EPA-R3-CBP-22-02.pdf

OVERVIEW

AGENCY: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

TITLE: Chesapeake Bay Program Office Fiscal Year 2022 Request for Applications for:

Chesapeake Bay Program Goal Implementation Teams Support, Scientific

Community Support, and Summer Student Program Management

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Request for Applications (RFA)

RFA NUMBER: EPA-R3-CBP-22-02

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 66.466

IMPORTANT DATES

April 15, 2022 Issuance of RFA May 31, 2022 Application Submission Deadline (see Section IV for more information) June 28, 2022 Approximate date for EPA to notify applicants of results July 08, 2022 Approximate date for applicant to submit revised federal cooperative agreement application August 12, 2022 Approximate date of award

EPA will consider all eligible applications that are submitted via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm ET on May 31, 2022 and consider any applications submitted after the due date as ineligible. EPA will only accept applications submitted via Grants.gov except in limited circumstances where applicants have no or very limited Internet access (see section IV.).

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

FULL TEXT OF ANNOUNCEMENT

I. Funding Opportunity Description II. Award Information III. Eligibility Information IV. Application and Submission Information V. Application Review Information VI. Award Administration Information VII. Agency Contacts VIII. Other Information (Appendices)

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Background

1. About the Chesapeake Bay Program The Chesapeake Bay is North America's largest and most biologically diverse estuary. A resource of extraordinary productivity, it is worthy of the highest levels of protection and restoration. Authorized by Section 117 of the Clean Water Act, CBP is responsible for supporting the Executive Council through a number of actions, including the coordination of federal, state, and local efforts to restore and protect living resources and water quality of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. Section 117 also authorizes EPA to provide assistance grants to support the goals of the program.

The CBP is a unique regional partnership that has led and directed the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay since 1983. Today, the CBP partners include the states of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia; the District of Columbia; the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a tri-state legislative body; and EPA, representing the federal government.

2. 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and Executive Order 13508 In support of, and in augmentation to, the historic 2010 Chesapeake TMDL, on June 16, 2014, the Chesapeake Executive Council, CBP’s governing body, signed a new voluntary Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement that will guide the CBP partnership’s work into the future. For the first time, Delaware, New York, and West Virginia signed the agreement as full CBP partners in the overall effort. The agreement is one of the most comprehensive restoration plans developed for the Chesapeake region, providing greater transparency and accountability of all CBP partners. With 10 interrelated goals and 31 outcomes, this watershed-wide accord advances the restoration, conservation, and protection of all the lands and waters within the 64,000-square-mile watershed by addressing climate change, promoting sound land use, and enhancing the protection and restoration the Chesapeake Bay's living resources, water quality, and vital habitats.

Executive Order (EO) 13508, issued in May 2009, called for a new strategy and a “new era of shared federal leadership” for restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay. When it was issued, the EO strategy built upon existing CBP goals and identified a set of goals and outcome measures. Since that time, federal and CBP jurisdictional partners worked collaboratively to better align the EO and CBP partnership’s goals, the results of which are reflected in the new Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.

This cooperative agreement will help fulfill the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement commitments of Executive Order (EO) 13508 by “achieving the most essential priorities for a healthy Chesapeake ecosystem: Restore Clean Water, Recover Habitats” as well as the “supporting strategies to Respond to Climate Change, and Strengthen Science”.

3. Background on Partnership Structure The CBP partnership is guided at the direction of the Chesapeake Executive Council (Executive Council), which, through its leadership, establishes the policy direction for the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay and exerts its leadership to rally public support for the Bay effort and signs directives, agreements, and amendments that set goals and guide policy for Chesapeake Bay restoration. The Executive Council is established by Section 117 of the Clean Water Act. To ensure implementation of the Executive Council’s Chesapeake Bay Agreements, the CBP partnership has several committees, teams, workgroups comprised of participating partners. The structure and governance of the program will change and evolve over time as a result of the CBP’s application of adaptive management, but the current organization includes the following:

The Principals' Staff Committee (PSC) acts as the senior policy advisors to the Executive Council, accepting items for their consideration and approval and setting agendas for Executive Council meetings. The PSC translates the restoration vision by setting policy and implementing actions on behalf of the Executive Council. The PSC also provides policy and program direction to the Management Board.

