EPA-R8-2023-SMM Final 4.5.23.pdf

AGENCY: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)

TITLE: REGION 8 SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS MANAGEMENT GRANT

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA) - Initial

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER (FON): EPA-R8-2023-SMM

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 66.808

IMPORTANT DATES

04/06/2023 Request for Application (RFA) Opens 4/17/2023 Informational webinar for potential applicants and stakeholders will be held at

9:00 – 10:30 am Mountain Standard Time (MST). The webinar will be recorded for those unable to attend on this day and time.

05/22/2023 RFA Closes - Application Submission Deadline (Section IV) 06/21/2023 Anticipated Date for EPA to Notify Applicants of Results 10/03/2023 Anticipated Date of Award

DATES: The closing date and time for the receipt of applications is May 22, 2023, by 11:59 pm, EASTERN Time (ET) in order to be considered for funding. Applications must be submitted through www.Grants.gov as stated in Section IV of this announcement (except in the limited circumstances where another mode of submission is specifically allowed for as explained in Section IV) on or before the application submission deadline published in Section IV of this announcement. You can contact Lauren Gregory at gregory.lauren@epa.gov with any questions about the submission. Applicants are responsible for following the submission instructions in Section IV of this announcement.

CONTENTS BY SECTION

I. Funding Opportunity Description II. Federal Award Information III. Eligibility Information IV. Application and Submission Information V. Application Review Information VI. Award Administration Information VII. Agency Contacts Appendix A: Grants.gov Application Submission Instructions Appendix B: Template for Narrative Proposal Appendix C: Example Budget Table and Narrative Appendix D: Example of Milestones

COVID-19 Update: EPA is providing flexibilities to applicants experiencing challenges related to COVID-19.

Please see the Flexibilities Available to Organizations Impacted by COVID-19 clause in Section IV of EPA’s Solicitation Clauses.

https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:gregory.lauren@epa.gov

SECTION I. Funding Opportunity Description

SUMMARY: EPA Region 8 (the Region) is soliciting applications that address the national and regional priority of decreasing the environmental impact of materials with a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs, EPA Overview of Greenhouse Gases). This funding opportunity is designed to both decrease materials generated (source reduction) and increase the diversion of materials through reuse, recycling, and other strategies.

Currently, there is inadequate infrastructure in the Mountains and Plains Region (EPA Region 8) to support these goals. Applications must directly benefit at least one of the EPA Region 8 States (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming) or one of the 28 tribal nations in the Region.

There are three specific EPA Region 8 activities that are the focus of this funding opportunity. Applicants must include at least one of these activities in their application (described below). These activities may focus on any material within the scope of sustainable materials management and can include (but are not limited to) the built environment, construction and demolition debris, materials commonly collected in materials recovery facilities (MRFs), electronic reuse or recycling, and food.

Applications must address one or more Region 8 activities, as well as describe how the proposed project supports BOTH the EPA Sustainable Materials Management Program Strategic Plan 2017-2022 AND the EPA Strategic Plan FY 2022-2026. Additional information is provided in Section I.B. Applications must include a draft work plan. Applicants are encouraged to include elements of action-oriented outreach and messaging incorporating elements of community-based social marketing (CBSM) to the maximum extent practicable to reduce audience barriers, increase benefits, and facilitate sustained behavior change for improved environment.

Applicants are also encouraged to include considerations and/or incorporation of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approaches. The EPA SMM: The Road Ahead document can be useful in this area.

A. Background

Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) is a voluntary program of EPA. SMM is a systemic approach to reducing, using, and reusing materials more productively over their entire life cycles to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reduce other impacts on the environment related to the use of natural resources and environmental protection.

The SMM program has many program objectives that serve as the basis for our structuring of grant competitions. This RFA derives its program justification from the EPA Sustainable Materials Management Program Strategic Plan 2017-2022.

