EPA-R5-GL2025-CWMP.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Applications Due: Friday, March 14, 2025

Great Lakes National Program Office

Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Monitoring Program

Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-R5-GL2025-CWMP i

Contents

1. Basic Information

A. Executive Summary:

B. Key Information:

C. Key Dates:

D. Funding Details:

E. Agency Contact Information:

F. Other Funding Considerations

2. Eligibility

A. Eligible Applicants

(1) Other Eligibility Requirements

B. Cost Sharing

3. Program Description

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

4. Application Contents and Format

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

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

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

6. Application Review Information

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

(1) Other Evaluation Factors

D. Risk Review

7. Award Notices

8. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

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

9. Other Information

A. Additional Provisions for Applicants

1. Basic Information U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Great Lakes National Program Office

Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Monitoring Program, 2025 Funding Opportunity

A. Executive Summary:

The Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Monitoring Program (GLCWMP) helps EPA satisfy statutory requirements under section 118 of the Clean Water Act to establish a Great Lakes system-wide surveillance network to monitor the water quality of the Great Lakes, with a special emphasis on the monitoring and reporting on the health of the coastal wetlands in each of the five Great Lakes. The GLCWMP uses a comprehensive approach to sample and assess all major coastal wetlands throughout the Great Lakes Basin using standardized procedures. Monitoring of all coastal wetlands is logistically impractical and cost prohibitive, so the GLCWMP strategically monitors wetlands that are greater than 4 hectares (about 10 acres) in area and have a surface water connection to one of the Great Lakes or their connecting rivers. A total of 1,014 coastal wetlands meets these criteria and are sampled at least once every five years under a rotating schedule where approximately 200 wetlands are sampled each year. Monitoring of birds, amphibians, fish, macroinvertebrates and plant communities, and water quality occurs at a subset of the Great Lakes coastal wetland sites annually.

The data collected at these sites are used to inform indicators and indices to assess the status and trends of Great Lakes coastal wetland conditions. Since the GLCWMP began in 2011, over 1,000 wetland sites representing over 400,000 acres of coastal wetland habitat have been monitored. All of the coastal wetlands that have been sampled for this effort can be viewed at: https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-monitoring/how-cwmp-data-are-being-used. Information on the GLCWMP protocols can be viewed at:

https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-monitoring. The targeted audience for this funding announcement is entities that are capable of conducting coastal wetlands field sampling and analyses of coastal wetland condition in support of GLWQMP established metrics. EPA is seeking applications for funding to support the Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Monitoring Program (GLCWMP) activities. The GLCWMP was established to monitor and report on the health of coastal wetlands in each of the five Great Lakes. The GLCWMP helps satisfy statutory requirements to establish a Great Lakes system-wide surveillance network to monitor the water quality of the Great Lakes.

Great Lakes coastal wetlands are important ecosystems that provide habitat for diverse plant and animal communities, ecological functions, and opportunities for recreation. Despite their importance, more than 50% of these wetlands have been destroyed or degraded over the past century. Currently, approximately 500,000 acres of coastal wetlands exist in the Great Lakes and

B. Key Information:

Opportunity Number:

EPA-R5-GL2025-CWMP

Assistance Listing:

66.469

Announcement Type:

Initial

Funding Available:

$12,000,000

Number of Awards:

1 Cooperative Agreement https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-monitoring/how-cwmp-data-are-being-used https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-monitoring/how-cwmp-data-are-being-used https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-monitoring assessing the overall quality of these remaining coastal wetland habitats is of high importance.

To assess the status of Great Lakes coastal wetlands and inform restoration and protection efforts, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) supports the GLCWMP.

C. Key Dates:

March 14, 2025 11:59 pm ET Application Submission Deadline

March 14, 2025 10:59 pm CT Application Submission Deadline (Local Time)

June 2025 Anticipated Notification of Selection

June 2025 Anticipated Award Notification

D. Funding Details:

It is anticipated that up to 1 award(s) will be made under this announcement. Awards are expected to be $12,000,000, depending on Agency funding levels, the quality of applications received, agency priorities, and other applicable considerations. Awards funded under this opportunity are expected to have an approximate 6-year project period.

