PKG00250968-instructions.pdf

SOUTHEAST NEW ENGLAND PROGRAM FOR COASTAL WATERSHED RESTORATION

2019 REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

Federal Agency Name: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Region 1 Funding Opportunity Title: Technical Assistance Network for the Southeast New England Program

(“SNEP”)

Announcement Type: Request for Applications (“RFA”) Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-R1-SNEP-2019 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (“CFDA”) Number: 66.129

Important Dates

RFA posted in Grants.gov May 14, 2019

Informational Webinar June 6, 2019 from 2:00 – 3:30 (see Section VII and http://www.epa.gov/snecwrp for details)

Closing date and application deadline

June 28, 2019 is the closing date for application packages to be submitted to be considered for funding. Application packages must be submitted electronically to

EPA through Grants.gov (www.grants.gov) by 11:59 pm EDT.

Applicant notification July 12, 2019 EPA expects to notify the selected applicant.

Award of funds September 25, 2019 EPA expects to award funds.

Applications must be received by electronic submission through Grants.gov on or before 11:59 P.M. EDT June 28, 2019. Late applications will not be considered for funding. Questions regarding this Request for Applications must be submitted in writing via e-mail to SECoastalNE@epa.gov and must be received by the Agency Contact identified in Section VII before June 21, 2019. Responses to these questions will be compiled, posted on EPA’s website (http://www.epa.gov/snecwrp) and updated regularly. Following evaluation of applications, EPA will notify all applicants regarding their status by email on or around July 12, 2019.

Note to Applicants: If the applicant intends to name subawardees/sub-grantees and/or contractor(s) in their proposal to assist with the proposed project, pay careful attention to the information in the CONTRACTS AND SUBAWARDS provision found at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/competition/solicitation_provisions.htm.

For purposes of this RFA:

• The “applicant” refers to the organization submitting an application.

• “SNEP” refers to the Southeast New England Program. The term “SNEP geographic boundaries” refers to the south-facing coastal watersheds between Westerly, Rhode Island and Chatham, Massachusetts, the watersheds of the Narragansett Bay and Buzzards Bay National Estuary Programs (“NEPs”), and offshore islands of Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Elizabeth Islands (Town of Gosnold, MA), and Block Island (Town of New Shoreham, RI). Projects must occur within this geographic area to be eligible to be considered for funding. A high-resolution map of the SNEP area is found in Appendix A and at http://www.epa.gov/snecwrp/background-information-southeast-new-england-coastal-watershed-restoration-program.

http://www.epa.gov/snecwrp http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:SECoastalNE@epa.gov http://www.epa.gov/snecwrp http://www.epa.gov/ogd/competition/solicitation_provisions.htm

• The “Network” refers to the Southeast New England Program Technical Assistance Network.

• The “Service Recipient” refers to the local community, tribe or organization that is utilizing the services provided by the Network.

• The term “output” means an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product related to an environmental goal and objective that will be produced or provided over a period of time or by a specified date. Outputs may be quantitative or qualitative but must be measurable over the term of the grant funding period. As an example, an output for a Phragmites removal project would be the removal of Phragmites from a specific number of acres.

• The term “outcome” means the result, effect or consequence that will be achieved by carrying out an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature, must be quantitative, and may not necessarily be achievable within a grant funding period. As an example, an outcome for a Phragmites removal project would be a diversified, more natural ecosystem that sustains a wide variety of native species.

SUMMARY

EPA is soliciting applications from eligible entities (see Section III.A) under this announcement to support goals of the SNEP for coastal watershed restoration. Program objectives include improving water quality to reduce the impact of nutrients and bacteria on water quality and aquatic life; restoring physical processes that support critical habitat and ecosystem function; and aligning restoration and management efforts on a regional scale to achieve greater effectiveness and efficiency.