In addition to choosing one or more of the Regional activities mentioned on pages 4-5, applications must address one or more of the national EPA Sustainable Materials Management Program Strategic Plan 2017-2022 objectives and link the application to one of the goals in the EPA’s Strategic Plan FY 2022-2026.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to read this announcement in its entirety because it provides important information on the goals and priorities of the program, explains statutory program requirements, and offers agency grant policies and procedures.

https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases https://www.epa.gov/tribal/region-8-tribal-program https://nrcrecycles.org/mobius/nrcwp-content/uploads/2015/02/SMM-Strategic-Plan_October-2015.pdf https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-03/fy-2022-2026-epa-strategic-plan.pdf https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-03/fy-2022-2026-epa-strategic-plan.pdf https://www.epa.gov/smm/sustainable-materials-management-road-ahead https://www.epa.gov/smm https://nrcrecycles.org/mobius/nrcwp-content/uploads/2015/02/SMM-Strategic-Plan_October-2015.pdf https://nrcrecycles.org/mobius/nrcwp-content/uploads/2015/02/SMM-Strategic-Plan_October-2015.pdf https://nrcrecycles.org/mobius/nrcwp-content/uploads/2015/02/SMM-Strategic-Plan_October-2015.pdf https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-03/fy-2022-2026-epa-strategic-plan.pdf

B. Scope of Work

As noted above in Section I.A, this RFA solicits applications that promote source reduction, reuse, and market development related to SMM. Applications addressing other topic areas will not be reviewed.

Applications must clearly, and in detail, address at least one objective or activity in each of the three EPA priority documents/programs. These three priority documents/programs are: 1) The EPA Region 8 Activities (see below), 2) The EPA Sustainable Materials Management Program Strategic Plan 2017-2022 goals and 3) The EPA Strategic Plan FY 2022-2026 objectives.

Although not mandatory, applicants may include elements of outreach and messaging that incorporate aspects of CBSM to the maximum extent practicable to reduce audience barriers, increase benefits, and facilitate sustained behavioral change for improved environment. The Climate Showcase Community Tip Sheet document can be useful in this area. Up to three extra points will be added for inclusion of CBSM elements.

Additionally, applicants may find the new, interactive Model Recycling Program Toolkit useful when writing this application. This toolkit includes useful examples, tools, case studies, etc. for general sustainable materials management as well as training for Creating Messages that Drive Behavior Change.

Although not mandatory, applicants may include considerations and/or incorporation of LCA approaches. The EPA SMM – The Road Ahead document can be useful in this area. Up to three extra points will be added for inclusion of LCA elements.

B.1 EPA Region 8 Activities (your project application should address one or more)

Activity 1

Promotion of source reduction – Source reduction, also known as waste prevention, means reducing waste at the source (reducing waste in the first place), and is the most environmentally preferred strategy. It can take many different forms, including reducing consumption, substituting materials, limiting packaging, redesigning products, changing practices, reducing toxicity, equipment or technology modifications, process or procedural modifications, reformulation or redesign of products, substitution of raw materials, improvements in housekeeping, maintenance, training or inventory control, Environmentally Preferred Purchasing (EPP), or modifying a production process to produce less waste.

Source reduction can:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change

• Save natural resources

• Conserve energy

• Reduce pollution

• Reduce the toxicity of our waste

• Save money for consumers and businesses alike

Activity 2

Promotion of reuse – Reuse involves the recovery or reapplication of salvaged, usable materials or products in a manner that maintains items in their original form. Reuse takes advantage of embodied carbon and energy, resources, and impacts already incurred in the production of original products such as lumber, refillable glass bottles, reusable food storage containers, refurbished wood pallets, and repaired electronics.

https://nrcrecycles.org/mobius/nrcwp-content/uploads/2015/02/SMM-Strategic-Plan_October-2015.pdf https://nrcrecycles.org/mobius/nrcwp-content/uploads/2015/02/SMM-Strategic-Plan_October-2015.pdf https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-03/fy-2022-2026-epa-strategic-plan.pdf https://www.epa.gov/statelocalenergy/csc-tip-sheets-community-based-social-marketing https://cfpub.epa.gov/wizards/recyclingtoolkit/ https://www.epa.gov/recyclingstrategy/creating-messages-drive-behavior-change https://www.epa.gov/smm/sustainable-materials-management-road-ahead https://www.epa.gov/smm/sustainable-materials-management-road-ahead

Examples of reuse include:

• Repurposing building materials through deconstruction, salvage, or building retrofits

• Implementing reusable or refillable containers instead of disposable containers

• Promoting the ability to repair consumer goods

• Establishing tool or equipment libraries to facilitate communal reuse of those items

Activity 3

Promotion of market development - Increased demand for diverted materials (waste that is recycled, composted, or diverted from disposal) will enhance opportunities for expansion of existing sustainable materials management capacity as well as development of new capacity.