E. Agency Contact Information:

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

Technical Contact: Matt Pawlowski; GLRI-RFA@epa.gov

Eligibility Contact: Stephanie Davis; GLRI-RFA@epa.gov

Administrative Contact: Stephanie Davis; GLRI-RFA@epa.gov

F. Other Funding Considerations

Up to $12,000,000 may be awarded under this NOFO over approximately six years, consisting of incremental funding in an amount commensurate with the applicant’s project funding needs and availability of federal appropriations, contingent on the quality of applications received, funding availability, future appropriations, satisfactory performance of work, and other applicable considerations. 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. Applications should specify a start date of September 30, 2025, and should specify an end date for the cooperative agreement of no later than September 30, 2031, that all ows for the completion of analysis and final data reporting for all samples from 2026 through 2030.

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

• Indian Tribe.

• State & Local Governments.

• Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs).

• Nonprofit organizations.

Qualified non-federal entities eligible to apply 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. Non-profit organization means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization which: (1) is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purposes in the public interest; (2) is not organized primarily for profit; and (3) uses its net proceeds to maintain, improve, and/or expand its operations. Non-profit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible applicants. "For profit" organizations, federal agencies, and individuals are not eligible applicants.

(1) Other Eligibility Requirements

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

1. Applications must address all program activities listed in Section 3.

2. Applications must not request more than $12,000,000.

3. Applicants may only submit 1 application under this opportunity. Applicants that submit more than 1 application will be contacted to determine which application to evaluate. The remaining application(s) will be deemed ineligible.

4. Applications must address all outputs and outcomes.

Please see Section 6 for additional threshold criteria.

To be eligible under this request, applicants must demonstrate how they will:

1. Collect and analyze coastal wetland data from all GLCWMP stations for 2026-2030 field years to generate estimates of coastal wetland condition based on indicators for fish, birds, anurans, invertebrates, and vegetation (e.g., Indices of Biotic Integrity (IBIs), Indices of Biotic Condition (IBCs)).

2. Demonstrate the ability to perform analyses to retain comparability and continuity with historical GLCWMP data. Historical GLCWMP data are available from EPA upon request.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Indian%20Tribe) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(State) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Local%20government) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Institution%20of%20Higher%20Education%20(IHE)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Nonprofit%20organization)

B. Cost Sharing Cost sharing is not a requirement to be eligible to apply to this funding opportunity. Please note only Federal funds should be listed on the SF-424, SF-424A, and Budget Detail.

3. Program Description A. Purpose, Priorities, and Activities

Program Purpose

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Monitoring Program (GLCWMP) is a long-term monitoring program that supports:

1) EPA’s continued assessment of coastal wetland conditions summarized by lake, year, and by the three coastal wetland types (i.e., riverine, lacustrine, barrier) using coastal wetland indicators (see Program Activities section below)

2) EPA’s assessment of trends associated with the established SOGL coastal wetland indicators;

and

3) EPA’s commitment to monitor the Great Lakes ecosystem to better understand the outcomes of wetland restoration and protection and to understand the impacts of existing and emerging threats.

Program Activities

Applicants must propose plans to conduct activities in support of the GLCWMP program goals and objectives listed below and may also include other activities associated with conducting monitoring, assessments, 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:

• Utilize a comprehensive approach to sample and assess all major coastal wetlands throughout the Great Lakes Basin using standardized procedures at a subset of the Great Lakes coastal wetland sites;

• Assess the status and trends of Great Lakes coastal wetland conditions via monitoring of birds, amphibians, fish, macroinvertebrates and plant communities, and water quality at coastal wetland sites;

• Identify new emerging threats to Great Lakes coastal wetlands; and

• Report results to support Great Lakes ecosystem assessments and inform Great Lakes wetland restoration and protection.

