EPA-R10-WD-TWG-2025-01.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Applications Due: Friday, January 17, 2025

Region 10

Transboundary Watershed Grants

Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-R10-WD-TWG-2025-01 i

Contents

1. Basic Information

A. Executive Summary:

B. Key Information:

C. Key Dates:

D. Funding Details:

E. Agency Contact Information:

F. Other Funding Considerations:

2. Eligibility

A. Eligible Applicants

(1) Other Eligibility Requirements

B. Cost Sharing

3. Program Description

A. Purpose, Priorities, and Activities B. Program Goals and Objectives C. Statutory Authority D. Funding Type

4. Application Contents and Format

A. Application Forms B. Applicants Using Contractors C. Other Program Specific Application Information

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

A. Submission Dates and Times B. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) C. Submission Instructions D. Technical Issues with Submission E. Intergovernmental Review

6. Application Review Information

A. Responsiveness Review B. Review Criteria C. Review and Selection Process

Other Evaluation Factors

D. Risk Review

7. Award Notices

8. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

A. Administrative and National Policy Requirements B. Reporting C. FFATA and FSRS Reporting ii

9. Other Information

A. Additional Provisions for Applicants

1. Basic Information

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Region 10

Transboundary Watershed Grants https://www.epa.gov/grants/us-british-columbia-transboundary-watershed-grant-program

A. Executive Summary:

Transboundary watershed grants (TWG) will assist state, local governments, and Tribal entities to monitor, assess, and reduce transboundary mining pollution in the Kootenai/y watershed, and other U.S.- British Columbia (B.C.) transboundary watersheds.

An informational webinar will be held at 10:00 am PT on December 3rd, 2024. The webinar will provide an overview of the NOFO and answer frequently asked questions. Information on how to access the webinar will be provided on the program’s website at https://www.epa.gov/grants/us-british-columbia-transboundary-watershed-grant-program .

B. Key Information:

Opportunity Number:

EPA-R10-WD-TWG-2025-01

Assistance Listing:

66.436

Announcement Type:

Initial

Funding Available:

$1,800,000

Number of Awards:

Up to 10

C. Key Dates:

January 17, 2025 11:59 pm ET Application Submission Deadline

January 17, 2025 8:59 pm PT Application Submission Deadline (Local Time)

December 3, 2024 10:00 am PT Informational Webinar

March 2025 Anticipated Notification of Selection

June 2025 Anticipated Award Notification

D. Funding Details:

It is anticipated that up to 10 award(s) will be made under this announcement. Awards are expected to be between $50,000 and $600,000, depending on Agency funding levels, the quality of applications received, agency priorities, and other applicable considerations.

E. Agency Contact Information:

Further information, if needed, may be obtained from the EPA contact(s) indicated below.

Technical Contact: Tyler Chatriand; 206-553-1982; Chatriand.tyler@epa.gov

Eligibility Contact: Tyler Chatriand; 206-553-1982; Chatriand.tyler@epa.gov

Electronic Submissions Contact: Tyler Chatriand; 206-553-1982; Chatriand.tyler@epa.gov

Regional Contact(s): Tyler Chatriand; 206-553-1982; Chatriand.tyler@epa.gov

F. Other Funding Considerations:

EPA anticipates awarding projects under three separate Tracks (see Section 3) with $600,000 in federal funds per Track for a total of $1.8 million. Individual applications should demonstrate that the project proposal can be successful assuming a budget range of $50,000 - $600,000 and a project length of 1 – 6 years. Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to propose project activities beyond the first year that can be incrementally funded should future federal appropriations become available. For example, an applicant may propose five years of activities with a total budget of $500,000, $100,000 per year, to be funded under this grant program. The applicant may receive an initial partial award of $200,000 for the first two years of activities, and the subsequent years may or may not be funded depending on whether future appropriations become available.

Awards may be fully or incrementally funded, as appropriate, based on funding availability, satisfactory performance, and other applicable considerations. Incremental funding after the initial award is subject to future appropriations.

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

EPA reserves the right to increase or decrease (including to zero) the total number of awards and dollar amounts for each track or change the ratio of Track One, Two or Three assistance agreements it awards.

Such changes may be necessary as a response to the quality of applications received by EPA, the amount of funds awarded to the selected applicants, or budget availability.

EPA reserves the right to make no awards under this announcement or make fewer awards than anticipated. In addition, EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy and guidance, if additional funding becomes available after the selections are made. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months after the original selection decisions.

