EPA-OW-OWOW-24-03.pdf

Federal Agency Name: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds

Funding Opportunity Title: Fiscal Year 2024 Building Partner Capacity and Promoting Resiliency and Equity under Clean Water Act, Wetlands, Nonpoint Source, Monitoring, Assessment and Listing Programs

Announcement Type: Initial Announcement

Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-OW-OWOW-24-03

Assistance Listing Number: 66.436

Dates:

All applications must be received by electronic submission through Grants.gov by 11:59 P.M. ET July 17, 2024. Late applications will not be considered for funding.

Question Submission Questions about this funding opportunity must be submitted in writing via e-mail and must be received by the Agency Contact identified in Section VII before July 1, 2024. Written responses will be posted on the EPA’s website at Notice of Funding Opportunity Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds.

Note to Applicants:

Following the EPA’s evaluation of applications, all applicants will be notified regarding their status. If subawardees/subgrantees and/or contractor(s) are named in the application to assist with the proposed project, pay careful attention to the information in the CONTRACTS AND SUBAWARDS provisions found at the EPA’s Solicitation Clauses.

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. BACKGROUND

The EPA is soliciting applications from eligible applicants to provide support for training and related activities to build the capacity of agricultural partners, state, territorial and Tribal officials and nongovernmental stakeholders in activities to be carried out to support the goals of the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 303(d) Program, the CWA 305(b) Program, the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Program, the Nonpoint Source (CWA Section 319) Program, the Fish Monitoring/Advisory Programs, the Recreational Waters/Beach Monitoring Programs and the Water Quality Monitoring Program.

B. STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The statutory authority for the assistance agreements to be funded under this announcement is Section 104(b)(3) of the CWA which authorizes assistance agreements for the following activities:

conducting or promoting the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/notice-funding-opportunity-office-wetlands-oceans-and-watersheds https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses training, demonstrations, surveys and studies relating to the causes, effects (including health and welfare effects), extent, prevention, reduction and elimination of water pollution.

Implementation projects are not eligible for funding under this announcement. If the application is a demonstration project, then the applicant must describe how it meets the following requirement.

Demonstration projects must involve new or experimental technologies, methods, or approaches. The EPA expects that the results of the project will be disseminated so that others can benefit from the knowledge gained in the demonstration project. A project that is accomplished through the performance of routine, traditional, or established practices, or a project that is simply intended to carry out a task rather than transfer information or advance the state of knowledge, however worthwhile the project might be, is not a demonstration project. For applications that include demonstration projects, the applicant must describe how the project meets the above requirements.

C. NATIONAL PRIORITY AREAS

Each application submitted under this announcement must address one, and only one, of the five National Priority Areas described below. Applicants may submit more than one complete application package under this announcement as long as each application is separately submitted and addresses only one National Priority Area. The cover page of each application package must clearly indicate the National Priority Area addressed in the application. If an applicant submits an application that addresses more than one National Priority Area, it will be deemed ineligible and will not be reviewed.

National Priority Area I: State and Tribal Aquatic Resource Monitoring Technical Training and Capacity Building Workshops The goal of this National Priority Area is to conduct technical training and capacity building workshops and communication/outreach activities to more effectively assess water quality and communicate technical information at the national, regional and state-scale focusing the technical training workshops on topics related to the National Aquatic Resource Surveys.

The EPA is soliciting applications from eligible applicants to plan, prepare and conduct State and Tribal Aquatic Resource Monitoring Technical Training and Capacity Building Workshops to build the capacity of states and Tribes to more effectively assess water quality. These technical training workshops and communication/outreach areas should include:

• Five to seven technical training workshops (each workshop one to three days in length) focused on specific aquatic resources or selected issues with cross resource topics of interest. During any given year, these smaller training workshops do not have to focus on the same aquatic resource type and may cover different topics. Note that not all training workshops have to be in person; they can be held virtually if appropriate for the topic area.

• Up to three large technical training workshops covering all aquatic resource types. Note that not all large training workshops have to be in person; large workshops can be held virtually if appropriate for the topic area.

• Communication and outreach activities may include development of articles, videos and other communications materials; engagement of experts; and transferring new approaches to states, Tribes and others.

https://www.epa.gov/national-aquatic-resource-surveys

The project components described below provide some detail on roles and responsibilities the successful applicant may be expected to assume in order to establish and manage the State and Tribal Aquatic Resource Monitoring Technical Training and Capacity Building Workshops. The description below is not comprehensive. Applicants are encouraged to identify additional workshop training topic areas, communication/outreach activities and/or project components that may not be included in the announcement but may contribute to overall project success in their application.