The Management Board provides strategic planning, priority setting, and operational guidance through implementation of a comprehensive, coordinated, accountable implementation strategy for the CBP. It directs and coordinates all of the goal teams and workgroups under it.

The Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) provides scientific and technical guidance to the Chesapeake Bay Program on measures to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay. Since its creation in December 1984, STAC has worked to enhance scientific communication and outreach throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed and beyond.

The CBP partnership also includes two other advisory committees: the Citizens’ Advisory Committee and the Local Government Advisory Committee. Both of these committees are supported under different funding mechanisms.

The six Goal Implementation Teams (GITs), listed below, along with the Scientific, Technical Assessment and Reporting (STAR) team, include federal and non-federal experts from throughout the watershed. Thus, academic experts, advocacy organizations, and others become active members of the broad restoration partnership. The Management Board can also convene short-term action teams as needed by the CBP partnership to focus on particular issues that are not currently under the purview of the GITs.

The Sustainable Fisheries GIT draws together a diverse group of managers and scientists to improve management and recovery of oysters, blue crab, menhaden, striped bass, and alosines. It focuses on advancing ecosystem-based fisheries management by using science to make informed fishery management decisions that cross state boundaries.

The Habitat GIT seeks to facilitate the implementation of projects that restore and enhance a network of land and water habitats to support priority species and to afford other public benefits, including water quality, recreational uses, and scenic value across the watershed by coordinating the efforts of CBP partners.

The charge of the Water Quality GIT is to evaluate, focus, and accelerate the implementation of practices, policies, and programs that will restore water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries to conditions that support living resources and protect human health.

The goal of the Maintain Healthy Watersheds GIT is to maintain local watersheds at optimal health across a range of landscape contexts.

The charge of the Fostering Chesapeake Stewardship GIT is to increase citizen action, support environmental education for all ages, and assist citizens, communities, and local governments in undertaking initiatives to conserve treasured landscapes.

The charge of the Enhancing Partnering, Leadership and Management GIT is to continually improve the leadership and management of the CBP partnership and assist Bay stakeholders in building their capacity to become environmental leaders in their communities.

The STAR Team works to increase collaboration among science providers to provide monitoring, modeling, and analysis needed to update, explain, and communicate ecosystem condition and change to support the Chesapeake Bay Program’s GITs.

The Communications Workgroup provides support for the communication needs of the CBP partners by spurring public action through consistent messaging, expanded media coverage, use of multimedia and online tools, comprehensive branding and promotion, outreach to stakeholders, and coordinated internal and external communications.

Obtaining Additional Information

For additional background information on the CBP achievements and commitments, see the CBP Partnership’s website located at http://www.chesapeakebay.net/

B. Scope of Work

This RFA is seeking cost-effective applications from eligible applicants to provide the CBP’s non-federal partners with administrative and technical staff support to the CBP committees, GITs, and workgroups as they work to restore the Chesapeake Bay and meet the goals and commitments contained in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.

EPA seeks to support up to three recipients with: 1) The ability to create and implement a professional development program to build the capacity of environmental professionals (primarily those just entering the field) to work in a consensus-building committee structure such as the CBP partnership; and/or 2) Experience in enhancing multi-partner, consensus-based environmental decision-making in the Chesapeake Bay watershed through the synthesis and application of scientific understanding of the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding watershed ecosystems; and/or 3) The ability to develop a summer program that supports students interested in leadership positions in careers in environmental protection and restoration. Consistent with the EPA’s environmental justice principles, see Section I.E., below, consideration should be given to supporting students from underrepresented populations. A single organization with experience in all three areas may apply for all three activities but must submit a separate application for each Activity, with each application addressing a single Activity.

While the CBP partnership is comprised of federal and non-federal organizations, any activities funded under this RFA are primarily for the support of the non-federal partners. The recipients of the cooperative agreements awarded under this RFA may work directly with federal agencies, but the nature of the work will result only in direct, significant benefits to the non-federal agencies, partners, and the general public. Any indirect and incidental benefits to EPA are not the purpose of this RFA. Applications should include administrative, technical, and coordination support to the non-federal partners and the appropriate CBP technical workgroups for carrying out the stated missions of these committees, teams, and workgroups within the larger CBP management structure.

