epa-oswer-orcr-15-02.pdf

OVERVIEW SECTION

AGENCY: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)

TITLE: “FY 2015 HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANT PROGRAM FOR

TRIBES”

ACTION: Request for Proposals (RFP) - Initial Announcement

RFP NO: EPA-OSWER-ORCR-15-02

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NO.: 66.812

DATES: Proposals are due July 31, 2015, 11:59 p.m. (EDT). EPA will receive proposals electronically through Grants.gov. All proposals will be electronically date and time stamped.

Proposals must be submitted on time in order to be considered for funding.

SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits proposals from federally-recognized tribes or intertribal consortia for the development and implementation of hazardous waste programs and for building capacity to address hazardous waste management in Indian country. In accordance with the EPA Indian Policy of 1984, EPA recognizes tribal governments as the primary parties for managing programs for reservations.

In an effort to maximize the benefits to tribes from the limited funding to support the Hazardous Waste Management Grant Program for Tribes, the EPA has reassessed the criteria used to evaluate proposals submitted for funding through this grant program beginning in FY 2015. The goal of this effort is to provide technical assistance to a greater number of tribes for activities that involve hazardous waste management on tribal lands.

FUNDING/AWARDS: The total estimated funding available under this competitive opportunity is $296,000, subject to the availability of funds and quality of proposals received. EPA anticipates the award of up to three cooperative agreements whose maximum estimated value each shall not exceed $98,666 resulting from this competitive opportunity (Refer to Section 2(B)).

CONTENTS BY SECTION:

1. Funding Opportunity Description

2. Award Information

3. Eligibility Information

4. Proposal and Submission Information

5. Proposal Review Information

6. Award Administration Information

7. Agency Contact

8. Other Information http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html

SECTION 1. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Introduction

Improper management of hazardous waste poses a serious threat to the health of people, the environment, and wildlife. Some threats are obvious, such as chemical accidents, spills of hazardous waste on or close to transportation routes, and illegal hazardous waste dumping. Even when hazardous waste is managed and disposed of in a careful manner, it may still pose a serious threat.

For example, toxic hazardous wastes can leak from a poorly constructed or improperly maintained landfill. Such waste contamination can severely, and sometimes irreversibly, impact human health and the environment.

Improper management and disposal of hazardous waste has polluted ground water, streams, rivers, lakes, and other surface waters. Careless waste disposal has been linked to respiratory illnesses, skin diseases (including skin cancer), and elevated levels of toxic materials in humans, plants, and animals. In some cases, the improper management of hazardous waste has resulted in fires, explosions, or the generation of toxic gases that have killed or seriously injured workers and firefighters.

To address hazardous waste management issues, EPA is responsible for implementing the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle C program. The RCRA Subtitle C program is a comprehensive effort to ensure that hazardous waste is managed safely from “cradle to grave” – from the moment it is generated; while it is transported, treated, or stored; until it is finally re-used or disposed of in a safe manner.

B. Types of Projects EPA Will Fund Under this Grant Program

This grant program will support projects designed to develop and implement hazardous waste management programs. These programs must improve the applicant’s ability to properly identify, manage, or dispose of hazardous waste. All hazardous waste management activities that address the RCRA Subtitle C “cradle to grave” approach are eligible. Each of the following hazardous waste management program activities are considered central to a “cradle to grave” program:

1. Hazardous Waste Identification;

2. Hazardous Waste Generator Siting, Monitoring, & Compliance (Large Quantity, Small

Quantity, and Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators);

3. Hazardous Waste Minimization and Recycling, and the Management of Used Oil, and

Universal Wastes;

4. Hazardous Waste Transportation;

5. Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility Siting, Permitting, Monitoring, Corrective Action, & Enforcement;

6. Land Disposal Restrictions; and

7. Combustion.

C. Examples of Program Activities

The following activities are suggestive and do not limit the range of activities considered eligible under this grant program. These activities are eligible when they are performed in support of developing and implementing a tribal program to manage hazardous waste:

1. Develop and implement codes, regulations, ordinances, policies, and/or guidance to regulate hazardous waste management activities and facilities, such as generators, transporters, treatment, storage and disposal facilities.

2. Develop and implement hazardous waste program enforcement policies and procedures to ensure regulatory compliance, including monitoring and inspection schemes.

