PKG00255358-instructions.pdf

AGENCY: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)

TITLE: Gulf of Mexico Program Reduction and Prevention of Trash in the Five Coastal States (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida) of the Gulf of Mexico Watershed

ACTION: Request for Applications (RFA)

RFA NUMBER: EPA-GM-2019-TFW

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NO: 66.475

DATES: Proposal packages must be submitted electronically to EPA through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) no later than November 22, 2019 at 11:59 ET in order to be considered for funding.

SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits applications to improve water quality, habitat, community resilience and environmental education through working with businesses, communities, and state and local governments to develop innovative projects that will encourage and facilitate the removal and reduction of trash that finds its way into waterways and ultimately our oceans. All projects must take place in one or more of the five gulf states (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida) and must be in the Gulf of Mexico watershed.

FUNDING: The total estimated funding for this competitive opportunity is approximately $5 million. EPA anticipates awarding ten or more grants (no more than $500,000 each) from this announcement, subject to availability of funds.

TENTATIVE TIMELINE

9/23/2019 RFA Posted 9/23/2019 Please review the Q&A posted before submitting questions. The Q&A can be found by following the TFW RFA announcement link at https://www.epa.gov/gulfofmexico.

If the answer needed is not already included in the Q&A, please submit questions to GMP-RFP@epa.gov. Q&A will be updated weekly if new questions are received.

11/22/2019 Applications Due to the Gulf of Mexico Program at 11:59 pm ET Late February Selected applicants notified Late April Final application packages submitted to EPA.

Late June Final awards made.

The above lines (other than the application submission date) are anticipated dates and subject to change.

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 http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.epa.gov/gulfofmexico mailto:GMP-RFP@epa.gov

VII. Agency Contacts VIII. Appendices

Appendix A – Budget Table and Narrative Example Appendix B – Data Collection Form Example

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Background:

Common trash from consumer goods makes up the majority of what eventually becomes marine debris, polluting our waterways and oceans. Plastics in the aquatic environment are of increasing concern because of their persistence and effect on the environment, wildlife, and human health.

The goal of this RFA is to reduce the volume of trash entering U.S. waterways.

The Gulf of Mexico Program (GMP), housed within the Gulf of Mexico Division, is a non-regulatory program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) founded to facilitate collaborative actions to protect, maintain, and restore the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico in ways consistent with the economic well-being of the Region. To carry out its mission, GMP continues to maintain and expand partnerships with State and Federal agencies, federally recognized tribes, local governments and authorities, academia, regional business and industry, agricultural and environmental organizations, and individual citizens and communities. For more information, please see https://www.epa.gov/gulfofmexico.

B. Scope of Work:

Under this solicitation, the EPA is seeking innovative projects focused on reducing the amount of trash in our waterways through trash prevention and/or removal. Applicants must describe how the project will do at least one of the following: improve water quality; protect, enhance, and/or restore habitat; and/or improve community resilience. Each project should also include education or outreach focused on changing business and/or consumer practices in order to reduce trash in our waterways (i.e. work with the community to reduce litter that comes from anthropogenic sources.”).

Successful projects will work with businesses, communities, cooperatives, and/or state and local governments to achieve sustainable measures that result in the reduction of trash in waterbodies.

Applicants will be asked to demonstrate a successful history of working with stakeholders to develop and put into place projects with results.

1. Activities:

Holistic approaches incorporating prevention, removal and outreach are encouraged. At a minimum, the project must include trash prevention or removal activities AND an outreach and education element. Projects that take place in a disadvantaged community are encouraged. If the project takes place in a disadvantaged community, please define the community and describe how the outcomes of the project will benefit that community. Review and scoring of the proposal will be based on the measurable results identified. Please see the following links for project examples: Great Practices Compendium and the Flow Newsletter.

Trash Prevention Trash prevention projects are projects that focus on the reduction or elimination of trash that has the potential of entering waterways. These projects are typically focused on source reduction through innovation, industry engagement, and stewardship initiatives. Examples of project elements include but are not limited to: changes in community (business and/or https://www.epa.gov/gulfofmexico https://www.epa.gov/trash-free-waters/best-management-practices-policies-and-programs https://www.epa.gov/trash-free-waters/newsletter-flow-trash-free-waters consumer) practices (i.e. work with the community to reduce litter that comes from anthropogenic sources.”); sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics; innovation in product and packaging design; and development and use of tools/resources that prevent trash from entering waterbodies.