The total estimated funding under this solicitation is approximately $8,800,000 overall, with an estimated $1,600,000 available for the first year and $1,800,000 each additional year thereafter.

The estimated funding for Activity 1 is $1,145,000 for the first year and $1,295,000 each additional year; the estimated funding for Activity 2 is $424,000 for the first year and $474,000 each additional year; and the estimated funding for Activity 3 is approximately $31,000 per year.

There is no guarantee of funding throughout this period or beyond.

If your organization has an interest in and has the skills to accomplish one or multiple activities, and is eligible to receive a federal assistance agreement as described in Section III of this announcement, we encourage you to submit an application for each Activity you are interested

in. Each eligible application will be evaluated using the criteria described in Section V. The activities are multi-year projects (up to five years), and the application should have a work plan and budget for the first year and a projected work plan and estimated budget detail for each of the subsequent five years.

Activity 1: Professional Development Program that Provides Chesapeake Bay Program Committee Staff and Coordination Support Estimated Funding: $1,145,000 for year 1 ($1,145,000 to $1,295,000 for each year thereafter) plus EPA In-kind funding.

This Activity supports the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership in two ways: It provides administrative and technical staffing support for the CBP partnership's technical, management, and policy committees, GITs, and workgroups; and it increases the capacity, diversity, and development of the state, local, and NGO workforce committed to the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort. This work will support CBP partnership’s efforts to carry out the work needed to achieve the 10 goals and 31 underlying outcomes of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and the 25 management strategies and Logic & Action Plans developed to implement the outcomes. This Activity will include approximately 10-14 staff positions plus one water quality goal team coordination support position, plus the necessary program management position(s).

Professional Development Program – Staffing Support

The following are examples of the types of tasks that may be performed to carry out Activity 1 – Professional Development Program – Staffing Support. Applicants may consider these tasks as well as describe alternative approaches to providing the requested support.

Provide support to the CBP organization (committees, goal implementation teams, workgroups, action teams, etc.) in its effort to meet the goals outlined in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and the supporting Management Strategies by:

Scheduling, organizing, and developing agendas for meetings, conference calls, and webinars;

Producing minutes/summaries of meetings, conference call, and webinars;

Following through on action items and decisions agreed to during meetings, conference call, and webinars;

Creating content for and maintaining web pages on the CBP partnership’s suite of websites including chesapeakebay.net and chesapeakeprogress.com.

Drafting, writing, preparing, and editing reports, documents, presentations, and other narrative and visual forms of communications;

Conducting special projects as assigned, such as analyzing data, producing GIS maps, developing reports, running model scenarios, etc; and

Updating and preparing documents to support the CBP’s Strategy Review System.

Provide professional development for the staff hired by grantee to carry out this Activity through a variety of group trainings and educational experiences, individual professional experiences, volunteer activities, and independent projects, all of which allow the staffers to support the mission of the CBP partnership efficiently and effectively.

Provide staffing support that considers issues of diversity, equity and inclusion; and conduct outreach and recruitment from institutions and organizations associated with diverse and underrepresented populations.

Work in coordination with Goal Teams and Workgroups to develop position announcements for each staff position and disseminate widely through the partnerships’ network of academic institutions and other appropriate avenues.

Conduct interviews for each staff position.

Historically, these staff positions have been filled by entry-level professionals with environmental, science, and/or government policy backgrounds; however, there may be circumstances where more experienced support is needed. Staff should have:

Strong written and oral communication skills, proficiency with computer software such as Microsoft Office (e.g. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and the ability to work with social networks and remote meeting technologies.

The ability to work with a variety of individuals, interests, and levels of government.

The ability to work in a fast-paced environment on multiple priorities.

The capacity to demonstrate that their recruitment practices encourage diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.

In addition to the general skills and knowledge needed for all positions, there are specific areas of emphasis for the various committees, teams, and workgroups. Applicants should describe how they would provide support for these different groups given their unique areas of focus. For more information about the number of workgroups, meeting schedules, missions, and membership of each, refer to http://www.chesapeakebay.net/about. Staffing support in total should cover a diverse set of experiences and knowledge that could include:

Solid meeting management techniques and diplomacy skills.

An understanding of how a multi-party governmental partnership effectively makes decisions and sets and achieves goals through collaborative processes is key as is a strong emphasis on summarization, documentation, and record-keeping of collaborative decisions and follow-up actions.

