Final NTWC RFA 4-27-23 508CP.pdf

Federal Agency Name: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Immediate Office

Funding Opportunity Title: Support to the National Tribal Water Council

Announcement Type: Request for Applications (RFA)

Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-OW-IO-23-01

Assistance Listing: 66.424, 66.436

Dates: The closing date and time for receipt of application submissions is July 31, 2023 by 11:59 PM, Eastern Time (ET). Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov no later than 11:59 PM ET July 31, 2023, in order to be considered for funding.

Questions about this RFA must be submitted in writing via e-mail and must be received by the Agency contact identified in Section VII before July 17, 2023. Written responses will be posted on EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/tribalwater/request-applications-support-national-tribal-water-council. Please note answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) are available at https://www.epa.gov/tribalwater/request-applications-support-national-tribal-water-council. EPA strongly recommends interested applicants refer to the FAQs website prior to submitting a question.

COVID-19 Update: EPA is providing flexibilities to applicants experiencing challenges related to COVID-19. Please see the Flexibilities Available to Organizations Impacted by COVID-19 clause in Section IV of EPA’s Solicitation Clauses.

Note to Applicants: Following EPA’s evaluation of applications, all applicants will be notified regarding their status. If you name subawardees/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 the Contracts and Subawards Provision found at EPA Solicitation Clauses.

CONTENTS BY SECTION

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 Contact VIII. Other Information

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://www.epa.gov/tribalwater/request-applications-support-national-tribal-water-council https://www.epa.gov/tribalwater/request-applications-support-national https://www.epa.gov/tribalwater/request-applications-support-national-tribal-water-council

A. BACKGROUND

Currently, there are 574 distinct Indian tribal governments recognized as sovereign entities by the U.S. Government that use water resources for drinking, fishing and subsistence, transportation, ceremonial purposes, and more. Indian tribes are responsible for protecting and restoring thousands of square miles of rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands, as well as ground water. In addition, tribes living on or near the coast are largely dependent on coastal resources.

Each tribe faces a set of challenges in protecting these resources and ensuring the health of their members and communities. Tribes have responsibilities and opportunities as environmental co-regulators under EPA statutes to play a major role in protecting the water resources vital to their existence, and many are seeking to develop comprehensive and effective water quality programs to improve and protect water quality on tribal lands.

To support and enhance tribal efforts, EPA’s Office of Water has previously awarded cooperative agreements to establish and support a national council of tribal government representatives with technical expertise in tribal water programs that focus on water topics in Indian country consistent with the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), called the National Tribal Water Council (NTWC or the Council).

Over the last 17 years, the NTWC has operated to:

Provide a unique platform to facilitate and enhance tribal participation, input, training, and information exchange among tribes, and operate as a network for tribes to build capacity to protect and restore water quality on tribal lands and increase tribal awareness on a wide variety of tribal water resource and watershed issues.

Promote sharing of technical information and best management practices to improve and preserve water quality and provide adequate sanitation and safe drinking water in tribal communities.

Identify and analyze high-priority, water-related issues, and actions from tribal perspectives.

Encourage the development and enhancement of tribal water resource protection programs.

Raise tribal water program issues to EPA and offer input on national water policy initiatives affecting tribes.

NTWC members are tribal government representatives with technical expertise in widely varied water programs, including ground and surface water protection, watershed management, water quality monitoring, water quality permitting, and the operation of wastewater facilities and drinking water systems. Members may also include other interested tribal representatives who are found to meet qualification requirements set by the NTWC by-laws.

The membership of the Council supported by this cooperative agreement is expected to comprise 17 representatives from 17 federally recognized tribes or tribal organizations (i.e., one member to represent each of the 10 EPA Regions, and seven at-large members to represent additional tribes, https://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/ntwc/About/Bylaws_Meeting_Minutes such as Alaska Native Villages and the Navajo Nation, consistent with the NTWC by-laws).

If requested, the Agency will provide the successful applicant with materials developed under previous cooperative agreements (i.e., materials developed with EPA funding as authorized by 2 CFR 200.315). For more information on the NTWC, please visit the National Tribal Water Council’s website at: www.nau.edu/ntwc.

