EPA-R5-GL2024-IADN-Amended_03-27-2024.pdf

EPA GREAT LAKES NATIONAL PROGRAM OFFICE

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative 2024 Request for Applications

Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network

SUMMARY

FEDERAL AGENCY NAME: Environmental Protection Agency FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE: Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Request for Applications – Amended

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: EPA-R5-GL2024-IADN

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 66.469

KEY DATES:

March 6, 2024 Request for Applications (RFA) posted May 6, 2024 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

June 2024 EPA will begin notifying finalist June 2024 EPA will begin making official award https://www.grants.gov/

Request for Applications Page 2 of 49 Amended Version Date: March 27, 2024

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

AANAPISIs Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions AOR Authorized Organization Representative CDX Central Data Exchange CFR Code of Federal Regulations CMC Chemicals of Mutual Concern EBiz e-Business ECCC Environment and Climate Change Canada EPA Environmental Protection Agency FTE Full Time Equivalent FY Fiscal Year GLENDA Great Lakes Environmental Database GLNPO Great Lakes National Program Office GLRI Great Lakes Restoration Initiative GLWQA Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement HSI Hispanic-Serving Institutions HUC Hydrologic Unit Code IADN Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network IDC Indirect Cost LOS Letters of Support MSI Minority Serving Institution PAHs Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons PBDEs Polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants PBI Predominantly Black Institution PFAS Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances Q&A Question & Answer QAPP Quality Assurance Project Plan RFA Request for Applications SAM System for Award Management SF Standard Form SOGL State of the Great Lakes Report STEM Science, technology, engineering, and math SOP Standard Operating Procedure TCU Tribal Colleges and Universities UEI Unique Entity ID UTF Unicode Transformation Format

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Application Information

II. Award Information

III. Eligibility Information

IV. Application & Submission Information

V. Application Review and Selection

VI. Award Administration

VII. Agency Contacts

Appendix I – Analytes and Meteorological Parameters to be Analyzed

Appendix II – Budget Information

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I. APPLICATION INFORMATION

A. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY BACKGROUND

The Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network (IADN) was established in 1990 as a binational monitoring network between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), in response to scientific evidence that demonstrated that input from the atmosphere is a significant source of many persistent toxic chemicals to the Great Lakes. Since 1990, IADN has monitored persistent toxic chemicals in vapor, particulates, and precipitation at both urban and rural sites across the Great Lakes basin. Master stations are in rural areas on four of the Great Lakes (Eagle Harbor, MI; Sleeping Bear Dunes, MI; Sturgeon Point, NY; ECCC Station: Point Petre, ON) to characterize the background basin-wide trends of persistent toxic chemical loadings to the lakes. Satellite stations are also located in two urban areas (Chicago, IL and Cleveland, OH) to better understand the contribution of large urban areas to persistent toxic chemical loadings to the Great Lakes. All stations are operated by EPA, except for Point Petre which is operated by ECCC.

Funding for IADN is provided by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI or “Initiative”).

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.

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 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 (GLWQA).1

B. PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

This Request for Applications (RFA) solicits applications from eligible entities for a cooperative agreement to be awarded pursuant to the statutory authority referenced above and the GLRI Action Plan III. Under this competition, up to $7,200,000 may be awarded for one cooperative agreement over an approximate six-year period. Applications must specify a start date of August 1, 2024, and must specify an end date for the cooperative agreement no later than November 30, 2030, that allows for the completion of analysis and final data reporting for samples collected from November 1, 2024, through December 31, 2029. Funds are contingent on the quality of applications received, funding availability, future appropriations, satisfactory performance of

1 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/great-lakes-monitoring/integrated-atmospheric-deposition-network https://glri.us/ https://www.epa.gov/glwqa https://www.epa.gov/glwqa https://www.epa.gov/glwqa https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-10/documents/glri-action-plan-3-201910-30pp.pdf

Request for Applications Page 5 of 49 work, and other applicable considerations. The assistance listing that applies to this RFA is

66.469. Funding each year is not guaranteed. The application must include a budget narrative and a detailed workplan for the entire period of performance. The budget narrative should include an annualized budget covering each year of the project.