3. Develop legal and administrative infrastructure that are adequate to implement and maintain regulatory and/or non-regulatory hazardous waste management programs.

4. Identify and assess hazardous waste generation and ongoing management of concern to the community, including:

a. Inventory of active and inactive dump/disposal sites and assess contamination potential;

b. Characterize hazardous waste stream; and

c. Identify sensitive sites with potential or actual impacts on water bodies, soil, air, cultural/historic resources, threatened or endangered species, etc.

5. Develop and implement tribal integrated hazardous waste management plans (including source reduction/recycling).

6. Implement used oil collection and other programs to reduce the improper management of hazardous waste in the community. Used oil collection programs must be in accordance with 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 279.

7. Implement household hazardous waste collection events and/or programs that provide sustainable or long-term solutions for disposal of household hazardous waste for the community.

8. Implement Universal waste collection events and/or programs that provide sustainable or long-term solutions for disposal of Universal waste for the community. Universal waste programs must be in accordance with 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 273.

9. Develop outreach documents and other resource materials to plan and conduct hazardous waste management seminars for tribal leaders, community members, businesses and civic organizations, etc.

10. Establish qualifications for environmental management personnel relative to the tribe’s needs and plan for program implementation.

11. Establish a communications plan for hazardous waste management program activities.

12. Identify multi-jurisdictional opportunities for hazardous waste management, including feasibility for intergovernmental (tribal, federal, state, and local) cooperative efforts.

D. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage

The projects selected for award through this competition will support progress towards EPA Strategic Plan Goal 3 (Cleaning Up Communities and Advancing Sustainable Development), Objective 3.2 (Preserve Land). Specifically, the recipient will develop and implement hazardous waste management programs that identify hazardous wastes, improve management of hazardous waste, encourage waste reduction/re-use/recycling activities, collect household hazardous waste, educate and train employees and the public, implement used oil collection programs, or other related activities. Grantees may also receive training in emergency response and hazardous materials handling.

(View EPA’s Strategic Plan online at: http://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan.html.)

E. Measuring Environmental Results: Anticipated Outcomes/Outputs

Pursuant to EPA Order 5700.7, “Environmental Results under EPA Assistance Agreements,” EPA requires that all grant applicants and recipients adequately address environmental outcomes and outputs. Outcomes and outputs differ both in their nature and in how they are measured. Applicants must discuss environmental outcomes and outputs in their proposed work plan.

1. Outcomes. The term “outcomes” refer to 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 environmental, behavioral, health-related or programmatic in nature, must be quantitative, and may not necessarily be achievable during the project period.

EPA anticipates outcomes from projects expected to be awarded under this announcement will include, but are not limited to the following:

a. Improved knowledge about the location of hazardous waste handlers/facilities, and the types of hazardous wastes they manage as reflected by inventories of facilities.

b. Improved ability to properly identify, manage, or dispose of hazardous waste as demonstrated by a reduction in the number of citations under tribal codes, regulations, and ordinances, and fewer reports of illegal hazardous waste disposal.

c. Increased amount of household hazardous waste recycled and/or increased use of hazardous waste reduction and re-use activities as demonstrated by increased use of household hazardous waste collection stations and re-use centers.

d. Improved community awareness of proper hazardous waste and used oil management practices as demonstrated by the level of participation in household hazardous waste collection events, used oil collection programs, and/or increased purchasing of alternative, non-toxic or less hazardous products.

2. Outputs. The term “outputs” refer to an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work products 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 the project period.

EPA anticipates the outputs from the project expected to be awarded under this announcement will include, but are not limited to the following:

a. Inventory of hazardous waste handlers/facilities in Indian country;

b. Codes, regulations, ordinances, policies and/or guidance for regulating hazardous waste;

c. Facilities for improved hazardous waste management, such as secure household http://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan.html hazardous waste collection stations and re-use centers for used paint, wood stains, etc.;

d. Number of tribal leaders and environmental staff trained or certified;

e. Educational and/or community outreach material; and

f. Reports from studies, sampling, and/or research.

F. Supplementary Information

The statutory authority for this action is Public Law 105-276. Tribal recipients of the Hazardous Waste Management Grant Program for Tribes are subject to 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards) and 40 CFR Part 35.720 et. seq.