Trash Removal Trash removal projects benefit habitat and waterways through the development and use of tools and resources that support trash assessment and removal in and/or near waterbodies.

Examples of project elements include but are not limited to: locally driven community-based removal projects and trash capture technologies in or near waterbodies. Trash removal projects must demonstrate how they will effectively quantify the trash removed. Applicants are encouraged but not required to use the Draft EPA Escaped Trash Assessment Protocol (ETAP) which can be found in Appendix B.

Outreach/education element Each project should incorporate education and outreach that would result in positive changes in consumer and/or business practices to reduce trash in waterways (i.e. work with the community to reduce litter that comes from anthropogenic sources). Examples of project elements include but are not limited to: an outreach campaign to reduce litter and improve trash management;

educate communities on impacts of trash and empower communities to take action.

2. Measurable results. Each project must describe how it will meet the following three items:

a) Education and Outreach: Every project MUST contain an element of Environmental Education and Outreach and provide an estimate of the number of individuals to be served (the actual number of individuals reached, and the method(s) used to reach them).

b) Mass or volume of trash removed and/or prevented: Each project MUST also report the mass (pounds) or volume (cubic yards) of trash removed or prevented from reaching the waterway or habitat, including a description of the method used for calculating those values. For example, source reduction projects would provide a calculation for the relationship between known waste-not-created and expected litter-not-created; while trash capture and removal projects would have a value from their waste disposal efforts – e.g. “we filled a 10 cubic yard dumpster”, “we removed XXXX lbs of trash from waterbodies”, “we prevented XXXX of trash from entering waterbodies”.

c) Additional GMP outputs: Each project must describe how it will meet one or more of the three outputs listed below.

i.Strengthen Community Resilience: Estimate how the community will become more resilient at the end of the project, including the number of communities reached and how the project served to strengthen the community resilience. Applicants must explain how “community” will be defined specific to their project.

ii.Protect, Enhance or Restore Habitat: Estimate the expected number of habitat acres (or linear feet) that will be enhanced, restored and/or protected.

iii.Improve Water Quality: Demonstrate an improvement in a waterbody or segment by the end of the project period as compared to the initial project baseline. For this RFA, the improvement in a waterbody must include a reduction in trash or a calculation of trash prevented from entering a waterway. Trash pollution is ultimately a nonpoint source pollutant, thus environmental concentrations often vary significantly. If final monitoring does not indicate an improvement in water quality, then the project report MUST include suggestions for additional source reduction efforts such as local business/community member engagement, gray infrastructure upgrades, improved stormwater management, etc.

C. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage & Anticipated Outcomes, Outputs & 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 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 5700.7A1, Environmental Results under Assistance Agreements, https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015- 03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf).

1. 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 - A Cleaner, Healthier Environment: Deliver a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment for all Americans and future generations by carrying out the Agency’s core mission. Objective

1.2 - Provide for Clean and Safe Water: Ensure waters are clean through improved water infrastructure and, in partnership with states and tribes, sustainably manage programs to support drinking water, aquatic ecosystems, and recreational, economic, and subsistence activities. All applications must identify how they support the goal and objective identified above. Please read EPA’s FY 2018-22 Strategic Plan for more information.

2. Environmental Outputs and Outcomes. The significance of environmental outputs and outcomes you expect to achieve will be considered under the evaluation criteria during the selection process and must be addressed in the proposal submission (See Sections IV.C. and V.A.)

a) 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 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.

Progress reports and a final report are required outputs for every project, as specified in Section VI.C. of this announcement, “Reporting Requirement.” In addition, the expected outputs from the project(s) to be funded under this announcement must include each item listed in Section I.B.

b) Outcomes. The term "outcome" means an environmental result, effect or consequence that will occur from carrying out project activities and/or completing outputs related to an environmental goal. Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature, but must be quantitative. Applications must include a description of project outcomes resulting from the project outputs, even if the outcome to be achieved is beyond the assistance agreement funding period.

During preparation of the proposal, the applicant should consider the following questions when developing output and outcome measures which document project results:

• What are the measurable short term and longer-term results that the project will achieve?

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 http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/award/5700.7.pdf https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-09/documents/fy-2018-2022-epa-strategic-plan.pdf https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-09/documents/fy-2018-2022-epa-strategic-plan.pdf

• How will the applicant measure progress in achieving the expected and measurable results?

