PKG00253721-instructions.pdf

US Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticide Programs

Funding Opportunity Announcement:

National Farmworker Training Program

EPA-HQ-OPP-2019-004

August 8, 2019

Funding Opportunity No. EPA-HQ-OPP-2019-004

Funding Opportunity Announcement: National Farmworker Training

Overview Information The following list provides key information concerning this funding opportunity:

Federal Agency and Office Name: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), Field and External Affairs Division (FEAD).

Funding Opportunity Title: National Farmworker Training.

Announcement Type: Request for Applications (RFA) - Initial Announcement.

Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-HQ-OPP-2019-004.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 66.716

IMPORTANT DATES

RFA OPENS: August 13, 2019 RFA CLOSES – APPLICATIONS DUE: October 15, 2019 ANTICIPATED NOTIFICATION OF SELECTION: August 2020 ANTICIPATED AWARD: September 2020

Application packages must be submitted electronically to EPA through Grants.gov (www.grants.gov) no later than October 15, 2019 at 11:59 p/m/ (ET) in order to be considered for funding.

To allow for efficient management of the competitive process, EPA requests submittal of an informal notice of an Intent to Apply by September 13, 2019 to OPPGA@epa.gov. Please include the number of this announcement (EPA-HQ-OPP-2019-004) on the subject line of the email notice. Submission of Intent to apply is optional; it is a process management tool that will allow EPA to better anticipate the total staff time required for efficient review, evaluation, and selection of submitted applications. Please note that in order to be considered for funding, complete application packages must be submitted electronically to EPA through Grants.gov (www.grants.gov) by the closing date and time specified on this RFA.

SUMMARY: The Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) is soliciting applications from eligible parties for an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cooperative agreement to provide financial assistance to an eligible organization for a pesticide safety program, including training and education, aimed at reducing exposure to pesticides for agricultural workers, their families and the agricultural community. The grantee will conduct a national program to educate farmworkers about how to reduce risks from pesticides. As part of this program, the grantee will also train pesticide safety educators who will work with farmworker service organizations, growers and other members of the agricultural community in key rural, agricultural areas with high pesticide use and large http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:OPPGA@epa.gov http://www.grants.gov/ numbers of farmworkers to conduct interactive pesticide safety programs for agricultural workers and their families. The grantee may utilize existing EPA approved worker and children protection pesticide safety training and education materials, may develop new and/or improved materials and collaborate with other EPA grantees to address pesticide safety issues for farmworkers and farmworker children. All training materials should be targeted at the low literacy, predominately non-English speaking agricultural worker population. EPA expects to provide an estimated $500,000 annually, depending on the Agency’s budget, for a total of up to $2,500,000 for five years (2020 through 2025).

FUNDING/AWARDS

The total estimated funding for this competitive opportunity is approximately $2,500,000 over a five-year period. EPA anticipates awarding one cooperative agreement from this announcement, subject to availability of funds, the quality of applications received, and other applicable considerations.

Table of Contents

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

II. AWARD INFORMATION

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

VII. AGENCY CONTACT

APPENDIX A

APPENDIX B

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Background

Pesticides released into the environment as a result of their manufacture, processing, use, or disposal can threaten human health and the environment. EPA’s 2018-2022 Strategic Plan Goal 1

– Core Mission, Objective 1.4 is: Ensure Safety of Chemicals in the Marketplace: Effectively implement the Toxic Substances Control Act, and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is to ensure new and existing chemicals and pesticides are reviewed for their potential risks to human health and the environment and actions are taken when necessary.

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is the primary federal law governing oversight of pesticide manufacture, distribution, and use in the United States. FIFRA (7 U.S.C. 136r) authorizes EPA to issue assistance agreements for research, public education, training, monitoring, demonstration and studies. The new cooperative agreement will primarily support FIFRA through the development of materials for education and facilitating training on the safe use of pesticides. Regulations governing this agreement are found at 2 CFR Part 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards; and 2 CFR Part 1500 - Environmental Protection Agency’s Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

The EPA Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) assesses risks to human health and the environment while addressing the safe use of pesticides. It is EPA’s goal to ensure the safety of chemicals in the marketplace by providing pesticide safety training to farmworkers and their families.

