ppin15.pdf

FEDERAL AGENCY: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE: Fiscal Year 2015 Pollution Prevention Information Network (PPIN) Grant Program

ACTION: Request for Proposals (RFP)

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 66.708

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2015-001

SUBMISSION DATE: Proposals are due May 22, 2015, 11:59 pm, (ET). EPA will receive proposals electronically through grants.gov. However, if there are applicants without the technical ability to apply electronically through grants.gov because of limited or no Internet access, which prevents them from uploading required proposal materials to grants.gov, they are to request an alternative submission method. Alternative submission requests are to be submitted at least 15 calendar days prior to the submission deadline under this announcement. For more information, refer to Section IV.

The agency will only receive proposals submitted through grants.gov or those granted alternative submission waivers. Any proposal received after the submission deadline will not be reviewed.

SUMMARY: This RFP seeks cost effective proposals from eligible applicants to support national pollution prevention (P2) information needs. In this RFP the Agency is directing P2 information center activities toward three national P2 emphasis areas to more effectively achieve measurable results and demonstrable impact in these targeted areas. Work in the national P2 emphasis areas (NEA) should support the P2 technical assistance work of state programs in promoting use of source reduction techniques by businesses. Applicants will collaborate with other grantees as part of their work in the national P2 information network. Applicants must propose work in one or more of the national P2 emphasis areas and must propose work that addresses one or more regional priorities.

EPA is invested in creating a coordinated network of national P2 information centers that focus on a set of national priorities while promoting P2 awareness and application of P2 practices.

Grantees can bring together programs and businesses across state boundaries to improve information sharing and promote mentoring between businesses. Grantees can convene multi-state roundtables to facilitate information and technology exchange while promoting P2 approaches for specific business practices and industrial processes. Other possible activities under these grants include, but are not limited to: training in P2 approaches and practices;

partnerships with colleges and universities to promote P2 research and applications; assisting technical assistance programs (TAPs) in data analysis to target P2 assistance efforts and developing and promoting P2 case studies for industries in the national P2 emphasis areas.

Grantees should explore how to promote development of P2 expertise through reliable, current, easily accessible P2 resources, including digital resources.

To apply for grants under this RFP:

1) Proposals must address one or more national P2 emphasis areas described as activity #1 in Section I.B. with the national P2 emphasis areas described in Section I.C.

2) Proposals must address one or more regional P2 priorities described as activity #2 in Section I.B and regional priorities are described in Section I.D.

3) Applicants MAY PROPOSE to address activity #3 which is described in Section I.B as the national coordination of P2 information centers. Only one applicant will be funded for this activity.

4) Proposals must clearly identify the activities being addressed, using separate sections of the proposal to describe the workplan, budget, timeline and environmental results for each activity.

5) Each activity will be evaluated using evaluation criteria specific to that activity.

FUNDING/AWARDS: The total estimated funding for this year is approximately $800,000.

The Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention anticipates awarding four to eight cooperative agreements for a project period of one year. If an applicant proposes to perform all three activities, the maximum award would be $170,000. Specific funding ranges vary by activity and are noted in Section I. Assistance awards will only be made to eligible entities and will fund work conducted in FY 2016. Funding is subject to the availability of funds, the quality of the proposals received, and other applicable considerations.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION: Eligible applicants include the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the United States, any agency or instrumentality of a state, including state colleges and universities, and federally-recognized Indian tribes that meet the requirements for treatment in a manner similar to a state as described in 40 CFR 35.663, and Intertribal Consortia that meet the requirements in 40 CFR 35.504.

CONTENTS BY SECTION:

Section I. Funding Opportunity Description Section II. Award Information Section III. Eligibility Information Section IV. Proposal and Submission Instructions Section V. Proposal Review Information Section VI. Award Administration Information Section VII. Agency Contact Section VIII. Other Information

Appendix A Grants.gov Submission Instructions Appendix B Guidance for Submitting Environmental Outcome Measures for the PPIN Grant Program Appendix C Project Timeline Samples Appendix D Itemized Budget Guidance and Sample Breakdown of Cost

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Program description: This RFP seeks cost effective proposals from eligible applicants to support national pollution prevention (P2) information needs. The Pollution Prevention Information Network (PPIN) grant program funds a coordinated network of national P2 information centers that share expertise, provide training and other services that promote P2 approaches as part of sustainable business practices. Grantees coordinate their work and the development of reliable, current, easily accessible digital P2 resources.