Projects may include:

• Feasibility studies

• Technology and process evaluations

• Technical assistance, outreach, and/or training to model or accelerate solutions

• Outreach workshops

• Improvements to the collection or quality of materials feedstocks

• Evaluating or developing solutions to barriers that support source reduction, or reuse of materials

• Expanding processing capacity (training, improved efficiency)

• Developing or improving feedstock collection networks

B.2 EPA SMM Strategic Plan FY 2017–2022 Objectives (your project application should address one or more)

The SMM program has many program objectives that serve as the basis for our structuring of grant competitions. This RFA derives its program justification from the EPA Sustainable Materials Management Program Strategic Plan 2017-2022. In addition to choosing one or more of the regional activities mentioned above, submitted applications must address one or more of the following national EPA SMM Strategic Plan FY 2017–2022 objectives:

Objective 1: Reduce environmental impacts of materials - This objective focuses on reducing the environmental impacts of materials across their life cycles, including greenhouse gas emissions and reductions in water and energy use.

Note: Applicants may find these EPA tools useful when measuring potential environmental benefits: 1) Waste Reduction Model (WARM) and 2) Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator (users can input metric tons of CO2 equivalent (MTCO2E) total from WARM tool into the online equivalency calculator using the emissions tab).

Objective 2: Decrease disposal rate - This objective focuses on tracking and reducing the overall amount of materials disposed, which would encompass activities targeting source reduction, reuse, recycling, and prevention.

https://nrcrecycles.org/mobius/nrcwp-content/uploads/2015/02/SMM-Strategic-Plan_October-2015.pdf https://nrcrecycles.org/mobius/nrcwp-content/uploads/2015/02/SMM-Strategic-Plan_October-2015.pdf https://nrcrecycles.org/mobius/nrcwp-content/uploads/2015/02/SMM-Strategic-Plan_October-2015.pdf https://nrcrecycles.org/mobius/nrcwp-content/uploads/2015/02/SMM-Strategic-Plan_October-2015.pdf https://www.epa.gov/warm/versions-waste-reduction-model-warm#15 https://www.epa.gov/warm/versions-waste-reduction-model-warm#15 https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator

Objective 3: Increase socio-economic benefits - This objective focuses on tracking and reporting material impacts on the economy as well as social aspects.

Objective 4: Increase capacity of state and local governments, communities, and key stakeholders to adopt and implement SMM policies, practices, and incentives - This objective involves increasing the number of states and communities that aim to expand SMM capacity through EPA’s technical assistance and support. This objective also involves increasing the per capita quantity and/or quality of recyclables recovered for manufacturing and increasing the number of households with access to organic collection and recycling.

B.3 Link to EPA’s FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan

EPA Strategic Plan FY 2022-2026. Awards made under this announcement must explain how they support one or more of the Agency’s goals highlighted in the EPA FY 2022 – 2026 Strategic Plan. In your narrative, please cite the specific goal(s) and objective(s) that your proposal will support.

Goal 1: Tackle the Climate Crisis

• Objective 1.1: Reduce Emissions that Cause Climate Change

• Objective 1.2: Accelerate Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts

• Objective 1.3: Advance International and Subnational (Regional) Climate Efforts

Goal 2: Take Decisive Action to Advance Environmental Justice and Civil Rights

• Objective 2.1: Promote Environmental Justice and Civil Rights at the Federal, Tribal, State, and Local Levels

• Objective 2.2: Embed Environmental Justice and Civil Rights into EPA’s Programs, Policies, and Activities

• Objective 2.3: Strengthen Civil Rights Enforcement in Communities with Environmental Justice Concerns

