FY17 Final Approved SFL RFP.pdf

AGENCY:

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

TITLE:

2017 SOUTH FL INITIATIVE

ACTION: REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER (FON): EPA-R4-SFL-2017-01

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NO: 66.436

DATES: The closing date and time for submission of proposals through www.grants.gov is July 25, 2017, 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time (ET). No hard copies will be accepted for this RFP.

Proposals received after July 25, 2017, 11:59 p.m. ET will not be considered for funding.

SUMMARY: This request for proposal announces the availability of funds and solicits proposals under a competitive announcement to fund projects for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Protection Program and the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative. This announcement is an open competition for applicants to apply for funding on projects meeting the goals and objectives under these programs.

FUNDING/AWARDS: EPA Region 4 anticipates awarding approximately $100,000 to $250,000 in FY17 to fund one to three proposals with funding ranging from $25,000 – up to possibly $200,000 to address the R4 Priority Areas described in Section I of this announcement.

The total amount of funding and awards that will be made under this announcement depends on funding availability, the quality of proposals received, and other applicable considerations.

Unless pre-award costs are specifically approved by EPA, recipients should not incur project costs, including nonfederal match, until they receive an award offer from EPA.

CONTENTS BY SECTION

I. Funding Opportunity Description II. Award Information III. Eligibility Information IV. Proposal Submission Information V. Proposal Evaluation and Review Information VI. Award Administration Information VII. Agency Contacts VIII. Other Information (Appendices)

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. South Florida Program Background

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) was created with the signing of Public Law 101-605, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act of 1990. Included in the Sanctuary are 2,900 square nautical miles of nearshore waters extending from Biscayne Bay to the Dry Tortugas. Recognizing the critical role of water quality in maintaining Sanctuary resources, Congress directed the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Florida, in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to develop a Water Quality Protection Program (WQPP) for the Sanctuary – the first of its kind in the nation. The Act directs the WQPP to develop corrective actions and compliance schedules to address point and nonpoint sources of pollution to maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Sanctuary. This includes restoration and maintenance of a balance, indigenous population of corals, shellfish, fish and wildlife, and recreational activities in and on the water. In addition to corrective actions, the 1990 Act requires public participation developing and implementing the program.

In 1998, The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) was established by Executive Order #13089 to lead U.S. efforts to restore and protect coral reef ecosystems. In October 2002, the USCRTF implemented a National Action Plan to conserve coral reefs. The Local Action Strategy for coral reef conservation and management in southeast Florida was finalized in 2004 and includes the following focus areas: land-based sources of pollution;

fishing, diving and other uses; maritime industry and coastal construction impacts; and awareness and appreciation.

This funding opportunity is for Special Studies/Research and Public Education/Outreach for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Water Quality Protection Program for the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative. Examples of eligible Special Studies/Research program activities include: canal demonstration projects; stormwater demonstration projects; coral research; endocrine disruptor impacts to marine fauna and flora; identifying and understanding cause/effect relationships of pollutants; developing effective remediation techniques for aquatic resources; addressing specific management questions and concerns; predictive models and monitoring tools; and overall improvement of our understanding of South Florida ecosystems. Examples of eligible Public Education and Outreach projects include: development and distribution of best management practices (BMP) literature to increase public participation to protect water quality; citizen science; non-point source pollution education; and increasing awareness of South Florida aquatic resources.

B. Scope of Work to address the Region 4 Priority Action Items

There are seven Region 4 Priority Action Items identified below and all are addressed in the following report and web page: Priority Action Items identified in Appendix 1: of The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) Water Quality Protection Program Report to Congress, September 2013 (See pages 36-37 of the Report) and on the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative web page. This report and web page are important for applicants to obtain additional information about the priority action items and the goals and objectives of the FKNMS.

The FKNMS Water Quality Protection Program Report to Congress objective is to identify and implement priority corrective actions within a compliance schedule to address point and nonpoint sources of pollution to maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Sanctuary. The program is also to include the restoration and maintenance of a balanced, indigenous population of corals, shellfish, fish and wildlife, and recreational activities in and on the water.

The Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative web page provides the key goals and objectives of the Land Based Sources of Pollution (LBSP) Focus Team to characterize the existing condition of the coral reef ecosystem; quantify and characterize the land-based sources of pollution, identify how these sources of pollution impact the coral reef;

develop strategies to reduce the impact of land-based sources of pollution; and increase public awareness and understanding of the effects of land-based sources of pollution on water quality and coral reefs.

The applicant’s proposal must address one or more of the priority action items(s) identified below:

1. Improve Water Quality in Residential Canals – Activity W. 10

The Monroe County Canal Master Plan (CCMP) identified canals impaired due to low oxygen, high organic matter, and poor water clarity. Activities to improve canal water quality include: identify and implement pilot projects that demonstrate innovative technologies to restore water quality in the canal systems of the Florida Keys; update the CCMP; and effectively monitor to evaluate performance of canal restoration techniques.

Any innovative technologies or management practices identified in this study must, at a minimum, comply with all applicable state and federal Clean Water Act regulations and water quality standards in effect in the Florida Keys

2. Special Study: Protection of Seagrass Habitat in Florida Keys – Activity W. 33

Develop a preservation plan to protect the seagrass community from increasing inexperienced recreational boaters that are damaging seagrass beds by running aground and creating propeller scars. Plan may include boater education and outreach programs, http://ocean.floridamarine.org/FKNMS_WQPP/docs/wqpp/WQPP_Biennial_Report_to_Congress_2013.pdf http://ocean.floridamarine.org/FKNMS_WQPP/docs/wqpp/WQPP_Biennial_Report_to_Congress_2013.pdf http://ocean.floridamarine.org/FKNMS_WQPP/docs/wqpp/WQPP_Biennial_Report_to_Congress_2013.pdf http://dep.state.fl.us/coastal/programs/coral/land-based.htm assessments to identify and focus regulatory programs in areas experiencing significant seagrass damage from boating activities, and identification of enforcement tools.

3. Special Study: Investigate Coral Disease Occurrence in South Florida – Activity W. 33

Investigate pathogen(s), method of transmission, source(s), impacts and conditions contributing to the coral tissue disease ‘white blotch” outbreak impacting the Florida Reef Tract from Martin County to the Upper Keys first identified near Key Biscayne in 2015. Identify and recommend creditable management activities to prevent future reoccurrence of outbreak.

4. Special Study: Endocrine Disruptors Impacts on Aquatic Ecosystems – Activity W.23

Investigate sources, distribution, concentration and effects of endocrine disruptors found in pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, wastewater, stormwater, household waste, and other sources that can adversely impact corals, fish, sponges, urchins, mollusks and other aquatic organisms found in South Florida surface waters.

Provides information on the existing legal authorities and regulations that can be used to address the identified endocrine disruptor concerns and provide potential management strategies and techniques to minimize negative impacts to the marine environment.

5. Public Education and Outreach – Activity W.14 Increase awareness and involvement of the general public and government officials to implement Water Quality Protection Program corrective actions, restoration activities, education, program activities and projects designed to protect, maintain and restore the water quality and natural resources of the Florida Keys Ecosystem.

6. Special Study: Stormwater Pollutants – Activity W.22 Investigate stormwater impacts from roads and paved surfaces to near-shore waters and/or residential canal systems that contribute to impaired water quality and ecological impacts. Identify best management practices and cost-effective technologies available to improve stormwater management and treatment in the unique environment of the Florida Keys. The study shall include cost estimates for the construction and operation of the recommended best management practices and technologies. In addition, all the recommended best management practices and technologies must comply, at a minimum, with all applicable regulations and water quality standards.

7. Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative (SEFCRI) The key goals and objectives are to characterize the existing condition of the coral reef ecosystem; quantify and characterize the land-based sources of pollution, identify how these sources of pollution impact the coral reef; develop strategies to reduce the impact of land-based sources of pollution; and increase public awareness and understanding of the effects of land-based sources of pollution on water quality and coral reefs.

C. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage & Anticipated Outcomes, Outputs &

Performance Measures

Pursuant to Section 6a of EPA Order 5700.7, “Environmental Results under EPA Assistance Agreements”, EPA must link proposed assistance agreements to the Agency’s Strategic Plan. EPA also requires that grant applicants and recipients adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements (see EPA Order 5700.7, Environmental Results under Assistance Agreements.

1. Linkage to EPA Strategic Plan: All proposals must support EPA Strategic Plan Goal 2 “Protecting America’s Waters, Objective 2.2 “Protect and Restore Watersheds and Aquatic Ecosystems”.

The special studies included in this announcement of the federal funding opportunity support EPA’s 2014-2018 Strategic Plan, Goal: “Protecting America’s Waters” and the FY17 National Water Program Guidance Strategies to Protect and Restore the Health of Communities and Large Aquatic - South Florida Ecosystem.

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

Examples of outputs for projects include:

- Evaluation of the effectiveness of efforts to reduce or eliminate sources of pollution and to evaluate progress toward achieving and maintaining water quality and protecting and restoring coral reef habitat and other living resources.

- Characterization of sources and causes of water quality impairment within a watershed that will allow the development of management/action/restoration plan(s).

- Preparation and timely delivery of quarterly and draft/final project reports that document results of the special study project.

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

http://intranet.epa.gov/ogd/policy/order/5700.7.pdf https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan

3. 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 and environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature, but may be quantitative. They may not necessarily be achievable within an assistance agreement funding period.

Projects to be funded with this announcement are expected to produce outcomes related to the outputs identified in the proposal.

Examples of expected outcomes that may occur because of the technical/scientific information generated by the special studies projects associated with this announcement include:

- Increase knowledge of managers and elected officials concerning negative impacts of pollutants on water quality and living biological resources, which should lead to the development and implementation of action plans that will reduce pollutant loading and result in the conservation of natural resources.

- Maintenance and/or improvement of water quality.

- Maintenance of health of seagrass beds.

- Restoration and/or maintenance of coral reef habitat.

- Reduce pollutant loading to inland, nearshore and coastal waters.

4. Performance Measures: The applicant should also develop performance measures expected to be achieved through the proposed activities and they should be described in the proposal. These performance measures will help gather insights and will be the mechanism to track progress concerning successful process and output and outcome strategies and will provide the basis for developing lessons to inform future recipients.

D. Supplementary Information

The statutory authority for this action is the Clean Water Act (Section 104(b)(3), which authorizes the award of assistance agreements for Water Quality and Watershed Management: Studies, Surveys, and Investigations. This announcement supports the Water Quality Protection Program for the Florida National Marine Sanctuary and the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative.

Applicants should consider developing partnerships to achieve the goals under this program. Partnerships are not mandatory or required, however, they will be evaluated in Section V of this solicitation as extra points. Under the criterion, EPA will consider the mutual interests of each partner(s), how their involvement addresses the common goals of South FL Project Action Items, how partnering with these entities will achieve the goals of this project, and whether partners are contributing monetary and/or in-kind for the project.

Below are examples of eligible projects under Studies/Research and Public Education and Outreach:

- Examples of eligible Studies/Research include: identifying and understanding the cause and effects relationships of pollutants, transport pathways, and biological communities of the Sanctuary; developing effective remediation techniques for aquatic resources; addressing specific management questions and concerns; development of predictive models and monitoring tools; and overall improvement of our understanding of South FL ecosystems. Projects will be evaluated on scientific merit which includes: background of the project, statement of the purpose, significance of the study, research question and design, methodology, project assumptions/limitations and anticipated findings

- Examples of eligible Public Education and Outreach include: increases public awareness regarding residential canal remediation; impacts of non-point source pollution; increasing awareness of South FL aquatic resources; citizen monitoring; distribution of Best Management Practices literature; solicitation of public participation to assist with implementation of FKNMS Water Quality and Protection Program corrective actions.

Section II. Award Information

A. Funding Amount: The total estimated funding expected under this competitive announcement is approximately $100,000- $250,000. The total maximum grant funding available for a single award is $200,000.