In this RFP the Agency is directing P2 information center activities toward three national P2 emphasis areas to more effectively achieve measurable results and demonstrable impact in these targeted areas. Proposals must address one or more of the national P2 emphasis areas described in Section I.C. These areas are: 1) climate change mitigation/prevention of greenhouse gas emissions, 2) food manufacturing, and 3) state or community-based approaches to hazardous materials source reduction. Work in the national P2 emphasis areas (NEA) should support the P2 technical assistance work of state programs in promoting source reduction techniques for businesses.

P2 information centers can bring together state and/or tribal programs and businesses across state boundaries to improve information sharing and promote mentoring between businesses.

Grantees can convene multi-state roundtables to facilitate information and technology exchange while promoting P2 approaches to specific business practices and industrial processes.

Other activities P2 information centers may perform include: training or webinars to promote P2 practices supporting these national P2 emphasis areas; partnerships with colleges and universities to promote P2 research and applications; assisting TAPs in data analysis to target P2 assistance efforts and developing and promoting P2 case studies for industries in the national P2 emphasis areas. Grantees should explore how to promote development of P2 expertise through reliable, current, easily accessible P2 resources, including digital resources.

Proposals must address: 1) one or more national P2 emphasis areas (as described in Section 1.B.

and Section I.C) and 2) one or more regional P2 priorities (as described in Section I.B and Section I.D) Applicants may also propose to address activity #3: national coordination of P2 information centers, described in Section I.B.3.

Proposals must clearly identify the activities being addressed, using separate sections of the proposal (see Section IV for information on proposal content) to describe the workplan, budget, timeline and environmental results for each activity. Work proposed will be evaluated using criteria specific to each activity as described in Section V.

This grant program is distinct from the P2 grant program (http://www.epa.gov/p2/pubs/grants/index.htm#p2grant) because these funds support P2 information centers that work beyond a single state’s boundaries.

B. Activities performed by grant recipients: EPA will fund P2 information center grants that address one or more national P2 emphasis areas listed in Section I.C and one or more of the regional priorities listed in Section I.D. Applicants may propose to address activity #3: national coordination of P2 information centers, described in Section I.B.3 below.

Activities #1 and #2 are required activities for all proposals. Only one applicant will be selected and funded for activity #3.

1. Activity #1: Address P2 information needs in one or more national P2 emphasis areas.

Estimated funding range: $40,000 to $70,000.

This is a threshold activity which means all applications must include this activity in order to be considered for funding. The Agency is directing P2 information center activities toward three national P2 emphasis areas, described in Section I.C. to more effectively achieve measurable results and demonstrable impact in these targeted areas.

Applicants must choose one or more of the national P2 emphasis areas, described in Section I.C.

as a focus for their activities. The applicant must identify the target audience for the P2 information and services. Proposals must describe how the target audience will be reached and the impact of the information or service will be measured. The target audience should be state-level programs (e.g., supporting technical assistance programs (TAPs) working with businesses) and/or businesses (direct assistance). Applicants must describe coordination with other grantees as part of this activity.

There are a variety of activities that could promote P2 and sustainability practices in these areas.

Activities related to work on a national P2 emphasis area might include but are not limited to:

a) Providing P2 information, training and workshops- through websites, webinars and in person-to support continued learning and collect feedback from customers concerning services provided.

b) Supporting communication among state P2 TAPs and businesses- using websites, webinars, and conference calls or in person meetings to promote sharing information, expertise and success stories related to the national emphasis area.

c) Promoting P2 tools, events, results and success stories to support continued awareness of P2 approaches and practices as a key part of a sustainable business plan in the national P2 emphasis area thru current up-to-date websites, webinars and training.

d) Utilizing innovative websites, electronic and social media to promote P2 resources.

e) Assessing need for source reduction information in the national emphasis area for specific audiences and supporting collection or development of peer-reviewed P2 information resources to meet those needs.

2. Activity #2: Address regional P2 priorities.

Estimated funding range: $20,000 to $40,000.

This is a threshold activity which means all applications must include this activity in order to be considered for funding. To complement and supplement the three national P2 emphasis areas regions have developed priorities that identify additional areas of state or region-specific emphasis, particular environmental issues, or programs of significant interest to the states or tribes in their region. Specific priorities for each region are listed under Section I.D below.

3. Activity #3: Address national coordination of P2 information centers.

Estimated funding $30,000 to $60,000. Only one applicant will be selected and funded for this activity.

