RFA EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-003.pdf

US Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticide Programs

Funding Opportunity Announcement:

Pesticides and National Strategies for Healthcare Providers, Training Program

EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-003

May 19, 2017

Funding Opportunity No. EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-003

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

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

Funding Opportunity Title: Pesticides and National Strategies for Healthcare Providers, Training Program

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

Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-003.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 66.716

Dates: Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov on or before 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET) on July 20, 2017. Applications received after the closing date and time will not be considered for funding. The project period for the award resulting from this solicitation is estimated to begin in October 2017. The proposed project period is up to five (5) years.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting applications from eligible organizations to manage a cooperative agreement to help educate the medical community on how to recognize and treat pesticide-related health conditions. The long-term goal of the project is to achieve improved health for communities at risk for overexposure to pesticides through outreach, technical assistance and training to increase knowledge and awareness of environmental and occupational health risks. This is a national environmental and occupational health effort solicited by doctors, clinicians, and state health departments. With this award, EPA seeks to build on the progress of previous project titled “From the Fields to the Exam Room: Integrating the Recognition, Management and Prevention of Pesticide Poisonings into the Primary Care Setting.” The publication "Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisoning" was an earlier product of the initiative. EPA is seeking applications to (1) provide continuing education, training and technical assistance to relevant audiences; (2) update existing, and/or develop new materials and resource tools; (3) conduct outreach to existing and new audiences to use materials and tools; and (4) develop partnerships and a sustainable network of stakeholders. EPA expects to provide an estimated $500,000 annually, depending on the Agency’s budget, for a total of up to $2,500,000 for five years (2017 through 2022).

FUNDING/AWARDS

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

CONTENTS BY SECTION

I. Funding Opportunity Description II. Award Information III. Eligibility Information IV. Application and Submission Information V. Application Review Information VI. Award Administration Information VII. Agency Contacts

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Background

Objective 4.1 of EPA’s FY2014 – 2018 Strategic Plan is to reduce the risk and increase the safety of chemicals that enter our products, environment and bodies. EPA complements the risk assessment and management processes inherent in pesticide registrations with several field programs including the training of health care providers on how to recognize and treat illness related to pesticide exposure. It is well documented that pesticides poisonings, like many illnesses and accidents, are widely misdiagnosed and underreported. Studies estimate that underreporting of pesticide exposure ranges from 20% to 95% 1. Several factors contribute to this situation, such as: barriers to health care access for some subpopulations; difficulties making an accurate diagnosis when symptoms mimic more common and non-pesticide-related clinical conditions (such as fatigue, nausea, rash, dizziness, and diarrhea) and, failure of health care providers to report a suspected pesticide poisoning to their local or state agency. The lack of familiarity with pesticide poisonings among health care providers can be partly explained by the minimal training on occupational and environmental medicine in the school curricula of many physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers.

1 1. Harchelroad, F., et al. Treated vs Reported Toxic Exposures: Discrepancies Between a Poison Control Center and a Member Hospital. Veterinary and Human Toxicology. April 1990, Vol. 32, pp.156–159.

2. Chafee-Bahamon, C., et al. Patterns in Hospitals’ Use of a Regional Poison Information Center. American Journal of Public Health. April 4, 1983. Vol. 73, pp. 396–400.

3. Veltri, et al. Interpretation and Uses of Data Collected in Poison Control Centres in the United States. Medical Toxicology and Adverse Drug Experience. November– December 1987. Vol. 6, pp. 389–97.

4. Mehler L. N., et al. California Surveillance for Pesticide-Related Illness and Injury: Coverage, Bias, and Limitations. Journal of Agromedicine. 2006. Vol. 11(2), pp. 67–79.

5. U.S. House of Representatives. Hidden Tragedy: Underreporting of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses. Committee on Education and Labor. Washington: Government. 2008.

6. Ruser, J. W. Examining Evidence on Whether BLS Undercounts Workplace Injuries and Illnesses. Monthly Labor Review. August 2008. Pp. 20–32.

