EPA-I-R3-CBP-23-16.pdf

OVERVIEW

AGENCY: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 3

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

Chesapeake Bay Outreach and Engagement Support

ACTION: Request for Applications (RFA)

RFA #: EPA-I-R3-CBP-23-16

ASSISTANCE LISTING #: 66.466

IMPORTANT DATES

August 23, 2023 Issuance of Request for Applications (RFA) October 9, 2023 Application submission deadline (see Section IV for more information) November 8, 2023 Approximate date for EPA to notify applicants of results November 22, 2023 Approximate date for selected applicant to submit workplan and 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) through a number of actions, 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 Chesapeake Bay Program is committed to increasing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in its grant programs, projects, and associated community engagement efforts.

2. Background on Partnership Structure The CBP partnership is guided at the direction of the Executive Council, which, through its leadership, 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 approves directives, agreements, and amendments that set goals and guides 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 partnership has several committees, teams, workgroups comprised of participating partners.

The committees, teams, and workgroups that will be supported by the activities of this RFA include, but are not limited to:

• 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.

https://www.chesapeakebay.net/what/what-guides-us/watershed-agreement https://www.chesapeakebay.net/who/group/principals-staff-committee

• 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 all of the goal teams and workgroups under it.

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

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 the 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/.

B. Scope of Work

EPA seeks applications from eligible recipients to support CBP efforts to connect with diverse and underserved audiences throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed through public forums, targeted outreach campaigns, conferences, social media, and other methods that will accelerate conservation action through local efforts informed and supported by Bay program information and partner resources.

The recipient will raise visibility and awareness of the mission and activities of the CBP as a national and international leader in multi-agency ecosystem restoration and maintenance efforts; and develop, support, and implement initiatives that increase the capacity of the CBP and its partners to undertake more action, secure additional funding, and coordinate expanded outreach and engagement efforts to these communities with the ultimate goal of achieving more local waterway benefits while contributing to Bay-wide goals and outcomes.

While the CBP partnership is comprised of federal and non-federal organizations, activities funded under this RFA are primarily 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 only in direct, significant benefits to the non-federal agencies, partners, and the public. Any indirect or incidental benefits to EPA are not the purpose of this RFA.

The recipient will collaborate with CBP teams on current projects. Teams include but are not limited to the CBP Communications Office1, the CBP Strategic Engagement Team2, and the Diversity Workgroup.

The recipient will ensure outreach and engagement efforts are integrated with and additive to existing work and targeted to those sub-watersheds, catchments, and communities where water quality

1 The CBP Communications Office supports the communications needs of CBP partners and spurs public action through consistent messaging and media coverage, comprehensive branding and promotion, stakeholder outreach, and coordinated internal and external communications.

2 The CBP Strategic Engagement Team provides guidance and assistance to partnership teams developing and implementing actions related to local engagement, communication and social science in order to advance Watershed Agreement goals and outcomes.

https://www.chesapeakebay.net/who/group/management-board https://www.chesapeakebay.net/who/how-we-are-organized http://www.chesapeakebay.net/ https://d18lev1ok5leia.cloudfront.net/chesapeakebay/documents/Diversity-Equity-Inclusion-and-Justice-in-The-Chesapeake-Bay-Program_2022.pdf https://www.chesapeakebay.net/who/group/diversity-workgroup improvements and ecosystem restoration also address environmental justice. The recipient will identify synergies across the numerous CBP goal teams, workgroups, and advisory committees and assist them with their outreach needs in support of the watershed-wide restoration and engagement goals of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, with particular attention to the Stewardship Goal and the importance of engaging local community organizations, residents, and private landowners.

The following are examples of the types of tasks required to carry out activities under this RFA:

• Research and assist in planning, developing, and supporting new strategic outreach efforts as identified by the CBP leadership, goal teams, workgroups and partners.

• Stay current on public attitudes identified via the Stewardship Index to ensure outreach and engagement addresses gaps and informs the outreach and engagement strategy.

