FINAL EPA-R4-LCRD-2022-IPM.pdf

COVID-19 Update: The 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 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Solicitation Clauses (EPA's Solicitation Clauses).

FEDERAL AGENCY: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE: 2022 Region 4 Integrated Pest Management Grant

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Request for Applications (RFA)

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER (CFDA): 66.716

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: EPA-R4-LCRD-2022-IPM

IMPORTANT DATES

RFA Issuance Date: November 3, 2021 Application Deadline: December 17, 2021, 11:59 pm Anticipated Notification of Selection: January 27, 2022 Anticipated Award: May 3, 2022

EPA Region 4 will host an informational call on November 18, 2021 from 12:00-1:00pm, to discuss this RFA and respond to questions. Call 202-991-0477 and enter the Conference ID 700 052 445#. To help us provide detailed information, it is asked that questions be submitted in advance to Savannah Merritt (merritt.savannah@epa.gov). The call will be recorded and made available on EPA’s Region 4 website at https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-epa-region-4-southeast within a week of the call.

Questions submitted after this date will be answered and posted regularly at that website during the competition.

The closing date and time for receipt of application submissions is December 17, 2021 at 11:59 pm in order to be considered for funding. Application packages must be submitted electronically to the EPA through Grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov or Grants.gov). Applications will be electronically date and time stamped. Reference Section IV.A of this announcement for full details on the submission process.

SUMMARY: EPA Region 4 is announcing this grant competition and soliciting applications from eligible applicants to encourage smart, sensible, and sustainable pest control in Region 4. Proposed projects should address environmentally sound pest management practices, approaches, training, and innovations that reduce the risks associated with pesticide use. These projects will reduce unnecessary exposures to pests and pesticides through the adoption of integrated pest management practices.

Applicants must select at least one of the following technical assistance methods: research, public education, training, monitoring, demonstration (which is the use of new or innovative approaches, methods, or technologies), and studies. Special priority will be given to applicants who can demonstrate how their project will benefit communities with environmental justice concerns. Applicants’ projects https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-epa-region-4-southeast https://www.grants.gov/ must take place within EPA Region 4, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, as well as tribal nations therein.

FUNDING / AWARDS: EPA Region 4 anticipates awarding up to $150,000 under this announcement.

EPA anticipates awarding two to three cooperative agreements ranging from $50,000-$75,000, subject to the availability of funds, the quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

I.A. Background

I.B. Scope of Work

I.C. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage

I.D. Measuring Environmental Results: Anticipated Outputs and Outcomes and Performance Measures

I.E. EPA Statutory Authorities

I.F. Sub-awardees and Contractors

I.G. Minority Serving Institutions

II. AWARD INFORMATION

II.A. Number of Expected Awards and Federal Funding Amounts

II.B. Partial Funding

II.C. Cooperative Agreement

II.D. Project Period

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

III.A. Eligible Applicants

III.B. Cost Share/Matching Requirement

III.C. Threshold Eligibility Criteria

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

IV.A. Requirements to Submit Through Grants.gov and Limited Exception Procedures

IV.B. Content of Application Package

V.A. Evaluation Criteria

V.B. Review and Selection Process

V.C. Additional Provisions for Applicants Incorporated into the Solicitation

VI. AWARD INFORMATION

VI.A. Award Notification

VI.B. Administrative Requirements

VI.C. Awards

VI.D. Reporting Requirement

VI.E. Disputes

VII. AGENCY CONTACT

Appendix A: Budget Categories Description Detail

Appendix B: Budget Table

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

I.A. Background

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s mission is to protect human health and the environment. To that end, EPA is charged with regulating pesticides in the United States and balancing the benefits of controlling pest pressures with the potential human and environmental health risks associated with pesticide use. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an environmentally friendly, cost effective, common sense approach to controlling pests. Traditional pest control involves the routine application of pesticides. In contrast, IPM approaches sustainably manage pests by combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks. This provides a more effective, environmentally sensitive approach to pest management in agricultural, structural, and public health settings.

