FY22 SSWR STAR Perchlorate RFA FINAL JULY (3).pdf

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.

OVERVIEW INFORMATION

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Science Advisor, Policy and Engagement Office of Research and Development Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Program

ASSESSING PERCHLORATE OCCURRENCE IN

AMBIENT WATERS FOLLOWING THE USAGE OF

FIREWORKS

This is the initial announcement of this funding opportunity.

Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-G2022-STAR-I1

Assistance Listing Number: 66.509

Solicitation Opening Date: July 29, 2022 Solicitation Closing Date: September 14, 2022: 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time

Table of Contents

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Introduction

B. Background C. Authority and Regulations D. Specific Research Areas of Interest/Expected Outputs and Outcomes E. References F. Special Requirements G. Additional Provisions for Applicants Incorporated into the Solicitation

II. AWARD INFORMATION

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants B. Cost Sharing C. Other

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Grants.gov Submittal Requirements and Limited Exception Procedures B. Application Package Information https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses

C. Content and Form of Application Submission D. Submission Dates and Times E. Funding Restrictions F. Submission Instructions and Other Submission Requirements

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Peer Review B. Relevancy Review C. Past Performance History Review D. Human Subjects Research Statement (HSRS) Review E. Evaluation of the Scientific Data Management Plan F. Funding Decisions

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. Award Notices B. Disputes C. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

For Updates and Additional Information see https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities.

View research awarded under previous solicitations at https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grant-areas.

A. Introduction Ensuring clean and safe drinking water is important for protecting human health and the environment. While perchlorate comes from multiple sources, higher concentrations come from its use as an oxidizer in rocket propulsion systems, explosives, road flares, and fireworks.

Fireworks, when used around surface and groundwater sources have the capacity to contaminate surface and groundwater used as drinking water sources. Prior research has investigated contamination from fireworks; however, there are gaps in understanding the magnitude and extent of perchlorate contamination before and after fireworks discharge around drinking water sources. This research will provide states and utilities with a better scientific understanding of the behavior of perchlorate after fireworks events to ultimately provide them with information and a construct as to whether management options are needed.

The Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Program’s goal is to stimulate and support scientific and engineering research that advances EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment.

It is a competitive, peer-reviewed, extramural research program that provides access to the nation’s best scientists and engineers in academic and other nonprofit research institutions.

STAR funds research on the environmental and public health effects of air quality, environmental changes, water quality and quantity, hazardous waste, toxic substances, and pesticides.

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 https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grant-areas https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grant-areas 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.

B. Background Perchlorate (ClO4

-) is an inorganic anion that is a common constituent of rocket propellants, explosives, fireworks, and flares. Potassium perchlorate (KClO4) and ammonium perchlorate (NH4ClO4) are common salts used in explosive applications. Perchlorate disrupts thyroid processes by competitively inhibiting iodide uptake resulting in decreased thyroid hormone production (Saito et al., 1983). Human exposure to perchlorate can occur through water, air, soil, and food. Specifically, for drinking water exposure, it is acknowledged that effective treatment options are complex and expensive. Therefore, it is important to determine whether treatment is truly needed for a range of possible contamination events.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed perchlorate on the first Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR1) sampling effort in 1999. Data from UCMR1 indicated that in over 4% of the water systems tested, perchlorate was detected at concentrations equal to or greater than 4.0 μg/L. In February 2011, EPA determined that perchlorate could be considered for regulation as a drinking water contaminant. A notice of proposed rulemaking was published in the Federal Register in June of 2019; however, in July 2020, the 2011 determination was withdrawn because EPA determined that perchlorate did not meet the criteria for regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Recent studies indicate that perchlorate concentrations in treated drinking water have decreased significantly (EPA, 2020; Luis et al., 2019) since the data from UCMR1 were released. Despite these studies, increased use of fireworks has caused https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/hispanic-serving-institutions-hsis/ https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XVkOWKMDORm53pvU0L8EPsrJC94&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=3&source=embed&ll=40.58644586187277%2C-148.28228249999984 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1wlIi3j7gtlNq_w-0NKAb2bF2VmY&ie=UTF&msa=0&ll=37.35160769312532%2C-96.17229800000001&z=4 concern over potential increases of perchlorate in ambient waters that serve as sources of drinking water. Figure 1 shows the consumption of fireworks. “Display” fireworks are used in large community displays, run by professionals and “consumer” fireworks are used during smaller gatherings and are commonly sold at neighborhood stands during the Fourth of July season. The recent rise in consumer fireworks use highlights the need for additional information on perchlorate levels in water bodies before and after consumer and display fireworks.

