EPA-R8-2024-SMM.pdf

AGENCY: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) Region 8

TITLE: REGION 8 SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS MANAGEMENT GRANT

ACTION: REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA)

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER (FON): EPA-R8-2024-SMM

ASSISTANCE LISTING NO.: 66.808

IMPORTANT DATES

09/27/2024 Application Submission Deadline (see Section III.C.2) 10/28/2024 Approximate date for EPA to notify applicants of results 12/31/2024 Approximate date of award

DATES: The closing date and time for the receipt of applications is September 27, 2024, by 11:59 pm, EASTERN TIME (ET) 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, gregory.lauren@epa.gov with any questions about submission. Applicants are responsible for following the Submission instructions in Section IV of this announcement.

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, North Dakota, Montana, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming) or one of the 28 tribal nations in the Region.

Applications must address one or more Region 8 activities and describe how the proposed project supports the EPA Strategic Plan FY 2022-2026. Additional information is provided in Section I.B of this announcement. Applications must include a draft work plan. Applications will be given greater weight if they include elements of community-based social marketing. Projects must support sustainable materials management. or include considerations and/or incorporation of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approaches.

Please see Section I.B for complete details.

FUNDING/AWARDS: The total estimated funding for this competitive funding opportunity is approximately

$51,000. EPA Region 8 anticipates funding up to one to two cooperative agreements from this announcement, ranging in value from $25,000 to $51,000, contingent upon how many proposals are selected for award (i.e., award one, fund $51,000; award two, fund each approximately $25,000). The number of awards will depend on the quality of applications received and fiscal year program funds available. EPA expressly reserves the right to make no awards under this competitive funding opportunity or to adjust the number of awards originally anticipated under this competitive funding opportunity.

CONTENTS BY SECTION

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases https://www.epa.gov/tribal/region-8-tribal-program https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-03/fy-2022-2026-epa-strategic-plan.pdf

I. Funding Opportunity Description

II. Award Information

III. Eligibility Information

IV. Application and Submission Information

V. Application Review Information

VI. Award Administration Information

VII. Agency Contacts

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

Appendix E: Additional Resources

SECTION I. Funding Opportunity Description

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 National Recycling Strategy (Recycling

Strategy).

In addition to choosing one or more of the Regional activities mentioned on pages 3-4 of this request for applications, applications must 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.

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.

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.

https://www.epa.gov/smm https://www.epa.gov/circulareconomy/national-recycling-strategy

Applications must address one or more Region 8 activities and describe how the proposed project supports the

EPA Strategic Plan FY 2022-2026. These two priority documents/programs are: 1) The EPA Region 8

Activities (see section B.1 below), and the EPA Strategic Plan FY 2022-2026 (see section B.2 below).

Although not mandatory, applicants may include elements of outreach and messaging that incorporate aspects of community-based social marketing (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 Sheets can be useful in this area. Up to three extra points will be added for inclusion of evidence-based messaging elements that illustrate effective approaches. Additionally, applicants may find the new, interactive Model Recycling 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 Life Cycle Assessment

(LCA)/life cycle management 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/life cycle management elements. See Section

V.A for evaluation criteria and point allocation.

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

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, 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,

• Reduce the environmental impacts of food production and disposal, and

• 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.

Examples of reuse include:

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

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/statelocalenergy/csc-tip-sheets-community-based-social-marketing 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/recyclingstrategy/creating-messages-drive-behavior-change https://www.epa.gov/smm/sustainable-materials-management-road-ahead

• Implementing reusable or refillable containers instead of disposable containers;

• Promoting the right and 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); or

• Developing or improving feedstock collection networks.

B.2 Link to EPA’s FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan (your project application must address one or more goals)

EPA Strategic Plan FY 2022-2026. Awards made under this announcement must explain how they support one or more of the Agency’s objectives highlighted in the EPA Draft 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

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 Assistance

Agreements, Classification No (epa.gov)) for the selected EPA Region 8 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 priorities 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.

The output needs to be specifically articulated in the Project Narrative. Inclusion of life cycle assessment/management strategies or community-based messaging to address evidence-based approaches for behavior change MAY each receive up to three extra points. See Section V.A for evaluation criteria and point allocation.