7.Calvert, G., et al. Acute pesticide poisoning among agricultural workers in the United States, 1998– 2005. Journal of Industrial Medicine. 2008. Vol. 51 (12), pp. 883–898.

To increase awareness among health care professionals on how to identify and treat pesticide poisonings EPA, in conjunction with other federal agencies and organizations, leads the National Strategies for Health Care Providers: Pesticides Initiative (HCPPI). The Implementation Plan (IP) for the Pesticides Initiative sets out a three-pronged strategy for improving the recognition, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of pesticide-related health conditions by healthcare providers: (1) healthcare provider formal professional education, such as medical or nursing school; (2) target the practice setting in which a provider works and participates in professional development; (3) identify the resources and tools that providers need to deal effectively with pesticide-related health conditions in their practice and communities.

The Initiative’s key educational competencies and practice skills are outlined in the document ‘‘National Pesticide Competency and Practice Skills Guidelines for Medical and Nursing Education and Practice” (NEETF and EPA, 2003). The competency guidelines indicate possible ‘points of insertion’ for integrating pesticide health education, including the diagnosis and treatment of pesticide-related illnesses into the educational curricula of medical, nursing, and other healthcare provider programs.

Over the past decade, recognizing the healthcare needs of the farmworker community and individuals exposed to pesticides, OPP has funded several cooperative agreements to: (1) integrate the Initiative's core educational competencies into the formal education of clinicians,

(2) provide training and technical support to improve the recognition, treatment and prevention of pesticide related illnesses within community health clinics focused on addressing the needs of the farmworker community, and (3) develop new resources and tools for training on pesticide-related health conditions, such as the Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings: 6th Edition manual (RMPP). The competency and practice skills guidelines along with EPA’s RMPP manual continue to act as resources for educators and trainers seeking to introduce the healthcare community to effective methods of addressing pesticide related illness.

EPA continues to further the goals identified in the initial stages of the HCPPI: to increase acceptance of the need for education regarding pesticide related health conditions; provide effective programs and resources for stakeholders; and improving pesticide incidents monitoring and surveillance efforts by encouraging enhanced reporting of pesticide related incidents. It is EPA’s intent to continue to advance the medical community’s ability to address the healthcare needs of the agricultural community and individuals exposed to pesticides, as well as to address other emerging pesticide related healthcare challenges.

B. Scope of Work

1. Purpose and Scope The cooperative agreement(s) awarded under this program is/are intended to provide financial assistance to continue, expand and enhance the EPA’s National Strategies for Health Care Providers: Pesticides Initiatives (HCPPI) in order to address environmental http://www.migrantclinician.org/files/resourcebox/NEETFPesticidePracticeGuidelines.pdf http://www.migrantclinician.org/files/resourcebox/NEETFPesticidePracticeGuidelines.pdf https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/pesticide-poisoning-handbook-complete-document https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/pesticide-poisoning-handbook-complete-document http://www.migrantclinician.org/files/resourcebox/NEETFPesticidePracticeGuidelines.pdf justice concerns of the farmworker and agricultural community regarding disproportionate impact of pesticide use. The scope of work involves:

a) Conducting a national training program on the recognition, management and prevention of pesticide related health conditions and reporting of pesticide related incidents to persons who are, or will be involved with, healthcare and/or treatment (“healthcare community”) of agricultural workers, pesticide handlers, pesticide applicators and their families (“agricultural community”).

a) Conducting outreach and form partnerships to raise awareness, foster program support and develop leaders.

b) Providing technical assistance to partners and stakeholders to encourage the adoption of materials and tools.

c) Developing materials and tools that support the program and its partners and stakeholders.

2. Activities to be Funded The activities conducted under the cooperative agreement(s) will encourage the adoption of healthcare practices to improve the recognition and treatment of pesticide-related illness and injury by healthcare providers and others, raise awareness of the need for such adoption, and increase the reporting of incidents related to pesticide exposure.