Figure 1: U.S. fireworks consumption broken down by consumer vs. display fireworks

Data source: American Pyrotechnics Association (www.americanpyro.com)

The concentrations of perchlorate in larger-scale fireworks can vary from approximately 40% to 70% by weight. The amount of residual perchlorate remaining after an explosion is poorly understood, but it is thought to be associated with partially combusted or uncombusted particles which can disperse over water and/or land and release perchlorate (Sijimol and Mohan, 2014).

There are several studies that document perchlorate contamination of surface water associated with fireworks events in the U.S. (e.g., Wu et al., 2011; Wilkin et al., 2007; Kumar et al., 2019).

Peak concentrations of perchlorate occur shortly after these events and may be one to three orders of magnitude above baseline concentrations. Wilkin et al. (2007) reported that perchlorate concentrations returned to baseline concentrations over the course of 20 to 80 days. A similar time period (29-day half-life) was estimated by Wu et al. (2011) for decreasing perchlorate concentrations. Residual perchlorate from fireworks have also been shown to contaminate shallow groundwater from atmospheric deposition followed by slow leaching from vadose zone soils (Andrews et al., 2021). In addition, perchlorate has also been found in treated groundwater within and adjacent to areas where display fireworks have been used, highlighting the potential for groundwater contamination in addition to surface water contamination after fireworks events (Hoogestraat and Rowe, 2016).

20Co ns um pt io n (m ill io ns o f p ou nd s)

Year

Total Consumption Consumer Fireworks Display Fireworks http://www.americanpyro.com/

C. Authority and Regulations The authorities for this request for applications (RFA) and resulting awards are contained in the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300j-1, Section 1442, and the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C.

1254, Section 104(b)(3).

For research with an international aspect, the above statutes are supplemented, as appropriate, by the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 102(2)(F).

Note that a project’s focus is to consist of activities within the statutory terms of EPA’s financial assistance authorities; specifically, the statute(s) listed above. Generally, a project must address the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of air pollution, water pollution, solid/hazardous waste pollution, toxic substances control, or pesticide control depending on which statute(s) is listed above. Further note applications dealing with any aspect of or related to hydraulic fracking will not be funded by EPA through this program.

Additional applicable regulations include: 2 CFR Part 200, 2 CFR Part 1500, and 40 CFR Part 40 (Research and Demonstration Grants).

D. Specific Research Areas of Interest/Expected Outputs and Outcomes Note to applicant: The term “output” means an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work products related to an environmental goal or objective, that will be produced or provided over a period of time or by a specified date. 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.

The activities to be funded under this solicitation support EPA’s FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan (https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan). Awards made under this solicitation will support Goal 5: Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Communities and Objective 5.1: Ensure Safe Drinking Water and Reliable Water Infrastructure, of the Plan. All applications must be for projects that support the goal(s) and objective(s) identified above. Awards made under this announcement will further goals of the STAR program by seeking applications that propose research to investigate the extent of perchlorate contamination before and after fireworks are discharged around drinking water sources.

EPA also requires that grant applicants adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements (see EPA Order 5700.7A1, Environmental Results under Assistance Agreements, https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57007a1-epas-policy-environmental-results-under-epa-assistance-agreements). Applicants must include specific statements describing the environmental results of the proposed project in terms of well-defined outputs and, to the maximum extent practicable, well-defined outcomes that will demonstrate how the project will contribute to the goal(s) and objective(s) described above.