SECTION 2. AWARD INFORMATION

A. What is the amount of available funding?

The total estimated funding available under this competitive opportunity is $296,000, subject to the availability of funds and quality of proposals received.

EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this competition, consistent with Agency policy, if additional funding becomes available. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months from the date of the original selection decision.

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

EPA anticipates awarding up to three cooperative agreements under this competitive opportunity that are commensurate with the funding that is allocated to support the FY 2015 Hazardous Waste Management Grant Program for Tribes. The proposed federal funding may not exceed $98,666, excluding any voluntary cost share or leveraging.

Cooperative agreements permit substantial involvement between the EPA Project Officer and the selected applicants 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 this project will include:

1. Close monitoring of the recipient’s performance to verify the expected results proposed by the recipient;

2. Collaboration during performance of the scope of work;

3. Review any proposed changes to the work plan and/or budget;

4. Review of proposed procurements in accordance with 2 CFR 200.317 and 2 CFR 200.318, as appropriate;

5. Review qualifications of key personnel (EPA does not have the authority to select employees or contractors employed by the award recipient);

6. Review and comment on the content of printed or electronic publications prepared under the cooperative agreement (the final decision on the content of reports rests with the recipient);

and

7. Review and concur on project outputs for consistency with the EPA approved scope of work.

EPA reserves the right to reject all proposals and make no awards under this announcement.

C. Will proposals be partially funded?

In appropriate circumstances, EPA reserves the right to partially fund proposals/applications by funding discrete activities, portions, or phases of proposed projects. If EPA decides to partially fund a proposal, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice any applicants or affect the basis upon which the proposal or portion thereof, was evaluated and selected for award and; therefore, maintains the integrity of the competition and selection process.

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

D. What is the project period for award(s) resulting from this solicitation?

The estimated start date for projects resulting from this solicitation is October 1, 2015. All project activities must be completed within the negotiated project performance period of one year.

SECTION 3. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Entities

Proposals will be accepted from Indian tribal governments and intertribal consortia. An Indian tribal government is any tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska native village or regional or village corporation (as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, 43 U.S.C. 1601, et seq.), which is recognized by the U.S.

Department of the Interior as eligible for the special services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. An intertribal consortium is a partnership between two or more federally-recognized Indian tribal governments authorized by the governing bodies of those tribes to apply for and receive assistance under this program.

B. Cost-Sharing or Matching

Although cost-sharing or matching is not required as a condition of eligibility under this competition, under Section 5 of this announcement EPA will evaluate proposals based on a leveraging criterion (Refer to Section 5(A), Evaluation Criteria).

Leveraging is generally when an applicant proposes to provide its own additional funds/resources or those from third party sources to support or complement the project they are awarded under the competition which are above and beyond the EPA grant funds awarded. Any leveraged funds/resources, and their source, must be identified in the proposal (See Section 4 of the announcement). Leveraged funds and resources may take various forms as noted below.

Voluntary cost share is a form of leveraging. 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. If an applicant proposes a voluntary cost share, the following apply:

A voluntary cost share is subject to the match provisions in the grant regulations (2 CFR Section 200.306). A voluntary cost share may only be met with eligible and allowable costs. 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. 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 grant performance, then EPA may reconsider the legitimacy of the award and/or take other appropriate action as authorized by CFR 200 and/or 1500, as applicable.

Other leveraged funding/resources that are not identified as a 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

Proposals must meet the following “threshold criteria,” by the time of proposal submission.

Proposals that fail to meet any one of the threshold criteria will not be considered further.

EPA will notify applicants who do not meet the threshold criteria within 15 calendar days of the “fail” determination. Proposals that meet the threshold criteria will then be evaluated based on the factors disclosed in Section 5(A), Evaluation Criteria. The threshold criteria are:

1. Proposals must address an acceptable project as described in Section 1(B), Types of Projects

EPA Will Fund Under this Grant Program of this announcement.

2. Proposals must specifically describe how the applicant will provide technical assistance and transfer information including lessons learned to other tribal communities.

3. Federal funds requested may not exceed $98,666. This excludes any leveraging or voluntary cost share. Proposals requesting assistance funding in excess of this value will not be considered.

4. Proposals must substantially comply with the proposal submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section 4(B) of this announcement or else they will be rejected.

However, where a page limit is expressed in Section 4(D) with respect to the proposal, pages in excess of the page limitation will not be reviewed.

