all eligible applicants to apply and recognizes that new applicants are essential to expanding the pool of service providers able to address the environmental and financial challenges the nation faces. New applicants may help to expand the pool and increase diversity in supporting projects that help disadvantaged communities. New applicants are applicants that have not received an EFC award from EPA in the past 10 years.

A Regional EFC will either provide services for BIL funded water related activities or will provide services that address multi-environmental media activities, which may also include water related activities that are not funded through BIL. EPA will award separate grants to Regional EFCs for BIL funded water activities and multi-environmental media activities that are not funded with BIL appropriations. National EFC(s) will provide BIL funded water related activities.

Regional EFCs will provide eligible services either across their designated EPA Region or within a specific geographical regional or local area. One or more National EFCs will provide eligible services across the country and can be located anywhere in the United States. The National EFC(s) will also serve to address any gaps that may exist in the Regional Water Infrastructure BIL Funded EFCs to ensure that these services reach geographically diverse communities, of varying sizes, and serve urban, suburban, and rural populations. In addition, the National EFC(s) may also support Regional Water Infrastructure BIL Funded EFCs by providing subawards to eligible subrecipients if additional funding is available.

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Objective The objective of this RFA is to solicit eligible entities to apply for funding as a designated EFC.

The EFCs are a key mechanism by which EPA supports its partners with technical, managerial, financial, and administrative support. EFCs are expected to have a project period up to 5 years, with funding up to $650,000 annually.

There are three types of EFCs that will be evaluated in one of the following categories:

1) Regional Multi-Environmental Media EFCs,

2) Regional Water Infrastructure EFCs with BIL Funding, and

3) National Water Infrastructure EFCs with BIL Funding.

Eligible services are described below.

Category 1: Regional Multi-Environmental Media EFCs This EFC category represents the traditional work of prior EFC grant programs. These Regional EFCs serve as hubs focused on providing technical assistance for, managerial, and financial capacity building services to local, state, and tribal governments, and non-governmental organizations in the equitable implementation of environmental programs and infrastructure investments in the areas of water, air, and land. This work is structured to focus on a range of environmental finance issues. The Regional EFCs will provide eligible services either across their entire designated EPA Region or within a specific geographical regional or local area.

It is anticipated that approximately 10 Multi-Environmental Media EFCs will be selected for these functions, and EPA anticipates that there will be one in each Region.

Under the cooperative agreements issued under this funding opportunity, EFCs will provide eligible services to assist communities, specifically disadvantaged, rural, and/or tribal communities, with environmental finance-related projects in clean water, drinking water, solid waste, clean air, toxic substances, insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides. Regional Multi- Environmental Media EFC applications must propose activities that are eligible for funding under CWA 104(b)(3), SDWA 1442(c)(3), SWDA 8001(a), CAA 103(b)(3), TSCA 10, FIFRA

20, MPRSA 203.

EFCs may develop and share environmental financing information through, for example, the provision of direct services and consultations, training, workshops, studies and reports, videos, case studies, best practices and how-to guides, models, and/or technical tools. Other similar services that the applicant believes will effectively carry out the objectives of this RFA may be offered as well. Applicants are encouraged to list specific services to achieve the RFA’s objective in their application.

Category 2: Regional Water Infrastructure EFCs with BIL Funding This is a new EFC category structured to specifically provide clean water and drinking water finance technical assistance services to support community access to BIL funding. These Regional EFCs will provide eligible services either across their designated EPA Region or within a specific geographical regional or local area.

Core functions of the Regional Water Infrastructure EFCs with BIL Funding include:

• Capacity Development and Technical Assistance. Building the capacity of local governments –especially in disadvantaged communities –is essential to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and effective utilization of federal investment from the EPA. EFCs will provide technical assistance and/or research to support communities in a range of activities, such as developing water infrastructure Capital Improvement Plans (CIP) and other capacities that bolster communities’ ability to obtain state and federal support. A significant emphasis will be on supporting communities in preparing for, accessing, and implementing the $50 billion in funding that the EPA will distribute from the BIL.