The Agency is interested in supporting research that evaluates the occurrence of perchlorate in ambient waters including the multiple environments found throughout the United States.

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

Proposed modeling approaches, tools, and data should contribute to providing a better scientific understanding of the magnitude and timing of perchlorate after fireworks events.

EPA is interested in applications that incorporate both of the following research areas.

Applications which do not address both research areas #1 and #2 may not be rated as highly under the evaluation process described in Section V as those that do.

1. Research to evaluate perchlorate levels in ambient waters before and after fireworks events.

To enhance the public understanding of perchlorate levels prior to and after firework events, new data is needed on the extent to which perchlorate is present in water bodies used as drinking water sources. Research should cover a wide range of waterbody types, precipitation levels and environments across the United States. Areas of interest include both receiving water near large fireworks displays and runoff from neighborhoods using smaller consumer-grade fireworks. In addition, research should account for an adequate time period to capture baseline concentrations along with temporal concentrations before and after firework events. Research questions that can be addressed may include, but are not limited to:

• What are the spatial and temporal patterns of perchlorate levels at different points downstream and downgradient from source regions?

• What are the variables that control perchlorate attenuation, e.g., dilution/dispersion, redox conditions, organic carbon input, temperature, and microbial activity?

• What characteristics of water bodies lead to attenuation of perchlorate levels (e.g., differences in microbial degradation of perchlorate in streams, wetlands, and lakes)?

• What are the relative contributions from large display fireworks events vs. consumer grade fireworks usage?

• What amount of perchlorate leaches to groundwater?

• What is the impact of environmental systems and topography, including urban settings and their stormwater handling approaches?

• What is the impact of season, climate, precipitation levels and waterbody type on perchlorate levels?

2. Development of watershed models

The successful applicant should develop a model to estimate perchlorate concentrations in drinking water sources. The model should be calibrated/verified with collected and existing data, as described above, and may address the above research questions. The goal of the model is to enable decision makers, states, and utilities to estimate the behavior of perchlorate after firework events and make better decisions regarding management options for reducing exposure via drinking water.

Expected Outputs: Some examples of desirable outputs are listed below:

• Reports and peer reviewed publications pertaining to the research areas listed above.

• Workshops and webinars to disseminate information to states, utilities, scientists, and other stakeholders.

• A communication plan to appropriately convey findings to states and utilities, particularly if the findings include elevated levels of perchlorate.

• Occurrence data about perchlorate found in waters used for public water sources.

• Analytical models that help communities predict and identify the risks associated with perchlorate in drinking water sources.

• Planning/guidance documents to mitigate and reduce risks associated with perchlorate.

• Risk communication materials and practical tools that translate scientific results into easily understandable outreach and education materials for water management professionals and the public.

• Descriptions of analytical methods used (e.g., instrumentation, standard operating procedures, quality control procedures and results).

Expected Outcomes:

• A better understanding of the nature and extent of perchlorate contamination in water bodies near display events, and near neighborhood areas where consumers use fireworks.

• Increased scientific understanding of the magnitude and timing of perchlorate in waterbodies after fireworks events which may lead to improved management approaches, resulting in clean and safe drinking water.

E. References Andrews, C., Henry, J., Anderson-Vincent, A. 2021. Rapid cleanup of a perchlorate plume from fireworks. Groundwater 59(4):614-620.

EPA. 2020. Reductions of Perchlorate in Drinking Water. EPA Report EPA-815-F-20-002.

(Epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-05/documents/perchlorate_reductions_5.14.20.pdf).

Hoogestraat, G.K., and B.L. Rowe. 2016. Perchlorate and selected metals in water and soil within Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota, 2011–15. U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2016–5030. (https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/sir20165030)

Kumar, M., Snow, D.D., Li, Y.S., Shea, P.J. 2019. Perchlorate behavior in the context of black carbon and metal cogeneration following fireworks emission at Oak Lake, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. Env. Poll. 253:930-938.

