EPA-I-R3-CBP-23-12.pdf

OVERVIEW

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

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

Leverage High Resolution Watershed Data for Water Quality Modeling using Machine Learning Techniques

ACTION: Request for Applications (RFA)

RFA #: EPA-I-R3-CBP-23-12

ASSISTANCE LISTING #: 66.466

IMPORTANT DATES

August 8, 2023 Issuance of Request for Applications (RFA) September 22, 2023 Application submission deadline (see Section IV for more information) November 1, 2023 Approximate date for EPA to notify applicants of results November 14, 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 grants to support the goals of the program.

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.

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.

2. CBP Partnership Structure The CBP partnership is guided at the direction of the Executive Council 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 Principals’ Staff Committee (PSC) works on behalf of the Executive Council to translate the restoration vision into policy and implementation actions. In addition, the 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 also provides policy and program direction to the Management Board.

The Management Board (MB) provides strategic planning, priority setting, and operational guidance through implementation of a comprehensive, coordinated, accountable implementation strategy for the CBP. It directs and coordinates all of the Goal Implementation Teams and workgroups under it.

The Goal Implementation Teams (GITs) include federal and non-federal experts from throughout the watershed. Thus, academic, federal, and state scientists and experts, advocacy organizations, environmental managers and others become active members of the broad restoration partnership.

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

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 structure, achievements, and commitments, see the CBP Partnership’s website located at http://www.chesapeakebay.net/.

3. Role of the CBP GITs and Workgroups

CBP Modeling Workgroup Aspects of the work described in the Scope of Work will be under the technical guidance of the CBP Modeling Workgroup. The Modeling Workgroup is charged with the responsibility to provide state-of-the-art decision-support modeling tools to the CBP partnership that are developed and applied through community and participatory principles. Modeling Workgroup members are comprised of scientists, engineers, and technical managers from throughout the CBP partnership.

The responsible planning and management of resources to provide the best available decision-support modeling tools requires the Modeling Workgroup members and participants to adhere to the core values of:

• Integration - Integration of the most recent science and knowledge in air, watershed, and coastal waters to support ecosystem modeling for restoration decision-making.

• Innovation - Embracing creativity and encouraging improvement in the development and support of transparent and robust modeling tools.

• Independence – Making modeling decisions on the basis of the best available evidence and using the most appropriate methods to produce, run, and interpret models, independent of policy considerations.

• Inclusiveness - Commitment to an open and transparent process and the engagement of relevant partners that results in strengthening the CBP partnership’s decision-making tools.

CBPO Modeling and Land Data Teams CBPO supports the CBP partnership bodies described above. Within CBPO, the Modeling Team and Land Data Team are two of the technical teams of federal and academic scientists who support the Modeling Workgroup, Land Use Workgroup, WQGIT, and others. The Modeling Team develops and operates the watershed and estuarine models used in decision making. The Land Data Team produces land use and related spatial products so support the modeling and other CBP priorities.

Land Use Workgroup The Land Use Workgroup will provide technical support for aspects of the work done under the RFA particularly for generation and interpretation of meter-scale land use, hydrography, and geomorphology data. The Land Use Workgroup is supported by the Land Data Team at the Chesapeake Bay Program Office. The Land Use Workgroup directly involves stakeholders in the generation of land use data for modeling. The challenge is to assemble a more accurate baseline dataset using local information to the extent possible while estimating historic land use acreages in a clear, transparent, and logical fashion.

Goals include creating a temporally, spatially, and categorically consistent and accurate land use dataset from 1982 to 2022 for all jurisdictions in the Chesapeake Bay watershed using the best available data at all scales and approving methods for projecting future land use conditions for all jurisdictions in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

http://www.chesapeakebay.net/ https://www.chesapeakebay.net/who/group/modeling_team https://www.chesapeakebay.net/who/group/land-use-workgroup

Water Quality Goal Implementation Team While the Modeling Workgroup and Land Use Workgroup are the technical leads in the work done under the RFA, the overall direction will be under the Water Quality Goal Implementation Team (WQGIT). The role of the WQGIT is to evaluate, focus, and accelerate the implementation of practices, policies, programs that will restore water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries to conditions that support living resources and protect human health. The WQGIT reports to the Management Board and Principals’ Staff Committee.

