EPA-R5-GL2022-PC-Final-v1.0.pdf

EPA GREAT LAKES NATIONAL PROGRAM OFFICE

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative 2021 Request for Applications

Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program: Phytoplankton and Chlorophyll-a Components

FEDERAL AGENCY NAME: Environmental Protection Agency FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE: Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program: Phytoplankton and Chlorophyll-a Components ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Request for Applications

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: EPA-R5-GL2022-PC

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 66.469

Timeline December 10, 2021 Request for Applications (RFA) posted February 8, 2022 Applications must be submitted to EPA through

Grants.gov by 10:59 p.m. Central Time / 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time in order to be considered for funding

March 2022 EPA will begin notifying finalists.

March 2022 EPA will begin making official awards.

INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

This Request for Applications (RFA) solicits applications from eligible entities for a cooperative agreement to be awarded pursuant to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (“GLRI” or “Initiative”) Action Plan III. Applications are requested for a project to complete sample collection and analyses in support of the Phytoplankton and Chlorophyll-a components of the Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program (GLBMP).

Under this competition, approximately $3,000,000 may be awarded for one cooperative agreement over approximately five years, consisting of incremental funding of about $600,000 per year. Applications should specify a start date on or around March 1, 2022 and should specify an end date that will allow for the collection, processing, and analysis of the 2022-2026 field seasons. All incrementally funded awards will be subject to the availability of funding, future appropriations, satisfactory performance of work, and other applicable considerations.

The statutory authority of the GLRI to award cooperative agreements is contained in the Clean Water Act, Section 118(c)(7), as amended by Public Law 114-322. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has authority to award grants and cooperative agreements for planning, research, monitoring, outreach, and implementation projects in furtherance of the GLRI and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Governmental entities, including state agencies, interstate agencies, Indian tribes, local governments, institutions of higher learning (i.e., colleges https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.glri.us/ https://www.glri.us/action-plan https://www.epa.gov/glwqa

Request for Applications Page 2 of 50 Version Date: December 10, 2021 and universities), and non-profit organizations (as defined in 2 CFR Part 200) are eligible to apply for funding under this RFA.

For your convenience, the 2021 RFA for Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program:

Phytoplankton and Chlorophyll-a Components site has information relating to the RFA process.

We encourage all applicants to sign up for our mailing list and register with us at Great Lakes News Email List.

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 Solicitation Clauses.

https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/great-lakes-biology-monitoring-program-phytoplankton-and-chlorophyll-components https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/great-lakes-biology-monitoring-program-phytoplankton-and-chlorophyll-components https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/great-lakes-news-email-list https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/great-lakes-news-email-list https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses

Request for Applications Page 3 of 50

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

AOR Authorized Organization Representative CBI Confidential Business Information CFR Code of Federal Regulations Chl-a Chlorophyll-a CSMI Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative DBE Disadvantaged Business Enterprises DUNS Data Universal Numbering System EPA Environmental Protection Agency ESA Endangered Species Act FAQ Frequently Asked Questions FON Funding Opportunity Number FTE Full Time Equivalent FY Fiscal Year GL Great Lakes GLBMP Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program GLNPO Great Lakes National Program Office GLRI Great Lakes Restoration Initiative GLWQA Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement GSA General Services Administration HUC Hydrologic Unit Code IDC Indirect Cost LOS Letters of Support MBE Minority Business Enterprises MSI Minority Serving Institution NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NHPA National Historic Preservation Act OGD Office of Grants and Debarment PBI Predominantly Black Institution Q&A Question & Answer R5 Region 5 RFA Request for Applications SAM System for Award Management SBA Small Business Administration SF Standard Form SHPO State Historic Preservation Office SMDP Scientific Data Management Plan STEM Science, technology, engineering, and math TCU Tribal Colleges and Universities THPO Tribal Historic Preservation Office USC United States Code UTF Unicode Transformation Format

Request for Applications Page 4 of 50

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Application Information

II. Award Information

III. Eligibility Information

IV. Application & Submission Information

V. Application Review & Selection

VI. Award Administration

VII. Agency Contacts

Appendix I - Budget Information

Request for Applications Page 5 of 50

I. APPLICATION INFORMATION

A. PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The GLRI builds on the prior efforts of federal, state, and local agencies; Indian tribes;

businesses; public interest groups; interested citizens; and others to develop a collaborative and comprehensive approach to restoring the Great Lakes. Information about the Initiative can be found at GLRI.us.