EPA Region 4 is seeking to fund projects that explore innovative practices, technologies, educational outreach, and non-regulatory solutions that promote the adoption of IPM strategies and represent a holistic approach to pest management. Through this initiative, EPA is providing growers, public health practitioners, community groups, homeowners, pesticide applicators, landscape managers, local governments, and others with additional tools they need to reduce the risks of pests and pesticide exposure.

EPA Region 4 expects to award assistance agreements under the authority provided in Section 20 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA, 7 U.S.C. 136r) which authorizes the Agency to issue assistance agreements for research, public education, training, monitoring, demonstration (which is the use of new or innovative approaches, methods, or technologies), and studies. For more information on IPM, please visit the EPA’s website at Introduction to Integrated Pest Management | US EPA.

At least one of the three following IPM priorities must be addressed as part of this RFA:

1. Strategies for Reducing Populations of Pests of Significant Health Importance https://www.epa.gov/ipm/introduction-integrated-pest-management https://www.epa.gov/ipm/introduction-integrated-pest-management

There are a variety of pests that have significant health importance in the U.S. Pests that are vectors for disease – such as mosquitos, ticks, and fleas –, insects like cockroaches, vertebrates like rodents, and microbes all cause and can spread diseases that pose serious risks to public health. Controlling these pest populations is necessary to reduce the spread and incidence of preventable diseases in the U.S. Though pesticide application is a useful tool, pesticides alone are often not enough to manage these pest populations. IPM offers a reduced risk solution to managing populations of pests of significant health importance. For a list of pests of public health importance, visit List of Pests of Significant Public Health Importance | US EPA.

EPA Region 4 may consider funding projects under this priority that engage in approved activities that promote IPM to improve the efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and ecological soundness of interventions that reduce populations of pests of significant health importance in Region 4.

2. Strategies for Reducing Pest Populations in Agriculture

Whether on large scale farms, a greenhouse, or a community garden, pesticides are widely used in food and fiber production to control pests such as insects, rodents, weeds, bacteria, mold, and fungi.

Controlling agricultural pests is a key component of ensuring a steady supply of nutritious food and usable fiber for American and international consumers. Traditional pest management in agriculture may include unnecessary and non-optimized pesticide applications, resulting in an economic loss for growers. By reducing pesticide applications, IPM in agriculture offers reduced cost methods of controlling pests within sustainable agricultural frameworks, as defined in U.S. Code Title 7, Section 3103.

EPA Region 4 will consider funding projects under this priority if they engage in approved activities that promote IPM to reduce pest populations and pesticide applications, are economically sound, and minimize risks to human health and the environment in agricultural settings.

3. Strategies for Reducing Pest Populations in Structures

Any structure may contain food, water, or shelter that makes it an attractive location for pests to make their home. Structural pests live side by side with people, bringing diseases, exacerbating allergens, and damaging structures. Due to this intimate relationship, managing structural pests – such as rodents, wood destroying organisms, stinging insects, bed bugs, cockroaches, and other insect pests - is a key aspect of ensuring the welfare of Region 4 residents. IPM in a structural setting empowers inhabitants, facilities managers, and pest management professionals to reduce pest populations while minimizing pesticide application, making structures safer for the people that utilize them.

EPA Region 4 will consider funding projects under this priority if they engage in approved activities that promote IPM to reduce pest populations and pesticide use in structures, eliminate or reduce sources of food, water, and harborage that are available to pests, or limit pest access into buildings.

https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/list-pests-significant-public-health-importance#:%7E:text=List%20of%20Pests%20of%20Significant%20Public%20Health%20Importance.,ehrlichiosis%2C%20and%20Rocky%20Mountain%20spotted%20fever.%20More%20items https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/list-pests-significant-public-health-importance#:%7E:text=List%20of%20Pests%20of%20Significant%20Public%20Health%20Importance.,ehrlichiosis%2C%20and%20Rocky%20Mountain%20spotted%20fever.%20More%20items

I.B. Scope of Work

As noted above in Section I.A, this RFA solicits applications that support the priorities of reducing pest populations of public health importance, reducing pest populations in agriculture and/or pest populations in structures. Applications addressing other topic areas will not be reviewed. EPA Region 4’s expectation is that the awards under this grant initiative will help to advance pesticide risk reduction and integrated pest management well beyond the period of performance of the grants. We strongly encourage collaborative partnerships among key stakeholders.