The target audience for the State and Tribal Aquatic Resource Monitoring Technical Training and Capacity Building Workshops is expected to include state and Tribal monitoring, assessment and wetland program personnel and other national experts engaged in developing and implementing the National Aquatic Resource Surveys and state/Tribal scale statistical surveys. Participants are also expected to include individuals from the university, research and non-profit community and the EPA staff from Headquarters (e.g., Office of Water), Office of Research and Development, etc.) and the Regional Offices with expertise in the specific training topic.

Approximately 25-75 people are expected to attend each of the aquatic resource specific training workshops depending on the specific topic(s) covered; approximately 65% state, 5% Tribal, 10% other non-federal (e.g., university, non-profit, etc.) and 20% federal. Up to 200 attendees are expected to attend the large training workshops covering all aquatic resource types; approximately 65% state, 5% Tribal, 10% other non-federal (e.g., university, non-profit, etc.) and 20% federal. Applicants may propose to use a portion of the assistance funds to defray transportation and subsistence expenses for non-federal attendees to attend the training workshops. The applicant is solely responsible for determining a methodology for selecting and funding reimbursement requests and providing a report on how participating non-federal attendees benefited from the training workshops. The EPA will not participate in the selection or approval of individuals who receive travel assistance.

The overall goals of these training workshops are to: (1) enhance communication, coordination and technology transfer among states, Tribes and federal agencies to ensure state and Tribal interests are effectively represented in the continued development and implementation of the National Aquatic Resource Surveys; (2) facilitate increased understanding and technology transfer of probability-based sampling, field methods, methods comparability and other issues of interest to states and Tribes; (3) increase inter-jurisdictional collaboration among states and Tribes and to build or expand state and Tribal aquatic resource monitoring capacity; and (4) communicate results from the National Aquatic Resource Surveys to support water quality protection/restoration actions at various scales.

The smaller aquatic resource specific training workshops should focus on technical and programmatic issues including but not limited to refining ecological indicators, developing data analysis procedures, establishing reference condition, integrating multiple field methods, learning about field methods and improving state and Tribal use of monitoring data to inform decision-making. A portion of these workshops could also be dedicated to technical training on developing a probability-based survey design, data analysis techniques, or field-based monitoring demonstrations.

The large training workshops covering all aquatic resource types should focus on training participants on successful approaches for enhancing state, Tribal and national assessments of condition of the https://www.epa.gov/national-aquatic-resource-surveys https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-11/documents/epa-guidance-on-participant-support-costs.pdf nation’s waters consistent with CWA Section 305(b). Examples that applicants might consider in designing the large training workshops covering all aquatic resource types include successful approaches for implementing probability surveys and using probability data, improving national and state/Tribal coordination of monitoring approaches, learning about analytical approaches and tools to streamline assessment/reporting, conducting methods comparability studies and applying the biological condition gradient to assessments at multiple scales.

In their applications, applicants should outline the steps they will take to plan, prepare and conduct the training workshops and describe the roles and responsibilities of the applicant in carrying out the training workshops. The application should also describe the approach for consulting with states, Tribes and other interested stakeholders to determine the training workshop priorities. The application should include a description of how the applicant will transfer the results of the training workshops to state, Tribal and local governmental agencies and other interested stakeholders. In their application, applicants should demonstrate experience working with and convening state, Tribal and federal agencies to effectively respond to the range of aquatic resource monitoring needs nationally.

Whenever possible, in-person technical training workshops should be located in or near major U.S.

cities accessible to transportation to most effectively accommodate travel needs of participants.

Applicants should demonstrate their intent to coordinate, where possible, the training workshops with existing meetings to increase interaction among state, Tribal and other monitoring experts and organizations and to reduce the travel burden on non-federal attendees.

The successful applicant will provide the overall leadership for the training workshops, identify appropriate timeframes for each training workshop, select workshop locations, secure workshop facilities (meeting rooms, accommodations, audio-visual equipment, etc.), develop workshop agendas and materials and select speakers. Applicants should consider the National Aquatic Resource Surveys schedule, including the timeframe for survey implementation and data analyses/national report development. Applicants should include in their description how they propose to deliver in-person training workshops under normal circumstances and how they will deliver the trainings if in-person training is not possible due to impacts related to natural disasters and/or health emergencies, (e.g., under quarantine situations, if social distancing is required in your locale). Alternative training workshops due to the impacts of natural disasters and/or health emergencies may include switching from in-person formats to online only or reducing the number of participants in each training. If the EPA co-sponsors one or more of these events the EPA will do so in accordance with a co-sponsorship agreement developed between the EPA and the recipient. The EPA will support these events as a co-sponsor by providing technical assistance, promotion of the events, review of agendas and printed materials. The successful applicant will use its logos on any workshop materials it provides; the EPA will use its logos on any workshop materials it provides.