2. Eligibility

A. Eligible Applicants Only these types of organizations may apply. Organization types are consistent with definitions at 2 CFR 200.1:

• Indian Tribe.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1

• Intertribal consortia.

• State Governments.

• Local Governments.

Consistent with Assistance Listing No. 66.436, and EPA’s Policy for Competition of Assistance Agreements (EPA Order 5700.5A1), this funding opportunity is being limited to a subset of eligible applicants. States, Indian Tribes, and intertribal consortia are eligible to apply for TWGs under this announcement. Tribes must be federally-recognized, although “Treatment as a state” status is not required.

Please note:

• Intertribal consortia must meet the definition of eligibility in the Environmental Program Grants for Tribes Final Rule, at 40 CFR 35.504 (66 FR 3782. January 16, 2001) (FRL-6929-5) and be a non-profit organization within the meaning of 2 CFR 200. (http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=ee8aaaeb886b62da5acc07bba026ab76&mc=true&node=se40.1.35_1504&rgn=div8).

These sections states that an intertribal consortium is eligible to receive grants only if the consortium demonstrates that all members of the consortium meet the eligibility requirements for the grant and authorize the consortium to apply for and receive assistance. An intertribal consortium must submit to EPA adequate documentation of: (1) the existence of the partnership between Indian tribal governments, and (2) authorization of the consortium by all its members to apply for and receive the grant(s) for which the consortium has applied.

(1) Other Eligibility Requirements

Applications must meet the following threshold criteria to be considered eligible:

1. For the purpose of this funding opportunity, transboundary watersheds are defined as rivers, lakes, or watersheds that flow from the Canadian Province of British Columbia (B.C.) into the states of Montana (represented by EPA Region 8), Idaho, Washington, and/or Alaska (represented by EPA Region 10). These watersheds must have existing or proposed mining activities in B.C. that impact (or may impact) U.S.

waters.

2. Applications must address activities taking place within transboundary watersheds that cross the border between B.C. and the states of Montana, Idaho, Washington, and/or Alaska.

3. Applications must address at least one core element listed in Section 3A.

4. Applicants may only submit one application per Track under this opportunity.

Applicants that submit more than one application per Track will be contacted to determine which application to evaluate. The remaining application(s) will be deemed ineligible.

Please see Section 6.A. Responsiveness Review for additional threshold criteria.

INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

The funds will support conducting and promoting the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the causes, effects (including health and welfare effects), extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of water pollution.

https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=36b93a1b033dd72618e9867c2032b53b&rgn=div6&view=text&node=40:1.0.1.2.32.2&idno=40#se40.1.35_1504 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=36b93a1b033dd72618e9867c2032b53b&rgn=div6&view=text&node=40:1.0.1.2.32.2&idno=40#se40.1.35_1504

If an application is submitted with ineligible tasks, that portion of the application will be ineligible for funding and may, depending on the extent to which it affects the application, render the entire application ineligible for funding. Ineligible activities include, but are not limited to:

1. Fundraising, honorarium, or for the purchase of land or conservation easements.

2. Transboundary watershed projects cannot include projects or activities constructed or implemented for the sole purpose of treating wastewater or stormwater.

3. Purchase of vehicles (e.g., cars, boats, motor homes, etc.) and office furniture are not eligible for funding under this program. The lease of vehicles is eligible for funding under this program but must be described in the budget detail and linked to project activities.

B. Cost Sharing

Cost sharing is not a requirement to be eligible to apply to this funding opportunity.

3. Program Description

A. Purpose, Priorities, and Activities

The funds for this program as authorized under Public Law 118 HR 4366 direct EPA to “continue and expand its work coordinating with Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies to monitor and reduce transboundary mining pollution in the Kootenai/y watershed and other U.S.- British Columbia transboundary watersheds”.

The goals of EPA’s transboundary watershed program are to monitor, assess, document, and reduce transboundary mining pollution originating in the Canadian Province of British Columbia. In pursuing these goals, EPA seeks to foster coordination among Federal, State, and Tribal agencies regarding efforts to meet the program’s goals and to develop the capacity of all levels of government to develop and/or refine effective, comprehensive programs for transboundary watershed protection and management.

For this grant program, the term transboundary watersheds includes waterbodies that have their headwaters in the Province of British Columbia and have existing or proposed future mines that impact (or could impact) U.S. waters. These waterbodies flow into the U.S. in the States of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and/or Washington.

TWGs provide eligible applicants, (hereafter referred to as applicants or recipients) an opportunity to develop and/or refine comprehensive transboundary watershed programs.

