EPA-I-R-OCFO-01 Revised 2023 11 28.pdf

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

Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO)

TITLE: Promoting Readiness and Enhancing Proficiency to Advance Reporting and Data

ACTION: REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA)

TYPE: INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NO: EPA-I-R-OCFO-01

ASSISTANCE LISTING NO: 66.203

KEY DATES:

SEP-NOV 2023 OPTIONAL NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPLY

DEC 15 2023 RFA CLOSES – APPLICATION DUE BY 11:59 PM (EST)

FEB 2024 ANTICIPATED FINAL SELECTIONS OF AWARDS

MAR 2024 ANTICIPATED AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT

APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Application packages must be submitted electronically to the EPA through Grants.gov (www.grants.gov) no later than December 15, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) to be considered for funding. Applications received after the closing date and time will not be considered for funding.

To allow for efficient management of the competitive process, the EPA requests submittal of an informal Notice of Intent to Apply by November 9, 2023, to EvidenceandEvaluation@epa.gov. Please include your approximate funding amount, and one to two sentences about the scope of your project. Submission of an Intent to Apply is optional and what is included in this submission will not impact later selection through the competitive process; it is a process management tool that will allow the EPA to better anticipate the total staff time required for efficient review, evaluation, and selection of submitted applications.

EPA provided two webinars on completing applications under this announcement. The webinars were recorded and posted on https://www.epa.gov/evaluate/prepared. Of note, the posted webinars reference the previous closing date of 11/30/2023, not the updated deadline of 12/15/2023. All other information presented in the webinar remains the same.

Note - Prior to naming a contractor (including consultants) or subrecipient in your application as a “partner”, please carefully review Section IV.d, of EPA’s Solicitation Clauses that are incorporated by reference in this announcement and included here. Applicants must compete contracts for services and products, including consultant contracts, and conduct cost and price analyses, to the extent required by the procurement provisions of the regulations at 2 CFR Part 200. Applicants are not required to identify subrecipients and/or contractors (including consultants) in their application. However, if they do, the fact that an applicant selected for award has named a specific subrecipient, contractor, or consultant in the https://sam.gov/fal/78d780b3bcf9484b8deb09e2d27f8353/view mailto:EvidenceandEvaluation@epa.gov https://www.epa.gov/evaluate/prepared https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses

-2-application EPA selects for funding does not relieve the applicant of its obligations to comply with subaward and/or competitive procurement requirements as described in Section IV.d, of EPA’s Solicitation Clause. Please note that applicants may not award sole source contracts to consulting, engineering or other firms assisting applicants with the application solely based on the firm's role in preparing the application or based on an assertion that the individual or firm has “unique qualifications”. EPA will not consider the qualifications, experience, and expertise of named subrecipients and/or named contractor(s) during the application evaluation process unless the applicant provides documentation that it has complied with these requirements. For additional guidance applicants should review EPA’s Best Practice Guide for Procuring Services, Supplies, and Equipment Under EPA Assistance Agreements. EPA expects recipients of funding to comply with competitive procurement contracting requirements as well as EPA’s rule on Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in EPA Programs in 40 CFR Part 33. The Agency does not accept justifications for sole source contracts for services or products available in the commercial marketplace such as consulting, data analysis, or project management.

EPA reserves the right to increase or decrease the total number of grants awarded or reject all applications and make no awards under this announcement. Such changes may be necessary as a response to the quality of applications received by EPA or the amount of funds available.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

EPA plans to make up to 50% of awards to new applicants who have either never received funding from EPA or who received EPA funding for the first time in FY23 or FY24 provided the new applicants submit proposals that are meritorious.

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

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FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT CONTENTS BY SECTION

SECTION I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

SECTION II. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

SECTION III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

SECTION IV. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

SECTION V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

SECTION VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

SECTION VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

APPENDIX A - DEFINITIONS

APPENDIX B - LOGIC MODEL

APPENDIX C - OPTIONAL ITEMIZED BUDGET SHEET TEMPLATE, BUDGET NARRATIVE, SHEET

DEFINITIONS, AND EXAMPLE

APPENDIX D – OPTIONAL PROJECT NARRATIVE TEMPLATE

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SECTION I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking applications for cooperative agreements to support the data, reporting, and evidence-building capacity of program beneficiaries, which include, recipients of grant funding from EPA as direct recipients of EPA funding and subrecipients who can participate in the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water programs, particularly for those representing small, underserved, and/or tribal communities that are applying for or receiving EPA grant funding, including but not limited to funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Public Law 117-58 [also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)] funding and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Public Law 117-169.