Applications will be evaluated based on the criteria in Section V including how well and thoroughly the National Priority Area is addressed. The EPA anticipates funding one cooperative agreement under this National Priority Area for a total available funding of approximately $550,000 depending on the amount requested and the overall size and scope of the project. It is anticipated that the project period https://www.epa.gov/national-aquatic-resource-surveys/timeline-national-aquatic-resource-surveys-field-seasons for the award will be five years and that the award will be incrementally funded depending on agency priorities, availability of funds and satisfactory performance of the recipient.

National Priority Area II: State, Tribal and Territorial Data Management and Data Sharing Training Workshops in Support of CWA Section 303(d), CWA Section 305(b), TMDLs and Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment The goal of National Priority Area II is to conduct training workshops to educate state, Tribal and territorial personnel on new approaches for sharing CWA Sections 303(d), 305(b) and TMDL data. The EPA is developing new approaches for sharing these data as part of the EPA’s Water Quality Framework (Framework). A goal of the Framework is to more fully integrate water quality monitoring, assessment and restoration data to provide a more complete picture of the nation’s waters. As a first step in this effort, the EPA redesigned the Assessment TMDL Tracking and Implementation System (ATTAINS) using an agile approach. This system tracks state CWA Sections 303(d), 305(b) and TMDL data using a common geospatial framework based on the National Hydrography Dataset Plus (NHDPlus). The new ATTAINS system also integrates statewide statistical surveys and site-specific assessment data. It is anticipated that these training workshops will educate states, Tribes and territories on the following tools: ATTAINS, NHDPlus, as well as the EPA Water Quality eXchange (WQX), Water Quality Portal (WQP), R Tools for Automated Data Analysis (TADA), Recovery Potential Screening (RPS) Tool and Healthy Watersheds Assessments, as well as obtain state, Tribal and territorial input on these systems and how they are used to support the full CWA data lifecycle from monitoring to data management, assessment and reporting.

The EPA is soliciting proposals from eligible applicants to plan, prepare and conduct three State, Tribal and Territorial Data Management and Data Sharing Training Workshops starting in 2025—over the next five years—with the option to hold smaller workshops during the other years in support of CWA Sections 303(d), 305(b), TMDLs and water quality monitoring and assessment. The project components described below provide more detail on roles and responsibilities the successful applicant may be expected to assume to establish and manage these workshops, but it is not comprehensive. Applicants are encouraged to identify additional workshop training topic areas and/or project components that may not be included in this announcement, but that may contribute to overall project success in their proposals.

The target audience for the State, Tribal and Territorial Data Management and Data Sharing Training Workshops includes state, Tribal and territorial monitoring, assessment, CWA Sections 303(d), 305(b) and TMDL program personnel, and may also include local and regional officials, stakeholders and national experts. If fully funded, an estimated 50 to 60 participants are expected to attend each training workshop with representatives from 50 states and some territorial and Tribal representatives and federal representatives. It is anticipated that workshop participation will be approximately 75% state, 10% Tribal and 15% federal (the EPA). Applicants may propose to use a portion of the assistance funds to defray transportation and subsistence expenses for non-federal attendees to attend the training workshops. The applicant is solely responsible for determining a methodology for selecting and funding reimbursement requests and providing a report on how participating non-federal attendees benefited from the training workshops. The EPA will not select the trainees or participate in the selection or approval of individuals who receive travel assistance.

https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/water-quality-framework https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/water-quality-framework

The goals of the State, Tribal and Territorial Data Management and Data Sharing Training Workshops are: (1) to provide training to states, Tribes and territories on the new approaches for capturing monitoring, assessment and TMDL data (including training on the redesigned ATTAINS system and new approaches for reporting on strategic measures); (2) to solicit feedback from state, Tribal and territorial personnel on the new ATTAINS data model for tracking these data; (3) to provide information for scoping the integration of these data using a common geospatial framework; and (4) to provide training on other tools being used by states, which include: Recovery Potential Screening Tool, Healthy Watersheds Assessments, Water Quality eXchange , Water Quality Portal, associated R Tools for Automated Data Analysis (TADA) and How’s My Waterway.