This RFA reflects these objectives and is intended to enhance the impact and scale of local efforts, limit duplication, and provide financial and technical resources to local organizations. Under this RFA, EPA is soliciting applications from eligible organizations to establish and manage the Network to focus on the needs of the SNEP region by providing financial and technical expertise to local communities, tribes and organizations through offering one-stop customized advice, consultation, and training, and technical stormwater services to improve local capability to manage environmental programs and improve environmental outcomes.

The goal of the Network is to enhance regional capacity to address these priorities. EPA seeks to promote increased understanding and use of available financial and technical resources, best practices, and innovative approaches, particularly in the areas of stormwater management and financing for coastal watershed restoration efforts. This RFA sets forth a competitive process to solicit and select an eligible organization to administer the Network for local communities, tribes and organizations under one assistance agreement to be awarded under this announcement. Eligible applicants may provide services through existing partnerships of organizations, partnerships of organizations created in response to this RFA, and individual organizations.

For the purposes of this RFA, a partnership is an entity linked with or in a collaborative arrangement with other groups, enterprises, or organizations having similar goals for the restoration of southeast coastal New England and bringing required expertise, skills, and local knowledge. The selected recipient will manage the Network to obtain collaboration and support from the public and private sectors in performing the project to expand its impact and scope and to manage appropriate administrative and fiscal arrangements to provide services to Service Recipients described in Section I.B.

The Network should provide support to local communities, tribes, and organizations located in the SNEP region1 and support activities that address common priorities within the SNEP boundaries. Funding provided under this announcement supports Goal 1 of the Fiscal Year 2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan - Goal 1 - Core Mission: Deliver real results to provide Americans with clean air, land, and water, and ensure chemical safety, Objective 1.2 – Provide for Clean and Safe Water2.

Applicants are not required to be located within the geographic area of southeastern coastal New England, but their projects must be carried out within the SNEP geographic region; to establish and manage a comprehensive Technical Assistance Network that builds regional capacity, EPA encourages applicants to have at least one local partner from within the SNEP geographic area. Applications must be SNEP-region in scale (see map in Appendix A for a map of the SNEP region) and support projects that address SNEP priorities within the SNEP boundaries.

Eligible applicants under this RFA are tribal, state, regional, and local governments; institutes of higher education; nonprofit institutions and organizations; intertribal consortia; and interstate agencies. 3 For-profit organizations are not eligible applicants under this funding opportunity.

Additionally, non-profit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible to apply. A non-profit organization, as defined by 2 CFR § 200.70, means “any corporation, trust, association, cooperative or other organization, not including IHEs, that: (a) is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable or similar purposes in the public interest; (b) is not organized primarily for profit; and (c) uses its net proceeds to maintain, improve and/or expand the operations of the organization.” Note that 2 CFR § 200.70 specifically excludes institutions of higher education from the definition of non-profit organization. State, local and federally-recognized Indian tribal governments are separately defined at 2 CFR §§ 200.54, 200.62, and 200.90, respectively. While not considered to be non-profit organizations as defined by 2 CFR 200.70, Institutions of Higher Education are eligible to submit applications under this RFA. In addition, Indian tribe, local, and state governments are also eligible to submit applications. For-profit colleges, universities, and trade schools are ineligible. Although private businesses, federal agencies, and individuals are not eligible to apply, EPA encourages them to work in partnership with eligible applicants to provide expertise and services.

EPA plans to award one cooperative agreement for activities under this RFA and expects the total estimated FY2019 funding available for awards under this competitive opportunity will be up to $1.75 million this year and up to $2 million in other years with a total of approximately $6 million through FY2024. EPA expects to fund one cooperative agreement under this RFA for a single entity to coordinate and manage the network contingent upon funding availability, the quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations. However, EPA expressly reserves the right to make no award or to incrementally fund a selected one.

An incrementally funded award will be subject to the availability of funding, future appropriations, satisfactory performance of work, and other applicable considerations. EPA requires the applicant to provide a minimum 15% match of the total Federal request (see Section III.B for information on the minimum non-federal 15 percent cost share/match requirement).

1 See Appendix A for map of SNEP geographic boundaries and program description 2 EPA’s Strategic Plan is available at http://www2.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan.