Core Elements.

Applications must address at least one of the following core elements that comprise a comprehensive transboundary watershed program:

1. Monitor, assess, and report on baseline conditions and status/trends over time in transboundary waters.

2. Monitor, assess, and report on human health and ecosystem health.

3. Participate in regulatory processes, including regulatory processes in Canada and B.C.

4. Participate in international watershed policy discussions.

5. Implement regulations related to transboundary mining pollution.

Objectives and eligible activities within these core elements are meant to support items such as:

• Develop and implement studies to either analyze human and ecosystem risk from transboundary mining or address transboundary mining pollution.

• Identify pollutants of concern and quantify pollutants, ecosystem response, and ecosystem health;

• Support development and review of water quality standards or screening thresholds.

• Assemble data and information.

• Collect information to support and/or conduct CWA 303(d) assessments in addition to Total

Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development.

• Develop TMDLs;

• Report on and present data and information.

• Participate in intergovernmental meetings on transboundary watershed pollution (including travel to and from meetings);

• Host conferences, workshops, or other forums for discussing transboundary mining pollution.

• Participate in International Joint Commission (IJC) meetings.

• Review, comment on, and participate in Canadian regulatory processes that affect U.S.

transboundary watersheds, including but not limited to environmental assessments, impact assessments, permitting decisions, and watershed plans.

• Review and comment on mine treatment technologies, remedial investigations, mine reclamation and closure plans, and restoration plans.

Only program development and/or refinement activities are eligible. Each of these five core elements consists of several broad “phases,” “actions,” and “activities” that if collectively carried out, would complete that core element. The list of activities above is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all activities that can be carried out to develop a transboundary watershed program.

Purchase of vehicles (e.g., cars, boats, motor homes, etc.) and office furniture is not eligible for funding under this program. The lease of vehicles is eligible for funding under this program but must be described in the budget detail and linked to project activities. Monitoring equipment and field supplies are eligible under the grant.

Additional details on ineligible activities are provided under Section 2.A, “Ineligible Activities,” of this announcement.

Proposed projects must comply with all state, territorial, Tribal, local, and federal regulations applicable to the project area. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure compliance. Under the competition, each proposed project must be able to be completed within the project period.

Funds awarded under this announcement for transboundary watershed meetings/training workshops may be used by recipients to promote participation and to support the travel expenses of non-federal personnel. Assistance funds may be used by the successful applicant to defray transportation and subsistence expenses on both sides of the Canadian/U.S. border for non-federal attendees at training sessions, roundtables, workgroup meetings, or monitoring activities. The applicant will select meeting locations, secure meeting facilities (e.g., meeting rooms, accommodations, audio-visual equipment), and develop meeting agendas and materials. The successful applicant will use its logos on any materials it provides; EPA will use its logos on any materials it provides. 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 meetings. EPA will not participate in the selection or approval of individuals who receive travel assistance.

TRACK CONCEPT AND PRIORITY AREAS

Under this announcement, EPA will have three separate applicant tracks for eligible applicants. State, Tribal, and intertribal entities can apply under all tracks under their geographic influence.

All applications submitted under this NOFO, regardless of track, must be for projects that develop or refine state/territorial/Tribal/local government transboundary watershed programs. Accordingly, all applicants must demonstrate in their application how their project will develop or refine a state/territorial/Tribal/local government transboundary watershed program. Each application will be evaluated based on the criteria in Section 6B of this NOFO and should address the core elements within the Track’s geographic boundaries, as follows:

Track One is for development of transboundary watershed programs that address potential impacts from existing or proposed mining activities in B.C. in the Kootenai/y watershed in the state and/or Tribal territories within Idaho and Montana.

Track Two is for development of transboundary watershed programs that address potential impacts from existing or proposed mining activities in B.C. in transboundary watersheds in the state of and/or Tribal territories within Washington.

Track Three is for development of transboundary watershed programs that address potential impacts from existing or proposed mining activities in B.C. in transboundary watersheds in the state of and/or Tribal territories within Alaska.

Effective partnerships are important for the success of projects under this announcement. The complexity of projects to develop or refine state, territorial, or Tribal transboundary watershed programs requires various levels of government and non-government stakeholders (e.g., community residents, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, etc.) to work together. EPA supports and empowers such collaborative partnerships. Such partnerships create ownership amongst partners and the grantee, which fosters success and sustainability. Projects are encouraged to include meaningful involvement of all partners ranging from preparation and execution of the project through project evaluation/next steps.