This RFA solicits applications from eligible entities for a cooperative agreement to be awarded pursuant to the statutory authorities referenced above and the GLRI Action Plan III. Up to $3,000,000 may be awarded under this RFA over approximately five years, consisting of incremental funding of about $600,000 per year, contingent on the quality of applications received, funding availability, future appropriations, satisfactory performance of work, and other applicable considerations. The assistance listing that applies to this RFA is 66.469. Funding each year is not guaranteed. The application should include an annualized budget and budget detail narrative for the project, and a detailed workplan covering each year of the project.

All projects will be evaluated as described in Section V.

B. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

Applicants must propose program activities that support the following general goals of the program:

1) the continued documentation of the status and trends of the ecological health of the open waters of the Great Lakes based on phytoplankton community and chlorophyll-a (chl-a) analysis;

2) use of advanced technology-based approaches (e.g., in situ fluorometer and fluoroprobe data, HPLC, flow cytometry, etc.) to monitor the phytoplankton community in ways that complement and supplement taxonomic analyses;

3) assessment of the impacts of changing primary productivity and phytoplankton communities on the lower food web and fish; and

4) special studies for the pelagic lower food web (phytoplankton) coincident with the Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI)1 five-year schedule.

These program activities must also support the following objectives:

• Sample Collection and Project Design;

• Phytoplankton Taxonomic Analysis and Biovolume Calculations;

1The Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI) is a joint United States and Canadian effort to provide environmental managers with needed information on each Great Lake. In 2022, CSMI will be focused on Lake Huron. In subsequent years, CSMI will focus on Lake Ontario (2023), Lake Erie (2024), Lake Michigan (2025), and Lake Superior (2026).

http://glri.us/ https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-10/documents/glri-action-plan-3-201910-30pp.pdf

Request for Applications Page 6 of 50

• Chlorophyll-a Analysis, Advanced Technology and Fluoroprobe Data Analysis: Data Management;

• Data Interpretation, Statistical Analysis and Report Writing; and

• Applied Research.

Applicants must address each of the objectives in accordance with requirements described below and in Section IV:

SAMPLE COLLECTION AND PROJECT DESIGN

Applicants must describe their plans to collect chl-a, HPLC, and phytoplankton samples on all five Great Lakes in spring and summer, starting in spring 2022 through summer 2026.

Applicants may request to use the EPA R/V Lake Guardian for sample collection. Current GLBMP sampling procedures can be found on the RFA site. Data for in situ measurements of chl-a fluorescence are currently collected as part of the EPA Great Lakes Water Quality Monitoring Program surveys; these data will be made available to the applicant for analysis.

In addition, applicants must describe how they intend to carry out intensive synoptic assessments of the phytoplankton community, biovolume, and distribution annually on the Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI) intensive lake.

CSMI Schedule 2022 Lake Huron 2023 Lake Ontario 2024 Lake Erie 2025 Lake Michigan 2026 Lake Superior

Applicants must describe how they intend to maintain comparability and continuity with historic sampling procedures. Applicants may suggest modifications to current GLBMP sampling procedures with supporting rationale. The supporting rationale should demonstrate how the different sampling procedures will still maintain continuity between historical data and the data collected as part of this project

PHYTOPLANKTON TAXONOMIC ANALYSIS AND BIOVOLUME CALCULATIONS

Applicants must describe their plans to identify, enumerate, and determine biovolume for phytoplankton. Applicants should document their taxonomic expertise and their capability to hire and train taxonomists. Applicants should demonstrate how they intend to maintain comparability and continuity of taxonomic analysis with historic identifications. Historic taxonomic species lists for phytoplankton and historic analytical techniques can be found in the SOPs posted at the RFA site.

https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/great-lakes-biology-monitoring-program-phytoplankton-and-chlorophyll-components https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-monitoring/great-lakes-water-quality-monitoring-program-0#:%7E:text=GLNPO's%20water%20quality%20monitoring%20program,in%20water%20quality%20through%20time.&text=The%20Niskin%20bottles%20collect%20water,samples%20for%20water%20chemistry%20analyses.