• Develop a comprehensive outreach and engagement strategy that identifies critical CBP needs and priorities and includes a multi-year plan that effectively targets our collective resources to meet those needs and address priorities. Key elements include:

o Broaden the range of external groups with whom the CBP and its Communications Office engages by building key relationships with non-traditional organizations and diverse and underrepresented communities in both urban and rural locations.

o Develop and implement strategies that identify and align the needs and priorities of diverse and underserved community groups being targeted with the ongoing work of the CBP. This includes leading efforts within the CBP to communicate those needs and priorities among the various workgroups, GITs, leadership, etc., as well as helping to build bridges that facilitate a collaborative approach to ensure equitable access to funding and other resources in addressing community priorities within the mission of the CBP.

o Develop and implement strategies to enhance audience size, public image, and community support for Chesapeake Bay goals.

o Assist the CBP with identifying, planning, and implementing strategies to ensure voices from diverse communities are heard during partnership efforts to look beyond 2025 to ensure restoration is relevant to all communities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

o An initial draft of the strategy to be completed within the first 6 months of the award.

• Develop and assist with communications among internal CBP goal teams, workgroups, and advisory committees through meetings, newsletters, and other relevant methods of outreach employed across the watershed.

• Attend conferences, staff exhibit booths, etc. on CBP’s behalf. The recipient should demonstrate how the funds will be utilized for registration and exhibit materials in their application. Exhibit planning and messaging should be closely coordinated with the CBP Communications Office.

• Work with selected communities and partners to implement outreach and engagement strategies demonstrating how they can be used to accelerate action toward Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement outcomes within a sub-watershed.

EPA plans to award one five-year cooperative agreement under this RFA. The total estimated funding under this solicitation is approximately $1,000,000 overall, with an estimated $200,000 available for the first year and each year thereafter. There is no guarantee of funding throughout this period or beyond.

https://d18lev1ok5leia.cloudfront.net/chesapeakebay/Chesapeake-Bay-Watershed-Agreement-Amended.pdf https://www.chesapeakebay.net/who/group/fostering-stewardship-goal-implementation-team https://www.chesapeakeprogress.com/engaged-communities/stewardship

To support this activity, the selected organization may request that staff, for matters of efficiency, be located at the U.S. EPA CBPO located in Annapolis, Maryland. Office space, valued at $9,400 per person per year, may be provided by EPA as in-kind assistance under the cooperative agreement, if requested, and is considered matchable funding. The EPA in-kind funding would be in addition to the $1,000,000 referenced above.

If your organization has an interest and the skills to accomplish these activities 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 (up to five 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 four years.

Skills and Experience:

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

• Demonstrated experience in creative and strategic thinking and the ability to develop a multi-year strategy and plan.

• Skills and experience in supporting multi-organizational programs and working across disciplines to identify synergies and deliver an effective outreach to achieve the programmatic goals.

• Proficiency in written and oral communications and experience working and communicating with local communities and non-profit organizations.

• Experience building and sustaining positive relationships with non-traditional organizations and/or diverse and underrepresented communities.

• Experience in using social media as an effective component of outreach.

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

• An ability to advance diversity and environmental justice issues and promote the meaningful involvement, treatment, and inclusiveness of all people in the implementation of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.

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 are to support the FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan, under 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 the maximum extent practicable, well-defined outcomes that will demonstrate how the project will accomplish the activities described above in Section I.B.

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

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:

• Develop and submit an initial draft of the comprehensive outreach and engagement strategy to be completed within the first 6 months of the award.

• Finalize an outreach and engagement strategy after incorporating edits and comments from the Strategic Engagement Team and EPA Project Officer (PO).

• Organize, lead, and participate in outreach events in support of CBP goals.

• Develop written materials and activities that support outreach and engagement efforts as directed by the CBP partnership.

• Participate on teams and workgroups related to the scope of this RFA, and support outreach and engagement needs of the CBP as needed and as coordinated with the PO.

Progress reports and a final report 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 outcomes under the Scope of Work of this announcement will include but are not limited to:

• Increased awareness in underserved and disadvantaged communities of environmental issues affecting local waterways within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

• Increased knowledge in underserved and disadvantaged communities of funding opportunities to support Chesapeake Bay watershed restoration activities.

• Greater participation by diverse individuals and individuals from underserved and disadvantaged communities in the CBP partnership.

• Increased number of communities undertaking conservation actions within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

D. Authorizing Statutes and Regulations

This award 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). The award will be 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.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Funding Amount and Expected Number of Awards

The total estimated federal funding under this solicitation is approximately $1,000,000 for one cooperative agreement. Funding will be awarded incrementally in the amount of $200,000 per year for five years depending on funding availability, satisfactory performance, Agency priorities, and other applicable considerations.

To support this activity, the selected applicant may request that staff, for matters of efficiency, be located at the U.S. EPA CBPO located in Annapolis, Maryland. Office space may be provided by EPA as in-kind assistance under the cooperative agreement, if requested. Until amended, the EPA in-kind amount is $9,400 per person per year, which is in addition to the $1,000,000 identified above. Applicants requesting in-kind assistance must include in-kind funding in the calculation of the cost share for this opportunity (see Appendix A).