Applicants should describe how they would collaborate with other EPA funded technical assistance providers (e.g., Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers, EPA Environmental Finance Centers and Technical Assistance for Brownfields recipients) to avoid duplication of effort and share best practices. Additionally, as provided in EPA’s General Terms and Conditions

“Copyrighted Material and Data” (a link to which can be found in Section VI.w of EPA Solicitation Clauses), EPA may authorize the successful applicant to use copyrighted works or other data developed with Agency funds by other Federally funded technical assistance providers, or to require that the successful applicant allow other Federally funded technical assistance providers to use works or data developed with EPA funds, when such use promotes efficient and effective use of Federal grant funds.

A. Executive Orders and Definitions The EPA, as well as other federal government agencies/departments as part of a government-wide effort, are working to address environmental, public health, and energy challenges affecting communities, and specifically those adversely and disproportionately affected by environmental, climate, and human health harms and risks. This includes communities historically underserved and adversely impacted by persistent poverty, inequality, and lack of funding/resources.

In furtherance of this effort, this RFA is being issued to support Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity And Support For Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government, issued on January 20, 2021, which expressed Administration policy that the federal government should pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality. The Executive Order defines “underserved communities” as “populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life…”. As described further in the Executive Order, “underserved communities” may include communities of color such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities;

persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality. For purposes of this RFA, “underserved communities” has the meaning set forth in Executive Order 13985 and includes “environmentally overburdened communities” (that is, communities adversely and disproportionately affected by environmental, climate and human health harms and risks including remote, rural, and urban communities).

This RFA also supports Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, issued on January 27, 2021, which deepened the Administration’s commitment to advancing environmental justice by creating the Justice40 Initiative. The Justice40 Initiative establishes a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments—including those in climate change; clean energy and energy https://www.epa.gov/infrastructure https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/

-5-efficiency; clean transit; affordable and sustainable housing; training and workforce development; the remediation and reduction of legacy pollution; and the development of critical clean water infrastructure—flow to disadvantaged communities. Increased technical assistance and community engagement of disadvantaged communities was included as a benefit under Justice40 per the Interim Implementation Guidance for the Justice40 Initiative (M-21-28).

“Environmental justice” as defined by the EPA 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. Fair treatment means that no one group of people, including racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic groups, should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, municipal, and commercial operations or the execution of federal, state, local, and tribal environmental programs and policies.

Meaningful involvement means that: People have an opportunity to participate in decisions about activities that may affect their environment and/or health; The public's contribution can influence the regulatory agency's decision; Community concerns will be considered in the decision-making process; and Decision makers will seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected.

“Energy justice” as defined by the Department of Energy (DOE or Department) is “the goal of achieving equity in both the social and economic participation in the energy system, while also remediating social, economic, and health burdens on those disproportionately harmed by the energy system” (Initiative for Energy Justice, 2019). At its core, energy justice applies the basic principles of civil rights to the climate space.

Capacity building is support, investment, or training used to bring an eligible beneficiary to the next level of operational, programmatic, financial, or organizational maturity, so it may more effectively and efficiently implement its mission. It is a process in which eligible beneficiaries improve and retain skills, knowledge, tools, and other resources needed to improve environmental conditions for low- and moderate- income families in local communities. It is not a one-time effort to improve short-term effectiveness, but a continuous improvement strategy with the eligible beneficiary toward the creation of a sustainable and effective organization that serves its community.

Evaluation - “an assessment using systematic data collection and analysis of one or more programs, policies, and organizations intended to assess their effectiveness and efficiency.” Evidence Act § 101 (codified at 5 U.S.C. § 311). Credible program evaluation activities are implemented with relevance and utility, rigor, independence and objectivity, transparency, and ethics (OMB Circular A-11, Part 6 Section 290).

Outcomes - Results achieved, or benefits derived from the capacity building activity conducted, typically demonstrated by the eligible beneficiary.

Outputs - Deliverables such as products, grants made, individuals served, or trainings delivered that are usually quantified by number produced, number delivered, number of attendees, etc. Outputs do not measure a change in a beneficiary's capacity or capabilities.