Goal 3: Enforce Environmental Laws and Ensure Compliance

• Objective 3.1: Hold Environmental Violators and Responsible Parties Accountable

• Objective 3.2: Detect Violations and Promote Compliance

Goal 4: Ensure Clean and Healthy Air for All Communities

• Objective 4.1: Improve Air Quality and Reduce Localized Pollution and Health Impacts

• Objective 4.2: Reduce Exposure to Radiation and Improve Indoor Air

Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities

• Objective 5.1: Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure

• Objective 5.2: Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds

Goal 6: Safeguard and Revitalize Communities

• Objective 6.1: Clean Up and Restore Land for Productive Uses and Healthy Communities

• Objective 6.2: Reduce Waste and Prevent Environmental Contamination

• Objective 6.3: Prepare for and Respond to Environmental Emergencies https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-03/fy-2022-2026-epa-strategic-plan.pdf

Goal 7: Ensure Safety of Chemicals for People and the Environment

• Objective 7.1: Ensure Chemical and Pesticide Safety

• Objective 7.2: Promote Pollution Prevention

C. Anticipated Outcomes and Outputs

EPA also requires that grant applicants clearly describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements (see EPA Order 5700.7A1), Environmental Results under EPA Assistance Agreements for the selected EPA R8 Activity chosen under Section B.

The EPA webpage Linking Assistance Agreements to Environmental Results may be useful for applicants.

Applicants must include specific statements describing the environmental results of the proposed project in terms of well-defined outputs and, to the maximum extent practicable, well-defined outcomes that will demonstrate how the project will contribute to the Strategic Plan goals described above.

Outputs. The term “output” means an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product related to an environmental goal and objective that will be produced or provided over a period of time or by a specified date. Outputs may be quantitative or qualitative but must be measurable during an assistance agreement funding period.

Expected outputs from the project(s) to be funded under this announcement must include at least one (preferably more than one) of the following outputs OR an output similar in nature to the ones listed below and specifically articulated in the Project Narrative. Inclusion of life cycle assessment strategies or community-based messaging for behavior change strategies in an application MAY score up to three extra points each for either category (i.e., up to three extra points for life cycle assessment and/or up to three extra points for community-based messaging for behavior change strategies).

Reducing Environmental Impacts

Applications must include:

• Actions or recommendations implemented or adopted by businesses/facilities that incorporate source reduction strategies, source reduction measures, or life cycle assessment strategies related to materials.

Education/Outreach/Communication

• Number of stakeholder outreach events, publications, or communication strategies designed to promote source reduction or life cycle assessment strategies related to materials;

• Number of individuals, state, and local governments, and/or businesses served by education, outreach, training, technical assistance, and/or tools related to source reduction, or life cycle assessment of materials;

• Number of new organizations/entities (e.g., state departments of transportation, real estate developers, city planning organizations, etc.) that are using and or promoting source reduction or life cycle assessment strategies related to materials.

Progress reports and a final report will also be a required output, as specified in Section VI.C., “Reporting Requirements,” of this announcement.

Although not mandatory, applicants may include elements of outreach and messaging that incorporate aspects of community-based social marketing (CBSM/community-based messaging for behavior change) to the 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/grants/linking-assistance-agreements-environmental-results maximum extent practicable to reduce audience barriers, increase benefits, and facilitate sustained behavioral change for improved environment. The Climate Showcase Community Tip Sheet document can be useful in this area. Up to three extra points will be added for inclusion of CBSM elements.

Outputs in the areas of CBSM may include:

• Number of stakeholder outreach events, publications, or communication strategies designed to promote community-based messaging for behavior change for improved management of materials;

• Number of individuals, state, and local governments, and/or businesses served by education, outreach, training, technical assistance, and/or tools related to community-based behavior change for the improved management of materials;

• Number of new organizations/entities (e.g., state departments of transportation, real estate developers, city planning organizations, etc.) that are using and or promoting community-based messaging for improved management of materials;

• Number and types of skills or abilities achieved by training participants to promote community-based messaging for behavior change strategies related to improved management of materials;

• Number of completed surveys received before and after project completion.

Outcomes. The term “outcome” means the result, effect, or consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective.

Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature, but must be quantitative. They may not necessarily be achievable within an assistance agreement funding period, but applicants may include anticipated outcomes that will occur after the project period. The Region encourages awardees to voluntarily report meaningful outcomes to the Region after the official project period ends.

Projects to be funded under this announcement are expected to produce at least one of the following outcomes OR outcomes similar in nature to the ones listed below and specifically articulated in the Project Narrative.

• Increased resources and technical assistance available through education, outreach, and training to individuals and/or businesses regarding source reduction, life cycle assessment strategies, or the beneficial reuse and use of materials;

• Increased public and/or business participation in training or technical assistance, source reduction, life cycle assessment strategies, the environmental benefits of the beneficial reuse, and use of materials;

• Improved capacity of businesses and/or facilities to incorporate source reduction, life cycle assessment processes, or reuse of materials to the maximum extent possible;

• Improved quality of materials for beneficial reuse or use in post-consumer products;

• Measurable improvements to environment and/or ecosystem conditions related to source reduction, life cycle assessment, beneficial reuse, or use of materials;

• Energy conserved or dollars saved as a result of source reduction, life cycle assessment, or beneficial reuse or use of materials.

D. Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for this action is the Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA), Section 8001(a)(5), 42 U.S.C.

Section 6981(a)(5) which authorizes grants to public authorities, agencies, and institutions, private agencies and institutions, and individuals. All applications submitted under this solicitation must address and promote the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, public education programs and studies relating to the reduction of the amount of solid waste.

https://www.epa.gov/statelocalenergy/csc-tip-sheets-community-based-social-marketing

Applications selected for funding under this solicitation must be consistent with the authorized activities above.

Demonstrations must involve new or experimental technologies, methods, or approaches, where the results of the project will be disseminated so that others can benefit from the knowledge gained in the demonstration project. A project that is accomplished through the performance of routine, traditional, or established practices, or a project that is simply intended to carry out a task rather than transfer information or advance the state of knowledge, however worthwhile the project might be, is not considered a demonstration project; such activities are not eligible for funding under this announcement. Applicants must specify how the project fits within the above statutory authority.

E. Human Subjects Studies

The Region will not approve any workplan tasks that involve Human Subjects Studies.

F. 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 (HBCUs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1061(2)). A list of these schools can be found at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

2. Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1059c(b)(3) and (d)(1)). A list of these schools can be found at American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities

3. Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1101a(a)(5)). A list of these schools can be found at Hispanic-Serving Institutions

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

5. Predominately Black Institutions (PBIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act of 2008, 20 U.S.C.

1059e(b)(6). A list of these schools can be found at Predominately Black Institutions.

G. Additional Provisions For Applicants Incorporated Into The Solicitation

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

SECTION II. Federal Award Information A. What is the amount of funding available?

The total estimated funding for this competitive funding opportunity is approximately $45,000. Funding is dependent upon the quality of applications received, fiscal year program funds available, and other applicable https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/hispanic-serving-institutions-hsis/ https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XVkOWKMDORm53pvU0L8EPsrJC94&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=3&source=embed&ll=40.58644586187275%2C-148.28228249999984 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XVkOWKMDORm53pvU0L8EPsrJC94&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=3&source=embed&ll=40.58644586187275%2C-148.28228249999984 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1wlIi3j7gtlNq_w-0NKAb2bF2VmY&ie=UTF&msa=0&ll=37.35160769312534%2C-96.17229800000001&z=4 https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses considerations. The anticipated total number and total amount of awards to be provided are estimates only and are being provided solely for application preparation purposes. EPA expressly reserves the right to make no awards under this particular competitive funding opportunity or to adjust the number of awards originally anticipated.

B. How many agreements will EPA award in this competition?

EPA anticipates awarding one to two cooperative agreements under this announcement subject to the quality of applications received, fiscal year program funds available, and other applicable considerations. Awards are expected to be between $10,000 to $25,000. EPA reserves the right to reject all applications and make no awards under this announcement. In addition, EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy and guidance, if additional funding becomes available after the original selections are made. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months from the date of the original selections.