In November of 2015, EPA’s Worker Protection Standard (WPS) (40 CFR Part 170) was published to enhance protections and to reduce the risk of pesticide poisonings and injuries among agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. The WPS offers occupational protections to over 2 million agricultural workers (people involved in the production of agricultural plants) and pesticide handlers (people who mix, load, or apply agricultural pesticides) who work on over 600,000 agricultural establishments (farms, forests, nurseries and greenhouses). The WPS requires that owners and employers on agricultural establishments provide protections to workers and handlers from potential pesticide exposure, train them annually about pesticide safety, and provide mitigations in case exposures may occur. The WPS also contains requirements for annual pesticide safety training, hazard communication information, notifications of pesticide applications, use of personal protective equipment, restricted entry intervals following pesticide application, decontamination supplies, and emergency medical assistance.

Since l995, OPP has provided funding for several research and education programs designed to evaluate and convey pesticide safety information to farmworkers. To date, OPP has funded five, five-year cooperative agreements, titled the National Agricultural Workers Pesticide Safety Training and Education Program, that have trained full and part-time educators to teach agricultural workers and their families how to reduce the risks from pesticide exposure. Through these programs, over one million farmworkers, farmworker families and community members https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-02/documents/fy-2018-2022-epa-strategic-plan.pdf https://ecfr.io/Title-40/cfr170_main have received training and education on how to reduce pesticide exposure. These training programs have researched and evaluated methods for delivering pesticide safety information to a predominately non-English speaking, low literacy, and migrant population. Curriculum for pesticide safety training and education has been developed using the specific WPS regulation training points for workers (40 CFR 170.130) as its foundation. Pesticide safety educators have been trained on pesticide safety, education and outreach techniques, which has resulted in approximately 50,000 farmworkers, farmworker families and other members of the farmworker community trained each year.

It is EPA’s goal to continue providing pesticide safety training to farmworkers and their families, as well as addressing other emerging pesticide safety issues to ensure the safety of chemicals in the marketplace.

B. Scope of Work

1. Purpose and Scope

The purpose of the program is to ensure the safety of chemicals in the marketplace through outreach, education and training on how to use pesticides safely and correctly. The 5-year cooperative agreement awarded under this program will protect the public and the environment by reducing pesticide exposure and minimize pesticide misuse by developing and delivering a pesticide safety training and education program for farmworkers, farmworker families and other members of the agricultural community.

The cooperative agreement awarded under this program is intended to provide financial assistance to:

• Conduct a pesticide safety training and education program for farmworkers, farmworker families and other members of the agricultural community on how to prevent and reduce exposures to pesticides.

• Create and develop a national training, education and outreach program for farmworkers and farmworker families in rural agricultural areas, including areas with large farmworker populations and high pesticide use.

• Work collaboratively with farmworker support organizations; growers; crew leaders;

agricultural extension professionals; health clinics; local, state and federal governments and others in educating farmworkers, farmworker families and other members of the agricultural community about the importance of pesticide safety.

Objectives Applicants must address the following objectives in their application:

• Develop and/or improve pesticide safety training programs and materials for agricultural workers in English and other relevant languages (e.g. Spanish, Mixteco, Haitian-Creole, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Mandarin, Russian, Karen, etc.) so they can better understand pesticide safety and protect themselves and their children.

https://ecfr.io/Title-40/se40.26.170_1130

• Enhance safe working conditions for agricultural field workers, and other members of the agricultural community at the local, state, and national levels.

• Promote environmental justice for low-income, low-literacy, and predominately non- English speaking farmworkers and farmworker children in rural agricultural areas by educating on how to reduce exposure to pesticides.

• Enhance collaboration among members of the pesticide safety and agricultural communities while developing improved pesticide safety programs designed to prevent pesticide exposure for farmworkers, pesticide applicators and other members of the agricultural community.

• Utilize existing national networks, including farmworker advocacy groups and other relevant EPA grantees, to establish collaboration, training, and education.

2. Activities to be Funded

Activities to be funded under this cooperative agreement support the purpose and objectives listed above and must include, at a minimum, the following activities:

a. Conduct a pesticide safety program for agricultural workers and their families at the local, state and national level, including in areas with high agricultural worker populations.

b. Develop and/or utilize a pesticide safety training program, including trainers and materials, which address the predominately non-English speaking, low literacy level needs of agricultural workers. These programs will be developed working collaboratively with farmworker organizations; agricultural extension professionals;

health care providers; education and training specialists; migrant health, education, training, agricultural, and environmental organizations and agencies at the local, state, and national level; universities; pesticide safety applicator specialists; grower associations; relevant EPA grantees; and other experts. Materials and training approaches will be reviewed and approved by the EPA Project Officer prior to implementation of the training programs and outreach to insure comprehensive review of existing materials is conducted and the development of any new materials or approaches does not duplicate existing ones. Work should include needs assessment, pilot testing, field testing and/or peer reviewing key approaches and materials.