Luis, S.J., Miesner, E.A., Enslin, C.L., Heidecorn, K. 2019. Review of perchlorate occurrence in large public drinking water systems in the United States of America. Water Supply. 19(3):681- 694.

Saito, K., Yamamoto, K., Takai, T., Yoshida, S. 1983. Inhibition of iodide accumulation by perchlorate and thiocyanate in a model of the thyroid iodide transport system. Acta Endocrinol.

104(4):456-461.

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-05/documents/perchlorate_reductions_5.14.20.pdf https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/sir20165030

Sijimol, M.R., Mohan, M. 2014. Environmental impacts of perchlorate with special reference to fireworks-a review. Environ. Monit. Assess. 186:7203-7210.

Wilkin, R.T., Fine, D.D., Burnett, N.G. 2007. Perchlorate behavior in a municipal lake following fireworks displays. Environ. Sci. Technol. 41:3966-3971.

Wu, Q., Oldi, J.F., Kannan, K. 2011. Fate of perchlorate in a man-made reflecting pond following a fireworks display in Albany, New York, USA. Environ. Toxicol. Chem.

30(11):2449-2455.

F. Special Requirements It is EPA Policy to ensure that the results of EPA-funded extramural scientific research are accessible to the public to the greatest extent feasible consistent with applicable law; policies and Orders; the Agency’s mission; resource constraints; and U.S. national, homeland and economic security. This entails maximizing, at no charge, access by the public to peer-reviewed, scientific research journal publications or associated author manuscripts, and their underlying digital research data, created in whole or in part with EPA funds, while protecting personal privacy;

recognizing proprietary interests, confidential business information, and intellectual property rights; and avoiding significant negative impact on intellectual property rights, innovation, and U.S. competitiveness.

Applications submitted under this announcement shall include a Scientific Data Management Plan (SDMP) that addresses public access to EPA-funded scientific research data. See the SDMP clause in Section IV for details on the content of an SDMP. Applicants will also be asked to provide past performance information on whether journal publications or associated author manuscripts, and the associated underlying scientific research data and metadata, under prior assistance agreements were made publicly accessible. These items will be evaluated prior to award.

Reasonable, necessary and allocable costs for data management and public access may be included in extramural research applications and detailed in the budget justification described in Section IV.

Note that in developing results, applicants should be aware of state laws that restrict disclosing information on the location of public drinking water sources such as well or drinking water intake locations.

Agency policy and ethical considerations prevent EPA technical staff and managers from providing applicants with information that may create an unfair competitive advantage.

Consequently, EPA employees will not review, comment, advise, and/or provide technical assistance to applicants preparing applications in response to EPA RFAs. EPA employees cannot endorse any particular application.

Multiple Investigator applications may be submitted as: (1) a single Lead Principal Investigator (PI) application with Co-PI(s) or (2) a Multiple PI application (with a single Contact PI). If you choose to submit a Multiple PI application, you must follow the specific instructions provided in Sections IV and V of this RFA. For further information, please see the EPA Implementation Plan for Policy on Multiple Principal Investigators (https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grants-guidance-and-policies).

This solicitation provides the opportunity for the submission of applications for projects that may involve human subjects research. All applications must include a Human Subjects Research Statement (HSRS; described in Section IV.C.5.iii.c of this solicitation). If the project involves human subjects research, it will be subject to an additional level of review prior to funding decisions being made as described in Sections V.D and V.F of this solicitation.

These awards may involve the collection of “Geospatial Information,” which includes information that identifies the geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed features or boundaries on the Earth or applications, tools, and hardware associated with the generation, maintenance, or distribution of such information. This information may be derived from, among other things, a Geographic Positioning System (GPS), remote sensing, mapping, charting, and surveying technologies, or statistical data.