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;

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

• 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 (evidence-based messaging for behavior change) to the maximum extent practicable to reduce audience barriers, increase benefits, and facilitate sustained behavioral change for improved environment. The Climate Showcase Community Tip Sheets document can be useful in this area. Up to three extra points will be added for inclusion of evidence-based messaging elements. See Section V.A for evaluation criteria and point allocation.

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;

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

• 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 for purposes which include conducting and promoting 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 and unsalvageable waste materials.

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.

F. Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs):

EPA recognizes that scientific, technical, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) competence is essential to the

Nation's future well-being in terms of national security and competitive economic advantage. For instance, the health and vitality of the economy is predicated, in part, on the availability of an adequate supply of scientists, technicians, engineers and mathematicians, to develop innovative technologies and solutions. In other words, this country must engage all available minds to address the challenges it faces. Minorities, women, and persons with disabilities historically have been under-represented in the STEM fields. For this reason, EPA strongly encourages all eligible applicants including, women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to apply. At the same time, EPA seeks to expand the environmental conversation by including members of communities which may have not previously participated in such dialogues to participate in EPA programs. For this reason, EPA strongly encourages all eligible applicants identified in Section III, including minority serving institutions (MSIs), to apply under this opportunity.

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

1. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1061(2)).

A list of these schools can be found at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

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

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 https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmsiexchange.nasa.gov%2Finstitutions%3Fqp%255B0%255D%3Dcategories__name%26qo%255B0%255D%3Dis%26qv%255B0%255D%3DTribal%2520College%2520or%2520University&data=05%7C02%7CChapman.Erin%40epa.gov%7C7f1b3e4d791244fd18cc08dc6897a40a%7C88b378b367484867acf976aacbeca6a7%7C0%7C0%7C638500247703224911%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ye0Thtl4eyPE4qbpiRASa7r%2FDHjTdrTCgl%2F93%2BSQpnM%3D&reserved=0 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

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, 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 the applicant is unable to access these provisions electronically at the website above, please contact the EPA point of contact listed in

Section VII. of this solicitation to obtain the provisions.

SECTION II. Award Information

A. What is the amount of funding available?

The total estimated funding for this competitive funding opportunity is up to $51,000. EPA Region 8 anticipates funding one to two cooperative agreements from this announcement. The anticipated award range is between

$25K - $51K. The number of awards will depend on the quality of applications received, fiscal year program funds available, and other applicable 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 availability of funds and quality of evaluated applications. 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, if additional funding becomes available after the original selections. 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 January 1, 2025, 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 cooperative agreements under this announcement. 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 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1wlIi3j7gtlNq_w-0NKAb2bF2VmY&ie=UTF&msa=0&ll=37.35160769312534%2C-96.17229800000001&z=4 http://www.epa.gov/grants/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 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d/section-200.318

• 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.

A. Eligible Entities

In accordance with Assistance Listing 66.808, 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.

• Nonprofit Organizations. 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 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 subawardees 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.

https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1

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

Additionally, nonprofit 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 to apply.

Eligible non-profit organizations must have documentation of non-profit status from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or their state of incorporation.

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.

1. Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section IV of this announcement or else they will be rejected. Where a page limit is expressed in Section IV with respect to the project narrative, pages more than 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 after the submission deadline (on or before 11:59 pm Eastern Time, September

27, 2024 via Grants.gov) will be considered late and deemed ineligible without further consideration unless the applicant can clearly demonstrate that it was late due to EPA mishandling or because of technical problems associated with Grants.gov or relevant SAM.gov system issues. An applicant’s failure to timely submit their application through Grants.gov because they did not timely or properly register in

SAM.gov or Grants.gov will not be considered an acceptable reason to consider a late submission.

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

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

A. Requirement to Submit Through Grants.gov and Limited Exception Procedures

Requirement to Submit Through Grants.gov and Limited Exceptions Procedures

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

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, September 27, 2024. 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.

Note: You must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in SAM.gov to apply for the grant. It could take up to 30 days to complete the process. Please see Appendix A for submitting your application through

Grants.gov.

