PKG00257164-instructions.pdf

U.S. EPA GREAT LAKES NATIONAL PROGRAM OFFICE

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Trash Free Waters 2020 Request for Applications

FEDERAL AGENCY NAME: Environmental Protection Agency ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Request for Applications

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 66.469

SUMMARY: EPA is seeking applications for funding to implement trash removal projects within two funding opportunities, each of which has a separate Funding Opportunity Number (FON) and is separately posted on Grants.gov:

Funding Opportunity Title FON Description FY2020 Trash-Free Great Lakes Grant Program - Trash Removal in Great Lakes Communities

EPA-R5-

GL2020-TFC

Approximately $1,000,000 is available for approximately 10 projects. The maximum award is $300,000 and minimum award is $50,000 for this finding category.

FY2020 Trash-Free Great Lakes Grant Program - Trash Removal from Great Lakes Rivermouths and Harbors

EPA-R5-

GL2020-TFH

Approximately $1,000,000 is available for approximately 3 projects. The maximum award is $500,000 and minimum award is $250,000 for this funding category.

Timeline December 16, 2019 Request for Applications (RFA) Posted January 7, 2020 Informational webinar for potential applicants at 1:00 PM Central

Time / 2:00 PM Eastern Time.

February 14, 2020 Application submission deadline 1 April, 2020 EPA will begin notifying finalists.

May, 2020 EPA will begin making official awards.

Additional Information: For your convenience, an Great Lakes Restoration Initiative 2020 Request for Applications web page has been created with information relating to the RFA process.

We encourage all applicants to sign up for our mailing list and register with us at Great Lakes News Email List.

1 Applications must be submitted to EPA through Grants.gov by 10:59 p.m. Central Time / 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time in order to be considered for funding.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/trash-free-waters-rfa https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/trash-free-waters-rfa https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/trash-free-waters-rfa https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/trash-free-waters-rfa https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/great-lakes-news-email-list https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/great-lakes-news-email-list https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/great-lakes-news-email-list https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/great-lakes-news-email-list https://www.grants.gov/

Request for Applications Page 2 of 3 Version Date: December 6, 2019 Revision Date: N/A

ACRONYMS

AANAPISI Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution AOR Authorized Organization Representative CBI Confidential Business Information CFDA Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance CFR Code of Federal Regulations CWA Clean Water Act DBE Disadvantaged Business Enterprises DUNS Data Universal Numbering System EPA Environmental Protection Agency ESA Endangered Species Act FAQ Frequently Asked Questions FAQ Frequently Asked Questions FON Funding Opportunity Number FTE Full Time Equivalent FY Fiscal Year GL Great Lakes GLNPO Great Lakes National Program Office GLRI Great Lakes Restoration Initiative GLWQA Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement GSA General Services Administration HUC Hydrologic Unit Code IDC Indirect Cost LOS Letters of Support MBE Minority Business Enterprises MSI Minority Serving Institution NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NHPA National Historic Preservation Act OGD Office of Grants and Debarment PBI Predominantly Black Institution Q&A Question & Answer R5 Region 5 RFA Request for Applications SAM System for Award Management SBA Small Business Administration SF Standard Form SHPO State Historic Preservation Office STEM Science, technology, engineering, and math TCU Tribal Colleges and Universities THPO Tribal Historic Preservation Office USC United States Code USEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency UTF Unicode Transformation Format

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Funding Opportunities Description

I.1 Background

I.2 Program Authority

I.3 Linkage to EPA Strategic Plan & Environmental Results

I.4 Funding Opportunities

I.5 Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs)

II. Award Information

II.1 Available Funding

II.2 Issuance of Awards

II.3 Partial Funding

II.4 Pre-Award Costs

II.5 Anticipated Project Periods

II.6 Type of Funding Instrument

III. Eligibility Information

III.1 Threshold Eligibility Criteria

III.2 Applicant Eligibility (CFDA 66.469)