Additional information regarding EPA's definition of environmental results in terms of "outputs" and "outcomes" can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015- 03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf.

D. Supplementary Information.

Projects submitted must describe how they fit under the following funding statute:

Clean Water Act, §104(b)(3), which authorizes the award of grants to conduct and promote the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys and studies relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution. Demonstration projects must entail the following:

a) novel or innovative techniques, methods, or approaches;

b) data collection for the applied technique, method or approach; and

c) communication of the results to other communities, community members or businesses to inform others on the success of projects that improve water quality.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available funding.

The total estimated funding expected to be available for awards under this competitive funding opportunity is approximately $5 million. EPA anticipates awarding ten or more grants under this announcement, with awards being no more than $500,000 subject to the availability of funds, quality of evaluated applications, and other applicable considerations. EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy, if additional funding becomes available after the original selections. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months from the date of the original selections.

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

C. Project Period The estimated project period for awards resulting from this solicitation will begin in Calendar Year 2020. Proposed project periods may be up to five years but should be commensurate with the activities proposed. For example, a proposal to develop a mini-grant program may require a longer time frame than a trash removal project.

D. Funding Type The funding for selected projects will be in the form of a grant.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Entities 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

The following entities are eligible to apply for funding under this announcement unless restricted by the authorizing statute(s); State and local governments, interstate agencies, Tribes, colleges and universities, and other public or non-profit organizations.

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.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

Neither matching nor cost share funds are required under this competition. Cost sharing will not be evaluated as a part of this competition.

C. Ineligible Activities. Projects ineligible for funding under this program are:

1. Actions required to settle a formal enforcement action or included in a court order; or specified as a required mitigation measure under a state, local, or federal permit for a specific project; however, grant funding may be used to enhance or expand such projects beyond minimum requirements for compliance.

2. Work involving only routine maintenance of storm water infrastructure and other facilities.

3. Projects which fall under the existing planning responsibilities of an individual state or local government (e.g., development of TMDLs or MS4 permits).

4. Routine “gray infrastructure” projects (e.g., installation of sewer lines).

5. Construction activities including but not limited to preliminary planning to determine the economic and engineering feasibility of a facility, the engineering, architectural, legal, fiscal, and economic investigations and studies, surveys, designs, plans, working drawings, specifications, procedures, and other action necessary to the construction of a facility, the erection, acquisition, alteration, remodeling, improvement, or extension of a facility, and the inspection and supervision of the construction of a facility.

D. Threshold Eligibility Criteria These are requirements that if not met by the time of proposal submission will result in elimination of the proposal from consideration for funding. Only proposals from eligible entities (see above) that meet all these criteria will be evaluated against the ranking factors in Section V of this announcement. Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration as a result of the threshold eligibility review will be notified within 15 calendar days of the ineligibility determination.

1. EPA Strategic Plan: Proposals must support the EPA Strategic Goals identified in Section I.D.

2. Program Relevance: Proposals must address activities as described in Section I.B. to be considered.

3. Measurable Results: Proposals must demonstrate how the project meets the measurable results described in Section I.B.2. If the project does not address a, b, and c of the measurable results section it will not be considered.

4. Project Location: Only projects that take place in one or more of the five gulf states (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida) AND in the Gulf of Mexico watershed will be considered.

5. Funding Request Limit: Requests for EPA funding amounts in excess of the funding amount listed in Section I.B, including direct and indirect costs, will not be considered.

6. Eligible activities: A proposal must identify how its activities meet the funding authority described in Section I.D. In addition, if a proposal is submitted that includes any ineligible tasks or activities (listed in III.C), the proposal will be ineligible for funding.

7. Substantial Compliance: Proposals must substantially comply with the proposal submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section IV of this announcement or else they will be rejected. However, where a page limit is expressed in Section IV with respect to the narrative proposal and budget, pages in excess of the page limitation will not be reviewed.

