EPA-OECA-CACP-2023-01.pdf

AGENCY: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)

TITLE: Manage the Compliance Assistance Centers Program

ACTION: Request for Applications (RFA)

RFA NUMBER: EPA-OECA-CACP-2023-01

Assistance Listing No: 66.305

IMPORTANT DATES

May 17, 2023 RFA OPENS

July 5, 2023 RFA CLOSES – APPLICATIONS DUE

August 14, 2023 ANTICIPATED NOTIFICATION OF

SELECTION

October 2, 2023 ANTICIPATED AWARD

Application packages must be submitted electronically to EPA through Grants.gov (www.grants.gov) no later than July 5, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. (ET) in order to be considered for funding.

COVID-19 UPDATE

EPA is providing flexibilities to applicants experiencing challenges related to COVID-19. Please see the Flexibilities Available to Organizations Impacted by COVID-19 clause in Section IV of EPA’s Solicitation Clauses.

NOTE: If you intend to name a contractor (including an individual consultant) or a subrecipient as a project partner or otherwise in your application, EPA recommends that you carefully review, and comply with, the directions contained in the “Contracts and Subawards” clause that can be accessed under Section IV.D of EPA’s Solicitation Clauses.

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE: Support for the Compliance Assistance Centers

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Background B. Scope of Work C. Leveraging Partnerships and Resources D. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage, Anticipated Outputs/Outcomes and Performance Measures E. Statutory Authority F. Additional Provisions For Applicants Incorporated Into The Solicitation

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. What is the amount of funding available?

B. Partial Funding C. How many agreements will EPA award in this competition?

D. What is the project period for awards resulting from this solicitation?

E. Funding Type

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Entities B. Voluntary Cost Sharing/Matching Funds and Leveraged Resources C. Threshold Eligibility Criteria D. Ineligible Costs or Activities and Other Considerations

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Requirement to Submit Through Grants.gov and Limited Exception Procedures B. Grants.gov Application Submission Instructions (see Appendix A) C. Content of Application Submission D. Submission Date and Times

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Evaluation Criteria B. Review and Selection Process C. Other Factors

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. Award Notices B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements C. Reporting Requirement D. Disputes

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

APPENDIX A – Grants.gov Application Submission Instructions APPENDIX B – Project Narrative Instructions, Format, and Content APPEDNDIX C - Contracts, Subawards, and Participant Support Cost………………………….33 bookmark://_bookmark0/

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits applications from eligible entities to manage the Compliance Assistance Centers (Centers Program) and Centers resources. Specifically, EPA is soliciting applications from eligible applicants to present innovative and effective approaches and partnerships that will support existing Centers websites and resources as well as address the long-term financial security of the Centers. Each center is a website accessible through complianceassistance.net

A. Background

Since 1996, in partnership with industry associations, universities, and other government agencies, EPA has supported the development and maintenance of the Compliance Assistance Centers and Centers resources. Each Center is targeted to a specific industry, group of industries, or Federal facilities, and explains in plain language, environmental regulations that apply to that sector and offers technical assistance on compliance.

In 2001, EPA awarded a cooperative agreement to the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) to develop and operate a common web-based platform to support existing Centers and the Compliance Assistance Centers Platform (Center Platform). Subsequent awards were made to NCMS to continue operations and maintenance of the Center Platform.

The current cooperative agreement expires in June 2023. Currently, eleven Centers reside on the Centers Platform. Additionally, the Centers Platform manages several web resources, including the State Resource locators, that are available for all Centers to use. The shared use of Centers Platform resources avoids duplication of efforts across individual Centers. EPA will ensure that the awarded applicant has access to all data contained in the Centers Platform produced with EPA funds as well as a license to use any Center Platform software or other intellectual property developed under Centers Platform cooperative agreements pursuant to EPA’s “federal purpose” authority in 2 CFR 200.315 as implemented in EPA’s General Terms and Conditions.

In accordance with EPA policy encouraging competition for assistance agreements, EPA now seeks proposals from qualified applicants who can partner with EPA, industry groups, environmental groups, various local government support organizations, and other interested parties and who are capable of supporting the continued operation and maintenance of the Centers Program.