III.3 Eligible Activities

III.4 Ineligible Activities

IV. Application & Submission Information

IV.1 Application Submission Deadline

IV.2 Registration

IV.3 Grants.gov Instructions & Resources

IV.4 Application Submission

IV.5 Limited Exception Procedures

IV.6 Application Package

IV.7 Page Limit & Format

IV.8 Communications

IV.9 Additional Provisions For Applicants Incorporated Into RFA

IV.10 No Awards

IV.11 Intergovernmental Review

V. Application Review & Selection

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V.1 Application Review

V.2 Application Selection

V.3 Additional Provisions For Applicants Incorporated Into The Solicitation

VI. Award Administration

VI.1 Award Notifications & Status Updates

VI.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

VI.3 Quality System Documentation

VI.4 Environmental and Regulatory Compliance

VI.5 Reporting Requirements

VI.6 Disputes

VI.7 Additional Provisions For Applicants Incorporated Into The Solicitation:

VI.8 Other Programmatic Requirements

VI.9 Negotiating Fair Share Objectives/Goals and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) Annual Reporting

VII. Agency Contacts

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I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES DESCRIPTION

I.1 BACKGROUND

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) builds on the prior efforts of federal, state, and local agencies; Indian tribes; businesses; public interest groups; interested citizens;

and others to restore and project the Great Lakes. Information about the GLRI can be found at GLRI.us.

This RFA is expected to result in the award of grants and/or cooperative agreements, as appropriate (hereafter collectively referred to as “grants”), to support the GLRI Action Plan III Focus Area 4 (habitats and species), Objective 4.1 (protect and restore communities of native aquatic and terrestrial species important to the Great Lakes) by reducing the impacts of human activities such as trash, litter, and debris in the Great Lakes.

I.2 PROGRAM AUTHORITY

EPA’s statutory authority to award grants and cooperative agreements is contained in the Clean Water Act Section 118(c)(7) and includes authority to make awards for outreach and implementation projects in furtherance of the GLRI.

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

I.3 LINKAGE TO EPA STRATEGIC PLAN & ENVIRONMENTAL RESULTS

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.2

LINKAGE TO EPA STRATEGIC PLAN

The activities to be funded under this announcement support the FY 2018-22 EPA

2 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.

https://glri.us/ https://glri.us/ https://www.glri.us/documents https://www.glri.us/documents https://www.glri.us/documents https://www.glri.us/documents https://legcounsel.house.gov/Comps/Federal%20Water%20Pollution%20Control%20Act.pdf https://legcounsel.house.gov/Comps/Federal%20Water%20Pollution%20Control%20Act.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2011-title42/html/USCODE-2011-title42-chap55-sec4321.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2011-title42/html/USCODE-2011-title42-chap55-sec4321.htm https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf

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Strategic Plan. Awards made under this announcement will support Goal 1: Core Mission; deliver real results to provide Americans with clean air, land, and water, and ensure chemical safety and 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 trash removal activities will support the goal and objective identified above. For more information, read the FY 2018-22 EPA Strategic Plan.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESULTS

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 application.

The term “output” means an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product related to an environmental goal and objective that will be produced or provided over a period of time or by a specified date. Outputs may be quantitative or qualitative but must be measurable over the term of the grant funding period. Projects should include the total acres improved by on-the-ground and/or in-the-water removal of trash. Outputs may also include other quantitative assessments of the trash removal activities.

The term “outcome” means the result, effect or consequence that will be achieved by carrying out an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature, must be quantitative, and may not necessarily be achievable within a grant funding period. As an example, outcomes could be the reduction in habitat impacts or recreational use impacts caused by mismanaged or misplaced trash. 3

1.4. STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (“GLRI” or “Initiative”) builds on the prior efforts of federal,state , and local agencies; Indian tribes; businesses; public interest groups; interested citizens; and others to develop a collaborative and comprehensive approach to restoring the Great Lakes. Information about the Initiative can be found at http://glri.us/.

3 Additional information regarding EPA's definition of environmental results in terms of "outputs" and "outcomes" can be found at in EPA Order 5700.7A1 https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan http://glri.us/ http://glri.us/

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This RFA is expected to result in the award of grants and/or cooperative agreements, as appropriate (hereafter collectively referred to as “grants”), to help implement the GLRI. EPA’s authority to make awards includes outreach and implementation projects in furtherance of GLRI and GLWQA. The statutory authority to carry out certain U.S. responsibilities under GLWQA and for GLRI funding is contained in the Clean Water Act Section 118(c)(7).