For the purposes of this announcement, the words “tribe” and its derivatives refer to Indian tribal entities identified as federally recognized by the United States Department of Interior, which includes tribes within the contiguous 48 states, and native entities within the state of Alaska (Alaska Native Villages and Alaska Tribes). The term “Indian country” means: (1) all land within the limits of any Indian reservation under the jurisdiction of the United States Government, notwithstanding the issuance of any patent, and including rights-of-way running throughout the reservation; (2) all dependent Indian communities within the borders of the United States, whether within the original or subsequently acquired territory thereof, and whether within or without the limits of the state; and (3) all Indian allotments, the Indian titles to which have not been extinguished, including rights-of-way running through the same.

B. PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

With this RFA, EPA is seeking applicants from eligible entities to conduct, coordinate, and promote the acceleration of research, studies, training, and demonstration projects that will support the participation of the NTWC and tribes to prevent, reduce, and eliminate pollution to waters and protect drinking water in Indian country. Applicants should describe an approach to maintain, support, and facilitate the operations of the NTWC, and assist in developing and completing projects in coordination with the NTWC related to protecting and restoring tribal water quality and providing wastewater sanitation under the CWA and protecting ground water and providing safe drinking water under the SDWA.

The scope of this work includes the following project elements: (1) support the operation of the Council as a national forum and network for tribal water managers, and provide logistical support so that the Council may interact with each other, with tribes, and directly with EPA (including supporting NTWC member travel-related expenses (e.g., airfare, hotel, and federal rate per diem) for participation at meetings as identified in the cooperative agreement); (2) assist the NTWC to promote technical water program-focused information exchange and sharing of best management practices for addressing water quality and drinking water concerns to tribes and EPA; (3) assist the NTWC to conduct outreach activities to benefit tribes on water resource protection and restoration topics; and (4) conduct studies in coordination with the NTWC that identify and analyze high priority, water-related issues and actions from tribal perspectives related to the SDWA and the CWA.

As part of its application, the successful applicant is expected to describe the technical approach for accomplishing the project elements described below. The project elements listed below provide some detail on roles and responsibilities the successful applicant may be expected to assume in carrying out specific work objectives under the cooperative agreement. The www.nau.edu/ntwc description below does not attempt to be comprehensive, and applicants are encouraged to identify additional project elements (i.e., not included in this announcement) that may contribute to their overall vision for project success in their applications. However, the project elements will be used during the application review process (as indicated in the ranking criteria in Section V.A), and thus may provide guidance as applicants decide what activities will be needed to successfully meet the objectives described in this announcement.

Project Element 1: Support Operation and Logistics of the NTWC The successful applicant will support the operation of the Council and logistics of the Council’s actions as a national forum for interactions with tribes and EPA. The components of this project element may include, but are not limited to:

a. Propose updates to the NTWC by-laws as necessary to ensure effectiveness in achieving NTWC goals and objectives.

b. Support NTWC membership in consultation with the NTWC and EPA. Conduct the process for filling NTWC vacancies pursuant to the adopted by-laws. Select new members of the NTWC as needed to ensure the Council will adequately receive individual input from tribes nationally. The recipient will make the final decisions regarding the composition of the NTWC membership using criteria agreed upon by the NTWC and the EPA Project Officer. It is anticipated that the existing Council membership will continue to serve the length of their terms according to the current by-laws.

c. Assist NTWC with planning meetings and developing meeting agendas in consultation with the NTWC and the EPA Project Officer. Support two face-to-face NTWC-EPA meetings per year (one in the Spring in Washington, DC, and one in the Fall). Applicants should describe their approach for identifying proposed locations for the Fall meetings in their applications.

d. Support NTWC travel by making travel arrangements and provide funding for necessary travel-related expenses (e.g., airfare, hotel, and federal rate per diem) for NTWC members for the biannual face-to-face NTWC/EPA meetings.

i. Applicants should include in their description how they propose to support face-to-face meetings under normal circumstances and how they will support virtual meetings if face-to-face meetings are not possible due to impacts related to still present COVID-19 conditions (e.g., under quarantine situations, if social distancing is required in your locale). Alternatives to face-to-face meetings due to such impacts may include switching from in-person formats to online only.