B. Scope of Work

Applicants may propose a variety of approaches to managing the Centers Program. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Design a system for identifying non-profit and institution of higher education subrecipients qualified to use financial assistance to operate single or multiple sector Centers. The successful applicant(s) will be a Pass-through entity as defined at 2 CFR

200.1 under this approach.

https://complianceassistance.net/

• If the successful applicant is unable to carry out Center operations with its own personnel, then they may prepare and advertise to a variety of contractors a Request For Proposals (RFP) consistent with competition requirements in 2 CFR 200.319 and 2 CFR

200.320 and to provide services to support the successful applicant’s own operation of one or more of the Centers or to support the contractor operation of one or more of the Centers.

• Seek industry financial and in-kind sponsorship(s)/aid to support the Centers. Note that funds raised through direct costs charged to EPA financial assistance agreements are considered program income as specified in EPA’s Selected Items of Cost Guidance which is available at https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2018- 05/documents/recipient_guidance_selected_items_of_cost_final.pdf

• Implement fee-based approaches to operating the Centers subject to rules governing the proper accounting and use of “added” program income at 2 CFR 200.307 and 2 CFR

1500.8 as well at the terms and conditions of EPA financial assistance agreements.

EPA encourages applicants to offer alternative approaches for operation of the Centers Program that are consistent with requirements for financial transactions in the Uniform Grant Guidance (UGG).

The list below suggests the types of activities and initiatives that may be supported under this cooperative agreement. This is not intended to be a complete list, nor is it meant to suggest that the Centers Program will have interest and involvement in all listed areas at any particular time, although certain core topics may remain of ongoing critical concern.

Specifically, as part of their project approach in the proposal narrative, applicants should demonstrate their ability to:

• Maintain a web portal from which all Centers and Centers resources can be accessed.

Currently, Center resources are accessible through the Compliance Assistance Center Portal;

• Update websites to make them more mobile device friendly and easily updated and editable by the content creators

• Seek effective approaches and partnerships to maintain compliance assistance websites for: Border Compliance, Construction, Healthcare (including hospitals, assisted living, dental and veterinary), local government, metal finishing, paints and coatings (application), transportation, Hazardous Waste, Oil & Natural Gas Energy Extraction, Beneficial Use Portal (providing resources for the beneficial use of industrial byproducts, and the Combustion Portal (providing federal and state compliance information and sustainability content for various combustion processes); and

• Maintain the Gateway to State Resource Locators which provides access to state resources including state-specific contacts, permits, regulations, and compliance guides.

All websites maintained by the grant recipient must be kept up to date on environmental issues and a plan must be developed to identify and repair broken links.

The maintenance of the following Centers is not addressed by this RFA: Agriculture, Auto Recycling, Auto Repair, Chemical, Education, and Federal Facilities. These Centers are either https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2018-05/documents/recipient_guidance_selected_items_of_cost_final.pdf https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2018-05/documents/recipient_guidance_selected_items_of_cost_final.pdf http://www.complianceassistance.net/ http://www.complianceassistance.net/ http://www.bordercenter.org/ http://www.cicacenter.org/ http://www.hercenter.org/ http://www.lgean.org/ http://www.nmfrc.org/ http://www.paintcenter.org/ http://www.tercenter.org/ https://www.hazwasteportal.org/ https://www.eciee.org/ http://www.beneficialuseportal.org/ http://www.combustionportal.org/ http://www.envcap.org/statetools/ https://www.epa.gov/agriculture http://www.ecarcenter.org/ http://www.ecarcenter.org/ http://ccar-greenlink.org/ http://www.chemalliance.org/ https://www.nacubo.org/Topics/Facilities-and-Environmental-Compliance/Campus-Environmental-Resources-Center https://www.fedcenter.gov/ funded through other mechanisms or have become self-sufficient and operate in lieu of EPA funding. It is expected that the applicant will continue to link to these Centers through a web portal providing access to all Center resources.

Proposals that include the use of subawards should address the applicant’s capabilities to:

• Design a system for identifying non-profit and institution of higher education subrecipients qualified to use financial assistance to operate single or multiple sector Centers.

• Oversee and monitor subrecipients in a manner that complies with 2 CFR 200.331 and EPA’s Subaward Policy for successful maintenance of Centers.; and

• Qualitatively and quantitatively measure and report on the effectiveness of compliance assistance resources developed / provided and outputs generated with EPA funding.