Examples of activities to be funded include, but are not limited to:

a) Training

• Conduct trainings.

• Offer accredited continuing education courses.

• Provide opportunities for distance learning.

b) Tools and Materials

• Update and enhance existing training curricula to integrate the core practice skills and the fundamentals of addressing pesticide poisoning (ex. students in residencies, internships, practicum programs, etc.).

• Develop new training and resource materials.

• Develop software applications, tools, mobile apps, etc. designed for the medical community to deal effectively with pesticide related health conditions.

• Develop (or enhance existing) teaching materials (curriculum and online) videos, etc. to support healthcare providers that serve agricultural communities with emphasis on preventing pesticide exposure and incidents at work and home. Taking into consideration:

o The revised Worker Protection Standard (WPS) regarding emergency assistance, what incident information must be collected, pesticide incident reporting requirements on states, medical evaluation and fit testing for respirators.

o Take home exposure of farmworker families.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=9c977dceaf9c753cb49aa3cd453ae7a6&mc=true&node=pt40.24.170&rgn=div5 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=9c977dceaf9c753cb49aa3cd453ae7a6&mc=true&node=pt40.24.170&rgn=div5#se40.26.170_1160 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=9c977dceaf9c753cb49aa3cd453ae7a6&mc=true&node=pt40.24.170&rgn=div5#se40.26.170_1160 http://www.agrisafe.org/respirator-medical-evaluation http://www.agrisafe.org/respirator-fit-testing http://www.agrisafe.org/respirator-fit-testing o High risk populations such as Pregnant workers and children.

• Develop evaluation tools (or utilize or enhance existing tools) to gauge the effectiveness of any/all programs.

c) Technical Assistance

• Provide regular technical assistance to encourage the adoption of programs.

• Work with health care delivery settings to foster changes in the Electronic

Health Record system (EHR).

• Develop clinical decision support tools with content specific to the EHR (e.g., patient guidance, educational resources, and easy access to reporting tools)

• Promote use of Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) guidelines and clinical protocols such as but not limited to Migrant Clinician’s Network (MCN) Pesticide Clinical Guidelines and Pesticide Exposure Assessment Form

• Promote data collection regarding occupational and other risk factors that identify patients/populations with a high risk profile.

d) Outreach and Partnerships

• Develop a marketing plan to ensure the materials, best practices and methods developed under this cooperative agreement are available to all parties to utilize so that the public fully benefits from efforts funded under this agreement.

• Promote and provide access to relevant materials, tools and best practices generated through the HCPPI, through trainings, publications, outreach literature, and/or presence at relevant regional and national meetings providing opportunities for communication with stakeholders.

• Organize strategic meetings, collaborate with and/or partner with stakeholders in the healthcare and agricultural communities.

C. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage & Anticipated Outcomes, Outputs & Performance Measures Pursuant to Section 6a of EPA Order 5700.7, “Environmental Results under EPA Assistance Agreements,” EPA must link proposed assistance agreements to the Agency’s Strategic Plan.

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

3. Linkage to EPA Strategic Plan.

All applicants must support progress towards meeting EPA’s 2014-2018 Strategic Plan Goal 4 “Ensuring the Safety of Chemicals and Preventing Pollution” which states “reduce the risk and increase the safety of chemicals and prevent pollution at the source” and Objective 4.1 “Ensure Chemical Safety”, which states “reduce the risk and increase the https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/reduce-your-childs-chances-pesticide-poisoning http://www.migrantclinician.org/toolsource/tool-box/pesticide-clinical-guidelines.html http://www.migrantclinician.org/toolsource/tool-box/pesticide-clinical-guidelines.html https://www.epa.gov/grants/linking-assistance-agreements-environmental-results safety of chemicals that enter our products, our environment, and our bodies.” To see EPA’s Strategic Plan, visit https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan

EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs works to address the safe use of pesticides and assess the associated risks to human health and the environment. Specifically, EPA’s Pesticides and National Strategies for Healthcare Providers, Training Program will continue to support education and training of the healthcare community on how to recognize, diagnose, manage, and prevent adverse health effects from pesticide exposures. The program will also sponsor the development of tools and resources for the healthcare community to deal effectively with pesticide related health conditions.