This cooperative agreement stimulates and supports research and the development of data and information and furthermore achieves the public purpose of informing the public about the status and trends of atmospheric deposition of persistent toxic chemicals into the Great Lakes. The intended beneficiaries of IADN are researchers and others interested in the status and trends of chemicals in the Great Lakes and all those who live, recreate, or work within the Great Lakes basin. There will be substantial involvement between the EPA’s Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) and the awardee to develop and refine appropriate methods to achieve the goals of the program.

All projects will be evaluated as described in Section V.

C. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

Applicants must propose plans to conduct activities in support of IADN program goals listed below and must also include other activities associated with conducting new and emerging chemical surveillance and special studies. The following provides a brief description of the goals and objectives that applicants must address when proposing project activities.

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

• Annually monitor atmospheric deposition of persistent toxic chemicals (in vapor, particulates and precipitation) to the Great Lakes;

• Assess atmospheric loadings and trends (both spatial and temporal) of persistent toxic chemicals to the Great Lakes;

• Identification of new or emerging chemical threats to the Great Lakes;

• Reporting of results to support Great Lakes ecosystem assessments.

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

Sample Collection and Station Operation

Applicants must demonstrate their plans to collect vapor, particulates, and precipitation samples and perform meteorological measurements at the five U.S. IADN stations (Eagle Harbor, MI;

Sleeping Bear Dunes, MI; Sturgeon Point, NY; Chicago, IL; and Cleveland, OH). This includes operation of sampling stations and equipment, review and optimization of field sampling methods as appropriate; preparation and shipping of sampling supplies and samples;

Request for Applications Page 6 of 49 maintenance and calibration of the sampling equipment; maintenance and calibration of meteorological equipment and archiving of meteorological data; and to maintain the overall site per the lease agreement with property owners (grounds, platform, fence, power supply, etc.).

Applicants must propose a plan for IADN station operations, which include sample preparation, collection, and shipping, as well as minor equipment maintenance. The current IADN grantee contracts local site operators for station operations, but other plans to perform station operations will be considered. Current IADN grantee standard operating procedures (SOPs) specify air samples are collected for 24 hours every 12 days using a modified high-volume air sampler with XAD-2 resin cartridges and quartz fiber filters. Precipitation samples are collected once a month using an automated wet-only MIC sampler and XAD-2 resin. Separate modified MIC samplers are used for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and samples are collected biweekly.

Meteorological measurements (wind speed, wind direction, air temperature, barometric pressure, relative humidity, and solar radiation) are made on a tower at each site, recorded on a data logger and transferred remotely. All sampling equipment at U.S. IADN stations is owned by EPA and available for use by the awardee under this request. Please see the sampling methods SOP developed by the current IADN grantee, which can be accessed at the IADN RFA website.

Applications must specify an award start date of August 1, 2024, and must specify an award end date for the cooperative agreement no later than November 30, 2030. Applicants must demonstrate their plans to begin IADN station operations, including sample collection, beginning November 1, 2024, and ending on December 31, 2029. Applicants may suggest modifications to current IADN sampling procedures with supporting rationale.

Sample Analysis

For the five U.S. IADN stations, applicants must demonstrate their plans to analyze all collected vapor, particulates, and precipitation samples for persistent toxic chemicals currently on the IADN analyte list, including six groups of organic compounds in air and precipitation samples:

84 individual PCB congeners, 21 chlorinated pesticides, 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 20 polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants (PBDEs), 11 other flame retardants, and 24 PFAS. A list of required analytes to be analyzed is in Appendix I. Applicants may suggest modifications to the list of analytes if accompanied by a supporting rationale and demonstration that data will remain consistent and comparable to historic datasets.

Applicants must demonstrate their plans to analyze 12 precipitation samples per year and 10 vapor and particulates samples per year from the Point Petre station in Canada, which is operated by ECCC. These samples are collected and shipped by ECCC to the IADN awardee for analysis and are used for interlaboratory comparisons, ensuring US and Canadian data are comparable.