c. Develop and/or utilize EPA-approved WPS pesticide safety curricula and materials for agricultural workers, as outlined in the WPS (40 CFR Part 170) under Subpart E – Requirements for Protection of Agricultural Workers. The curriculum and materials would include, but not be limited to, the following information:

(1) The responsibility of agricultural employers to provide annual pesticide safety training; pesticide safety, application, and hazard information; decontamination supplies;

emergency medical assistance; and notifications to workers of restrictions during application and to treated areas.

(2) Workers may designate a representative to request, on their behalf, pesticide application and hazard information.

(3) How to recognize and understand the meaning of posted warning signs used for notifying workers of restrictions on entering pesticide treated areas on the establishment.

(4) How to follow directions and/or signs about keeping out of pesticide treated areas subject to a restricted-entry interval and application exclusion zones.

https://ecfr.io/Title-40/cfr170_main

(5) Where and in what form pesticides may be encountered during work activities, including exposure to pesticide residues that may be on or in plants and soil; tractors, application and chemigation equipment; used Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);

irrigation water; or in the air where pesticides may drift from nearby applications.

(6) Potential hazards of pesticides resulting from toxicity and exposure, including acute effects, chronic effects, delayed effects, and sensitization.

(7) Routes through which pesticides can enter the body (e.g. dermal, eye nose, oral).

(8) Signs and symptoms of common types of pesticide poisoning.

(9) Emergency first aid for pesticide injuries or poisonings.

(10) Routine and emergency decontamination procedures, including eye flushing techniques.

(11) In an emergency: if pesticide are spilled or sprayed on the body, use decontamination supplies to wash immediately or rinse off in the nearest clean water including streams, springs, lakes, or other sources if they are more readily available than decontamination supplies. Follow up by washing or showering with soap and water, shampooing hair, and changing into clean clothes.

(12) How and when to obtain emergency medical care.

(13) Wearing work clothing that protects the body from pesticide residues when working in pesticide treated areas.

(14) Washing hands before eating, drinking using the toilet, using a cell phone, or using chewing gum or tobacco.

(15) Washing or showering with soap and water, shampoo hair, and change into clean clothes as soon as possible after working in pesticide-treated areas.

(16) Potential hazards from pesticide residues on clothing.

(17) Washing work clothes before wearing them again and washing them separately from other laundry.

(18) Warnings to not taking home pesticide or pesticide containers used at work

(19) Information about the Safety Data Sheets (SDS), including that SDSs provide information about hazards, emergency medical treatment, and other information about pesticides that area used on the establishment;

(20) Employer’s responsibility to display SDS for all pesticides used on the establishment that workers may come in contact with; to tell workers and handlers where the SDS are located; and to allow workers and handlers access to the SDS during normal working hours.

(20) Agricultural employers are prohibited by the WPS from allowing or directing a worker to mix, load, or apply pesticides or assist in their application unless trained as a handler.

(21) Agricultural employers must provide specific information to early-entry workers before directing them to perform early-entry activities.

(22) Early-entry workers must be 18 years of age or older.

(23) Hazards of pesticide exposure among children and pregnancy women.

(24) Keeping children and nonworking family members away from pesticide-treated areas.

(25) After working in pesticide-treated areas, remove boots or shoes before entering your home, remove work clothes, and wash or shower before physical contact with children or family members.

(26) How to report suspected use violations to the State or Tribal agency responsible for pesticide enforcement.

(27) Agricultural employers are prohibited from intimidating, threatening, coercing, or discriminating against any worker or handler for complying with or attempting to comply with the requirements of this rule, or because the worker or handler provided, caused to be provided, or is about to provide information to the employer or the EPA or its agents regarding conduct that the employee reasonably believes violates this part, and/or made a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing concerning compliance with this rule.

d. Conduct a national and/or several regional train-the-trainer workshops or webinars, including practice sessions for trainers. Workshops and webinars would train trainers about the importance of pesticide safety, provide a review of the curriculum and EPA-approved materials to be used, inform of WPS training administration requirements, suggest ways to reach farmworkers and work with growers, crew leaders and other members of the agricultural community to utilize the training, how to get certified as an official trainer by their state, organization, etc. Workshops and webinars must use EPA-approved train-the-trainer materials.