Applicants must address each of the objectives in accordance with requirements described below and in Section 6:

Study Design

Applicants must describe the process by which the applicant will implement a monitoring and assessment approach as well as any needed supplementary data collection.

a. Monitoring Approach to Maximize Coastal Wetland Characterization and Maintain Historical Data Continuity

Applicants must propose a basin-scale sampling design that allows for the greatest incorporation of individual coastal wetland sites and types into a monitoring approach that uses plant and animal indicators such as Indices of Biotic Integrity (IBIs) and/or Indices of Biotic Condition (IBCs) to assess status and trends of Great Lakes coastal wetlands by lake, year, and wetland type.

Applications must demonstrate the capability and intent to use and/or modify the existing coastal wetland monitoring sampling design, protocols, and analytical methods to maintain continuity between the historical data and new data to be collected. Current monitoring protocols and analytical methodology can be viewed at: https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-monitoring/about-great-lakes-coastal-wetland-monitoring-program-cwmp. Applications that do not demonstrate how they will ensure continuity and comparability of sampling and analytical methods with historic GLCWMP data will be rejected.

b. Special Studies and Applied Research

Applicants will be evaluated on the quality of proposed monitoring activities that supplement the monitoring program with additional monitoring sites and/or applied research. Sampling of additional sites might include sites being considered for (or are currently undergoing) restoration and/or protection activities by federal, state, or local agencies. Special studies and applied research should support the testing of new protocols important to understanding the quality and impacts of coastal wetlands restoration, refinements to existing monitoring or analytical protocols, or studies that fill critical knowledge gaps about the health of Great Lakes coastal wetlands. Applicants must describe how additional special studies and/or enhancements to the long-term monitoring program will be implemented. Special Studies should not conflict with the completion of sampling for Study Design component (a.) (see above). Special studies and applied research activities are not required for a successful application; however, applicants may score higher in the Study Design criteria to the extent they demonstrate an appropriate rationale and workplan for the proposed additional research.

Data Management and Quality Assurance

Applicants must demonstrate their plans to manage all data generated from sample 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 complete datasets within 12 months of sample collection to EPA (i.e., submit all data from samples received by April 30, 2025, by April 30, 2026). EPA will review and verify submitted data and applicants must address any data verification findings. After EPA approves the data, they will be made publicly available on the Great Lakes Environmental Database (GLENDA) via EPA’s Central Data Exchange (CDX) reporting site.

Applicants should demonstrate how they will develop, implement, and maintain a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP). The QAPP details project organization and responsibility, sample custody, analytical https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-monitoring/about-great-lakes-coastal-wetland-monitoring-program-cwmp https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-monitoring/about-great-lakes-coastal-wetland-monitoring-program-cwmp standard operating procedures, data reduction, validation, internal quality control checks, and preventative maintenance. Applicants must discuss their plans for ensuring the continuity and consistency of GLCWMP measurements through reproducible quality assurance and quality control samples (e.g., field and laboratory duplicates). Please see Quality Assurance Resources for GLRI Grantees for more information.

Data Interpretation, Statistical Analysis, and Report Writing

Applicants should 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 Great Lakes coastal wetland condition in and contribute to EPA technical reports and the State of the Great Lakes (SOGL) 2028 and 2031 reports.

Collaboration

Applications must demonstrate how their approach to performing the project will promote collaborative efforts and generate support from other partners or environmental monitoring programs. Applicants should list the proposed partners that will be involved in the project and any related projects and studies, and what each of the partners’ roles will be in the project’s staffing, funding, design, and implementation. Any letters demonstrating evidence of collaboration and support should be attached as part of the Application Materials listed in Section 4. If applicants intend to provide EPA funds to any collaborating organization, they should carefully review provisions on “contracts and subawards” here.