An understanding of advanced mathematical analysis and modeling skills, GIS skills, and knowledge of local planning.

A strong science background and understanding of large complex aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

An understanding of water quality policy and/or the law of total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) and the relationship between land use and water quality, particularly as they relate to toxics, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment reduction through a variety of pollutant source sectors.

An understanding of local land use planning and synthesis skills and tools (e.g. using GIS software).

An understanding of methods and strategies to increase citizen action, support environmental education for all ages, and assist citizens, communities and local governments in conserving treasured landscapes.

An ability to collaborate with watershed organizations and citizens to solve local environmental issues and develop and deliver environmental education programming.

A proficiency with data management and analysis, including use of spreadsheets, databases, and graphics software to present results of data analyses; familiarity with ecological and environmental monitoring programs and analyses.

A proficiency with writing, editing, communication and computer skills, and writing Web content.

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

A knowledge of climate resiliency and likely impacts of changing climatic and sea level conditions on the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, including a knowledge of the effectiveness of restoration and protection policies, programs, and projects; and a knowledge of restoration and protection projects that enhance the resiliency of the Bay and aquatic life.

Water Quality Goal Team Coordination Support

The Water Quality Goal Implementation Team (WQGIT) evaluates and accelerates the implementation of practices, policies, and programs that will restore water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries to conditions that support living resources and protect human health. The Team reports to the Management Board and PSC. Functions include:

Providing a forum for discussion, exchange of information, and evaluation among federal, state, and local agencies, river basin commissions, industry groups, universities, and other interested parties on water quality goals, data, modeling, authorities, and restoration efforts.

Evaluating and promoting strategies to reduce nutrient, sediment, and chemical contaminant loads from municipal, industrial, and onsite wastewater; agricultural lands and animal operations; urban and suburban stormwater; forested lands; tidal and in-stream sediment; and air emissions.

Promoting consistent, uniform, and transparent processes to model, track, report, and verify water quality restoration efforts.

Identifying, defining, quantifying, and incorporating pollutant reduction and conservation practices into the Chesapeake Bay Program decision support system.

Providing technical expertise and leadership to support the development, implementation, and tracking of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, Watershed Implementation Plans, and two-year milestones that support long-term Bay restoration goals.

Collaborating on water quality science, research, and management needs to maximize the synergy between STAC and the WQ Goal Implementation Team for increased efficiency and communication between the two groups.

The following are examples of the types of tasks that may be performed to carry out Activity 1 – WQGIT – Coordination Support. Applicants may consider these tasks as well as describe alternative approaches to providing the requested support.

Coordinate activities of the WQGIT related to the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Provide direct support with regard to planning and facilitating activities, tracking performance, and other duties related to conducting the day-to-day business of the Goal Team and associated workgroups, including development of workplans, generation of meeting materials and summaries, and ensuring that Web pages are up to date.

Collaborate on water quality science, research, and management needs to maximize the synergy between STAC and the WQGIT for increased efficiency and communication between the two groups.

Represent Water Quality GIT interests to the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC), Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), STAR, other CBP groups, and external organizations.

Support the WQGIT Chair in preparation of meeting materials and agendas. Support WQGIT Chair in preparing to represent interests at the Management Board, PSC, and other groups.

Provide oversight to staffers assigned to the WQGIT.

Coordinate implementation and Strategy Review System reviews of the water quality related outcomes.

Provide project coordination for the CBP partnership’s BMP expert panels as well as the associated BMP guides and supporting documentation.

In addition to the general coordination skills and knowledge needed for this position, there are specific areas of emphasis for the WQGIT Coordination position. Applicants should describe how they would provide support for this Goal Team given their unique areas of focus.

Coordination support should include a diverse set of experience and knowledge that could include:

Research synthesis, data analysis, water quality modeling, GIS usage and data visualization, agricultural management, urban stormwater management, and/or wastewater management.

Activity 2: Chesapeake Bay Program Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee Estimated Funding: $424,000 for year 1 ($424,000 to $474,000 for each year thereafter) plus EPA In-kind funding.

The CBP partnership’s STAC provides scientific and technical guidance to the CBP partnership on measures to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed and to enhance the ability of the CBP partnership to make scientifically sound decisions.