Under this competition, EPA is accepting applications from eligible applicants for projects that:

• Utilize demonstration projects and outreach and education projects to increase the adoption of IPM practices.

• Encourage partnerships between organizations, communities, industry, local/state/federal government agencies, and/or other stakeholders to demonstrate, promote, and utilize IPM practices.

• Actively engage scientists, communities, non-profits, organizations, industry, and/or local/state/federal partners/Tribal stakeholders in the specifics of meeting the project’s objectives.

• Directly impact and benefit communities with environmental justice concerns.

• Quantitatively measure and document the effects of using IPM practices on the environment, human health, and communities.

• Facilitate a sustainable systems approach that utilizes IPM practices.

• Demonstrate region-specific pest management practices.

EPA Region 4 strongly encourages applicants to use existing quality, authoritative IPM training and outreach materials rather than developing new ones, because many quality materials are available, and some are underutilized.

EPA Region 4 will consider funding translation of existing materials or the development of new outreach, education, guidance, or technical assistance documents only where the applicant demonstrates that there is a need (e.g., that existing quality materials are not available). The applicant must specify what steps they have taken to determine this need (e.g., you may cite a conference where this need was discussed, the results of inquiries made within your stakeholder community or with educational institutions, or a research paper or other published document). If the applicant does not yet know which materials will be used as part of the project, the applicant must identify what steps it will take to search for and select those materials. Translation of existing materials cannot be considered as a standalone project, but must be included with other activities or outputs to support IPM priorities identified in the proposal.

Examples of projects that may be funded: Proposed projects should reflect multi-media and holistic approaches for reducing unnecessary exposure to pests and pesticides. Applications should also demonstrate a broad reach and collaborative problem-solving with appropriate partners and describe how this project’s objectives create sustained activities that continue beyond the completion of the grant project period. Examples of the types of projects and activities applicants may submit under this competition may be found below. These are examples only – this list is not intended to be all inclusive.

Projects that may be considered for funding include those that:

• Develop and deliver guidance, technical assistance, training or other support (e.g., financial) to public health, agricultural, and/or structural pest stakeholders to assist them in implementing IPM practices that foster a holistic approach to reduced risk practices for managing pests.

• Develop training programs that include promoting awareness and actionable steps to address pest and pesticide issues. Novel approaches to training are encouraged, e.g., just-in-time training;

collaboration to provide training through stakeholders’ existing training portals; scenario-based simulation training, etc. Note: Training materials should not be developed anew but should use or build upon already existing materials to the extent possible.

• Establish a communication network with stakeholders in the public health, agricultural, and/or structural communities to provide training on IPM practices.

• Create a public-private partnership to develop resources and provide services to reduce unnecessary pest and pesticide exposure through IPM adoption in public health, agricultural, and/or structural settings.

This funding cannot be used to fund human subject research.

I.C. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage

The activities to be funded under this solicitation support EPA’s FY 2018-22 Strategic Plan. Awards made under this solicitation will support the following goals and objectives of the EPA Strategic Plan:

• Goal 1: A Cleaner, Healthier Environment, Objective 1.4 Ensure Safety of Chemical in the Marketplace;

• Goal 2: More Effective Partnerships, Objective 2.2 Increase Transparency and Public Participation

All projects must support one or more of the goals and objectives identified above.

I.D. Measuring Environmental Results: Anticipated Outputs and Outcomes and Performance Measures

Pursuant to EPA Order 5700.7 “Environmental Results under EPA Assistance Agreements,” EPA requires that all grant applicants and recipients adequately address environmental outputs and outcomes.

Outputs and outcomes differ both in their nature and in how they are measured. Applicants must discuss environmental outputs and outcomes in the Narrative as described in Section IV.B.

1. 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 specified period of time or by a specified date. Outputs may be quantitative or qualitative but must be measurable during an assistance agreement funding period.