• Tools and Resources. The EFCs will work collaboratively with the EPA (as part of the Agency’s substantial involvement) to identify the tools, research needs, data, and other technical information to support local, state, and tribal partners to effectively implement environmental regulations and infrastructure investments.

It is anticipated that at least 10 EFCs will be selected for these functions, one in each Region.

Under the cooperative agreements issued in this funding opportunity, EFCs will provide eligible services to assist communities, specifically disadvantaged, rural, and/or tribal communities, with environmental finance-related projects to address clean water, drinking water, and stormwater needs. Applicants should list specific services in their application designed to achieve the RFA’s objective of providing technical assistance related to access to BIL funding. BIL services may include, but are not limited to:

• Helping identify and then support disadvantaged communities to access funding;

• Supporting pre-application development and coordination for infrastructure project delivery, including providing technical assistance in drafting funding applications and then providing technical assistance on project and construction management (including how to acquire professional services in compliance with applicable procurement requirements) to help disadvantaged communities implement capital funding;

• Supporting community engagement;

• Identifying affordable financing strategies;

• Researching ways to lower costs of environmental protection;

• Providing technical assistance for responsible asset management; and/or

• Encouraging the use of appropriate revenue approaches.

Figure 1 below provides a non-exhaustive summary of eligible activities that can be used as examples of finance related technical assistance activities under Category 2, including for water infrastructure.

Figure 1: Description of Technical Assistance Activities for Water Infrastructure Projects

NOTE: If an engineering or consulting firm or similar firm provides technical assistance to a local government or other organization in drafting specifications, requirements, statements of work, or invitations for bids or requests for proposals for a contract that will be funded through transaction subject to the Procurement Standards in 2 CFR Part 200, that firm must be excluded from competing for the procurement as provided in 2 CFR 200.319(b).

The EPA is particularly interested in EFCs with a demonstratable history of assisting communities within their Region, especially disadvantaged communities (as defined by states in their SRF Affordability Criteria) with environmental issues, to meet program funding and compliance requirements for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and to access state and federal funding sources for water related activities. EFCs may develop and share environmental financing information through the provision of direct services and consultations, training, workshops, studies and reports, videos, case studies, best practices and how-to guides, models, and/or technical tools as well as other means applicants deem to be effective.

Category 3: National Water Infrastructure EFCs with BIL Funding This is a new EFC category. The National EFC(s) will identify any gaps that may exist in the Regional Water Infrastructure EFCs with BIL Funding and develop a strategy to address those gaps to ensure that these services reach geographically diverse communities, of varying sizes, Planning and Assessment

Community Engagement

Plan Development and Coordination

Studies and Assessments

Asset Management

Project Development

Preliminary Engineering

Reports

Lead Service Line Inventories

Project Design

Environmental Reviews

Partnerships and

Engagement

Ongoing Engagement and

Outreach

Decision-maker and Board Education

Water Systems Partnerships

Capacity Building and Training

Funding and Financing

Rates and Revenue Analyses

Financial Planning

Identify Funding Options

Application Support

Construction Management

Bid Support

Change Order Review

Project Inspection

Domestic Preference and Davis Bacon

Assistance and serve urban, suburban, and rural populations. In addition to other methods of identifying gaps in services, the National EFC(s) may also support Regional Water Infrastructure EFCs with BIL Funding by providing subawards to the extent allowable under 2 CFR 200.331 and EPA’s Subaward Policy. The National EFC(s) will work on BIL related clean water and drinking water finance activities. Please refer to the list of eligible services listed under Category 2.

It is anticipated that at least one EFC will be selected under this category.

Applicants may propose other eligible services that achieve the goals described in the categories of this Section of the RFA as well. Note that under 2 CFR 200.315, as implemented in the General Terms and Conditions of EPA financial assistance agreements, EPA may require that EFCs provide EPA funded tools, data, and other materials to other EFCs to avoid duplication of effort and promote efficient use of EPA funding.

Minority Serving Institutions EPA recognizes that it is important to engage all available and eligible entities to address the environmental challenges the nation faces. EPA seeks to expand the pool of service providers by including institutions which may have not previously participated in EPA programs. For this reason, EPA strongly encourages all eligible applicants identified in Section III, including minority serving institutions (MSIs), to apply under this opportunity.