In their proposals, applicants should outline the steps they will take to plan, prepare and conduct the training workshops and describe the roles and responsibilities of the applicant in carrying out the training workshops. The successful applicant will provide the overall leadership for the training workshops, select workshop locations, secure meeting facilities (e.g., meeting rooms, accommodations, audio-visual and information technology equipment), develop training workshop agendas, develop, where appropriate, non-technical materials and select the speakers (i.e., plan, prepare and conduct these workshops). The awardee is not expected to develop technical documents or technical training materials for these workshops. If the EPA co-sponsors one or more of these events the EPA will do so in accordance with a co-sponsorship agreement developed between the EPA and the recipient. The EPA will support these events as a co-sponsor by providing technical assistance, promotion of the events, review of agendas and printed materials. The EPA will also support the training workshops by providing the technical content and training (e.g., develop participant training materials and lead the training sessions to present this technical material). The proposal should describe the approach for consulting with states, Tribes, territories and other interested stakeholders to determine the training priorities. The proposal should also include a description of how the applicant will transfer the results of the training workshops to state, Tribal, territorial and local governmental agencies and other interested stakeholders. In their application, applicants should demonstrate their experience working with state and Tribal staff that implement the CWA Section 303(d), CWA Section 305(b) and TMDL programs and convening meetings and/or trainings that support these programs in coordination with the EPA.

The in-person training workshops should be located in or near major U.S. cities accessible to transportation to most effectively accommodate travel needs of participants and to bring as many state, Tribal and territorial information system specialists as possible. Applicants should demonstrate their intent to coordinate, where possible, the training workshops with existing meetings to increase interaction among state, Tribal, monitoring and assessment and TMDL program personnel and to reduce the travel burden on non-federal attendees. Applicants should include in their description how they propose to deliver in-person training workshops under normal circumstances and how they will deliver the trainings if in-person training is not possible due to impacts related to natural disasters and/or health emergencies, (e.g., under quarantine situations, if social distancing is required in your locale). Alternative training workshops due to the impacts of natural disasters and/or health emergencies may include switching from in-person formats to online only or reducing the number of https://www.epa.gov/rps https://www.epa.gov/hwp https://www.epa.gov/hwp https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/water-quality-data https://www.waterqualitydata.us/ https://mywaterway.epa.gov/ participants in each training. The successful applicant will use its logos on any materials it provides; the EPA will use its logos on any materials it provides.

In their proposals, applicants should describe the technical approach to addressing this National Priority Area. The proposal should include a description of the roles and responsibilities of the applicant in carrying out the project elements. The proposal should also include a description of the applicant’s plan for active transfer of project results, methods and/or effective strategies to state, Tribe, local agencies and/or other interested stakeholders so that the others can better build their programs.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the criteria in Section V including how well and thoroughly the National Priority Activity Area is addressed. The EPA anticipates funding one cooperative agreement under this National Priority Activity Area for a total available funding of approximately $450,000, depending on the amount requested and the overall size and scope of the project. It is anticipated that the project period for the award will be five years, which will include a total of three training workshops over this period, and that the award will be incrementally funded depending on agency priorities, availability of funds and satisfactory performance of the recipient.

National Priority Area III: Training Workshops on Recreational Waters and Beach Monitoring Programs The goal of National Priority Area III is to conduct training workshops to build the capacity of states and Tribes to more effectively implement programs to protect human health from illnesses related to exposure in recreational waters, including beaches.

Application for this National Priority Area should describe the applicant’s plan to prepare and conduct two hybrid workshops over the six-year project period (one year to plan, one year to hold workshop, two-year gap, one year to plan and second workshop held in the sixth year of project period) The project components described below provide some detail on roles and responsibilities the successful applicant may be expected to assume. The description below is not comprehensive. Applicants are encouraged to identify additional workshop training topic areas and/or project components that may not be included in this announcement, but that may contribute to overall project success in their applications.

The overall goals of the training workshops related to the recreational waters and beach monitoring are: (1) to enhance communication, coordination and technology transfer among states, Tribes and federal agencies to ensure protection of human health including for vulnerable communities; (2) to build on lessons learned and advance the latest developments and innovations, including monitoring;

and (3) to foster or increase inter-jurisdictional collaboration among states and Tribes. Examples of potential workshop topics include but are not limited to new methods, indicators and techniques for monitoring and modeling; latest research pertaining to human health risks from exposure to pathogens/pathogen indicators/HABs in recreational waters (such as developments related to microbial source tracking, antibiotic resistant genes and risk to children); regulatory and policy issues associated with recreational water/beach monitoring and water quality; use of citizen science/volunteer monitoring; water quality standards issues; performance criteria for beach monitoring and notification grants; and recommended protocols and procedures to encourage greater consistency among jurisdictions.

