EPA-I-R3-CBP-23-11.pdf

OVERVIEW

AGENCY: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 3

TITLE: Chesapeake Bay Program Office Fiscal Year 2023 Request for Applications for:

Assessment and Methodology Development for Advanced Automated Techniques and Protocols to Map Chesapeake Bay Submerged Aquatic Vegetation from High- Resolution Satellite Imagery

ACTION: Request for Applications (RFA)

RFA #: EPA-I-R3-CBP-23-11

ASSISTANCE LISTING #: 66.466

IMPORTANT DATES

July 21, 2023 Issuance of Request for Applications (RFA) September 6, 2023 Application submission deadline (see Section IV for more information) October 23, 2023 Approximate date for EPA to notify applicants of results November 6, 2023 Approximate date for selected applicant to submit revised federal cooperative agreement application January 1, 2024 Approximate date of award/Project start date

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

VIII: OTHER INFORMATION

APPENDIX A. APPLICATION FORMAT

APPENDIX B. BUDGET GUIDANCE

FULL TEXT OF ANNOUNCEMENT

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Background

1. About the Chesapeake Bay Program The Chesapeake Bay is North America's largest and most biologically diverse estuary. A resource of extraordinary productivity, it is worthy of the highest levels of protection and restoration. Authorized by Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 117, 33 USC Section 1267, the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) is responsible for supporting the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council (Executive Council), including the coordination of federal, state, and local efforts to restore and protect living resources and water quality of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. CWA Section 117 also authorizes EPA to provide assistance grants to support the goals of the program.

The CBP was bolstered by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, allowing for increased investment in traditional, nature-based, and green infrastructure. The CBP is committed to increasing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in its grant programs, projects, and associated community engagement efforts.

The CBP is a unique regional partnership that has led and directed the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay since 1983. Today, the CBP partners include the states of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia; the District of Columbia; the Chesapeake Bay Commission (a tri-state legislative body); and EPA, representing the federal government. The partnership’s work is guided by the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, which establishes the plan for collaboration across the Bay’s political boundaries and establishes goals and outcomes for the restoration of the Bay, its tributaries, and the lands that surround them.

2. CBP Partnership Structure The CBP is guided at the direction of the Executive Council, which establishes the policy direction for the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay and exerts its leadership to rally public support for the Bay effort and signs directives, agreements, and amendments that set goals and guide policy for Chesapeake Bay restoration. The Executive Council is established by CWA Section 117.

To ensure implementation of the Executive Council’s Chesapeake Bay Agreements, the CBP has several committees, teams, workgroups comprised of participating partners. The committees, teams, and workgroups that will be supported the activities of this RFA include the following:

• The Principals' Staff Committee (PSC) acts as the senior policy advisors to the Executive Council, accepting items for their consideration and approval and setting agendas for Executive Council meetings. The PSC translates the restoration vision by setting policy and implementing actions on behalf of the Executive Council. The PSC also provides policy and program direction to the Management Board.

• The Management Board provides strategic planning, priority setting, and operational guidance through implementation of a comprehensive, coordinated, accountable implementation strategy for the CBP. It directs and coordinates the goal teams and workgroups under it.

https://www.chesapeakebay.net/what/what-guides-us/watershed-agreement

• The Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) provides scientific and technical guidance to the Chesapeake Bay Program on measures to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay. Since its creation, STAC has worked to enhance scientific communication and outreach throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed and beyond.

• The six Goal Implementation Teams (GITs) includes federal and non-federal experts from throughout the watershed. Academic experts, advocacy organizations, and others become active members of the broad restoration partnership.

• The Water Quality GIT (WQGIT) is charged is to evaluate, focus, and accelerate the implementation of practices, policies, and programs that will restore water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries to conditions that support living resources and protect human health.

• The Scientific, Technical Assessment and Reporting (STAR) Team works to increase collaboration among science providers to provide monitoring, modeling, and analysis needed to update, explain, and communicate ecosystem condition and change to support the GITs.