e. Establish on-going pesticide safety training programs in at least 25 domestic sites in rural areas with a minimum of 20 states including key agricultural states with high farmworker populations and high pesticide usage.

f. Conduct outreach and partnership programs with federal, state and local programs and agencies; farmworker service providers; growers and grower organizations; agricultural extension professionals; migrant health clinics and other members of the agricultural community to help advertise, gain access and set up training workshops for agricultural workers, farmworker families, and other members of the agricultural community to conduct the federally required WPS pesticide safety training and other pesticide safety programs. While this program will be predominately in the United States, these outreach and educational programs may be extended to the U.S. Territories and possessions including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

g. Maintain and produce records and reports for transparency, historical and planning purposes including financial data and recommendations;

h. Develop and/or utilize existing pesticide safety training evaluation tools, such as pre-and post-tests or focus groups, to evaluate the effectiveness of the training program.

Modify the training program to improve teaching methodologies and learning retention as necessary.

i. Develop and utilize metrics to evaluate that the needs of EPA’s partners, stakeholders and the regulated community are met.

j. Work with EPA’s partners, stakeholders, and regulated communities to systematically identify prioritize needs, leverage resources, avoid duplicity of efforts and assure efficiency;

C. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage and Anticipated Outputs, Outcomes, and Performance Measures

Pursuant to Section 6a of EPA Order 5700.7A1, “Environmental Results under EPA Assistance Agreements,” EPA must link proposed assistance agreements to the Agency’s https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf

Strategic Plan. EPA also requires that applications and recipients of grants and cooperative agreements adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements (see Linking Assistance Agreements to Environmental Results https://www.epa.gov/grants/linking-assistance-agreements-environmental-results).

1. Linkage to EPA Strategic Plan /GPRA Architecture

The activities to be funded under this announcement must support progress towards meeting EPA’s 2018-2022 Strategic Plan Goal 1 – Core Mission, and Objective 1S.4: Ensure Safety of Chemicals in the Marketplace” which states: “Effectively implement the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to ensure new and existing chemicals and pesticides are reviewed for their potential risks to human health and the environment and actions are taken when necessary”.

Please read EPA’s FY 2018-2022 Strategic Plan (www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan) for more information.

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 goals and objectives described above.

The purpose of the 5-year cooperative agreement awarded under this program is to ensure the safety of chemicals in the marketplace by developing and delivering a pesticide safety program, including training and education, aimed at reducing exposure to pesticides for agricultural workers, their families and the agricultural community. The grantee will conduct a national program to educate farmworkers about how to prevent and reduce risks from pesticides. As part of this program, the grantee will also train pesticide safety educators who will work with farmworker service organizations, growers and other members of the agricultural community in key rural, agricultural areas with high pesticide use and large numbers of farmworkers to conduct interactive pesticide safety programs for agricultural workers and their families.

2. Outputs

The term “output” means an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work products 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 during an assistance agreement funding period.

https://www.epa.gov/grants/linking-assistance-agreements-environmental-results https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-02/documents/fy-2018-2022-epa-strategic-plan.pdf 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

The anticipated outputs of this cooperative agreement are to successfully accomplish the activities listed in Section I.B.3 as well as any additional activities proposed by the applicants.

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

a. Develop effective communication and outreach programs to enhance pesticide risk reduction to human health, communities and ecosystems;

b. Model training and education programs for farmworkers and farmworker families and other members of the agricultural community; and

c. Increase the number of trained farmworkers and other members of the agricultural community in reducing pesticide risk.

Examples of materials developed under a previous cooperative agreement to facilitate and comply with WPS-required pesticide safety training of agricultural workers include a WPS flipchart and manual. These materials are available in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole languages.

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

3. Outcomes

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

Expected outcomes from this cooperative agreement include, but are not limited to:

a. Enhancing capabilities, through an increase of knowledge, to assist farmworkers, farmworker families and other members of the agricultural community in preventing and reducing pesticide risks to humans, communities and ecosystems;

b. Educating farmworkers, farmworker families and other members of the agricultural community on the safe use of pesticides;

c. Protecting humans, communities, and ecosystems from illness and injury caused by exposure to pesticides; and

d. Restoring community health by reducing the environmental justice impact on minority and low-income populations of farmworkers and farmworker children.