C. Leveraging Partnerships and Resources This program is to be implemented in close collaboration with EPA in order to keep the content of each center updated with current information

Additionally, leveraging resources from businesses, labor organizations, non-profit organizations, education and training providers, and/or Federal, state, tribal, and local governments are important and are critical to the success of the Centers Program. In their proposals, applicants should identify appropriate and necessary partnerships to successfully create long-term success of the Centers. Partnerships between organizations can greatly benefit from one another’s experience. Applicants should also include a clear description of the roles and resources of specific partners in the project’s components/tasks. If the applicant chooses to identify any partner entity who will receive subawards please refer to section IV of EPA’s Solicitation Clauses. EPA will not consider the qualifications of a partner entity who will receive subaward unless the applicant selects them in compliance with applicable regulations and provisions in EPA’s Subaward Policy.

D. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage, Anticipated Outputs/Outcomes and Performance Measures

Pursuant to Section 6.a. of EPA Order 5700.7A1, “Environmental Results under EPA Assistance Agreements,” EPA must link proposed assistance agreements with the Agency’s Strategic Plan. EPA also requires that grant applicants and recipients adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements (see EPA Order 5700.7A1, Environmental Results under Assistance Agreements).

1. Linkage to EPA Strategic Plan:

The activities to be funded under this announcement support EPA’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2022- 2026 Strategic Plan. Awards made under this announcement will support both objectives under Goal 3, “Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance,” and may also support other strategic goals as appropriate. Applications must be for projects that support this goal. For more information see: EPA’s FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan.

https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses-01242023 http://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf http://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf http://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-03/fy-2022-2026-epa-strategic-plan.pdf

EPA also requires that grant applicants adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements (see EPA Order 5700.7A1, Environmental Results 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.

2. Outputs:

Environmental outputs (or deliverables) refer to an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product related to an environmental goal or 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 anticipated environmental outputs from the assistance agreement to be awarded under this announcement include, but are not limited to:

• The number of website user sessions;

• The number of website page views;

• Downloads of compliance documents / assistance material;

• Number of subscribers to Center resources; and

• The level of commitment from third-party organizations to provide financial or in-kind support to help maintain the Centers Program or individual Centers.

3. Outcomes:

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

Examples of potential environmental outcomes from the assistance agreement to be awarded under this announcement may include but are not limited to:

• Increased understanding of environmental regulations;

• Improved environmental practices as a result of Center use; and

• Reduced, treated, or eliminated pollution as a result of Center use.

Progress reports and a final report will also be required outputs, as specified in Section VI.C. “Reporting Requirement,” of this RFA.

4. Performance Measures. The applicant should also develop performance measures they expect to achieve through the proposed activities and describe them in their application.

These performance measures will help gather insights and will be the mechanism to track progress concerning successful processes and output and outcome strategies and will provide the basis for developing lessons to inform future recipients. Additional details on reporting requirements are included in Section VI.C. It is expected that the description of performance measures will directly relate to the project outcomes and outputs. The description of the performance measures will directly relate to the project’s outcomes and outputs, including but not limited to:

a. Tracking and reporting project progress on expenditures and purchases;

b. Tracking, measuring, and reporting accomplishments and proposed timelines/milestones;

and

c. Overseeing subrecipients, and/or contractors and vendors.

The following are questions to consider when developing output and outcome measures of quantitative and qualitative results:

d. What are the measurable short term and longer term results the project will achieve?

e. How does the plan measure progress in achieving the expected results (including outputs and outcomes) and how will the approach use resources effectively and efficiently?

E. Statutory Authority

EPA expects to award this grant under the Section 103 of the Clean Air Act, Section 104 of the Clean Water Act, Section 8001 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 10 of the Toxic Substances Control Act, and Section 20 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. For work with an international aspect, the above statutes are supplemented, as appropriate, by the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 102(2)(F). Applicants are encouraged to review these statutes and ensure that all of the activities contained in their proposals are consistent with the scope of EPA’s authority.

F. Additional Provisions For Applicants Incorporated Into The Solicitation

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

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. What is the amount of funding available?