4. Outputs.

The term “output” means an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work products related to an environmental goal and objective, produced or provided over a period of time or by a specified date. Outputs may be quantitative or qualitative but must be measurable during an assistance-agreement funding period.

Examples of anticipated outputs from the cooperative agreement to be awarded under this announcement include, but are not limited to:

a) Training A number of:

• training sessions using the training models.

• accredited continuing education courses.

• hands-on practice sessions.

• training sessions for any/all partners and stakeholders.

b) Tools and Materials

• A number of training models developed and tested for primary health care providers that incorporates key practice skills for the recognition and treatment of pesticide poisonings

• A number/quality of resources created and/or distributed to clinicians and other stakeholders.

• A marketing plan that accompanies each resource and tool developed.

• One or more new resources developed each project year, such as:

o Mobile applications (mobile apps) and mobile technologies and provide platforms compatible with poisoning surveillance and monitoring systems to more easily report pesticide exposures o Materials or resources (new or updated) that promote the recognition, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of pesticide poisonings in the practice setting

• A website that is updated and maintained for access to pesticide related resources and links to partners, and tools such as information on state requirements for reporting pesticide-related incidents (e.g., MCN’s https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan http://www.migrantclinician.org/issues/occupational-health/pesticides/reporting-illnesses.html

Pesticide Reporting and Workers' Compensation in Agriculture - Interactive Map)

• Six or more pesticide-related articles written and placed in relevant media each year, and the estimated audiences.

• An evaluation tool to determine the effectives of programs.

c) Technical Assistance

• A number of stakeholders receiving technical assistance to integrate the core skills into practice.

• A number of stakeholders receiving technical assistance on the use of the

EHR.

d) Outreach and Partnerships

• A minimum of 10 strategic meetings organized and facilitated to promote the recognition, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of pesticide poisonings in the medical practice setting.

• A number of new partnerships developed and existing partnerships maintained, and the number of people involved in those partnerships.

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

Examples of anticipated environmental outcomes from the cooperative agreement to be awarded under this announcement include, but are not limited to:

a) An expansion of the reach, impact and effectiveness of the HCPPI.

b) An overall increase in the recognition and treatment of pesticide related illness and injury by those involved in health care and/or treatment of persons of the agricultural community.

c) An increased awareness of the importance and need to report pesticide illness and injuries and utilize existing surveillance systems.

d) Improved health of communities at risk for occupational exposure to pesticides.

e) Increased awareness in communities of the need to reduce the negative impact on minority and low-income populations of farmworkers and farmworker children through improved healthcare.

f) A decrease in illness and injury to humans, communities and ecosystem from exposure to pesticides.

g) Improved protection of humans and the environment from illness and injury from exposure to pesticides.

h) An establishment of sustainable networks.

6. Performance Measures The applicant should develop and describe performance measures they expect to achieve through the proposed activities. Performance measures will help gather insights and will be the mechanism to track progress on the project. In addition, performance measures will provide the basis for developing lessons to inform future projects. It is expected that the description of performance measures will include the following:

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

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

c) A final report that demonstrates the success of the program provides lessons learned, suggests how to carry the program forward and build on its success, and feedback from stakeholders on needed tools and resources.

D. Statutory Authority The statutory authority for this action is Section 20 of Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 7 U.S.C. 136r which authorizes the Agency to issue assistance agreements for research, public education, training, monitoring, demonstration and studies.

This cooperative agreement will support FIFRA by addressing the healthcare needs of individuals exposed to pesticides as well as other emerging pesticide related healthcare challenges while supporting the evolving ability of the medical community to tackle the health concerns of the farmworker community.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. What is the amount of funding available?