Outputs include but are not limited to:

• Number of individuals, state, and local governments, and/or businesses served by education, outreach, training, technical assistance, and/or tools related to integrated pest management;

https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements

• Pounds or total volume of anticipated pesticide reduction;

• Number of papers published regarding integrated pest management practices;

• Number of new integrated pest management methods verified;

• Actions or recommendations implemented or adopted by growers, pesticide applicators, local governments, or businesses/facilities;

• Types of skills and abilities achieved by training participants.

Progress reports and a final report will be a required output, as specified in Section VI.D. of this solicitation.

2. 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 qualitative or quantitative, and can be environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature. Applications must include a description of anticipated project outcomes resulting from the project outputs, even if the outcome to be achieved is beyond the assistance agreement funding period. Include the quantitative target associated with the outcome, as appropriate.

Anticipated outcomes include, but are not limited to:

• reduction in pesticide applications,

• lower incidence of pesticide exposures,

• protection of pollinator populations,

• protection of endangered species populations,

• conservation of natural resources, energy, improved air and/or water quality,

• preserved land quality,

• dollars saved through IPM programming,

• jobs created or retained.

3. Performance Measures: The applicant should also develop performance measures they expect to achieve through the proposed activities and describe them in their application.

These performance measures will help gather insights and will be the mechanism to track progress concerning successful processes and output and outcome strategies and will provide the basis for developing lessons to inform future recipients. It is expected that the description of performance measures will directly relate to the project outputs and outcomes. The following are questions to consider when developing output and outcome measures of quantitative and qualitative results:

• What are the measurable short term and longer term results the project will achieve?

• How does the plan measure progress in achieving the expected results (including outputs and outcomes) and how will the approach use resources effectively and efficiently?

I.E. EPA Statutory Authorities

The statutory authority for this action is the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), Section 20, as amended by PL 106-74, Title III, 113 Stat.1081 (Oct. 20, 1999) (FIFRA, 7

U.S.C. 136r), which authorizes research, development, demonstration, monitoring, training, studies, and public education programs to support adoption of Integrated Pest Management. This is done under the Assistance Listing Number 66.716.

Applications selected for funding under this solicitation must be consistent with the authorized activities above. You must specify how your project fits within the above statutory authority in your Narrative as described in Section IV.B.

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.

The applicant must clearly explain in the applications how the technologies, methods, or approaches used are new or experimental and how the project otherwise meets the requirements of a demonstration as described in this RFA. If your project uses technologies, methods, or approaches that have been used previously in other geographic areas and/or business sectors, then your application must include an explanation as to how your demonstration project is different from such prior projects and is a true demonstration. You must also explain what will be learned from the demonstration project. If your project is truly a demonstration and complies with other eligibility factors, then it will be considered for funding. Remember, your project doesn’t have to include demonstration activities. But if it does, then those activities must comply with the details listed above.

I.F. Sub-awardees and Contractors

If you name sub-awardees or subgrantees and/or contractor(s), including individual consultants, in your application as partners to assist you with the proposed project, pay careful attention to the information in Section III regarding "Coalitions" and to the “Contracts and Subawards” provisions at: EPA Solicitation Clauses (incorporated by reference in Section IV).

I.G. Minority Serving Institutions

EPA recognizes that it is important to engage all available minds to address the environmental challenges the nation faces. At the same time, EPA seeks to expand the environmental conversation by including members of communities which may have not previously participated in such dialogues to participate in EPA programs. For this reason, EPA strongly encourages all eligible applicants identified in Section III, including minority serving institutions (MSIs), to apply under this opportunity.

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

1. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as defined by the Higher Education Act (20

U.S.C. § 1061(2)). A list of these schools can be found at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

2. Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C.

http://www2.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses http://www2.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/

§ 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.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

II.A. Number of Expected Awards and Federal Funding Amounts

EPA Region 4 anticipates awarding approximately $150,000 under this solicitation. EPA anticipates awarding approximately two to three cooperative agreements ranging from $50,000-$75,000, subject to the availability of funds, the quality of applications received, distribution between priorities and other applicable considerations. The anticipated award amounts are approximations that are subject to change based upon a number of considerations including, but not limited to, funding availability, Agency priorities, and other applicable considerations.