• The Communications Workgroup provides support for the communication needs of the CBP partners by spurring public action through consistent messaging, expanded media coverage, use of multimedia and online tools, comprehensive branding and promotion, outreach to stakeholders, and coordinated internal and external communications.

Pursuant to CWA Section 117(b)(2), 33 USC Section 1267(b)(2), the Chesapeake Bay Program Office (CBPO) is the office within EPA charged with providing support to the Executive Council in the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay. The CBPO and CBP, mentioned above, are two distinct entities.

For additional background information on the CBP achievements and commitments, see the CBP partnership’s website located at http://www.chesapeakebay.net/.

B. Scope of Work

1. Introduction There are two overarching objectives of this RFA, which EPA is seeking project proposals to address. The first objective is to map the density and distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) accurately, efficiently, and effectively throughout the mesohaline habitat in Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries from high-resolution (approximately 4m per pixel resolution or less) satellite imagery using automated detection and classification methods, and, in doing so, develop and document a protocol that would inform Bay-wide SAV assessment efforts. The second objective is to develop and document a robust, repeatable method of generating vector-based polygons that:

1. represent SAV beds from the pixel-based SAV classifications developed under Objective 1 that are calibrated to results generated from hand-delineated SAV mapping of beds as estimated from the present SAV survey protocol; and

2. applies the polygon bed delineation method to SAV classification results from high resolution satellite imagery to produce SAV cover maps of Zannichellia palustris that are suitable for summarizing acreage and density throughout the mesohaline portion of Chesapeake Bay.

http://www.chesapeakebay.net/

Although the CBP is comprised of federal and non-federal organizations, activities funded under this RFA will support the non-federal partners. The recipient of the cooperative agreement awarded under this RFA may work directly with federal agencies, but the nature of the work will result only in direct, significant benefits to the non-federal agencies, partners, and the general public. Any indirect or incidental benefits to EPA are not the purpose of this RFA.

EPA seeks to support one recipient to meet these objectives by providing the CBP with data and protocols needed to evolve the Bay-wide SAV monitoring program towards satellite remote sensing methods and advance efforts to meet the goals of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. This will be accomplished by performing two activities, Proof of Application and Methods Development, which are described in more detail in Section I.B.3. below.

The total estimated funding under this solicitation is approximately $440,000 overall, with an estimated $150,000 available for years 1-2 and $70,000 available for years 3-4. There is no guarantee of funding throughout this period or beyond.

This project includes two activities, as detailed below. Applicants must address both activities below in their application.

Activity Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

Activity 1:

Proof of application

$150,000 $150,000 -- --

Activity 2:

Methods development

-- -- $70,000 $70,000

If your organization has an interest in this project, the experience and knowledge to accomplish the activities described below and is eligible to receive a federal assistance agreement as described in Section III of this announcement, we encourage you to apply. Each eligible application will be evaluated using the criteria described in Section V. This is a multi-year project, and the application should have a work plan and budget for the first year and a projected work plan and estimated budget detail for each subsequent year (up to four years).

2. Chesapeake Bay SAV Monitoring Program Since 1984, the Chesapeake Bay Program has worked with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science

(VIMS) to conduct an annual survey of SAV throughout the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal waters. The

Chesapeake Bay SAV Monitoring Program (hereafter the SAV monitoring program) collects, interprets, and synthesizes both aerial imagery and ground survey data to report SAV acreage and density throughout the Bay annually and reliably. The program is the most successful and consistent large-scale, long-term SAV monitoring program in the world. SAV scientists and managers across the Chesapeake

Bay watershed have grown to depend upon the data for a variety of purposes, from basic research and education to regulatory decision-making and annual public communications on the health of the

Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. Adoption of monitoring and assessment approaches with significant cost and programmatic efficiencies are needed to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the SAV monitoring program (Landry et al. 2021).