Applications may include domestic or international travel to support monitoring activities and to hold or attend meetings in Canada or the US amongst federal, state, territorial, and Tribal agencies, and/or stakeholders. Please see the general terms and conditions associated with international travel in Section 9 of this NOFO. Alternative training workshops due to the impacts of natural disasters and/or health emergencies, such as COVID-19, may include switching from in-person formats to online only or reducing the number of participants in each training to allow participants to be located six feet apart from each other. Applicants should consider “green” or climate-neutral meetings, workshops, or in-person training.

Environmental Results and Measures

Outputs refer to an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product/output 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 outputs from the assistance agreements to be awarded under this announcement include, but are not limited to:

• Development of a state or Tribal transboundary watershed program

• Reporting on human or ecosystem response and health;

• Development and/or revision of water quality standards or screening thresholds;

• Reporting on available data and information (e.g., water quality, hydrologic, benthic macroinvertebrates, periphyton, fish, etc.);

• Completion of 303(d) assessments and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) documents, as they pertain to mining-related contaminants;

• Development of presentations and data summaries for sharing with state, Tribal, local, and federal partners.

• Provide information at intergovernmental meetings on transboundary watershed pollution (including travel to and from meetings in the U.S. or Canada);

• Host conferences, workshops, or other forums for discussing transboundary mining pollution;

• Participation in International Joint Commission (IJC) meetings;

• Review, comment on, and participate in Canadian regulatory processes that affect U.S.

transboundary watersheds, including but not limited to environmental assessments, impact assessments, permitting decisions, and watershed plans.

• Review and comment on mine treatment technologies, remedial investigations, mine reclamation and closure plans, and restoration plans.

Outcomes are objectives or goals that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity.

Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature. For instance, having a goal to measurably improve public understanding and drive decision-making to change behavior to address environmental actions taken by local, Tribal, territorial, and state government officials who are in the position of creating laws, ordinances, permits related to reducing and preventing watershed pollution, etc. In this context, these efforts designed to improve decision-making and behavioral changes can be viewed as environmental outcomes (results) if the grant recipient can clearly document the improvement in the knowledge of decisionmakers who are in the position to create environmental and/or institutional changes that are necessary to restore or protect the environment. In such instances, outcomes are not measured typically by environmental or water quality indicators, but rather by the institutional indicators that lead to the adoption and application of laws and regulations and the active management of programs necessary to provide environmental protection.

Outcomes must be quantitative and may not necessarily be achieved within an assistance agreement funding period. Outcomes may be short-term (e.g., changes in learning, knowledge, attitude, or skills), intermediate (changes in behavior, practice, or decisions), or long-term (e.g., changes in the condition of the natural resource).

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

• Improved water quality and ecosystem health in transboundary watersheds.

• Improved understanding of water quality and ecosystem health in transboundary watersheds.

• Improved transboundary watershed protection efforts.

• Increased understanding of a transboundary watershed’s condition for a variety of uses/functions, including traditional and cultural uses.

• Increased understanding of transboundary watershed ecologic condition and/or function at population scales (i.e., state, territorial, Tribal, or regional).

• Increased knowledge through training and outreach for transboundary watershed staff, the public, at-risk communities, and/or other partners.

• Improved baseline information on transboundary watershed extent, condition, and performance to inform state, Tribal, and territory regulatory programs.

• Improved engagement in transboundary watershed issues and/or coordination with other entities working in U.S./B.C. transboundary watersheds.

B. Program Goals and Objectives

The activities to be funded under this funding announcement support FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan.

Awards made under this funding opportunity 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 of the Strategic Plan. All applications must be for projects that support the goals and objectives identified above.

All proposed projects 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 the maximum extent practicable, well-defined outcomes that demonstrate how the project will contribute to the overall goal of restoring and protecting aquatic ecosystems. Additional information regarding environmental results is available at: https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements.

C. Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for TWGs is Section 104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act (CWA), 33 U.S.C. § 1254(b)(3). Section 104(b)(3) of the CWA authorizes grant funding to support the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the causes, effects (including health and welfare effects), extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of water pollution. Projects that are demonstrations must involve new or experimental technologies, methods, or approaches to be eligible for TWGs. EPA expects that results from grant projects will be disseminated so that others can benefit from the knowledge gained in the demonstration project.

D. Funding Type

It is anticipated that cooperative agreements will be funded under this funding opportunity.