Results

Applicants are required to describe how funding will help EPA achieve outputs and outcomes in their responses to the criteria in Section 6. Outputs and outcomes specific to each project will be identified as deliverables in the negotiated workplan if the application is selected for award. Recipients will be expected to report progress toward the attainment of expected project outputs and outcomes during the project performance period. Outputs and outcomes are defined as follows:

• Outputs are an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product related to an environmental goal or objective that will be produced or provided over time or by a specified date. Outputs may be quantitative or qualitative but must be measurable during the project period. The expected outputs for the cooperative agreement awarded under these guidelines must include all the following, and must link to applicable GLRI Action Plan IV Measure(s) of Progress:

o A quantification of Great Lakes coastal wetland quality with attention to continuity and consistency of those measurements with previous protocols, so that trend data are not biased by changes in program operations or personnel;

https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/quality-assurance-resources-great-lakes-restoration-initiative-grantees o An evaluation of the spatial and temporal trends of coastal wetland quality in the Great Lakes using both raw and summarized data by lake, year, and wetland type for each indicator;

o Sample collection, sample analysis, data management, data interpretation, statistical analysis, and report writing;

o Delivery of quality assured data to EPA by specified time frames;

o Authorship of the Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands sub-indicator reports for the 2028 and

2031 State of the Great Lakes reports;

o Dissemination of results via peer-reviewed journal articles and other media including contributions to EPA GLCWMP Technical Reports; and o Development of Great Lakes scientists through the education of graduate and undergraduate students in Great Lakes ecosystem science.

• Outcomes are the result, effect, or consequence that will occur from carrying out the activities under the cooperative agreement. Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic; must be qualitative or quantitative; and may not necessarily be achievable during the project period. EPA anticipates the outcomes from the project awarded under this announcement should be quantifiable to the maximum extent practicable will include, at minimum:

o Increased understanding of structure and function of Great Lakes coastal wetlands across a gradient of geographies and human impacts including degradation and restoration; and o Development of innovative and efficient sampling methods to assess Great Lakes coastal wetland condition.

B. Program Goals and Objectives The activities to be funded under this funding announcement support FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan.

Awards made under this funding opportunity will support Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities, Objective 5.2: Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds of the Strategic Plan. All applications must be for projects that support the goals and objectives identified above.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity is being offered under Assistance Listing 66.469.

The GLCWMP uses a comprehensive approach to sample and assess all major coastal wetlands throughout the Great Lakes Basin using standardized procedures. Monitoring of all coastal wetlands is logistically impractical and cost prohibitive, so the GLCWMP strategically monitors wetlands that are greater than 4 hectares (about 10 acres) in area and have a surface water connection to one of the Great Lakes or their connecting rivers. A total of 1,014 coastal wetlands meets these criteria and are sampled at least once every five years under a rotating schedule where approximately 200 wetlands are sampled each year. Monitoring of birds, amphibians, fish, macroinvertebrates and plant communities, and water quality occurs at a subset of the Great Lakes coastal wetland sites annually. The data collected at these sites are used to inform indicators and indices to assess the status and trends of Great Lakes coastal https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan wetland conditions. Since the GLCWMP began in 2011, over 1,000 wetland sites representing over 400,000 acres of coastal wetland habitat have been monitored. All of the coastal wetlands that have been sampled for this effort can be viewed at: https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-monitoring/how-cwmp-data-are-being-used. Information on the GLCWMP protocols can be viewed at: https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-monitoring.

Applicants must ensure that analytical results yield data with comparable detection limits currently used by the GLCWMP to ensure comparability and continuity in data sets, however, refinement and optimization of methods are encouraged, as needed.

C. Statutory Authority 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. GLRI’s statutory authority to award cooperative agreements is contained in the Clean Water Act, Section 118(c)(7), as amended by Public Law 114-322.

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

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

• EPA review of all data generated through this agreement. All data will be made available to the public;

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

• Collaboration during performance of the scope of work, which may include technical assistance, network guidance, use of the EPA facilities as appropriate, provision of historic data, and quantification and reporting of results;

• In accordance with 2 CFR 200.317 and/or 2 CFR 200.318, review of proposed procurement;

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

• Review and comment on reports prepared under the cooperative agreement.