Functions of the WQGIT include:

• Provide a forum for discussion, exchange of information, and evaluation among federal, state, and local agencies, river basin commissions, industry groups, universities, and other interested parties on water quality goals, data, modeling, authorities, and restoration efforts.

• Evaluate and promote strategies to reduce nutrient, sediment, and chemical contaminant loads from municipal, industrial and onsite wastewater; agricultural lands and animal operations;

urban and suburban stormwater; forested lands; tidal and in-stream sediment; and air emissions.

• Promote consistent, uniform, and transparent processes to model, track, report, and verify water quality restoration efforts.

• Identify, define, quantify, and incorporate pollutant reduction and conservation practices into the Chesapeake Bay Program decision support system.

• Provide technical expertise and leadership to support the development, implementation, and tracking of the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs), and two-year milestones that support long-term Bay restoration goals.

B. Scope of Work

1. Introduction

EPA seeks to support one recipient to work in close support and collaboration with CBP scientists and modelers using machine learning and/or other appropriate techniques, applied to the high-resolution land use, landform, hydrography data, and additional derivatives from these data that are relevant to hydrology and nutrient and sediment processes. The work will generate meaningful information on watershed processes to inform and improve the development of the CBP’s Phase 7 CAST and Dynamic Watershed Models.

The CBP is currently updating its Phase 6 suite of models, including the watershed model, for use in decision-making by the CBP partnership in 2027. Development will continue through 2025 with review by the partnership occurring in 2026, which will likely result in further model refinements in response to CBP partnership review. In 2027, the Phase 7 Models will be applied to assess the levels of water quality management required under 2035 climate conditions of higher sea levels, temperatures, flows, and nutrient-sediment loads. The model updates to the land use, watershed, airshed, estuary and living resources are collectively known as the Phase 7 suite of models.

It is anticipated that accuracy of the CBP watershed model could be improved through incorporation of high-resolution land use, hydrography, and geomorphology data, through methods developed under this Machine Learning RFA. Information on the Phase 7 projects, including high-resolution land use and landscape data, is available on the Phase 7 website.

https://www.chesapeakebay.net/who/group/water-quality-goal-implementation-team https://www.chesapeakebay.net/what/programs/modeling/phase-7-model-development

The Phase 6 CBP watershed model, completed in 2017, is composed of two linked models. The Chesapeake Assessment Scenario Tool (CAST) is a time-averaged model built through incorporation of knowledge gained from statistical analysis and process modeling. The Dynamic Model temporally downscales the long-term estimates from CAST to hourly and daily flows, temperature, and concentrations of nutrients and sediment. An overview is given in section 1 of the Phase 6 documentation, which is available from the model documentation page1 provides additional perspective on the Phase 6 modeling approach.

The Phase 7 version of CAST is being built in a similar manner to the Phase 6 CAST, but with a more rigorous Bayesian structure, similar to Miller et al. (2021)2 and Alexander, et al. (2019)3. The results of the CAST average annual model will be again temporally downscaled with the Dynamic Model to produce daily inputs to the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The linked models are estimated and calibrated using extensive data from the 124 flow and water quality sites in the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Nontidal network (https://cbrim.er.usgs.gov/), supplemented with roughly 100 additional stations with lower temporal sampling density for water quality. The Phase 7 models are being developed at the 1:100,000 scale National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) to estimate the long-term change in anthropogenic loading of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment due to current and proposed management action scenarios, to estimate lag times in the watershed, to load the estuarine models, and to estimate the effects of climate change on loading rates.