ii. Funds awarded under this announcement may also be used by the recipient to support NTWC member travel-related expenses (e.g., airfare, hotel, and federal rate per diem) for participation at meetings identified in the cooperative agreement work plan, including NTWC member representation at relevant conferences and meetings to conduct tribal outreach, identify and address high priority tribal interest areas and technical analysis, and seek tribal input on or help to disseminate the results of studies in water-related areas.

iii. NTWC travel to relevant conferences and meetings must be for the purpose of meeting the objectives of this project and acquiring knowledge that will be disseminated back to the NTWC and more broadly to tribal water professionals. The recipient will decide which NTWC members receive travel assistance to specific relevant events (for examples of relevant events, see Section I.B, Project Element 2).

iv. Applicants may propose to use a portion of the assistance funds to defray transportation and subsistence expenses for non-federal attendees to attend meetings and conferences. The applicant is solely responsible for determining a methodology for selecting and funding reimbursement requests and providing a report on how participating non-federal attendees benefited from the meetings and conferences. EPA will not participate in the selection or approval of individuals who receive travel assistance.

e. Provide technical and logistical support for NTWC periodic videoconferences, bi-annual face-to-face meetings, and periodic conference calls. This support may include, for example, serving as a meeting facilitator and disseminating information to NTWC member representatives; developing agendas; negotiating hotel, conference space, and transportation rates; and broadly disseminating NTWC products to exchange and bring new information or perspectives on issues related to ground, surface, and drinking water quality. In their applications, applicants should specify the proposed frequency of the videoconferences and conference calls and describe their approach to establishing the agenda. Although the successful applicant will consult with EPA’s Project Officer on the agenda for the calls, the final decision on the agenda for the calls will be made by the recipient and the NTWC.

Project Element 2: Information Exchange The successful applicant will assist the NTWC in promoting technical water-program focused information exchange and sharing of best management practices for addressing water quality and drinking water concerns to tribes and EPA. These efforts are intended to help create a broader understanding, among both tribal and non-tribal water professionals, and EPA, of the potential impacts of and solutions for existing and emerging water issues in Indian country. Information exchange may also promote educational opportunities for NTWC members. The components of this project element may include, but are not limited to:

a. Facilitate NTWC involvement in relevant local and regional collaborative water protection efforts such as those covering the Great Lakes region, the Mississippi Basin and Gulf of Mexico, Puget Sound, the Everglades, and other Large Aquatic Ecosystems (See EPA Learn About Water for more information).

b. Collaborate and help facilitate information exchange with other groups representing tribal interests in the federal/tribal co-regulator network including for example, the National Tribal Caucus, Regional Tribal Operations Committees, and other tribal organizations and committees, to promote networking and information exchange and to communicate national tribal water priorities. Support individual NTWC member’s participation in tribal or EPA water program meetings and discussions to raise tribal issues, provide input, and exchange information.

https://www.epa.gov/environmental-topics/water-topics

c. Support NTWC members in bringing new information or perspectives on water resource protection practices to tribes through formal presentations, informal discussions, and training sessions, including remote training mechanisms such as webinars. Assist NTWC with identifying the need for research, studies, training, and demonstration projects.

d. Support learning opportunities to increase NTWC member knowledge on CWA and SDWA-related topics such as water quality monitoring technologies and sustainable drinking water treatment systems and stay current with emerging issues.

e. Facilitate information exchange on water quality and drinking water topics with tribes and EPA through actions such as: (1) notifying tribes on high priority water issues and matters that may be appropriate for tribal consultation; (2) interacting directly with water professionals that have interests in tribal water resource protection issues at both the national and regional levels; (3) presenting specific water topics to a tribal audience to improve tribal understanding of water programs; (4) highlighting potential impacts of water issues in Indian country; (5) discussing/seeking input on tribal water studies; (6) providing water resource protection training; and (7) facilitating NTWC discussions with tribes on tribal compliance with the CWA and SDWA regulations governing water resources in a manner that is consistent with tribal sovereignty and tribal treaty rights.

f. Help represent tribal perspectives on issues related to ground, surface, and drinking water quality.

g. Provide technical analysis of water policy and regulatory actions.

h. Seek non-consensus input from tribes and convey results of studies and best practices in

Indian country.