Cooperative agreements provide for substantial involvement between the EPA Project Officer and the selected applicant(s) in the performance of the work supported. Although the EPA will negotiate precise terms and conditions relating to substantial involvement as part of the award process, the anticipated substantial federal involvement for these projects may include:

• close monitoring of the successful applicant’s performance to verify the results proposed by the applicant;

• collaboration during performance of the scope of work;

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

• approving qualifications of key personnel (the EPA will not select employees or contractors employed by the award recipient); and https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.317 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.318

• review and comment on reports prepared under the cooperative agreement (the final decision on the content of reports rests with the recipient).

The EPA does not have the authority to select employees or contractors employed by the recipient. The final decision on the content of reports rests with the recipient.

4. Application Contents and Format

A. Application Forms The following forms and documents are required under this announcement:

Mandatory Documents:

1. Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

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

3. EPA Key Contacts Form 5700-54

4. EPA Form 4700-4 Preaward Compliance Review Report

5. Project Narrative Attachment Form: use this to submit your Project Narrative

Optional Documents:

6. Other Attachments Form: Use this to submit other attachments, if applicable

Project Narrative

• The Project Narrative must address the grant program objectives and must be no more than ten

(10) double-spaced 8.5 x 11-inch pages (a page is one side of paper) except for documents specifically excluded from the page limit as noted below.

• Pages should be consecutively numbered for ease of reading. It is recommended that applicants use a standard 12-point type with 1-inch margins and that applicants format their Project Narrative as described below for ease of reading. Applicants are advised that readability is of paramount importance and should take precedence in selection of an appropriate font for use in the Project Narrative.

• Additional pages beyond the 10-page double-spaced limit will not be considered. If a single-spaced Project Narrative is submitted, it will only be reviewed up to the equivalent of the 10-page double-spaced page limit.

• Budget information and the milestone schedule, described below, must be included within the 10-page double-spaced Project Narrative limit, and not in the supporting materials or appendix.

• Any supporting materials (such as commitment letters from partners, annotated resumes, and Quality Assurance/Quality Control Plans) that the applicant chooses to provide are not included in the 10-page double-spaced limit for the Project Narrative and should be submitted using the Other Attachments Form.

• When possible, please submit all supporting materials as one electronic file, such as but not limited to, PDF.

The 10-page double-spaced Project Narrative must address the relevant information listed below in Section 6.B Review Criteria.

B. Applicants Using Contractors Applicants must compete contracts for services and products, including consultant contracts, and conduct cost and price analyses, to the extent required by the procurement provisions of the regulations at 2 CFR Part 200.

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. If an applicant selected for award has named a specific subrecipient, contractor, or consultant in the application, it does not relieve the applicant of its obligations to comply with subaward and/or competitive procurement requirements.

EPA will not consider the qualifications, experience, and expertise of named subrecipients and/or named contractor(s) during the application evaluation process unless the applicant provides documentation that it has complied with these requirements.

For additional guidance, applicants should review EPA’s Best Practice Guide for Procuring Services, Supplies, and Equipment Under EPA Assistance Agreements, EPA’s Subaward Policy, and EPA’s Subaward Policy Frequent Questions. EPA expects recipients of funding to comply with competitive procurement contracting requirements in 2 CFR Parts 200 and 1500 as well as EPA’s rule on Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in EPA Programs in 40 CFR Part 33.

C. Other Program Specific Application Information Quality Assurance/Quality Control Statement (QA/QC) Projects that plan to collect or use environmental data or information must include a Quality Management Plan (QMP) and/or a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) that describes an organization's quality system. It identifies the organizational structure, policy and procedures, functional responsibilities of management and staff, lines of authority, and its processes for planning, implementing, documenting, and assessing all activities conducted under the organization's quality system. If data will be collected using federal funds, a QMP and/or QAPP will be required before data collection can begin. To find out more about EPA’s QA/QC program go to https://www.epa.gov/quality.

Successful applicants must ensure all water quality data generated in accordance with an EPA-approved QMP or QAPP, either directly or by subaward, are transmitted into the Agency’s Water Quality Exchange (WQX) data system (formerly known as STORET) annually or by project completion. More information about WQX and WQXweb, including tutorials, can be found at https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/water-quality-data-wqx.

EPA National Geospatial Data Policy

The National Geospatial Data Policy (NGDP) establishes principles, responsibilities, and requirements for collecting and managing geospatial data used by Federal environmental programs and projects within the jurisdiction of the EPA. This Policy also establishes the requirement of collecting and managing geospatial metadata describing the Agency’s geospatial assets to underscore EPA’s commitment to data sharing, promoting secondary data use, and supporting the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI).