The Chesapeake Conservancy, USGS, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) are producing 1-meter-resolution land use and land cover data and 1:2000 scale hydrography data throughout the watershed. In addition to these products, fine-scale landform features such as foot-slopes, hollows, ridges, and shoulders are being mapped that are likely to have a significant influence on delivery of nutrients, sediment, and other pollutants to streams in the watershed. All the data are at a much finer geographic scale than previously available. Descriptions of high-resolution data being developed are available under the high-resolution data section of the Phase 7 website linked above.

Current CBP models that were built with data types available at the time of their construction cannot simulate landscape processes at NHD catchment scales, and the methods described above may not be useful for high-resolution landscape data. Process models are too computationally intensive and uncertain to run at the field scale. Traditional frequentist and Bayesian statistical methods were not designed to handle the unprecedented volumes of data now available and often fall short of using the data to their full potential by failing to capture highly complex patterns and relationships among environmental variables. A 2012 STAC workshop on landscape processes recommended incorporating landscape features and finer-scale landscape in the CBP watershed model to simulate differential delivery of nutrients and sediment. A 2020 STAC workshop made similar recommendations in pointing

1 Lim, T.C., 2021. Model emulators and complexity management at the environmental science-action interface. Environmental Modelling & Software, 135, p.104928.

2 Miller, J.W., Karimi, K., Sankarasubramanian, A. and Obenour, D.R., 2021. Assessing interannual variability in nitrogen sourcing and retention through hybrid Bayesian watershed modeling. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 25(5), pp.2789-2804.

3 Alexander, R.B., Schwarz, G.E. and Boyer, E.W., 2019. Advances in quantifying streamflow variability across continental scales: 2. Improved model regionalization and prediction uncertainties using hierarchical Bayesian methods. Water Resources Research, 55(12), pp.11061-11087.

https://cast-content.chesapeakebay.net/documents/P6ModelDocumentation%2F1%20Overview%202018%2005%2022.pdf https://cast-content.chesapeakebay.net/documents/P6ModelDocumentation%2F1%20Overview%202018%2005%2022.pdf https://cast.chesapeakebay.net/Documentation/ModelDocumentation https://cbrim.er.usgs.gov/ http://www.chesapeake.org/pubs/293_2012.pdf https://www.chesapeake.org/stac/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/FINAL_STAC-Report_BMP-Targeting.pdf out that such landscape knowledge would improve the ability of the CBP to optimally place management practices and thereby increase the effectiveness of Watershed Implementation Plans.

Machine learning methods have proven capable of dealing with large data challenges in Earth system science, extracting usable information from raw image-like data, discovering spatial and/or temporal structures hidden in seemingly noisy data, and capturing complex non-linear relationships between covariates and a target outcome. Over the last decade, machine learning has been introduced to great success in hydrology and is beginning to be applied to water quality as well. Well-developed image processing methods can be combined with new techniques that couple deep learning algorithms with physical transport models to produce information on delivery potential throughout the watershed and to temporally disaggregate long-term predictions into daily estimates of flow and load.

While the CBP partnership is comprised of federal and non-federal organizations, any activities funded under this RFA are for the support of 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 in direct, significant benefits to the non-federal agencies, partners, and general public. Any indirect and incidental benefits to EPA are not the purpose of this RFA. Applications should include administrative, technical, and coordination support to the non-federal partners and the appropriate CBP technical workgroups for carrying out the stated missions of these committees, teams, and workgroups within the larger CBP management structure.

If your organization has an interest in and has the skills to accomplish Machine Learning Activities and is eligible to receive a federal assistance agreement as described in Section III of this announcement, we encourage you to submit an application for Machine Learning Activities. Each eligible application will be evaluated using the criteria described in Section V. Machine Learning Activities is a multi-year project (up to three years), 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 of the subsequent two years.

2. Machine Learning Project Overview and Tasks

The recipient should first work to understand the policy and technical context, become familiar with the available data, propose and develop the methods, and work with the CBPO team to integrate the results and models into the Phase 7 watershed model structure. The work will be regularly reviewed by CBP modelers, scientist, and managers at its Quarterly Modeling Review meetings.