Project Element 3: Outreach The successful applicant will assist the NTWC to conduct outreach activities to benefit tribes on water resource protection and restoration topics. The components of this project element may include, but are not limited to:

a. Determine the appropriate outreach or delivery of information mechanisms so that information can reach a broad tribal audience and facilitate the participation of interested tribes in EPA initiatives and actions. Examples include newsletters, information listservs, webinars, workshops, and forums or meetings open to general tribal participants.

b. Disseminate information on priority topics relating to water quality and drinking water issues in Indian country through, for example, webinars

c. Develop and maintain an updated website to foster communication where NTWC members and the public can obtain access to information about the NTWC, including research reports, studies, training course announcements, and the results of the NTWC meetings.

d. Support the NTWC in outreach discussions with tribes, to obtain non-consensus tribal input on the development and implementation of national water policy initiatives, new regulations, strategic plans, or other identified priority actions identified by the NTWC that may impact tribes. Examples of identified priority actions could include water sustainability and climate change adaptation and mitigation plans.

Project Element 4: Studies The successful applicant will conduct studies in support of, and in coordination with, the NTWC that identify and analyze high priority, water-related issues and actions from tribal perspectives related to the SDWA and CWA. The components of this project element may include, but are not limited to:

a. To help guide its study support, in coordination with the NTWC, develop and maintain a list of high priority, tribal water-related program focus areas, issues, and actions related to the SDWA and CWA. In their applications, applicants should describe the frequency of the updates to this list and how they intend to distribute it.

b. Provide support to NTWC members by conducting research and studies to prepare for meetings. Assist the NTWC to define training or study needs and solicit and obtain requested tribal technical assistance from EPA or other sources.

c. Develop and disseminate research and studies on topics that are identified by the NTWC that are consistent with the CWA Section 104(b)(3) and SDWA Section 1442 authorities that would be of high benefit to tribes and/or help the NTWC prepare for meetings. In their applications, applicants may propose any subject areas that achieve the objectives described under this announcement.

Overall Vision for Success As part of its application, the successful applicant is also expected to describe their overall vision for successfully accomplishing the project to support the NTWC. Factors to consider may include, but are not limited to: (1) how the applicant will work with tribal representatives and provide appropriate techniques and formats to ensure tribal perspectives and a diverse tribal council and views; (2) how the applicant will keep the NTWC, tribes, and the EPA Project Officer informed throughout the project to meet the specific needs of the Council and EPA; and

(3) how the applicant defines success for the project, and how the applicant will measure project success.

Transfer of Results The applicant should also include a discussion of how the applicant will transfer results of the project, including resources developed (such as webinars and training materials) throughout Indian country and to interested stakeholders.

C. EPA’S STRATEGIC PLAN AND ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL RESULTS

The activities to be funded under this solicitation support the FY 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan, available at https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan. Awards made under this solicitation will support Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities; Objective 5.1: Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure; and Objective 5.2: Protect and Restore Waterbodies and Watersheds of the Strategic Plan.

All proposed activities must address EPA’s Strategic Plan priorities and 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 https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan how the project will contribute to the overall protection and management of tribal water resource programs.

Environmental results are a way to gauge a project’s performance and are described in terms of outputs and outcomes. Expected environmental outputs (or deliverables) refer to an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product related to an environmental goal or 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.

Examples of anticipated environmental outputs from the assistance agreement to be awarded under this announcement include, but are not limited to:

Increased outreach efforts and two-way dialogue among tribes, and between tribes and EPA.

Number of tribes notified on NTWC activities, such as high priority issues and matters appropriate for tribal consultation regarding SWDA and CWA water programs.

Number of tribes participating in intertribal communication tools and/or venues such as webinars, websites, conference calls, etc.

Completion of information sharing activities involving the NTWC and tribes that improves the quality of interactions among tribes, and between tribes and EPA on tribal water program issues. Completion of studies to improve tribal knowledge and capacity to protect and restore water resources.