C. What is the project start date and period for awards resulting from this solicitation?

The estimated project period for awards resulting from this announcement will begin October 1, 2023, although project start dates can be negotiated. Projects are normally funded for one year. If necessary, project periods can be extended.

D. Funding Type

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

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

• collaboration during performance of the scope of work;

• review of proposed procurement to ensure that it is in accordance with 2 CFR 200.317 and 2 CFR 200.318;

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

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

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

E. Partial Funding

In appropriate circumstances, EPA reserves the right to partially fund applications by funding discrete portions or phases of proposed projects. If EPA decides to partially fund 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.

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

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d/section-200.317 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d/section-200.318

A. Eligible Entities

In accordance with Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA) No. 66.808 and EPA’s Policy for Competition of Assistance Agreements (EPA Order 5700.5A1), applications will be accepted from:

• States (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and Northern Mariana Islands), local, Tribal, interstate, and intrastate government agencies and instrumentalities, and non-profit organizations that are not 501(c)(4) organizations that lobby, including non-profit educational institutions and non-profit hospitals.

• 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; 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. While not legally considered to be a non-profit organization(s) as defined by 2 CFR 200.1, public or nonprofit Institutions of Higher Education are 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

Individuals and for-profit organizations are NOT eligible for funding under this opportunity.

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.

Partnerships: Groups of two or more applicants may choose to form a partnership and submit a single application under this RFA; however, one eligible applicant must be responsible for the grant. Partnerships must identify which eligible organization will be the recipient of the grant and which organization(s) will be sub awardees of the recipient. Subawards and subgrants must be consistent with the definitions of those terms in 2 C.F.R. 200.1. The recipient must administer the grant, will be accountable to EPA for proper expenditure of the funds and reporting, and will be the point of contact for the partnership. As provided in 2 C.F.R. 200.331, subrecipients or subgrantees are accountable to the recipient or grantee for proper use of EPA funding. Please review the EPA Subaward Policy for subaward requirements, guidance, and training.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

This competition does not require matching funds or cost sharing.

C. Threshold Eligibility Criteria

These are requirements that, if not met by the time of application submission, will result in elimination of the application from consideration for funding. Only applications from eligible entities (see Section III.A above) that meet all these criteria by the time of application submission will be evaluated against the ranking criteria in Section V of this announcement. Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration because of the threshold eligibility review will be notified by e-mail within 15 calendar days of the ineligibility determination.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR031321e29ac5bbd/section-200.331 https://www.epa.gov/grants/grants-policy-issuance-gpi-16-01-epa-subaward-policy-epa-assistance-agreement-recipients

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. The applicant must be an eligible entity as described in Section III.A above.

5. Applications must support current administration priorities as described in Section I.B. of this solicitation.

6. All applications submitted under this solicitation must address and promote the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, public education programs and studies relating to the reduction of the amount of solid waste as described in Section I.D, of this announcement.

7. Projects that are demonstrations must involve new or experimental technologies, methods, or approaches, where the results of the project will be disseminated so that others can benefit from the knowledge gained in the demonstration project. A project that is accomplished through the performance of routine, traditional, or established practices, or a project that is simply intended to carry out a task rather than transfer information or advance the state of knowledge, however worthwhile the project might be, is not considered a demonstration project.

8. 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. State clearly which part of the statutory authority supports your project.

9. Applications must be for projects that benefit at least one of the EPA Region 8 States (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, or Wyoming) or one of the 28 Tribal Nations in EPA Region 8.

SECTION IV. Application and Submission Information https://www.epa.gov/tribal/region-8-tribal-program

A. 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 (Appendix A). 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 Appendix A, Grants.gov Application Submission Instructions, under Technical Issues with Submission.

B. Grants.gov Application Submission Instructions

Your organization’s authorized official representative (AOR) must submit your complete application package electronically to EPA through Grants.gov no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET), May 22, 2023. Please allow for enough time to successfully submit your application and allow for unexpected errors that may require you to resubmit. Applicants are encouraged to submit before the deadline due to online traffic issues that could occur the closer the deadline approaches. Please see Appendix A for Grants.gov instructions.

C. Content of Application Submission

The application package must include all of the following materials:

The following forms and documents are required under this announcement.