3 See Section III. A for definitions of eligible and ineligible entities

Current authorization for SNEP funding is contained in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019, which authorizes EPA to award grants and cooperative agreements to carry out SNEP, including planning, research, monitoring, outreach, and implementation projects within the SNEP geographic area.

Other Application Information: For the applicant’s convenience, EPA has created an RFA web page at http://www.epa.gov/snecwrp to provide information relating to the RFA process as well as a link to frequently asked questions (“FAQs”). EPA encourages all applicants to sign up for SNEP’s mailing list by sending an email to SEcoastalNE@epa.gov requesting to be placed on the list to receive any updates regarding this RFA, the review process, and/or selections.

FUNDING/AWARDS: The total estimated funding for this competitive opportunity is up to $6 million over five years. We anticipate awarding a single cooperative agreement from this announcement, subject to availability of funds, the quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations.

CONTENTS BY SECTION

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

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

I.A. Background The objective of the federal Clean Water Act (“CWA”) is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters. Despite continuing progress in achieving these goals, coastal ecosystems are recognized as particularly vulnerable to upstream pollution sources, fragmented management, and the impacts of stressors such as extreme weather, and sea-level rise. The coastal watersheds of southeast New England are prime examples of this vulnerability. The economy and community health of this region are directly tied to its unique ecological systems. These systems are currently impaired by excessive nutrients and bacteria from wastewater, septic systems, stormwater, and other land-based sources, and face future threats to resiliency from increasing ecological stressors and shifting socio-economic patterns. The traditional approach of agencies and organizations to address these problems independently has been confounded by a highly fragmented system of local government that creates jurisdictional barriers to reconciling different uses and priorities.

These issues call for a focus on the region’s common concerns and offer an opportunity for a more holistic approach to protecting aquatic ecosystems. EPA has responded by establishing the Southeast New England Program (“SNEP”), a geographically-based program serving as a collaborative framework for advancing ecosystem resiliency; protecting and restoring water quality, habitat, and ecosystem function; building capacity; and developing and applying innovative policy, science, and technology to environmental management in the coastal watersheds between Westerly, Rhode Island and Chatham on Cape Cod, and the Islands of Block Island, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard. A critical aspect of this framework is the integration of physical processes, water quality, and critical habitat at a regional, watershed, and/or landscape scale. This ecosystem-based approach increases the effectiveness of mailto:SEcoastalNE@epa.gov regional restoration efforts throughout the SNEP region by enhancing the impact and scale of local efforts and limiting duplication. It enables sharing of financial and management resources, and builds sustainable frameworks and partnerships needed to invest in wise restoration and proactive measures over the long-term.

To enhance regional capacity to address these priority issues, EPA seeks to promote increased understanding and use of available financial and technical resources, best practices and innovative approaches, particularly in the areas of stormwater management and environmental financing.

Under this RFA, EPA is soliciting applications from eligible organizations to establish and manage the SNEP Technical Assistance Network (the “Network”) that will focus on needs of the SNEP region by partnering with diverse sources of expertise to offer one-stop customized advice, consultation, and services to communities and organizations seeking to improve their capability to manage environmental programs and improve environmental outcomes.

I.B. SNEP Technical Assistance Network Objectives SNEP’s position as a partnership facilitator among government and non-governmental organizations is central to its mission to build capacity of local communities and partners; empower collective action to improve water quality and restore habitat; sustain coastal ecosystem services and functions; and promote sustainable communities by protecting and restoring natural resources that support health and safety, recreation, overall quality of life, and resilient economies. To accomplish these objectives, the RFA is soliciting proposals from eligible applicants to develop, establish, and operate the Network, which will focus on southeastern New England (see map in Appendix A for a map of the SNEP region). The Network is intended to provide customized practical products, consultation, and services to help communities better assess and address critical environmental management problems by offering assistance and training to local communities, tribes, and environmental organizations to improve financial and environmental decision-making, stormwater management, and assistance with fiscal and watershed restoration planning.