B. Reject of Proposals: EPA reserves the right to reject all proposals and make no awards under this announcement or make fewer than expected.

C. Partial Funding: In appropriate circumstances, EPA reserves the right to partially fund proposals by funding discrete portions or phase of proposed projects. If EPA decides to partially fund a proposal, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice any applicants or affect the basis upon which the proposal, or portion thereof, was evaluated and selected for award, and therefore, maintains the integrity of the competition and selection process.

D. Number of Awards: EPA anticipates awarding one to three assistance agreements under this announcement ranging in value from approximately $25,000 to $200,000, subject to the availability of funds, quality of evaluated proposals, and other applicable considerations. In addition, EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy, if additional funding becomes available after the original selections. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months from the date of the original selections.

E. Project Period: EPA anticipates that for awards made under this solicitation, projects will begin in October 2017. Proposed project/budget periods can range from one to three years for this funding announcement.

F. Funding Type: The funding for selected projects will be in the form of grants or cooperative agreements. The appropriate funding type and programmatic grant terms and conditions will be added to the grant award document. For most projects associated with the WQPP for the FKNMS, a cooperative agreement is the preferred funding mechanism.

The principal purpose of the federal and non-federal relationship established by a cooperative agreement is the transfer of money to the recipient to accomplish a “public purpose” of support or stimulation; in addition, there will be substantial involvement between EPA R4, the FKNMS Water Quality Protection Program and the recipient during performance of the activity with coordination and collaboration to achieve the goals under this program. The successful applicant will be expected to participate and present project updates at the FKNMS Water Quality Protection Program meetings annually. If necessary, include and identify travel funds in the budget to attend these meetings.

G. Additional Awards: EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this RFP, consistent with Agency policy and guidance, if additional funding becomes available after (or at the time) original selections are made. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months after the original selection decisions.

Section III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligibility Entities: In accordance with CFDA 66.436, proposals will be accepted from States, local governments, territories, Indian Tribes, and possessions of the U.S.

(including the District of Columbia); public and private universities and colleges;

hospitals; laboratories; public or private nonprofit institutions; intertribal consortia; and individuals.

Non-profit organization, as defined by 2 CFR Part 200, means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative or other organization that: (1) is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable or similar purposes in the public interest; (2) is not organized primarily for profit; and (3) uses its net proceeds to maintain, improve and/or expand its operations. Note that 2 CFR Part 200 specifically excludes the following types of organizations from the definition of “non-profit organization” because they are separately defined in the regulation: (i) institutions of higher education; and (ii) state, http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=28186a88aecbce2d22e98b6390db2209&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 local and federally-recognized Indian tribal governments. While not considered to be a “non-profit organization(s)” as defined by 2 CFR Part 200, Institutions of Higher Education and state, local and federally-recognized Indian tribal governments are, nevertheless, eligible to submit applications under this RFP.

For-profit organizations are not an eligible entity for this funding opportunity.

Additionally, non-profit organizations described in Section 501(s)(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.

B. Leveraging or Cost Sharing: No matching funds are required under this competition.

Although cost sharing/matching is not required as a condition of eligibility under this competition, under Section V of this announcement EPA will evaluate proposals based on a leveraging criterion.

1. Leveraging is generally when an applicant proposes to provide its own additional funds/resources or those from third party sources to support or complement the project they are awarded under the competition which are above and beyond the EPA grant funds awarded. Any leveraged funds/resources, and their source, must be identified in the proposal (See Section IV of the announcement). Leveraged funds and resources may take various forms as noted below.

2. Voluntary cost share is a form of leveraging. Voluntary cost sharing is when an applicant voluntarily proposes to legally commit to provide costs or contributions to support the project when a cost share is not required. Applicants who propose to use a voluntary cost share must include the costs or contributions for the voluntary cost share in the project budget on the SF-424. If an applicant proposes a voluntary cost share, the following apply:

- A voluntary cost share is subject to the match provisions in the grant regulations 2 CFR Part 200 as applicable.

- A voluntary costs share may only be met with eligible and allowable costs.