In addition, initial proposals must be submitted through www.grants.gov as stated in Section as specified in Section 4(B) of this announcement (except in the limited circumstances where another mode of submission is specifically allowed for as explained in Section 4(A), on or before the proposal submission deadline published in Section 4(B) of this announcement.

Applicants are responsible for following the submission instructions in Section 4(b) of this announcement to ensure that their proposal is timely submitted.

Proposals submitted after the submission deadline will be considered late and deemed ineligible without further consideration unless the applicant can clearly demonstrate that it was late due to EPA mishandling or because of technical problems associated with Grants.gov or relevant SAM.gov system issues. An applicant’s failure to timely submit their proposal 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 late submission.

Applicants should confirm receipt of their proposal with Denise Roy, EPA Project Officer (see Section 7 for contact information), as soon as possible after the submission deadline—failure to do so may result in your proposal not being reviewed.

5. Ineligible activities: If a proposal is submitted that includes any ineligible tasks or activities, that portion of the proposal will be ineligible for funding and may, depending on the extent to which it affects the proposal, render the entire proposal ineligible for funding.

D. Additional Funding Restrictions

Clean up from abandoned or inactive facilities is covered by other EPA programs (e.g., the CERCLA/Superfund program, the Underground Storage Tank program, and the Brownfields Redevelopment program). Other EPA waste programs focus on municipal solid waste management, recycling, and responding to emergency releases of hazardous materials and wastes. Although these are important parts of an overall waste management program, the Hazardous Waste Management Grant Program for Tribes is set up to address the active management of hazardous wastes as they are generated, transported, stored, or disposed of. While other EPA programs fund similar and related projects, hazardous waste program grants are specifically targeted to enhance federally-recognized tribal government’s ongoing management of hazardous wastes and to increase awareness of hazardous waste management activities that may impact Indian country. EPA will only fund proposals under this RFP that focus on the active management of hazardous wastes as they are generated, transported, or disposed of.

http://www.grants.gov/

SECTION 4. PROPOSAL AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

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

Applicants, except as noted below, must apply electronically through Grants.gov under this funding opportunity based on the grants.gov instructions in this announcement. If an applicant does not have the technical capability to apply electronically through grants.gov because of limited or no internet access which prevents them from being able to upload the required application materials to Grants.gov, the applicant must contact OGDWaivers@epa.gov or the address listed below in writing (e.g., by hard copy, email) at least 15 calendar days prior to the submission deadline under this announcement to request approval to submit their application materials through an alternate method.

Mailing Address:

OGD Waivers c/o Barbara Perkins USEPA Headquarters William Jefferson Clinton Building 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N. W.

Mail Code: 3903R Washington, DC 20460

Courier Address:

OGD Waivers c/o Barbara Perkins Ronald Reagan Building 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.

Rm # 51267 Washington, DC 20004

In the request, the applicant must include the following information:

Funding Opportunity Number (FON) Organization Name and DUNS Organization’s Contact Information (email address and phone number) Explanation of how they lack the technical capability to apply electronically through Grants.gov because of 1) limited internet access or 2) no internet access which prevents them from being able to upload the required application materials through www.Grants.gov.

EPA will only consider alternate submission exception requests based on the two reasons stated above and will timely respond to the request -- all other requests will be denied. If an alternate submission method is approved, the applicant will receive documentation of this approval and further instructions on how to apply under this announcement. Applicants will be required to submit the documentation of approval with any initial application submitted under the alternative method.

In addition, any submittal through an alternative method must comply with all applicable requirements and deadlines in the announcement including the submission deadline and mailto:Grants.gov mailto:OGDWaivers@epa.gov requirements regarding proposal content and page limits (although the documentation of approval of an alternate submission method will not count against any page limits).

If an exception is granted, it is valid for submissions to EPA for the remainder of the entire calendar year in which the exception was approved and can be used to justify alternative submission methods for application submissions made through December 31st of the calendar year in which the exception was approved (e.g., if the exception was approved on March 1, 2015, it is valid for any competitive or non-competitive application submission to EPA through December 31, 2015).

Applicants need only request an exception once in a calendar year and all exceptions will expire on December 31st of that calendar year. Applicants must request a new exception from required electronic submission through Grants.gov for submissions for any succeeding calendar year. For example, if there is a competitive opportunity issued on December 1, 2015, with a submission deadline of January 15, 2016, the applicant would need a new exception to submit through alternative methods beginning January 1, 2016.