For purposes of this solicitation, the following are considered MSIs:

1. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as defined by the Higher Education Act (20

U.S.C. § 1061(2)). A list of these schools can be found at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

2. Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1059c(b)(3) and (d)(1)). A list of these schools can be found at American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities

3. Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C.

§ 1101a(a)(5)). A list of these schools can be found at Hispanic-Serving Institutions

4. Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions;

(AANAPISIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1059g(b)(2)). A list of these schools can be found at Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander- Serving Institutions; and

5. Predominately Black Institutions (PBIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act of 2008, 20 U.S.C. 1059e(b)(6). A list of these schools can be found at Predominately Black Institutions.

C. Project Partnerships

Effective partnerships are important for the success of projects solicited under this announcement. Partnerships between organizations can greatly enhance the delivery of services to communities. In their applications, applicants should identify appropriate and necessary partnerships to successfully conduct the project. Applicants should include a clear description of https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-11/documents/gpi-16-01-subaward-policy_attachments.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=79ceeaa4bb84b6174af5baacae60ef60&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1315&rgn=div8 https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/hispanic-serving-institutions-hsis/ https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XVkOWKMDORm53pvU0L8EPsrJC94&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=3&source=embed&ll=40.58644586187277%2C-148.28228249999984 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XVkOWKMDORm53pvU0L8EPsrJC94&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=3&source=embed&ll=40.58644586187277%2C-148.28228249999984 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1wlIi3j7gtlNq_w-0NKAb2bF2VmY&ie=UTF&msa=0&ll=37.35160769312532%2C-96.17229800000001&z=4 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1wlIi3j7gtlNq_w-0NKAb2bF2VmY&ie=UTF&msa=0&ll=37.35160769312532%2C-96.17229800000001&z=4 the roles of specific partners, or planned partners or partnership approach, in the project’s components/tasks.

All applicants should develop project teams that include both: 1) technical and engineering expertise, and 2) community outreach and engagement expertise. EFCs may consider working with technical and engineering consultants (in compliance with applicable competitive procurement requirements) that have a demonstratable track record of providing direct technical assistance (such as helping communities write funding applications and providing technical assistance for project and construction management for capital projects); and partnering with community-based organizations that have a history of conducting community outreach and engagement and have established trusted relationships within communities that have struggled or are currently struggling with environmental challenges.

A Regional Water Infrastructure EFC with BIL Funding should consider how it will effectively lead and manage a project team to help significant numbers of communities within its region to access BIL funding.

A National Water Infrastructure EFC with BIL Funding should consider how it will effectively lead and manage a project team to help significant numbers of communities across all regions to access BIL funding.

Contracts with technical and engineering firms must be awarded in compliance with the competitive procurement requirements in 2 CFR Part 200 as interpreted in EPA’s Best Practice Guide for Procuring Services, Supplies, and Equipment Under EPA Assistance Agreements.

Services from these firms are widely available in the commercial marketplace so EPA expects that contracts in excess of the 2 CFR 200.320(a)(1) micro-purchase threshold ($10,000 for most recipients) to be entered into competitively. If the applicant chooses to identify any partner entities who will receive subawards or procurement contracts (including contracts with consultants), please pay careful attention to the information in the CONTRACTS AND SUBAWARDS provision, found at https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses. EPA will not consider partner entity qualifications unless the applicant selects them in compliance with applicable regulations and provisions. Contracts in excess of the micro-purchase threshold at 2 CFR 200.320(a)(1) with very few exceptions (e.g., a patent) must be awarded competitively.

Naming a contractor (including consultants) in your application does not justify a sole source procurement or establish that EPA has approved the sole source contract. Additional information on EPA’s interpretation of the competition requirements in 2 CFR Part 200 and 2 CFR Part 1500 is available in the Best Practice Guide for Procuring Services, Supplies, and Equipment Under EPA Assistance Agreements.