https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-monitoring/great-lakes-water-quality-monitoring-program-0#:%7E:text=GLNPO's%20water%20quality%20monitoring%20program,in%20water%20quality%20through%20time.&text=The%20Niskin%20bottles%20collect%20water,samples%20for%20water%20chemistry%20analyses.

https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/great-lakes-biology-monitoring-program-phytoplankton-and-chlorophyll-components

Request for Applications Page 7 of 50

Applicants may suggest modifications to historic taxonomic procedures2 with supporting rationale. The supporting rationale should demonstrate how the different taxonomic procedures will still maintain continuity between historical data and the data collected under this project.

Once the award has been made and prior to the analysis of any phytoplankton samples, the award recipient will need to demonstrate comparability and consistency with existing species identification procedures.

CHLOROPHYLL-A ANALYSIS

Applicants must describe their plans to analyze water samples for extracted chl-a on board the R/V Lake Guardian. Applicants should demonstrate how they intend to maintain comparability and continuity of chlorophyll analysis with historic data sets. Historic analytical procedures can be found at the RFA site. During the first field survey of the project period, applicants will be required to comply with additional training and quality assurance checks under the supervision of EPA technical staff.

Applicants may suggest modifications to chlorophyll analysis with supporting rationale. The supporting rationale should demonstrate how the different analytical methods for chlorophyll determination will still maintain continuity between historical data and the data collected during this project.

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND FLUOROPROBE DATA ANALYSIS

Applicants must describe their plans to pilot advanced technology approaches to estimate phytoplankton abundance and/or community composition, as well as their plans to compare and incorporate Fluoroprobe data into the phytoplankton monitoring outputs. Applicants should demonstrate how they will employ these datasets to supplement the historic monitoring program data that have included chl-a and phytoplankton taxonomic analysis and biovolume calculations.

Applicants should suggest how these analyses fit within their proposed budget, including any relevant information on sampling frequency, location, and depths within the water column for analysis using advanced technology approaches with supporting rationale. Fluoroprobe profile data are already collected at all GLBMP phytoplankton monitoring stations, but rationale should be provided for how these data (in total or for a subset of sites) will be used. The supporting rationale should demonstrate how the data from these analyses will supplement our other datasets and improve our understanding of Great Lakes phytoplankton communities.

2Species lists and historic analytical procedures are available in the current SOPs posted at the 2021 RFA for Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program: Phytoplankton and Chlorophyll Components site.

https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/great-lakes-biology-monitoring-program-phytoplankton-and-chlorophyll-components https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/great-lakes-biology-monitoring-program-phytoplankton-and-chlorophyll-components https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/great-lakes-biology-monitoring-program-phytoplankton-and-chlorophyll-components

Request for Applications Page 8 of 50

DATA MANAGEMENT

Applicants must describe their plans (and capability) to contribute to the management, maintenance, and future enhancements of comprehensive database for phytoplankton data.

GLNPO will provide existing database structures as well as GLNPO phytoplankton taxonomic data from 1983 to 2021. The database should be able to incorporate historic data sets as well as data collected during this project.

Applicants may suggest modifications to the existing database structures with supporting rationale. The supporting rationale should demonstrate how different databases will maintain continuity between historical data and the data collected under this project and improve the applicant's ability to assess long-term trends in phytoplankton communities.

An electronic copy of all final verified data shall be transferred to GLNPO in a format that is consistent with data protocols specified in GLNPO SOPs (e.g., Standard Operating Procedure for In Vitro Determination of Chlorophyll-a in Freshwater Phytoplankton by Fluorescence, Standard Operating Procedure for Phytoplankton Analysis).

Applicants must demonstrate how they will submit final verified data within six months for chlorophyll analysis, 18 months for advanced technology analysis, and 18 months of receipt of samples in their laboratory for phytoplankton taxonomic analysis and biovolume calculations (e.g., submit data on all samples collected in August 2022 by March 2024). Applicants should also discuss project elements and processes that allow field and lab data to be efficiently managed and interpreted year-to-year.