For a complete list of definitions, see Appendix A.

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B. Background The Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 (https://www.epa.gov/evaluate/evidence-act) provides a federal framework for agencies to work with stakeholders on evidence-building, i.e., producing and using high-quality data analysis, statistics, and program evaluation for the purposes of managing performance, continuous improvement and learning, and decision-making using the best available evidence. In addition to other environmental grant funding, BIL is “a once-in-a-generation investment in our Nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness.” EPA will be making significant investments in the health, equity, and resilience of American communities using BIL funding, along with annual appropriations. With unprecedent funding to support our national infrastructure, EPA will improve people’s health and safety, create good-paying jobs, and increase climate resilience throughout the country. For more on EPA’s BIL investments, see https://www.epa.gov/infrastructure. Similarly, through IRA, EPA will invest in accelerating environmental justice efforts in communities overburdened by pollution and tackling our biggest climate challenges while creating jobs and delivering energy security.

For more on EPA’s IRA investments, see https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act. Consistent with the Evidence Act, BIL and IRA programs are being asked by EPA to collect and use data, or use existing data, for measuring progress and building evidence on program effectiveness, including implementation activities, performance reporting, and program evaluation. This includes collecting feedback from programs’ grant recipients and beneficiary communities, as well as collecting data or using existing data to assess program effectiveness and equitable delivery.

For EPA grant programs, data, reporting, and evidence-building are vitally important responsibilities.

However, many EPA grant recipients face capacity challenges for engaging in these activities and many small, underserved, and/or tribal communities that are eligible for EPA grants sometimes choose to pass on funding opportunities because they anticipate that they will have problems with data and reporting requirements. With this Cooperative Agreement, in particular EPA seeks to mitigate some of the challenges that EPA grant recipients representing small, underserved, and/or tribal communities face with these activities. EPA is committed to implementing strategies designed to help small and underserved communities, including those with environmental justice concerns, address data and reporting requirements, as well as to build the evidence-building capacity of these communities. Also, consistent with principles defined under the EPA Policy for the Administration of Environmental Programs on Indian Reservations, the EPA is committed to working with federally recognized tribes in building capacity to carry out program responsibilities affecting tribal communities and the health and welfare of the populace, including capacity for data, reporting, and evidence-building.

Many EPA grant recipients representing small, underserved, and tribal communities targeted for EPA grant opportunities lack robust capacity for data, reporting, and for evidence-building. In 2022, EPA held a roundtable with various federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and foundations to learn more about the challenges around grant recipient capacity building for managing data and reporting requirements, as well as using data and reporting for evidence-building. Roundtable participants cite a wide range of capacity issues ranging from staffing, lack of user-friendly systems for data and reporting, and competing (sometimes conflicting) data and reporting requirements of different funders. For example, a key capacity challenge is staff turnover, i.e., retaining knowledge and skills in managing data and fulfilling reporting requirements, especially for grant agreement activities that take several years to complete. Also, many grant recipients do not have the capacity to effectively use and report data in ways that help them conduct program evaluations or other empirical studies (such as data analysis or statistics) on their own. EPA is seeking proposals for cooperative agreement(s) designed to target EPA grant recipients representing small, underserved, and/or tribal communities and assist these communities with strategies, tools, and training that will build their capacity for data, reporting, and evidence-building.

https://www.epa.gov/evaluate/evidence-act https://www.epa.gov/evaluate/evidence-act https://www.epa.gov/infrastructure https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act https://www.epa.gov/tribal/epa-policy-administration-environmental-programs-indian-reservations-1984-indian-policy https://www.epa.gov/tribal/epa-policy-administration-environmental-programs-indian-reservations-1984-indian-policy

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Because of their historic nature, BIL and IRA grants, in particular, provide an excellent opportunity to identify effective strategies as well as to design new strategies that support and improve grant recipient data and reporting capacity. As EPA, other Federal agencies, non-Federal governmental entities, and private funders continue to expand their environmental justice work, and as we implement the President’s Justice40 Initiative, the need for evaluation is increasing. Under Executive Order 14008, the Justice40 Initiative established a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments— including those in climate change; clean energy and energy efficiency; clean transit; affordable and sustainable housing; training and workforce development; the remediation and reduction of legacy pollution; and the development of critical clean water infrastructure—flow to disadvantaged communities. Increased technical assistance to and community engagement with disadvantaged communities was included as a benefit under Justice40 per the Interim Implementation Guidance for the Justice40 Initiative (M-21-28). In addition, EPA is strengthening its water technical assistance programs to support communities in assessing their water needs and apply for their fair share of a historic investment in water and wastewater infrastructure improvements across the country between FY 2022 and FY 2026.