The recipient will become familiar with CAST and the Dynamic Model structure and purpose. Working with CBPO scientists and from sources outside the CBPO, high-resolution land use, hydrography, and geomorphometry data will be obtained along with ancillary data sources that can be used for modeling.

Lidar derivatives such as topographic wetness index and normalized digital surface models could also be useful as may new derivative information on the spatial patterns and relationships among landscape features. Inputs useful for the prediction of temperature, and nutrient and sediment dynamics, such as applications of fertilizer and manure, point sources, management practices, etc. can be obtained from CAST. Water quality data are available from the CBPO.

The following are tasks expected to be included in the workplan. Applicants should address how they will conduct these tasks or describe in detail alternative approaches to providing the requested support.

• Task 1: In collaboration with CBPO and non-CBPO modelers, hydrologists, and nutrient transport experts, the recipient will use machine learning or other appropriate methods to develop proposed approaches to assess the effects of fine scale landforms and land use on nutrient and sediment delivery potential to streams and through the stream system at the NHD100k scale.

Methods proposed should produce interpretable information that can identify areas of high and low nutrient transport. Once the proposed methods are approved by the Modeling Workgroup, Task 1 work will proceed.

• Task 2: In collaboration with CBPO and non-CBPO modelers, hydrologists, and nutrient transport experts, the recipient will use machine learning or other appropriate methods to propose approaches to temporally downscale long-term estimations to hourly estimates of flow, temperature, and concentration at the NHD100k scale. Proposed methods should produce time series appropriate for loading to estuarine models. Once the proposed methods are approved by the Modeling Workgroup, Task 2 work will proceed.

• Task 3: The recipient will work with technical staff at the CBPO to develop approaches to integrate the methods or findings from Task 1 and Task 2 into the CBP Partnership’s Phase 7 watershed model to predict the effects of management actions on temperature, nutrients, and sediment.

Applicants should have knowledge, expertise, and experience in applying machine learning techniques, including deep learning and recurrent neural networks to problems in watershed hydrology and sediment and nutrient transport. Applications should include strategies for applying machine learning to create information about how nutrient and sediment delivery are affected by the intersection of landform, stream network, and land use.

Given the complexity of the work and the interrelatedness of the work under this RFA to the ongoing Phase 7 model development at the CBPO, consistent and ongoing communication and coordination among the principal investigators (PIs) and the CBP will be necessary. It is recommended that the PIs regularly brief and engage the Modeling and Land Data Teams, the Modeling Workgroup, Land Use Workgroup, Water Quality Goal Implementation Team, and other CBP groups, in coordination with the EPA Project Officer.

3. Project Priorities EPA is issuing this RFA to support the CBP partnership’s continuing mission of evaluating the effectiveness of implemented and proposed management actions taken to reduce nutrient and sediment pollutant loads and to improve Chesapeake Bay water quality through the seven watershed jurisdictions’ WIPs under current and future climate change and growth. The CBP’s mission includes enhancing and maintaining the accountability of systems dependent on tracking, verifying, reporting, and quantifying the estimated pollutant load reduction potential of practices, treatments, and technologies implemented throughout the watershed and assessing their collective influence on Chesapeake Bay tidal water quality. The resultant analysis will be used by the CBP partnership’s seven watershed jurisdictions and other signatories to the Bay Agreement to:

• Assess achievement of meeting water quality goals beyond 2025.

• Assess progress towards implementing their current and potential future restoration plans.

• Examine past and future CBP management of nutrient and sediment pollutant load reduction and prevention practices, treatments, and technologies.

• Assist in reporting Bay and watershed restoration actions to the public in the 2025 assessment and options available to address future climate, growth, and other challenges.

• Support the jurisdictions in creating effective management plans.

• Support adaptive management by the CBP partnership.

Applications submitted under this RFA should be oriented towards demonstrating:

• Gathering and/or deriving important data sets, including but not limited to high-resolution land use, geomorphometry, hydrography, and water quality data described in the Scope of Work section of this RFA.

• Development of analysis methods to address the elements of the Machine Learning Activity.