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

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

Mandatory Documents:

• Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

• Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-monitoring/how-cwmp-data-are-being-used https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-monitoring/how-cwmp-data-are-being-used https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-monitoring https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.317 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.318

• EPA Key Contacts Form 5700-54

• EPA Form 4700-4 Preaward Compliance Review Report

• Project Narrative Attachment Form: use this to submit your Project Narrative

Optional Documents:

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

• Budget Narrative Attachment Form. Curriculum Vitae for Principal Investigators and other staff

Narrative Proposal The narrative proposal (including the Summary Information Page, Workplan, Detailed Budget Narrative, Maps, and Charts and Figures,) must be no more than thirty single-spaced pages in length and include the items below, in the requested order. Excess pages will not be reviewed. Maps, charts, pictures, and other figures must be included in the Narrative Proposal file. They may be included within the body of the workplan or as an appendix. In either case those items will be counted toward the page limit. Maps, charts, pictures, and other figures that are submitted as a separate attachment will not be reviewed.

Narrative Proposals must be formatted for 8½” x 11” paper and should use no smaller than an 11-point Times New Roman font with 1” margins. Do not use a “double column” (aka newspaper) format.

Readability is of paramount importance. Do not include more than one application in any file. Please do not zip the file or use a zip extension for your file because it will not be accepted.

Summary Information Page

Funding Opportunity Number. The funding opportunity number is EPA-R5-GL2025-CWMP.

1. Project Title: Please limit to 60 characters. EPA reserves the right to change the project title for its administrative convenience.

2. Applicant Information: Include applicant (organization) name, address, contact person, phone number, and e-mail address. Do not include private information.

3. Proposed Funding Request: The total dollar amount requested from EPA - make sure it is within the limits specified or your application will be rejected.

4. Project Duration: Provide beginning and ending dates. For this award, the anticipated start date is [enter date] and the anticipated end date is [enter date].

5. Brief Project Description: Summarize the proposed project in 100 words or less in a clear and succinct manner using PLAIN LANGUAGE, including expected outputs, outcomes and environmental benefits resulting from implementation of the project. Include environmental KEY TERMS that could be used as search terms (e.g., water quality, coastal wetland, hectares, indicator, etc.). Do not use acronyms. Should the proposal be selected, and a grant awarded, this description may be posted to the EPA Website. EPA reserves the right to make unilateral changes to conform to posting requirements. Examples can be found here.

6. Project Location: Specify representative project locations, including latitude and longitude specifying decimal degrees available here. If the work will be done at multiple locations, specify a primary project location. Please include the reason for the location you identify if that is not self-evident.

Workplan https://www.glri.us/projects https://apply.glnpo.net/map/

The workplan for each proposed project must explicitly describe how the proposed project meets the guidelines established in Sections 1-3 of this funding opportunity (including the threshold eligibility criteria in Section 2) and should address each of the evaluation criteria set forth in Section 6. The workplan should be organized in the order and with the headings and information requested below. Details and associated point values for each section of the workplan are described in Section 6B (Review Criteria) below.

Approach o Study Design

a. Monitoring Approach to Maximize Coastal Wetland Characterization and Maintain Historical Data Continuity

b. Special Studies and Applied Research o Data Management and Quality Assurance o Data Interpretation, Statistical Analysis, and Report Writing o Collaboration

Results o Outputs o Outcomes

Programmatic Capability and Past Performance o PI’s past history of managing agreements o Institution’s past history of managing agreements o PI’s history of meeting reporting requirements o Institution’s history of meeting reporting requirements o Past project expenditure rate o Staff expertise

Budget o Detailed budget narrative o Expeditious spending and sufficient progress in the use of GLRI funds

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

Do not name a procurement contractor (including a consultant) as a “partner” or otherwise in your application unless the contractor has been selected in compliance with competitive procurement requirements. If an applicant selected for award has named a specific subrecipient, contractor, or consultant in the application, it does not relieve the applicant of its obligations to comply with subaward and/or competitive procurement requirements.