Applications that do not include partnerships will be evaluated based on the applicant’s demonstration of its ability to successfully meet the objectives described in Section I.B without the use of partners.

https://www.epa.gov/grants/best-practice-guide-procuring-services-supplies-and-equipment-under-epa-assistance https://www.epa.gov/grants/best-practice-guide-procuring-services-supplies-and-equipment-under-epa-assistance https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=01bb323598f0078b0752d78622ef555b&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1320&rgn=div8 https://www.epa.gov/grants/best-practice-guide-procuring-services-supplies-and-equipment-under-epa-assistance-agreements https://www.epa.gov/grants/best-practice-guide-procuring-services-supplies-and-equipment-under-epa-assistance-agreements

D. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage and Anticipated Outcomes/Outputs

The capacity building, administrative support, technical assistance, training, outreach, reports/studies, tools, and other eligible activities to be funded under this announcement support the following Strategic Goals and Objectives of EPA’s FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan:

• Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis;

o Objective 1.1: Reduce Emissions that Cause Climate Change;

o Objective 1.2: Accelerate Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change

Impacts;

• Goal 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights;

o Objective 2.1: Promote Environmental Justice and Civil Rights at the Federal, Tribal, State, and Local Levels;

• Goal 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance o Objective 3.2: Detect Violations and Promote Compliance

• Goal 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities;

o Objective 4.1: Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and Health

Impacts;

o Objective 4.2: Reduce Exposure to Radiation and Improve Indoor Air;

• Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities;

o Objective 5.1: Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure;

o Objective 5.2: Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds;

• Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities;

o Objective 6.1: Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy

Communities;

o Objective 6.2: Reduce Waste and Prevent Environmental Contamination o Objective 6.3: Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies;

• Goal 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment;

o Objective 7.1: Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety; and o Objective 7.2: Promote Pollution Prevention.

EPA also requires that applicants adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements (see EPA Order 5700.7A1, Environmental Results under Assistance Agreements). All proposed projects must address the applicable Goals and Objectives of EPA’s FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan and include specific statements describing the environmental results of the proposed project in terms of well-defined outputs and, to the maximum extent practicable, well-defined outcomes that will demonstrate how the project will contribute to the overall protection of human health and the environment. Outputs and outcomes are defined as follows:

Outputs: Financial and environmental outputs (or deliverables) are an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product related to an environmental goal and programmatic 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 an assistance agreement funding period.

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Examples of anticipated outputs from the cooperative agreements expected to be awarded under this announcement may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Providing small, rural, tribal, and/or disadvantaged communities with administrative, pre-development coordination, and technical assistance to apply for, and access, SRF funding through BIL, which should include helping communities draft SRF funding applications, providing community outreach and engagement services, and providing technical assistance for project and construction management for capital projects;

• Providing an established number of communities, determined by the EFC’s work plan, with training and knowledge of available infrastructure funding and financing resources;

• Providing an established number of states or tribal governments, determined by the EFC’s work plan, with technical assistance to identify and pursue tools, resources and other opportunities that support state and/or tribal SRF programs to build their TA offerings to support disadvantaged communities.

• Development and implementation of training courses, information exchanges, and forums that focus on environmental finance;

• Development of electronic models and software tools focused on paying for environmental protection; and,

• Case studies and lessons learned related to asset management, financial planning, and effective communication of needs for infrastructure investments and environmental projects (particularly for rural, small, tribal, and/or disadvantaged communities).

• Development of tools and resources to support identification of communities that need assistance and tracking status of implementing solutions.

Outcomes: Finance and environmental outcomes are the result, effect, or consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature. Outcomes should be quantitative and may not necessarily be achieved within the assistance agreement funding period. Outcomes may be short-term (changes in learning, knowledge, attitude, skills), intermediate (changes in behavior, practice, or decisions), or long-term (changes in condition of the natural resource).

Examples of anticipated outcomes for cooperative agreements expected to be awarded under this announcement may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• An increase in the number of communities (especially small, rural, tribal, underserved, and/or disadvantaged communities) that successfully apply for and access financing and funding for infrastructure projects;

• An increase in the number of communities (especially small, rural, tribal, underserved, and/or disadvantaged communities) that understand how to access financing and funding for infrastructure projects;

• An increase in the number of local, state, and tribal governments, and non-governmental organizations that have the financial, technical, and institutional resources and capabilities to pay for environmental protection and operate in compliance with environmental requirements

As part of the Project Narrative, applicants are required to describe how the project results will link the outcomes to the EPA’s FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan Strategic Goals including assisting small, rural, and tribal municipalities to access financing. In addition, applicants will have to describe their plan and approach for tracking and measuring their progress towards achieving expected outputs and outcomes. Additional information regarding EPA’s discussion of environmental results in terms of “outputs” and “outcomes” can be found at EPA Order 5700.7, Environmental Results under Assistance Agreements.