The total estimated amount available for award under this announcement is up to $2,500,000, depending on availability of funds. EPA anticipates awarding an estimated $500,000 for fiscal year 2017. At the conclusion of the first year period of performance, incremental funding of an estimated $500,000 may be made available for each additional year allowing the project to continue for a total of five (5) years depending on Agency priorities, available funding levels, satisfactory performance of the recipient and other applicable considerations. EPA reserves the right to reject all applications and make no awards.

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

EPA anticipates awarding one cooperative agreement subject to the availability of funds and quality of evaluated applications, and other applicable considerations. In addition, EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy and guidance, if additional funding becomes available after the original selections are made. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months from the date of the original selection decision.

C. Partial Funding

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

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

The estimated project period for the award resulting from this solicitation will begin in October 2017. The proposed project period is up to five (5) years.

E. What type of award(s) will EPA make resulting from this solicitation?

The funding for selected project(s) will be in the form of a cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements permit substantial involvement between the EPA Project Officer and the selected applicants in the performance of the work supported. Although EPA will negotiate precise terms and conditions relating to substantial involvement as part of the award process, the anticipated substantial Federal involvement for this project will be:

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

2. Collaboration during performance of the scope of work;

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

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

5. Review and approval of the substantive terms of subaward agreements; and

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

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Entities In accordance with CFDA 66.716 – Research, Development, Monitoring, Public Education, Training, demonstrations and Studies, and the EPA’s Assistance Agreement Competition Policy (EPA Order 5700.5A1), applications will be accepted from states;

U.S. territories or possessions; federally recognized Indian tribal governments and Native American organizations; public and private universities and colleges; hospitals, laboratories, other public or private nonprofit institutions; local governments; and international entities. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply.

Non-profit organization, as defined by 2 CFR Part 200, means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative or other organization that: (1) is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable or similar purposes in the public interest; (2) is not organized primarily for profit; and

(3) uses its net proceeds to maintain, improve and/or expand its operations. Note that 2 CFR Part 200 specifically excludes the following types of organizations from the definition of “non-profit organization” because they are separately defined in the regulation: (i) institutions of higher education; and (ii) state, local and federally-recognized Indian tribal governments. While not considered to be a “non-profit organization(s)” as defined by 2 CFR Part 200, Institutions of Higher Education and state, local and federally-recognized Indian tribal governments are, nevertheless, eligible to submit applications under this RFA. Hospitals operated by state, tribal, or local governments or that meet the definition of nonprofit at 2 CFR 200.70 are also eligible to apply.

For-profit colleges, universities, trade schools, and hospitals are ineligible. For-profit organizations are not an eligible entity for this funding opportunity. Additionally, non-profit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible to apply.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

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

C. Threshold Eligibility Requirements

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

1.

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

b. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov as stated in Section IV of this announcement (except in the limited circumstances where another mode of submission is specifically allowed for as explained in Section IV) on or before the proposal submission deadline published in Section IV of this announcement.

Applicants are responsible for following the submission instructions in Section IV of this announcement to ensure that their proposal/application is timely submitted.

c. Applications submitted after the submission deadline will be considered late and deemed ineligible without further consideration unless the applicant can clearly demonstrate that is 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 www.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 Ana Rivera-Lupiañez at rivera-lupianez.ana@epa.gov or 703-308-6841 as soon as possible after the submission deadline – failure to do so will result in your proposal not being reviewed.

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

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

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

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

6. Applications must support EPA Strategic Plan Goal 4 “Ensuring the Safety of Chemicals and Preventing Pollution”. (See Section I)

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

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

9. All in-person meetings (including conferences and workshops) must take place in the U.S.

10. Ineligible activities: If a proposal is submitted that includes any ineligible tasks or activities (e.g. trainee stipends), that portion of the proposal will be ineligible for funding and may, depending on the extent to which it affects the proposal, render the entire proposal ineligible for funding.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

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

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:rivera-lupianez.ana@epa.gov mailto:rivera-lupianez.ana@epa.gov mailto:OGDWaivers@epa.gov

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) EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-003

• Organization Name and Data Universal Number System (DUNS);

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

• An explanation of how they lack the technical capability to apply electronically through Grants.gov because of 1) limited internet access or 2) no internet access which prevents them from being able to upload the required application materials through Grants.gov.

