PKG00264942-instructions.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Hazardous Materials Emergency

Preparedness (HMEP) Tribal Grants

Fiscal Year (FY) 2021

NOFO Posted Date: January 12, 2021 Applications Due Date: March 09, 2021, 11:59 pm ET Questions Due Date: February 23, 2021, 11:59 pm ET

Applicant must be registered at www.grants.gov to apply online. It is highly recommended that applicants begin the registration process as soon as possible to avoid delays in submission. Additionally, applicants must maintain an active registration in the System for Award Management at www.SAM.gov.

Furthermore, applicants must register with FedConnect at https://www.fedconnect.net for an account before submitting an application.

Your organization’s Marketing Partner ID number (MPIN), which can be retrieved from SAM, is required to create an account. For instructions on how to register in FedConnect and how to use the portal, view the FedConnect: Ready, Set, Go! Tutorial under the Need Help? section on the FedConnect home page.

Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA)

20.703 “Interagency Hazardous Materials Public Sector Training and Planning Grants”

PHMSA Notice of Funding Opportunity Number

693JK321NF0004

U.S. Department of Transportation

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials

Safety Administration

(PHMSA)

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.fedconnect.net/

NOFO: 693JK321NF0004

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Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Tribal – FY 2021 Grant

Contents

MISSION

SECTION A - PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A.1 Statement of Purpose

A.2 Program Authority

A.3 Background

SECTION B - FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

B.1 Funding

B.2 Period of Performance

B.3 Type of Award

B.4 Previous Awards

SECTION C - ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

C.1 Eligible Applicants

C.2 Cost Sharing or Matching

SECTION D - APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

D.1 Address to Request Application Package

D.2 Content and Form of Application Submission

D.3 Unique Entity Identifier (Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number) and System for Award Management (SAM)

D.4 Submission Dates and Times

D.5 Funding Restrictions

SECTION E - APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

E.2 Review and Selection Process

E.3 FAPIIS Review

E.4 Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

SECTION F - FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

F.1 Federal Award Notices

F.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F.3 Reporting Requirements

SECTION G - FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

SECTION H – OTHER INFORMATION

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PROGRAM SUMMARY

Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

(PHMSA)

Funding Opportunity Title: “HMEP Tribal Grants – FY 2021”

Announcement Type: Initial Announcement

Funding Opportunity Number: 693JK321NF0004

CFDA Number: 20.703

NOFO Posted Date: January 12, 2021 Application Due Date: March 09, 2021, 11:59 pm ET Question Due Date: February 23, 2021, 11:59 pm ET

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MISSION

The mission of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT or Department) is to ensure our Nation has the safest, most efficient and modern transportation system in the world. DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) protects people and the environment by advancing the safe transportation of energy and other hazardous materials that are essential to our daily lives. To do this, the agency establishes national policy, sets and enforces standards, educates, and conducts research to prevent incidents. We also prepare the public and first responders to reduce consequences if an incident does occur. To accomplish this, PHMSA awards grants to States, tribes, territories, localities, communities, and nonprofits that help make sure pipelines operate safely and shipments arrive without incident.

SECTION A - PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A.1 Statement of Purpose

This funding opportunity is associated with Assistance Listing 20.703. PHMSA, through this grant opportunity, requests applications from Federally recognized tribes and tribal nonprofit organizations representing Federally recognized tribes to provide assistance to public sector employees through training and planning grants for emergency response. The purpose of the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grant program is to increase State, Territorial, Tribal, and local effectiveness in safely and efficiently handling hazardous materials incidents, enhance implementation of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA), and encourage a comprehensive approach to emergency training and planning by incorporating the unique challenges of responses to transportation situations.

Funding under this award is critical to ensuring the safe transportation of hazardous materials by training emergency responders and funding planning activities such as commodity flow studies, tabletop exercises and developing emergency response plans. PHMSA’s training goal is to ensure that responders who receive training under the grant will have the ability to protect nearby persons, property, and the environment from the effects of accidents or incidents involving the transportation of hazardous materials. PHMSA’s goal for planning activities is to develop, improve, and carry out emergency plans under the Emergency Planning and Community Right- To-Know Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 11001 et seq.), including ascertaining flow patterns of hazardous material on lands under the jurisdiction.

PHMSA requires that applicants identify specific training and planning projects based on jurisdictional needs and maintain a record of the following: 1) number trained, 2) course type, 3) cost of training, 4) number of emergency response plans developed, 5) number of commodity flow studies completed, 6) number of exercises conducted, 7) location of training, and 8) a detailed accounting and description of each grant expenditure, including the amount of, and purpose for, each expenditure. PHMSA measures performance based on the projects included in the approved grant application and whether those projects fulfilled the training and planning needs outlined in the statement of need.