More information, including state-by-state allocation of 2023 funding and information on the DWINSA.

Under this Cooperative Agreement, technical assistance to small, underserved, and tribal communities will include, but not be limited to, steps to enhance EPA grant recipients’ and program beneficiaries’ evidence-building capacity, including tools for data analysis, statistics, and program evaluation designed to generate high-quality information that supports learning and improvement of outcomes and impacts.

For example, technical assistance can include tools to help grant recipients measure the benefits of projects in ways that are minimally burdensome, including tools to help quantify climate change and equity benefits. Additionally, the Agency recognizes that writing a proposal in response to an announcement requires considerable effort, and that doing so is itself an undertaking that can require pre-award capacity for data and reporting, as well as an understanding of evidence-building. In recognition of this type of capacity need, and to share the knowledge gained from the process with small, underserved, and tribal communities' applicants who do not receive grant funding from EPA as direct recipients of EPA funding or as program beneficiaries who participate in the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water programs that they have applied for, this Cooperative Agreement could extend its reach by making learnings available to all interested parties. Awards under this Cooperative Agreement could include activities that provide information to small, underserved and/or tribal communities that apply for, but do not receive grant funding from EPA as direct recipients of EPA funding or as program beneficiaries who participate in the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water programs, with the opportunity to take part in “Learning Cohorts” that focus on addressing challenges to data, reporting, and evidence-building through selected technical assistance activities. Further, EPA may also hold a national networking workshop(s) to support such learning cohorts.

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 award recipients 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, particularly with evidence-building capacity.

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. See below for a complete list of eligible services and activities.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/environmentaljustice/justice40/ https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/M-21-28.pdf https://www.epa.gov/dwsrf/annual-allotment-federal-funds-states-tribes-and-territories

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C. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage 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;

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

• Goal 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance

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

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

• Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities;

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

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

In addition, pursuant to Section 6a of EPA Order 5700.7A1, “Environmental Results under EPA Assistance Agreements,” EPA must link assistance agreements to the Agency’s Strategic Plan. EPA’s current Strategic Plan for 2022-2026 is available at: https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan.

The activities to be funded under this RFA support the FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan: Strategy 1 - Ensure Scientific Integrity and Science-Based Decision Making; Strategy 2 - Consideration of Health of Children at All Stages and Other Vulnerable Populations; Strategy 3 - Advance EPA’s Organizational Excellence and Workforce Equity; Strategy 4 - Strengthen Tribal, State, and Local Partnerships and Enhance Engagement;

or more specifically Goal 2 (Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights), Objective 2.1, (Promote Environmental Justice and Civil Rights at the Federal, Tribal, State, and Local Levels) of the Strategic Plan which states that “Building Community Capacity and Climate Resilience and Maximizing Benefits to Overburdened and Underserved Communities: EPA will increase support for community-led action by providing unprecedented investments and benefits directly to communities with environmental justice concerns and by integrating equity throughout Agency programs.” Applicants should explain in their application how their project will further these strategies and they will be evaluated on this under the evaluation criteria in Section V.A.

EPA Order 5700.7 also requires that applicants adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements. Applicants must include specific statements describing the environmental results of the proposed project in terms of well-defined outputs and, to the maximum extent practicable, well-defined outcomes that will demonstrate how the project will contribute to the goals and objectives described above.

• Outputs: The term “output” refers to an activity, effort, and/or associated work product related to an environmental goal and objective that will be produced or provided over a period or by a specified date.

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 https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan

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• Outcomes. The term “outcome” means the result, effect or consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity that relates to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective.

Details are further detailed in Section 1.H. Scope of Work and Program Specific Requirements, 3.

Performance Measures.

The FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan prioritizes “building community capacity and climate resilience and maximizing benefits to overburdened and underserved communities. In this effort, EPA will increase support for community-led action by providing unprecedented investments and benefits directly to communities with environmental justice concerns and by integrating equity throughout Agency programs.” Consistent with this Strategic Plan priority, BIL, IRA and other EPA grant programs will strive to address climate resilience and environmental justice in communities, especially in underserved communities that have, and continue to be, plagued by environmental pollution and health, and environmental justice challenges. These communities often need technical assistance and training to enhance their opportunities to access EPA’s financial assistance opportunities and then subsequently to support effective grants management and performance reporting. Building increased capacity for data, reporting, and evidence-building, can help EPA grant recipients representing small, underserved, and tribal communities better address community needs and solutions, and improve their climate resilience and environmental justice outcomes. See Appendix A for definitions relevant to environmental justice and capacity building.

D. Authority Congress provided EPA with both funding and authority to support communities’ capacity for data, reporting, and evidence-building through the following authorities:

• Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3), as amended

• Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1420

• Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001(a)

• Clean Air Act, Section 103(b)(3)

• Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10, as amended

• Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20, as amended

• Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, Section 203

• Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442(c)(3), as amended

Additional and future funding for awards under this RFA is contingent on the availability of future appropriations.

E. Minority Serving Institutions EPA recognizes that it is important to engage all available minds to address the environmental challenges the nation faces. At the same time, EPA seeks to expand the environmental conversation by including members of communities which may have not previously participated in such dialogues to participate 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:

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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

F. Partnerships Below are several terms defining the multiple relationships that will be managed through the PREPARED awards. Applicants should integrate these terms in their applications to define the types of relationships and collaborations that will play a part in their work as a grant recipient:

• Collaborative Pass-through Relationships: These relationships are subawards to other nonprofits, units of government, institutions of higher education, and/or federally recognized tribes and Intertribal Consortia that meet the requirements of 40 CFR 35.504. The grant recipient will utilize these collaborative pass-through relationships to assist in the direct development and implementation of the PREPARED program.

• Procurement Relationships: These relationships are for the acquisition of goods and services from for-profit firms and individual consultants. All procurement relationships will be required to be established in compliance with the competitive requirements in 2 CFR Part 200 and 2 CFR Part 1500 as interpreted in the Best Practice Guide for Procuring Services, Supplies, and Equipment Under EPA Assistance Agreements.

• Program Participants: These are individuals receiving stipends, travel assistance, or other participant support cost payments as authorized in 2 CFR 1500.1 and the EPA Guidance on Participant Support Costs or compensation as advisory council members as described in the EPA Office of Grants and Debarment Guidance on Selected Items of Cost for Recipients. Workshop participants and focus groups are examples of program participants as are representatives of community-based organizations who participate in the governance process where one or more community-based nonprofit organizations is involved in the design and decision-making of the subgrants program. Example participatory governance activities could include advisory bodies composed of community-based nonprofit organizations that oversee and provide advice on the development of the subaward process. The participatory governance framework should describe controls for ensuring that representatives of community-based nonprofit organizations involved in the design and decision-making for the subgrants program do not have relationships with organizations competing for subgrants or receiving noncompetitive funding that create actual or 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.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/rain-2018-g05-r1 https://www.epa.gov/grants/rain-2018-g05-r1 https://www.epa.gov/grants/rain-2018-g01-r https://www.epa.gov/grants/rain-2018-g01-r

-11-apparent conflicts of interest. Note that grant recipients may compensate representatives of community-based organizations who participate in the governance process with stipends to the extent permissible in the above referenced EPA guidance documents.

• Collaborative In-Kind Relationships: These relationships are agreements between entities to cooperate to achieve common goals/objectives that do not involve transfers of EPA funds.

Consistent with the definition of Nonprofit organization at 2 CFR 200.1, the term “nonprofit organization means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization that is operated mainly for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purpose 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”. 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 nonprofit 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. Eligible nonprofit organizations may, but are not required to be, exempt from taxation under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code as long as the organization is recognized as a nonprofit under state or tribal law. Workforce Investment Boards and organized Labor Unions that meet these criteria may be eligible nonprofit organizations.

EPA will give strong consideration to applicants who work with our program beneficiaries which include, recipients of grant funding from EPA as direct recipients of EPA funding and subrecipients who can participate in the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water programs, particularly for those representing small, underserved, and/or tribal communities that are applying for or receiving EPA grant funding, including but not limited to funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Public Law 117-58 [also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)] funding and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Public Law 117-169. If an applicant does not have this experience, they should demonstrate in their application how they can effectively perform under the requirements of the PREPARED cooperative agreement, without experience in working with the intended beneficiaries.