Satellite image quality and quantity are improving for the purpose of SAV distribution and density mapping. Radiometrically calibrated and atmospherically corrected products are available from several public and commercial sources. Maps of SAV distribution and density are critical for management of estuarine/coastal water quality and natural resources, ecological modeling and forecasting, climate warming effects, ocean acidification, and blue carbon estimates. Maintenance of the annual aerial SAV survey program for Chesapeake Bay has been under pressure for several reasons, including aircraft costs and scheduling, labor costs for manual photointerpretation, and increasingly limited access to restricted airspace. The use of satellite data to complete SAV assessments represents an opportunity to address issues associated with the current annual CBP aerial SAV survey program.

An important challenge in monitoring SAV with satellite-based imagery in tidal waters of the

Chesapeake Bay is to calibrate SAV maps derived from pixel-based classification methods applied to high resolution satellite images for characterizing SAV cover with those manually delineated from high resolution aerial imagery of the existing CBP annual survey. Currently, under the long-term CBP Annual

Survey protocols, SAV bed edges are manually delineated without an automated decision protocol for setting bed boundaries. Individual beds include areas of varying SAV abundance and include spaces between SAV patches without SAV. Each bed is then visually classified for an estimated overall SAV bed density. A purely pixel-based summary of SAV cover will underestimate acres of SAV compared to the manually delineated SAV polygons that link SAV patches, including areas devoid of SAV, into defined beds, creating an artificial downward shift in SAV acreage and density trends. Consequently, new methods are required to generate vector–based polygons from pixel-based SAV data maps auto-generated using a stable decision protocol supporting an algorithm for bed delineation with the high-resolution satellite imagery. Algorithm development would be aligned with, and allow for calibration with, the hand delineated SAV maps manually generated from aerial imagery. The imagery underpins the annual reporting of the SAV abundance indicator that tracks progress towards achieving the SAV goals of the CBP.

Automating the workflow from image acquisition through classification to mapping products and summary outputs of habitat cover is essential for advancing the SAV monitoring program with efficient, effective, and robust monitoring.1

Activities 1 and 2 will:

1. Develop key workflow elements essential to an automated assessment process needed to support a future satellite-based SAV monitoring program that can efficiently and effectively operate from image acquisition through classification to develop mapping products and summary outputs of Chesapeake Bay tidal water SAV habitat cover; and

2. Demonstrate the utility of AI/ML-based SAV classification and polygon SAV bed delineation of pixel-based assessment results to evaluate spring SAV distribution in the mesohaline region of the Chesapeake Bay.

1 References:

Landry, B., Tango, P., Bisland, C., Coffer, M., Dennison, B., Hill, V., Lebrasse, C., Li., J., Orth, R., Patrick, C., Schaeffer, B., Witman, P., Wilcox, D., Zimmerman, R. 2021. Exploring Satellite Image Integration for the Chesapeake Bay SAV Monitoring Program – A STAC Workshop. STAC Publication Number 21-001.

Edgewater, MD. (45 pages) https://www.chesapeakeprogress.com/abundant-life/sav https://www.chesapeakeprogress.com/abundant-life/sav

Successfully developing, documenting, and applying the methodology is essential to advancing the program into the future with efficient, reliable, cost effective, and robust monitoring that sustains and enhances the Bay-wide annual assessment of SAV for the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

3. Tasks for Activity 1 (Proof of Application)

The following are examples of the types of tasks required to carry out Activity 1: Proof of Application.

Applicants should address these tasks or describe in detail alternative approaches to providing the requested support.

• Develop a quality assurance project plan (QAPP) for satellite-image data acquisition and management.

• Access, collate and assemble high-temporal (daily-weekly), high-spatial (<4m) resolution satellite imagery for the entire mesohaline region (41 CBP SAV segments) of the Chesapeake Bay and its lower tidal tributaries for the entire SAV growing season (March through November) for two consecutive years in preparation for automated SAV assessment.

• Prepare data for classification (i.e., radiometric correction, glint, filter for cloud impacted pixels, etc.).

• Use Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) automated detection methods to autogenerate pixel-based maps of SAV acreage and density in each of the 41 CBP SAV segments defined as mesohaline for the entire SAV growing season.

o The purpose of creating high-temporal frequency maps is to demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of auto-generating maps of SAV from high-resolution (i.e., approximately 4m per pixel resolution or less) satellite imagery at scales beyond site-specific study that can be used to assess seasonal variation in SAV cover. Additionally, it will be necessary in subsequent steps to compare auto-generated SAV maps to hand-delineated SAV maps produced by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) for calibration purposes.