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A strong transportation network is critical to the functioning and growth of the American economy. The Nation’s industry depends on the transportation network to move the goods that it produces, and facilitate the movements of the workers who are responsible for that production.

When the Nation’s highways, railways, and ports function well, that infrastructure connects people to jobs, increases the efficiency of delivering goods and thereby cuts the costs of doing business, reduces the burden of commuting, and improves overall well-being.

Rural transportation networks play a vital role in supporting our national economic vitality.

Addressing the deteriorating conditions and disproportionately high fatality rates on our rural transportation infrastructure is of critical interest to the Department, as rural transportation networks face unique challenges in safety, infrastructure condition, and passenger and freight usage. Consistent with the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (R.O.U.T.E.S.) Initiative, the Department request applicants to consider how the project will address the challenges faced by rural areas in advancing pipeline and hazardous materials (hazmat) transportation safety.

A.2 Program Authority

The HMEP program is authorized under 49 U.S.C. § 5116 and is governed by program regulations in 49 CFR Part 110 and Federal grants administration regulations at 2 CFR Part 200.

On December 4, 2015, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act was signed into law (Public Law No. 114-94). The FAST Act reauthorized the HMEP Grant Program through Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. Section 7203 of the FAST Act amended 49 U.S.C. §5116 to combine planning and training grants into section 5116 (a).

A.3 Background

Congress authorized the HMEP grant program in 1990 under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (P.L. 101-615), codified at 49 U.S.C. § 5101 et. seq. Since its inception, the HMEP has been fully funded by registration fees collected from hazardous materials (hazmat) shippers and carriers who offer for transportation or transport certain hazmat in intrastate, interstate, or foreign commerce. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 5128(b), as extended through FY 2021, and subject to the availability of funds, the HMEP is authorized in the amount of $21,988,000 for States, tribes and territories. Of this amount, approximately $1,000,000 will be made available to Federally recognized tribes and tribal nonprofit organizations, subject to the availability of appropriations. Federally recognized tribes and tribal nonprofit organizations must apply based on criteria established in 49 U.S.C. § 5116. Grantees are reimbursed for PHMSA-approved program expenses.

SECTION B - FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

B.1 Funding

This NOFO is subject to the availability of funds. PHMSA anticipates that approximately

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$1,000,000 will be available for tribal awards.

B.2 Period of Performance

The period of performance is a minimum of 12 months from the effective date of award for each grant. Applicants must only apply for funding that can be reasonably expended within this time frame and for projects that can be completed within the period of performance. If needed, an applicant may request a period of performance up to 24 months.

B.3 Type of Award

Discretionary grant award.

B.4 Previous Awards

Applicants who received a previous PHMSA HMEP tribal grant award may also apply for a FY 2021 grant.

SECTION C - ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

C.1 Eligible Applicants

The FY 2021 HMEP Tribal Grant is open to Federally recognized tribes and tribal nonprofit organizations such as intertribal consortiums. PHMSA adopts the definition of Federally recognized tribes in 25 U.S.C. § 5304(e). As such, “Indian tribe” is defined as any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. For the purposes of this grant, “intertribal consortium” as defined by 25 CFR § 1000.2 is a partnership between two or more tribes that is authorized by the governing bodies of those tribes to apply for and receive assistance under this program.

C.2 Cost Sharing or Matching

In accordance with 49 U.S.C § 5116(d), Tribes must contribute a minimum of 20 percent matching share to the total cost of the grant project. For example, if the total cost of the project is $50,000, the Tribe must provide at least $10,000, and PHMSA will provide no more than $40,000. The matching requirement must be satisfied by costs incurred by the grantee or by the value of in-kind contributions. All matching funds must meet the Federal requirements as described in 2 CFR § 200.306 (Cost sharing or matching).

SECTION D - APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

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D.1 Address to Request Application Package

PHMSA requires applicants for this funding opportunity to apply electronically through Grants.gov. Applicants must download the application package associated with this funding opportunity by following the directions provided at Grants.gov. To request a hard copy of the application package, please contact:

Carla Sheppard Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, E23-446 Washington, DC 20590 Email: Carla.Sheppard@dot.gov Phone: (202) 366-1109

FAX: (202) 366-3753

If you are a hearing-impaired person, please contact the FR/TTY at 1-800-877-8339 or email PHMSA-Accessibility@dot.gov.

Applications will only be accepted via Grants.gov. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.

The application package contains the required electronic forms and the ability to upload attachments for the budget, budget justification, project narrative, assurances, and certifications.