- The recipient may not use other sources of federal funds to meet a voluntary cost share unless the statue authorizing the other federal funding provides that the federal funds may be used to meet a cost share requirement on a federal grant.

- The recipient is legally obligated to meet any proposed voluntary cost share that is included in the approved project budget. If the proposed voluntary cost share does not materialize during grant performance, the EPA may reconsider the legitimacy of the award and/or take other appropriate action as authorized by 2 CFR Part 200 as applicable.

3. Other leveraged funding/resources that are not identified as a voluntary cost share.

This form of leveraging may be met by funding from another federal grant, from an applicant's own resources, or resources from other third party sources. This form of leveraging should not be included in the budget and the costs need not be eligible and allowable project costs under the EPA assistance agreement. While this form of leveraging should not be included in the budget, the grant workplan should include a statement indicating that the applicant is expected to produce the proposed leveraging consistent with the terms of the announcement and the applicant's proposal. If applicants propose to provide this form of leveraging, EPA expects them to make the effort to secure the leveraged resources described in their proposals. If the proposed leveraging does not materialize during grant performance, then EPA may reconsider the legitimacy of the award and/or take other appropriate action as authorized by 2

CFR 200.

C. Threshold Criteria

These are requirements that if not met by the time of proposal submission will result in elimination of the proposal from consideration for funding. Only proposals from eligible entities (see above) that meet all of these criteria will be evaluated against the ranking factors in Section V of this 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. Proposals must address one or more of the Priority Action Items listed in Section IB.

2. Proposals must substantially comply with the proposal/applicant and submission information instructions and requirements set forth in Sections IV of this announcement or else they will be rejected. However, where a page limit is expressed in Section IV with respect to the proposal, pages in excess of the page limitation will not be reviewed.

3. Proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov as stated in Section IV of this announcement (except in the limited circumstances where another mode of submission is specifically allowed for as explained in Section IV) on or before the proposal submission deadline published in Section IV of this announcement.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their proposal is timely submitted.

4. Proposals received 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 timely submit their proposal 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. Applicants should confirm receipt of their proposal with Ms. Jennifer Shadle as soon as possible after the submission deadline – failure to do so may result in your proposal not being reviewed.

http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/

5. Applicants may submit multiple proposals under this announcement but each one must be for a different project. If an applicant submits more than one proposal for the same project EPA will review the first one received and any additional proposals for the same project will be deemed ineligible.

Section IV. Proposal Submission Information

Applicants must explicitly address the following sections as part of their proposal package submittal.

A. Proposal Information

In order to simplify the review process, obtain the maximum degree of comparison, and provide a fair and equitable evaluation of proposals, reviewers will rely on the content of the full proposal for evaluation purposes. Therefore, it is important that all full proposals are complete and substantially comply with the standard format as described in detail in this Section. For completeness of your grant proposal, please refer to the Proposal Submission Checklist (Appendix A). Each proposal must consist of the following components, in addition to the forms listed in Section IV.B. below:

1. Proposal Cover Page (see Appendix B for a sample)

2. A one-page project proposal summary.

3. Proposal Workplan (16 page maximum double spaced)

B. Format of Proposal Workplan The workplan should be readable in PDF or MS Word and consolidated into a single file and include the information below in paragraphs 1-13. Please note that there is a page limit for the workplan (see below). In addition to addressing the components listed below, applicants should ensure their proposal also addresses the evaluation criteria listed in Section V of this solicitation.

The proposal workplan must be no more than sixteen (16) double-spaced 8.5 x 11 inch pages (a page is one side of paper). The page limit does not include documents specifically excluded from the page limit as noted below. Pages should be consecutively numbered for ease of reading. It is recommended that applicants use a standard 12-point type with 1-inch margins and that applicants format their workplan as described below.

Applicants are advised that readability is of paramount importance and should take precedence in selection of an appropriate font for use in the proposal workplan.

Additional pages beyond the 16-page limit will not be reviewed. If a single-spaced proposal workplan is submitted, it will only be reviewed up to the equivalent of the 16-page double-spaced page limit for proposal workplans [eight (8) single-spaced pages is the equivalent of the 16-page double-spaced proposal workplan page limit; any single-spaced pages in excess of 8 will not be reviewed].