Applicants must detail all analytical methodologies they will employ to measure persistent toxic chemicals in collected samples. Applicants must identify all analytical equipment they intend to use to analyze samples, provide rationale for analysis methods, and be able to demonstrate how https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/2024-request-applications-integrated-atmospheric-deposition-network

Request for Applications Page 7 of 49 methods will still ensure comparability and consistency with historic datasets. The awardee will need to conduct a performance evaluation through the analysis of a standard reference and archived extracts provided by EPA prior to analyzing any environmental samples. Applicants must also demonstrate how they will store and archive sample extracts for the duration of the six-year agreement.

Please see the analytical method SOPs developed by the current IADN grantee, which can be accessed at the IADN RFA website. The current IADN grantee SOPs specify that organic compounds are removed from the quartz fiber filters and XAD-2 absorbent media via separate Soxhlet extraction using 1:1 acetone/hexane. The extracts are then concentrated, fractionated, and cleaned up. Each fraction is spiked with internal standards for quantitation of analytes.

Surrogate recovery standards are also used to estimate recovery efficiency of each compound in each sample.

Data Management and Quality Assurance

Applicants must demonstrate their plans to manage all data generated from sample collection and analysis and submit data to EPA in electronic format. With large quantities of data being generated, a comprehensive and efficient data management system is necessary. Applicants must demonstrate how they will submit quality-assured analytical results of analytes within 11 months of the end of the sampling calendar year to EPA (i.e., submit all data collected in calendar year 2025 by December 1, 2026). Once data are reviewed and approved by EPA, they will be made publicly available on the Great Lakes Environmental Database (GLENDA) via EPA’s Central Data Exchange (CDX) reporting site.

Applicants must demonstrate how they will develop, implement, and maintain a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP). The QAPP details project organization and responsibility, sampling procedures, sample custody, analytical procedures, data reduction, validation, internal quality control checks and preventative maintenance. Applicants must discuss their plans for ensuring the continuity and consistency of IADN measurements through reproducible quality assurance and quality control samples (e.g., field and laboratory duplicates, field and laboratory blanks, and matrix spikes). Please see Specifications for Non-EPA Organizations for more information.

Data Interpretation, Statistical Analysis, and Report Writing

Applicants must describe their plans to ensure that the monitoring and assessment information generated is made available to the Great Lakes community in a wide variety of formats, including peer-reviewed journals, scientific conference presentations, etc. Applicants must demonstrate how they will work with the EPA Technical Lead to integrate recent and historical data to provide interpretation of status and trends of persistent toxic chemicals in vapor, particulates, and precipitation, and contribute to EPA technical reports and the triannual State of the Great Lakes (SOGL) Report.

https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/2024-request-applications-integrated-atmospheric-deposition-network https://www.epa.gov/quality/specifications-non-epa-organizations https://binational.net/2022/07/29/sogl-edgl-2022/ https://binational.net/2022/07/29/sogl-edgl-2022/

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New and Emerging Chemical Surveillance and Special Studies

Applicants must propose plans for identifying and assessing new and emerging chemicals of concern. Applicants must also discuss how additional special studies and/or enhancements to the long-term monitoring program will be implemented. Surveillance and special study activities could include but are not limited to: targeted and non-targeted screening for new chemicals;

emerging chemicals research; analysis of persistent toxic chemicals from additional sites.

Applicants must discuss how these activities contribute to the goals and objectives of IADN, the GLRI and the GLWQA.

Measuring PFAS in atmospheric deposition is a focus for IADN. Currently, IADN measures PFAS in precipitation, as it has been shown to be the main component of atmospheric PFAS loadings. However, PFAS in particulates and vapor are not negligible. As a special study, applicants must propose plans and methods to monitor PFAS in particulates and vapor.

D. 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 GLWQA. 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 Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. Awards made under this solicitation will support Goal 5, “Ensure Clean and Safe Water for all Communities, (Provide clean and safe water for all communities and protect our nation’s waterbodies from degradation) 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). This cooperative agreement stimulates and supports research and the development of data and information and furthermore achieves the public purpose of informing the public about the status and trends of atmospheric 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

Request for Applications Page 9 of 49 deposition of persistent toxic chemicals into the Great Lakes. The intended beneficiaries of IADN are researchers and others interested in the status and trends of chemicals in the Great Lakes and all those who live, recreate, or work within the Great Lakes basin. All applications must be for projects that support the goals and objectives identified above.