The applicant must submit the information outlined in the Application Guide in addition to the program-specific information below.

To begin the process, applicants must be registered with www.Grants.gov to submit an application. It is highly recommended that applicants begin the registration process as soon as possible to avoid delays with submission. Failure to comply with the prescribed application requirements as described in this section may result in an application not being reviewed.

Accessing Grants.gov:

For new users, go to http://www.Grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html, or go to the main page at http://www.Grants.gov/ and select “Register.” NOTE: New user registrations for Grants.gov can take up to two weeks to complete. For additional questions on how to register, contact Grants.gov support by phone at (800) 518-4726 or by email at support@grants.gov.

Carla Sheppard may also be able to help answer questions on applying for Grants.gov usernames/passwords. Please contact Carla Sheppard by phone at 202-366-2738 or by email at Carla.Sheppard@dot.gov.

Accessing FedConnect:

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Applicants must register with FedConnect at https://www.fedconnect.net for an account before submitting an application. Your organization’s Marketing Partner ID number (MPIN), which can be retrieved from SAM, is required to create an account. For instructions on how to register in FedConnect and how to use the portal, view the FedConnect: Ready, Set, Go! Tutorial under the Need Help? section on the FedConnect home page. For other technical issues or questions, either email fcsupport@unisonglobal.com or call us at 1-800-899-6665 option 2. The FedConnect Support Center is staffed Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., ET, except Federal holidays.

D.2 Content and Form of Application Submission

Consistent with the Department's R.O.U.T.E.S. Initiative (https://www.transportation.gov/rural), the Department request that applicants describe how activities proposed in their application would address the unique challenges facing rural transportation networks, regardless of the geographic location of those activities.

Applications should be clear, concise, and free of mathematical errors in the line-item budget and budget narrative. Program narratives should have the sections clearly identified and follow the structure requested in this NOFO.

Applications for FY 2021 HMEP Tribal Grant funding should be submitted in electronic format in Grants.gov per the following outline. There are two overall sections: (1) standard forms that the applicant will download and complete from Grants.gov under the FY 2021 HMEP Tribal Grant funding opportunity; and (2) attachments the applicant will need to create and upload.

1. Standard Forms

These required forms are found in Grants.gov under the FY 2021 HMEP Tribal Funding Announcement and must be completed by the applicant.

a) Standard Form (SF)-424 – Application for Federal assistance

b) SF-424A – Budget Information

c) ED-80-0013 – Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension, Drug-Free

Workplace etc.

d) Standard Title VI/Non-Discrimination Assurances – Civil Rights Assurances

2. Applicant Attachments to be submitted

These forms must be created by the applicant and uploaded to Grants.gov under the FY 2021 HMEP Tribal Grant Funding Opportunity. Guidance for submitting the project narrative and budget narrative is listed in the following section.

a) HMEP Grant Application Form

a. Project Narrative

b. Budget Narrative attachment

b) Indirect cost agreement; and/or Statement claiming 10 percent de minimis (if applicable)

c) Additional optional attachments (if applicable)

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The forms and templates are available on Grants.gov in the ‘Related Documents’ tab with detailed instructions on the application process.

3. Project Narrative

The following Project Narrative sections are required. To facilitate the application review and award process, submit the sections in the order of their appearance as stated below. Applicants should clearly identify the sections in the project narrative section of the application. (Note: Item One should be provided as an attachment).

a) Cover letter from the Tribal Authority designating the entity to receive Federal funds.

This letter needs to be on letterhead.

b) Contact information – In Part A of the HMEP grant application form, identify the designated project director, including the name, position, address, email address, and telephone number of the individual(s) who will be responsible for coordinating the funded activities. Additionally, identify authorized individuals who will accept the awarded grant document, as well as individuals responsible for the submission of required Federal financial reports.

c) Organization information and capacity – Briefly provide information about your organization in section three of Part A of the application form. This should include:

(1) your organization’s mission; (2) a brief overview of the structure of your organization, programs, leadership, and special expertise; and (3) your organization’s experience and capacity to manage a Federal grant.

d) Transportation fees – In Part B of the application form, identify whether the Tribe assesses and collects fees on the transportation of hazardous materials and what percentage of the fees collected is used solely to carry out purposes related to the transportation of hazardous materials.

e) Planning and training needs assessment – In Part C of the application form, describe the current capacity and any areas of deficiency as it concerns preparedness for the transportation of hazardous materials. This may include (1) a discussion of whether the applicant has identified a need to assess transportation flow patterns of hazardous materials within the tribal region, (2) providing the number of hazmat preparedness plans that need updating, (3) describing the location and need for exercises to be conducted that involve preparation for response to incidents involved in the transportation of hazardous materials, (4) providing the number of responders needing training and the number of persons currently trained in the different disciplines of response functions (e.g., number of firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians, Emergency Medical Services that need training).

f) Goals and objectives – In section three of Part C of the application form, list the program goals and objectives for the HMEP grant funds. Include measurable outputs related to hazardous materials planning to be accomplished during the grant’s period of performance. In addition, applications should include long term program objectives.