Awards will be issued by EPA Region 4 and managed by the LCRD.

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

II.B. Partial Funding

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

II.C. Cooperative Agreement

EPA intends to award 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 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/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/ https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/hsi-eligibles-2016.pdf https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XVkOWKMDORm53pvU0L8EPsrJC94&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=3&source=embed&ll=40.58644586187277%2C-148.28228249999984 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XVkOWKMDORm53pvU0L8EPsrJC94&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=3&source=embed&ll=40.58644586187277%2C-148.28228249999984 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1wlIi3j7gtlNq_w-0NKAb2bF2VmY&ie=UTF&msa=0&ll=37.35160769312532%2C-96.17229800000001&z=4 to substantial involvement as part of the award process, the anticipated substantial 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, 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.

II.D. Project Period

The estimated start date for projects resulting from this solicitation is July 1, 2022. All project activities must be completed within the negotiated project performance period of no longer than two years.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

III.A. Eligible Applicants

Consistent with the Applicant Eligibility Section of CFDA No. 66.716 and the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy (EPA Order 5700.5A1), EPA has limited eligibility for assistance under this program to any State of the United States, Native American Organizations, federally-recognized Indian tribal governments, non-profit organizations, any agency or instrumentality thereof exclusive of local governments (includes public institutions of higher education and hospitals) located in EPA Region 4. MSIs described in Section I.G are eligible applicants. All projects must take place within Region 4.

III.B. Cost Share/Matching Requirement

This competition does not require cost sharing or matching funds.

III.C. Threshold Eligibility Criteria

Applications must meet the following threshold eligibility criteria at the time of submission.

Applications that fail to meet any one of the threshold criteria will not be considered further.

Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration as a result of the threshold eligibility review will be notified within 15 calendar days of the ineligibility determination. Applications that successfully meet the threshold criteria will then be evaluated using the criteria described in Section V.A. The threshold eligibility criteria are:

1. Applications must address at least one of the IPM priorities described in Section I.A.

2. Applications must be for eligible activities under the statutory authority described in Section I.E.

3. Applicants must be an eligible entity - Provide information that demonstrates how you are an eligible entity described in Section III.A.

4. Eligible projects must take place within EPA Region 4, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

5. Ineligible activities: If an application is submitted that includes any ineligible tasks or activities, that portion of the application will be ineligible for funding and may, depending on the extent to which it affects the application, render the entire application ineligible for funding

6. Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements described in Section IV of this solicitation or else they will be rejected. Pages in excess of the page limitation (ten pages) for the Narrative will not be reviewed.

7. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov as specified in Section IV.A of this announcement (except in the limited circumstances where another mode of submission is specifically allowed for as explained in Section IV.A) on or before the application submission deadline. Applicants are responsible for following the submission instructions in Section IV.A of this announcement to ensure that their application is submitted properly.

Applications submitted after the submission deadline will be considered late and deemed ineligible without further consideration unless the applicant can clearly demonstrate that it was late due to EPA mishandling or because of technical problems associated with Grants.gov or relevant SAM.gov system issues. An applicant’s failure to 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.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

IV.A. Requirements to Submit Through Grants.gov and Limited Exception Procedures

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

Submission Instructions

The electronic submission of your application must be made by an official representative of your https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.epa.gov/grants/exceptions-grantsgov-submission-requirement institution who is registered with Grants.gov and is authorized to sign applications for Federal assistance. For more information on the registration requirements that must be completed in order to submit an application through Grants.gov, go to Grants.gov and click on "Applicants" on the top of the page and then go to the "Get Registered" link on the page. If your organization is not currently registered with Grants.gov, encourage your office to designate an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and ask that representative to begin the registration process as soon as possible.