Full proposals that do not substantially comply with the criteria above may be deemed ineligible.

1. Introduction for Addressing the Priority Action Items

a. Situation, Need, and Previous Efforts - Discuss notable gaps in knowledge or capabilities, why the proposed project should be performed, review significant work by yourself or by others in the proposed area of interest (include reference citations).

b. Objective(s) - State what is to be studied, measured, observed, or developed, and the anticipated results. State hypotheses that the proposed special study is designed to test.

c. Applications, Benefits, and Importance - Describe how the anticipated results relate to the goals/objectives of the FKNMS Water Quality Protection Program or the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative, the expected benefits, and their utility.

2. Methods and Approach

d. Description of Major Tasks - Divide the proposed effort into a meaningful set of tasks that must be performed to accomplish the objective(s) and describe each task.

State the tasks in the same order as the hypotheses they are designed to test.

Experimental design must be described with statistical tests, if applicable, for hypotheses proposed.

e. Environmental Impact - State and explain any possible impact that your project will have on the environment, including the type and duration of such changes. List in as much detail as possible the number of samples and species needed for your study.

Document the need for sampling and objectively discuss potential impacts.

f. Future Efforts - If there are future efforts that should be performed in order for your project to be meaningful, or of major significance, please describe briefly the type, extent, and timing of those efforts. Is this a multi-year project? If possible, the individual parts (i.e., each year's effort) should stand alone.

3. Project Management

g. Administration - Describe the administrative responsibilities and authority of the Principal Investigator.

h. Roles/Assignments and Participation Time - Describe the team composition (including names and affiliations of key individuals) and the assignments of team members to major tasks. Provide specific estimates of the time (in hours, days, etc., not percent) that each member will work on the project.

4. Support Requirements and Conditions

i. Cooperation from Other Organizations - If a clearance or permit(s) from any government agency is required for execution of the project please provide the name of the agency, the method of obtaining the clearance or permit, and the time required or state "none".

j. Date or Facility Access - If access is required to data or facilities held by another organization, please identify the data or facility, the nature and type of access required, the methods of obtaining such access, and the effect of being denied access or state “none”.

5. Results/Outputs and Deliverables

Two types of reports are required from principal investigators.

k. Bi-Annual Reports - The principal investigator shall provide bi-annual progress reports to the Project Officer on March 30th and September 30th of each year. These reports will consist of updates on progress toward work objectives, justification, approach, results to date, any problems encountered, actions taken to resolve problems, discussion of remaining tasks, and expenditures to date.

l. Final Report - Principal investigators shall prepare a draft final report summarizing the objectives, methods, approach, results, and significance of the study.

The draft final report will be reviewed by the Project Officer and returned with comments. The principal investigator will address the comments and submit the final report with revisions. The final report will be due within six months of the completion of the project.

m. Deliverable Items and Schedule - Describe what items of data are to be delivered.

State the format in which data will be presented. Provide a schedule for all deliverables.

6. Environmental Results – Outputs, Outcomes, and Results

n. Outputs (project products) - List the outputs expected to be produced through the completion of the proposed project; Outcomes (project objectives) - List the outcomes of the project to be accomplished as a result of the project outputs; Link to EPA Strategic Plan - Describe how project products (outputs) and objectives (outcomes) support EPA’s 2014-2018 Strategic Plan, Goal: “Protecting America’s Waters” and National Water Program Guidance Strategies to Protect and https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/fy_2016_nwpg_measure_definitions_south_florida.pdf

Restore the Health of Communities and Large Aquatic - South Florida Ecosystem.

o. Tracking Outputs and Outcomes - Describe your approach for measuring and tracking your progress toward achieving the expected project output(s) and project outcome(s). Environmental Results-Applicants will be evaluated based on their plan and approach for measuring their progress towards achieving the expected project outcomes and outputs including those identified in Section I. B. 2. within this announcement.

7. Literature Cited

References used in the proposal narrative.