The total estimated funding expected to be available for awards under this competitive opportunity is up to $1,700,000. Annual award amounts are expected to range from $250,000 to $350,000 for five years. Funding is dependent upon agency appropriations, funding availability, agency priorities, and other applicable considerations.

The amount of federal funding requested by an applicant must not exceed $1,700,000.

B. Partial Funding

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

C. How many agreements will EPA award in this competition?

EPA anticipates awarding a total of up to $1,700,000 to one cooperative agreement under this announcement, subject to the availability of funds, the quantity and quality of applications received, agency priorities, and other applicable considerations.

EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy and other applicable considerations, if additional funding becomes available after the original selections. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months from the date of the original selections.

In addition, EPA reserves the right to reject all applications and make no awards under this announcement or to make fewer awards than anticipated.

D. What is the project period for awards resulting from this solicitation?

The estimated project period for awards resulting from this solicitation is expected to begin on August 27, 2023, with an estimated completion date of August 27, 2028

E. Funding Type

The funding for selected projects will be in the form of a cooperative agreement.

Cooperative agreements provide for substantial involvement between the EPA project officer and the selected applicant 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 successful applicant’s performance to verify the results proposed by the applicant;

• Collaboration during performance of the scope of work;

• EPA prior review or approval of project phases or the substantive provisions of proposed contracts found within the scope of the cooperative agreement;

EPA does not have the authority to select employees or contractors employed by the recipient.

The final decision on the content of reports rests with the recipient.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

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

A. Eligible Entities

In accordance with Assistance Listing 66.305, applications will be accepted from states (including the District of Columbia); local governments; U.S. territories and possessions;

Indian tribes; Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments; international organizations;

public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, and laboratories; and other public or private non-profit institutions.

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 nonprofit organization(s) as defined by 2 CFR 200.1, public or nonprofit Institutions of Higher Education are, nevertheless, eligible to submit applications under this RFA. 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. Voluntary Cost Sharing/Matching Funds and Leveraged Resources No matching funds are required under this competition. Although cost sharing/matching is not required as a condition of eligibility under this competition, under Section V of this announcement EPA will evaluate proposals based on a leveraging criterion.

1. Voluntary Cost Sharing/Matching Funds

Voluntary cost sharing is when an applicant voluntarily proposes to legally commit to provide costs or contributions to support the project when a cost share is not required. Applicants who propose to use a voluntary cost share must include the costs or contributions for the voluntary cost share in the project budget on the SF-424 and SF- 424A. If an applicant proposes a voluntary cost share, the following apply:

a. A voluntary cost share is subject to the applicable provisions of 2 CFR Part 200.306, Cost sharing or matching.

b. A voluntary cost share may only be met with eligible and allowable costs.

c. The recipient may not use other sources of federal funds to meet a voluntary cost share unless the statute authorizing the other federal funding provides that the federal funds may be used to meet a cost share requirement on a federal grant or cooperative agreement.

d. The recipient is legally obligated to meet any proposed voluntary cost share that is included in the approved project budget. If the proposed voluntary cost share does not materialize during the performance period of the grant or cooperative agreement, EPA may reconsider the legitimacy of the award and/or take other appropriate action as authorized by 2 CFR Part 200.

2. Other Leveraged Resources That Are Not Identified As Voluntary Cost Share

This form of leveraging may be met by funding from another federal grant, from an applicant's own resources, or resources from other third-party sources. This form of leveraging should not be included in the budget and the costs need not be eligible and allowable project costs under the EPA assistance agreement. While this form of leveraging should not be included in the budget, the grant workplan should include a statement indicating that the applicant is expected to produce the proposed leveraging consistent with the terms of the announcement and the applicant's proposal. If applicants propose to provide this form of leveraging, EPA expects them to make the effort to secure the leveraged resources described in their proposals. If the proposed leveraging does not materialize during grant performance, then EPA may reconsider the legitimacy of the award and/or take other appropriate action as authorized by 2 CFR Parts 200 or 1500.

C. Threshold Eligibility Criteria

These are requirements that if not met by the time of application submission, will result in elimination of the application from consideration for funding. Only applications from eligible applicants (see Section III.A. of this RFA) that meet all of these criteria will be evaluated against the ranking criteria in Section V. of this RFA. If necessary, EPA may contact applicants to clarify threshold eligibility questions prior to making an eligibility determination. Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration due to the threshold eligibility review will be notified within 15 calendar days of the ineligibility determination.