The target audience for these training workshops is expected to include state and Tribal recreational water/beach monitoring program personnel and other national experts engaged in these areas, such as those from federal agencies like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The target audience is also expected to include individuals from the university, research and non-profit community and the EPA staff from Headquarters and the Regional Offices with expertise in the specific training workshop topic identified. Approximately 500 people are expected to attend each of the training workshops, with approximately 65% state/Tribal, 10% other non-federal (e.g., university, non-profit, etc.) and 25% federal (mostly the EPA) attendees. Applicants may propose to use a portion of the assistance funds to defray transportation and subsistence expenses for non-federal attendees to attend the training workshops. The applicant is solely responsible for determining a methodology for selecting and funding reimbursement requests and providing a report on how participating non-federal attendees benefited from the training workshops. The EPA will not participate in the selection or approval of individuals who receive travel assistance.

Applicants should outline the steps they will take to plan, prepare and conduct the training workshops and describe the roles and responsibilities of the applicant in carrying out the training workshops. The successful applicant will provide the overall leadership for the training workshops, select workshop locations, secure workshop facilities (meeting rooms, accommodations, audio-visual equipment, etc.), develop workshop agendas and materials, select the speakers and facilitate the workshop. If the EPA co-sponsors one or more of these events the EPA will do so in accordance with a co-sponsorship agreement developed between the EPA and the recipient. The EPA will support these events as a co-sponsor by providing technical assistance, promotion of the events, review of agendas and printed materials. The successful applicant will use its logos on any materials it provides; the EPA will use it logos on any materials it provides.

The training workshops should be in or near major U.S. cities accessible to transportation to most effectively accommodate travel needs of participants. Applicants may demonstrate their intent to coordinate, where possible, the training workshops with existing meetings (e.g., national meeting or training workshops on similar or related topics as listed above) to increase interaction among state, Tribal and territorial and federal pertinent program personnel and to reduce the travel burden on non-federal attendees. Applicants should include in their description how they propose to deliver in-person training workshops under normal circumstances and how they will deliver the trainings if in-person training is not possible due to impacts related to natural disasters and/or health emergencies, (e.g., under quarantine situations, if social distancing is required in your locale). Alternative training workshops due to the impacts of natural disasters and/or health emergencies may include switching from in-person formats to online only or reducing the number of participants in each training.

Applications should also describe the approach for consulting with states, Tribes, territories and other interested stakeholders to determine the training priorities. The applications should also include a description of how the applicant will transfer the results of the training workshops to state, Tribal and territorial governmental agencies and other interested stakeholders. Applicants should demonstrate their experience working with or organizing workshops for state, Tribal and territorial program personnel as well as federal agencies responsible for implementing programs that protect human health such as recreational water/beach monitoring and advisory programs in their applications.

Applications will be evaluated based on the criteria in Section V including how well and thoroughly the National Priority Area is addressed. The EPA anticipates funding one cooperative agreement under this National Priority Area for a total available funding of approximately $400,000, depending on the amount requested and the overall size and scope of the project. It is anticipated that the project period for this award will be six years and that the award will be incrementally funded, depending on agency priorities, availability of funds, activities and satisfactory performance of the recipient.

National Priority Area IV: Nonpoint Source Technical Support for Tribes The goal of this National Priority Area is to provide technical assistance to the 211 Tribes authorized under Clean Water Act Section 319 to have a nonpoint source program. The EPA expects the specific areas of Tribal nonpoint source technical assistance could include coordinating a nonpoint source technical exchange, providing direct nonpoint source technical assistance planning to Tribes, convening Tribal nonpoint source training events, supporting Tribal staff travel to related events and coordinating with other federal agencies in delivering technical and financial assistance to Tribes. The successful applicant should clearly describe the activities they will take while integrating Indigenous knowledge into the technical assistance.

The project components described below provide detail on roles and responsibilities the successful applicant may be expected to assume. The description is not comprehensive. Applicants are encouraged to identify additional project components that may not be included in this announcement, but that may contribute to overall project success in their application. To support the project components described below, the applicant could support staff experts that may travel and provide hands-on support for nonpoint source-related Tribal activities.