8. Budget Summary

This section of the workplan is a detailed description of the proposed budget and must include a detailed discussion of how EPA funds will be used. Applicants must itemize costs related to personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contractual costs, other direct costs, indirect costs, and total costs within this section of the scope.

Appendix C provides information on the individual cost categories. Provide a detailed budget narrative describing funding for personnel, fringe benefits, travel expenses, equipment, supplies, contractual if applicable and other expenses.

9. Biographies and Qualifications

Provide a brief biography for each team member that highlights education, experience, and publications related to the proposed project. Curriculum vitae must not exceed three pages each.

10. Programmatic Capability and Past Performance

Submit a list of federally funded assistance agreements (assistance agreements include Federal grants and cooperative agreements but not Federal contracts) similar in size, scope and relevance to the proposed project that your organization performed within the last five years (no more than 5 agreements, and preferably EPA agreements) and describe

(i) whether, and how, you were able to successfully complete and manage those agreements and (ii) your history of meeting the reporting requirements under those agreements including whether you adequately and timely reported on your progress towards achieving the expected outputs and outcomes of those agreements (and if not, explain why not) and whether you submitted acceptable final technical reports under the agreements. In evaluating applicants under these factors in Section V, EPA will consider the information provided by the applicant and may also consider relevant information https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/fy_2016_nwpg_measure_definitions_south_florida.pdf https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/fy_2016_nwpg_measure_definitions_south_florida.pdf from other sources, including information from EPA files and from current/prior grantors (e.g., to verify and/or supplement the information provided by the applicant). If you do not have any relevant or available past performance or past reporting information, please indicate this in the proposal and you will receive a neutral score for these factors (a neutral score is half of the total points available in a subset of possible points). If you do not provide any response for these items, you may receive a score of 0 for these factors.

In addition, provide information on your organizational experience and plan for timely successfully achieving the objectives of the proposed project, and your staff expertise/qualifications, staff knowledge, and resources or the ability to obtain them, to successfully achieve the goals of the proposed project.

11. Voluntary cost share/match and other leveraged funds (See Section III.B also)

Demonstrate how you will leverage additional funds/resources beyond the grant funds awarded to support the proposed project activities and how these funds/resources will be used to contribute to the performance and success of the proposed project. This includes but is not limited to funds and other resources leveraged from businesses, labor organizations, non-profit organizations, education and training providers, and/or Federal, state, tribal, and local governments, as appropriate. Describe the amount and type of leveraged resources to be provided, how you will obtain the leveraged resources, the likelihood the leveraging will materialize during grant performance, the strength of the leveraging commitment, and the role the leveraged resources will play to support the proposed project activities. Selected applicants are expected to abide by their proposed leveraging commitments during grant performance and the failure to do so may affect the legitimacy of the award.

12. Partnerships (voluntary, not required) for extra points:

Explain how this project meets the mutual interests of each partner(s), how their involvement addresses the common goals of South FL Project Action Items, how partnering with these entities will achieve the goals of this project, and whether partners are contributing monetary and/or in-kind for the project. Letters of support will also meet the partnership requirement; however, the letters must address the mutual interests and involvement in the project.

13. Appendices (3 pages maximum are recommended; not included on the workplan 16 page limit)

Short appendices, not to exceed three total pages, may be used to provide technical backup material to the text, details of computation, and other pertinent information.

Techniques or methodologies, if critical to the successful completion of the research, should be discussed in detail within the proposal text (twelve-page limit). Do not attach copies of any journal articles or other proposals to your submittal.

NOTE: Proposals that do not follow the required format may be deemed ineligible and not reviewed

C. Requirement to Submit Through Grants.gov and Limited Exception Procedures Applicants, except as noted below, must apply electronically through Grants.gov under this funding opportunity based on the grants.gov instructions in this announcement. If an applicant does not have the technical capability to apply electronically through grants.gov because of limited or no internet access which prevents them from being able to upload the required application materials to Grants.gov, the applicant must contact OGDWaivers@epa.gov or the address listed below in writing (e.g., by hard copy, email) at least 15 calendar days prior to the submission deadline under this announcement to request approval to submit their application materials through an alternate method Mailing Address:

OGD Waivers c/o Barbara Perkins USEPA Headquarters William Jefferson Clinton Building 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N. W.