Number of communication activities performed under the assistance agreement that increase opportunities for tribes to engage on water issues and increase knowledge and understanding of tribes (such as newsletters; webinars; electronic outreach; or participation in meetings, workshops, etc. that are open to general tribal participation).

Examples of anticipated environmental outcomes from the assistance agreement to be awarded under this announcement include, but are not limited to:

Increased participation and information exchange among tribes, and between tribes and EPA involved in various aspects of water programs.

Improved understanding by tribal water managers and technicians of best practices and water protection and management strategies for tribes leading to increased compliance at tribally operated facilities, enhanced tribal water protection programs or actions, and more overall effective protection of human health and the environment in Indian country and Alaska Native Villages.

Increased number of tribes implementing water quality programs leading to cleaner water.

Increased tribal cooperation with state governments in watershed protection and monitoring efforts, based on increased knowledge and understanding of water programs and issues and common goals for achieving clean water and protecting community health.

As part of the Project Narrative, an applicant will be required to describe how the applicant’s activities will link to outcomes to the Agency’s Strategic Plan. Additional information regarding

EPA’s discussion of environmental results in terms of outputs and outcomes can be found at:

EPA’s Policy for Environmental Results under EPA Assistance Agreements.

D. STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The statutory authority for this announcement is CWA Section 104(b)(3) and SDWA Section 1442(c)(3). Section 104(b)(3) of the CWA restricts the use of these assistance agreements to the following: conducting or promoting the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the causes, effects (including health and welfare effects), extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of water pollution. Section 1442(c)(3) of the SDWA authorizes EPA to make grants for technical assistance, and training involving the public health aspects of providing safe drinking water.

Implementation projects are not eligible for funding under this announcement.

E. 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. § 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.

F. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS FOR APPLICANTS INCORPORATED INTO THE

SOLICITATION

Additional provisions that apply to Sections III, IV, V, and VI of this solicitation and/or awards made under this solicitation, can be found at EPA Solicitation Clauses. These provisions are important for applying to this solicitation and applicants must review them when preparing https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/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=40.5864458618728%2C-148.28228249999984 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1wlIi3j7gtlNq_w-0NKAb2bF2VmY&ie=UTF&msa=0&ll=37.35160769312534%2C-96.17229800000001&z=4 https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses applications for this solicitation. If you are unable to access these provisions electronically at the website above, please contact the EPA point of contact listed in this solicitation (in Section VII) to obtain the provisions.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. AMOUNT OF FUNDING

The total amount of expected funding available under this announcement is approximately $1,610,500, depending on Agency funding levels, the quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations. EPA anticipates that one award will be made under this announcement. The anticipated project period for the award is five years. EPA anticipates that the award will be funded incrementally at $322,100 per year, depending on Agency priorities, funding availability, satisfactory performance, and other applicable considerations.

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.

EPA reserves the right to make no awards under this announcement or to make fewer awards than anticipated. In addition, EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy and guidance, if additional funding becomes available. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months after the original selection decisions.

B. TYPE OF FUNDING

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 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;

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

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.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

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

States, local governments, federally recognized Indian tribes, intertribal consortia, territories, possessions of the U.S. (including the District of Columbia), public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, and public or private nonprofit institutions are eligible to apply.1

For-profit organizations are not eligible to apply. 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.

EPA may ask applicants to demonstrate that they are eligible for funding under this announcement.

B. COST SHARING/MATCH REQUIREMENTS

No cost share or match is required.

C. THRESHOLD ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

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

These are requirements that, if not met by the time of application package submission, will result in elimination of the application from consideration for funding. All applications will be reviewed for eligibility and must meet the eligibility requirements described in Sections III.A, B, and C to be considered eligible. Only applications that meet all of these criteria will be evaluated against the ranking factors in Section V of the announcement. 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.

1 Consistent with the definition of nonprofit organization at 2 CFR § 200.1, the term nonprofit organization means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization that is operated mainly for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purpose in the public interest and is not organized primarily for profit; and uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operation of the organization. The term includes tax-exempt nonprofit neighborhood and labor organizations. 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. Additionally, 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.

1. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements in Section III.A of this announcement at the time of application submission.

2. Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section IV of this solicitation or else they will be rejected.