Under this activity applicants should describe how they propose to offer a single point of contact for the public to access P2 resources and information developed by all of the PPIN grantees. To ensure that businesses, communities, governments and individuals have easy access to the current and relevant P2 information resources the national coordinator must provide:

a) A website with: i) a calendar of P2 conferences, workshops and webinars and ii) identification of and links to core P2 tools, resources and information, and iii) referral service to other P2 information centers based on expertise and services.

b) An outreach and communication strategy that provides regular updates to the public (State TAPs and businesses) on information regarding P2 practices, training and tools.

c) At least monthly calls with other grantees to identify P2 information resources and activities that should be highlighted in the website and national outreach materials.

d) A method for obtaining feedback from customers concerning the services provided.

Additional services a national coordinator might provide include: developing a referral service for obtaining P2 expertise, developing a strategy to promote sustainable business practices, developing a clearinghouse for P2 publications and success stories or seeking other sources of funding for the network.

C. National P2 emphasis areas for FY 2015: The Agency is directing P2 information center activities toward three national P2 emphasis areas to more effectively achieve measurable results and demonstrable impact in these targeted areas. The three topic areas are referred to as national P2 emphasis areas. Under each topic area, examples are provided to explain the types of activities that will be considered. Applicants are to select one or more of the emphasis areas as the focus of their P2 grant proposals.

1. Climate change mitigation/prevention of greenhouse gas emissions. Implement P2 projects that achieve significant and measureable reductions of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and/or energy efficiency through technical assistance to businesses. Examples of projects under this national emphasis area include, but are not limited to:

Implementing pollution prevention activities that support energy efficiency measures for businesses that States are considering for their §111(d) plan.1

Implementing and measuring energy use/GHG reductions through combined heat and power projects for businesses using a multi-sector approach.

Implementing and measuring energy use/GHG reductions through implementation of

1 Under §111 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) EPA has the broad authority to issue standards, regulations or guidelines that address greenhouse gas emissions released by new and existing electric utility power plants, including modifications to those plants. Under §111(d) of the CAA, EPA has the authority to establish air emission guidelines while the states have the authority to design and support environmental programs to carry out those guidelines in order to realize air emission reductions. P2 grants may be used to support measures to help carry out those guidelines.

pump and generator efficiencies for businesses using a multi-sector approach.

Involving college and university engineering departments to identify opportunities to reduce heat loss in targeted industries.

Focusing on Economy, Energy and Environment (E3) assessments concerning GHG reductions through process and materials substitution as well as chemical substitutions for hydrofluorocarbons and other highly potent GHGs.

Offering training and other assistance to businesses and technical assistance providers to help identify and implement substitutions for chemicals and substances with significant environmental impacts including highly potent GHG chemicals.

Offering technical assistance to businesses to reduce their energy consumption from industrial processes such as lighting, hot water use, compressed air, natural gas, etc.

2. Food manufacturing. Implement pollution prevention projects that support more sustainable food manufacturing resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, hazardous materials generation and use, and/or business costs. Examples of activities under this national emphasis area include, but are not limited to:

Implementing and measuring water conservation techniques (e.g. use of high volume, low pressure washing systems that reuse water; implement alternatives to wastewater conveyance by transferring solids and particulate matter using augers or conveyors or manually to minimize loadings to wastewater systems).

Implementing and measuring reduction of energy use and energy efficiency.

Implementing and measuring green chemistry solutions (e.g. reduce quantity and toxicity of cleaning products or food processing chemicals).

Implementing and measuring reduced air emissions and water discharges (e.g., focus on

Clean Air Act §112(r) requirements to prevent ammonia refrigeration leaks and other accidental releases – http://www2.epa.gov/rmp).

Establishing food-manufacturing roundtables to exchange information, ideas, and technology information among food manufacturers.

Focusing Economy, Energy and Environment (E3) assessments on source reduction of food waste at one facility or at multiple points in the supply chain through more efficient food processing and handling of products.

3. State or community-based approaches to hazardous materials source reduction – Implement state or community-based approaches to hazardous materials source reduction activities that result in reduced generation and use of hazardous materials.2 Examples of activities under this national emphasis area include, but are not limited to:

Assisting businesses to improve material practices that reduce the risk of release of hazardous chemicals during a storm or other event.

Identifying and targeting businesses within environmental justice communities or communities at high risk of flooding or natural disasters that use hazardous materials and provide P2 assessment and training.

2 The term community defined under this emphasis area applies the definition used under the agency’s cross-agency strategy action plan on communities. For more information, click on:

http://workplace.epa.gov/realizingoneepa/pdf/communities-action-plan-fy15.pdf.