Please note that the registration process also requires that your organization have a DUNS number and a current registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) and the process of obtaining both could take a month or more. Applicants must ensure that all registration requirements are met in order to apply for this opportunity through Grants.gov and should ensure that all such requirements have been met well in advance of the submission deadline. Registration on Grants.gov, SAM.gov, and DUNS number assignment is FREE. Please see RAIN-2021-G01 for information about EPA's implementation of the upcoming Government-wide transition from DUNS to Unique Entity Identifier

(UEI).

Applicants need to ensure that the AOR who submits the application through Grants.gov and whose DUNS number is listed on the application is an AOR for the applicant listed on the application.

Additionally, the DUNS number listed on the application must be registered to the applicant organization's SAM account. If not, the application may be deemed ineligible.

To begin the application process under this grant announcement, go to Grants.gov and click on "Applicants" on the top of the page and then "Apply for Grants" from the dropdown menu and then follow the instructions accordingly. Please note: To apply through Grants.gov, you must use Adobe Reader software and download the compatible Adobe Reader version. For more information about Adobe Reader, to verify compatibility, or to download the free software, please visit Adobe Reader Compatibility Information on Grants.gov

You may also be able to access the application package for this announcement by searching for the opportunity on Grants.gov. Go to Grants.gov and then click on "Search Grants" at the top of the page and enter the Funding Opportunity Number, EPA-R4-LCRD-2022-IPM, or the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number that applies to the announcement (CFDA 66.716 EPA), in the appropriate field and click the Search button.

Please Note: All applications must now be submitted through Grants.gov using the "Workspace" feature. Information on the Workspace feature can be found at the Grants.gov Workspace Overview Page.

Application Submission Deadline: Your organization's AOR must submit your complete application package electronically to EPA through Grants.gov no later than December 17, 2021, 11:59 PM ET.

Please allow for enough time to successfully submit your application and allow for unexpected errors that may require you to resubmit.

Please submit all of the application materials described below using the Grants.gov application package accessed using the instructions above.

Application Materials

The following forms and documents are required under this announcement:

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://sam.gov/content/home https://www.epa.gov/grants/rain-2021-g01 https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

Mandatory Documents:

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 Pre-award Compliance Review Report

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

Optional Documents:

6. Other Attachments- Letters of partnership, as described in Section IV.B; Budget Table, as described in Section IV.B.

Applications submitted through Grants.gov will be time and date stamped electronically.

If you have not received a confirmation of receipt from EPA (not from Grants.gov) within 30 days of the application deadline, please contact Savannah Merritt at 404-562-8487. Failure to do so may result in your application not being reviewed.

Technical Issues with Submission

1. Once the application package has been completed, the "Submit" button should be enabled. If the "Submit" button is not active, please call Grants.gov for assistance at 1-800-518-4726. Applicants who are outside the U.S. at the time of submittal and are not able to access the toll-free number may reach a Grants.gov representative by calling 606-545-5035. Applicants should save the completed application package with two different file names before providing it to the AOR to avoid having to re-create the package should submission problems be experienced or a revised application needs to be submitted.

2. Submitting the application. The application package must be transferred to Grants.gov by an AOR.

The AOR should close all other software before attempting to submit the application package. Click the "submit" button of the application package. Your Internet browser will launch and a sign-in page will appear. Note: Minor problems are not uncommon with transfers to Grants.gov. It is essential to allow sufficient time to ensure that your application is submitted to Grants.gov BEFORE the due date identified in Section IV of the solicitation. The Grants.gov support desk operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except Federal holidays.

A successful transfer will end with an on-screen acknowledgement. For documentation purposes, print or screen capture this acknowledgement. If a submission problem occurs, reboot the computer (turning the power off may be necessary) and re-attempt the submission.

Note:Grants.gov issues a "case number" upon a request for assistance.

3. Transmission Difficulties. If transmission difficulties that result in a late transmission, no transmission, or rejection of the transmitted application are experienced, and following the above instructions do not resolve the problem so that the application is submitted to Grants.gov by the deadline date and time, follow the guidance below. The Agency will make a decision concerning acceptance of each late submission on a case-by-case basis. All emails, as described below, are to be sent to Savannah https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/

Merritt at merritt.savannah@epa.gov with the FON in the subject line. If you are unable to email, contact Savannah Merritt at 404-562-8487. Be aware that EPA will only consider accepting applications that were unable to transmit due to Grants.gov or relevant SAM.gov issues or for unforeseen exigent circumstances, such as extreme weather interfering with internet access. Failure of an applicant to submit timely because they did not properly or timely register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov is not an acceptable reason to justify acceptance of a late submittal.