1. Application Content and Submission

a. 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.

b. 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 submitting 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.

c. 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.

2. Applications must support Goal 3 “Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance” of EPA’s Strategic Plan described in Section I.D.1.

3. Applications which request EPA assistance funds in excess of $1,700,000 as specified in

Section II.A of this RFA, are not eligible to be reviewed.

D. Ineligible Costs or Activities and Other Considerations

Any of the following may lead to a portion or all of the application not being reviewed:

1. Ineligible Costs or Activities. If an application is submitted that has ineligible items, tasks, or activities, that portion of the application will not be reviewed and will be ineligible for funding and may, depending on the extent to which it affects the application, render the entire application ineligible for funding. Activities must meet the following requirements from Section I.C. to be eligible for funding:

a. Applications cannot include any costs that are included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing or matching requirements of any other federally financed grant, as required under 2 CFR 200.403(f). If these costs are included in an application, the activities associated with these costs will not be reviewed or selected for funding.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

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

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

Applicants must apply electronically through Grants.gov under this funding opportunity based on the Grants.gov instructions in this announcement. If your organization has no access to the internet or access is very limited, you may request an exception for the remainder of this https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://www.grants.gov/ 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 Appendix A. under Technical Issues with Submission.

B. Grants.gov Application Submission Instructions (see Appendix A)

Your organization’s authorized official representative (AOR) must submit your complete application electronically to EPA through Grants.gov no later than July 5, 2023, 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

See Appendix A for full Grants.gov submission instructions.

C. Content of Application Submission

The application package must include all of the following materials, except those listed under 3, Optional Attachments:

1. Grant Application Forms (All Required). Please complete the forms as appropriate.

a. Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance.

b. Standard Form 424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs

c. EPA Form 4700-4, Pre-Award Compliance Review Report for All

Applicants Requesting Federal Financial Assistance

d. EPA Form 5700-54, Key Contacts Form

e. Project Narrative Attachment Form (See Section IV.C.2. below and Appendix B. for additional information)

f. Other Attachment Form – use to submit the Biographical Sketch

2. Project Narrative Attachment Form – see Appendix B. Applicants must use the Project

Narrative Attachment form in Grants.gov. The project narrative must explicitly describe how the proposed project meets the threshold eligibility criteria in Section III.C., the requirements in Section I, and address the evaluation criteria set forth in Section V.A. The project narrative cannot exceed a maximum of 15 single-spaced typewritten pages, including the summary page, workplan, and budget table and detail. Excess pages will not be reviewed. Supporting materials identified below can be submitted as attachments and are not included in the 15 page limit. The project narrative must substantially comply with the specific instructions, format, and content as defined in Appendix B.

3. Other Attachments. These are not included in the 15 page limit. Use the Other

Attachments form in Grants.gov.

a. Biographical Sketch. Provide resumes or curriculum vitae for all

D. Submission Date and Times https://www.epa.gov/grants/exceptions-grantsgov-submission-requirement http://www.grants.gov/ https://usepa.sharepoint.com/sites/oar_Work/targetedairshedgrants/Shared%20Documents/FY2021/RFA/Grants.gov

The closing date and time for submission of applications is July 5, 2023, 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time (ET). Applications submitted after the closing date and time will not be considered for funding.

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

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

Only eligible entities whose applications meet the threshold criteria in Section III.A. of this RFA will be evaluated according to the criteria set forth below. Applicants should explicitly address these criteria as part of their application package submittal in the project narrative, following the content requirements set forth in Appendix B. Each application will be rated using a point system. Applications will be evaluated based on a total of 100 points possible.

A. Evaluation Criteria

Criteria Points

Total Possible Points 100

1. Project Summary and Approach: Under this criterion, EPA will evaluate applications based on the extent and quality of the applicant’s project summary and overall approach. Specifically, EPA will evaluate the extent and quality of:

A. (15 points) The overall proposed project, consistent with Section I.B.; and B. (10 points) How the proposed project will support or benefit the public or advance scientific knowledge and the relationship of the proposed project to the seriousness, extent, and urgency of the environmental problems toward which the project is directed.