STAC continues to be an integral component of the CBP partnership’s collaborative decision-making management structure. The 38-member advisory committee includes internationally acclaimed representatives affiliated with major universities and research institutions in the Chesapeake Bay watershed who were appointed by governors, federal agencies, and members of the scientific and technical community.

STAC focuses the Chesapeake Bay watershed and national scientific and technical communities’ expertise towards the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed by:

Setting priorities on scientific and technical issues of direct relevance to resource management decision-making directed toward Bay and watershed restoration and protection;

Evaluating CBP partnership issues and programs from the perspective of scientific integrity;

Providing guidance on scientific research and technical products through independent scientific peer reviews;

Identifying emerging scientific and technical issues and challenges to achieving Bay and watershed restoration and protection goals before they become mainstream topics of management focus;

Conducting workshops, evaluations, and independent scientific peer reviews to address specific issues of interest to restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed; and

Synthesizing, evaluating, disseminating, and communicating scientific information of direct relevance to restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.

The following are examples of the types of tasks that may be performed to carry out Activity 2.

Applicants may consider these tasks as well as describe alternative approaches to providing the requested support.

Schedule STAC’s quarterly two-day meetings and provide administrative and logistical support for same. This support may include developing agendas, scheduling speakers and presenters, ensuring delivery of advance briefing and presentation materials, drafting summaries, and posting all relevant meeting materials on the STAC website in a timely manner. The successful applicant will provide this support by identifying emerging issues, assessing performance of CBP activities, and addressing issues brought to the committee by various members of the CBP partnership’s management structure.

Directly assist STAC in its efforts to identify, prioritize, and synthesize relevant findings and evaluate possible management implications of emerging scientific and technical issues facing the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and its surrounding watershed.

Provide a full range of administrative and logistical support to STAC in scheduling and conducting its sponsored technical workshops, scientific and technical conferences, workgroups, task forces, evaluations, and independent scientific peer reviews. This includes assisting in the development, review, and publication of proceedings of each of these forums.

Support the continued annual implementation of the established STAC Workshops’ protocol through all stages of workshop development and implementation. The support may include soliciting workshop requests and receipt of workshop proposals, workshop planning and organizational support, and receipt of workshop findings and recommendations.

Support STAC’s preparation of scientific and technical reports, papers, and synthesize scientific literature on management-relevant topics.

Support STAC’s convening of rapid-response review teams—scheduling small meetings or assembling expert panels to respond to CBP partnership management requests for scientific review/technical synthesis/evaluation.

Support STAC members in providing direct assistance to individual GITs, STAR, and workgroups on an as-requested/as-needed basis.

Help organize and provide administrative oversight and logistical support requested by the CBP partnership regarding independent, scientific peer reviews of reports, models, and monitoring programs following established STAC-peer-review procedures.

Assist in the identification and dissemination of scientific research priorities for supporting implementation of the goals and outcomes of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and the supporting management strategies and work plans.

Support the active participation of STAC members in meetings of the CBP’s Executive

Council, PSC, Management Board, CAC, LGAC, GITs, STAR, and workgroups.

On behalf of STAC, interact directly and frequently and coordinate routinely with the chairs and coordinators of CAC, LGAC, PSC, Management Board, GITs, and STAR to stay abreast of the management-relevant emerging-scientific and -technical issues and needs.

Support efforts by STAC to help the CBP partnership to effectively carry out adaptive management as called for in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement by:

o Working to constantly improve the effectiveness of the management programs by helping to design, and evaluate the results of, a process for continually reducing the uncertainty in management strategies;

o Implementing the CBP partnership’s decision framework, including developing detailed predictions of expected future system behavior and responses to management actions based on current scientific understanding of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and its watershed; and o Ensuring the continued operation of well-designed monitoring programs that will enable the CBP partnership’s constant assessment of the relative effectiveness of the collective set of management actions taken and the use of that information in adaptive management.

Support STAC in ensuring the continued adherence to the CBP/STAC Communication Protocol and maintain a public record of the results of STAC-sponsored workshops, conferences, evaluations, peer reviews, and corresponding CBP responses to the resultant findings and recommendations.