The principal goal of GLWQA is the restoration and maintenance of the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Great Lakes ecosystem. Funded activities must advance protection and restoration of the Great Lakes ecosystem in support of:

(i) GLRI Action Plan III (https://www.glri.us/documents) and (ii) EPA’s Strategic Plan.

The activities to be funded under this announcement support EPA’s FY 2018-22 Strategic Plan. Awards made under this announcement will support Goal 1: Core Mission, Objective 1.2 of the EPA Strategic Plan: Provide for Clean and Safe Water (https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan). All applications must be for projects that support the goals and objectives identified above.

For projects with international aspects, the above statues are supplemented, as appropriate, by the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 102(2)(F).

I.4 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Mismanaged or misplaced “trash” can degrade terrestrial and aquatic habitats, threaten aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, and interfere with human uses of lake, coastal, and riparian environments. The Trash-Free Great Lakes Grant Program will support community efforts to remove trash: 1) from land areas immediately adjacent to the Great Lakes and Great Lakes harbors, such as beaches and other public recreational areas, shorelines, and coastal wetlands; 2) in Great Lakes harbors and rivermouths; and 3) within riparian corridors (stretches of rivers or streams, including the banks) having a direct connection to a Great Lake but extending no more than approximately five river miles upstream of the Lake. These projects will also help reduce future trash accumulation in these areas through outreach and education activities associated with the trash removal activities.

EPA is seeking applications for funding to implement trash removal projects within the two funding opportunities listed below, each of which has a separate Funding Opportunity Number (FON) and is separately posted on Grants.gov. The two funding opportunities and associated FONs are:

https://www.glri.us/documents https://www.glri.us/documents https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITY 1: TRASH REMOVAL IN GREAT LAKES COMMUNITIES

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative – 2020 Request for Applications – Trash Removal in Great Lakes Communities

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER

EPA-R5-GL2020-TFC

FUNDING AVAILABILITY

Approximately $1,000,000 available for approximately 10 projects. The maximum award for this funding category is $300,000. The minimum award for this funding category is $50,000.

ACTIVITIES

Funding is being made available for approximately ten trash removal projects at beaches and other recreation areas, shorelines, coastal wetlands, harbors, river mouths, and riparian corridors immediately adjacent to the Great Lakes.

Projects may range in size from a small project that funds an individual community’s cleanup to a larger project that supports and coordinates the funding of multiple communities through a single grant award.

Funding can support mobilization of cleanup volunteers and support staff, provide equipment for safe and efficient trash removal, and help offset the cost of recycling or disposing of the collected material. Projects may also include funding for the purchase and placement of appropriate waste receptacles to effectively contain trash in the future.

Any unproven and/or experimental trash removal devices are not eligible expenses under this funding opportunity.

Outreach and education about the funded cleanup activities are encouraged. However, projects must include trash removal. Projects that are solely focused on outreach and education activities are ineligible.

COALITIONS

Coalitions are encouraged to apply for the “Trash Removal in Great Lakes Communities” funding to promote efficiency and enable funding in communities that would otherwise

Request for Applications Page 9 of 10 lack the resources and infrastructure to manage federal funding.

Groups of two or more eligible applicants may choose to form a coalition, and submit a single application; however, one entity must be responsible for the grant. Coalitions must identify which eligible organization will serve as the primary recipient of the grant funds, and which eligible organization(s) will receive subawarded funds from the primary recipient. The primary recipient will serve as the point of contact and will be responsible for managing the grant. This includes overseeing project work and financial expenditures, submitting reports and required documents, and ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions of the grant. More information can be found in section III. Eligibility Information.

There is a potential for higher scoring under this funding opportunity for applicants who demonstrate an efficient and effective plan to use coalitions to broaden geographic scope of trash removal activities within the Great Lakes Basin.