E. 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 and EPA’s FY2022-2026 Strategic Plan 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 persistent toxic chemicals in Great Lakes air and precipitation samples, with attention to continuity and consistency of those measurements.

• Evaluation of the spatial and temporal trends of persistent toxic chemicals.

• Estimation of the atmospheric loadings of persistent toxic chemicals and select chemicals of mutual concern (CMCs) to the Great Lakes.

• Surveillance of new emerging chemical threats to the Great Lakes.

• Development of Great Lakes scientists through the education of graduate and undergraduate students in Great Lakes ecosystem science and environmental chemistry.

• Delivery of quality assured data to EPA in appropriate timeframes.

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

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• Coauthor the Toxic Chemicals in Air sub-indicator report for the 2025 and 2028 State of the Great Lakes reports.

• Dissemination of results via peer-reviewed journal articles and other media.

OUTCOMES SHOULD INCLUDE:

• Increased understanding of the spatial and temporal trends of atmospheric deposition of persistent toxic chemicals to the Great Lakes.

• Increased understanding of the sources and loadings of persistent toxic chemicals delivered to the Great Lakes via air deposition.

• Increased understanding of the impacts of persistent toxic chemical reduction strategies.

• Increased understanding of emerging toxic chemicals in the Great Lakes.

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 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/

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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.

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.

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 https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses

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II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AVAILABLE FUNDING AND PROJECT PERIODS AVAILABILITY

Up to $7,200,000 in EPA funding is expected to be awarded under this RFA for one project. The maximum award for this award is $7,200,000. Applications seeking more than $7,200,000 of EPA funding will be rejected. Under this competition, up to $7,200,000 may be awarded for one cooperative agreement over an approximate six-year period. This RFA instructs applicants to submit all documentation required for a full and complete funding package so that their project could, if selected, proceed expeditiously. Applications must specify a start date of August 1, 2024, and must specify an end date for the cooperative agreement no later than November 30, 2030, that allows for the completion of analysis and final data reporting for samples collected from November 1, 2024, through December 31, 2029.

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 six 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, EPA Technical Lead, and the selected applicant 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:

1. Close monitoring of the successful applicant’s performance to verify the results proposed by the applicant;

2. Collaboration during performance of the scope of work;

3. In accordance with 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 200.317 and 2 CFR §

200.318, review of proposed procurement;

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4. Approving qualifications of key personnel (EPA will not select employees or contractors employed by the award recipient); and

5. 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, future appropriations, satisfactory performance of work, and other applicable considerations.

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

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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 time of application submission will result in rejection of the application from consideration for funding. Only applications from eligible applicants (see Section III.A) that meet all of these criteria will be evaluated against the ranking criteria in Section V of this RFA. If necessary, EPA may contact applicants to clarify threshold eligibility questions prior to making an eligibility determination. Applications 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.

1.

a. Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section IV of this solicitation or else they will be rejected. However, where a page limit is expressed in Section IV with respect to the application, or parts thereof, pages in excess of the page limitation will not be reviewed. Applicants are advised that readability is of paramount importance and should take precedence in application format, including selecting a legible font type and size for use in the application.

b. In addition, initial applications must be submitted through Grants.gov as stated in Section IV of this solicitation (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 solicitation. Applicants are responsible for following the submission instructions in Section IV of this solicitation to ensure that their application is timely submitted. Please note that applicants experiencing technical issues with submitting through Grants.gov should follow the instructions provided in Section IV, which include both the requirement to contact Grants.gov and email a full application to EPA prior to the deadline.

https://grants.gov/

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c. Applications submitted outside of Grants.gov will be deemed ineligible without further consideration unless the applicant can clearly demonstrate that it was due to EPA mishandling or technical problems associated with Grants.gov or SAM.gov. 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 submission outside of Grants.gov.

2. 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.