Actively maintain and routinely update the STAC website to keep STAC members, CBP partners, and other website users informed about the full array of past, present, and planned STAC activities, including on-going projects, meetings, workshops, reviews, evaluations, and publications as well as STAC’s findings and recommendations reported to the CBP partnership.

Provide staffing support that considers issues of diversity, equity and inclusion; and

Activity 3: Coordination of Summer Program that Supports Students Interested in Careers in Environmental Protection and Restoration, with Consideration for Supporting Students from Underrepresented Populations.

Estimated Funding: $31,000 per year for up to five years plus EPA In-kind funding.

The CBP is committed to providing professional experiences to college students from populations that have been historically excluded from the environmental field and are underrepresented in environmental research and management professions. The students support the CBP by assisting with coordination and administrative activities as well as specific tasks assigned by their supervisor, such as research projects, literature reviews, report development and editing, and data analysis.

These professional opportunities provide students, including those from underrepresented communities, with a unique opportunity to contribute to large-scale, long-term natural resource management and policy development critical to understanding new ways to manage Chesapeake Bay living resources most effectively and efficiently across the Chesapeake Bay watershed;

ultimately facilitating pathways to successful careers in environmental research, restoration, and/or management.

The following are examples of the types of tasks that may be performed to carry out Activity 3.

Applicants may consider these tasks as well as describe alternative approaches to providing the requested support.

Identify highly competent undergraduate students for 8-12 weeks during the summer to support the administrative and technical needs of the CBP, encouraging university students from groups traditionally underrepresented in the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics to pursue environmentally oriented research and/or management careers in the academic, public, and private sectors.

Develop position announcements for each summer student position and disseminate widely through the partnerships network of academic institutions and other appropriate means, coordinating with CBP leadership.

Conduct interviews for each summer student position.

Provide professional development to the students through activities such as group trainings and educational experiences, individual professional experiences, volunteer activities, and by developing and implementing independent projects, all of which allow the staffers to support the mission of the CBP partnership efficiently and effectively.

Coordinate opportunities for the students to present a summary of their work to CBP staff before their internship ends.

Provide staffing support that considers issues of diversity, equity and inclusion; and

C. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage & Anticipated Outcomes and Outputs Pursuant to Section 6a of EPA Order 5700.7, “Environmental Results under EPA Assistance Agreements,” EPA must link proposed assistance agreements to the Agency’s Strategic Plan.

EPA also requires that grant applicants and recipients adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements (see EPA Order 5700.7A1, Environmental Results under Assistance Agreements, accessible at https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements).

1. Linkage to EPA’s Strategic Plan The activities to be funded under this solicitation support the FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan.

Awards made under this solicitation will support Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities, Objective 5.2 Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds of the Strategic Plan.

EPA Order 5700.7A1 also requires that grant applicants adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements. Applicants must include specific statements describing the environmental results of the proposed project in terms of well-defined outputs and, to the maximum extent practicable, well-defined outcomes that will demonstrate how the project will contribute to the priorities described above.

2. Outputs The term “output” means an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product related to an environmental goal and objective that will be produced or provided over a period of time or by a specified date. Outputs may be quantitative or qualitative but must be measurable during an assistance agreement funding period. Examples of potential outputs under the Scope of Work of this announcement may include but are not limited to the following:

Activity 1:

Continual enhancement of up-to-date membership, materials, and information on Goal Implementation Team pages on the CBP website and on ChesapeakeDecisions.

Continual enhancement of conference calls, webinars, virtual and hybrid meeting platforms to promote more efficient use of the CBP partnership members’ time in conducting the work of the partnership while maintaining the collaborative decision-making process.

Activity 2:

Quarterly STAC meetings scheduled that have the agenda developed and advance briefing materials and presentations posted on-line on the STAC web site with link to CBP web site calendar (http://www.chesapeakebay.net/calendar) within a week of each meeting/conference call.

Increased number of STAC-sponsored workshop and conference proceedings published within six months of the original date of the workshop/conference.

Increased number of STAC-sponsored, independent scientific peer review reports published within two months of the original date of the conclusion of the peer review panel.

Increased number of management agency challenges assumed and addressed by STAC through a combination of meetings, workshops, reviews, and/or special teams.

Activity 3:

Increased number of students that assist the CBP through coordination and administrative activities as well as specific tasks assigned by their supervisor, such as research projects, literature reviews, report development and editing, and data analysis.