• Document methods and provide protocols and coding for data acquisition, collation, management, classification, and summarization.

• Provide quarterly reports to the Chesapeake Bay Program Monitoring Team through one of its related workgroup venues (e.g., Integrated Monitoring Workgroup, Data Integrity Workgroup, Criteria Assessment Protocol, SAV Workgroup) summarizing image collection status, as well as status of completing assessments while updating the group on any issues, successes and challenges involved in the work.

• Provide semi-annual reports to the Project Officer that will be reviewed with the awardee and the Project Officer.

• Provide annual data set deliverables to the Project Officer.

• Provide an annual interpretive summary of results to the Project Officer.

• Provide final report including full disclosure of SAV distribution generated from satellite imagery and all methods/algorithms/protocols used to generate pixel-based SAV maps.

4. Tasks for Activity 2 (Methods Development)

The following are examples of the types of tasks required to carry out Activity 2: Methods Development.

Applicants are expected to conduct these tasks or describe in detail alternative approaches to providing the requested support.

• Effective acquisition and SAV classification of high-resolution satellite imagery for Chesapeake

Bay tidal waters (mesohaline segments specifically) during Activity 1 of this project, recognizing the diverse environmental conditions offered by the Bay and the different considerations surrounding satellite-based imagery (e.g., radiometric corrections, glint, etc.).

• Develop automated protocol methods to create vector-based SAV polygons from pixel-based

SAV classification using data and maps from Activity 1. Use boundaries and decision process methods for SAV bed characterization established by VIMS (for the Bay-wide aerial survey) to mimic historically applied hand-delineation techniques and maintain consistency in image interpretation and product development. Calibrate to SAV maps hand-delineated from aerial imagery (VIMS Bay-wide aerial survey) where SAV bed polygons in each of two years align in space and time.

• Using the methods developed for vector-based SAV bed delineation of the pixel-based satellite data, generate spring season (March-May) Zannichellia acreage and density maps of all 41

Chesapeake Bay mesohaline segments for two years of acquired satellite imagery.

• Define a method with decision rules in a protocol for calculating seasonal SAV cover from the high-temporal density satellite-based data.

• Create composite maps and calculate maximum Zannichellia area coverage for the spring season throughout the Chesapeake Bay mesohaline region for each of the two years of data collection as 1) a regional summary number of acreage cover by year, and 2) CBP management segment specific summaries of SAV cover for each year.

• Document methods and provide protocols and coding for data acquisition, collation, management, classification, and summarization.

• Provide quarterly reports to the Chesapeake Bay Program Monitoring Team through one of its related workgroup venues (e.g., Integrated Monitoring Workgroup, Data Integrity Workgroup, Criteria Assessment Protocol, SAV Workgroup) method development status. These reports shall provide the status of completing assessments while updating the group on any issues, successes and challenges involved in the work.

• Provide semi-annual reports to the Project Officer that will be reviewed with the awardee and the Project Officer.

• Provide annual data set deliverables to the Project Officer.

• Provide an annual interpretive summary of results to the Project Officer.

• Provide final report including full disclosure of SAV distribution generated from satellite imagery and all methods/algorithms/protocols used to generate vector-based SAV maps from pixel-based SAV maps/data.

5. Skills and Experience To fulfill the activities of this RFA, applicants are expected to have the following skills and experience, or describe in detail alternative approaches (e.g., hiring contractors) to ensure the provision and availability of such skills and experience:

• Knowledge and experience working with SAV monitoring and assessment programs.

• Capacity and experience in the coordination of satellite image collection, high resolution

(approximately 4m per pixel resolution or less) satellite-data assessment knowledge, skills, and abilities.

• Satellite data management, data storage, and data delivery capacities.