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.

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

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 one 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 grantee’s performance to verify the results reported by the grantee;

• Collaboration during performance of the scope of work;

• A 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).

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 recipient. 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 five 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.

https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses

A. Eligible Applicants

Consistent with Assistance Listing 66.466 and CWA Section 117(d), 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 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. Assistance Listing 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. For instruction on calculating the cost share/match requirement and calculating in-kind assistance (if requesting), please see Appendix A of this announcement.

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

5. For an application to be considered eligible for funding, all project-related activities included in the application must directly support 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 for more than the maximum available funding ($1,000,000) 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.

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 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.

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 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

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.

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 October 9, 2023, 11:59 PM Eastern time. 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 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/ https://gditshared.servicenowservices.com/hhs_grants mailto:support@grants.gov 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-23-16 in the subject line to Erin Chapman

(chapman.erin@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. 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 that shows each year’s cost for the salaries, fringe benefits, total salaries/wages, travel expenses, equipment, supplies, contractual expenses, other cost, and indirect cost. An optional multi-year budget detail template is available at https://www.epa.gov/restoration-chesapeake-mailto:chapman.erin@epa.gov https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ https://www.epa.gov/grants/tips-completing-epa-form-4700-4 https://www.epa.gov/grants/tips-completing-epa-form-4700-4 https://www.epa.gov/restoration-chesapeake-bay/chesapeake-bay-program-grant-guidance bay/chesapeake-bay-program-grant-guidance. For more information, please refer to RAIN-2019- G02, Interim General Budget Development Guidance for Applicants and Recipients of EPA Financial Assistance.

Optional Documents:

7) Other Attachment Form – The applicant’s Indirect Cost Rate Agreement should be included, as applicable. See RAIN-2018-G02-R, Indirect Cost Guidance for Recipients of EPA Assistance Agreements for additional information about indirect costs.

C. Content and Form of Project Narrative

Each eligible application will be evaluated using the criteria in Section V.B. of this announcement. All application review criteria in Section V must be addressed in the project narrative. The project narrative shall not exceed 15 pages in length. Pages refer to one side of a single-spaced, typed page. Font size should be no smaller than 10-point font and the application must be submitted in an 8 ½” x 11”-page size format. Note that the 15 pages include all supporting materials, including resumes or curriculum vitae. The 15-page limit does not include documentation of non-profit status, cost-share letters of commitment, letters of support, the SF-424, SF-424A, budget detail, Key Contacts Form and 4700-4 form. If you submit more than 15 pages for the project narrative, the additional pages will be discarded and will not be reviewed. See Appendix A for additional instructions.

D. Other Application Information

1. Intergovernmental Review

Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, may be applicable to awards resulting from this announcement. EPA implemented the Executive Order in 40 CFR Part 29. EPA may require applicants selected for funding to provide a copy of their application to their State Point of Contact (SPOC) for review as provided at 40 CFR 29.7 and 40 CFR 29.8. The SPOC list can be found on the webpage below. 3

Office of Federal Financial Management Resources and Other Information

EPA may require successful applicants from states that do not have a SPOC to provide a copy of their application for review to directly affected state, area-wide, regional and local government entities as provided at 40 CFR 29.7 and 40 CFR 29.8. These reviews are not required before applying. Only applicants that EPA selects for funding under this announcement are subject to the Intergovernmental Review requirement.

2. Funding Restrictions

a. Administrative Cost Cap Requirement under Statutory Authority

3 Additional information regarding the Intergovernmental Review process can be found on the EPA Region 3 website at https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-region-3-grants-and-audit-management-branch-intergovernmental-review-process-and-single.

https://www.epa.gov/restoration-chesapeake-bay/chesapeake-bay-program-grant-guidance https://www.epa.gov/grants/rain-2019-g02 https://www.epa.gov/grants/rain-2019-g02 https://www.epa.gov/grants/rain-2019-g02 https://www.epa.gov/grants/rain-2018-g02-r https://www.epa.gov/grants/rain-2018-g02-r https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-region-3-grants-and-audit-management-branch-intergovernmental-review-process-and-single https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-region-3-grants-and-audit-management-branch-intergovernmental-review-process-and-single