This Policy applies to all EPA organizations, grantees, agents working on behalf of EPA, Tribes, localities territories, and partner states of EPA who design, develop directly or indirectly, compile, operate, or maintain EPA information collections developed for environmental program support and can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/geospatial/epa-national-geospatial-data-policy.

https://www.epa.gov/grants/best-practice-guide-procuring-services-supplies-and-equipment-under-epa-assistance-agreements https://www.epa.gov/grants/best-practice-guide-procuring-services-supplies-and-equipment-under-epa-assistance-agreements https://www.epa.gov/grants/grants-policy-issuance-gpi-16-01-epa-subaward-policy-epa-assistance-agreement-recipients https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-04/epa_subaward_policy_frequent_questions.pdf https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-04/epa_subaward_policy_frequent_questions.pdf https://www.epa.gov/quality https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/water-quality-data-wqx https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/water-quality-data-wqx https://www.epa.gov/geospatial/epa-national-geospatial-data-policy

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

A. Submission Dates and Times

January 17, 2025 11:59 pm ET Application Submission Deadline

January 17, 2025 8:59 pm PT Application Submission Deadline (Local Time)

Grants.gov creates a date and time record when it receives the application. If you submit the same application more than once, we will accept the last on-time submission.

B. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

SAM.gov

You must have an active account with SAM.gov. SAM.gov will provide a UEI for your organization, which is required to apply for grants using Grants.gov. To register, go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and click Get Started. From the same page, you can also click on the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register. Make sure you are current with SAM.gov and UEI requirements before applying for the award.

SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.

Grants.gov

You must also have an active account with Grants.gov. You can see step-by-step instructions at the Grants.gov Quick Start Guide for Applicants.

Please visit How to Register to Apply for Grants for additional information.

C. Submission Instructions

You must submit your application through Grants.gov. See Section 5.B. above for information on getting registered.

Important tips:

• To begin the application process under this grant announcement, go to Grants.gov and click the red “Apply” button at the top of the view grant opportunity page associated with this opportunity.

• See the Quick Start Guide for Applicants for instructions on how to submit.

• Make sure your application passes the Grants.gov validation checks.

• Do not encrypt, zip, or password protect any files.

• Your application must be submitted by an official representative of your organization who is registered with Grants.gov and is authorized to sign applications for Federal financial assistance.

• If you receive an error or the button is grayed out, it may be because you do not have the appropriate role to submit in your organization. Contact your organization’s EBiz point of contact or contact Grants.gov for assistance at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

• See Grants.gov Errors for information on other Grants.gov errors.

• The UEI listed on the application must be registered to the applicant organization's SAM.gov account. If not, the application may be deemed ineligible.

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://iae-prd-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/pdf/entity-checklist.pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Date=20240716T221854Z&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Expires=86399&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAY3LPYEEXXDEYQVFT%2F20240716%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Signature=aeff2db6f937f3dffa035c25f7fe5b099946a2315b48f382eaf62e2e7a3717f2 https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://www.epa.gov/grants/how-apply-grants mailto:support@grants.gov

D. Technical Issues with Submission

If applicants experience technical issues during the submission of an application that they are unable to resolve, follow these procedures before the application deadline date:

• Contact Grants.gov Support Center before the application deadline date.

• Document the Grants.gov ticket/case number.

• Send an email with the EPA-R10-WD-TWG-2025-01 in the subject line to Chatriand.tyler@epa.gov before the application deadline time and date and must include the following:

o Grants.gov ticket/case number(s) o Description of the issue o The entire application package in PDF format.

Without this information, EPA may not be able to consider applications submitted outside of Grants.gov.

Any application submitted after the application deadline time and date deadline will be deemed ineligible and not be considered.

Please note that successful submission through Grants.gov or email does not necessarily mean your application is eligible for award.

E. Intergovernmental Review The application is not subject to Intergovernmental Review.

6. Application Review Information

A. Responsiveness Review

Applications must meet the threshold criteria requirements described in Section 2 to be evaluated.

Applicants not meeting these requirements will be deemed ineligible and will be notified within 15 calendar days of the determination.

• Applications must adhere to the page limit requirements. Any pages over the limit(s) expressed in Section 4 will not be reviewed.