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

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d

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

C. Coalition Coverage A coalition is formed when two or more eligible applicants coordinate to submit a single application.

Coalitions must identify which single eligible organization will be the recipient of the grant and which eligible organization(s) will receive subawards from the recipient (the “pass-through entity”). The pass-through entity that administers the grant and subawards will be accountable to the EPA for proper expenditure of the funds and reporting and will be the point of contact for the coalition. Subawards must be consistent with the definition of that term in 2 CFR 200.1 and comply with the EPA’s Subaward Policy.

D. Other Program Specific Application Information Quality system documentation (i.e., quality assurance project plans or quality management plans) is required for grants involving the use or collection of environmental data. EPA must have this documentation within 90-120 days of award, and it must be approved before grantees commence activities associated with the use or collection of environmental data. Applicants should budget time and resources for developing quality system documentation. Applicants that do not do so may have to fund the quality system documentation and any necessary project changes out of their own funds.

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

A. Submission Dates and Times March 14, 2025 11:59 pm ET Application Submission Deadline

March 14, 2025 10:59 pm CT Application Submission Deadline (Local Time)

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

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

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

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

https://www.epa.gov/grants/best-practice-guide-procuring-services-supplies-and-equipment-under-epa-assistance-agreements https://www.epa.gov/grants/best-practice-guide-procuring-services-supplies-and-equipment-under-epa-assistance-agreements https://www.epa.gov/grants/grants-policy-issuance-gpi-16-01-epa-subaward-policy-epa-assistance-agreement-recipients https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-04/epa_subaward_policy_frequent_questions.pdf https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-04/epa_subaward_policy_frequent_questions.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Subaward) 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://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://iae-prd-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/pdf/entity-checklist.pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Date=20240716T221854Z&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Expires=86399&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAY3LPYEEXXDEYQVFT%2F20240716%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Signature=aeff2db6f937f3dffa035c25f7fe5b099946a2315b48f382eaf62e2e7a3717f2 https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration

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

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

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

Important tips:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Document the Grants.gov ticket/case number.

• Send an email with the EPA-R5-GL2025-CWMP in the subject line to GLRI-RFA@epa.gov before the application deadline time and date and must include the following:

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

Without this information, the EPA may not be able to consider applications submitted outside of Grants.gov. Any application submitted after the application deadline time and date deadline will be deemed ineligible and not be considered.

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

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

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://www.epa.gov/grants/how-apply-grants mailto:support@grants.gov

6. Application Review Information

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

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

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

• Initial applications must be submitted on or before the application deadline through Grants.gov or through limited circumstances as expressed in Section 5. The EPA will not evaluate applications that are not submitted on time.

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

B. Review Criteria Applicants should provide enough detail to explain how the proposed approach satisfies each of the scoring criteria detailed in the table below and in the Program Description in Section 3 of this funding opportunity.

Criteria Criteria Description Points

Technical Approach

Study Design (26 points)

Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which they:

(1) 22 points – describe what work will be done, by whom, how, and when it will be accomplished for each of the following categories:

a. Monitoring Approach to Maximize Coastal Wetland Characterization and Maintain Historical Data Continuity (16 points)

b. Special Studies and Applied Research (6 points); and

(2) 4 points – include a milestones table with significant achievements, deliverables, and date.

Data Management and Quality Assurance (16 points)

Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which they demonstrate effective plans to:

(1) 4 points – develop, implement, and maintain a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) that uses reliable and reproducible quality assurance and quality control measures (e.g., sample analysis protocols, standard operating procedures, routine quality checks of data, data verification, etc.). Please see Quality Assurance Resources for GLRI Grantees for more information;

(2) 4 points – proactively and effectively manage large datasets;

(3) 4 points – submit complete datasets to GLNPO within 12 months of sample collection year; and

(4) 4 points – retain comparability and continuity with historic GLCWMP data.