Recipients applying for CBP assistance agreements must adhere to the requirements for “Administrative Costs” under the CWA Section 117 (d)(4), 33 U.S.C. Section 1267 (d)(4), where they are defined as “the cost of salaries and fringe benefits incurred in administering” the grant, and which also states that administrative costs shall not exceed 10 percent of the annual grant award, which equals both the federal and recipient shares. Appendix B: Administrative Cost Cap Worksheet is provided as an example of a method to calculate the 10-percent limitation. You are not required to submit Appendix B with your application.

b. Allowable Costs

All costs incurred under this program must be allowable under 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E. In accordance with applicable law, regulation, and policy, any recipient of funding must agree to comply with restrictions on using assistance funds for unauthorized lobbying, fund-raising, or political activities (i.e., lobbying members of Congress or lobbying for other federal grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts). See e.g. 2 CFR 200.450. Funds generally cannot be used to pay for travel by federal agency staff. Proposed project activities must also comply with all state and federal regulations applicable to the project area. The applicant must also review the solicitation for any other programmatic funding restrictions applicable to this program. If awarded funding, the recipient must refer to the terms and conditions of its award for other funding restrictions applicable to its award. It is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure compliance with these requirements. In addition, please see 2 CFR 200 for information on pre-award costs.

E. Coalition Coverage

Groups of two or more eligible applicants may choose to form a coalition and submit a single application under this RFA; however, one entity must be responsible for the grant. Coalitions must identify which eligible organization will be the recipient of the grant and which eligible organization(s) will be subrecipients of the recipient (the “pass-through entity”). Subawards must be consistent with the definition of that term in 2 CFR 200.1 and comply with EPA’s Subaward Policy. The pass-through entity that administers the grant and subawards will be accountable to EPA for proper expenditure of the funds and reporting and will be the point of contact for the coalition. As provided in 2 CFR 200.332, subrecipients are accountable to the pass-through entity for proper use of EPA funding. For-profit organizations are not eligible for subawards under this grant program but may receive procurement contracts. Any contracts for services or products funded with EPA financial assistance must be awarded under the competitive procurement procedures of 2 CFR Part 200 and/or 2 CFR Part 1500, as applicable.

The regulations at 2 CFR 1500.10 contain limitations on the extent to which EPA funds may be used to compensate individual consultants. Refer to the Best Practice Guide for Procuring Services, Supplies, and Equipment Under EPA Assistance Agreements for guidance on competitive procurement requirements and consultant compensation. Do not name a procurement contractor (including a consultant) as a “partner” or otherwise in your application unless the contractor has been selected in compliance with competitive procurement requirements.

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200?toc=1 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=df0298e9bb3c2b42c5e5f4f2454a6eb6&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1450&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=3a9d37ee65a29390f40e14c2786e60e6&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl https://www.epa.gov/grants/grants-policy-issuance-gpi-16-01-epa-subaward-policy-epa-assistance-agreement-recipients https://www.epa.gov/grants/best-practice-guide-procuring-services-supplies-and-equipment-under-epa-assistance https://www.epa.gov/grants/best-practice-guide-procuring-services-supplies-and-equipment-under-epa-assistance

A. Evaluation Process

After EPA reviews applications for threshold eligibility purposes as described in Section III, CBPO will conduct a merit evaluation of each eligible application. Reviews will be performed by a team of professionals from EPA and other CBP partner organizations with a working knowledge of the technical analysis and programmatic evaluation needs of the CBP partnership. All reviewers will sign a conflict-of-interest statement indicating they have no conflict.

B. Evaluation Criteria: Maximum score: 100 points

The evaluation criteria below will be used to review eligible applications submitted under this RFA.

Criteria Points

1. Programmatic Capability, Scope, Knowledge, Skill, Experience and Approach:

Under this criterion, reviewers will evaluate the application based on:

a. How well the proposed activities address the outreach and engagement needs of the CBP to develop and implement a strategic outreach and engagement plan leading to accelerated conservation action, especially for a multi-partner organization, as described in Section I.B. A variety of alternative approaches that achieve the goals of the activities will be considered along with the overall project work plan and timeline. (20 points)

b. The extent and quality to which the application demonstrates the knowledge, previous experience, skill, and ability to successfully organize and host public meetings, events, and forums; and produce, manage, and recommend targeted outreach products for a variety of communities with an emphasis on communities with which the CBP has not traditionally engaged. This outreach includes demonstrated ability to communicate to the public topics that are scientifically complex or of a sensitive political nature, including but not limited to social media, fact sheets, infographics, backgrounders, posters, and other outreach products. (20 points)

2. Past Performance: Under this…