DATA INTERPRETATION, STATISTICAL ANALYSIS, AND REPORT WRITING

Applicants must describe their plans to ensure the monitoring and assessment information generated is made available to the Great Lakes community in a wide variety of formats, including peer-reviewed journals and internet products. Applicants are expected to discuss how this dissemination will occur using data collected year-to-year, with a focus on fisheries and water quality managers. Additionally, it is important that any new information generated be placed in a historical perspective so that determinations may be made of how the phytoplankton community is changing over time. The successful applicant is expected to integrate recent and historical data to provide interpretation of changes to the biological communities.

Applicants must demonstrate how they will work with the EPA Project Officer and Technical Contact to report on the status and trends of the phytoplankton community in the Great Lakes in a timely fashion and support the development of ecosystem indicator reports.

Applicants must also discuss how their work will increase understanding of the biological health of the Great Lakes and the implications for ecosystem and fisheries management. The advancement of scientific knowledge may include the development of phytoplankton

Request for Applications Page 9 of 50 community-based indicators, application of ecosystem models, identification of stressor-state relationships, and the further education of graduate students in taxonomy and Great Lakes ecosystem research.

APPLIED RESEARCH

Applicants must discuss how monitoring will be flexible enough to adequately track, monitor, and investigate:

• large scale changes of significant components of the Great Lakes lower food web that are affected by new species invading the Great Lakes;

• fluctuations of the state of the biological community; and

• phytoplankton responses to oligotrophication (decrease in offshore nutrient levels), global climate change, and the rates and mechanisms of herbivory.

Applicants must also discuss how additional special studies and/or enhancements to the long-term monitoring program will be implemented. Applicants must discuss how the monitoring design will contribute to the Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI).

C. GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESULTS AND STRATEGIC PLAN INFORMATION

This RFA is expected to result in the award of one cooperative agreement, as appropriate (hereafter collectively referred to as “grant”), to support the GLRI Action Plan III, Focus Area 5 (Foundations for Future Restoration Actions), Objective 5.2. Conduct comprehensive science programs and projects, and Measure 5.2.1 Annual Great Lakes monitoring conducted and used to prioritize GLRI funding decisions.

EPA has authority to award cooperative agreements for planning, research, monitoring, outreach, and implementation projects in furtherance of GLRI and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA3). Funded activities must advance protection and restoration of the Great Lakes ecosystem in support of: (i) the GLRI Action Plan III and (ii) EPA’s Strategic Plan.

Projects must also either: (i) protect, enhance, and/or restore the Great Lakes and its connecting river systems (St. Marys River, St. Clair River including Lake St. Clair, Detroit River, Niagara River, and St. Lawrence River at the international boundary or upstream from the point at which this river becomes the international boundary between Canada and the United States); or (ii) protect Great Lakes ecosystem health, including human health. Applications for other activities will be rejected.

The activities to be funded under this solicitation support EPA’s Draft FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. Awards made under this solicitation will support Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for

3 The principal goal of GLWQA is to restore and protect the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Great Lakes ecosystem.

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-10/documents/glri-action-plan-3-201910-30pp.pdf https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-10/documents/glri-action-plan-3-201910-30pp.pdf https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan

Request for Applications Page 10 of 50 all Communities; Provide clean and safe water for all communities and protect our nation’s waterbodies from degradation. and Objective 5.2: Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds; Address sources of water pollution and ensure water quality standards are protective of the health and needs of all people and ecosystems. All applications must be for projects that support the goals and objectives identified above.

D. OUTPUTS AND OUTCOMES

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

For purposes of this RFA:

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 over the term of the grant funding period. Projects should include all of the following and must link to the GLRI Action Plan III Measures of Progress or goals and objectives:

The term “outcome” means the result, effect, or consequence that will be achieved by carrying out an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature, must be quantitative, and may not necessarily be achievable within a grant funding period. Projects should demonstrate how their proposed project will achieve all the following outputs and outcomes.