Data Interpretation, Statistical Analysis, and Report Writing (12 points) Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which they demonstrate effective plans to:

(1) 4 points – integrate recent and historical data into reports and interpret changes in Great Lakes coastal wetland condition;

4. 4 points – submit progress reports, contribute to EPA technical reports, and State of the Great Lakes reports; and

(2) 4 points – expediently provide monitoring and assessment information to Great Lakes stakeholders (local, state, and Tribal environmental managers and the scientific community) in a wide variety of formats, including journal articles, annual interpretive reports, conference presentations, and internet products.

Collaboration (4 points)

Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which they demonstrate how their approach to performing the project will promote collaborative efforts and generate support from other partners or environmental monitoring programs. Applicants should list the proposed partners that will be involved in the project and any related projects and studies, and what each of the partners’ roles will be in the project’s staffing, funding, design, and implementation. Applicants should describe the type of collaboration/support proposed, how you will ensure that it will materialize during project performance, and what role it will play in the overall project. Any letters demonstrating evidence of collaboration and support from the public or private sector should be attached as part of the Application Materials listed in Section 4.

Applicants should describe how they will coordinate activities of the project with related or complementary projects and studies. If applicants intend to provide EPA funds to any collaborating organization, they should carefully review provisions on “contracts and subawards” here.

https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/quality-assurance-resources-great-lakes-restoration-initiative-grantees https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/quality-assurance-resources-great-lakes-restoration-initiative-grantees

Results The significance of environmental outputs and outcomes the applicant expects to achieve will be considered under the evaluation criteria and must be addressed in the application.

Outputs (8 points) demonstrate:

• ability to achieve the required outputs described in Section 3;

o A quantification of status of Great Lakes coastal wetlands that maintains comparability and continuity of data collection with historical GLCWMP data.

o An evaluation of the spatial and temporal trends of Great Lakes coastal wetland conditions.

o Surveillance of new emerging threats to Great Lakes coastal wetlands.

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

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

o Support development of the Coastal Wetlands sub-indicator reports (Coastal Wetland Anurans, Coastal Wetland Birds, Coastal Wetland Fish, Coastal Wetland Invertebrates, and Coastal Wetland Plants) for the 2028 and 2031 State of the Great Lakes reports.

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

• how the outputs will be achieved;

• effective plans for tracking progress towards achieving the outputs;

• how the project outputs support the GLRI Action Plan

IV (Focus Area 5, Objective 5.2), EPA FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan (Goal 5, Objective 5.2), and 2012 GLWQA; and

• effective, innovative approaches towards achieving the outputs.

https://www.glri.us/action-plan https://www.glri.us/action-plan https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/glwqa

Outcomes (4 points) demonstrate:

• ability to achieve the required outcomes described in Section 3;

o Increased understanding of structure and function of Great Lakes coastal wetlands across a gradient of geographies and human impacts including degradation and restoration;

o Increased understanding of efficient and cost-saving sampling methods to continue to track Great Lakes coastal wetland quality long-term.

• how the outcomes will be achieved;

• effective plans for tracking progress towards achieving the outcomes;

• how the project outcomes support the GLRI Action

Plan IV (Focus Area 5, Objective 5.2), EPA FY 2022- 2026 Strategic Plan (Goal 5, Objective 5.2), and 2012 GLWQA; and

• effective, innovative approaches towards achieving the outcomes.

Programmatic Capability and Past Performance

Applicants should submit a list (of no more than 5 each) of federally funded assistance agreements (including but not limited to previous GLRI awards from EPA or other federal sources) similar in size, scope, and relevance to the proposed project that the applicant and the applicant’s institution has previously performed.

Information provided will be evaluated according to the criteria listed within this section.

If applicants do not have any relevant or available past performance or reporting information, please indicate this in the proposal and applicants will receive a neutral score of for these factors (a neutral score is half of the total points available in a subset of possible points). Failure to indicate this may result in 0 points for these factors.