The applicant should demonstrate experience in working with communities and/or demonstrate experience in the application of community-engaged participatory work. To demonstrate this experience appropriately, the following areas should be addressed in the application:

• How has the applicant built trusting relationships with communities that they have partnered with?

• How has the applicant prioritized the community in the design of outreach strategies, education, interventions, evaluation efforts, projects, and/or program development?

• How has the applicant ensured community involvement, centered community challenges, lived experiences, and/or indigenous knowledge in their work from conception to dissemination?

G. Project Goals Project goals are to support communities that receive EPA grant funding, specifically to address their capacity for implementing requirements for data and reporting as part of their grant commitments to EPA and as outlined by federal policies and regulations. Often, small, underserved, and tribal communities focus on collecting data solely for the purpose of reporting to EPA (and other funders) and they do not have the capacity to use the data collected or the process for reporting to EPA as means for their own learning and program improvement. Therefore, another project goal is to provide communities that

-12-receive EPA grant funding with tools and strategies for evidence-building that leverages data and reporting requirements. Communities understandably focus on data and reporting required by funders such as EPA, but this can unintentionally limit their ability to engage in evidence-building, i.e., to produce high-quality and timely quantitative and qualitative information that help improve outcomes and results for their communities. Proposals for awards under this Cooperative Agreement are expected to target capacity issues found in small, underserved, and/or tribal communities. Also, proposals for awards under this Cooperative Agreement are expected to consider issues related to the relative lack of experience with data collection, data management, and post-award reporting among the smaller/newer grant recipients compared to larger/more established grant recipients.

Additionally, proposals for awards under this Cooperative Agreement are expected to incorporate qualitative data such as community voices, alternative sources of knowledge, indigenous knowledge (IK) and lived experiences as components of the overall picture. Applicants that incorporate the aforementioned methodologies (but are not limited to) demonstrate an adherence to cultural competency that should be prioritized and reflected in work with communities, specifically disadvantaged, rural, and/or tribal communities. By working together to build capacity, and combining multiple sources of data alongside technical assistance, greater inclusivity can be achieved while maintaining focus on the overall mission and deliverables.

H. Scope of Work and Program Specific Requirements Through the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 20181 and GPRA Modernization Act of 20102 and consistent with the Presidential Memorandum, Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking3, this funding enhances community capacity and their ability to collect appropriate, high-quality data that can be used to achieve better community-based programmatic outcomes.

For FY2023, there is $4,000,000 available to carry out eligible activities related to capacity building.

Activities should relate to advancing awareness of best practices related to program evaluation with an emphasis on “learning”, rather than trying to “fix” an environmental concern. The applicant should clearly explain how the methods and approaches used will engage community stakeholders.

In general, the cooperative agreement proposals should:

• Include a clear description of the planned effort, project, strategy, intervention and how it would address the Project Goals and Scope of Work of this funding opportunity.

• Identify major goals, and clearly defined objectives and outcome measures of the project.

• Explain how the project would be implemented and discuss its sustainability and transferability.

• Include plans for an evaluation component.

1. Funding Priorities.

Consistent with the objectives of this Cooperative Agreement, applicants should describe in their applications and workplan (see Section IV.C.1), and will be evaluated based on, the type of Eligible Services they will provide, how they will do so, and how program participants, and especially

1 Pub. L. No. 115-435, 132 Stat. 5529 (2019), available at https://www.congress.gov/115/plaws/publ435/PLAW115publ435.pdf.

2 GPRA Modernization Act of 2010, Pub. L. No. 111-352, available at https://www.congress.gov/111/plaws/publ352/PLAW-

111publ352.pdf 3 See https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/memorandum-on-restoring-trust-in-government-through-scientific-integrity-and-evidence-based-policymaking/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/ceq/news-updates/2022/12/01/white-house-releases-first-of-a-kind-indigenous-knowledge-guidance-for-federal-agencies/ https://www.congress.gov/115/plaws/publ435/PLAW115publ435.pdf https://www.congress.gov/111/plaws/publ352/PLAW-111publ352.pdf https://www.congress.gov/111/plaws/publ352/PLAW-111publ352.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/memorandum-on-restoring-trust-in-government-through-scientific-integrity-and-evidence-based-policymaking/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/memorandum-on-restoring-trust-in-government-through-scientific-integrity-and-evidence-based-policymaking/

-13-small, underserved, and/or tribal communities, will be made aware of, and can access, the Eligible Services. Applicants are strongly encouraged to design their capacity building activities around the types of Eligible Services described below or other similar services to meet the objectives of this Cooperative Agreement.