Applicants should demonstrate their ability and describe their approach to establish and manage a regional program that addresses SNEP priorities listed in this RFA, including documenting in-depth knowledge and familiarity with the coastal watersheds, governmental institutions, and local environmental concerns of southeast New England, and describing plans for providing necessary services and obtaining appropriate expertise.

Applicants may propose a variety of approaches to managing the Network. Examples include: designing a system for identifying and funding non-profit organizations and institutions of higher education qualified to assist in operating the Network; preparing and advertising a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) to a variety of for-profit contractors, non-profit contractors or subawardees to provide services to support the operation of the Network; and/or securing sources of financial or in-kind sponsorship to support the Network. Operation of the Network must be consistent with requirements for financial transactions in the Uniform Grant Guidance (“UGG”) (See 2 CFR Part 2004), and, depending on the proposed approach, must address use of subawards and/or contracts to support Network operations and services consistent with the UGG. See 2 CFR §§ 200.22 (contracts) and 200.92 (subawards). Note that proposals using contractor support must provide for competing the contracts for supplies, 4 To view 2 CFR Part 200, visit: https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=02466ad17ad1ab5617c6b6554ccd82dc&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=02466ad17ad1ab5617c6b6554ccd82dc&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=02466ad17ad1ab5617c6b6554ccd82dc&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 equipment, and services, including consultant contracts; applicants may not award sole source contracts to consulting, engineering, or other firms assisting with their proposal solely based on the firm's role in preparing the proposal/application or experience with the applicant. (See 2 CFR §§ 200.317 - 200.326 and the Contracts and Subawards clause, located in the additional provisions link provided in Section IV.F of this solicitation).

We anticipate awarding a single cooperative agreement from this announcement, subject to availability of funds, the quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations. Applicants should describe their plan in their budget narrative for the 5-year project period. Projects and any subawards funded under the cooperative agreement must be completed prior to the end of the cooperative agreement project period.

The approach to provide services performed by the recipient could include, but is not limited to:

• Administering the Network, including determining target communities and sectors needing assistance and identifying opportunities for outreach, and establishing program goals, oversight, and management procedures;

• Identifying and making available expertise responsive to the goals and priorities listed above in Section I.A and Section I.B of this announcement; and if necessary preparing and issuing RFPs for subawards and/or contracts consistent with EPA grants and procurement requirements;

• Providing financial, environmental management, and stormwater-related technical support to local communities and environmental organizations by coordinating and offering outreach, training, conceptual BMP designs, consultation, information resources, and peer-to-peer tech transfer;

• Developing a standardized finance decision tool that can be customized for towns in the SNEP region to align their needs, financial sources, and payment options;

• Building local capacity to plan for the development, conceptual design, and maintenance of BMPs, and incorporate important landscape features, natural and grey infrastructure, environmental issues, funding sources, and/or potential solutions to restore hydrology, habitat health, and improve resilience to extreme weather and sea-level rise;

• Qualitatively and quantitatively measuring and reporting the outputs and outcomes of the environmental results of activities and support services undertaken; and

• Furthering SNEP priorities by facilitating partnerships, networking, and tech transfer to plan future implementation efforts and build regional capacity.

The above are examples of the types of activities expected of the applicant. Applicants may also describe additional activities for the Network that would amplify its reach and broaden the target communities within the expected budget constraints of this RFA. Note: final design, construction, and implementation of practices is not an eligible activity under this award.

By using the Network approach, the recipient could offer the following types of services to Service Recipients.