E. Statutory Authority

The statutory authorities for the awards expected to be made under this announcement are:

1. For the Regional Multi-Environmental Media EFCs: the Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3), as amended; the Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442(c)(3), as amended; the Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001(a); the Clean Air Act, Section 103(b)(3); the Toxics Substances Control Act, Section 10, as amended; the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20, as amended; and the Marine Protection and the Research and Sanctuaries Act, Section 203.

2. For the BIL Funded Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure EFCs: the Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3), as amended; the Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442(c)(3), as amended

F. Additional Provisions For Applicants Incorporated Into The Solicitation

Additional provisions that apply to sections III, IV, V, and VI of this solicitation and/or awards made under this solicitation, can be found at EPA Solicitation Clauses. These provisions are important for applying to this solicitation and applicants must review them when preparing applications for this solicitation. If you are unable to access these provisions electronically at the website above, please contact the EPA point of contact listed in this solicitation (usually in Section VII) to obtain the provisions.

SECTION II – AWARD INFORMATION

A. Amount of Funding

The total estimated amount of federal funding available under this announcement is approximately $100 million, depending on Agency funding levels, the quality of applications received, Agency priorities, and other applicable considerations.

EPA anticipates making 10 to 21 awards. EPA is prioritizing new applicants and anticipates making at least 5 of these awards to high-ranking applicants that have not received an EFC award from EPA in the past ten years (see Section V.B. for additional details). The total amount https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses of federal funding available under this competitive announcement is up to approximately $20,000,000 per year.

Applicants should submit applications requesting up to $650,000 of funding each year for five years. Applicants may submit applications requesting funding above the $650,000 annual funding level. EPA will only be able to fund up to the amount that is requested by the applicant.

While EPA intends to make awards for an EFC at EPA Headquarters and in all ten EPA Regions within each of the two Regional EFC categories, the Agency reserves the right to make more awards than anticipated and reserves the right to make no awards in a particular EFC category or in a region. In addition, EPA reserves the right to prioritize the broadest possible coverage by selecting more than one applicant for a single region.

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

In addition, EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy and guidance, if additional funding becomes available. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than 6 months after the original selection decisions. EPA also reserves the right to make no awards under this announcement or the right to make fewer awards than anticipated. While EPA intends to make awards for an EFC at EPA Headquarters and in all ten EPA Regions within each of the two Regional EFC categories, the Agency reserves the right to make more awards than anticipated and reserves the right to make no awards in a particular EFC category or in a Region. Cooperative agreements funded under this announcement are expected to have five-year project periods, depending on the amount requested and the overall size and scope of the project(s).

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

B. Type of Funding

It is anticipated that cooperative agreements will be funded under this announcement and that EPA will have substantial involvement with the project work plan and budget. Although EPA will negotiate precise terms and conditions relating to substantial involvement as part of the award process, the anticipated substantial federal involvement may include the following:

1. In accordance with 2 CFR 200 Subpart D (200.317 through 200.327), as appropriate, review of proposed procurements in excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold to ensure compliance with applicable requirements. (EPA staff will not direct, recommend or suggest that recipients hire specific contractors.)

2. Close monitoring of the recipient’s performance to verify the results proposed by the https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d applicant.

3. Collaboration during performance of the scope of work, including participation in project activities, to the extent permissible under EPA policies. Examples of collaboration include:

a. Consultation between EPA staff and the recipients on effective methods of carrying out the scope of work, provided the recipient makes the final decision on how to perform authorized activities.

b. Advice from EPA staff on how to access publicly available information on EPA or other Federal agency web sites.

c. With the consent of the recipient, EPA staff may provide technical advice to recipient contractors or subrecipients provided the recipient approves any expenditures of funds necessary to follow advice from EPA staff. The recipient remains accountable for performing contract and subaward management as specified in 2 CFR 200.318 and 2 CFR 200.332 as well as the terms of the EPA cooperative agreement.

d. EPA staff participation in meetings, webinars, and similar events upon the request of the recipient or in connection with a co-sponsorship agreement.