OUTPUTS MUST INCLUDE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING AND APPLICATIONS MUST LINK PROPOSED

OUTPUTS TO THE GLRI ACTION PLAN III MEASURES OF PROGRESS OR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:

• a quantification of Great Lakes ecosystem health based on analysis of chl-a and phytoplankton community structure and productivity, incorporating both established laboratory methodologies and technology-based approaches;

• an evaluation of the temporal trends of ecosystem health based on phytoplankton communities and chl-a in the Great Lakes;

• development of Great Lakes scientists through the education of graduate and undergraduate students in taxonomy and Great Lakes ecosystem science;

• targeted studies for lake-by-lake assessment of phytoplankton communities coincident with the Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI) that complements the long-term phytoplankton monitoring program design;

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf

Request for Applications Page 11 of 50

• dissemination of results via peer-reviewed journal articles and other media; or

• development of Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement State of the Great Lakes indicator reports that use data generated through the chl-a and phytoplankton components of the

GLBMP.

OUTCOMES SHOULD INCLUDE:

• increased understanding of biological health of the Great Lakes lower food web and the relationship to fisheries and water quality management;

• increased understanding of the spatial and temporal trends of chl-a and phytoplankton to inform Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Annex 2 Lakewide Action and Management Plans;

• increased understanding of biological health of the Great Lakes;

• surveillance for new aquatic non-native species within the phytoplankton community;

• increased understanding of the impacts of changing nutrient availability (i.e., driven by dreissenid mussel feeding and/or nutrient load changes) on the phytoplankton community; and

• enhancement of indicators, based on chl-a and phytoplankton communities, of the health of the Great Lakes.

E. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY BACKGROUND

The Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program was established in 1983 to assess the ecological health of the Great Lakes. The program benefits federal, state, and tribal fisheries and water quality managers by focusing on whole lake biotic responses to changes in loads of anthropogenic substances and aquatic invasive species. Sampling is typically focused on the relatively homogeneous offshore waters of each lake. Phytoplankton and chl-a monitoring have been integral parts of the program since its inception. Offshore chl-a concentrations and the community structure of the biota have been rapidly changing in many areas of the Great Lakes in recent decades. More information on the Great Lakes biological monitoring program can be found at EPA’s Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program site.

Chl-a measurement and planktonic algae (i.e., phytoplankton) identification and enumeration have historically provided the information to resource managers that identified nutrient enrichment problems (eutrophication) in surface waters. In the Great Lakes, eutrophication is a problem that has existed at varying levels of severity since the 1960s. Since that time, there have been efforts to control nutrient input to the lakes through improvements in sewage treatment plants, bans on phosphorus in laundry detergents, and improved land management practices to reduce nutrients in runoff. These efforts led to better ecosystem conditions in the lakes. There was a resurgence of algal blooms in Lake Erie in the late 1990s. In recent years, there have been continued changes to the primary productivity and phytoplankton community structure in many regions of the Great Lakes, such as oligotrophication of the offshore waters of lakes Huron, https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-monitoring/great-lakes-biology-monitoring-program

Request for Applications Page 12 of 50

Michigan, and Ontario. These shifts have been in response to a combination of factors, including reduced nutrient loadings due to the aforementioned regulations, drastic changes to nutrient cycling resulting from dreissenid mussel invasion and expansion in the lakes, and other stressors such as climate change. Tracking these conditions and documenting the changes to the environmental status of the Great Lakes is of critical importance to a broad stakeholder community that includes fisheries managers and water quality managers.

Traditional taxonomic approaches to monitoring phytoplankton communities are important because phytoplankton composition and biomass are strong indicators of water quality and biological condition. Phytoplankton species respond relatively quickly to changes in their environment, making them useful indicators of ecosystem shifts on both short and long timescales. In addition, phytoplankton form the base of the pelagic food web, and tracking both abundance and community composition of the phytoplankton is essential to assess food availability for higher trophic levels. The analysis of phytoplankton community assemblage is a valuable component of monitoring lake ecosystems and tracking changes due to anthropogenic stressors such as nutrient enrichment or depletion, pollution, invasive species impacts, and climate change.