Mandatory Documents:

1. Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance. Please note that the organizational Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) must be included on the SF-424.

2. Standard Form 424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs

3. EPA Form 4700-4 Preaward Compliance Review Report

4. EPA Form 5700-54, Key Contacts Form 5700-54

5. Project Narrative Attachment Form – Used to submit Project Narrative (prepared as described below). This must include the Cover Page and Narrative Response, which cannot exceed ten pages in total, as described in Section

IV.2.

OPTIONAL ATTACHMENTS: These are optional and are NOT included in the 10-page limit. Use Other Attachments form in Grants.gov:

• Cost Share Commitment Letters (Other Attachments Form)

• Letters of Support/Partnership (Other Attachments Form)

• Resumes (Other Attachments Form)

2. Project Narrative:

The following mandatory forms and documents are required under this announcement:

1. Organizational Information Sheet which must include the following:

a. Name of your organization;

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.epa.gov/grants/exceptions-grantsgov-submission-requirement

b. Employer/Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/TIN);

c. Address of your organization;

d. Name, phone number, and email address for the AOR and the point of contact for your organization (if not the same);

e. This RFA number: EPA-R8-2023-SMM; and

f. Descriptive Title of your proposal.

2. Project Narrative Summary (please see example template in Appendix B)

a. Must describe your proposal in detail with specific attention paid to the criteria outlined in

Section V.A.; and

b. Must be concise, well organized, and not exceed 10 typed, single-line spaced, 8 1/2 x 11-inch pages with .5 inch border and no smaller than 12 size font in Times New Roman. Any pages in the project narrative that exceed 10 pages will not be reviewed. Budget charts added as attachments are not counted in the 10 pages and will be reviewed.

3. Budget Information Document - detailing how the requested funding amount will be spent (this can be included as part of the 10 pages or added as an attachment to the application). See example template in Appendix C.

4. Identification of key contributors for this application and description of their roles in implementing this grant proposal (include in 10-page summary).

Once you have submitted your application and it has been accepted in Grants.gov, you will receive an automatic confirmation of submission and receipt. If you have not received a confirmation of receipt of your application from Grants.gov within 7 days after the application deadline, please contact Lauren Gregory at gregory.lauren@epa.gov. Failure to do so may result in your application not being reviewed.

D. Intergovernmental Review

Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, may be applicable to awards resulting from this announcement. EPA implemented the Executive Order in 40 CFR Part 29. EPA may require applicants selected for funding to provide a copy of their application to their State Point of Contact (SPOC) for review as provided at 40 CFR 29.7 and 40 CFR 29.8. The SPOC list can be found on the webpage below.

• Office of Federal Financial Management Resources and Other Information

EPA may require successful applicants from states that do not have a SPOC to provide a copy of their application for review to directly affected state, area-wide, regional and local government entities as provided at 40 CFR 29.7 and 40 CFR 29.8. These reviews are not required before submitting an application. Only applicants that EPA selects for funding under this announcement are subject to the Intergovernmental Review requirement.

E. Duplicate Funding

Generally, applicants are not prohibited from submitting the same or virtually the same competitive or non-competitive application(s) for funding to EPA and/or other federal agencies and entities. However, if an applicant does so, and the application (or one virtually the same) that was submitted under this solicitation is also selected for funding by EPA and/or other federal agencies and entities competitively or non-competitively, that may affect their ability to receive an award under this competition for that application. Applicants should also be aware that if they use a contractor to prepare their application or portions of their application under this solicitation that contractor may also be assisting other applicants with their applications that could result in https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/office-federal-financial-management/ identical or virtually identical submissions to EPA. In such cases, the agency reserves the right to decide which, if any, of the applications to fund.

SECTION V. Application Review Information

Only eligible entities whose application(s) meet the threshold criteria in Section III.C. of this announcement will be reviewed according to the evaluation criterion set forth below. Applicants should explicitly address Criteria 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 in the Project Narrative submitted with their application package. Applicants should explicitly address Criteria 4 and 7 in the Budget Information submitted with their application package.

Each application will be rated under a points system, with a total of 106 points possible.