However, where a page limit is expressed in Section IV.C.2 with respect to the application, or parts thereof, pages in excess of the page limitation will not be reviewed.

Section IV.C.2, Project Narrative, establishes a 15-page, single-spaced Project Narrative page limit that does not include the cover page. If a double-spaced Project Narrative is submitted, it will only be reviewed up to the equivalent of the 15 single-spaced (30 page double-spaced) page limit; excess pages 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 application format, including selecting a legible font and size, for use in this application.

3. 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 to email a full application to EPA prior to the deadline.

4. Applications submitted outside of Grants.gov will be deemed ineligible without further consideration unless the applicant can clearly demonstrate that it was due to EPA mishandling or technical problems associated with Grants.gov or SAM.gov. An applicant’s failure to timely submit their application through Grants.gov because they did not timely or properly register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov will not be considered an acceptable reason to consider a submission outside of Grants.gov.

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.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

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

A. FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

a. Requirement to Submit Through Grants.gov and Limited Exception Procedures Applicants must apply electronically through Grants.gov under this funding opportunity based on the Grants.gov instructions in this announcement. If your organization has no access to the internet or access is very limited, you may request an exception for the http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://sam.gov/content/home https://sam.gov/content/home https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://www.grants.gov/ https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov remainder of this calendar year by following the procedures outlined here. Please note that your request must be received at least 15 calendar days before the application due date to allow enough time to negotiate alternative submission methods. Issues with submissions with respect to this opportunity only are addressed in section c. Technical Issues with Submission below.

b. Submission Instructions

1. SAM.gov (System for Award Management) Registration Instructions Organizations applying to this funding opportunity must have an active SAM.gov registration. If you have never done business with the Federal Government, you will need to register your organization in SAM.gov. If you do not have a SAM.gov account, then you will create an account using login.gov2 to complete your SAM.gov registration.

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

If you have done business with the Federal Government previously, you can check your entity status using your government issued UEI to determine if your registration is active. SAM.gov requires you renew your registration every 365 days to keep it active.

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

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

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

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

2 Login.gov a secure sign in service used by the public to sign into Federal Agency systems including SAM.gov and Grants.gov. For help with login.gov accounts you should visit http://login.gov/help.

https://www.epa.gov/grants/exceptions-grantsgov-submission-requirement https://login.gov/ https://www.fsd.gov/sys_attachment.do?sys_id=51a2fa061b0bcd500ca4a97ae54bcb18 https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0051214&sys_kb_id=dd40f4ef1b9641d0937fa64ce54bcb7a&spa=1 https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html http://login.gov/help https://login.gov https://Grants.gov https://Login.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov of contact is the only person that can affiliate and assign applicant roles to members of an organization. In addition, at least one person must be assigned as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Only person(s) with the AOR role can submit applications in Grants.gov. Please review the Intro to Grants.gov-Understanding User Roles and Learning Workspace – User Roles and Workspace Actions for details on this important process.

Please note that this process can take a month or more for new registrants. 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 application submission deadline.

Contact Grants.gov for assistance at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov to resolve technical issues with Grants.gov. 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. The Grants.gov Support Center is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week, excluding federal holidays.

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

The electronic submission of your application to this funding opportunity must be made by an official representative of your organization who is registered with Grants.gov and is authorized to sign applications for Federal financial assistance. If the submit button is grayed out, it may be because you do not have the appropriate role to submit in your organization. Contact your organization’s EBiz point of contact or contact Grants.gov for assistance at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.

Applicants need to ensure that the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) who submits the application through Grants.gov and whose UEI is listed on the application is an AOR for the applicant listed on the application. Additionally, the UEI listed on the application must be registered to the applicant organization's SAM.gov account. If not, the application may be deemed ineligible.

4. Application Submission Deadline Your organization’s AOR must submit your complete application package electronically to EPA through Grants.gov no later than July 31, 2023 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.

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

Please note that successful submission of your application through Grants.gov does not https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsPRj4ILn7Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLxg5Tu3qHA mailto:Grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:Grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/ https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov mailto:support@grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov mailto:support@grants.gov necessarily mean your application is eligible for award. Any application submitted after the application deadline time and date deadline will be deemed ineligible and not be considered.