The applicant could also share staffing and funding opportunities across federal programs (e.g., United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of the Interior to better coordinate nonpoint source program work and leverage other federal funding opportunities.

1. Tribal Nonpoint Source Technical Exchange.

The applicant should demonstrate their approach for supporting Tribal nonpoint source technical exchange opportunities, for example through the development of virtual and/or in-person events, web-based engagement (e.g., listserv, website), Tribal program peer-to-peer (e.g., mentor/mentee) and partnerships. The EPA expects applicants will primarily provide a supporting/facilitating role in providing Tribes opportunities to network, share nonpoint source program experiences and build partnerships. Applicants should describe their plans to support Tribal nonpoint source technical exchange through existing organizations (intertribal consortia) or programs (e.g., Clean Water Act Section 319 National Nonpoint Source Program, Gulf Hypoxia Program, etc.).

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-11/documents/epa-guidance-on-participant-support-costs.pdf

2. Direct Nonpoint Source Technical Assistance.

The applicant should demonstrate how they will provide direct nonpoint source technical assistance to Tribes. For example, the applicant could provide training and assistance for Tribal staff to support the development of nonpoint source assessment reports and nonpoint source management plans; watershed-based planning; development of nonpoint source water quality monitoring and assessment strategies; gathering water quality and other related data to support nonpoint source program work; and/or assistance in planning, designing and implementing projects. The applicant could also assist Tribes with programmatic work planning and preparing and updating Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPP) as a part of grants.

3. Tribal Nonpoint Source Training.

The applicant should demonstrate how they may convene technical nonpoint source training events. Example training topics could include adopting a watershed approach in managing nonpoint source pollution, incorporating climate resiliency in nonpoint source management work, leveraging water quality data and integrating Indigenous knowledge to target nonpoint source work, building partnerships and accessing funding opportunities and supporting nonpoint source project planning, design and implementation. The applicant could coordinate with partners, to assist in the development and delivery of training workshops. The applicant should consider the involvement of Tribal colleges and universities, who could assist in the collaboration and coordination required to convene technical nonpoint source trainings. The applicant should include opportunities to support Tribal staff travel to in-person trainings.

Applicants should include in their description how they propose to deliver in-person training workshops under normal circumstances and how they will deliver the trainings if in-person training is not possible due to impacts related to natural disasters and/or health emergencies, (e.g., under quarantine situations, if social distancing is required in your locale). Alternative training workshops due to the impacts of natural disasters and/or health emergencies may include switching from in-person formats to online only or reducing the number of participants in each training.

4. Coordination with Other Federal Agencies for Technical and Financial Support.

The applicant should demonstrate how the EPA’s funding will complement any work the applicant may by doing with other federal agencies to coordinate the delivery of nonpoint source and nonpoint source-related technical assistance across federal programs (e.g., Natural Resources Conservation Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of the Interior).

5. Nonpoint Source Tribal Travel Support.

The applicant may provide support for Tribal representatives to travel to nonpoint source-related training events, conferences, meetings, etc. These events may include regional-based events, e.g., Hypoxia Task Force Meetings. Applicants may propose to use a portion of the assistance funds to defray transportation and subsistence expenses for non-federal attendees to attend nonpoint source-related events. The applicant is solely responsible for determining a methodology for selecting and funding reimbursement requests and providing a report on how participating non-federal attendees benefited from the nonpoint source- related events. The EPA will not participate in the selection or approval of individuals who receive travel assistance.

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-11/documents/epa-guidance-on-participant-support-costs.pdf https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-11/documents/epa-guidance-on-participant-support-costs.pdf

The applicant should demonstrate how they will provide technical assistance to Tribes to increase and sustain Tribal nonpoint source capacity. Applicants should describe how the applicant will transfer the results and/or methods to interested stakeholders. Applicants should state how collaborative partnerships (e.g., partnering federal agencies, Tribal college and university partnerships, partnerships with interested stakeholders, etc.) will be developed and how those partnerships will support the outcomes of this funding opportunity. In their applications, applicants should demonstrate their experience working on nonpoint source programs and convening Tribal CWA personnel as well as federal agencies responsible for implementing the CWA programs.

Applications will be evaluated based on the criteria in Section V including how well and thoroughly the National Priority Area is addressed. The EPA anticipates funding one cooperative agreement under this this National Priority Area for a total available funding of approximately $500,000, depending on the amount requested and the overall size and scope of the project. It is anticipated that the project period for the award will be up to 5 years and that the award will be incrementally funded, depending on agency priorities, availability of funds and satisfactory performance of the recipient.