If you are experiencing problems resulting in an inability to upload the application to Grants.gov, it is essential to call Grants.gov for assistance at 1-800-518-4726 before the application deadline.

Applicants who are outside the U.S. at the time of submittal and are not able to access the toll-free number may reach a Grants.gov representative by calling 606-545-5035. Be sure to obtain a case number from Grants.gov. If the problems stem from unforeseen exigent circumstances unrelated to Grants.gov, such as extreme weather interfering with internet access, contact Savannah Merritt at 404- 562-8487.

4. Unsuccessful transfer of the application package: If a successful transfer of the application cannot be accomplished even with assistance from Grants.gov due to electronic submission system issues or unforeseen exigent circumstances, and you have already attempted to resolve the issue by contacting Grants.gov, send an email message to Savannah Merritt at merritt.savannah@epa.gov prior to the application deadline. The email message must document the problem and include the Grants.gov case number as well as the entire application in PDF format as an attachment.

5. Rejection by Grants.gov of the application package: If a notification is received from Grants.gov stating that the application has been rejected for reasons other than late submittal and it is too late to reapply, promptly send an email to Savannah Merritt at merritt.savannah@epa.gov with the FON in the subject line within one business day of the closing date of this solicitation. The email should include any materials provided by Grants.gov and attach the entire application in PDF format.

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

IV.B. Content of Application Package

The following documents (Cover Page and Narrative Work Plan) are required for all application packages. All documents must be in English and submitted in Grants.gov described in Section IV.A.

The Narrative must explicitly describe the applicant’s project and specifically address each of the elements below and the evaluation criteria described in Section V.A. The Narrative Work Plan should use standard Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri fonts with a 12-point font size. The Narrative must not exceed 10 single-spaced standard letter-sized (8.5 x 11-inch) pages. Any pages submitted in excess of the page limit will not be reviewed. While these guidelines establish the minimum type size requirements, applicants are advised that readability is of paramount importance and should take precedence in selection of an appropriate font for use in the application.

Cover Page - Should not exceed one page and include:

• Project Title.

• Applicant Name. Identify the name of the organization submitting the application.

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• DUNS Number. List the organization’s DUNS number.

• Project Summary. Briefly describe the project in one to four sentences and identify the jurisdiction of your project or community you plan to serve and where the project will be performed.

• Project Leader. Include contact name, title, address, email address, phone number. Applicant can also list an administrative contact.

• Total Project Cost. Specify total cost of the project. Identify funding from other sources and in-kind contributions.

• Funding Requested. Specify the amount of federal funding requested from EPA.

• Demonstration of how the Applicant is an eligible entity per Section III.C.

Narrative Work Plan

The Narrative Work Plan must include clear, concise, and factual responses to all elements below. The Narrative must provide sufficient detail to allow for an evaluation of the merits of the application. If a criterion does not apply, include a response which explains why it does not apply. Any criterion left unanswered may result in zero points given for that criterion. Responses to the criteria should include the criteria number and title but need not restate the entire text of the criteria.

1. Project Summary and Priority Support

a. Project Description

Provide a clear and detailed description of the project, including a description of how the project will support and improve environmental, economic, or community health, resilience and/or sustainability by reducing pest populations and/or pesticide exposures.

b. IPM Priorities Describe how your project will directly address at least one of the priorities described in Section I.A.

b. Objectives Describe the project objectives and your strategy for achieving those objectives.

d. Scope of Work and Strategic Plan Linkage Provide a clear and detailed explanation of how the project addresses the requirements in Section I.C. (Strategic Plan Linkage).

2. Project Partners, Outreach and Transferability

a. Partnerships Describe your plan to use and leverage the resources and expertise of partners and stakeholders in the project, including a description of their role and how each partner will contribute to the success of the project.