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

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

2. Document the Grants.gov ticket/case number.

3. Send an email with EPA-OW-IO-23-01 in the subject line to tribalwater@epa.gov before the application deadline time and date and must include the following:

a. Grants.gov ticket/case number(s)

b. Description of the issue

c. The entire application package in PDF format.

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

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

EPA will make decisions concerning acceptance of each application submitted outside of Grants.gov on a case-by-case basis. EPA will only consider accepting applications that were unable to submit through Grants.gov due to Grants.gov or relevant SAM.gov system issues or for unforeseen exigent circumstances, such as extreme weather interfering with internet access. Failure of an applicant to submit prior to the application submission deadline date because they did not properly or timely register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov is not an acceptable reason to justify acceptance of an application outside of Grants.gov.

d. Application Materials The following forms and documents are required under this announcement:

Mandatory Documents:

Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424).

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) EPA Key Contacts Form 5700-54.

EPA Form 4700-4 – Preaward Compliance Review Report.

Project Narrative (Project Narrative Attachment Form) prepared as described in

Section IV of the announcement.

Optional Documents: (Not counted as part of the page limit.)

Other Attachments Form – Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, if applicable.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov mailto:tribalwater@epa.gov

Other Attachment Form – Letters of Commitment, if applicable.

Other Attachments Form – Biographical sketches of major project managers, support staff members, or other major project participants for the proposed projects.

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 Bob Rose at tribalwater@epa.gov.

Failure to do so may result in your application not being reviewed.

B. CONTENT OF APPLICATION PACKAGE SUBMISSION

Applicants should read the following section very carefully and address all requirements. A complete application package must include the following documents described below.

a. Application Materials The following documents re required under this solicitation:

1. Mandatory Documents:

Signed Standard Form (SF) 424 - Application for Federal Assistance. Complete the form. There are no attachments

SF-424A – Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs. Complete this form. The total amount of federal funding requested for the five-year project period should be shown on line 5(e) and on line 6(k) of the SF-424A. If indirect costs are included, the amount of indirect costs should be entered on line 6(j). The indirect cost rate (i.e., a percentage), the base (e.g., personnel costs and fringe benefits), and the amount should also be indicated on line 22. If indirect costs are requested, a copy of the Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement must be submitted as part of the application package (See instructions for document j, below). In Section B, Budget Categories column (1) should be filled out for federal funds, column (2) should be filled out for any non-federal cost-share/match, and column (5) should be filled out for total project cost (combined federal fund and any non-federal cost-share/match).

EPA Key Contacts Form 5700-54. Complete the form. Attach additional forms as needed.

EPA Form 4700–4, Pre-Award Compliance Review Report. Complete the form.

There are no attachments.

Project Narrative. See Section IV.B (Project Narrative) for details on specific information that must be included. When developing the Project Narrative, applicants should refer to Section I.B of the announcement which provides the project description.

2. Optional Documents: (Not counted as part of the page limit.)

mailto:tribalwater@epa.gov

Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable). See EPA’s Indirect Cost Guidance for additional information.

Letter of Commitment. Submit letters of commitment, if applicable.

Biographical Sketches for Key Personnel: Submit a biographical sketch of each project manager for the proposed project. Provide the names, phone numbers, business address, and e-mail address, for proposed principal investigator(s) and key associates. Describe the qualifications, experience, and availability of these personnel to perform the work. Annotated resumes (not to exceed one page each) outlining education, work history, and knowledge/expertise of the individual as it relates to managing the proposed project, must be submitted for each major project manager, support staff member or other major participant. Full resumes may be included as an appendix to the main application package.

b. Project Narrative The Project Narrative is limited to no more than fifteen (15) typewritten single spaced 8.5x11-inch pages (a page is one side of a piece of paper) including the executive summary, but not including the cover page. Pages should be consecutively numbered for ease of reading. It is recommended that applicants use a standard 12-point type with 1-inch margins. While these guidelines establish the minimum type size recommended, applicants are advised that readability is of paramount importance and should take precedence in selection of an appropriate font for use in the project narrative.