INFORMATION TO INCLUDE IN THE PROJECT NARRATIVE

Applicants are required to submit “Project Narratives” as described in Appendix I. For this funding opportunity, the Project Narrative should additionally include:

In the “Project Design” description:

• A description of the current trash problems at the project site(s), and a description of how the project’s trash removal activities will reduce these problems, including how the strategic use of community cleanups will reduce trash impacts.

In the “Results” description:

• Outputs should include the total acres improved by on-the-ground and/or in-the-water removal of trash, litter, and debris.

In the description of “Outreach and Education”:

• A description of how the outreach and education activities incorporated into the trash removal projects will result in the reduction of future trash accumulation in the project area.

In the “Budget” description:

• A description of the budget, including a breakdown of the costs associated with the project work and justification for costs, including equipment or supplies (e.g., equipment for safe and efficient trash removal, trash receptacles, etc.).

• Please see Appendix II for more information about the budget narrative.

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITY 2: TRASH REMOVAL FROM GREAT LAKES RIVERMOUTHS

AND HARBORS

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative - 2020 Request for Applications – Trash Removal from Great Lakes Rivermouths and Harbors

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER

EPA-R5-GL2020-TFH

FUNDING AVAILABILITY

Approximately $1,000,000 available for approximately 3 projects. The maximum award for this funding category is $500,000. The minimum award for this category is $250,000.

ACTIVITIES

Funding is being made available for approximately three trash removal projects that include the demonstration of the use of devices/machinery to remove trash from Great Lakes rivermouths and harbors.

Funding will support the purchase and use of devices/machinery -- such as small vessels to skim or otherwise remove trash -- and can help offset the cost of recycling or disposing of the collected material. Projects may also include the purchase and placement of appropriate waste receptacles in the rivermouth and harbor areas to prevent future trash accumulation.

Any unproven and/or experimental trash removal devices/machinery are not eligible expenses under this funding opportunity.

Outreach and education about the funded cleanup activities are encouraged. However, projects must include trash removal. Projects that are solely focused on outreach and education activities are ineligible.

INFORMATION TO INCLUDE IN THE PROJECT NARRATIVE

Applicants are required to submit “Project Narratives” as described in Appendix I. For this funding opportunity, the Project Narrative should additionally include:

In the “Project Design” description:

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• A description of the current trash problems at the project site(s), and a description of how the project’s trash removal activities will reduce these problems, including how the strategic purchase and use of devices/machinery will reduce trash impacts;

• A description of how purchased equipment will continue to be used to reduce trash impacts after project period has ended.

In the “Results” description:

• Outputs should include the total acres improved by on-the-ground and/or in-the-water removal of trash, litter, and debris.

In the description of “Outreach and Education”:

• A description of how the outreach and education activities incorporated into the trash removal projects will result in the reduction of future trash accumulation in the project area.

In the “Budget” description:

• A description of the budget, including a breakdown of the costs associated with the project work and justification for costs, including equipment or supplies (e.g., small vessels to skim or otherwise remove trash, trash receptacles, etc.).

• Please see Appendix II for more information about the budget narrative.

I.5 MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS (MSIS)

Eligible Minority Serving Institutions are strongly encouraged to apply for funding under this competition.

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, including minority serving institutions (MSIs), to apply under this opportunity.

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

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 USC §1061). A list of these schools can be found at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

• Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 USC § 1059c(b)(3) and (d)(1)). A list of these schools can be found at American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities

• Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2010-title20/html/USCODE-2010-title20-chap28.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2010-title20/html/USCODE-2010-title20-chap28.htm https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2010-title20/html/USCODE-2010-title20-chap28.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2010-title20/html/USCODE-2010-title20-chap28.htm https://sites.ed.gov/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/ https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2010-title20/html/USCODE-2010-title20-chap28.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2010-title20/html/USCODE-2010-title20-chap28.htm

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USC §1101a(a)(5)). A list of these schools can be found at Hispanic-Serving Institutions

• Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions;