New approaches and techniques for determining phytoplankton community composition have been developed to compliment traditional organism-level sampling strategies and increase spatial and/or temporal resolution of phytoplankton abundance and/or community composition estimates. For example, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is a rapid and highly sensitive laboratory technique that separates phytoplankton pigments by their size to identify the broad taxonomic groups present in a sample. Identifying phytoplankton communities to taxonomic groupings (diatoms, chlorophytes, chrysophytes, cryptophytes, cyanophytes, and dinoflagellates) using HPLC analysis has the advantage of rapidly informing managers of the diversity of food available for consumers. Phytoplankton sampled with imaging-in-flow cytometry can be used to generate automated taxonomically resolved estimates of phytoplankton abundance. High resolution profile data for phytoplankton community composition can be generated using in situ fluorescence techniques that measure not only total chl-a concentration, but also the contributions of various algal groups to the total chl-a signal.

The addition of advanced approaches to phytoplankton abundance estimation, combined with taxonomic analysis of phytoplankton species, chl-a analyses at discrete depths, and fluorescence profile analysis, will improve our understanding of phytoplankton community dynamics over various temporal and spatial scales in the Great Lakes.

EPA is seeking applications for funding to support the Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program. The funding opportunity will be posted under Funding Opportunity Number (FON) EPA-R5-GL2022-PC on Grants.gov.

Request for Applications Page 13 of 50

F. STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION

EPA’s statutory authority to award grants and cooperative agreements is contained in the Clean Water Act Section 118(c)(7) as amended by Public Law 114-322 and includes authority to make awards in furtherance of the GLRI International Activities

For projects with international aspects, the above statutes are supplemented, as appropriate, by the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 102(2)(F).

G. HUMAN SUBJECTS STUDIES

Questions about Human Subjects Studies should be directed to the Human Subjects Research Review Official.

H. MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS (MSIS)

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(2)). A list of these schools can be found at 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

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

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

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.

https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-water-act https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-water-act https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2011-title42/html/USCODE-2011-title42-chap55-sec4321.htm http://www2.epa.gov/osa/forms/contact-us-about-programs-office-science-advisor http://www2.epa.gov/osa/forms/contact-us-about-programs-office-science-advisor https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/hispanic-serving-institutions-hsis/ https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XVkOWKMDORm53pvU0L8EPsrJC94&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=3&source=embed&ll=40.58644586187277%2C-148.28228249999984 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XVkOWKMDORm53pvU0L8EPsrJC94&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=3&source=embed&ll=40.58644586187277%2C-148.28228249999984 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1wlIi3j7gtlNq_w-0NKAb2bF2VmY&ie=UTF&msa=0&ll=37.35160769312532%2C-96.17229800000001&z=4 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1wlIi3j7gtlNq_w-0NKAb2bF2VmY&ie=UTF&msa=0&ll=37.35160769312532%2C-96.17229800000001&z=4

Request for Applications Page 14 of 50

I. 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.

Request for Applications Page 15 of 50

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AVAILABLE FUNDING AND PROJECT PERIODS AVAILABILITY

Approximately $3,000,000 in EPA funding is expected to be awarded under this RFA for one project. The maximum award for this award is $3,000,000. Applications seeking more than $3,000,000 of EPA funding will be rejected. Any application for a multi-phase project will be treated as one application and the application will be rejected if the combined amount requested for the multi-phase project is more than $3,000,000. EPA expects to provide up to $3,000,000 for one cooperative agreement over a five-year period, consisting of incremental funding of about $600,000 per year.

This anticipated project period for the funding opportunity is approximately five years.

This RFA instructs applicants to submit all documentation required for a full and complete funding package so that their projects could, if selected, proceed expeditiously. Applications should specify a start date on or around March 1, 2022 and should specify an end date that will allow for the collection, processing, and analysis of the 2022-2026 field seasons.

B. PARTIAL FUNDING PROVISION

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 thereof, was evaluated and selected for award, and therefore maintains the integrity of the competition and selection process.

C. ADDITIONAL AWARDS

EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this solicitation, consistent with Agency policy and guidance, if additional funding becomes available after the original selections are made. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than 6 months after the original selection decisions.

D. FUNDING TYPE

EPA intends to award a cooperative agreement under this solicitation. Cooperative agreements provide for substantial involvement between the EPA Project Officer and the selected applicant(s) in the performance of the work supported, technical assistance, network guidance, use of the R/V Lake Guardian as appropriate, provision of historic data, evaluation of project progress, and quantification and reporting of results. Although EPA will negotiate precise terms and conditions relating to substantial involvement as part of the award process, the anticipated substantial federal involvement for these projects may include:

Request for Applications Page 16 of 50

• 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 (EPA will not select employees or contractors employed by the award recipient); and

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

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.