Please note that the process described in this section is only for requesting alternate submission methods. All other inquiries about this announcement must be directed to the Agency Contact listed in Section 7 of the announcement. Queries or requests submitted to the email address identified above for any reason other than to request an alternate submission method will not be acknowledged or answered.

B. Submission Instructions

The electronic submission of your application must be made by an official representative of your institution who is registered with Grants.gov and is authorized to sign applications for Federal assistance. For more information on the registration requirements that must be completed in order to submit an application through grants.gov, go to http://www.grants.gov and click on “Applicants” on the top of the page and then go to the “Get Registered” link on the page. If your organization is not currently registered with Grants.gov, please encourage your office to designate an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and ask that individual to begin the registration process as soon as possible. Please note that the registration process also requires that your organization have a DUNS number and a current registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) and the process of obtaining both could take a month or more. 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 submission deadline. Registration on grants.gov, SAM.gov, and DUNS number assignment is FREE.

To begin the application process under this grant announcement, go to http://www.grants.gov and click on “Applicants” on the top of the page and then “Apply for Grants” from the dropdown menu and then follow the instructions accordingly. Please note: To apply through grants.gov, you must use Adobe Reader software and download the compatible Adobe Reader version. For more information about Adobe Reader, to verify compatibility, or to download the free software, please visit http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support/technical-support/software/adobe-reader-compatibility.html.

You may also be able to access the application package for this announcement by searching for the http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support/technical-support/software/adobe-reader-compatibility.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support/technical-support/software/adobe-reader-compatibility.html opportunity onhttp://www.grants.gov. Go to http://www.grants.gov and then click on “Search Grants” at the top of the page and enter the Funding Opportunity Number, EPA-OSWER-ORCR- 15-02, or the CFDA number that applies to the announcement (CFDA 66.812), in the appropriate field and click the Search button. Alternatively, you may be able to access the application package by clicking on the Application Package button at the top right of the synopsis page for the announcement on http://www.grants.gov. To find the synopsis page, go to http://www.grants.gov and click “Browse Agencies” in the middle of the page and then go to “Environmental Protection Agency” to find the EPA funding opportunities.

Application Submission Deadline: Your organization’s AOR must submit your complete application package electronically to EPA through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) no later than July 31, 2015, 11:59 p.m. (EDT). Please allow for enough time to successfully submit your application process and allow for unexpected errors that may require you to resubmit.

Please submit all of the application materials described below using the grants.gov application package that you downloaded using the instructions above. For additional instructions on completing and submitting the electronic application package, click on the “Show Instructions” tab that is accessible within the application package itself.

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. Narrative Proposal (Project Narrative Attachment Form)-prepared as described in Section 4

(D) of the announcement

Applications submitted through grants.gov will be time and date stamped electronically. If you have not received a confirmation of receipt from EPA (not from grants.gov) within 30 days of the proposal deadline, please contact Denise Roy at (703) 308-8458 or roy.denise@epa.gov. Failure to do so may result in your proposal not being reviewed.

C. Technical Issues with Submission

1. Once the application package has been completed, the “Submit” button should be enabled. If the “Submit” button is not active, please call Grants.gov for assistance at 1-800-518-4726.

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. Applicants should save the completed application package with two different file names before providing it to the AOR to avoid having to re-create the package should submission problems be experienced or a revised application needs to be submitted.

2. Submitting the application. The application package must be transferred to Grants.gov by an http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:roy.denise@epa.gov

AOR. The AOR should close all other software before attempting to submit the application package. Click the “submit” button of the application package. Your Internet browser will launch and a sign-in page will appear. Note: Minor problems are not uncommon with transfers to Grants.gov. It is essential to allow sufficient time to ensure that your application is submitted to Grants.gov BEFORE the due date identified in Section IV of the solicitation. The Grants.gov support desk operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except Federal Holidays.

A successful transfer will end with an on-screen acknowledgement. For documentation purposes, print or screen capture this acknowledgement. If a submission problem occurs, reboot the computer – turning the power off may be necessary – and re-attempt the submission.

Note: Grants.gov issues a “case number” upon a request for assistance.