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

• Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act of 2008, 20 USC §1059e(b)(6). A list of these schools can be found at Predominantly Black Institutions https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/hsi-eligibles-2016.pdf https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/hsi-eligibles-2016.pdf https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/hsi-eligibles-2016.pdf https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/hsi-eligibles-2016.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2010-title20/html/USCODE-2010-title20-chap28.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2010-title20/html/USCODE-2010-title20-chap28.htm https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XVkOWKMDORm53pvU0L8EPsrJC94&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=3&source=embed&ll=40.58644586187277%2C-148.28228249999984 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XVkOWKMDORm53pvU0L8EPsrJC94&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=3&source=embed&ll=40.58644586187277%2C-148.28228249999984 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XVkOWKMDORm53pvU0L8EPsrJC94&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=3&source=embed&ll=40.58644586187277%2C-148.28228249999984 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1XVkOWKMDORm53pvU0L8EPsrJC94&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=3&source=embed&ll=40.58644586187277%2C-148.28228249999984 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2010-title20/html/USCODE-2010-title20-chap28.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2010-title20/html/USCODE-2010-title20-chap28.htm https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1wlIi3j7gtlNq_w-0NKAb2bF2VmY&ie=UTF&msa=0&ll=37.35160769312532%2C-96.17229800000001&z=4 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1wlIi3j7gtlNq_w-0NKAb2bF2VmY&ie=UTF&msa=0&ll=37.35160769312532%2C-96.17229800000001&z=4

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II. AWARD INFORMATION

II.1 AVAILABLE FUNDING

Approximately $2 million in EPA funding is expected to be awarded under this RFA for approximately 13 projects in two funding opportunities described below. Please note that the specified maximum amount that will be awarded for an individual project in each funding opportunity establishes a per-project limit for EPA funding;

applications seeking EPA funding in excess of that amount will be rejected. In addition, an application for a multi-phase project will be treated as a request for the full amount for all phases. If that combined amount exceeds the specified maximum, the application will be rejected.

II.2 ISSUANCE OF AWARDS

The number of projects EPA will fund as a result of this RFA will be based on the quality of applications received, the availability of funding, and other applicable considerations.

These amounts are estimates only (except as noted below) and are being provided solely for application preparation purposes. The actual award amounts and number of projects awarded under each of the funding opportunities may change for many reasons, including the number of meritorious applications received and funding availability.

EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy and guidance, if additional funding becomes available after the original selections are made. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than 6 months after the original selection decisions.

In addition, EPA reserves the right to increase or decrease (including decreasing to zero) the total number and amount of awards under each funding opportunity or change the ratio of assistance agreements it awards among the funding opportunities. EPA reserves the right to reject all applications and make no awards under any or all of the funding opportunities identified in this RFA or make fewer awards than anticipated.

EPA reserves the right to negotiate appropriate changes in project terms and amounts (i.e., changes that do not affect the integrity of the competition or materially change the application) consistent with EPA Order 5700.5A1 and other applicable policies, before making final decisions and awards. EPA reserves the right to reject all applications and make no awards. Applicants may be asked to include greater detail and specificity for their work plans before final awards are issued. Applicants may also be requested to satisfy data quality or peer review requirements before or shortly after the awarding of grants.

https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57005a1-epas-policy-competition-assistance-agreements

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Selection or award of funding under this RFA is not a guarantee of future funding.

II.3 PARTIAL FUNDING

Awards may be fully or incrementally funded, as appropriate, based on funding availability, satisfactory performance, and other applicable considerations. In appropriate circumstances, EPA reserves the right to partially fund applications by funding discrete portions or phases of proposed projects. If a proposal is submitted that includes any ineligible tasks or activities, 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. If EPA decides to partially fund an application, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice any applicants or affect the basis upon which the application, or portion thereof, was evaluated and selected for award, and therefore maintains the integrity of the competition and selection process.

II.4 PRE-AWARD COSTS

In accordance with 2 CFR §200.458, pre-award costs are allowable only to the extent that they would have been allowable if incurred after the date of the Federal award. EPA does not guarantee the payment of pre-award costs. Applicants incur pre-award costs at their own risk and EPA is under no obligation to reimburse applicants for preaward costs.