• Working with multi-institutional and multi-agency teams on collaborative development and assessment of analyses to address elements of the Machine Learning Activity.

• Active research necessary to address elements of the Machine Learning Activity.

• Working collaboratively with CBP scientists.

• Generating products that can be used within the policy and development context of the CBP

Phase 7 watershed models.

• Fully documenting the Machine Learning Activity elements in reports and presentations to CBP groups.

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 requires that grant applicants adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements. Applicants must include specific statements describing the environmental results of the proposed project in terms of well-defined outputs and, to the maximum extent practicable, well-defined outcomes that will demonstrate how the project will contribute to the priorities described above in Section I.B.3.

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:

• Production of new Phase 7 model data sets based on Machine Learning approaches and methods in support of the CBP Phase 7 model.

• Provide Machine Learning analyses and tools to address climate change, growth, and other TMDL challenges in the Chesapeake watershed and tidal Bay.

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/sites/production/files/2015-03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf

• Develop Machine Learning results and data relevant to, nutrient and sediment loads and transport throughout the watershed for the CBP Phase 7 models.

Semi-annual and final reports are 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:

• Reduced nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment delivered to tidal Bay waters resulting from more efficient placement of management practices on the landscape.

• Amount of habitat restored as represented by achievement of the Chesapeake living-resource-based water quality standards.

• Protection of sensitive areas in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

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

• Improved CBP decision making and leadership in setting future nutrient reduction goals.

D. Authorizing Statutes and Regulations

This grant is made pursuant to CWA 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;

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/

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.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Funding Amount and Expected Number of Awards

The total estimated federal funding under this solicitation is approximately $450,000 for one cooperative agreement. Funding will be awarded incrementally in the amount of $150,000 per year for three years depending on funding availability, satisfactory performance, Agency priorities, and other applicable considerations. There is no guarantee of funding throughout this period or beyond.

EPA reserves the right to reject all applications and make no award under this announcement or award less than the estimated funding amounts above. Funding for the activity depends on funding 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 allow for substantial involvement between the EPA Project Officer and the selected applicant(s) in the performance of the supported work. 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 recipient’s performance to verify the results proposed in the scope of work;

• Collaboration during performance of the scope of work;

• Review of proposed procurement in accordance with 2 CFR 200.317 and 2 CFR 200.318;

• 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 reports rests with the recipient).

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

EPA does not have the authority to select recipient employees, contractors, or subrecipients, and the final decision on the content of reports rests with the recipient.

For these projects, 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 the 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 and the Chesapeake TMDL.

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 three 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 66.466, 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, state, tribal (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 https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://sam.gov/fal/7b740f783ed040c590a00bb61252dfd9/view 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.

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 5 percent match will be met will be rejected. Selected recipients must comply with 2 CFR 200.306 when meeting a cost share.

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. 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.

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

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 EPA Strategic Goal outlined in Section I.C.1.

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 ($450,000 total or $150,000 per year) 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.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

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

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.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.epa.gov/grants/exceptions-grantsgov-submission-requirement

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 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 https://login.gov/ https://intranet.epa.gov/ogd/competition/compet/grants_gov_instructions_open_or_simplified_on_after_june_2022.htm#1 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 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.

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 22, 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-23-12 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.

https://gditshared.servicenowservices.com/hhs_grants mailto:support@grants.gov mailto:heller.emily@epa.gov

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. Failure of an applicant to submit prior to the application submission deadline date because they did not properly or timely register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov is not an acceptable reason to justify acceptance of an application outside of Grants.gov.

4. Application Materials

The following forms and documents are required under this announcement:

Mandatory Documents:

1) Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

2) Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)

3) EPA Key Contacts Form 5700-54

4) EPA Form 4700-4 Preaward Compliance Review Report (see Tips for Completing EPA Form 4700-

4 for guidance)

5) Project Narrative Attachment Form – The project narrative should be prepared as described in

Appendix A of the announcement.

6) Budget Narrative Attachment Form – The budget narrative should include a spreadsheet…