• Experience, resources, and capacity suitable to effectively conduct high-spatial resolution satellite-based image acquisition, storage of high temporal frequency satellite data, filtering, collating, and managing of the data suitable for support of SAV monitoring and assessment.

• AI/ML algorithm development, programming, and documentation skills and experience that support protocol developments involving satellite data acquisition, management, image processing, characterization, and output generating methods necessary to support development of a monitoring protocol for future satellite-based data assessments in Chesapeake Bay tidal waters.

• Management of resulting data and summarizing, reporting, and delivery of the results.

• Computer laboratory skills.

• Expertise in computer laboratory procedure oversight, including quality assurance and quality control procedures associated with satellite-based data assessment.

• Strong programmatic experience, skills, and proficiency with program management, data management, metadata management of water quality and SAV monitoring programming.

• History of interpretation, communication, and delivery of satellite-based environmental resources for SAV assessments.

• History of meeting reporting requirements in a timely, effective, and efficient manner.

• Proficiency with data management and analysis, including use of spreadsheets, databases, and graphics software to present results of data analyses.

• Strong GIS and analytical skills.

• Familiarity with ecological and environmental monitoring programs and analyses.

• Experience developing and using program quality assurance and control procedures (QAPP development).

• Proficiency with scientific writing, editing, communication, and computer skills.

C. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage & Anticipated Outcomes and Outputs Pursuant to Section 6a of EPA Order 5700.7A1, “Environmental Results under EPA Assistance Agreements,” EPA must link proposed assistance agreements to the Agency’s Strategic Plan.

1. Linkage to EPA’s Strategic Plan The activities to be funded under this solicitation support the FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan. Awards made under this solicitation will support Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities, Objective 5.2 Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds of the Strategic Plan.

EPA Order 5700.7A1 also requires that grant applicants adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements. Applicants must include specific statements describing the environmental results of the proposed project in terms of well-defined outputs and, to https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf the maximum extent practicable, well-defined outcomes that will demonstrate how the project will contribute to the activities described in Section I.B.2-4.

2. Outputs The term “output” means an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product related to an environmental goal and objective that will be produced 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. Examples of potential outputs under the Scope of Work of this announcement may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide Chesapeake Bay mesohaline region analysis of high resolution (approximately 4m per pixel resolution or less) satellite-image assessments of SAV to support Chesapeake Bay protection and restoration efforts and address the needs and requirements of CBP decision-makers and managers in the understanding of how CBP nutrient reductions are achieving SAV acreage and density goals.

• Provide quarterly progress updates to at least one of the Chesapeake Bay Program Monitoring Team venues (e.g., Integrated Monitoring Workgroup, Data Integrity Workgroup, Criteria Assessment Protocol Workgroup, SAV Workgroup).

• Provide an annual report to the EPA Project Officer that includes annual data set deliverables and an annual interpretive summary of results.

• Submit a final report to CBP including full disclosure of SAV distribution generated from satellite imagery and all methods/algorithms/protocols used to generate vector-based SAV maps from pixel-based SAV maps/data. Summary of methods and protocols should be provided in a user-friendly manner so all future users can understand and reproduce the methodology given the same data sources.

Semi-annual and final reports will also be required outputs for all activities, as specified in Section VI.C., Reporting, of this announcement.

3. Outcomes The term “outcome” means the result, effect, or consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes may be qualitative and environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature but must also be quantitative. They may not necessarily be achievable within an assistance agreement funding period. Examples of potential outcomes under the Scope of Work of this announcement may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Improved understanding of how reducing nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment loads delivered to tidal Bay waters are impacting SAV acreage and density through time and space, and as a consequence, support achievement of Bay water quality standards.

• Improved understanding of how SAV acreage and density are related to management actions as represented by achievement of the Chesapeake Bay living-resource-based water quality standards and water quality standards of other tidal Chesapeake TMDLs, Chesapeake Watershed Agreement goals and outcomes, and assessments.

• Increased knowledge and strategies to improve local economic, human health, and environmental goals through a restored Chesapeake Bay.

• Improved knowledge of SAV in the Chesapeake’s mainstem and tidal tributaries thereby improving calibration and verification data of the Phase 7 Bay Model and other key CBP management tools.