8. Proposal submission: In addition, proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov as stated in Section IV of this announcement (except in the limited circumstances where another mode of submission is specifically allowed for as explained in Section IV) on or before the proposal submission deadline of 11:59 Eastern Time on November 22, 2019. Applicants are responsible for following the submission instructions in Section IV of this announcement to ensure that their proposal is timely submitted. Proposals 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 applicant’s failure to timely submit their proposal/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 proposal with gmp-rfp@epa.gov as soon as possible after the submission deadline—failure to do so may result in your proposal not being reviewed.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Grants.gov Submission Instructions 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 OMS-ARM-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.

http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:gmp-rfp@epa.gov https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:OMS-ARM-OGDWaivers@epa.gov

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 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 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, 2018, it is valid for any competitive or non-competitive application submission to EPA through December 31, 2018).

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. 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. Submission Instructions

The electronic submission of your application must be made by an official representative of your institution who is registered with Grants.gov and is authorized to sign applications for Federal assistance. For more information on the registration requirements that must be completed in order to submit an application through grants.gov, go to Grants.gov and click on "Applicants" on the top of the page and then go to the "Get Registered" link on the page. If your organization is not currently registered with Grants.gov, please encourage your office to designate an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and ask that individual to begin the registration process as soon as possible.

Please note that the registration process also requires that your organization have a Unique Entity Identifier (e.g. DUNS number) and a current registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) and the process of obtaining both could take a month or more. Applicants must ensure that all registration requirements are met in order to apply for this opportunity through grants.gov and should ensure that all such requirements have been met well in advance of the submission deadline.

Registration on grants.gov, SAM.gov, and DUNS number assignment is FREE.

Applicants need to ensure that the AOR who submits the application through Grants.gov and whose Unique Entity Identifier (e.g., DUNS number) is listed on the application is an AOR for the applicant listed on the application. Additionally, the DUNS number listed on the application must be registered to the applicant organization's SAM account. If not, the application may be deemed ineligible.

To begin the application process under this grant announcement, go to Grants.gov and click on "Applicants" on the top of the page and then "Apply for Grants" from the dropdown menu and then follow the instructions accordingly. Please note: To apply through Grants.gov, you must use Adobe Reader software and download the compatible Adobe Reader version. For more information about Adobe Reader, to verify compatibility, or to download the free software, please visit Adobe Reader Compatibility Information on Grants.gov

You may also be able to access the application package for this announcement by searching for the opportunity on Grants.gov. Go to Grants.gov and then click on "Search Grants" at the top of the page and enter the Funding Opportunity Number, EPA-GM-2019-TFW, or the CFDA number that applies to the announcement (CFDA 66.475), in the appropriate field and click the Search button.

Please Note: All applications must now be submitted through Grants.gov using the "Workspace" feature. Information on the Workspace feature can be found at the Grants.gov Workspace Overview Page.

Application Submission Deadline: Your organization's AOR must submit your complete application package electronically to EPA through Grants.gov no later than November 22nd, 2019 at 11:59 PM ET. Please allow for enough time to successfully submit your application and allow for unexpected errors that may require you to resubmit.

Please submit all the application materials described below using the Grants.gov application package accessed using the instructions above.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

1. Technical Issues with Submission Once the application package has been completed, the "Submit" button should be enabled. If the "Submit" button is not active, please call Grants.gov for assistance at 1-800-518-4726.

Applicants who are outside the U.S. at the time of submittal and are not able to access the toll-free number may reach a Grants.gov representative by calling 606-545-5035. Applicants should save the completed application package with two different file names before providing it to the AOR to avoid having to re-create the package should submission problems be experienced or a revised application needs to be submitted.

2. Submitting the application. The application package must be transferred to Grants.gov by an AOR. The AOR should close all other software before attempting to submit the application package. Click the "submit" button of the application package. Your Internet browser will launch and a sign-in page will appear. Note: Minor problems are not uncommon with transfers to Grants.gov. It is essential to allow sufficient time to ensure that your application is submitted to Grants.gov BEFORE the due date identified in Section IV of the solicitation. The Grants.gov support desk operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except Federal Holidays. A successful transfer will end with an on-screen acknowledgement. For documentation purposes, print or screen capture this acknowledgement. If a submission problem occurs, reboot the computer turning the power off may be necessary and re-attempt the submission.

Note: Grants.gov issues a "case number" upon a request for assistance.