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

II. AWARD INFORMATION

It is anticipated that a total of approximately $2.5 million will be awarded under this announcement, depending on the availability of funds, quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations. The EPA anticipates funding 1 award under this RFA. Requests for amounts in excess of a total of $2.5 million per award, including direct and indirect costs, will not be considered. The total project period requested in an application submitted for this RFA may not exceed 3 years.

The EPA reserves the right to reject all applications and make no awards under this RFA. The EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy, if additional funding becomes available after the original selections are made.

Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months after the original selection decisions.

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. Awards may be fully or incrementally funded, https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grants-guidance-and-policies https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-grants-guidance-and-policies as appropriate, based on funding availability, satisfactory performance, and other applicable considerations.

EPA intends to award only grants under this announcement.

Under a grant, EPA scientists and engineers are not permitted to be substantially involved in the execution of the research. However, EPA encourages interaction between its own laboratory scientists and grant Principal Investigators after the award of an EPA grant for the sole purpose of exchanging information in research areas of common interest that may add value to their respective research activities. This interaction must be incidental rather than substantial to achieving the goals of the research under a grant. Interaction that is “incidental” does not involve resource commitments by EPA.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

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

A. Eligible Applicants

Public and private nonprofit institutions/organizations, public and private institutions of higher education (IHEs), and hospitals located in the U.S. and its territories or possessions; state and local governments; Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments; and U.S. territories or possessions are eligible to apply. Profit-making firms and individuals are not eligible to apply.

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. Note that 2 CFR § 200.1 specifically excludes Institutions of Higher Education from the definition of non-profit organization because they are separately defined in the regulation. While not considered to be a nonprofit organization(s) as defined by 2 CFR § 200.1, public or nonprofit Institutions of Higher Education are, nevertheless, eligible to submit applications under this RFA. Hospitals operated by state, tribal, or local governments or that meet the definition of nonprofit at 2 CFR § 200.1 are also eligible to apply as nonprofits or as instrumentalities of the unit of government depending on the applicable law. For-profit colleges, universities, trade schools, and hospitals are ineligible.

Nonprofit organizations that are not exempt from taxation under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code must submit other forms of documentation of nonprofit status; such as certificates of incorporation as nonprofit under state or tribal law. Nonprofit organizations exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that lobby are not eligible for EPA funding as provided in the Lobbying Disclosure Act, 2 U.S.C. 1611.

Foreign governments, international organizations, and non-governmental international organizations/institutions are not eligible to apply.

National laboratories funded by Federal Agencies (Federally-Funded Research and Development Centers, “FFRDCs”) may not apply. FFRDC employees may cooperate or collaborate with eligible applicants within the limits imposed by applicable legislation and regulations. They may participate in planning, conducting, and analyzing the research directed by the applicant, but may not direct projects on behalf of the applicant organization. The institution, organization, or governance receiving the award may provide funds through its assistance agreement from the EPA to an FFRDC for research personnel, supplies, equipment, and other expenses directly related to the research. However, salaries for permanent FFRDC employees may not be provided through this mechanism.

Federal Agencies may not apply. Federal employees are not eligible to serve in a principal leadership role on an assistance agreement. Federal employees may not receive salaries or augment their Agency’s appropriations through awards made under this program unless authorized by law to receive such funding.

The applicant institution may enter into an agreement with a Federal Agency to purchase or utilize unique supplies or services unavailable in the private sector to the extent authorized by law. Examples are purchase of satellite data, chemical reference standards, analyses, or use of instrumentation or other facilities not available elsewhere. A written justification for federal involvement must be included in the application. In addition, an appropriate form of assurance that documents the commitment, such as a letter of intent from the Federal Agency involved, should be included.

Potential applicants who are uncertain of their eligibility should contact Ron Josephson in ORD, phone: 202-564-7823, email: josephson.ron@epa.gov.