E. AWARD FUNDING AND INCREMENTAL/FULL FUNDING

Awards may be fully or incrementally funded, as appropriate, based on funding availability, satisfactory performance, and other applicable considerations.

Selection or award of funding under this RFA is not a guarantee of future funding.

Request for Applications Page 17 of 50

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

NOTE: ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS THAT APPLY TO THIS SECTION CAN BE FOUND AT EPA SOLICITATION CLAUSES.

A. APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY (ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER 66.469)

Qualified non-federal entities eligible to apply for grants include non-federal governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, and institutions. This includes state agencies; any agency or instrumentality of local government; interstate agencies; federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations; colleges and universities; non-profit organizations; and other public or non-profit private agencies, institutions, and organizations.

Individuals, foreign organizations and governments, nonprofit organizations exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying, and “for-profit” organizations are not eligible.

B. THRESHOLD ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

These are requirements that if not met by the applicant by the time of application submission will result in elimination of the application from consideration for funding. Only applications for eligible activities from eligible entities that meet these criteria by the time of application submission will be evaluated against the ranking factors in Section V of this RFA.

1. Proposed projects must either: (i) protect, enhance, and/or restore the Great Lakes and the connecting river systems of St. Marys River, St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, Detroit River, Niagara River, and St. Lawrence River at the international boundary or upstream from the point at which this river becomes the international boundary between Canada and the United States; or (ii) protect Great Lakes ecosystem health, including human health. Applications for other activities will be rejected.

2. Applicants must propose program activities that support the general goals of the program listed in Section I.B. These program activities must also support the objectives and the related requirements as described in Sections I.B (Program Activities) and IV.C.5 (Project Narrative).

3. Applications must include one or more of the following outputs and applications must link proposed outputs to the GLRI Action Plan III Measures of Progress or goals and objectives:

• a quantification of Great Lakes ecosystem health based on analysis of chl-a and phytoplankton community structure and productivity, incorporating both established laboratory methodologies and technology-based approaches;

• an evaluation of the temporal trends of ecosystem health based on phytoplankton communities and chl-a in the Great Lakes;

Request for Applications Page 18 of 50

• development of Great Lakes scientists through the education of graduate and undergraduate students in taxonomy and Great Lakes ecosystem science;

• targeted studies for lake-by-lake assessment of phytoplankton communities coincident with the Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI) that complements the long-term phytoplankton monitoring program design;

• dissemination of results via peer-reviewed journal articles and other media; or

• development of Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement State of the Great Lakes indicator reports that use data generated through the chl-a and phytoplankton components of the GLBMP.

4. Applications seeking funding in excess of $3,000,000 over the proposed project duration will be rejected. In addition, an application for a multi-phase project will be treated as a request for the full amount for all phases. If that combined amount exceeds the specified maximum, the application will be rejected.

Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration as a result of the threshold eligibility review will be notified by email within 15 calendar days of the ineligibility determination.

C. SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE

1. Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section IV of this RFA or else they will be rejected. Where a page limit is stated for the Narrative Proposal in Section IV, pages in excess of the page limitation will not be reviewed.

2. In addition, 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.

3. 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 relevant SAM.gov system issues. An applicant’s failure to timely submit their application through Grants.gov because they did not timely or properly register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov will not be considered an acceptable reason to consider a late submission. Applicants should confirm receipt of their application as soon as possible after the submission deadline by sending an email to GLRI-RFA@EPA.gov and put “EPA-R5-GL2022-PC” in the subject of the email. Failure to do so may result in your application not being reviewed.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:GLRI-RFA@EPA.gov?subject=EPA-R5-GL2021-ZMB

Request for Applications Page 19 of 50

D. INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

If an application is submitted that includes any ineligible tasks or activities, 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.

E. MATCH OR COST-SHARE

There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement as a condition of eligibility under this RFA.