3. Transmission Difficulties. If transmission difficulties result in a late transmission, no transmission, or rejection of the transmitted application are experienced, and following the above instructions do not resolve the problem so that the application is submitted to Grants.gov by the deadline date and time, follow the guidance below. The Agency will make a decision concerning acceptance of each late submission on a case-by-case basis. All emails, as described below, are to be sent to Rachel Houge at houge.rachel@epa.gov with the FON in the subject line. If you are unable to email, contact Rachel Houge at 228-304-7441. Be aware that EPA will only consider accepting applications that were unable to transmit due to Grants.gov or relevant https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ system issues or for unforeseen exigent circumstances, such as extreme weather interfering with internet access. Failure of an applicant to submit a timely application because they did not properly or timely register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov is not an acceptable reason to justify acceptance of a late submittal.

If you are experiencing problems resulting in an inability to upload the application to Grants.gov, it is essential to call Grants.gov for assistance at 1-800-518-4726 before the application deadline. Applicants who are outside the U.S. at the time of submittal and are not able to access the toll-free number may reach a Grants.gov representative by calling 606-545-5035. Be sure to obtain a case number from Grants.gov. If the problems stem from unforeseen exigent circumstances unrelated to Grants.gov, such as extreme weather interfering with internet access, contact Rachel Houge at 228-304-7441.

a) Unsuccessful transfer of the application package: If a successful transfer of the application cannot be accomplished even with assistance from Grants.gov due to electronic submission system issues or unforeseen exigent circumstances, and you have already attempted to resolve the issue by contacting Grants.gov, send an email message to houge.rachel@epa.gov prior to the application deadline. The email https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ message must document the problem and include the Grants.gov case number as well as the entire application in PDF format as an attachment.

b) Grants.gov rejection of the application package: If a notification is received from Grants.gov stating that the application has been rejected for reasons other than late submittal and it is too late to reapply, promptly send an email to houge.rachel@epa.gov with the FON in the subject line within one business day of the closing date of this solicitation. The email should include any materials provided by Grants.gov and attach the entire application in PDF format.

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

C. Content of Application Submission:

Applicants must include the information outlined below in their applications. Pages in excess of the page limitations identified below will not be reviewed. Applicants must also ensure that the application narrative provides information addressing all the proposal evaluation criteria identified in Section V.A. and the threshold criteria identified in III.D. Please submit all the application materials described below using the Grants.gov application package accessed using the instructions above.

Application Materials:

The following forms and documents are required under this announcement:

Mandatory Documents:

1. Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

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

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

4. EPA Key Contacts Form 5700-54

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

6. Application Narrative – see table below for content – Project Narrative Attachment

Form

7. Budget Table – Project Narrative Attachment Form

8. Budget Narrative – Budget Narrative Attachment Form

9. Map - Project Narrative Attachment Form

Optional Documents:

10. Other Attachments Form – Resumes of Biosketches of PIs and Critical Staff

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

12. Other Attachments Form – Letters of Support, if applicable

Application Submission Content Required Documents Application for Federal Assistance

(SF-424)

Complete the form. There are no attachments. Please be sure to include the organization fax number and email address in Block 5 of the Standard Form

SF 424. The contact person you provide in Block 8.f. should be different than the Authorized Representative listed in Block 21.

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.

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF424A)

Complete the form. There are no attachments. The total amount of federal funding requested for the project period should be shown on line 5(e) and on line 6(k) of SF-424A. If indirect costs are included, the amount of indirect costs should be entered on line 6(j). The indirect cost rate (i.e., a percentage), the base (e.g., personnel costs and fringe benefits), and the amount should also be indicated on line 22. If indirect costs are requested, a copy of the Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement must be submitted as part of the application package. (See instructions for document 10 below.)

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

Complete the form. There are no attachments.

EPA Key Contacts Form 5700-54

Complete the form. There are no attachments. Please be sure the contacts on this form are consistent with the other forms.

EPA Form 4700-4 – Preaward Compliance Review Report

Complete the form.

Application Narrative (ten pages maximum, including application information page)

Includes the Application Information Page; Project Narrative. Prepare as described in the Application Information Page and Application Narrative instructions below. This is one of the files that should be submitted using the Project Narrative Attachment form.

Budget Table A fill-able template for the budget table is available for download with the RFA on www.grants.gov and by following the TFW RFA announcement link at https://www.epa.gov/gulfofmexico. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the same format as found in the sample template. This file should be submitted using the Project Narrative Attachment form.

Budget Narrative (three pages maximum)

This file should be submitted using the Budget Narrative Attachment form.

Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

Use if indirect costs are included in the project budget. Use the “Other Attachments Form” to attach a copy of your organization’s Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, if applicable. You must submit a copy of your organization’s Indirect Cost Rate Agreement as part of the application package if your proposed budget includes indirect costs. Please include the words “cost agreement” in the filename.

Letters of support Letters of support from partners with substantial involvement are required to support description of partner involvement. Will be evaluated as identified in V.A.f. Please consolidate all letters into one file and include the word “Letters” in the file name. Use the “Other Attachments Form”.

Map Provide a map of the watershed and the proposed work areas related to the project. If the project includes water quality outputs, please identify the 12-digit HUC(s) or segment of where the project will take place. Please include http://www.grants.gov/ the word “map” in the file name. Use the “Project Narrative Attachment Form”.

Resumes or Biosketches of PIs and Critical Staff

Use the “Other Attachments Form” to attach a copy of the resume or curriculum vitae of principal investigators and critical staff for the proposed project. Such documentation should outline the education, work history, and knowledge/expertise of the individual that relate to managing the proposed project. Please include the word “resume” in the filename.

Application Narrative (10-page limit including the proposal information page) Application Information Page (1-page limit)

• Project Title

• Applicant Information. Include applicant (organization) name, address, contact person, phone number, e-mail address and DUNS number.

• Total Project Cost. Specify total cost of the project and the amount you are requesting from

EPA, if different. Project costs should align with the scope of the project and should not exceed $500,000)

• Briefly describe how your project meets EPA Strategic Goals (See Section I.C for more) information)

• Project Description. Briefly describe your project to ensure the connection to activities described in Section I.B. and the funding authorities described in Section I.D. Please also ensure your project does not contain any ineligible activities identified in III.C.

• Measurable Outputs. Provide a brief description of the major outputs of your project. (See Section I.B. for more information.)

• Place of Performance. Identify the watersheds (12-digit HUC(s)) or waterbodies where your project will take place. In addition, please identify the state, Counties, Cities, Congressional Districts, and up to 5 zip codes of your project location(s).

• Project period. Provide anticipated project start date and anticipated project completion date.

Application Narrative

EPA recommends that applications be in 12-point font or larger. Readability is of paramount importance. The application narrative must explicitly describe how the proposed project meets guidelines established in Sections I-III of this announcement (including the threshold eligibility criteria in Section III.D). The narrative must also address each of the evaluation criteria set forth in Section V and how the applicant will perform the activities under the scope of work in Section I.B

Project Description/Approach:

The following items should be addressed within this section of your application.

• The narrative should link the project activities with the required output(s) (Please see Section

I.B)

• The project approach should be described concretely and be appropriate for the desired outputs and outcomes without requiring more detail to assess the likelihood of success. This should include the technical or conceptual foundation for this approach. For example, plans, studies, pilot projects, successful projects elsewhere, etc.

• The discussion should address what is innovative about the project, how and why the project takes a holistic approach and what new knowledge will be gained or what new approach is being taken.

• The narrative should describe the relevance of the project, including how it will benefit the Gulf of Mexico and if successful, how can it be replicated elsewhere. Generally, projects that work with disadvantaged communities have greater relevance and benefit to the Gulf.

Example questions to consider in this description include:

Does it build local or regional capacity?

Does it address an existing issue in the Gulf of Mexico watershed?

• The narrative should include language describing how the project supports EPA Strategic Goals (Please see Section I.C.) and the statutory authority (Please see Section I.D).

• The narrative should identify project partnerships, including responsible parties for each task.

Letters of support from partners with substantial involvement are required to support description of partner involvement.

Environmental Results:

• Identify well defined outputs that are specific, quantified and significant, including target numbers, throughout the project timeframe.

• The proposal should clearly demonstrate how the project will support achieving the outputs, including the output required for the priority area(s) selected.

• The proposal should discuss quantitative environmental, social, health-related, or programmatic outcomes resulting from project outputs even if the outcome is beyond the project period.

• The proposal should describe major tasks, deliverables for each task, and schedule for completion (IE. Milestone or GANTT chart). The link between the tasks and achievement of identified outputs and outcomes should be clear.

• For awards under this competition that are expected to exceed $200,000 in federal funding AND involve the generation or use of environmental data, please provide a statement acknowledging 1) your need to demonstrate competency prior to beginning work and 2) your understanding that a Quality Management Plan (QMP) and/or a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) may be required. Please see Section IV. O. at the following link for more information: https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses#competency. For further information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions Document regarding this EPA requirement: https://www.epa.gov/measurements/documents-about-measurement-competency-under-assistance-agreements

• The proposal should describe how it will ensure a lasting impact beyond the period of performance.