National Priority Area V: Training Workshop on Fish Monitoring and Advisory Programs The goal of National Priority Area V is to conduct a training workshop to build the capacity of states and Tribes to more effectively implement programs to protect human health from the effects of consuming contaminated fish caught in local waters.

The EPA is soliciting applications from eligible applicants to plan, prepare and conduct a hybrid workshop. The project components described below provide some detail on roles and responsibilities the successful applicant may be expected to assume. The description below does not attempt to be comprehensive. Applicants are encouraged to identify additional workshop training topic areas and/or project components that may not be included in this announcement, but that may contribute to overall project success in their applications.

The overall goals of the training workshop related to the fish monitoring and advisories are: (1) to enhance communication, coordination and technology transfer among states, Tribes and federal agencies to ensure protection of human health including for vulnerable communities; (2) to build on lessons learned and advance the latest developments and innovations, including monitoring; and (3) to foster or increase inter-jurisdictional collaboration among states and Tribes. Examples of potential workshop topics include but are not limited to fish sampling and analysis; federal, state and Tribal advisory coordination; emerging issues such as harmful algal blooms (HABs) and fish consumption; risk assessment, epidemiology and toxicology; health benefits and risk management of fish consumption;

and risk communication to all communities.

The target audience for the training workshop is expected to include state and Tribal fish monitoring and advisory program personnel and other national experts engaged in these areas, such as those from federal agencies like the Food and Drug Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The target audience is also expected to include individuals from the university, research and non-profit community and the EPA staff from Headquarters and the Regional Offices with expertise in the specific training workshop topic identified. Approximately 1000 people are expected to attend, with approximately 65% state/Tribal, 10% other non-federal (e.g., university, non-profit, etc.)

and 25% federal (mostly the EPA) attendees. Approximately 15% are anticipated to attend in person;

the rest would attend remotely. Applicants may propose to use a portion of the assistance funds to defray transportation and subsistence expenses for non-federal attendees to attend the training workshop. The applicant is solely responsible for determining a methodology for selecting and funding reimbursement requests and providing a report on how participating non-federal attendees benefited from the training workshop. The EPA will not participate in the selection or approval of individuals who receive travel assistance.

Applicants should outline the steps they will take to plan, prepare and conduct the training workshop and describe the roles and responsibilities of the applicant in carrying out the training workshop. The successful applicant will provide the overall leadership for the training workshop, select workshop location, secure workshop facilities (meeting rooms, accommodations, audio-visual equipment, etc.), develop workshop agendas and materials, select the speakers and facilitate the workshop. If the EPA co-sponsors one or more of these events the EPA will do so in accordance with a co-sponsorship agreement developed between the EPA and the recipient. The EPA will support these events as a co-sponsor by providing technical assistance, promotion of the events, review of agendas and printed materials. The successful applicant will use its logos on any materials it provides; the EPA will use it logos on any materials it provides.

The training workshop should be in or near major U.S. cities accessible to transportation to most effectively accommodate travel needs of in-person participants. Applicants may demonstrate their intent to coordinate, where possible, the training workshop with existing meetings (e.g., national meeting or training workshops on similar or related topics as listed above) to increase interaction among state, Tribal, territorial and federal pertinent program personnel and to reduce the travel burden on non-federal attendees. Applicants should include in their description how they propose to deliver the in-person training workshop under normal circumstances and how they will deliver the training if in-person training is not possible due to impacts related to natural disasters and/or health emergencies. An alternative training workshop due to the impacts of natural disasters and/or health emergencies may include switching from in-person formats to online only or reducing the number of participants in the training.

The applications should also describe the approach for consulting with states, Tribes, territories and other interested stakeholders to determine the training priorities. The applications should also include a description of how the applicant will transfer the results of the training workshops to state, Tribal and territorial governmental agencies and other interested stakeholders. In their applications, applicants should demonstrate their experience working with or organizing workshops for state, Tribal and territorial program personnel as well as federal agencies responsible for implementing the programs that protect human health such as fish monitoring and advisory program.

Applications will be evaluated based on the criteria in Section V including how well and thoroughly the National Priority Area is addressed. The EPA anticipates funding one cooperative agreement under this National Priority Area for a total available funding of approximately $200,000, depending on the https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-11/documents/epa-guidance-on-participant-support-costs.pdf https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-11/documents/epa-guidance-on-participant-support-costs.pdf amount requested and the overall size and scope of the project. It is anticipated that the project period for this award will be four years, with planning activities starting in 2026 and a workshop held in 2027 and that the award will be incrementally funded, depending on agency priorities, availability of funds, anticipated activities and satisfactory performance of the recipient.