Amplifying Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) P2 reporting and using TRI P2 data to target similar businesses or operations for similar P2 opportunities in hazardous materials source reduction.

Creating community partnerships (between businesses and local municipalities, schools, etc.) to identify and reduce use of hazardous materials.

Creating training and other assistance methods to teach businesses to identify and reduce the use of hazardous chemicals in their facilities through source reduction techniques and/or practices, e.g., participating in EPA’s Safer Choice program (www2.epa.gov/saferchoice), using Safer Choice-labeled products, or using EPA’s Safer Chemical Ingredients List (www2.epa.gov/saferchoice/safer-ingredients).

Creating regional manufacturing roundtables.

Developing community-based Economy, Energy and Environment (E3) projects that would result in reduced generation and use of hazardous substances, pollutants, and/or contaminants and increase efficiency by manufacturers.

Promoting remanufacturing of certain higher-value used solvents into commercial-grade products to extend their useful life and reduce the manufacturing and use of virgin solvents, resulting in economic efficiencies, fewer hazardous releases, as well as increased energy conservation and reduced GHG emissions.

D. Regional P2 priorities for P2 information network: To complement and supplement the three national P2 emphasis areas, EPA’s regional offices have developed priorities that identify additional areas of state or region-specific emphasis, particular environmental issues, or programs of significant interest to the states or tribes in their region. Regional priorities relate to the national P2 emphasis areas in Section I.C or regional P2 priorities and may be distinct from the three national P2 emphasis areas.

All applicants must address one or more of these regional priorities in their proposal. Regional activities may be proposed that cover multiple EPA Regions. Work on these regional priorities will be evaluated using the criteria described in Section V.

Region 1 (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) and Region 2 (NJ, NY, PR, VI):

a) Aligning with the climate change mitigation and state and community approaches to hazardous materials source reduction national P2 emphasis areas: Promote projects that achieve results in one or more of the five P2 metrics (described in Section I.E.5) with particular emphasis on reducing hazardous materials through P2 practices (e.g., source reduction through green chemistry and engineering, green procurement, etc.) The projects should focus on manufacturing and commercial operations that impact local communities, especially in communities that a) bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial and commercial operations; and/or b) are susceptible to flooding or other significant climate change impacts.

b) Aligning with the food manufacturing national P2 emphasis area: In collaboration with EPA regional staff, develop roundtable agenda and convene roundtable conversations regarding P2 opportunities in food processing such as: reduction of hazardous substances pollutants or contaminants at the source, conservation of energy, water and raw materials, reduction of food and solid waste, or improved environmental compliance. Partners to be convened include:

federal agencies such as: EPA, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), state agencies, trade & professional associations, academia (especially state colleges and universities), business and industry representatives and other key partners including manufacturing extension programs and economic development.

c) Outside of the national P2 emphasis areas: Collaborate with EPA regional staff in developing roundtable agendas and convene state roundtable meetings to exchange information regarding priorities, state program support needs and challenges and to identify opportunities to achieve P2 results in businesses in Region 1 and Region 2.

Region 3 (DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV) and Region 4 (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN):

a) Assessment of Region 3 or 4 State and Technical Assistance Provider (TAP) needs, identifying information voids in promoting the use of source reduction techniques by businesses and using information networks to fill these voids. Information will be shared through workshops, trainings, and/or webinars developed by the grantee; and,

b) Assistance to states and TAPs in documenting measurable reductions in GHGs, water use, hazardous materials, and costs by businesses using source reduction techniques and assistance in the collection of baseline data, P2 project implementation, and calculation of P2 results.

c) Support P2 technical assistance programs in serving the manufacturing sector.

Region 5 (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI):

a) Assessment of Region 5 State and TAP needs, especially in support the P2 National Emphasis Areas by identifying information voids in promoting the use of source reduction techniques by businesses. Use information networks to fill these voids through workshops, trainings, case studies and/or webinars developed by the grantee; and,

b) Provide in-person collaboration opportunities with Region 5 States and TAPs to support information exchange and networking opportunities related to business practices for source reduction in food manufacturing.

Region 6 (AR, LA, NM, OK, TX):

a) Assist TAPs in region in meeting their priorities in creating strong P2 programs.

b) Host training workshops to assist the state or tribal agencies in training businesses to implement P2 techniques and to report impacts.

c) Host programs that benefit the state or tribal P2 programs in the region and ultimately businesses in the region, such as the P2 planner, P2 options and the regional renew program.

d) Promote projects that use P2/source reduction techniques and strategies for businesses, government and consumers (e.g., E3, energy efficiency, Lean and Green techniques) and achieve measurable results by reducing pollution and hazardous waste, limiting water use, saving money and/or conserving energy

e) Continue to lead in development and implementation of measurement methods that exceed national standards.