2. Eligible Services and Activities.

The Eligible Services to be provided by recipients operating under this Cooperative Agreement should be based on accomplishing the following objectives related to training, capacity development, planning, technical assistance, and evaluation activities to assist small, underserved, tribal grant recipient communities with information, tools, and assistance.

• 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.

Recipients will provide technical assistance and/or research to support communities in a range of activities, such as positioning communities to demonstrate their success so they can apply for funding that bolsters their 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 through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) programs.

• Tools and Resources. Recipients 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 up to 8 entities will be selected for these functions. Under the cooperative agreements issued in this funding opportunity, recipients will provide eligible services to assist communities, specifically disadvantaged, rural, and/or tribal communities, with environmental evidence and capacity building projects to address environmental, energy justice, and other environmental challenges such as 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:

• Supporting personnel and data infrastructure needs related to performance management and program evaluation needs associated with their application, such as supporting pre-application development and coordination for infrastructure project delivery, that builds capacity to help disadvantaged communities implement capital funding.

• Preparing potential grant recipients for success in data collection and management, as well as post-award reporting inclusive of quality assurance project planning (i.e., Quality Assurance Project Plans and Quality Management Plans); the identification and assessment in the utility of existing data/information; and any other activities related to project design and measurement activities.

• Creating and maintaining user-friendly data that community grantees can use to help with basic post-award reporting into EPA systems.

• Creating a connection between programmatic efforts and desired outcomes through logic modeling.

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• Supporting evidence informed decision-making for communities, including positioning disadvantaged communities to demonstrate their success and then equipping them with the ability to access funding through direct EPA grants or participation in state CW and DWSRF programs.

• Supporting capacity for community-based program evaluation using qualitative and/or quantitative methods.

• Incorporating mixed methods evaluation, research methods, and analyses inclusive of surveys and qualitative data.

• Dissemination and translation of mixed methods, statistical analyses, and findings for lay audience/community understanding.

• Other similar activities applicants propose to build community capacity to employ approaches to program evaluation and other evidence-building, such as:

− Creating opportunities for community to better define concerns and set priorities for discussion and action;

− Developing workshops, training, and other skills development opportunities;

− Extending networks, partnerships, and developing coalitions (see Section I.F for partnership definitions);

− Building databases and accessing existing databases;

− Community engagements and relationship building linked to data, reporting, and evidence-building; and

− Identify opportunities to streamline data collection processes, including cross-agency, intergovernmental, and private funding source data sharing.

• Development of other similar activities the applicant determines to be necessary and appropriate to carry out their proposed projects.

• Pilots to assist with any of the above.

Consistent with these parameters, applicants should design their capacity building activities to provide, at a minimum one of the Eligible Services described above. Applicants may also propose approaches to addressing eligible services that differs from or supplements what is described and may propose other types of technical assistance activities that meet the objectives of this Cooperative Agreement as long as the activities are eligible for funding under the appropriate statutory authorities. 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).

3. Performance Measures.

a) Technical Assistance Activities Applicants should describe how they will provide these services to grant recipients through the most efficient and effective means practicable. In providing the Eligible Services under this Cooperative Agreement, applicants should design an approach intended to assist program participants with assistance and information on:

• Understanding and complying with administrative and programmatic post-award grant functions and responsibilities and federal grant regulations (e.g., 2 CFR Part 200, as adopted and amended by 2 CFR Part 910 and 2 CFR Part 1500, 2 CFR Part 35, 40 CFR Part 35) as well as applicable state regulations and private funding governance.

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• Any other similar activities they believe will be effective in providing technical assistance, training, and support to grant recipient to facilitate their participation in funding programs for environmental and energy justice and in the environmental and/or energy decision making process.

b) Collaboration and Engagement Activities Applicants should design their capacity building activities to assist grant recipients in identifying and building partnerships/coalitions (see Funding Opportunities Section I.F. for partnership-type examples) to advance the sustainability and transferability of their projects. Collaborations are essential to effective community work, especially among small, underserved, and tribal communities. This may include coordination and/or facilitation services and similar activities for meetings and communications between grant recipients and their stakeholders to address and discuss environmental concerns and inform program development and implementation.