If you do not intend to use partners, explain how it is beneficial or necessary to implement your project without partners, and how you will ensure the project’s ongoing success without the benefit of partners.

Include letter(s) of support from any partners and/or stakeholders that include a description of their role in the project. If applicants do not intend to use partners, this must be EXPLICITLY stated. Applicants who do not explicitly state their desire to work independently will be evaluated according to the criteria of a project implemented with partnerships.

b. Outreach Explain how the results and/or outputs generated by the project will be communicated to target beneficiaries.

c. Transferability Describe how the project might be replicated and transferred to other communities.

3. Community Impact and Project Sustainability

a. Project Alignment with Community Priorities Provide a clear and detailed description of the extent to which the project supports and/or aligns with expressed state and/or local mandate, policy, and/or community priorities.

b. Project Innovation Describe how the IPM project encompasses innovative (e.g., not usual, routine, or established) practices within the stakeholder group that have the capacity to institute real change.

c. Disproportionately Impacted Communities:

Describe how this grant will address or facilitate the reduction of pests or pesticide exposures in communities that have environmental justice challenges and/or disproportionately share the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and/or commercial operations or policies.

4. Project Tasks, Budget and Measuring Progress

a. Budget Description Describe the project tasks and subtasks, and personnel responsible for each project task and subtask.

b. Cost Estimates

Provide and describe how cost estimates for each task were developed and, where appropriate, provide costs per unit. Identify in the Narrative, but not the budget table, any costs that the applicant or other partners will fund for each task.

c. Budget Table Provide a detailed budget for your project and provide the itemized, eligible costs for personnel, fringe benefits, contractual costs, travel, equipment, supplies, other direct costs, indirect costs, and total costs. Refer to Appendix A for a description of the budget categories and refer to Appendix B for a sample Budget Table. Only include costs to be covered by EPA grant funds in the Budget Table. In order to save space, applicants may attach the budget table as an attachment.

d. Outputs and Outcomes Identify for each task what outputs and outcomes will be produced for your project as described in Section 1.D. Include quantitative targets. Describe your plan and approach for measuring progress towards achieving those expected project outcomes and outputs.

e. Anticipated Project Schedule Provide a timeline for the tasks and subtasks described above and an estimate of how long it will take to complete each of these. Provide a schedule indicating completion dates of milestones that demonstrate that you can complete the project and project goals within the two-year project period of performance.

f. Timely Expenditure of Grant Funds Describe your approach, procedures, and controls for ensuring that awarded grant funds will be expended in a timely and efficient manner.

5. Programmatic Capability and Past Performance List up to 5 funding assistance agreements (assistance agreements include grants and cooperative agreements but not contracts) similar in size, scope, and relevance to this proposed project that your organization performed within the last three years. EPA agreements are preferred. Describe:

a. Past Performance – Project Management

Provide a clear and detailed description of your past performance and outcomes in successfully completing and managing those assistance agreements.

b. Past Performance – Reporting Provide a clear and detailed description of 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, (and if not, explain why not) and whether you submitted acceptable final technical reports under the agreements.

c. Organizational Capability Provide a clear and detailed description of the organizational experience and capacity to plan for timely and successfully achieving the objectives of the proposed project. Include staff expertise/qualifications, staff knowledge, and resources or the ability to obtain them, to successfully achieve the goals of the proposed project.

If your organization does not have any relevant or available past performance related to federal or non-federal grants, you should state this explicitly in your application (e.g. Our organization has no relevant past grants experience.) Including this statement will ensure you receive a neutral score for the factors 5.a and 5.b (a neutral score being half of the total points available in a subset of possible points). Failure to include this statement may result in your receiving a score of 0 for these factors.

IV.C. Additional Provisions for Applicants Incorporated into the Solicitation

Additional provisions that apply to this solicitation and/or awards made under this solicitation, including but not limited to those related to confidential business information, contracts and subawards under grants, and application assistance and communications, can be found at EPA Solicitation Clauses.

These, and the other provisions that can be…