Increased number of professional development activities for the students, including group trainings and educational experiences, individual professional experiences, and volunteer activities.

Progress reports and a final report will also be required outputs for all activities, as specified in Section VI.C., Reporting, of this announcement.

3. Outcomes The term “outcome” means the result, effect, or consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes may be qualitative and environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature but must also be quantitative. They may not necessarily be achievable within an assistance agreement funding period. Examples of potential outcomes under the Scope of Work of this announcement may include but are not limited to the following:

Activity 1:

Increased ability by the CBP partnership to make collaborative decisions needed to carry out the work required to meeting the goals and outcomes of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.

Activity 2:

Increased public acceptance of the necessary actions to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed due to higher levels of confidence in the scientific basis of those needed restoration and protection actions.

Activity 3:

Increased pathways for successful careers in environmental research, restoration, and/or management for college students, including those from populations that have been historically excluded from the environmental field and are underrepresented in environmental research and management professions.

D. Authorizing Statutes and Regulations

This grant is made pursuant to CWA Section 117(d), 33 U.S.C. Section 1267(d), which authorizes EPA to issue grants and cooperative agreements for the purposes of protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay's ecosystem. This project is subject to the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Uniform Grants Guidance (2 C.F.R. Part 200) and EPA-specific provisions of the Uniform Grants Guidance (2 C.F.R. Part 1500).

E. Environmental Justice Considerations

Environmental justice considerations are important to this project. Environmental justice (EJ) is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. Fair treatment means no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies. Meaningful involvement means people have an opportunity to participate in decisions about activities that may affect their environment and/or health; the public's contribution can influence the regulatory agency's decision; community concerns will be considered in the decision making process; and decision makers will seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected. Applications, regardless of which Activity they are applying for, will be evaluated on how well environmental justice considerations are addressed (see Section V).

Applicants for the cooperative agreement “Chesapeake Bay Program Goal Implementation Teams Support, Scientific Community Support and Summer Internship Program Management” should address the disproportionate and adverse human health, environmental, climate-related, and other cumulative impacts, as well as the accompanying economic challenges of such impacts, resulting from industrial, governmental, commercial, and/or other actions that have affected and/or currently affect people/communities of color, low income, tribal, and indigenous populations, and if applicable other vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

F. Minority Serving Institutions:

EPA recognizes that it is important to engage all available minds to address the environmental challenges the nation faces. At the same time, EPA seeks to expand the environmental conversation by including members of communities which may have not previously participated in such dialogues to participate in EPA programs. For this reason, EPA strongly encourages all eligible applicants identified in Section III, including minority serving institutions (MSIs), to apply under this opportunity.

For purposes of this solicitation, the following are considered MSIs:

1. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1061). A list of these schools can be found at Historically Black Colleges and Universities at: https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/;

2. Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1059c(b)(3) and (d)(1)). A list of these schools can be found at American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities at https://sites.ed.gov/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/;

3. Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1101a(a)(5)). A list of these schools can be found at Hispanic-Serving Institutions at https://sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/hispanic-serving-institutions-hsis/;

4. Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions; (AANAPISIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1059g(b)(2)). A list of these schools can be found at Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions and this associated link, and

5. Predominately Black Institutions (PBIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act of 2008, 20 U.S.C. 1059e(b)(6). A list of these schools can be found at Predominately Black Institutions and this associated link, https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1wlIi3j7gtlNq_w- 0NKAb2bF2VmY&ie=UTF&msa=0&ll=37.35160769312532%2C-96.17229800000001&z=4.

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

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Funding Amount and Expected Number of Awards

CBPO plans to award up to three cooperative agreements under this RFA, one for each Activity listed in Section I. The total estimated funding under this solicitation is approximately $8,800,000 overall, with an estimated $1,600,000 available for the first year and $1,800,000 each additional year thereafter. The estimated funding for Activity 1 is $1,145,000 for the first year and $1,295,000 each additional year; the estimated funding for Activity 2 is $424,000 for the first year and $474,000 each additional year; and the estimated funding for Activity 3 is approximately $31,000 per year. There is no guarantee of funding throughout this period or beyond.