• More informed CBP decision-making and leadership support in understanding tidal Bay response to nutrient and sediment reductions, to inform actions aimed at overcoming present and future water quality challenges.

D. Authorizing Statutes and Regulations

This grant is made pursuant to Clean Water Act Section 117(d), 33 U.S.C. Section 1267(d), which authorizes EPA to issue grants and cooperative agreements for the purposes of protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay’s ecosystem, and is funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (PL 117- 58). This project is subject to the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Uniform Grants Guidance (2 C.F.R. Part 200) and EPA-specific provisions of the Uniform Grants Guidance (2 C.F.R. Part 1500).

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:

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. 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.

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=40.58644586187275%2C-148.28228249999984 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XVkOWKMDORm53pvU0L8EPsrJC94&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=3&source=embed&ll=40.58644586187275%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/epa-solicitation-clauses

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Funding Amount and Expected Number of Awards

The total estimated federal funding under this solicitation is approximately $440,000 for one cooperative agreement. Funding will be awarded incrementally in the amount of 150,000 per year for Years 1-2 (Activity 1) and $70,000 per year for Years 3-4 (Activity 2) depending on funding availability, satisfactory performance, Agency priorities, and other applicable considerations.

Activity Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

Activity 1:

Proof of application

$150,000 $150,000 -- --

Activity 2:

Methods development

-- -- $70,000 $70,000

EPA reserves the right to reject all applications and make no award under this announcement or award less than the estimated funding amounts referenced above. Funding depends on availability, satisfactory performance, Agency priorities, and other applicable considerations. EPA makes no commitment of annual funding amounts for any fiscal year(s), as funds may be limited based on these applicable considerations.

EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy and guidance, if additional funding becomes available after the original selection is made. Any additional selection for awards will be made no later than six months after the original selection decision.

B. Award Type

EPA intends to award a cooperative agreement under this solicitation. Cooperative agreements provide for substantial involvement between the EPA Project Officer and the selected applicant(s) in the performance of the work supported. Although EPA will negotiate precise terms and conditions relating to substantial involvement as part of the award process, the anticipated substantial federal involvement for these projects may include:

• Close monitoring of the recipient’s performance to verify the results proposed by the recipient;

• Collaboration during performance of the scope of work;

• In accordance with 2 CFR 200.317 and 2 CFR 200.318, review of proposed procurement;

• Approving qualifications of key personnel (EPA will not select employees or contractors employed by the award recipient); and

• Review and comment on reports prepared under the cooperative agreement (the final decision on the content of these reports rests with the recipient).

EPA does not have the authority to select employees or contractors employed by the recipient. The final decision on the content of reports rests with the recipient.

For this project, federal involvement would typically be in the form of participation with other CBP partners and stakeholders in an advisory capacity to the grantee. The participation is expected to include involvement through various CBP GITs and related committees and workgroups (on which EPA also participates to ensure that all the recommendations for technical work support the CBP partners).

All work conducted is to support the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.

C. Partial Funding

In appropriate circumstances, EPA reserves the right to partially fund applications by funding discrete portions or phases of proposed projects. If EPA decides to partially fund a project, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice the applicant 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.

D. Expected Project Period

The expected project period for the cooperative agreement is four years, with funding provided on an annual basis. No commitment of funding can be made beyond the first year. The expected start date for the award resulting from this RFA is January 1, 2024.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

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

A. Eligible Applicants

Consistent with Assistance Listing No. 66.466, the Clean Water Act Section 117(d), and EPA’s Policy for Competition of Assistance Agreements (EPA Order 5700.5A1), competition under this solicitation is available for technical and general assistance grants to nonprofit organizations, states, tribes (federally recognized) and local governments, colleges, universities, and interstate agencies. For-profit organizations are not eligible to submit applications in response to this RFA.

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. 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. Hospitals operated by state, tribal, or local governments or that meet the definition of nonprofit at 2 CFR 200.1 are also eligible to apply as nonprofits or as instrumentalities of the unit of government depending on the applicable law. For-profit colleges, universities, trade schools, and hospitals are ineligible.