• Initial applications must be submitted on or before the application deadline through Grants.gov or through limited circumstances as expressed in Section 5. An applicant’s failure to submit their application on time because they did not register in SAM.gov, Grants.gov, or receive pre-approval through limited exception will automatically render the application ineligible.

• Technical difficulties applying: Applicants having trouble applying must contact the Grants.gov hotline at 1-800-518-4726 and then must email a PDF of the full application to the EPA contact listed in Section 1. The submission must be received prior to the application deadline for consideration.

B. Review Criteria

Criteria Name and Description Points mailto:Chatriand.tyler@epa.gov

Project Need

Under this criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on how well the applicant demonstrates the need for the project as it pertains to developing or refining a state, Tribal, territory, or local government transboundary watershed program(s).

Project Tasks

Under this criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on the extent and quality to which they demonstrate a description of the steps the applicant will take to meet the project product/output(s) and objective(s), including a clear description of project tasks and associated products and whether the applicant’s approach (methodology) or the steps they propose is sound.

Milestone Schedule

Under this criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on the extent and quality to which they provide a clearly articulated milestone schedule that covers each year of the entire grant period. This includes a breakout of the project tasks into phases with associated tasks and products and the anticipated dates for the start and completion of each task. In addition, the program will also evaluate the approach proposed for ensuring awarded funds will be expended in a timely and efficient manner.

Budget

Under this criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on the extent and quality to which they demonstrate the adequacy of the information provided in the detailed budget and whether the proposed costs are reasonable and allowable, including whether: the applicant identified the requested federal dollars and the total project cost for each component/task for each budget item from SF-424A; and demonstrated the cost-effectiveness and reasonableness of costs and the value of in-kind contributions.

Please note that EPA has developed guidance that can greatly assist applicants in preparing a budget and correctly characterizing costs for applications. Please see EPA’s grant website for this guidance. The document called “Interim General Budget Development Guidance for Applicants and Recipients of EPA Financial Assistance” is particularly helpful. EPA encourages applicants to use this important resource when preparing the detailed budget and budget narrative for this solicitation.

Environmental Results: Outputs, Outcomes, and Tracking:

Under this criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on the extent and quality to which they demonstrate potential environmental results, anticipated outputs and outcomes, and how the outcomes are linked to EPA’s Strategic Plan. In addition, how the application will be a step towards the goal https://www.epa.gov/grants/rain-2019-g02 https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-05/documents/applicant-budget-development-guidance.pdf https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-05/documents/applicant-budget-development-guidance.pdf of restoring and protecting transboundary watershed resources will be evaluated.

Transfer of Results

Under this criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on how well they demonstrate the applicant’s plan for active transfer of project results (outputs/outcomes), lessons learned, and/or methods to other states, territories, Tribes, or local government agencies within and beyond their own organization, so that the others can better develop their transboundary watershed programs.

Programmatic Capability and Environmental Results Past Performance Criteria: Programmatic Capability, Technical Experience, and Qualifications

Under this criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on their ability to successfully complete and manage the proposed project considering their:

i. Organizational experience related to the proposed project, and their infrastructure, readiness, and ability to implement the proposed project in a successful and timely manner. (3 points)

ii. Staff experience/qualifications, staff knowledge, and resources, or the ability to obtain them, to successfully achieve the goals of the project. (3 points)

iii. Past performance in successfully completing and managing assistance agreements. (2 points)

iv. History of meeting the reporting requirements under assistance agreements 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. (2 points)

Note: In evaluating applicants under items i and ii of this criterion, the Agency will consider the information provided by the applicant and may also consider relevant information from other sources including agency files and prior/current grantors (e.g., to verify and/or supplement the information supplied by the applicant). If you do not have any relevant or available past performance or past reporting information, please indicate this in the application and you will receive a neutral score for these subfactors (items i and ii above-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 0 for these factors.

Partnerships 10

Under this criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on how well the applicant has demonstrated appropriate and necessary partnerships or describe how having no partners is the best or only reasonable approach.

Timely Expenditure of Funds

Under this criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on their approach, procedures, and controls for ensuring that awarded grant funds will be expended in a timely and efficient manner.

Total 100

Applicants will be evaluated based on the extent and quality to which they demonstrate that they have the capabilities, staff, resources, and equipment to successfully perform the project as described in Section 3 of this funding opportunity.

Only eligible entities whose applications meet the threshold criteria in Section 2 of this announcement will be evaluated according to the criteria set forth below. Applicants should explicitly address these criteria as part of their application package submittal in the project narrative. Each application will be rated using a point system. Applications will be evaluated based on a total of 100 possible points.