Programmatic Capability and Past Performance

• The proposal should describe the applicant’s history of successfully a) completing and managing Federal assistance agreements and b) meeting the reporting requirements under the Federal assistance agreements, including whether the applicant submitted acceptable final performance reports under those agreements and the extent to which the applicant adequately and timely reported on their progress towards achieving the expected outputs and outcomes. If such progress was not being made, please describe why.

• Note: This section of the proposal should include a list of federally funded assistance agreements (assistance agreements include Federal grants and cooperative agreements but https://www.epa.gov/measurements/documents-about-measurement-competency-under-assistance-agreements https://www.epa.gov/measurements/documents-about-measurement-competency-under-assistance-agreements not Federal contracts) similar in size, scope and relevance to the proposed project that your organization performed within the last three years (no more than five agreements, and preferably EPA agreements)

• The proposal should describe the applicant’s organizational experience and staff expertise to be able to assess the ability of applicant to successfully achieve the goals of the proposed project.

Education and Outreach

• The proposals should (in narrative form) identify how the project will result in positive change in the practices of the community (i.e. businesses, consumers, students) (i.e. define and describe the work with the community to reduce litter that comes from anthropogenic sources).

• The proposal should identify how the anticipated change will be identified.

Expenditure of Awarded Funds

• The proposal should describe the financial controls currently in place to ensure that awarded funds are expended in a timely and efficient manner.

Budget (3-page limit, see Appendix A for sample format and grants.gov and EPA GMP website for optional table template) Budget The proposal should provide a budget table. The budget table should cross-reference the SF-424A budget categories while breaking out the line items for each budget category. Budget resources necessary for completing a QAPP (if applicable), sharing project information broadly, and reporting progress should be included. The budget table should identify major costs associated with the approach in an easily understandable format. A fill-able template for the budget table is available for download with the RFA on https://www.grants.gov and by following the TFW RFA announcement link at https://www.epa.gov/gulfofmexico. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the same format as found in the sample template. This file should be submitted using the Project Narrative Attachment form.

The proposal should provide a budget narrative (please see Appendix A for Interim EPA Budget Narrative guidance and examples). The budget narrative should cross-reference the budget table, providing explanation of all costs – detailing the purpose of the expenditure and how it was calculated. Where possible, the budget narrative should link expenses with tasks and deliverables from the project description. Budget resources necessary for completing a QAPP (if applicable), sharing project information broadly, and reporting progress should be included. The budget narrative should clearly explain cost calculations and correlate the costs to activities identified in the proposal.

The overall project costs and various components should be well justified and reasonable.

* The indirect cost rate assessed by organization may be considered in the evaluation of the budget narrative, tables and project costs.

*If utilizing a negotiated indirect cost rate, applicant(s) will need to submit a copy of their current indirect cost rate that has been negotiated with a federal cognizant agency prior to award.

a) Submission Dates and Times The closing date and time for submission of applications is November 22nd, 2019, 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time (ET). Applications submitted after the closing date and time will not be considered for funding. Applications submitted through grants.gov will be time and date stamped electronically. Please email Rachel Houge at gmp-rfp@epa.gov to confirm EPA https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:gmp-rfp@epa.gov received your application. Confirmation of receipt should be requested within 30 days of the application deadline. Failure to do so may result in your application not being reviewed.

b) Additional Provisions for Applicants Incorporated into the Solicitation Additional provisions that apply to this solicitation and/or awards made under this solicitation, including but not limited to those related to confidential business information, contracts and subawards under grants, and proposal assistance and communications, can be found at https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses. These, and the other provisions that can be found at the website link, are important, and applicants must review them when preparing proposals for this solicitation. If you are unable to access these provisions electronically at the website above, please communicate with the EPA contact listed in this solicitation to obtain the provisions. We have highlighted several of the clauses below:

i.Pre-proposal/Application Assistance and Communications.

In accordance with EPA’s Assistance Agreement Competition Policy (EPA Order 5700.5A1), EPA staff will not meet with individual applicants to discuss draft proposals, provide informal comments on draft proposals, or provide advice to applicants on how to respond to ranking criteria. Applicants are responsible for the contents of their applications/proposals.