4. Performance Measures

The applicant should develop and describe performance measures they expect to achieve through the proposed activities. These performance measures will help gather insights and will be the mechanism to track progress concerning successful processes and output and outcome strategies and will provide the basis for developing lessons to inform future projects. It is expected that the description of performance measures will directly relate to the project outcomes and outputs.

The following are questions to consider when developing output and outcome measures of quantitative and qualitative results:

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

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

The description of performance measures should include:

a) Overall five-year and annual goals, objectives, outputs (including projects, programs and materials) and outcomes.

b) Regular reports that document all activities and efforts on project implementation, and track and measure progress achieved toward the outputs, outcomes and milestones met in the overall five-year plan and each annual plan.

c) A final report that demonstrates the success of the program provides lessons learned and suggests how to carry the program forward and build on its success.

D. Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for this action is Section 20 of Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 7 U.S.C. 136r which authorizes the Agency to issue assistance agreements for research, public education, training, monitoring, demonstration and studies. This cooperative agreement will support FIFRA by developing and delivering a pesticide safety program, including training and education, aimed at reducing exposure to pesticides for agricultural workers, their families and the agricultural community.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. What is the amount of funding available?

The total estimated amount available for award under this announcement is approximately $2,500,000, dependent on availability of funds. EPA anticipates awarding an estimated maximum of $500,000 for fiscal year 2020. At the conclusion of the first year period of performance, incremental funding of an estimated $500,000 may be made available for each additional year allowing the project to continue for a total of five (5) years depending on Agency priorities, available funding levels, satisfactory performance of the recipient and other applicable considerations. EPA reserves the right to reject all applications and make no awards.

B. 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 applicant 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.

C. How many agreements will EPA award in this competition?

EPA anticipates awarding one cooperative agreement subject to the availability of funds and quality of evaluated applications, and other applicable considerations.

EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy and other applicable considerations, if additional funding becomes available after the original selections. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months from the date of the original selections.

In addition, EPA reserves the right to reject all applications and make no awards under this announcement or to make fewer awards than anticipated.

D. What is the project period for awards resulting from this solicitation?

The estimated project period for the award resulting from this solicitation is expected to begin on October 2020, with an estimated completion date of September 2025.

E. Funding Type

The funding for selected project(s) will be in the form of a cooperative agreement.

Cooperative agreements provide for substantial involvement between the EPA Project Officer and the selected applicants in the performance of the work supported. Although EPA will negotiate precise terms and conditions relating to substantial involvement as part of the award process, the anticipated substantial federal involvement for this project may include:

• Close monitoring of the successful applicant’s performance to verify the results proposed by the applicant;

• Collaboration during performance of the scope of work;

• In accordance with 2 CFR 200.317 and 2 CFR 200.318, review of proposed procurement(s);

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

• Review and approval of the substantive terms of subaward agreements; and

• Review and comment on reports prepared under the cooperative agreement (the final decision on the content of reports rests with the recipient)

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Entities In accordance with CFDA 66.716 – Research, Development, Monitoring, Public Education, Training, demonstrations and Studies, and the EPA’s Assistance Agreement Competition Policy (EPA Order 5700.5A1), applications will be accepted from states; U.S. territories or possessions; federally recognized Indian tribal governments and Native American organizations;

public and private universities and colleges; hospitals, laboratories, other public or private nonprofit institutions; local governments; and international entities. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply.

Non-profit organization, as defined by 2 CFR Part 200, means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative or other organization that: (1) is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable or similar purposes in the public interest; (2) is not organized primarily for profit; and (3) uses its net proceeds to maintain, improve and/or expand its operations. Note that 2 CFR Part 200 specifically excludes the following types of organizations from the definition of “non-profit organization” because they are separately defined in the regulation: (i) institutions of higher education; and (ii) state, local and federally-recognized Indian tribal governments. While not considered to be a “non-profit organization(s)” as defined by 2 CFR Part 200, institutions of higher education and state, local and federally-recognized Indian tribal governments are, nevertheless, eligible to submit applications under this RFA.

Hospitals operated by state, tribal, or local governments or that meet the definition of nonprofit at 2 CFR 200.70 are also eligible to apply.

For-profit colleges, universities, trade schools, and hospitals are ineligible. For-profit organizations are not an eligible entity for 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.