Click or tap here to enter text.

C. Review and Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by a review panel and assistance agreements funded under this announcement will be selected by a selection official.

Applications will first be evaluated against the threshold factors listed in Section 2 of the NOFO. Only those applications which meet all the threshold factors will be evaluated by the review panel using the evaluation criteria listed above. Each application will be given a numerical score and will be rank-ordered by the review panel.

Preliminary funding recommendations will be provided to the EPA Selection Official(s) based on these reviews and rankings.

Final funding decisions will be made by the EPA Selection Official based on the rankings and preliminary recommendation of the review panel and taking into account that EPA will make awards of approximate equal distribution to the following geographic areas: Kootenai/y watershed in the state of and/or Tribal territories within Montana and Idaho; transboundary watersheds in the state of and/or Tribal territories within Washington; and transboundary watersheds in the state of and/or Tribal territories within Alaska.

Other Evaluation Factors

Final funding decisions will be made by the selection official. In making the final funding decisions, the selection official may also consider the following factors:

1. Geographic distribution of funds.

2. Diversity of projects.

3. Availability of funds.

5. The similarity of the project to other projects already being funded by EPA.

Under this competition, EPA also reserves the right to fund the top ranked proposal for each represented state in EPA Region 10 or 8, contingent on the quality of the proposals and funding availability.

EPA reserves the right to negotiate and/or adjust the final grant amount and workplan/narrative prior to award, as appropriate and consistent with Agency policy, including EPA’s Competition Policy (EPA Order 5700.5A1). An approvable final narrative/workplan is required to include:

1. Project components to be funded under the assistance agreement.

2. Estimated work years and the estimated funding amounts for each component.

3. Commitments for each component and a timeframe for their accomplishment.

4. Performance evaluation process and reporting schedule in accordance with 40 CFR §35.115 and 40 CFR § 35.515.

5. Roles and responsibilities of the recipient and EPA (for cooperative agreements only) in carrying out the commitments.

6. Grant recipients will be expected to provide to EPA project location information for any grant-funded project. The type of locational information (statewide, county, municipality, Tribal land boundary, local Transboundary Watershed with borders defined by latitudinal/longitudinal points, etc.) will be determined by consultation with EPA and will be determined based on the geographic scale and intent of the project.

7. In consultation with EPA, grant recipients will be expected to provide to EPA a breakdown of federal funds that will be spent by “project category” (i.e., the type of effort(s) that is being conducted).

D. Risk Review Before making decisions in the risk review required by § 200.206 the EPA will consider any comments by the applicant, along with information available in the responsibility/qualification records in SAM.gov.

7. Award Notices

EPA anticipates notification to successful applicants will be made by Region 10 or Region 8. The notification will be sent to the original signer of the application or the project contact listed in the application. This notification is not an authorization to begin work. The official notification of an award will be made by the Grants Management Official in EPA Region 10 or Region 8 Grants and Interagency Agreements Branch. Selection does not guarantee an award will be made. Statutory authorization, funding, or other issues during the award process may affect the ability of EPA to make an award. The award notice, signed by an EPA grants officer, is the authorizing document and will be provided through electronic or postal mail. The successful applicant may need to prepare and submit additional documents and forms, which must be approved by EPA, before the grant can officially be awarded. The time between notification of selection and award of a grant can take up to 90 days or longer.

8. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

A. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

The recipient and any sub-recipient must comply with the applicable EPA general terms and conditions.

These terms and conditions are in addition to the assurances and certifications made as part of the award, terms and conditions, and restrictions reflected on the official assistance award document.

Awards issued as a result of this funding opportunity are subject to the requirements of the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards; Title 2 CFR Part 200 and 2 CFR Part 1500.

B. Reporting

EPA’s General Terms and Conditions in the Notice of Award will have information on performance and financial reports, including:

• How often you will report.

• Any required form or formatting.

• How to submit them.

C. FFATA and FSRS Reporting

The Federal Financial Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) requires:

• Data entry at the FFATA Subaward Reporting System (FSRS) for all subawards and subcontracts you issue for $30,000 or more.

• Reporting executive compensation for both recipient and subaward organizations.

9. Other Information

A. Additional Provisions for Applicants

Additional provisions that apply this funding opportunity and/or awards made under this funding opportunity, can be found at EPA NOFO Clauses. If you are unable to access these provisions electronically at the website above, please contact the EPA point of contact to obtain the provisions.

As noted in Section 3,…