Outputs may include the number of plans updated, number of commodity flow studies conducted, number of exercises conducted, number of public sector personnel trained –

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 10 courses taken and contact hours, or any other relevant outputs related to preparedness of hazmat transportation.

g) Planning and training activities – In section four and five of Part C in the application form, list and describe the proposed HMEP project activities to be undertaken during the period of performance. Clearly describe the proposed HMEP project activities to be undertaken during the period of performance. Provide the estimated cost of each activity and the projected start/end date. Each activity should correlate to goals listed. State whether the activities are located in a Qualified Opportunity Zone designated pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 1400Z-1.

h) Monitoring – In section six of Part C of the application form, provide a description of the monitoring and evaluation of the activities that will be conducted to ensure that the grant activities are successfully carried out according the activity timeline. Include an explanation of quality control measures, including but not limited to random examinations, inspections, and audits of planning activities, to maximize the cost effectiveness and impact of the program.

i) Statement of auditable accounting system – In Part E of the application form, certify that the person authorized to provide training agree to have an auditable accounting system.

j) Statement of aggregate expenditures – In Part E of the application form, certify that the Tribe’s/State’s aggregate expenditures, for hazardous materials incident preparedness training and planning activities (exclusive of Federal funds) will not fall below the average level of its expenditures for its last five fiscal years.

k) Statement of 75 percent programmatic requirement – In Part E of the application form, certify that 75 percent of grant funding will be used for HMEP programmatic activities and no more than 25 percent of Federal funding will be used for maintenance and administration costs (M&A). There is no 75 percent Local Emergency Planning Commission (LEPC) pass-through requirement in FY 2021.

l) Tribal Emergency Response Commission (TERC) review of grant application – In Part E of the application form, certify that all members of the TERC were provided the opportunity to review the grant application.

4. Budget Narrative

The budget narrative is an explanation of each budget component, which supports the cost of the proposed work. The budget narrative should focus on how each budget item is required to achieve the proposed project goals and objectives. It should also justify how budget costs were calculated. The budget narrative should be clear, specific, detailed, mathematically correct, and correspond to the SF-424A line-item categories.

Provide a budget narrative justification in Part D of the HMEP grant application form by Object Class that corresponds to the amount listed on the SF-424A and why the amount is needed to implement the project as proposed in the project narrative. The budget narrative must correspond with the costs identified in the SF-424A line item budget, and vice versa.

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A well-developed budget narrative is an effective monitoring tool for both the awarding agency, and grant recipient. However, a budget narrative that does not represent a project’s needs makes it difficult to recommend for full funding and to assess financial performance over the life of the project. A description of the object class categories is provided below:

a) Personnel costs are the employee salaries working directly on the grant project. Include the number, type of personnel, the percentage of time dedicated to the project, hourly wage (or salary) and total cost to the grant. Applicants should breakout agency staff who directly carry out training and planning activities to ensure the 25 percent administrative costs are deducted from this cap.

• This category is limited to persons employed by your organization. Those not employed by your agency shall be classified as subrecipients or contractors and should be listed under the “Contractual” or “Other” object class.

• Only include compensation paid to employees engaged in grant activities.

• Costs should be consistent with similar types of work within the organization.

b) Fringe benefit costs are the allowances and services provided by employers to their employees as compensation in addition to regular salaries and wages. Fringe costs are benefits paid to employees, including the cost of employer’s share of Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), health insurance, workers’ compensation, and leave. Include how the fringe benefit amount is calculated (i.e., actual fringe benefits estimate, approved rate, etc.). Include a description of specific benefits charged to a project and the benefit percentage. Additional considerations:

• The personnel/salaries should have corresponding fringe; and vice-versa. PHMSA cannot pay fringe benefits for a position that is not listed in the Personnel section.

• Explain what is included in the benefit package and at what percentage.

• Fringe benefits are only for the percentage of time devoted to the grant project.

• The applicant must not combine the fringe benefit costs with direct salaries and wages in the personnel category.

c) Travel costs are those costs for transportation, lodging, subsistence, and related items requested for field work or for travel to professional meetings associated with grant activities. Provide the purpose, method of travel, number of persons traveling, number of days, and estimated cost for each trip. If details of each trip are not known at the time of application submission, provide the basis for determining the amount requested.

d) Equipment costs includes those items which are tangible, nonexpendable, personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit, unless the applicant has a clear and consistent written policy that determines a different threshold. Equipment costs must comply with 2 CFR § 200.439.