3. Transmission Difficulties. If transmission difficulties that result in a late transmission, no transmission, or rejection of the transmitted application are experienced, and following the above instructions do not resolve the problem so that the application is submitted to www.Grants.Gov by the deadline date and time, follow the guidance below. The Agency will make a decision concerning acceptance of each late submission on a case-by-case basis. All emails, as described below, are to be sent to Denise Roy with the FON in the subject line. If you are unable to email, contact Denise Roy at (703) 308-8458. Be aware that EPA will only consider accepting applications that were unable to transmit due to www.Grants.gov or relevant www.Sam.gov system issues or for unforeseen exigent circumstances, such as extreme weather interfering with internet access. Failure of an applicant to submit timely because they did not properly or timely register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov is not an acceptable reason to justify acceptance of a late submittal.

a. If you are experiencing problems resulting in an inability to upload the application to Grants.gov, it is essential to call www.Grants.gov for assistance at 1-800-518-4726 before the application deadline. 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. Be sure to obtain a case number from Grants.gov. If the problems stem from unforeseen exigent circumstances unrelated to Grants.gov, such as extreme weather interfering with internet access, contact Denise Roy at (703) 308-8458.

b. Unsuccessful transfer of the application package: If a successful transfer of the application cannot be accomplished even with assistance from Grants.gov due to electronic submission system issues or unforeseen exigent circumstances, send an email message to Denise Roy at roy.denise@epa.gov prior to the application deadline. The email message must document the problem and include the Grants.gov case number as well as the entire application in PDF format as an attachment.

c. Grants.gov rejection of the application package: If a notification is received from Grants.gov stating that the application has been rejected for reasons other than late submittal promptly send an email to Denise Roy at roy.denise@epa.gov with the FON in the subject line within one business day of the closing date of this solicitation. The email should include any materials provided by Grants.gov and attach the entire application in PDF format.

http://www.grants.gov/

D. Content and Form of Proposal

The following documents are required for all proposals, irrespective of the mode of submission. In addition to the mandatory documents listed in Section 4(B), all proposals must contain a “Narrative Proposal,” and a budget narrative. The “Narrative Proposal,” a maximum of 15 pages in length, must explicitly describe the applicant’s proposed project and specifically address each of the evaluation criteria disclosed in Section 5(A), Evaluation Criteria, and the threshold eligibility criteria in Section 3(C).

1. Narrative Proposal.

Narrative Proposals must be concise, well organized, and not exceed 15 typed, single-line spaced, 8 1/2 x 11” pages. The Narrative Proposal must provide the information detailed in this section and, include responses to all Section 3(C), Threshold Criteria, Section 5(A), Evaluation Criteria, as well as the information identified in Section 1, Funding Opportunity Description. Factual information about your proposed project must be provided. Do not include discussions of broad principles that are not specific to the proposed work or project covered by your proposal. Responses to evaluation criteria should include the criteria number and title but need not restate the entire text of the criteria.

Sufficient detail must be provided to allow for an evaluation of the merits of the proposal.

Vague descriptions, redundancy, and failure to address the selection criteria will result in a lower ranking.

The Narrative Proposal (Sections “a” and “b” below) must substantially conform to the following outline and content:

a. Cover Letter. The cover letter must include a brief description of your project, be written on your organization’s official letterhead, and signed by an official with the authority to commit your organization to the proposed project. The cover letter must also include:

i. Applicant Information. Provide the name and full address of the tribe or consortium applying for funds. This is the agency or organization that will be receiving the grant and will be accountable to the EPA;

ii. Contacts. Provide phone/fax numbers, e-mail address, and mailing address of the project director and head of organization/executive director responsible for the project proposal. These individuals may be contacted if other information is needed;

iii. Cooperative Partners. Provide names and phone numbers of individuals and organizations that have agreed to participate in the implementation of the project, if any; and

iv. Funding Requested. Specify the amount you are requesting from EPA. The total funding requested amount may not exceed $98,666, excluding any in-kind contribution or match.

b. Detailed Project Description. The project description should provide the information below on how the applicant will implement and conduct its project and discuss how the proposal addresses each of the evaluation criteria in Section 5 of this announcement.