C. (15 points) How the application demonstrates the anticipated public benefits to be derived from the project and describe the degree to which the project can be expected to produce results that will have general application to support the compliance assistance needs of regulated entities through management of the Centers program.

2. Environmental Results – Outputs, Outcomes and Performance Measures:

Under this criterion, EPA will evaluate:

A. (10 points) The extent and quality to which the applicant identifies and proposes outputs and outcomes, as described in Section I.D.2. and 3.

B. (5 points) The effectiveness of the applicant’s plan for tracking and measuring its progress toward achieving the expected project outputs and outcomes, including those identified in Section I.D. of this announcement.

C. (5 points) The reasonableness of the proposed timeline including key milestones for specific tasks and the likelihood of completion of the project’s goals and objectives by project end.

3. Programmatic Capability and Past Performance: Under this criterion, EPA will evaluate applicants based on their ability to successfully complete and manage the proposed project considering their:

A. (3 points) Past performance in successfully completing and managing the assistance agreements identified in the project narrative as described in Section IV.C of the announcement

B. (2 points) History of meeting the reporting requirements under the assistance agreements identified in the project narrative as described in Section IV.C.

of the announcement, including whether the applicant submitted acceptable final technical reports under those agreements and the extent to which the applicant adequately and timely reported on their progress towards achieving the expected outputs and outcomes under those agreements and if such progress was not being made whether the applicant adequately reported why not;

C. (5 points) Staff expertise and qualifications, staff knowledge, and resources or the ability to obtain them, to successfully achieve the goals of the proposed project.

Note: In evaluating applicants under items A. and B. of this criterion, EPA will consider the information provided by the applicant and may also consider relevant information from other sources including agency files and prior/current grantors (e.g., to verify and/or supplement the information supplied by the applicant). If the applicant does not have any relevant or available past performance or reporting information, please indicate this in the application and you will receive a neutral score for sub-criteria A. and B. (a neutral score is half of the total points available in a subset of possible points). If the applicant does not provide any response for these items, you may receive a score of 0 for these sub-criteria.

4. Budget: Under this criterion, EPA will evaluate applicants based on the extent and quality to which:

A. (5 points) The proposed budget provides a detailed breakout by funding type in the proper budget category for each activity the applicant is requesting funding.

B. (5 points) Costs are reasonable to accomplish the proposed goals, objectives, and measurable environmental outcomes; and C. (5 points) The applicant’s approach, procedures, and controls will ensure that awarded grant funds will be expended in a timely and efficient manner.

An applicant’s SF-424, SF-424A and budget detail must account for both federal funds and any non-federal funds (see Section III.B.). Applicants must precisely describe in their budget detail how they will account for any required or voluntary cost share/match, if applicable. Leveraged resources should not be included in the budget forms but should be discussed in the narrative portion of the budget detail;

see Appendix B.

5. Leveraging: Under this criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on the extent they demonstrate that they will leverage additional funds/ resources beyond the grant funds awarded to support the proposed project activities and how these funds/resources will be used to contribute to the performance and success of the proposed project. This includes but is not limited to funds and other resources leveraged from businesses, labor organizations, non-profit organizations, education and training providers, and/or Federal, state, tribal, and local governments, as appropriate. Applicants will also be evaluated based on the amount and type of leveraged resources to be provided, how they will obtain the leveraged resources, the likelihood the leveraging will materialize during grant performance, the strength of the leveraging commitment, and the role the leveraged funds/resources will play to support the proposed project activities.

B. Review and Selection Process

Applications will first be evaluated against the threshold eligibility criteria listed in Section III of this RFA. Only those applications which meet all of the threshold eligibility criteria will be evaluated using the evaluation criteria listed above by an EPA evaluation team. Each application will be given a numerical score and will be rank-ordered by the review panel.

Preliminary funding recommendations will be provided to the EPA selection official based on these reviews and rankings. Final funding decisions will be made by the EPA headquarters selection official based on the rankings and preliminary recommendations of the EPA evaluation team and the other factors listed in Section V.C. below.

C. Other Factors

In making the final funding decisions, the selection official may also consider programmatic priorities and geographic diversity of funds. Once final decisions have been made, a funding recommendation will be developed and forwarded to the EPA award official.