Include a description, quantity and unit price for all equipment.

• Purchases of less than $5,000 should be listed under “Supplies” or “Other.”

• Each item of equipment must be identified with the corresponding cost. General-purpose equipment must be justified as to how it will be used on the project.

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• Analyze the cost benefits of purchasing versus leasing equipment, particularly high-cost items and those subject to rapid technical advances. List rented or leased equipment costs in the “Contractual” or “Other” category, depending upon the procurement method.

e) Supplies are tangible personal property other than equipment necessary to carry out the

Federal award. Include the types of property in general terms. It is not necessary to document office supplies in detail (for example: reams of paper, boxes of paperclips, etc.). However, applicants should include a quantity and unit cost for larger cost supply items such as computers and printers.

f) Contractual costs are those services carried out by an individual or organization, other than the applicant, in the form of a procurement relationship or subaward (subgrant). For all contractual line-item costs, include rationale for the costs; include the specific contract goods and/or services provided; and the related expenses for those goods and services.

Simply entering the statement “contractual services” will not be considered sufficient.

There are two ways to capture costs in this category: subgrants and contracts.

• A Subaward (Subgrant) is an award provided by a pass-through entity

(Grantee/Recipient) to a subrecipient. That subrecipient carries out part of a program for which the Grantee Recipient received Federal support. A subrecipient has its performance measured in relation to whether objectives of a Federal program were met; has responsibility for programmatic decision making; is responsible for adherence to applicable Federal program requirements specified in the Federal award;

and (in accordance with its agreement), uses the Federal funds to carry out a program for a public purpose specified in authorizing statute, as opposed to providing goods or services for the benefit of the pass-through entity.

• A Contract is a legal instrument by which a Grantee/Recipient purchases property or services needed to carry out the project or program under an award. A contract/contractor provides the goods and services within normal business operations; provides similar goods or services to many different purchasers; normally operates in a competitive environment; and provides goods or services that are ancillary to the operation of the Federal program.

When procuring goods, or services a grantee/recipient under a Federal award must follow the procurement standards of the 2 CFR Part 200 including Appendix II. All procurement transactions must be a full and open competition unless the application demonstrates that one of the exceptions for procurement by noncompetitive proposals is met. If applicants plan to subcontract part of their award to another organization(s), the application must reflect that procurement standards were complied with or provide a statement verifying that upon award, the organization will fully comply with procurement standards outlined in 2 CFR Part 200.

For all contractual line-item costs, include the rationale for the costs and include the specific contract goods and/or services provided and the related expenses for those goods

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 13 and services. Simply entering the statement “contractual services” will not be considered sufficient for the requirement of completing this section.

g) Other costs that do not fit any of the aforementioned categories, such as rent for buildings used to conduct project activities, utilities, leased equipment, employee training tuition, etc. “Other” direct costs must be itemized.

h) Indirect costs (if applicable, must include IDC agreement or statement claiming de minimis rate) are allowable in the HMEP grant. Indirect costs are incurred for common or joint objectives that benefit more than one project and are not readily assignable to one project, without effort disproportionate to the results achieved. The applicant must include a current and fully executed indirect cost rate agreement in the application if claiming indirect costs. The rate must be applied to the appropriate base in the approved agreement. If the rate will not be approved by the application due date, attach the letter of renewal or letter of request that you sent to your cognizant agency to your application.

If the applicant has never received indirect cost rate agreement, the applicant may be eligible for the 10 percent de minimis rate provided by 2 CFR § 200.414(f). A tribal non-profit organization that has never received a negotiated indirect cost rate may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs (MTDC) which may be used indefinitely. Applicants intending to charge the de minimis rate must include a statement verifying that the organization has never received a negotiated indirect cost rate and that the organization has elected to charge the de minimis rate.

i) Match. The total matching requirement should be listed in Section A and Section C of the SF-424A line item budget. Only include the Federal-share of costs in Section B of the SF-424A. The budget narrative is where the matching requirements should be captured. Within the applicable object class category in the budget narrative, (Personnel, Supplies, etc.), detail the matching requirements.

***Further, please note that in order to comply with the requirements of 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E, and DOT’s Guide to Financial Assistance, PHMSA’s Agreement Officers and Grant Specialists may request additional information pertaining to your application during the application review and evaluation process. ***

D.3 Unique Entity Identifier (Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number) and System for Award Management (SAM)

Each applicant is required to: (i) Be registered in SAM (SAM.gov) before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid DUNS number in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration and DUNS with current information always during which it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration.