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 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/

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(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 (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. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing or matching is not required, and voluntary cost share or leveraging, if proposed, will not be considered during the evaluation of proposals. (See Section V.A)

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

Voluntary cost share is a form of leveraging. Voluntary cost sharing is when an applicant voluntarily proposes to legally commit to provide costs or contributions to support the project when a cost share is not required [add following to end of sentence if competition has a mandatory cost share: “or when the applicant proposes to provide more than the required cost share”]. Applicants who propose to use a voluntary cost share must include the costs or contributions for the voluntary cost share in the project budget on the SF-424. If an applicant proposes a voluntary cost share, the following apply:

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

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

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

• The recipient is legally obligated to meet any proposed voluntary cost share that is included in the approved project budget. If the proposed voluntary cost share does not materialize during grant performance, then EPA may reconsider the legitimacy of the 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=1wlIi3j7gtlNq_w-0NKAb2bF2VmY&ie=UTF&msa=0&ll=37.35160769312532%2C-96.17229800000001&z=4 award and/or take other appropriate action as authorized by 2 CFR Part 200 as applicable.

Other leveraged funding/resources that are not identified as a voluntary cost share. This form of leveraging may be met by funding from another federal grant, from an applicant's own resources, or resources from other third-party sources. This form of leveraging should not be included in the budget and the costs need not be eligible and allowable project costs under the EPA assistance agreement. While this form of leveraging should not be included in the budget, the grant workplan should include a statement indicating that the applicant is expected to produce the proposed leveraging consistent with the terms of the announcement and the applicant's application. If applicants propose to provide this form of leveraging, EPA expects them to make the effort to secure the leveraged resources described in their applications. If the proposed leveraging does not materialize during grant performance, then EPA may reconsider the legitimacy of the award and/or take other appropriate action as authorized by 2 CFR Part 200 as applicable.

C. Threshold Eligibility Requirements

These are requirements that if not met by the time of application submission will result in elimination of the application from consideration for funding. Applications will be eliminated from the competition if the threshold eligibility criteria listed below are not met. Only applications from eligible entities (see above) that meet all of these criteria will be evaluated against the ranking factors in Section V of the announcement. Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration as a result of the threshold eligibility review will be notified within 15 calendar days of the ineligibility determination.

1. Application Content and Submission

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.

b. Where a page limit is expressed in Section IV with respect to the narrative proposal, pages in excess of the page limitation will not be reviewed.

c. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov as stated in Section IV of this announcement (except in the limited circumstances where another mode of submission is specifically allowed for as explained in Section IV) on or before the proposal submission deadline published in Section IV of this announcement. Applicants are responsible for 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 SAM.gov system issues. An http://www.grants.gov/ https://grants.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ 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.

2. EPA will consider only one application from each eligible applicant including units of government and institutions of higher education (IHE). If EPA receives more than one application from an eligible applicant (e.g. different agencies of a governmental unit or different departments of the same IHE) EPA will refer the applications back to the applicant for a decision regarding which application the applicant wants EPA to consider.

3. Applicants must be eligible to receive funding under this announcement. (See Section III.A. Eligible Entities above)

4. The proposed project period of performance must not exceed five years.

5. The maximum funding level requested for the first year of the project must not exceed $500,000. Applications requesting more than the maximum funding will be rejected.

6. Applications must support EPA Strategic Plan Goal 1, Objective 1.4; Ensure Safety of Chemicals in the Marketplace.” (See Section I)

7. Submissions must contain specific outputs and outcomes and state how those will be measured and documented.

8. The proposal must address all of the requirements listed in Section I “Scope of Work.”

9. Ineligible activities: If a proposal is submitted that includes any ineligible tasks or activities (e.g. trainee stipends), that portion of the proposal 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

A. Requirement to Submit through Grants.gov and Limited Exception Procedures Applicants, except as noted below, must apply electronically through Grants.gov for 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 OMS-ARM- OGDWaivers@epa.gov or the address listed below in writing (e.g., 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 https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ https://grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:OGDWaivers@epa.gov mailto:OGDWaivers@epa.gov

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) EPA-HQ-OPP-2019-004;

• Organization Name and Unique Entity Identifier (e.g. DUNS);

• Organization’s Contact Information (email address and phone number); and

• Explanation of how they lack the technical capability to apply electronically through

Grants.gov because of 1) limited internet access or 2) no internet access which prevents them from being able to upload the required application materials through Grants.gov.