Partnerships Effective partnerships are important for the success of projects under this competition. In their proposals, applicants should identify appropriate and necessary partnerships to successfully conduct the project. Applicants should also include a clear description of the roles of specific partners in the project’s components/tasks. If the applicant chooses to identify any partner entities who will receive subawards or procurement contracts (including consultants), please pay careful attention to the CONTRACTS AND SUBAWARDS provision found at the EPA Solicitation Clauses. The EPA will not consider their qualifications unless the applicant selects them in compliance with applicable regulations and provisions. Partnerships between organizations can greatly benefit from one another’s experience and expertise.

Groups of two or more eligible applicants may choose to form a coalition and submit a single application under this competition; however, one entity must be responsible for the grant. Coalitions must identify which eligible organization will be the recipient of the grant and which eligible organization(s) will be subrecipients of the recipient (the “pass-through entity”). Subawards must be consistent with the definition of that term in 2 CFR 200.1 and comply with EPA’s Subaward Policy. The pass-through entity that administers the grant and subawards will be accountable to EPA for proper expenditure of the funds and reporting and will be the point of contact for the coalition. As provided in 2 CFR 200.332, subrecipients are accountable to the pass-through entity for proper use of EPA funding.

For-profit organizations are not eligible for subawards under this grant program but may receive procurement contracts. Any contracts for services or products funded with EPA financial assistance must be awarded under the competitive procurement procedures of 2 CFR Part 200 and/or 2 CFR Part 1500, as applicable. The regulations at 2 CFR 1500.10 contain limitations on the extent to which EPA funds may be used to compensate individual consultants. Refer to the Best Practice Guide for Procuring Services, Supplies, and Equipment Under EPA Assistance Agreements for guidance on competitive procurement requirements and consultant compensation. Do not name a procurement contractor (including a consultant) as a “partner” or otherwise in your application unless the contractor has been selected in compliance with competitive procurement requirements.

D. ENVIRONMENTAL RESULTS AND LINKAGE TO STRATEGIC PLAN

The activities to be funded under this announcement support the EPA’s FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. Awards made under this announcement will support Goal 5 - Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities: Provide clean and safe water for all communities and protect our nation’s waterbodies from degradation, Objective 5.2: Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds:

Address sources of water pollution and ensure water quality standards are protective of the health and needs of all people and ecosystems.

All applications must demonstrate the linkage to the Strategic Plan and include specific statements describing the environmental results of the proposed project in terms of well-defined outputs, and, to https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan the maximum extent practicable, well-defined outcomes that demonstrate how the project will contribute to the overall goal of restoring and protecting ecosystems. Additional information regarding the EPA’s Strategic Plan and discussion of environmental results can be found at EPA Order 5700.7A1:

EPA’s Policy for Environmental Results under EPA Assistance Agreements.

Outputs (deliverables/products) 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 the assistance agreement funding period.

Examples of anticipated environmental outputs from the assistance agreements to be awarded under this announcement include, but are not limited to:

National Priority Area I: State and Tribal Aquatic Resource Monitoring Technical Training and Capacity Building Workshops:

• Technology and information transfer seminars and workshops to promote and build skill around:

o aquatic resource monitoring methods and design, analyzing National Aquatic Resource Surveys data for use in national and regional reports.

o innovative techniques for using probability-derived monitoring data to address state or Tribal water management program priorities.

o approaches for combining aquatic resource monitoring data collected with different field protocols or in different resource types to support alternative means of implementing the National Aquatic Resource Surveys or on field methods from National Aquatic Resource Surveys more generally.

o improving administrative, technical and logistical aspects of monitoring program design and implementation at multiple scales.

• Cross-resource dialogue on design and implementation innovations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of state, regional and national monitoring and assessment of the Nation’s water resources.

o Communication approaches and training materials that support the technical training workshops and communicate National Aquatic Resource Surveys results.

National Priority Area II: State, Tribal and Territorial Data Management and Data Sharing Training Workshops in Support of CWA Section 303(d), CWA Section 305(b), TMDLs and Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment

• Organization and administration of training workshops to educate state, Tribal, territorial and other stakeholder personnel on system/tools to support implementation of the 303(d) Vision.

• Written report that identifies training gaps and needs for state, Tribal, territorial and federal agency personnel.

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