Financial Stormwater Provide in-person 1-on-1 consultations regarding financial needs and current environmental management capacities

Assist with stormwater planning to restore the hydrology and water quality in a watershed or town (e.g. identify practices, opportunities to address impervious cover or lead towns from pre-concept to conceptual design)

Identify locally appropriate funding and new sources of revenue for water quality and habitat restoration projects

Assist in developing construction, operation and maintenance specifications for consultant services and help towns identify appropriate stormwater consultation services

Identify an appropriate funding mix that maximizes affordability and/or creates environmental co-benefits such as, improved water quality, and restored habitat

Identify potentially applicable nature-based stormwater management solutions that prevent or remediate stormwater impacts and create multiple benefits such as increased resiliency, habitat restoration, recreational opportunities, or other aspects of community well-being

Help towns articulate consultant needs and identify and secure appropriate financial consultation services for water quality and environmental management projects

Explore and recommend use of available tools to help optimize the selection of the type, placement, sizing, and cost of BMPs (ex. Opti-tool model)

Provide customized fiscal analysis, including demonstrating and using finance decision tools for environmental projects

Assist with developing watershed and regional solutions to stormwater problems

Provide direct water quality and environmental management project training on:

• Developing, setting-up, and maintaining fiscal and project tracking systems

• Preparing and executing solicitations for consultant, accounting, and data management services, including developing reasonable cost estimates

Provide direct training on:

• Optimal selection and siting of BMPs, including introduction to innovative practices and analysis of operation and maintenance considerations

• Municipal stormwater (“MS4”) and total maximum daily load (“TMDL”) requirements

• Preparing and executing solicitations for consultant, design, and engineering services, including developing reasonable cost estimates

Assist with process of developing and testing innovative funding approaches to water quality and environmental management projects

Assist with BMP restoration and maintenance tracking, including identifying indicators of environmental improvement

Conduct analyses of action vs. no action scenarios for water quality and environmental management projects

Assist with mapping out opportunities for action to address impairments in a watershed

Assist with development of funding applications for water quality and environmental management projects

Provide regional workshops on funding sources and approaches for water quality and environmental management projects

Expertise to be provided by the Network includes, but is not limited to:

• Comprehensive understanding of SNEP region environmental conditions, including water quality, watershed, and habitat conditions as well as familiarity with CWA and state water quality TMDL requirements;

• In-depth knowledge of the legal, regulatory, political, fiscal, and institutional frameworks governing environmental and municipal management in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts, including:

o knowledge of local and regional environmental concerns and solutions o understanding of municipal and tribal governments in the SNEP region and their enabling conditions (specifically legislation/authorities);

o experience working with local cities, towns, and tribes in the SNEP region; and o working knowledge of MS4/TMDL obligations as implemented in Rhode Island and

Massachusetts;

• Experience with environmental economics, calculation of ecosystem services, and financial modeling;

• Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and environmental modeling;

• Experience in developing and applying indicators and metrics of success and environmental improvement, including biological/habitat indicators;

• Familiarity, background, and recent experience with a variety of stormwater tools, including stormwater management planning, conceptual design, operation and maintenance, aggregate results, and construction oversight;

• Understanding and experience in identifying and calculating co-benefits of various environmental options, including nature-based solutions and innovative practices and technologies;

• Knowledge of conventional and innovative approaches for private, federal, state and local financing options and how to apply a mix of options to town water quality and environmental management needs, including opportunities for developing public/private partnerships to address funding constraints;

• Knowledge of private, federal, state, tribal and local funding processes for water quality and other environmental management projects, including requirements under both grant and procurement sources;

• Experience in conveying financial information and providing communication/training for water quality and environmental management projects;

• Participation in national networks of finance innovators and/or professional stormwater associations; and

• Experience in managing environmental assets to serve diverse communities and diverse needs.

The above are examples of types of services and expertise to be provided by the Network. In addition to considering these examples, applicants may also describe alternative expertise and services needed to build capacity of municipalities and other environmental implementers to identify watershed problems and develop viable solutions. Final design, construction, and implementation of plans are not eligible uses of these funds.

Statutory authority for this action is the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019, which authorizes EPA to award grants and cooperative agreements to carry out SNEP, including planning, research, monitoring, outreach, and implementation projects within the SNEP geographic area.

I.C. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage and Anticipated Outcomes, Outputs, and Performance Measures Under Section 6.a 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 (http://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015- 03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf).