3. Applications must specify a start date of August 1, 2024, and must specify an end date for the cooperative agreement no later than November 30, 2030, that allows for the completion of analysis and final data reporting for samples collected from November 1, 2024, through December 31, 2029.

4. The application must include a budget narrative and a detailed workplan for the entire period of performance.

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

6. 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. A quantification of persistent toxic chemicals in Great Lakes air and precipitation samples, with attention to continuity and consistency to retain comparability and continuity with historical IADN data.

b. An evaluation of the spatial and temporal trends of persistent toxic chemicals.

c. Co-author SOGL Toxic Chemicals in Air sub-indicator; an estimate of the atmospheric loadings of persistent toxic chemicals and select CMCs to the Great Lakes.

d. Surveillance of potential new and emerging chemical threats to the Great Lakes.

e. Development of Great Lakes scientists through the education of graduate and undergraduate students in Great Lakes ecosystem science and environmental chemistry.

f. Delivering quality assured data to EPA in specified timeframes.

g. Dissemination of results via peer-reviewed journal articles, scientific presentations, and other media.

https://sam.gov/content/home https://grants.gov/ https://sam.gov/content/home https://www.glri.us/action-plan

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7. Applications seeking funding in excess of $7,200,000 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.

C. 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.

D. MATCH OR COST-SHARE

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

E. 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.

F. 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.

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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.

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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.2 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. For

2 In accordance with EPA’s Assistance Agreement Competition Policy, EPA Order 5700.5A1 and EPA Solicitation Clauses.

https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl https://www.epa.gov/grants/grants-policy-issuance-gpi-16-01-epa-subaward-policy-epa-assistance-agreement-recipients https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-subaward-policy-additional-resources https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57005a1-epas-policy-competition-assistance-agreements

Request for Applications Page 19 of 49 additional guidance applicants should review EPA’s Best Practice Guide for Procuring Services, Supplies, and Equipment Under EPA Assistance Agreements.

Successful applicants cannot use subawards to avoid requirements in EPA grant regulations for competitive procurement by using these instruments to acquire commercial services or products from for-profit organizations to carry out its assistance agreement. The nature of the transaction between the recipient and the subrecipient must be consistent with the standards for distinguishing between vendor transactions and subrecipient assistance found at 2 CFR 200.331, the definitions of Subaward and Subrecipient at 2 CFR 200.1, and Appendix A to EPA’s Subaward Policy. EPA will not be a party to these transactions. Applicants acquiring commercial goods or services must comply with the competitive procurement requirements in 2 CFR

200.319 and 2 CFR 200.320 and cannot use a subaward as the funding mechanism.

Section V of the announcement describes the evaluation criteria and evaluation process that will be used by EPA to make selections under this announcement. During this evaluation, except for those criteria that relate to the applicant's own qualifications, past performance, and reporting history, the review panel will consider, as appropriate and relevant, the qualifications, expertise, and experience of:

1. an applicant's named subrecipients identified in the application if the applicant demonstrates in the application that if it receives an award that the subaward will be properly awarded consistent with the applicable regulations in 2 CFR Part 200. For example, applicants must not use subawards to obtain commercial services or products from for profit firms or individual consultants.

2. an applicant's named contractor(s), including consultants, identified in the application if the applicant demonstrates in its application that the contractor(s) was selected in compliance with the competitive procurement requirements in 2 CFR 200.319 and 2 CFR 200.320. For example, an applicant must demonstrate that it selected the contractor(s) competitively or that a proper non-competitive sole-source award consistent with the regulations will be made to the contractor(s), that efforts were made to provide small and disadvantaged businesses with opportunities to compete as provided in 40 CFR 33.301, and that some form of cost or price analysis was conducted. EPA may not accept sole source justifications for contracts for services or products that are otherwise readily available in the commercial marketplace.