EPA will only consider alternate submission exception requests based on the two reasons stated above and will timely respond to the request - all other requests will be denied. If an alternate submission method is approved, the applicant will receive documentation of this approval and further instructions on how to apply under this announcement. Applicants will be required to submit the documentation of approval with any initial application submitted under the alternative method. In addition, any submittal through an alternative method must comply with all applicable requirements and deadlines in the announcement including the submission deadline and requirements regarding proposal content and page limits (although the documentation of approval of an alternate submission method will not count against any page limits).

If an exception is granted, it is valid for submissions to EPA for the remainder of the entire calendar year in which the exception was approved and can be used to justify alternative submission methods for application submissions made through December 31 of the calendar year in which the exception was approved (e.g., if the exception was approved on March 1, 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 31 of that calendar year. Applicants must request a new exception from required electronic submission through Grants.gov for submissions for any succeeding calendar year. For example, if there is a competitive opportunity issued on December 1, 2018 with a submission deadline of January 15, 2019, the applicant would need a new exception to submit through alternative methods beginning January 1, 2019.

http://www.grants.gov/

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

B. Grants.gov Application Submission Instructions (see Appendix A)

Your organization’s authorized official representative (AOR) must submit your complete application electronically to EPA through Grants.gov no later than October 15, 2019, 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

C. Content of Application Submission

Application packages must contain all of the following forms and documents, completed and signed, in the sequential order shown. Additional guidance on completing the documents is available through EPA’s Office of Grants and Debarment at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/.

1. Grant Application Forms. Please complete the forms as appropriate.

a. Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal Assistance

Complete the form available at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/forms/forms.htm. Please note that the organizational Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number must be included on the SF-424. Organizations may obtain a DUNS number at no cost by calling the toll-free DUNS number request line at 1-866-705-5711. Alternatively, applicants may also request a DUNS number online by going to http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform and following the instructions for a cooperative agreement.

b. SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs Complete the form available at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/forms/forms.htm. There are no attachments.

c. SF-424B, Non-Construction Programs

d. EPA Form 4700-4, Pre-Award Compliance Review Report for All Applicants Requesting

Federal Financial Assistance

e. EPA Form 5700-54, Key Contacts Form

2. Narrative Proposal (as described below)

The Narrative Proposal must contain all parts (a through g) described below, in sequential order as shown. Each page must be numbered, formatted for 8.5 x 11inch paper, single-spaced and text in 11-point font. Electronic files must be named legible and in Adobe Acrobat PDF or MS Word for Windows. Submit electronic files for the narrative proposal with the name “NarrProp” followed by the number of the narrative proposal file in sequential order if there is more than one file. (Example: NarrProp1, NarrProp2…) The project narrative cannot exceed 25 pages. Each page past the limit will not be considered.

Federal forms are not included in the page limit. Also, supporting materials such as resumes https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.epa.gov/ogd/ http://www.epa.gov/ogd/forms/forms.htm http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform http://www.epa.gov/ogd/forms/forms.htm and letters of support, will not count toward the page limit and can be submitted as attachments.

a. Cover Page: The cover page must list the following information with the letterhead for your organization:

EPA Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-HQ-OPP-2019-004 Project Title:

Project Coordinator:

Organization Name and Address:

Telephone No.: Fax Address: Email Address:

Project Duration (anticipated start date and end no later than date):

First Year Funding Request:

Total Funding Requested. Specify the amount you are requesting from EPA (for the entire project):

Total Project Cost. Specify total cost of the project. Identify funding from other sources, including cost share or in-kind resources.

DUNS number:

b. Table of Contents: A table listing the different parts of the application and the page number on which each part begins.

c. Executive Summary: A stand-alone, concise description of the project with objectives, outputs and outcomes; and one sentence assuring that your organization meets the eligibility factors, as listed in Section III (Eligibility Information).

d. Narrative Proposal Workplan: The narrative proposal workplan must directly and explicitly describe how the proposed project meets the guidelines in Sections I – III of this announcement (including the requirements in Section I and the threshold eligibility criteria in Section III) and must address each of the evaluation criteria set forth in Section V.

The narrative proposal workplan must contain all parts in sequential order as shown below:

Project title

Part I. Project Scope and Approach

1) Project Scope, Goal and Objectives (See section I)

Explain how the overall approach and plan will meet program objectives.

Describe a plan that includes the following:

• Purpose Statement - A one sentence description of what will be accomplished as a result of the project that benefits the public and potential…