Linkage to EPA Strategic Plan The activities to be funded under this announcement support EPA’s FY 2018-22 Strategic Plan. Awards made under this announcement will support Goal 1 Core Mission: Deliver real results to provide Americans with clean air, land, water, and ensure chemical safety, Objective 1.2, Provide for Clean and Safe Water of the EPA Strategic Plan. All applications must be for projects that support Goal 1, Objective 1.2.

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

Expected outputs from the Network to be funded under this announcement may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Number and list of services provided to local communities, tribes and organizations by the Network (list must be in easy to use and read formatted spreadsheets or another similar electronic tool);

• Number of communities and/or tribes in the SNEP region that request and are provided with fiscal or stormwater assistance;

• Fiscal analyses that incorporate public health, community well-being, and aggregate benefits into environmental management/financing decisions;

• Number of stormwater management plans that incorporate nature-based stormwater solutions

• Number of trainings requested and provided for financial and stormwater topics;

• Opportunities identified to develop public/private partnerships or other innovative finance mechanisms for water quality, and environmental management projects; and

• Criteria and methods for evaluating and tracking success and sustainability of assistance implemented through the Network.

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

Outcomes The term “outcome” means the result, effect or consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature, but must be quantitative. They may not necessarily be achievable within an assistance agreement funding period.

http://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf http://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf http://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan.html

Examples of potential outcomes under activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Increased capacity of municipalities to identify watershed problems and develop and implement viable solutions;

• Increased number of local water quality or habitat projects implemented within the SNEP region;

• Creation of sustainable funding sources to support activities resulting in pollution reduction;

• Increased understanding of local officials on how to use and maintain nature-based solutions;

• Creation of sustainable partnerships and/or other management collaboratives to operate across the SNEP region;

• Improved capacity among state, tribal and local governments to finance environmental restoration activities;

• Increased support for and implementation of co-benefit or multiple benefit water quality and habitat restoration projects; and

• Strategic water quality and environmental management investments resulting from innovative financial assistance.

Minority Serving Institutions

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

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

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

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

2. Tribal Colleges and Universities, 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, 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, as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1059g(a)(2)). A list of these schools can be found at Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions; and

5. Predominately Black Institutions, as defined by the Higher Education Act of 2008, 20 U.S.C. § 1059e(b)(6). A list of these schools can be found at Predominately Black Institutions.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

II.A. Funding Amount and Expected Number of Awards EPA expects to award up to $1.75 million in the first year and up to $6 million in total over five years as a cooperative agreement under this RFA for a single entity to establish, coordinate, and manage the Network, contingent upon funding availability, the quality of applications received, and other applicable 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://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/hsi-eligibles-2016.pdf https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XVkOWKMDORm53pvU0L8EPsrJC94&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=3&source=embed&ll=40.58644586187277%2C-148.28228249999984 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XVkOWKMDORm53pvU0L8EPsrJC94&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=3&source=embed&ll=40.58644586187277%2C-148.28228249999984 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1wlIi3j7gtlNq_w-0NKAb2bF2VmY&ie=UTF&msa=0&ll=37.35160769312532%2C-96.17229800000001&z=4 considerations. An incrementally funded award will be subject to the availability of funding, future appropriation levels, satisfactory performance of work, and other applicable considerations. EPA requires that the applicant provide a minimum 15 percent match of the total federal request (see Section III.B for information on the minimum 15 percent non-federal cost share/match requirement).

EPA reserves the right to reject all proposals and make no award under this announcement.

II.B. Award Type EPA has determined that a cooperative agreement is the appropriate funding vehicle for this project.

Cooperative agreements are used under circumstances where substantial involvement is anticipated between EPA and the recipient during performance of the activity(ies). Federal involvement may include close monitoring of the recipient’s performance; collaboration during the performance of the scope of work; review of proposed procurements (in accordance with 2 CFR § 200.318(i)); review of key personnel; and/or review and comment on the content of printed or electronic publications prepared.

EPA does not have the authority to select employees or contractors employed by the recipient. The final decision on the content of reports rests with the recipient.