C. Content of Application Submission

The application package must include all of the following materials:

https://www.epa.gov/tribal/region-8-tribal-program https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.epa.gov/grants/exceptions-grantsgov-submission-requirement https://www.grants.gov/

1. Grant Application Forms: Please be sure to include the organization fax number and email address in Block 5 of the Standard Form SF 424.

1. Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

2. Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)

3. EPA Key Contacts Form 5700-54

4. EPA Form 4700-4 Preaward Compliance Review Report

5. Narrative - Project Narrative Attachment Form in Grants.gov. This must include the Cover Page and Narrative Response, which cannot exceed ten pages in total, as described in Section IV.D.

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;

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.

a. Must describe your proposal in detail with specific attention paid to documenting the:

i. Project’s approach,

ii. Environmental results (i.e., outputs and outcomes),

iii. Budget plans that describe how requested funding costs are reasonable to support the environmental goals and objectives of the work and why the level of funding is needed to support specific projects. Provide a separate budget with a detailed breakout of the approximate funding used for each major category. Also, describe how funds will be expended in a timely and efficient manner,

iv. Sustainability of the how the project will endure after the grant funding period,

v. Role and responsibility of partners,

vi. How the applicant will monitor the timely expenditure of funds,

vii. (OPTIONAL to be addressed at the option of applicant) Life cycle assessment/management strategies or community-based messaging to address evidence-based approaches for behavior change. If each is addressed applicants may receive up to three additional evaluation points for each option addressed.

See Section V.A.

viii. Applicants’ programmatic capability and past performance.

In evaluating applicants under the past performance factors in Section V.A. of the NOFO, the EPA will consider the information provided by the applicant and may also consider relevant information from other sources, including information from the EPA’s files and from current/prior grantors (e.g., to verify and/or supplement the information provided by the applicant). If the applicant does not have any relevant or available past performance or past reporting information, then the applicant should indicate this in the application and they will receive a neutral score for these factors, which is half of the total points available for these sub-criteria in Section V.A. of the NOFO. If the applicant does not provide any response for these items, a score of 0 for these factors may be received.

b. Format of Applications: Must be concise, well organized, and not exceed 11 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 11 pages will not be reviewed. Budget charts added as attachments are not counted in the 11 pages and will be reviewed.

NOTE: To greatly ease the grant writing experience, an example project narrative template is provided in Appendix B. The use of the template is not required but is highly encouraged. Applicants will not be penalized for not using the template.

3. Budget Information Document - detailing how the requested funding amount will be spent (this can be included as part of the 11 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 11-page summary).

5. OPTIONAL: Any additional attachments you wish to include.

Once you have submitted your application and it has been accepted in Grants.gov, you will receive an automatic confirmation of submission and receipt. Please see Appendix A for further information.

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:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf

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.

Generally, applicants are not prohibited from submitting the same or virtually the same application to EPA under multiple EPA competitions, if appropriate. However, if an applicant does so, and the application (or one virtually the same) that was submitted under this solicitation is selected for award under another EPA competition, that may affect their ability to receive an award under this competition for that application.

Moreover, if an applicant will be funded by EPA or another agency or entity for the same or virtually the same project that it submitted to EPA under this solicitation then that may affect their ability to receive an award under this competition.

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 https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf

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) whether, and how, you were able to successfully complete and manage those agreements; and

(ii) 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) To successfully achieve the goals of the proposed project, 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 the factors in Section V, 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).

Points will be awarded as the following:

a) Past performance in successfully completing and managing any past assistance agreements which should be identified and described in the Project Narrative submitted as part of this application.* (5 pts),

b) History of meeting the reporting requirements under any past assistance agreements which should be identified and described in the Project Narrative submitted as part of this application. This should include whether the applicant submitted acceptable final technical reports under those agreements and the extent to which the applicant adequately and timely reported on their progress towards achieving the expected outputs and outcomes under those agreements.* (5 pts),

c) Staff expertise and qualifications, staff knowledge, and resources or the ability to obtain them, to successfully achieve the goals of the proposed project. (5 pts).

*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 evidence-based messaging. (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…