4. Review of qualifications of key personnel (EPA does not have the authority to select employees of the recipient).

5. Review and approval of the substantive terms of recipient contracts and subawards to ensure cost allowability and regulatory compliance.

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

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

SECTION III – ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Note: Additional provisions that apply to this section can be found at EPA Solicitation Clauses.

A. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants under this competition are public and private non-profit universities and colleges, and non-profit organizations.

Non-profit organization, as defined by 2 CFR 200.1, means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative or other organization that is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable or similar purposes in the public interest and is not organized primarily for profit; and uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operation of the organization. The term includes tax-exempt nonprofit neighborhood and labor organizations. Note that 2 CFR 200.1 specifically excludes Institutions of Higher Education from the definition of non-profit organization because they are separately defined in the regulation. While not considered to be a non-profit organization(s) as defined by 2 CFR 200.1, public or nonprofit Institutions of Higher Education are, nevertheless, eligible to submit applications under this RFA. For-profit colleges, universities, trade schools, and hospitals are ineligible.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=34183e930e741a04ff06debe9d858069&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1318&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fad22b17b4bd4c04ee1eafc308099edd&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1332&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fad22b17b4bd4c04ee1eafc308099edd&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1332&rgn=div8

Nonprofit organizations that are not exempt from taxation under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code must submit other forms of documentation of nonprofit status, such as certificates of incorporation as nonprofit under state or tribal law. Nonprofit organizations exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that lobby are not eligible for EPA funding as provided in the Lobbying Disclosure Act, 2 U.S.C. 1611.

EPA may ask applicants to demonstrate that they are eligible for funding under this announcement.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

No matching funds are required under this competition.

C. Threshold Eligibility Criteria

If these eligibility requirements are not met by the application submission deadline, the application will be eliminated from consideration for funding. Only applications that meet all the threshold eligibility requirements will be evaluated against the ranking factors in Section V of this announcement. Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration as a result of the threshold eligibility review will be notified within 15 calendar days of the ineligibility determination.

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

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

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

3. 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, as explained in Section IV) on or before the application submission deadline published in Section IV of this announcement. Applicants are responsible for following the submission instructions in Section IV of this announcement to ensure that their application is timely submitted.

4. Applications submitted after the submission deadline will be considered late and deemed ineligible without further consideration unless the applicant can clearly demonstrate that it was late due to EPA mishandling or because of technical problems associated with Grants.gov or relevant System for Award Management (SAM) (https://sam.gov/content/home) system issues. An applicant’s failure to timely submit their application through Grants.gov because they did not timely or properly register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov will not be considered an acceptable reason to consider a late submission. Applicants should confirm receipt of their applications via email with http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://sam.gov/content/home http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/

Addison Chau at EFCRFA@epa.gov, within five business days after the submission deadline – failure to do so may result in your application not being reviewed.

5. Each application submitted under this announcement must address one, and only one, of the three categories: 1) Regional Multi-Environmental Media EFCs, 2) Regional Water Infrastructure EFCs with BIL Funding, and 3) National Water Infrastructure EFCs with BIL Funding. Applicants may also submit more than one application for a category under this announcement as long as each application is separately submitted. If an applicant submits an application that addresses more than one category, the application will be rejected.

6. Regional Multi-Environmental Media EFC applications must propose activities that are eligible for funding under CWA 104(b)(3), SDWA 1442(c)(3), SWDA 8001(a), CAA 103(b)(3), TSCA 10, FIFRA 20, MPRSA 203 and must be for projects by EFCs that provide multi-media environmental finance and administrative expertise and outreach to regulated entities (e.g., local governments, states, tribes, and non-governmental organizations) to help them meet environmental requirements.

7. BIL Funded Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure RFCs applications must propose activities that are eligible for funding under CWA 104(b)(3) and SDWA 1442(c)(3).