For this award, federal involvement would typically be in an advisory and oversight capacity. This involvement could include participation in workshop/forum planning committees as well as involvement in communication and data sharing efforts. EPA will not make final contractual or subaward decisions or selections; the grantee will make the final contractual or subaward selections and administer the contracts and subawards. All the work conducted under any funded contracts or subawards must be to provide services outlined in the EPA approved final Scope of Work.

Specifically, EPA expects to be substantially involved by:

• Monitoring performance to verify the results proposed in applicant’s application;

• Collaborating on activities carried out during performance of the Scope of Work;

• Reviewing any proposed procurements and subawards in accordance with 2 CFR §§ 200.317, 200.318, 200.330, and 200.331;

• Approving qualifications of key personnel (EPA will not select employees or contractors employed by the award recipient); and

• Reviewing and commenting on reports prepared under the cooperative agreement (applicants make final decisions on the content of reports).

EPA will negotiate precise terms and conditions relating to substantial involvement as part of the award process with the selected applicant.

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

II.D. Expected Project Period The expected project period for the cooperative agreements is through Fiscal Year 2024 (up to 5 years), with funding provided on an annual basis. No commitment for funding can be made beyond the first year.

The expected start date for the awards resulting from this RFA is October 1, 2019. To ensure timely closeout and reporting of results, please note that any projects funded through subawards from this award must be completed no later than six months before the end of the project period.

II.E. Pre-Award Costs Recipients may incur otherwise eligible and allowable pre-award costs up to 90 days prior to award at their own risk without prior approval of EPA’s award official. Pre-award costs must comply with 2 CFR

200.308. If EPA determines that the requested pre-award costs comply with the relevant federal cost principles contained in the UGG Cost Principles, 2 CFR Part 220, Subpart E, and that the costs are justified as allocable to the project, then these costs may be included as allowable expenditures at the time that the assistance award document is prepared. However, if for any reason EPA does not fund the proposal or the amount of the award is less than the applicant anticipated, then EPA is under no obligation to reimburse the applicant for these costs incurred. Thus, applicants incur pre-award costs at their own risk. Costs incurred more than 90 days prior to award require the approval of EPA Region 1’s grant official.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

III.A. Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants under this RFA are tribal, state, regional, and local governments; institutes of higher education; nonprofit institutions and organizations; intertribal consortia; and interstate agencies. 5 For-profit organizations are not an eligible applicant under this funding opportunity. Additionally, non-profit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible to apply.

A non-profit organization, as defined by 2 CFR § 200.70, 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 § 200.70 specifically excludes institutions of higher education from the definition of non-profit organization. In addition, state, local and federally-recognized Indian tribal governments are separately defined in the regulations. While not considered to be non-profit organizations as defined by 2 CFR § 200.70, institutions of higher education and state, local and federally-recognized Indian tribal governments are, nevertheless, eligible to submit applications under this RFA. For-profit colleges, universities, and trade schools are ineligible. Although private businesses, federal agencies, and individuals are not eligible to apply, EPA encourages them to work in partnership with eligible applicants to provide expertise and services.

5 See Section III. A for definitions of eligible and ineligible entities

III.B. Cost Sharing/Match Requirements All applicants must demonstrate that they can contribute a minimum non-federal cost share/match of 15 percent of the federal request.

Match/cost shares can be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions, such as the use of volunteers and/or donated time, equipment, expertise, salaries or other verifiable costs and must be carefully documented. Involvement from foundations, watershed groups, private sector, eligible governmental, as well as non-conventional partners can help with the match. The match/cost share must be for allowable costs under the SNEP funding authority described in subsection I.E, and any restrictions on the use of grant funds also apply to the use of cost share/matching funds. In the case of salaries, applicants may use either minimum wage or fair market value. All funds are subject to federal audit. Applicants that do not describe how they will meet the minimum match/cost share requirement in their submission will not be considered for funding. Other federal grants may not be used as cost shares/matches without specific statutory authority. Regulations governing match/cost share requirements are at 2 CFR § 200.306. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.306(c), unrecovered indirect costs may be included as part of the entity’s cost sharing or matching requirement. Thus, applicants with a negotiated indirect cost rate may choose to provide a percentage of their costs as match. For example, if your negotiated indirect cost rate is 43% then the difference of 18% may be claimed as match.