In evaluating applicants under these factors in Section 6, EPA will consider the information provided by the applicant and may also consider relevant information from other sources, including information from EPA files and from current and prior federal agency grantors (e.g., to verify and/or supplement the information provided by the to successfully manage applicant

(1) Principal Investigator’s past history of managing agreements (2 points)

a. Applicants will be scored on how well the principal investigator has been able to successfully and in a https://www.glri.us/action-plan https://www.glri.us/action-plan https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/glwqa timely manner complete and manage those agreements in accordance with the initial project schedule.

(2) Institution’s past history of managing agreements (1 points)

a. Applicants will be scored on how well the institution was able to successfully, and in a timely manner, complete and manage those agreements in accordance with the initial project schedule.

Applicants will be scored on the institution’s ability to successfully manage those agreements.

(3) Principal Investigator’s history of meeting reporting requirements (2 points)

a. Applicants will be scored on their description of the Principal Investigator’s ability to report progress towards achieving the expected outputs and outcomes of those agreements (and if not, explain why not), and how the applicant adequately complied with the terms and conditions of previous awards. Please include a description of the Principal Investigator’s past history of submitting acceptable final technical reports. Applicants should describe the Principal Investigator’s history of meeting the reporting requirements under those agreements, including whether the Principal Investigator adequately and timely reported on progress towards achieving the expected outputs and outcomes of those agreements (and if not, explain why not), and how the applicant adequately complied with the terms and conditions of previous awards.

(4) Institution’s history of meeting reporting requirements (2 points)

a. Applicants will be scored on how well they describe their institution’s history of meeting the reporting requirements under those agreements, including whether your institution adequately and timely complied with the terms and conditions of previous awards (and if not, explain why not).

(5) Timely Expenditure of Grant Funds (3 points)

a. Applicants will be scored on previous expenditure experience. If an applicant or an applicant’s institution has previously received a GLRI award, or awards issued between 2019-2024, please provide an explanation and supporting documentation of the project’s quarterly rate of expenditure on those prior GLRI projects.

(6) Staff Expertise (5 points)

a. Applicants will be scored on staff expertise / qualifications that demonstrate successful achievement of goals of the project. Applicants will also be scored on how well they demonstrate expertise in coastal wetland ecology, wetland monitoring, sample analysis, data analysis, and reporting. Resumes or a curriculum vitae (CV) may be attached as optional documentation according to section 4.

Budget (1) Detailed Budget Narrative (10 points)

a. Applications will be evaluated based on the reasonableness, necessity and allowability (of costs) of the proposed budget for the level of work proposed and for the expected benefits to be achieved.

b. An applicant’s budget and budget narrative must account for both federal funds and any non-federal funds. Applicants will not be scored or evaluated solely on the inclusion of voluntary committed cost share. Applicants must precisely describe in their budget narrative how they will account for any voluntary cost-sharing or other non-EPA funds if applicable and what role EPA funding will play in the overall project.

(2) Expeditious Spending and Sufficient Progress in the use of GLRI Funds (5 points)

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

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

Only eligible entities whose applications meet the threshold criteria in Section 2 of this announcement will be evaluated. Applicants should explicitly address these criteria as part of their application package submittal in the project narrative. Each application will be rated using a point system.

Applications will be evaluated based on a total of 100 possible points.

C. Review and Selection Process Applications will first be evaluated against the threshold factors listed in Section 2. Only those applications which meet all the threshold factors will be evaluated using the evaluation criteria listed above by a review panel composed of federal agency staff.

Final funding decisions will be made by the selection official. In making the final funding decision, the selection official will consider the review panel rankings and recommendations and may also consider program priorities.

(1) Other Evaluation Factors

Final funding decisions will be made by the selection official. In making the final funding decisions, the selection official may also consider the following factors: the selection official will consider the review panel rankings and recommendations and may also consider program or agency priorities.

Partial Funding: EPA reserves the right to partially fund…