B. Award Type

EPA has determined that a cooperative agreement is the appropriate funding vehicle for this project. Cooperative agreements are used under circumstances where substantial involvement is anticipated between EPA and the recipient during performance of the Activity. EPA awards cooperative agreements for those projects in which it expects to have substantial interaction with the recipient throughout the performance of the project. EPA will negotiate the precise terms and conditions of “substantial involvement” as part of the award process. Federal involvement may include close monitoring of the recipient’s performance; collaboration during the performance of the scope of work in accordance with 2 C.F.R. 200.317 and 2 C.F.R.

200.318, as appropriate; review of proposed procurements; review of qualifications of key personnel; and/or review and comment on the content of printed or electronic publications prepared. 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.

For this project, federal involvement would typically be in the form of participation with other CBP partners and stakeholders in an advisory capacity to the grantee. The participation is expected to include involvement through various CBP GITs and related committees and workgroups (on which EPA also participates to ensure that all the recommendations for technical work support the CBP partners). All work conducted is to support the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.

C. Partial Funding

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

D. Expected Project Period

The expected project period for the cooperative agreement is five years, with funding provided on an annual basis. No commitment of funding can be made beyond the first year. The expected start date for the award resulting from this RFA is August 12, 2022.

E. Pre-Award Costs

Recipients may incur otherwise eligible and allowable pre-award costs up to 90 days prior to award at their own risk without prior approval of EPA’s award official. Pre-award costs must comply with 2 C.F.R. 200.458 and 2 C.F.R. 1500.9. If EPA determines that the requested pre-award costs comply with the relevant authorities, and that the costs are justified as allocable to the project, then these costs may be included as allowable expenditures at the time that the assistance award document is prepared.

However, if for any reason EPA does not fund the application or the amount of the award is less than the applicant anticipated, then EPA is under no obligation to reimburse the applicant for these costs incurred. Thus, applicants incur pre-award costs at their own risk. Costs incurred more than 90 days prior to award require the approval of EPA Region 3’s grant official.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

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

A. Eligible Applicants

Under section 117(d), funds are available for technical and general assistance grants to nonprofit organizations, State, tribal (federally recognized) and local governments, colleges, universities, and interstate agencies; and under section 117(g)(2), funds are available for technical assistance and assistance grants under the Small Watershed Grants Program to local governments and nonprofit organizations and individuals in the Chesapeake Bay region. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy. Nonprofit organizations, State, tribal (federally-recognized) and local governments, colleges, universities, and interstate agencies are eligible to submit applications in response to this RFA. For-profit organizations are not eligible to submit applications in response to this RFA.

B. Cost-Share or Matching Requirements

Pursuant to CWA 117(d)(2)(A), 33 U.S.C. Section 1267(d)(2)(A), the agency shall determine the cost-share requirements for awards. The Assistance Listing Number, 66.466, states that assistance agreement applicants must commit to a cost-share ranging from five percent to 50 percent of eligible project costs as determined at the sole discretion of EPA. For this RFA, EPA has determined that an applicant must provide a minimum of five percent of the total cost of the project as the non-federal cost-share.

Cost-share may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions. Involvement from foundations, watershed groups, private sector, eligible governmental, as well as non-conventional partners can help with the match. The match must be met by eligible and allowable costs and is subject to the match provisions in grant regulations. Applications that do not demonstrate how the five percent match will be met will be rejected.

C. Threshold Eligibility Criteria

Only applications from eligible entities (see Section III.A above) that meet the following threshold eligibility criteria will be evaluated against the criteria in Section V.B. Applicants must meet the following threshold criteria to be considered for funding. Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration as a result of the threshold eligibility review will be notified in writing within 15 calendar days of the ineligibility determination.

1. Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section IV of this announcement, or else they will be rejected. Where a page limit is expressed in Section IV with respect to the project narrative, pages in excess of the page limitation will not be reviewed.

2. In addition, initial applications must be submitted through Grants.gov as stated in Section IV of this announcement (except in the limited circumstances where another mode of submission is specifically allowed for as explained in Section IV) on or before the application submission deadline published in Section IV of this announcement.

Applicants are responsible for following the submission instructions in Section IV of this announcement to ensure that their application is timely submitted.

Applications submitted after the submission deadline will be considered late and deemed ineligible without further consideration unless the applicant can clearly demonstrate that it was late due to EPA mishandling or because of technical problems associated with Grants.gov or…