Region 7 (IA, KS, MO, NE):

a) Collaborate with EPA Regional Staff, Region 7 TAPS and the Region 7 Roundtable members to identify information needs (such as: regional guides, tools, calendars, physical publications, webinars, and case studies) that will assist businesses in adopting source reduction practices that will produce significant outcomes (GHG reductions, water conservation, dollars saved and hazardous substance, pollutant and contaminant reductions). Develop, distribute and/or conduct the activities identified as needed above using Region 7 information and sources.

b) Develop a Region 7 PPIN customer service satisfaction survey in cooperation with the Region 7 Roundtable chair and the center’s advisory committee. The survey will be used only after being approved under EPA’s generic ICR for customer service satisfaction. Survey results will be available to all participants within one month after the survey was closed.

Region 8 (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY):

Provide P2 support and make P2 information resources available to one or more of the regional communities of focus (tribal, agricultural and/or environmental justice communities) with the goal of promoting and adopting P2 information and practices by businesses. Activities related to work in a regional community of focus might include, but are not limited to:

a) Providing P2 information, training and workshops, through websites, webinars and in person, to support continued learning, information sharing, and develop expertise in P2 practices and approaches related to the environmental priorities of the regional communities of focus.

b) Collecting, reviewing, developing and promoting P2 tools, models, case studies, etc. related to the environmental priorities of the regional communities of focus.

c) Identifying and disseminating results, activities and/or products that will serve as a national resource for P2 information related to the regional communities of focus.

d) Developing and distributing P2 tool training and education materials and/or best management practice resource guides and checklists.

Activities will address the reduction of greenhouse gases, hazardous waste, increase energy and water efficiency, and save money while leading to measurable environmental outcomes.

Region 9 (AZ, CA, HI, NV, AS, GU):

a) Integrating green chemistry principles and concepts into product or process redesign, manufacturing, policy or procurement. Focus should be on practical approaches (tools, training, technical assistance, etc.) that help businesses apply the concepts of green chemistry in making operational and strategic decisions. Projects should consider how to reduce use of or exposure to EPA's Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) work plan chemicals where final assessments indicate significant risk (http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/workplans.html).

b) Environmentally preferable purchasing or public access to information on chemicals in products, in order to influence regional or national markets;

c) Source reduction technical assistance for businesses, with a focus on reduction in hazardous materials use and reduction of wasted food.

Region 10 (AK, ID, OR, WA):

Address one or more of these regional areas of interest identified by the Region 10 states and tribes: Green Chemistry/Safer Alternatives; lean manufacturing and the Economy, Energy and Environment (E3) program; training; convening industry roundtables; food processing;

greening sports and toxics reduction in stormwater.

E. EPA grant requirements

1. Statutory authority in the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 (PPA): Authority for this grant program is provided by Congress under Section 6605 of the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 (http://www.epa.gov/p2/pubs/p2policy/act1990.htm). The PPA requires the EPA Administrator to consider whether grant outcomes would accomplish the following:

Make specific technical assistance available to businesses seeking information about source reduction opportunities, including funding for experts to provide on-site technical advice to businesses seeking assistance and to assist in the development of source reduction plans

Target assistance to businesses for whom lack of information is an impediment to source reduction

Provide training in source reduction techniques. Such training may be provided through local engineering schools or other appropriate means.

This language from the Pollution Prevention Act has been incorporated into the evaluation criteria listed in Section V. A. Proposals must describe how the project strategy will support these outputs and outcomes.

2. Eligible applicants: Section 6605 of the PPA and applicable parts of 40 CFR Part 35, Subparts A and B (40 CFR 35.340 et seq. and 35.660 et seq.) authorize EPA to award grants and cooperative agreements to the following applicants: the fifty states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the U.S., any agency or instrumentality of a state, including state colleges/universities3, federally-recognized tribes that meet the requirements for treatment in a manner similar to a state and intertribal consortia (40 CFR 35.504). For further information about these federal regulations, see this web page: http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/search/40cfr.html.