F. ENCOURAGING MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS TO COMPETE

EPA recognizes that scientific, technical, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) competence is essential to the Nation's future well-being in terms of national security and competitive economic advantage. For instance, the health and vitality of the economy is predicated, in part, on the availability of an adequate supply of scientists, technicians, engineers, and mathematicians, to develop innovative technologies and solutions. In other words, this country must engage all available minds to address the challenges it faces. Minorities, women, and persons with disabilities historically have been under-represented in the STEM fields. For this reason, EPA strongly encourages all eligible applicants including, women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to apply.

G. NONPROFIT DEFINITION

Consistent with the definition of Nonprofit organization at 2 CFR § 200.1, the term nonprofit organization means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization that is operated mainly for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purpose in the public interest and is not organized primarily for profit; and uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operation of the organization. The term includes tax-exempt nonprofit neighborhood and labor organizations. Note that 2 CFR 200.1 specifically excludes Institutions of Higher Education from the definition of non-profit organization because they are separately defined in the regulation. While not considered to be a non-profit organization(s) as defined by 2 CFR 200.1, public or nonprofit Institutions of Higher Education are, nevertheless, eligible to submit applications under this RFA. Hospitals operated by state, tribal, or local governments or that meet the definition of nonprofit at 2 CFR 200.1 are also eligible to apply as nonprofits or as instrumentalities of the unit of government depending on the applicable law. For-profit colleges, universities, trade schools, and hospitals are ineligible.

Nonprofit organizations that are not exempt from taxation under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code must submit other forms of documentation of nonprofit status; such as certificates of incorporation as nonprofit under state or tribal law. Nonprofit organizations exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that lobby are not eligible for EPA funding as provided in the Lobbying Disclosure Act, 2 U.S.C. 1611.

Request for Applications Page 20 of 50

H. COALITIONS

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

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

https://www.epa.gov/grants/grants-policy-issuance-gpi-16-01-epa-subaward-policy-epa-assistance-agreement-recipients https://www.epa.gov/grants/grants-policy-issuance-gpi-16-01-epa-subaward-policy-epa-assistance-agreement-recipients https://www.epa.gov/grants/best-practice-guide-procuring-services-supplies-and-equipment-under-epa-assistance https://www.epa.gov/grants/best-practice-guide-procuring-services-supplies-and-equipment-under-epa-assistance

Request for Applications Page 21 of 50

IV. APPLICATION & SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. PRE-APPLICATION/APPLICATION ASSISTANCE AND COMMUNICATIONS

In accordance with EPA's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy (EPA Order 5700.5A1), EPA staff will not meet with individual applicants to discuss draft applications, provide informal comments on draft applications, or provide advice to applicants on how to respond to ranking criteria.4 Applicants are responsible for the contents of their applications/applications. However, consistent with the provisions in the announcement, EPA will respond to questions from individual applicants regarding threshold eligibility criteria, administrative issues related to the submission of the application, and requests for clarification about any of the language or provisions in the announcement. Please note that applicants should raise any questions they may have about the solicitation language to the contact identified in Section VII as soon as possible so that any questions about the solicitation language may be resolved prior to submitting an application. In addition, if necessary, EPA may clarify threshold eligibility issues with applicants prior to making an eligibility determination.

B. PARTNERSHIPS, CONTRACTORS, AND SUBAWARDS

EPA awards funds to one eligible applicant as the recipient even if other eligible applicants are named as partners or co-applicants or members of a coalition or consortium. The recipient is accountable to EPA for the proper expenditure of funds.

Funding may be used to provide subawards of financial assistance, which includes using subawards to fund partnerships, provided the recipient complies with applicable requirements for subawards including those contained in 2 CFR Part 200 and EPA's Subaward Policy. EPA has also posted Additional Resources on Subawards for applicants to consult.

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. Applicants are not required to identify subrecipients and/or contractors (including consultants) in their application. However, if they do, the fact that an applicant selected for award has named a specific subrecipient, contractor, or consultant in the application EPA selects for funding does not relieve the applicant of its obligations to comply with subaward and/or competitive procurement requirements as appropriate. Please note that applicants may not award sole source contracts to consulting, engineering or other firms assisting applicants with the application solely based on the firm's role in preparing the application.