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.

https://intranet.epa.gov/ohr/rmpolicy/ads/orders/5700-5-a1.pdf

B. Cost-Share or Matching Requirements

Pursuant to CWA Section 117(d)(2)(A), 33 USC Section 1267(d)(2)(A), the agency shall determine the cost-share requirements for awards. The Assistance Listing Number, 66.466, states that assistance agreement applicants must commit to a cost-share ranging from 5 percent to 50 percent of eligible project costs as determined at the sole discretion of EPA. For this RFA, EPA has determined that an applicant must provide a minimum of 5 percent of the total cost of the project as the non-federal cost-share.

Cost-share may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions. Involvement from foundations, watershed groups, private sector, eligible governmental, as well as non-conventional partners can help with the match. The match must be met by eligible and allowable costs and is subject to the match provisions in grant regulations. Applications that do not demonstrate how the minimum five percent match will be met will be rejected. Selected recipients must comply with 2 CFR 200.306 to meet cost-share or matching requirements.

C. Threshold Eligibility Criteria

All applications will be reviewed for eligibility and must meet the eligibility requirements described in Sections III.A., B., and C. to be considered eligible. 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. 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. Applicants are advised that readability is of paramount importance and should take precedence in application format, including selecting a legible font type and size for use in the application.

2. In addition, initial applications must be submitted through Grants.gov as stated in Section IV of this solicitation (except in the limited circumstances where another mode of submission is specifically allowed for as explained in Section IV) on or before the application submission deadline published in Section IV of this solicitation. Applicants are responsible for following the submission instructions in Section IV of this solicitation to ensure that their application is timely submitted. Please note that applicants experiencing technical issues with submission through Grants.gov should follow the instructions provided in Section IV, which include both the requirement to contact Grants.gov and email a full application to EPA prior to the deadline.

3. Applications submitted outside of Grants.gov will be deemed ineligible without further consideration unless the applicant can clearly demonstrate that it was due to EPA mishandling or technical problems associated with Grants.gov or SAM.gov. 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 submission outside of Grants.gov.

4. Applications must be for projects linked to the strategic goal outlined in Section I.C.1.

https://sam.gov/fal/7b740f783ed040c590a00bb61252dfd9/view https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D#200.306

5. For an application to be considered eligible for funding, project-related work included in the application must take place within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which includes portions of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, and all of the District of Columbia.

6. Applications must show how they will meet the 5 percent cost-share requirement of Section III.B. Applications that fail to meet the minimum 5 percent cost-share requirement will be rejected. (See Appendix A for additional information regarding the budget narrative and formula for calculating cost share.)

7. Applications requesting funding over the maximum funding available ($440,000) will be rejected.

8. If an application is submitted that 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.

9. Applications must address both Activity 1 and 2 described in Section I.B. to be considered eligible. Applications that address only one activity or neither will be considered ineligible.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. How to Obtain an Application Package

Applicants can download individual grant application forms from the application package available in the Workspace associated with this opportunity on Grants.gov.

B. Submission Process

1. 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 3. Technical Issues with Submission below.

2. Submission Instructions

a. SAM.gov (System for Award Management) Registration Instructions

Organizations applying to this funding opportunity must have an active SAM.gov registration. If you have never done business with the Federal Government, you will need to register your organization in SAM.gov. If you do not have a SAM.gov account, then you will create an account using login.gov (1) to https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.epa.gov/grants/exceptions-grantsgov-submission-requirement https://login.gov/ https://intranet.epa.gov/ogd/competition/compet/grants_gov_instructions_open_or_simplified_on_after_june_2022.htm#1 complete your SAM.gov registration. SAM.gov registration is FREE. The process for entity registrations includes obtaining Unique Entity ID (UEI), a 12-character alphanumeric ID assigned an entity by SAM.gov, and requires assertions, representations and certifications, and other information about your organization. Please review the Entity Registration Checklist for details on this process.