3. Definition of pollution prevention (P2): Pollution prevention is often used in place of the term source reduction and is defined in 40 CFR Part 35.343 as follows: “ Pollution prevention/source reduction is any practice that:(1) Reduces the amount of any hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant entering any waste stream or otherwise released into the environment (including fugitive emissions) prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal;(2) Reduces the hazards to public health and the environment associated with the release of such substances, pollutants, or contaminants; or (3) Reduces or eliminates the creation of pollutants through:(i) Increased efficiency in the use of raw materials, energy, water, or other resources; or(ii) Protection of natural resources by conservation.

3 Colleges or universities that are agencies or instrumentalities of a state government are eligible and must include documentation demonstrating that they are chartered as a part of a state government. Documentation may include: a state constitution reference, college/university charter, W-7 tax form or case law that has confirmed the college or university to serve as an instrumentality of a state. Colleges or universities that are not chartered as a part of state government are not eligible.

Pollution prevention/source reduction does not include any practice which alters the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics or the volume of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant through a process or activity which itself is not integral to and necessary for the production of a product or the providing of a service.”

Recently EPA has clarified that when the reuse and/or remanufacturing of material product is integral and necessary for the production of product, the reuse or remanufacturing of a material product before discard is considered source reduction.

4. Cost sharing and matching requirements: P2 grant recipients, as required under Section 6605(b) of the PPA, must provide at least a 50 percent match of the total allowable project cost.

Refer to Section III.B.

5. Alignment with EPA’s Strategic Plan: Proposed work plans must note a commitment to work towards the strategic measures identified in the Fiscal Year 2014-2018 EPA Strategic Plan.

(To view EPA’s plan, see this URL: http://www2.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan and click on FY 2014- 2018 Strategic Plan. Goal 4 is described on pages 31-36 and the strategic measures for preventing pollution and promoting environmental stewardship are listed on page 72.)

The EPA strategic plan includes Objective 4.2: Promote Pollution Prevention. “Conserve and protect natural resource by promoting pollution prevention and the adoption of other sustainability practices by companies, communities, governmental organizations and individuals.” The strategic measures are:

a) By 2018, reduce 600 million pounds of hazardous materials cumulatively through P2.

b) By 2018, reduce 7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCO2Eq) cumulatively through P2.

c) By 2018, reduce 6.9 billion gallons of water use cumulatively through P2.

d) By 2018, save $1.3 billion in business, institutional and government costs cumulatively through P2 improvements.

e) By 2018, increase the number of safer chemicals and safer chemical products by 1,900.

These numeric targets encompass a variety of Agency programs including grants, voluntary partnerships, and eco-labeling programs. Proposals must note how their activities will contribute to one or more of these Agency targets.

6. EPA’s statutory measurement provisions and environmental results policy: EPA’s Environmental Results Policy (EPA Policy Order No.5700.7A1 (http://www.epa.gov/ogd/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf ) requires that all assistance agreements be aligned with EPA's strategic goals and objectives. EPA also requires assistance programs to focus not only on outputs (i.e., the activities and/or associated work products performed or conducted by an assistance agreement recipient during the funding period) but also on outcomes (i.e., the results, effects, or consequences of a recipient's activities). As a result of this order, EPA will negotiate outcomes and outputs with all grantees. In addition, Section 6605 of the PPA, 42 U.S.C. 13104(d) states: “The Administrator shall establish appropriate means for measuring the effectiveness of the state grants made under this section in promoting the use of source reduction techniques by businesses.”

a) For PPIN grants, two general audience categories can be identified: 1) the “end user” who is seeking P2 information for use in their own business or facility and 2) the “intermediate user” who uses P2 information to assist other clients. Behavioral and environmental outcomes for these two audiences may be the same or different.

b) Because the PPIN grant activities are focused on P2 information collection and dissemination, training, collaboration and coordination, the outcomes from PPIN grants are related to understanding and behavior change. Over longer periods of time behavior change can lead to environmental changes. Listservs, training, conference calls, webinars or meetings provide opportunities to gather information on changes in awareness, understanding or behavior of clients.

Examples of quantitative output measures anticipated from PPIN grants include, but are not limited to:

Number of clients assisted through calls, emails or website P2 information assistance;

Number of web site page views or user sessions; and Number of clients attending workshops, trainings, or conferences conducted.