8. Each application submitted under this announcement must address one, and only one, EPA Region or EPA Headquarters. An application submitted for an EPA Region should indicate if it covers the entire EPA Region or a specific geographic or local area. If the application does not include this specification, EPA will assume that it is intended to cover the entire EPA Region. Applicants may submit more than one application under this announcement as long as each application is separately submitted and each application addresses only one EPA Region or EPA Headquarters. If an applicant submits an application that addresses more than one EPA Region or a combination of an EPA Region and/or Headquarters, the application will be rejected.

9. Applicants must indicate if they have received, or have not received, an EFC award in the last 10 years from EPA. If applicants do not indicate whether they have received an EFC award, EPA will contact the applicant. EPA encourages entities that have not received an EFC award in the past to apply.

10. Environmental program implementation activities such as the construction or operation of wastewater, drinking water, and recycling facilities are not eligible for funding under this RFA. If a submitted application includes any ineligible tasks or activities, that portion of the application will be ineligible for funding and may, depending on the extent to which it affects the application, render the entire application ineligible for funding.

11. All proposed projects must address the Agency’s Strategic Plan Strategic Goals in Section I.D and include specific statements describing the environmental results of the proposed project in terms of well-defined outputs and, to the maximum extent mailto:EFCRFA@epa.gov practicable, well-defined outcomes that will demonstrate how the project will contribute to the overall protection of human health and the environment.

SECTION IV – APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

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

Applicants must apply electronically through Grants.gov under this funding opportunity, based on the Grants.gov instructions in this announcement. If your organization has no access to the internet or access is very limited, you may request an exception for the remainder of this calendar year by following the procedures outlined here. Please note that your request must be received at least 15 calendar days before the application due date to allow enough time to negotiate alternative submission methods. Issues with submissions with respect to this opportunity only are addressed in section c. Technical Issues with Submission below.

B. Submission Instructions

The electronic submission of your application must be made by an official representative of your institution who is registered with Grants.gov and is authorized to sign applications for Federal assistance. For more information on the registration requirements that must be completed in order to submit an application through Grants.gov, go to Grants.gov and click on “Applicants” on the top of the page and then go to the “Organization Registration” link listed under the “Get Registered” section and follow the instructions. Please note, this process can take a month or more for new registrants. Applicants must ensure that all registration requirements are met in order to apply for this opportunity through Grants.gov and should ensure that all such requirements have been met well in advance of the submission deadline. Registration on Grants.gov, SAM.gov, and obtaining a DUNS number assignment is FREE.

NEW – PLEASE READ: Existing and new SAM.gov registrants are also assigned a free SAM-issued Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Applicants must use their UEI, not their DUNS number, when filling out forms in the package for this funding opportunity. Please see RAIN-2021-G01 for information about EPA’s implementation of the upcoming Government-wide transition from DUNS to UEI. Please note that until April 4, 2022, applicant organizations registering for the first time in SAM.gov will need a DUNS number.

Applicants need to ensure that the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) who submits the application through Grants.gov and whose UEI listed on the application must be registered to the applicant organization’s SAM account. If not, the application may be deemed ineligible.

To begin the application process under this grant announcement, go to Grants.gov and click the red “Apply” button at the top of the view grant opportunity page. If you encounter technical difficulties or the Apply button is grayed out please contact Grants.gov for assistance at the Grants.gov support center at support@grants.gov or 1-800-518-4726 before the application https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.epa.gov/grants/exceptions-grantsgov-submission-requirement http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://sam.gov/content/home https://sam.gov/content/home https://www.epa.gov/grants/rain-2021-g01 https://sam.gov/content/home http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:support@grants.gov deadline. Please note: To apply through Grants.gov, you must use Adobe Reader software and download the compatible Adobe Reader version. For more information about Adobe Reader, to verify compatibility, or to download the free software, please visit Adobe Reader Compatibility Information on Grants.gov.

Application Submission Deadline: Your organization’s AOR must submit your complete application package electronically to EPA through Grants.gov no later than Friday, July 1, 2022 at 11:59 PM ET. Please allow for enough time to successfully submit your application and allow for unexpected errors that may require you to resubmit.

Please submit all of the application materials described below…