If you have done business with the Federal Government previously, you can check your entity status using your government issued UEI to determine if your registration is active. SAM.gov requires you renew your registration every 365 days to keep it active.

Please note that SAM.gov registration is different than obtaining a UEI only. Obtaining an UEI only validates your organization's legal business name and address. Please review the Frequently Asked Question on the difference for additional details.

Organizations should ensure that their SAM.gov registration includes a current e-Business (EBiz) point of contact name and email address. The EBiz point of contact is critical for Grants.gov Registration and system functionality.

Contact the Federal Service Desk for help with your SAM.gov account, to resolve technical issues or chat with a help desk agent: (866) 606-8220. The Federal Service desk hours of operation are Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm ET.

b. Grants.gov Registration Instructions

Once your SAM.gov account is active, you must register in Grants.gov. Grants.gov will electronically receive your organization information, such as e-Business (EBiz) point of contact email address and UEI.

Organizations applying to this funding opportunity must have an active Grants.gov registration.

Grants.gov registration is FREE. If you have never applied for a federal grant before, please review the Grants.gov Applicant Registration instructions. As part of the Grants.gov registration process, the EBiz point of contact is the only person that can affiliate and assign applicant roles to members of an organization. In addition, at least one person must be assigned as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Only person(s) with the AOR role can submit applications in Grants.gov. Please review the Intro to Grants.gov-Understanding User Roles and Learning Workspace - User Roles and Workspace Actions for details on this important process.

Please note that 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 application submission deadline.

Contact Grants.gov for assistance at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov to resolve technical issues with Grants.gov. Applicants who are outside the U.S. at the time of submittal and are not able to access the toll-free number may reach a Grants.gov representative by calling 606-545-5035. The Grants.gov Support Center is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week, excluding federal holidays.

c. Application Submission Process

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 associated with this opportunity.

https://www.fsd.gov/sys_attachment.do?sys_id=51a2fa061b0bcd500ca4a97ae54bcb18 https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0051214&sys_kb_id=dd40f4ef1b9641d0937fa64ce54bcb7a&spa=1 https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0051214&sys_kb_id=dd40f4ef1b9641d0937fa64ce54bcb7a&spa=1 https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLxg5Tu3qHA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsPRj4ILn7Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsPRj4ILn7Y https://gditshared.servicenowservices.com/hhs_grants mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/

The electronic submission of your application to this funding opportunity must be made by an official representative of your organization who is registered with Grants.gov and is authorized to sign applications for Federal financial assistance. If the submit button is grayed out, it may be because you do not have the appropriate role to submit in your organization. Contact your organization's EBiz point of contact or contact Grants.gov for assistance at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

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

d. Application Submission Deadline

Your organization's AOR must submit your complete application package electronically to EPA through Grants.gov no later than September 6, 2023, 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.

Applications submitted through Grants.gov will be time and date stamped electronically. Please note that successful submission of your application through Grants.gov does not necessarily mean your application is eligible for award. Any application submitted after the application deadline time and date deadline will be deemed ineligible and not be considered.

3. Technical Issues with Submission

If applicants experience technical issues during the submission of an application that they are unable to resolve, follow these procedures before the application deadline date:

1) Contact Grants.gov Support Center before the application deadline date.

2) Document the Grants.gov ticket/case number.

3) Send an email with the RFA number EPA-I-R3-CBP-23-11 in the subject line to Emily Heller

(heller.emily@epa.gov) before the application deadline time and date and must include the following:

a. Grants.gov ticket/case number(s)

b. Description of the issue

c. The entire application package in PDF format.

Without this information, EPA may not be able to consider applications submitted outside of Grants.gov.

Any application submitted after the application deadline time and date deadline will be deemed ineligible and not be considered.

Please note that successful submission through Grants.gov or email does not necessarily mean your application is eligible for award.

EPA will make decisions concerning acceptance of each application submitted outside of Grants.gov on a case-by-case basis. EPA will only consider accepting applications that were unable to submit through Grants.gov due to Grants.gov or relevant SAM.gov system issues or for unforeseen exigent circumstances, such as extreme weather interfering with internet access.