EPA will not consider the qualifications, experience, and expertise of named subrecipients and/or named contractor(s) during the application evaluation process unless the applicant complies with these requirements. For additional guidance applicants should review EPA’s Best Practice Guide for Procuring Services, Supplies, and Equipment Under EPA Assistance Agreements.

https://www.epa.gov/grants/best-practice-guide-procuring-services-supplies-and-equipment-under-epa-assistance-agreements https://www.epa.gov/grants/best-practice-guide-procuring-services-supplies-and-equipment-under-epa-assistance-agreements https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=849f11008f0395fe5f4a6ce34b8fb9b3&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1331&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=671b6ccae06f240e83b20e48eefffade&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_11&rgn=div8 https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-11/documents/gpi-16-01-subaward-policy_app-a.pdf https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-11/documents/gpi-16-01-subaward-policy_app-a.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fdd6babfe72be071aeeb9deaeb49d7db&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1319&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fdd6babfe72be071aeeb9deaeb49d7db&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1319&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=fdd6babfe72be071aeeb9deaeb49d7db&mc=true&r=SECTION&n=se2.1.200_1320 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=fdd6babfe72be071aeeb9deaeb49d7db&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1319&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=fdd6babfe72be071aeeb9deaeb49d7db&mc=true&r=SECTION&n=se2.1.200_1320 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=fdd6babfe72be071aeeb9deaeb49d7db&mc=true&r=SECTION&n=se2.1.200_1320 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=54fb39be3de53a0a97f5e72e4e4173cb&mc=true&node=se40.1.33_1301&rgn=div8 https://www.epa.gov/grants/best-practice-guide-procuring-services-supplies-and-equipment-under-epa-assistance-agreements https://www.epa.gov/grants/best-practice-guide-procuring-services-supplies-and-equipment-under-epa-assistance-agreements

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C. GRANTS.GOV INSTRUCTIONS

REQUIREMENT TO SUBMIT THROUGH GRANTS.GOV AND LIMITED EXCEPTION PROCEDURES

Applicants must apply electronically through Grants.gov under this funding opportunity based on the grants.gov instructions in this announcement. If your organization has no access to the internet or access is very limited, you may request an exception for the remainder of this calendar year by following the procedures outlined here. Please note that your request must be received at least 15 calendar days before the application due date to allow enough time to negotiate alternative submission methods. Issues with submissions with respect to this opportunity only are addressed in section D, Technical Issues with Submission, below.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

1. SAM.gov (System for Award Management) Registration Instructions Organizations applying to this funding opportunity must have an active SAM.gov registration. If you have never done business with the Federal Government, you will need to register your organization in SAM.gov. If you do not have a SAM.gov account, then you will create an account using login.gov to complete your SAM.gov registration.

SAM.gov registration is FREE. The process for entity registrations includes obtaining Unique Entity ID (UEI), a 12-character alphanumeric ID assigned an entity by SAM.gov, and requires assertions, representations and certifications, and other information about your organization. Please review the Entity Registration Checklist for details on this process.

If you have done business with the Federal Government previously, you can check your entity status using your government issued UEI to determine if your registration is active.

SAM.gov requires you renew your registration every 365 days to keep it active.

Please note that SAM.gov registration is different than obtaining a UEI only. Obtaining an UEI only validates your organization's legal business name and address. Please review the Frequently Asked Question on the difference for additional details.

Organizations should ensure that their SAM.gov registration includes a current e- Business (EBiz) point of contact name and email address. The EBiz point of contact is critical for Grants.gov Registration and system functionality.

Contact the Federal Service Desk for help with your SAM.gov account, to resolve technical issues or chat with a help desk agent: (866) 606-8220. The Federal Service desk hours of operation are Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm ET.

2. Grants.gov Registration Instructions https://www.epa.gov/grants/exceptions-grantsgov-submission-requirement https://sam.gov/content/home https://login.gov/ https://www.fsd.gov/sys_attachment.do?sys_id=51a2fa061b0bcd500ca4a97ae54bcb18 https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0051214&sys_kb_id=dd40f4ef1b9641d0937fa64ce54bcb7a&spa=1 https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp

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Once your SAM.gov account is active, you must register in Grants.gov. Grants.gov will electronically receive your organization information, such as e-Business (EBiz) point of contact email address and UEI. Organizations applying to this funding opportunity must have an active Grants.gov registration. Grants.gov registration is FREE. If you have never applied for a federal grant before, please review the Grants.gov Applicant Registration instructions.