A. Evaluation

Criteria Points

1. Project Summary/Approach: Under this criterion, the Agency will evaluate the following factors:

a. The extent and quality to which the Project Narrative includes a well-conceived strategy for addressing the requirements in Section I.B. (20 pts).

b. Whether the Project Narrative sets forth a reasonable time schedule for the execution of the tasks associated with the project and for achieving the project goals and objectives by project end (10 pts).

2. Environmental Results - Outcomes and Outputs: Under this criterion, the Agency will evaluate the following factors to be included as components of the Project Narrative:

a) Clearly describes how the applicant will measure success in meeting the project’s objectives. Clearly specify anticipated environmental outcomes and outputs as described in Section 1.C., Measuring Environmental Results: Anticipated Outcomes and Outputs. Outcomes and outputs must be quantitative or qualitative and must measure environmental improvement or should be directly linked to environmental improvement. Include quantitative targets as appropriate. (10 pts)

b) Describes the plan for achieving project results (including the outcomes and outputs identified in Section 1). (5 pts)

c. Describes how the project is transferable to other communities. (5 pts)

Note: Possible outcomes and outputs are identified in Section I.C. of this announcement. The Project Narrative must clearly state which outcomes and outputs will be achieved and how they will be achieved.

3. Programmatic Capability and Past Performance:

Under this criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on their ability to successfully complete and manage the proposed project. Applicant may provide a list of federally and/or non-federally funded assistance agreements (assistance agreements include Federal grants and cooperative agreements but not Federal contracts) that organization performed within the last three years (no more than 5 agreements, and preferably EPA agreements) and describe:

(i) (5 pts) whether, and how, you were able to successfully complete and manage those agreements; and

(ii) (5 pts) your history of meeting the reporting requirements under those agreements including whether you adequately and timely reported on your progress towards achieving the expected outputs and outcomes of those agreements (and if not, explain why not) and whether you submitted acceptable final technical reports under the agreements; and

(iii) (5 pts) your organizational experience and plan for timely and successfully achieving the objectives of the proposed project; and your staff expertise/qualifications, staff knowledge, and resources or the ability to obtain them.

In evaluating applicants under this criterion, 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/prior grantors (e.g., to verify and/or supplement the information provided by the applicant).

Applicants with no prior past performance under a) or no history of meeting the reporting requirements under b) should note as such in the application. Applicants who explicitly note that they lack a) or b) in the application will be given a neutral score that is equal to half of the available points. If you do not provide any response and leave it blank for these two items, you may receive a score of 0 for either or both of these factors.

4. Budget: Under this criterion, the Agency will evaluate the Budget Information Document to determine whether:

a. Costs are reasonable to accomplish the proposed goals, objectives, and measurable environmental outcomes. (3 pts),

b. The proposed budget provides a detailed breakout of the approximate funding used for each major activity. (2 pts).

5. Sustainability: Applications will be evaluated based on the quality and extent to which the applicant’s project, if successfully implemented, will enact changes to an organization, community, or the society at large in a lasting and sustainable manner.

a. The applicant can demonstrate its ability to promote and continue efforts to support Sustainable Materials Management after EPA funding for this project has ended, as described in the RFA. This may include elements of CBSM. (5 pts)

b. The application describes the extent to which the project supports a state or local mandate, policy, or community priority to promote, source reduction, or reuse related to materials management. (10 pts)

6. Effective Partnerships: Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which the application proposes a project that encompasses innovative (e.g., not usual, routine, or established practices) solid waste reduction measures that have the capacity to institute real change.

a. Describes the partnerships and/or coalition currently in place to support the proposed project and why it is sufficient to complete the proposed project. If the partnership will be expanded, describe the additional members that will be engaged and/or recruited. (5 pts)

b. Describes the role of each partner on the project and their experience working with the target audience and/or sectors addressed. Applicants that do not plan on collaborating with other groups in project performance will be evaluated based on the extent to which they demonstrate how they will be able to effectively perform and complete the project without such collaboration. (5 pts)

7. Expenditure of Awarded Grant Funds: Under this criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on their approach, procedures, and controls for ensuring that awarded grant funds will be expended in a timely and efficient…