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

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

A. Award Notices Following evaluation of applications, all applicants will be notified regarding their status.

1. Successful Applicants: EPA anticipates notification to successful applicants will be made via electronic or postal mail within 60 days of the closing date of this RFA. The notification will be sent to the original signer of the application or the project contact listed in the application. This notification, which informs the applicant that its application has been selected and is being recommended forward is not an authorization to begin work. The official notification of an award will be made by the Grants & Interagency Management Division

(GIAMD).

Applicants are cautioned that only a grants officer is authorized to bind the government to the expenditure of funds; selection does not guarantee an award will be made. For example, statutory authorization, funding, or other issues discovered during the award process may affect the ability of EPA to make an award to the applicant. The award notice, signed by the EPA grants officer, is the authorizing document and will be provided through electronic or postal mail. The successful applicant may need to prepare and submit additional documents and forms (e.g. work plan), which must be approved by EPA, before the grant can officially be awarded. The time between notification of selection and award of a grant can take up to 90 days or longer.

2. Unsuccessful Applicants: EPA anticipates notification to unsuccessful applicant(s) will be made via electronic or postal mail within 60 days of the closing date of this RFA. The notification will be sent to the original signer of the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

A listing and description of general EPA Regulations applicable to the award of assistance agreements may be viewed at: www.epa.gov/grants/policy-regulations-and-guidance-epa-grants.

C. Reporting Requirement

Quarterly progress reports and a detailed final report will be required. Quarterly reports summarizing technical progress including status on outputs and outcomes achieved, funds leveraged, planned activities for the next quarter and a detailed summary of expenditures are required. The final report shall be submitted to EPA within 120 calendar days of the completion of the period of performance. The final report must include: summary of the project or activity, advances achieved, final outputs and outcomes achieved, funds leveraged, and costs of all projects or activities completed. In addition, the final report shall discuss the problems, successes, and lessons learned from the project or activity that could help overcome structural, organizational, or technical obstacles to implementing a similar project elsewhere. The schedule for submission of quarterly reports will be established by EPA, after the grants are awarded.

Award recipients may be provided with additional information and guidance on reporting performance measures and project progress after award.

D. Disputes

Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005) which can be found at Grant Competition Dispute Resolution Procedures. Copies of these procedures may also be requested by contacting the person listed in Section VII. of the announcement. Note that the Federal Register notice references regulations at 40 CFR Parts 30 and 31 that have been superseded by regulations in 2 CFR parts 200 and 1500.

Notwithstanding the regulatory changes, the procedures for competition-related disputes https://www.epa.gov/grants/policy-regulations-and-guidance-epa-grants https://www.epa.gov/grants/policy-regulations-and-guidance-epa-grants https://www.epa.gov/grants/grant-competition-dispute-resolution-procedures remains unchanged from the procedures described at 70 FR 3629, 3630, as indicated in 2 CFR Part 1500, Subpart E.

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

For further information, contact:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ATTN: Matthew Cooke

OECA/OC/MAMPD/CPS

WJC Building South, Room #6144G

MC: 2221A

1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, DC 20460 Cooke.Matthew@epa.gov

All questions or comments must be communicated in writing via postal mail or email to the contact person listed above. Questions and answers will be posted until the closing date of this announcement at the OGD Grants/Funding webpage: https://www.epa.gov/grants/specific-epa grant-programs mailto:Cooke.Matthew@epa.gov https://www.epa.gov/grants/specific-epa https://www.epa.gov/grants/specific-epa-grant-programs

APPENDIX A – Grants.gov Application Submission Instructions

a. Submission Instructions

1. 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 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.

2. 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.

https://sam.gov/content/home https://login.gov/ 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 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLxg5Tu3qHA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLxg5Tu3qHA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsPRj4ILn7Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsPRj4ILn7Y

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.

3. 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.

4. Application Submission Deadline Your organization's AOR must submit your complete application package electronically to EPA through Grants.gov no later than July 5, 2023, at 11:59 PM ET. Please allow for enough time to successfully submit your application and allow for unexpected errors that may require you to resubmit.

Applications submitted through Grants.gov will be time and date stamped electronically.