B. Cost sharing Cost sharing is not required.

C. Other 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. 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.

a. Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section IV of this solicitation or else they will be rejected. However, where a page limit is expressed in Section IV with respect to the application, or parts thereof, pages in excess of the page limitation will not be reviewed. Applicants are advised that readability is of paramount importance and should take precedence in application format, including selecting a legible font type and size for use in the application.

b. 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 mailto:josephson.ron@epa.gov https://www.grants.gov/ specifically allowed for as explained in Section IV) on or before the application submission deadline published in Section IV of this solicitation. Applicants are responsible for following the submission instructions in Section IV of this solicitation to ensure that their application is timely submitted. Please note that applicants experiencing technical issues with submitting through Grants.gov should follow the instructions provided in Section IV, which include both the requirement to contact Grants.gov and email a full application to EPA prior to the deadline.

c. 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.

If an applicant submits more than one application under this announcement, each application must be submitted separately, and the scope of work proposed in each application must be significantly different from the other application(s) in order for them to all be deemed eligible. If applications are submitted with scopes of work that do not significantly differ, then EPA will only accept the most recently submitted application and all other applications will be deemed ineligible.

Also, applications exceeding the funding limits or project period described herein will be rejected without review. See Section II.A. Further, applications that fail to demonstrate a public purpose of support or stimulation (e.g., by proposing research which primarily benefits a Federal program or provides a service for a Federal agency) will not be funded.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

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

Access Standard STAR Forms at https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms.

Formal instructions for submission through Grants.gov are in Section F.

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

B. Application Package Information https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms https://www.epa.gov/grants/exceptions-grantsgov-submission-requirement

Use the application package available at Grants.gov (see Section IV.F. “Submission Instructions and Other Submission Requirements”). Note: With the exception of the current and pending support form (available at https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms), all necessary forms are included in the electronic application package. Make sure to include the current and pending support form in your Grants.gov submission.

An email will be sent by ORD to the Lead/Contact PI and the Administrative Contact (see below) to acknowledge receipt of the application and transmit other important information. The email will be sent from receipt.application@epa.gov; emails to this address will not be accepted.

If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 10 calendar days of the submission closing date, immediately inform the Electronic Submissions Contact shown in this solicitation.

Failure to do so may result in your application not being reviewed. See Section IV.F.

“Submission Instructions and Other Submission Requirements” for additional information regarding the application receipt acknowledgment.

C. Content and Form of Application Submission The application is made by submitting the materials described below. Applications must contain all information requested.

1. Standard Form 424 The applicant must complete Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance.

Instructions for completion of the SF-424 are included with the form. However, note that EPA requires that the entire requested dollar amount appear on the SF-424, not simply the proposed first year expenses. The form must contain the signature of an authorized representative of the applying organization.

Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, may be applicable to awards resulting from this announcement. EPA implemented the Executive Order in 40 CFR Part

29. EPA may require applicants selected for funding to provide a copy of their application to their State Point of Contact (SPOC) for review as provided at 40 CFR 29.7 and 40 CFR 29.8.

The SPOC list can be found on the webpage below.

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

2. Key Contacts The applicant must complete the “Key Contacts” form found in the Grants.gov application package. An “Additional Key Contacts” form is also available at https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms. The Key Contacts form should also be completed for major sub-agreements (i.e., primary investigators). Do not include https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:receipt.application@epa.gov https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/office-federal-financial-management/ information for consultants or other contractors. Please make certain that all contact information is accurate.

For Multiple PI applications: The Additional Key Contacts form must be completed (see Section I.F. for further information). Note: The Contact PI must be affiliated with the institution submitting the application. EPA will direct all communications related to scientific, technical, and budgetary aspects of the project to the Contact PI; however, any information regarding an application will be shared with any PI upon request. The Contact PI is to be listed on the Key Contact Form as the Project Manager/Principal Investigator (the term Project Manager is used on the Grants.gov form, the term Principal Investigator is used on the form located at https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms). For additional PIs, complete the Major Co-Investigator fields and identify PI status next to the name (e.g., “Name: John Smith, Principal Investigator”).

3. EPA Form 4700-4, Preaward Compliance Review Report for All Applicants and Recipients Requesting EPA Financial Assistance (available at https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms.