The detailed project description must substantially conform to the following outline and content:

i. Project Description. Provide a description of the proposed project, as referenced in Section 1(B), Types of Projects EPA Will Fund Under this Grant Program, and program objectives. The project description should demonstrate consideration of a sustainable, comprehensive integrated waste management program and include: (1) a discussion on the need for the proposed project; (2) a description of a sustainable, comprehensive integrated waste program which incorporates hazardous waste management activities, including long-term waste management planning, program implementation, community education, and staff training; (3) approach/actions proposed to transfer information and lessons learned during the project to other tribes; and (4) will result in compliance with applicable RCRA regulations.

ii. Community Health Development. The proposal should describe how the proposed project will contribute to the overall health and development of the community as well as demonstrate the alleviation or reduction of impacts on human health and the environment. In addition, the proposal must address proposed improvements in the areas of employment, revenue generation, technological innovation, and/or improved health and welfare of the community.

iii. Programmatic Capability and Past Performance. Submit a list of federally and/or non-federally funded assistance agreements (assistance agreements include federal grants and cooperative agreements but not federal contracts) similar in size, scope and relevance to the proposed project that your organization performed within the last three years (no more than five agreements, and preferably EPA agreements) and describe (i) whether, and how, you were able to successfully complete and manage those agreements and (ii) your history of meeting the reporting requirements under those agreements including whether you adequately and timely reported on your progress towards achieving the expected outputs and outcomes of those agreements (and if not, explain why not) and whether you submitted acceptable final technical reports under the agreements. In evaluating applicants under these factors in Section 5, EPA will consider the information provided by the applicant and may also consider relevant information from other sources, including information from EPA files and from current/prior grantors (e.g., to verify and/or supplement the information provided by the applicant). If you do not have any relevant or available past performance or past reporting information, please indicate this in the proposal and you will receive a neutral score for these factors (a neutral score is half of the total points available in a subset of possible points). If you do not provide any response for these items, you may receive a score of zero for these factors.

iv. Performance Measurement: Anticipated Outcomes and Outputs.

Anticipated Outcomes: Specify the expected environmental outcomes as described in Section 1(E), Measuring Environmental Results: Anticipated Outcomes/Outputs of this announcement. Discuss how you propose to track and measure your progress in achieving the project outcomes and results. (Refer to Section 5(A), Evaluation Criteria, Performance Measurement.)

Anticipated Outputs. Identify the expected project outputs, including those described in Section 1(E), Measuring Environmental Results: Anticipated Outcomes/Outputs of this announcement and how you will track and measure your expected project outputs. Outputs, quantitative or qualitative, must be measurable during the project performance period.

v. Cooperative Partnerships. Identify all proposed partnerships and stakeholder groups that will be involved in the project. Describe what each group’s role will be in project staffing, funding, design and implementation. Please note that procurement of commercial services (e.g., consultants, audio visual equipment, meeting space) is subject to the competitive procurement provisions of 40 CFR Part 31. Naming a commercial vendor as a “partner” does not relieve the applicant of responsibility for complying with competitive procurement requirements, including cost or price analysis, or justify sole source procurement.

vi. Technical Assistance/Transferability. Describe a viable and innovative approach for providing technical assistance to other tribes, including how other tribal communities will benefit from the project. In describing the approach, specifically include the following: a methodology for transferring information and lessons learned during the project to other tribes, and a detailed plan that clearly describes activities that will educate and assist other tribal communities in their efforts to develop and implement sustainable hazardous waste management programs.

vii. Voluntary cost share/match and leveraged funds. Demonstrate how you 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. Describe the amount and type of leveraged resources to be provided, how you 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 resources will play to support the proposed project activities. Selected applicants are expected to abide by their proposed leveraging commitments during grant performance and the failure to do so may affect the legitimacy of the award.

viii. Expenditure of Awarded Grant Funds. Describe your organization’s procedures, and controls for ensuring that awarded grant funds will be expended in a timely and efficient manner.

2. Attachments. The following documents shall be included as attachments to the work plan.

These documents will not count as part of the 15 page limit and do not have an individual page limitation. Attachments beyond the required attachments below will not be considered.

Please provide a list of all attachments to the proposal.

a. Letters of Support. The applicant should provide names and phone numbers of persons to contact at these organizations along with a description of what involvement (e.g., assistance and role) the organization has or will have with your organization/project. Applicants may include letters confirming commitments.