Mail Code: 3903R Washington, DC 20460

Courier Address:

OGD Waivers c/o Barbara Perkins Ronald Reagan Building 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.

Rm # 51267 Washington, DC 20004

In the request, the applicant must include the following information:

Funding Opportunity Number (FON) Organization Name and DUNS Organization’s Contact Information (email address and phone number) Explanation of how they lack the technical capability to apply electronically through Grants.gov because of 1) limited internet access or 2) no internet access which prevents them from being able to upload the required application materials through Grants.gov.

EPA will only consider alternate submission exception requests based on the two reasons stated above and will timely respond to the request -- all other requests will be denied. If an alternate submission method is approved, the applicant will receive documentation of this approval and further instructions on how to apply under this announcement.

Applicants will be required to submit the documentation of approval with any initial application submitted under the alternative method. In addition, any submittal through an alternative method must comply with all applicable requirements and deadlines in the https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:OGDWaivers@epa.gov announcement including the submission deadline and requirements regarding proposal content and page limits (although the documentation of approval of an alternate submission method will not count against any page limits).

If an exception is granted, it is valid for submissions to EPA for the remainder of the entire calendar year in which the exception was approved and can be used to justify alternative submission methods for application submissions made through December 31 of the calendar year in which the exception was approved (e.g., if the exception was approved on March 1, 2017, it is valid for any competitive or non-competitive application submission to EPA through December 31, 2017). Applicants need only request an exception once in a calendar year and all exceptions will expire on December 31 of that calendar year. Applicants must request a new exception from required electronic submission through Grants.gov for submissions for any succeeding calendar year. For example, if there is a competitive opportunity issued on December 1, 2016 with a submission deadline of January 15, 2017, the applicant would need a new exception to submit through alternative methods beginning January 1, 2017.

Please note that the process described in this section is only for requesting alternate submission methods. All other inquiries about this announcement must be directed to the Agency Contact listed in Section VII of the announcement. Queries or requests submitted to the email address identified above for any reason other than to request an alternate submission method will not be acknowledged or answered.

D. Submission Instructions

The electronic submission of your application must be made by an official representative of your 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, please encourage your office to designate an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and ask that individual 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.

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-SFL- 2017-01, or the CFDA number that applies to the announcement (CFDA 66.436), in the appropriate field and click the Search button. Alternatively, you may be able to access the application package by clicking on the Package button at the top right of the synopsis page for the announcement on Grants.gov. To find the synopsis page, go to Grants.gov and click “Browse Agencies” in the middle of the page and then go to “Environmental Protection Agency” to find the EPA funding opportunities.

Please note that Grants.gov is strongly encouraging users to sign up for and use their “Workspace” feature when applying for opportunities. Grants.gov will be phasing out the “legacy” application process, so EPA recommends that all applicants begin using Workspace as soon as possible so they are prepared when the “legacy” application process is no longer available.

Application Submission Deadline: Your organization’s AOR must submit your complete application package electronically to EPA through Grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on July 25, 2017. Please allow for enough time to successfully submit your application process 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 that you downloaded using the instructions above. For additional instructions on completing and submitting the electronic application package, click on the “Show Instructions” tab that is accessible within the application package itself.

Application Materials

The following forms and documents are required under this announcement:

Mandatory Documents:

1. Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) 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/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

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

3. Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B)

4. Grants.gov Lobbying Form

5. EPA Key Contacts Form 5700-54

6. EPA Form 4700-4 – Pre-award Compliance Review Report

7. Narrative Proposal (Project Narrative Attachment Form)-prepared as described in Section IV A and B of the announcement

Optional Documents:

8. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL), if applicable

9. Other Attachments, if applicable

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 Steve Blackburn, at (404) 562-9397 or blackburn.steven@epa.gov or Jennifer Shadle at shadle.jennifer@epa.gov.

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

E. 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…