Under certain circumstances, the applicant may be reimbursed for eligible, allowable, allocable, and reasonable costs that are incurred up to 90 days before grant award without prior EPA approval if:

1. The applicant includes the pre-award costs in its proposal and the workplan negotiated with EPA;

2. EPA agrees that the costs are eligible and allowable when the Agency approves the scope of work for the grant; and

3. Any procurement contracts that are funded with pre-award costs comply with the competitive procurement requirements within the grant.

Please note an applicant must obtain prior EPA approval from the Award Official to incur pre-award costs more than 90 days before award. Applicants selected for award will need to discuss any pre-award costs incurred greater than 90 days before award with their EPA Project Officer to discuss the process for getting these costs approved.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=565a4f532b3ae1937cae0f5d1b898fa0&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1458&rgn=div8 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=565a4f532b3ae1937cae0f5d1b898fa0&mc=true&node=se2.1.200_1458&rgn=div8

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II.5 ANTICIPATED PROJECT PERIODS

This anticipated project period for both funding opportunity types is 24 months.

This Request for Applications instructs applicants to submit certifications and other documentation required for a full and complete funding package so that their projects could, if selected, proceed expeditiously. Applications for the respective funding opportunities should specify start and end dates for projects, not exceeding 24 months in duration.

II.6 TYPE OF FUNDING INSTRUMENT

Successful applicants will be issued a grant or cooperative agreement as appropriate.

GRANT

A grant is an award of financial assistance to a recipient to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law of the United States. The recipient is responsible for performance with little Agency involvement, as defined in 2 CFR §200.51.

COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

A cooperative agreement is a type of assistance agreement used when there is substantial federal involvement with the recipient during the performance of an activity or project.

EPA awards cooperative agreements for projects in which it expects to have substantial interaction with the recipient throughout the performance of the project. EPA will negotiate the precise terms and conditions of “substantial involvement” as part of the award process. Federal involvement may include close monitoring of the recipient’s performance; collaboration during the performance of the scope of work; in accordance with 2 CFR §200.317 and 2 CFR §200.318, as appropriate, review of proposed procurements; reviewing qualifications of key personnel; and/or review and comment on the content of printed or electronic publications prepared. EPA does not have the authority to select employees or contractors employed by the recipient. The final decision on the content of reports rests with the recipient.

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III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

III.1 THRESHOLD ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Threshold eligibility criteria are requirements that must be met by the applicant by the time of application submission. Applications not meeting the threshold eligibility criteria will not be considered for funding. These criteria include:

• Only applications from eligible applicants will be reviewed. Applicants must be eligible by the time of application submission. Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration after the initial threshold eligibility review will be notified by e-mail within 15 calendar days of the ineligibility determination.

Further information can be found in the Applicant Eligibility (CFDA 66.469) and Eligible Activities subsections, below.

• Only eligible activities will be considered for funding. Further information can be found in the Ineligible Activities subsection, below.

• Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements set forth in this announcement or else they will be rejected. Any pages in excess of the application page limit will not be reviewed.

See section IV. Application & Submission Information for more information.

• Initial applications must be submitted through Grants.gov, except in limited circumstances, on or before the application submission deadline. Applicants are responsible for following the submission instructions to ensure that their application is timely submitted. See Section IV Application & Submission Information for more information.

• 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 applicant’s failure to timely submit their application through Grants.gov because they did not timely or properly register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov will not be considered an acceptable reason to consider a late submission. Applicants should confirm receipt of their application with Victoria Raymond (312-886-7981 / GLRI-RFA@epa.gov) as soon as possible after the submission deadline—failure to do so may result in your application not being reviewed.

• Each application must address one, and only one, funding opportunity.

Applicants may submit applications under each funding opportunity number.

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

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Applicants may submit multiple applications per funding opportunity number if

(1) each application is for a different project and (2) each application is submitted separately under the appropriate FON.

• Projects must include trash removal as described in the funding opportunity description in Section I. Projects that are solely focused on outreach and education activities are ineligible.