For tips on completing the form see:

https://www.epa.gov/grants/tips-completing-epa-form-4700-4).

4. SF-424A Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs Prepare a master budget table using Standard Form 424A, Budget Information for Non- Construction Programs (aka SF-424A), available in the Grants.gov electronic application package. Only complete “Section B-Budget Categories”. Provide the object class budget category (a. - k.) amounts for each budget year under the “Grant Program, Function or Activity” heading. Each column reflects a separate budget year. For example, Column (1) reflects budget year 1. The total budget will be automatically tabulated in column (5).

Applicants may not use subawards to transfer or delegate their responsibility for successful completion of their EPA assistance agreement. Please refer to https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses if your organization intends to identify specific contractors, including consultants, or subrecipients in your application.

Please note that cost sharing is not required.

5. Project Narrative, submitted using Project Narrative Attachment Form and prepared as described below:

i) Table of Contents Provide a list of the major subdivisions of the application indicating the page number on which each section begins.

ii) Abstract (1 page) https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms https://www.epa.gov/grants/tips-completing-epa-form-4700-4 https://www.grants.gov/

The abstract is a very important document in the review process. Therefore, it is critical that the abstract accurately describes the research being proposed and conveys all the essential elements of the research. Also, the abstracts of applications that receive funding will be posted on EPA’s Research Grants website.

The abstract must include the information described below (a-h). Examples of abstracts for current grants may be found on EPA’s Research Grants website.

a. Funding Opportunity Title and Number for this application.

b. Project Title: Use the exact title of your project as it appears in the application. The title must be brief yet represent the major thrust of the project. Because the title will be used by those not familiar with the project, use more commonly understood terminology. Do not use general phrases such as “research on.”

c. Investigators: For applications with multiple investigators, state whether this is a single Lead PI (with co-PIs) or Multiple PI application (see Section I.F.). For Lead PI applications, list the Lead PI, then the name(s) of each co-PI who will significantly contribute to the project. For Multiple PI applications, list the Contact PI, then the name(s) of each additional PI. Provide a website URL or an email contact address for additional information.

d. Institution(s): In the same order as the list of investigators, list the name, city and state of each participating university or other applicant institution. The institution applying for assistance must be clearly identified.

e. Project Period and Location: Show the proposed project beginning and ending dates and the performance site(s)/geographical location(s) where the work will be conducted.

f. Project Cost: Show the total funding requested from the EPA (include direct and indirect costs for all years).

g. Project Summary: Provide three subsections addressing: (1) the objectives of the study (including any hypotheses that will be tested), (2) the experimental approach to be used (a description of the proposed project) and (3) the expected results (outputs/outcomes) of the project and how it addresses the research needs identified in the solicitation, including the estimated improvement in risk assessment or risk management that will result from successful completion of the proposed work.

h. Supplemental Keywords: Without duplicating terms already used in the text of the abstract, list keywords to assist database searchers in finding your research. A list of suggested keywords may be found at: https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/research-funding-opportunities-how-apply-and-required-forms.

https://www.epa.gov/research-grants

iii) Research Plan, Quality Assurance Statement, Human Subjects Research Statement, Scientific Data Management Plan and References

a. Research Plan (15 pages)

Applications should focus on a limited number of research objectives that adequately and clearly demonstrate that they meet the RFA requirements. Explicitly state the main hypotheses that you will investigate, the data you will create or use, the analytical tools you will use to investigate these hypotheses or analyze these data and the results you expect to achieve. Research methods must be clearly stated so that reviewers can evaluate the appropriateness of your approach and the tools you intend to use. A statement such as: “we will evaluate the data using the usual statistical methods” is not specific enough for peer reviewers.

This description must not exceed fifteen (15) consecutively numbered (bottom center), 8.5x11-inch pages of single-spaced, standard 12-point type with 1-inch margins. While these guidelines on page size, point type and margins establish the minimum type size requirements, applicants are advised that readability is of paramount importance and should take precedence in selection of an appropriate font for use in the application.