Examples of quantitative outcome measures anticipated from PPIN grants include, but are not limited to:

Increased awareness and understanding of P2 options, Increased capacity of a state TAP to provide P2 information and services to end users, Number of facilities adopting P2 plans, or Pounds of hazardous materials reduced, gallons of water saved or metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent reduced (MTCO2e).

c) A logic model is a tool that may be useful in developing output and outcome measures (see example in Appendix B). The model shows the relationship between your work and your desired results. To determine whether the project has achieved its intended outputs and outcomes, you will need to collect data (e.g., observing behavior changes, administering pre- and post-tests) and identify measurable short term and longer term results. Grantees can use case studies and pre-and post-testing during webinars or workshop sessions to document environmental outcomes from their activities. Open-ended questions can be used to follow-up with participants to determine possible environmental outcomes resulting from training or information provided.

Grantees may carry out their own survey without EPA grant funding. Surveys of 10 or more people which use the same questions are subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (5 CFR 1320) when conducted using Federal grant funds. Applicants can send questions regarding surveys to the Agency contact listed in Section VII.

The template in Appendix B shows how a logic model can be used to identify the aspects of your work plan (resources/inputs; activities; outputs and outcomes) and the measurements associated with these activities. These measurements will be used to demonstrate effectiveness and impact of your project.

d) EPA requires all recipients of assistance agreements to comply with quality assurance requirements described here: http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/assurance.htm . Activities that involve measurement, environmental data generation, or include information obtained from other sources, such as databases or website logs, require a Quality Management Plan (QMP) and a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP). Applicants should allow sufficient time and resources for this process in their proposed projects. Applicants for the FY 2015 Pollution Prevention Information Network Grant Program are not required to submit the QMP and QAPP as part of the proposal package; however, each grant award will contain a term and condition establishing a deadline for the grantee to submit acceptable quality assurance documentation to EPA.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Amount of funding available: The estimated federal funding expected to be available for awards under this competitive opportunity is approximately $800,000 in FY 2015. This amount is dependent on the Congressional appropriations for this program, the quality of proposals received, and other applicable considerations. Proposals must not request more than $170,000 in Federal funds. Note: Most grants will range in value from $60,000 to $110,000 for work in Activities #1 and #2. Only one applicant will be selected to fulfill activity #3 and eligible for funding up to $170,000.

Partial funding: EPA reserves the right to, in appropriate circumstances, partially fund proposals by funding discrete portions or phases of proposed projects. If EPA decides to partially fund a proposal, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice any applicants or affect the basis upon which the proposal or portion thereof, was evaluated and selected for award, and therefore maintains the integrity of the competition and selection process. To facilitate consideration of partial funding alternatives, the applicant's work plan should include clearly delineated tasks or phases. These tasks or phases should include separate budget estimates, including the associated match amounts.

B. Number of agreements EPA will award: EPA anticipates awarding up to eight cooperative agreements under this announcement ranging in value from approximately $60,000 to $170,000 in Federal funds, subject to the availability of funds, the quality of the proposals submitted, and other applicable considerations. In addition, EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy, if additional funding becomes available after the original selections. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months from the date of the original selections.

Awards may be fully or incrementally funded, as appropriate, based on funding availability, satisfactory performance and other applicable considerations. In FY 2014 the assistance agreements awarded ranged in value from $100,000 to $125,000 in Federal funding.

C. Project period for awards: The project period for awards resulting from this solicitation will be one year (12 months). The estimated date for awards resulting from this solicitation will be in September 2015. Work under these awards would be expected to start October 1, 2015 and end on September 30, 2016.

D. Type of assistance agreement: Successful applicants will be issued a grant or cooperative agreement as appropriate. A cooperative agreement is an assistance agreement that is used when there is substantial federal involvement with the recipient during the performance of an activity or project. EPA awards cooperative agreements for those 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.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible applicants: Section 6605 of the PPA and applicable parts of 40 CFR Part 35, Subparts A and B (40 CFR 35.340 et seq. and 35.660 et seq.) authorize EPA to award grants and cooperative agreements to the following applicants: the fifty states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the U.S., any agency or instrumentality of a state, including state colleges/universities, federally-recognized tribes that meet the requirements for treatment in a manner similar to a state and intertribal consortia (40 CFR 35.504).

B. Cost sharing and matching requirements: As required under Section 6605 of the PPA, applicants must provide at least a 50 percent match of the total allowable project cost. The proposal must contain a detailed budget showing how 50% of the total project cost will be matched with non-Federal dollars or in-kind goods and services4. Proposals that do not show how the Federal dollars will be matched will not be considered.