PHMSA may not make an award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 14 complied with the requirements by the time the PHMSA is ready to make an award, PHMSA may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

Note: PHMSA recommends that applicants review the SAM database to ensure that their DUNS number is updated and active. Link: https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/

D.4 Submission Dates and Times

Completed applications must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 09, 2021. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.

D.5 Funding Restrictions

The following costs are not eligible for reimbursement under the FY 2021 HMEP Tribal Grant Program:

• Entertainment, alcohol, or morale costs.

• Excessive costs for general office supplies, equipment, computer software, printing and copying.

• Expenses not related to the transportation of hazardous materials.

• Expenses claimed and or reimbursed by another program.

• Expenses counted as match funds toward another Federal program.

• Expenses that supplant existing operational funds or programs.

• Any additional costs disallowed or stated as ineligible in 2 CFR Part 200.

SECTION E - APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Consistent with the Department's R.O.U.T.E.S. Initiative (https://www.transportation.gov/rural), the Department recognizes that rural transportation networks face unique challenges. To the extent that those challenges are reflected in the merit criteria listed in this section, the Department will consider how the activities proposed in the application will address those challenges, regardless of the geographic location of those activities.

PHMSA will evaluate applications through administrative, technical, and programmatic reviews based on the evaluation criteria.

PHMSA developed evaluation criteria to rate and select competing applications. Submission of an application is not a guarantee of award. PHMSA may, at its discretion, award a grant based on an application in its entirety, award only portions of a grant based on its application, or not award a grant at all.

1. Technical Criteria

The following factors will be considered during technical review:

https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/

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a) Does the application contain a planning and training needs assessment that identifies the current capacity and any areas of deficiency as it concerns preparedness for the transportation of hazardous materials?

b) Does the application list the program goals and objectives for the grant funds?

c) Does the application contain planning and training activities that align with the HMEP grant program guidelines?

d) Do the activities listed appear to be allowable, allocable, necessary and reasonable?

e) Does the application adequately describe the proposed activities?

f) Does the application provide costs and a reasonable timeline of proposed grant activities?

g) Does the application provide a description of the monitoring and evaluation of the proposed activities?

2. Programmatic Criteria

Applications will be evaluated against the following evaluation criteria during programmatic review. The following factors will be considered:

a) Does the applicant provide a letter from the Tribal Authority designating the entity to receive Federal funds?

b) Does the applicant provide an explanation of whether fees are assessed and collected for the transportation of hazardous materials, and if so, are the fees used only to carry out a purpose related to transporting hazardous material?

c) Does the applicant provide a statement certifying that the person authorized to provide training agree to have an auditable accounting system?

d) Does applicant provide a statement certifying that 75 percent of grant funding will be used for HMEP programmatic activities and no more than 25 percent of Federal funding will be used for maintenance and administration costs (M&A)?

e) Does applicant provide a statement indicating that all members of the TERC were provided the opportunity to review the grant application?

f) The number of hazardous material facilities in the State or on land under the jurisdiction of the Indian tribe;

g) The types and amounts of hazardous material transported in the State or on such land;

h) The past record of the State or Indian tribe in effectively managing planning and training grants; and

i) Is the project(s) are located in a Qualified Opportunity Zone designated pursuant to 26

U.S.C. § 1400Z-1?

j) Did applicant provide a completed SF-424 form?

k) Is the SF-424A budget form completed and properly filled out?

l) Did applicant submit a completed ED-80-0013 combined assurance and Title VI form?

m) Does the budget (SF-424A) and budget narrative align?

n) Does the budget narrative provide detail as to how the costs under Personnel correspond to the staff included in the narrative, and how they were calculated?

o) Does the budget narrative provide an explanation or breakout of the staff Fringe

Benefits?

p) If there are funds entered under Travel, does the budget narrative provide a clear and reasonable explanation that relates to the costs?

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q) Does the budget narrative identify supply cost, are the costs adequately explained?

r) If there are funds under Contractual, does the budget narrative clearly describe how contractual costs were derived for each agreement or subaward?

s) If there are costs under “Other” have the costs been reasonably explained?

t) If indirect costs are requested, does the application/budget narrative include an approved, current Indirect Cost Rate agreement or statement claiming the 10% de minimis rate?

E.2 Review and Selection Process

Administrative Review: PHMSA will conduct an administrative review to ensure the application meets the eligibility criteria outlined in Section C on Eligibility Information. Each application will be reviewed for completeness to ensure it includes all the required elements to qualify for the grant. If the application does not meet the required elements, then the application is likely to be rejected.