The description must provide the following information:

(1) Objectives: List the objectives of the proposed research and the hypotheses being tested during the project, and briefly state why the intended research is important, how it supports the Agency’s research priorities and how it fulfills the requirements of the solicitation. This section should also include any background or introductory information that would help explain the objectives of the study. If this application is to expand upon research supported by an existing or former assistance agreement awarded under the STAR program, indicate the number of the agreement and provide a brief report of progress and results achieved under it.

(2) Approach/Activities: Outline the research design, methods, and techniques that you intend to use in meeting the objectives stated above.

(3) Expected Results, Benefits, Outputs and Outcomes: Describe the expected outputs and outcomes resulting from the project. This section should also discuss how the research results will lead to solutions to environmental problems and improve the public’s ability to protect the environment and human health. A clear, concise description will help ORD and peer reviewers understand the merits of the research.

(4) Project Management: Discuss other information relevant to the potential success of the project. This should include facilities, personnel expertise/experience, project schedules with associated milestones and target dates, proposed management, interactions with other institutions, etc. Describe the approach, procedures, and controls for ensuring that awarded grant funds will be expended in a timely and efficient manner and detail how project objectives will be successfully achieved within the grant period. Describe how progress toward achieving the expected results (outputs and outcomes) of the research will be tracked and measured. Applications for multi-investigator projects must identify project management and the functions of each investigator in each team and describe plans to communicate and share data.

(5) Appendices may be included but must remain within the 15-page limit.

b. Quality Assurance Statement (3 pages)

For projects involving environmental data collection or processing, conducting surveys, modeling, method development, or the development of environmental technology (whether hardware-based or via new techniques), provide a Quality Assurance Statement (QAS) regarding the plans for processes that will be used to ensure that the products of the research satisfy the intended project objectives. Follow the guidelines provided below to ensure that the QAS describes a system that complies with EPA Quality Standards found at: https://www.epa.gov/quality/agency-wide-quality-program-documents. Do not exceed three consecutively numbered, 8.5x11-inch pages of single-spaced, standard 12-point type with 1-inch margins.

NOTE: If selected for award, applicants will be expected to provide additional quality assurance documentation.

Address each applicable section below by including the required information, referencing the specific location of the information in the Research Plan or explaining why the section does not apply to the proposed research. (Not all will apply)

(1) Identify the individual who will be responsible for the quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) aspects of the research along with a brief description of this person’s functions, experience and authority within the research organization.

Describe the schedule and type of assessments to be conducted along with the corrective action process for each assessment proposed. Describe the organization’s general approach for conducting quality research. (QA is a system of management activities to ensure that a process or item is of the type and quality needed for the project. QC is a system of activities that measures the attributes and performance of a process or item against the standards defined in the project documentation to verify that they meet those stated requirements).

https://www.epa.gov/quality/agency-wide-quality-program-documents https://www.epa.gov/quality/agency-wide-quality-program-documents

(2) Discuss project objectives, including quality objectives, any hypotheses to be tested, and the quantitative and/or qualitative procedures that will be used to evaluate the success of the project. Include any plans for peer or other reviews of the study design or analytical methods.

(3) Address each of the following project elements as applicable:

(a) Collection of new/primary data:

(Note: In this case the word “sample” is intended to mean any finite part of a statistical population whose properties are studied to gain information about the whole. If certain attributes listed below do not apply to the type of samples to be used in your research, simply explain why those attributes are not applicable).

(i) Discuss the plan for sample collection and analysis. As applicable, include sample type(s), frequency, locations, sample sizes, sampling procedures, and the criteria for determining acceptable data quality (e.g., precision, accuracy, representativeness, completeness, comparability, or data quality objectives).

(ii) Describe the procedures for the handling and custody of samples including sample collection, identification, preservation, transportation, and storage, and how the accuracy of test measurements will be verified.

(iii) Describe or reference each analytical method to be used, any QA or

QC checks or procedures with the associated acceptance criteria and any procedures that will be used in…