An example of the matching requirement is: the federal government provides half of the total allowable cost of a project and the recipient provides the other half of the cost. A one year project costing $240,000 could be funded by a grant for up to $120,000 in federal funds and the recipient is responsible for funding the other half ($120,000) of the project. Cost sharing and matching contributions may include dollars, in-kind goods and services (such as volunteered time, photocopying and printing services, etc.) and/or third party contributions consistent with 2 CFR Part 200.306.

The match requirement may be applied at the time of award or at specified intervals during the project period. The grant applicant must document in the itemized budget plan the type of match to be applied and how it will be used. The grant project officer will monitor the grant recipient’s compliance. If the match requirement is not met or is not applied at specified intervals during the project period, federal funding will cease and the recipient may be subject to an enforcement action.

4 For additional information and examples of the types of items that may be used to satisfy the match requirement, please refer to: 2 CFR Part 200.306.

C. Threshold eligibility criteria: Proposals must meet the following program and submission requirements at the time of submission or they will be rejected. Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration as a result of the threshold eligibility review will be notified within 15 calendar days of the ineligibility determination.

1. Threshold program requirements: This section addresses what to include in the proposal.

a) Proposals must address one or more national P2 emphasis areas (Section I.C).

b) Proposals must address one or more regional P2 priorities (Section I. D).

c) Proposals must substantially comply with the grant requirements in Section I.E, including activities related to pollution prevention, cost share, alignment with EPA’s strategic plan, and describing environmental results.

d) Proposals must be from an eligible applicant as defined in Section III.A and the project period must be for no more than one year as noted in Section II.B.

e) Proposals must indicate how 50% of the total project cost will be provided in non-Federal dollars as described in Section III.B and must not ask for more than $170,000 in Federal funds (Section II.A). Most proposal may ask for up to $110,000 for Activities #1 and #2. Only one applicant will be funded for up to $170,000.

f) If a proposal is submitted that includes 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.

2. Threshold submission requirements:

a) Proposals must substantially comply with the proposal submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section IV of this announcement or else they will be rejected. Where a page limit is expressed in Section IV with respect to the proposal, pages in excess of the page limitation will not be reviewed.

b) In addition, initial proposals must be submitted through www.grants.gov as stated in Section IV of this announcement (except in the limited circumstances where another mode of submission is specifically allowed for as explained in Section IV) on or before the proposal submission deadline published in Section IV of this announcement. Applicants are responsible for following the submission instructions in Section IV of this announcement to ensure that their proposal is timely submitted.

c) Proposals submitted after the submission deadline will be considered late and deemed ineligible without further consideration unless the applicant can clearly demonstrate that it was late due to EPA mishandling or because of technical problems associated with grants.gov or relevant SAM.gov system issues. An applicant’s failure to timely submit their proposal/application through grants.gov because they did not timely or properly register in

SAM.gov or grants.gov will not be considered an acceptable reason to consider a late submission. Applicants should confirm receipt of their proposal with the contact in Section VII as soon as possible after the submission deadline—failure to do so may result in your proposal not being reviewed.

IV. PROPOSAL AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

A. Requirement to Submit Through Grants.gov and Limited Exception Procedures:

Applicants, except as noted below, must apply electronically through Grants.gov under this funding opportunity based on the grants.gov instructions in this announcement. If an applicant does not have the technical capability to apply electronically through grants.gov because of limited or no internet access which prevents them from being able to upload the required application materials to Grants.gov, the applicant must contact OGDWaivers@epa.gov or the address listed below in writing (e.g., by hard copy, email) at least 15 calendar days prior to the submission deadline under this announcement to request approval to submit their application materials through an alternate method.

Mailing Address:

OGD Waivers c/o Barbara Perkins USEPA Headquarters William Jefferson Clinton Building 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N. W.

Mail Code: 3903R Washington, DC 20460

Courier Address:

OGD Waivers c/o Barbara Perkins Ronald Reagan Building 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.

Rm # 51267 Washington, DC 20004

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

Funding Opportunity Number (FON) Organization Name and DUNS Organization’s Contact Information (email address and phone number) Explanation of how they lack the technical capability to apply electronically through Grants.gov because of 1) limited internet access or 2) no internet access which prevents them from being able to upload the required application materials through www.Grants.gov.

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

If an exception is granted, it is valid for submissions to EPA for the remainder of the entire calendar year in which the exception was approved and can be used to justify alternative submission methods for application submissions made through December 31 of the calendar year in which the exception was approved (e.g., if the exception was approved on March 1, 2015, it is valid for any competitive or non-competitive application submission to EPA through December 31, 2015). Applicants need only request an exception once in a calendar year and all exceptions will expire on December 31 of that calendar year.