Technical Review: PHMSA will conduct a technical review of the application to assess how the proposed work is to be performed; and whether the application(s) are responsive to the applicable program requirements (i.e. performance measurement, methodology, and technical merit). PHMSA reserves the right to use outside expertise to perform application evaluation.

PHMSA will base the technical review on the technical review criteria in section E.1.

Programmatic Review: PHMSA will conduct a programmatic review to assess programmatic factors identified in section E.1. Programmatic factors are those factors which are relevant and essential to the process of selecting applications that best achieve the program objectives, in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, policies, and guidelines. Other programmatic factors may include history of performance, program priorities, and other modal needs. For applicants with existing awards, PHMSA may consider award balances when making final funding decisions.

Based on these results from each review, each application will receive an overall rating either as:

Rating Guideline Highly Recommended - The application demonstrates that the NOFO requirements are very well understood and the approach will likely result in a very high-quality performance. The application clearly addresses and exceeds requirements with no weaknesses. The application contains outstanding features that meet or exceed on multiple dimensions the expectations of the Government. The application scope aligns very well with the DOT objectives and priorities. The risk of poor performance is very low.

Recommended - The application demonstrates that the NOFO requirements are understood and the approach will likely result in satisfactory performance. The application addresses and meets requirements with some minor but correctable weaknesses. The application demonstrates requisite experience, qualifications, and performance capabilities. The application scope aligns with the DOT objectives and priorities. The risk of poor performance is low.

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Acceptable - The application demonstrates that the NOFO requirements are mostly understood and the approach will likely result in satisfactory performance for part of the requirements. The application addresses some of the requirements with some weaknesses. The application demonstrates some experience, qualifications, and/or performance capabilities. The application partially aligns with the DOT objectives and priorities. The risk of poor performance is moderate.

Not Acceptable - The application does not meet the NOFO requirements. The application fails to address many requirements. The applicant may be ineligible to apply for the grant.

The application could not satisfy critical requirements without a major revision and/or a rewrite of the application or a major redirection effort. The application scope does not align with the DOT objectives and priorities. The risk of poor performance is high.

Selection Process: PHMSA will recommend applications for award based on the final overall rating as described above. Final award recommendations will be made by the PHMSA Administrator after taking into consideration recommendations made during the administrative, technical, and programmatic reviews and how well the applications address PHMSA’s safety priorities. The Secretary of Transportation will make final award selection decisions.

E.3 FAPIIS Review

Prior to making an award, PHMSA is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. § 2313). An applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM, and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered. PHMSA will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 C.F.R. § 200.205.

E.4 Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

Applicants chosen for funding will receive notification of the Federal award. Upon notification, an applicant’s authorized official must sign and return the signed award within the timeframe prescribed by PHMSA. PHMSA plans to make awards by September 30, 2021, with a proposed period of performance start date of October 1, 2021.

SECTION F - FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

F.1 Federal Award Notices

PHMSA’s grant awarding official will award grants to responsible and eligible applicants, subject to the availability of funding, at its discretion, whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in this NOFO. All funds provided by PHMSA must

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 18 be expended solely for the purpose for which the funds are awarded in accordance with the approved application and budget, regulations, terms and conditions of the award, applicable Federal cost principles, and the Department’s financial assistance regulations. Funds may not be used for lobbying or litigation.

The grant award agreement, signed by both the PHMSA Agreement Officer and the Tribal entity, is the authorizing document and this document will be provided through electronic means to the Authorized Representative. The award document will provide pertinent instructions and information, including:

a) The legal name and address of recipient;

b) Title of project;

c) Name(s) of key personnel chosen to direct and control approved activities;

d) Federal Award Identification Number assigned by PHMSA;

e) Period of Performance, specifying the duration PHMSA intends to support the project;

f) Amount PHMSA approved for the project;

g) Legal authority(ies) under which the award is issued;

h) Assistance Listing Program Number (formerly CFDA);

i) Applicable award terms and conditions;

j) Approved budget plan for categorizing allocable project funds to accomplish the stated purpose of the award; and

k) Other information or provisions deemed necessary by PHMSA.

F.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

The administration of this award by PHMSA and the Recipient will be based on the following Federal statutory and regulatory requirements:

a) The authorizing language of 49 U.S.C. § 5116.

b) 2 CFR Part 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit

Requirements for Federal Awards.

c) The Recipient must comply with 49 CFR Part 20, "New Restrictions on Lobbying."