Letters of support may not be from EPA staff.

b. Budget. Provide a detailed itemized budget proposal that clearly explains how funds will be used for each of the following categories and how it relates to the project objective. Indicate what portion of the cost EPA will pay, and what portion the applicant or other partners will pay, if applicable:

i. Personnel;

ii. Fringe Benefits;

iii. Contractual Costs;

iv. Travel;

v. Supplies;

vi. Other Costs (be specific);

vii. Administrative Costs (other than Indirect Costs);

viii. Non-EPA Project Funding. Identify funding from other sources including in-kind resources;

ix. Total Direct Costs;

x. Total Indirect Costs (must include Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement as documentation of federally-approved indirect cost rate (percentage); and

xi. Total Project Cost (Total Direct + Indirect Costs). Costs proposed in the budget must be linked directly to the narrative proposal.

Management Fees: When formulating budgets for proposals/applications, applicants must not include management fees or similar charges in excess of the direct costs and indirect costs at the rate approved by the applicants cognizant audit agency, or at the rate provided for by the terms of the agreement negotiated with EPA. The term "management fees or similar charges" refers to expenses added to the direct costs in order to accumulate and reserve funds for ongoing business expenses, unforeseen liabilities, or for other similar costs that are not allowable under EPA assistance agreements. Management fees or similar charges may not be used to improve or expand the project funded under this agreement, except to the extent authorized as a direct cost of carrying out the scope of work.

c. Milestones. Schedule indicating start times and completion dates of significant tasks under your Program.

E. Additional Provisions for Applicants Incorporated into the Solicitation

Additional provisions that apply to this solicitation and/or awards made under this solicitation, including but not limited to those related to confidential business information, contracts and subawards under grants, and proposal assistance and communications, can be found at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/competition/solicitation_provisions.htm. These, and the other provisions that can be found at the website link, are important, and applicants must review them when preparing proposals for this solicitation. If you are unable to access these provisions electronically at the website above, please communicate with the EPA contact listed in this solicitation to obtain the provisions.

SECTION 5. PROPOSAL REVIEW INFORMATION

All proposals received by the closing date and time of submission will first be reviewed to determine eligibility for funding based upon compliance with the Threshold Eligibility Criteria in Section 3(C). Only proposals determined eligible will be evaluated for technical merit using the evaluation criteria set forth below. Proposals that do not meet the Threshold Eligibility Criteria will not be reviewed according to the evaluation criteria set forth below.

A. Evaluation Criteria

Each proposal will be scored based on the following Ranking Criteria. Applicants must directly and explicitly address these criteria as part of their “Narrative Proposals.”

Criterion Maximum Points per Criterion

Project Description. Under this criterion, EPA will evaluate the quality and extent to which the proposal effectively addresses the scope of work activities described in Section 1(B) of this announcement. The proposal will be evaluated based on the quality and extent to which it:

• Clearly, concisely and realistically presents a statement of the problem, description of the proposed project goals, activities, budget, and project milestones. (5 pts.)

• Describes a sustainable, comprehensive integrated waste program which incorporates hazardous waste management activities, as described in Section 1(B), considered essential to a “cradle to grave” program, including long-term waste management planning, program implementation, community education, and staff training. (10 pts.)

• Describes the approach/actions proposed to transfer information and lessons learned during the project to other tribes. (5 pts.)

• Will result in compliance with applicable RCRA regulations. (5 pts.)

http://www.epa.gov/ogd/competition/solicitation_provisions.htm

Community Health Development. Under this criterion, EPA will evaluate the extent to which:

• The proposed project activities will contribute to overall health and development of the community as well as demonstrates alleviation or reduction of impacts on human health and the environment. (5 pts.)

• The proposed project will lead to improved employment, revenue generation, technological innovation, and/or improved health and welfare of the community. (5 pts.)

Programmatic Capability and Past Performance. Under this criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on their ability to successfully complete and manage the proposed project taking into account the applicant’s:

(i) past performance in successfully completing and managing the assistance agreements identified in response to Section 4.B of the announcement (5 pts.),

(ii) history of meeting the reporting requirements under the assistance agreements identified in response to Section 4.B 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 (5 pts.),

(iii) organizational experience and plan for timely and successfully achieving the objectives of the proposed project (2.5 pts.), and

(iv) staff expertise/qualifications, staff knowledge, and resources or the ability to obtain them, to successfully achieve the goals of the proposed project.