• Applications that seek funding exceeding the specified maximum or below the specified minimum amount for an individual project under the funding opportunity number will be rejected. In addition, an application for a multi-phase project will be treated as a request for the full amount for all phases. If that combined amount exceeds the specified maximum, the application will be rejected.

III.2 APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY (CFDA 66.469)

Consistent with the Applicant Eligibility Section of CFDA No. 66.469 and EPA Order 5700.5A1: EPA's Policy for Competition of Assistance Agreements, competition under this announcement is being limited to a subset of eligible applicants.

Qualified non-federal entities eligible to apply for grants include non-federal governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, and institutions. This includes state agencies; any agency or instrumentality of local government; interstate agencies;

federally-recognized tribes and tribal organizations; colleges and universities; non-profit organizations4; and other public or non-profit private agencies, institutions, and organizations.

4 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.

https://beta.sam.gov/fal/ccf1e0b13eff4075bd42ca25660014c1/view https://beta.sam.gov/fal/ccf1e0b13eff4075bd42ca25660014c1/view https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57005a1-epas-policy-competition-assistance-agreements https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57005a1-epas-policy-competition-assistance-agreements https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57005a1-epas-policy-competition-assistance-agreements https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-order-57005a1-epas-policy-competition-assistance-agreements https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=565a4f532b3ae1937cae0f5d1b898fa0&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=565a4f532b3ae1937cae0f5d1b898fa0&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=565a4f532b3ae1937cae0f5d1b898fa0&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=565a4f532b3ae1937cae0f5d1b898fa0&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=565a4f532b3ae1937cae0f5d1b898fa0&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=565a4f532b3ae1937cae0f5d1b898fa0&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5

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WOMEN, MINORITIES, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

EPA recognizes that scientific, technical, engineering and mathematical (STEM) competence is essential to the Nation's future well-being in terms of national security and competitive economic advantage. For instance, the health and vitality of the economy is predicated, in part, on the availability of an adequate supply of scientists, technicians, engineers and mathematicians, to develop innovative technologies and solutions. In other words, this country must engage all available minds to address the challenges it faces.

Minorities, women, and persons with disabilities historically have been under-represented in the STEM fields. For this reason, EPA strongly encourages all eligible applicants including, women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to apply.

PARTNERSHIPS, CONTRACTORS AND SUBAWARDS

EPA awards funds to one eligible applicant as the recipient even if other eligible applicants are named as partners or co-applicants or members of a coalition or consortium. The recipient is accountable to EPA for the proper expenditure of funds.

Funding may be used to provide subawards of financial assistance, which includes using subawards to fund partnerships, provided the recipient complies with applicable requirements for subawards including those contained in 2 CFR Part 200 and EPA’s Subaward Policy. EPA has also posted Additional Resources on Subawards for applicants to consult.

Applicants must compete contracts for services and products, including consultant contracts, and conduct cost and price analyses, to the extent required by the procurement provisions of the regulations at 2 CFR Part 200. Applicants are not required to identify subrecipients and/or contractors (including consultants) in their proposal/application.

However, if they do, the fact that an applicant selected for award has named a specific subrecipient, contractor, or consultant in the proposal/application EPA selects for funding does not relieve the applicant of its obligations to comply with subaward and/or competitive procurement requirements as appropriate. Please note that applicants may not award sole source contracts to consulting, engineering or other firms assisting applicants with the proposal solely based on the firm's role in preparing the proposal/application.