To calculate the minimum match under this RFA, use the following formula:

Total Federal Funds Requested ($) multiplied by 0.15 = minimum cost share/match ($).

For example, if the applicant is requesting $1,000,000, they must be able to provide $150,000 in cash or in-kind contributions as cost share/match. The federal funds requested plus the match amount provided is the total project cost.

III.C. Threshold Eligibility Criteria Only applications from eligible applicants (see Section III.A above will be evaluated against the criteria in Section V.B. Below are threshold criteria that applications must meet to be considered for funding.

Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration resulting from the threshold eligibility review will be notified in writing within 15 calendar days of the ineligibility determination.

• Applicants may be located outside of the geographic area of southeastern coastal New England, but their projects must be carried out within the SNEP geographic region. EPA encourages applicants to have at least one local partner from within the SNEP geographic area. Applications must be SNEP-region in scale (see map in Appendix A for a map of the SNEP region) and support projects that address SNEP priorities within the SNEP boundaries.

o The geographic area of the southeast New England Region includes south-facing coastal watersheds between Westerly, Rhode Island to Chatham, Massachusetts, the watersheds of the Narragansett Bay and Buzzards Bay National Estuary Programs (“NEPs”), and off-shore islands of Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Elizabeth Islands (Town of Gosnold, MA), and Block Island (Town of New Shoreham, RI). Subaward projects must take place within this geographic area to be eligible for consideration of funding. A high resolution map of the SNEP area is provided at http://www.epa.gov/snecwrp/background-information-southeast-new-england-coastal-watershed-restoration-program and in Appendix A.

• Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section IV of this announcement or else they will be rejected. Note that if http://www.epa.gov/snecwrp/background-information-southeast-new-england-coastal-watershed-restoration-program http://www.epa.gov/snecwrp/background-information-southeast-new-england-coastal-watershed-restoration-program the application exceeds the page limitation stated in Appendix B, EPA will not review the excess pages and the information they contain will not be factored into the evaluation.

• Applications must be submitted through www.Grants.gov as stated in Section IV of this announcement (except in the limited circumstances where another mode of submission is specifically allowed as explained in Section IV) on or before the application submission deadline published in Section IV of this announcement. Applicants are responsible for following the submission instructions in Section IV of this announcement to ensure that their application is timely submitted. Applications submitted after the submission deadline will be considered late and deemed ineligible without further consideration unless the applicant can clearly demonstrate that it was late due to EPA mishandling or because of technical problems associated with Grants.gov or relevant System for Award Management (SAM) system issues (found at 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 late submission. Applicants should confirm receipt of their application with the designated contact identified in Section VII as soon as possible after the submission deadline—failure to do so may result in the application not being reviewed.

• Applications must support EPA Strategic Plan Goal1-Core Mission: Deliver real results to provide Americans with clean air, land and water, and ensure chemical safety. (See Section I.C)

• Applications must demonstrate how the cost-share requirements of Section III.B will be met.

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

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

IV.A. 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 Jessica Durand USEPA Headquarters William Jefferson Clinton Building 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N. W.

Mail Code: 3903R Washington, DC 20460

Courier Address:

OGD Waivers c/o Jessica Durand Ronald Reagan Building 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.

Rm # 51278 Washington, DC 20004

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

•Funding Opportunity Number (FON) •Organization Name and Unique Entity Identifier (e.g., 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 a 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 announcement including the submission deadline and requirements regarding application 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, 2019, it is valid for any competitive or non-competitive application submission to EPA through December 31, 2019). Applicants need only request an exception once in a calendar year and all exceptions will expire on December 31st 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, 2018 with a submission deadline of January 15, 2020, the applicant would need a new exception to submit through alternative methods beginning January 1, 2020. 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.