49 CFR part 20 will be incorporated by reference into any award under this program and is available at www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/ by clicking on Title 49 CFR Part 20.

d) The Recipient must comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which provides that no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

e) The Recipient must comply with 49 CFR Part 21, “Nondiscrimination in Federally- Assisted Programs of the Department of Transportation—Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.” 49 CFR Part 21 will be incorporated by reference into any award under this program and is available at: www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/ by clicking on Title 49 CFR Part 21.

f) The Recipient must comply with 49 CFR Part 32, “Government wide Requirements for Drug- Free Workplace (Financial Assistance),” which implements the requirements of Public Law 100-690, Title Subtitle D, “Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988.” 49 CFR Part

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32 will be incorporated by reference into any award under this program and is available at: www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/ by clicking on Title 49 CFR Part 32.

F.3 Reporting Requirements

Bi-Annual Reports – Each grant recipient is required to submit a bi-annual Federal financial report (SF-425) and a bi-annual performance report. The reports must follow the instructions outlined in the terms and conditions of the grant award. Bi-annual Federal financial and progress reports are to be submitted as directed by the terms and conditions of the grant award.

Final Reports – Each recipient is required to submit a final Federal financial report (SF-425) and final performance report. Final reports are to be submitted no later than 90 days after the project period end date. Final reports must follow the instructions outlined in the terms and conditions of the grant award.

All applications and reports will be made available to the public upon request.

SECTION G - FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

Questions related to the content of this funding opportunity should be submitted via the Message Center in FedConnect. For technical issues or questions related to FedConnect, please email fcsupport@unisonglobal.com; applicant can submit questions through the portal on their website, or call 1-800-899-6665 option 2.

Agreement Administrator Fazal Mirza Phone: (202) 366-5180 Fazal.mirza@dot.gov

Program Contact Carla Sheppard Phone: (202) 366-1109 Email: Carla.Sheppard@dot.gov

SECTION H – OTHER INFORMATION

Given the complexity of some aspects of the application process, technical assistance is available to rural applicants and inexperienced or under-resourced applicants to help with the application process. Please contact the primary point of contact listed in Section G for technical assistance.

AGREEMENT 693JK321NF0004

Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

Hazardous Materials Grants

Grant and Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions

Table of Contents

1. Definitions

2. Recipient Responsibilities

3. Compliance with Award Terms and Conditions

4. Order of Precedence

5. Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200)

6. Restrictions on Use of Funds for Lobbying, Support of Litigation, or Direct Advocacy 3

7. Nondiscrimination

8. Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement)

9. Drug-Free Workplace

10. eInvoicing (PHMSA June 2018)

11. Payments

12. Advance Payments…………………………………………………………………………..6

13. Advance Payment Process…………………………………………………………………..7

14. Adherence to Original Project Objectives and Budget Estimates

15. Prior Approvals

16. Contracting with Small Businesses, Small Minority-Disadvantaged Businesses, and Small Businesses which are Women-Owned, Veteran-Owned, Disabled Veteran-Owned or located in HubZone Areas

17. Seat Belt Use Policies and Programs

18. Ban on Text Messaging While Driving

19. Rights in Technical Data …………………………………………………………………10

20. Notice of News Releases, Public Announcements, and Presentations .………………… 10

21. Violation of Award Terms .………………………………………………………………. 10

22. Reporting Fraud, Waste, or Abuse ….……………………………………………………10

23. Reporting Grantee Executive Compensation/First Tier Sub-Awards (PHMSA Oct, 2010) ……………………………………………………………………………………………..10

24. 811, Call Before You Dig Program (PHMSA June 2014)

25. Access to Electronic and Information Technology (PHMSA DEC 2013)

26. Combating Trafficking in Persons (PHMSA JULY 2016)

27. Prohibition on Awarding to Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements (PHMSA FEB 2015)

28. Copyrights

29. Reporting

1. Definitions

a) Recipient – An entity, usually but not limited to non-Federal entities that receives a Federal award directly from a Federal awarding agency to carry out an activity under a Federal program. The term “recipient” does not include subrecipients.

b) Program Authorizing Official (PAO) – The PAO is the delegated authority to execute the grant agreement. Should any changes to the scope, budget, schedule, or any other terms become necessary, the PAO in coordination with the AO has the authority to amend the award agreement.

c) Agreement Officer (AO) – The AO has the authority to obligate the Government to the expenditures of Federal funds under this award.

d) Grant Specialist (GS) – The GS is responsible for the daily administration of the award. The GS is NOT AUTHORIZED to change the scope, budget, specifications, and terms and conditions as stated in the award, to make any commitments that otherwise obligates the Government or authorize changes which affect the award budget, delivery schedule, period of performance, or other terms and conditions.

e) Recipient Authorized Grantee…