Successful applicants cannot use subawards to avoid requirements in EPA grant regulations for competitive procurement by using these instruments to acquire commercial services or products from for-profit organizations to carry out its assistance agreement. The nature of the transaction between the recipient and the subrecipient must be consistent with the standards for distinguishing between vendor transactions and subrecipient assistance found at 2 CFR §200.330, the definitions of subaward at 2 CFR §200.92 and subrecipient at 2 CFR 2§00.93, and Appendix A to EPA’s Subaward Policy.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=565a4f532b3ae1937cae0f5d1b898fa0&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=565a4f532b3ae1937cae0f5d1b898fa0&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.epa.gov/grants/grants-policy-issuance-gpi-16-01-epa-subaward-policy-epa-assistance-agreement-recipients https://www.epa.gov/grants/grants-policy-issuance-gpi-16-01-epa-subaward-policy-epa-assistance-agreement-recipients https://www.epa.gov/grants/grants-policy-issuance-gpi-16-01-epa-subaward-policy-epa-assistance-agreement-recipients https://www.epa.gov/grants/grants-policy-issuance-gpi-16-01-epa-subaward-policy-epa-assistance-agreement-recipients https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-subaward-policy-additional-resources https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-subaward-policy-additional-resources https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=565a4f532b3ae1937cae0f5d1b898fa0&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=565a4f532b3ae1937cae0f5d1b898fa0&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=565a4f532b3ae1937cae0f5d1b898fa0&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_1330 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=565a4f532b3ae1937cae0f5d1b898fa0&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_1330 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=565a4f532b3ae1937cae0f5d1b898fa0&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_192 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=565a4f532b3ae1937cae0f5d1b898fa0&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_192 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=565a4f532b3ae1937cae0f5d1b898fa0&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_192 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=565a4f532b3ae1937cae0f5d1b898fa0&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_192 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=565a4f532b3ae1937cae0f5d1b898fa0&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_193 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=565a4f532b3ae1937cae0f5d1b898fa0&mc=true&n=pt2.1.200&r=PART&ty=HTML#se2.1.200_193 https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-02/documents/gmc_subaward_policy_appendix_a_subrecipient_v_contractor_distinction_0.pdf https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-02/documents/gmc_subaward_policy_appendix_a_subrecipient_v_contractor_distinction_0.pdf

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EPA will not be a party to these transactions. Applicants acquiring commercial goods or services must comply with the competitive procurement standards in 2 CFR 200.317-326 and cannot use a subaward as the funding mechanism.

COALITIONS

Groups of two or more eligible applicants may choose to form a coalition and submit a single application under this RFA; however, one entity must be responsible for the grant.

Coalitions must identify which eligible organization will be the recipient of the grant and which eligible organization(s) will be subawardees of the recipient. Subawards and subgrants must be consistent with the definitions of those terms in 2 CFR §200.92. The recipient must administer the grant, will be accountable to EPA for proper expenditure of the funds and reporting, and will be the point of contact for the coalition. As provided in 2 CFR §200.331(d), subrecipients or subgrantees are accountable to the recipient or grantee for proper use of EPA funding.

Coalitions may not include for-profit organizations that will provide services or products to the successful applicant. For-profit organizations are not eligible for subawards. For-profit organizations are eligible to receive contracts. Any contracts for services or products funded with EPA financial assistance must be awarded under the competitive procurement procedures of 2 CFR §200.319, as applicable. The regulations also contain limitations on consultant compensation.5 For additional information, please review Federal Register Vol. 69, No. 67.

COST SHARING OR MATCHING

There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement as a condition of eligibility under this

RFA.

INELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

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 applicants. "For profit" organizations, federal agencies, and individuals are not eligible applicants.

III.3 ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

Projects in these funding opportunities must support trash removal activities:

5 As applicable, please see 2 CFR Part 1500.9, formerly at 40 CFR §30.27(b) or 31.36(j).

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1) on land areas immediately adjacent to the Great Lakes and Great Lakes harbors, such as beaches and other public recreational areas, shorelines, and coastal wetlands;

2) in Great Lakes harbors and rivermouths; and

3) within riparian corridors (stretches of rivers or streams, including the banks) having a direct connection to a Great Lake but extending no more than approximately five river miles upstream of the Lake.

Unless specifically excluded under this RFA, assistance is available to eligible applicants for outreach and implementation projects in furtherance of the GLRI and GLWQA.

Proposed projects must also either: (i) protect, enhance, and/or restore the Great Lakes, including projects impacting connecting waterways such as Lake St. Clair and the St.

Lawrence River (at or upstream from the point at which the St. Lawrence River becomes the international boundary between Canada and the United States) and projects in the historic Great Lakes Basin, which includes the Chicago River watershed; or (ii) protect Great Lakes ecosystem health, including human health.