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

If an exception is granted, it is valid for submissions to EPA for the remainder of the entire calendar year in which the exception was approved and can be used to justify alternative submission methods for application submissions made through December 31 of the calendar year in which the exception was approved (e.g., if the exception was approved on March 1, 2017, it is valid for any competitive or non-competitive application submission to EPA through December 31, 2017). Applicants need only request an exception once in a calendar year and all exceptions will expire on December 31 of that calendar year. Applicants must request a new exception from required electronic submission through Grants.gov for submissions for any succeeding calendar year. For example, if there is a competitive opportunity issued on December 1, 2017 with a submission deadline of January 15, 2018, the applicant would need a new exception to submit through alternative methods beginning January 1, 2018.

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

B. Submission Instructions

The electronic submission of your application must be made by an official representative of your institution who is registered with Grants.gov and is authorized to sign applications for Federal assistance. For more information on the registration requirements that must be completed in order to submit an application through grants.gov, go to Grants.gov and click on “Applicants” on the top of the page and then go to the “Get Registered” link on the page. If your organization is not currently registered with Grants.gov, please encourage your office to designate an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and ask that individual to begin the registration process as soon as possible. Please note that the registration process also requires that your organization have a DUNS number and a current registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) and the process of obtaining both could take a month or more. Applicants must ensure that all registration requirements are met in order to apply for this opportunity through grants.gov and should ensure that all such requirements have been met well in advance of the submission deadline. Registration on grants.gov, SAM.gov, and DUNS number assignment is FREE.

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

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

You may also be able to access the application package for this announcement by searching for the opportunity on Grants.gov. Go to Grants.gov and then click on “Search Grants” at the top of the page and enter the Funding Opportunity Number, EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-003, or the CFDA number that applies to the announcement (CFDA 66.716), in the appropriate field and click the Search button. Alternatively, you may be able to access the application package by clicking on the Package button at the top right of the synopsis page for the announcement on Grants.gov. To find http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support/technical-support/software/adobe-reader-compatibility.html the synopsis page, go to Grants.gov and click “Browse Agencies” in the middle of the page and then go to “Environmental Protection Agency” to find the EPA funding opportunities.

Please note that Grants.gov is strongly encouraging users to sign up for and use their “Workspace” feature when applying for opportunities. Grants.gov will be phasing out the “legacy” application process, so EPA recommends that all applicants begin using Workspace as soon as possible so they are prepared when the “legacy” application process is no longer available.

Application Submission Deadline: Your organization’s AOR must submit your complete application package electronically to EPA through Grants.gov no later than July 20, 2017.

Please allow for enough time to successfully submit your application process and allow for unexpected errors that may require you to resubmit.

Please submit all of the application materials described below using the grants.gov application package that you downloaded using the instructions above. For additional instructions on completing and submitting the electronic application package, click on the “Show Instructions” tab that is accessible within the application package itself.

Application Materials

The following forms and documents are required under this announcement:

Mandatory Documents:

1. Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

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

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

4. Grants.gov Lobbying Form

5. EPA Key Contacts Form 5700-54

6. EPA Form 4700-4 – Preaward Compliance Review Report

7. Narrative Proposal (Project Narrative)-prepared as described in Section IV of this announcement.

Optional Documents:

1. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL), if applicable

Applications submitted through Grants.gov will be time and date stamped electronically.

If you have not received a confirmation of receipt from EPA (not from Grants.gov) within 30 days of the application deadline, please contact Ana Rivera-Lupiáñez, at (703) 308-6841.

Failure to do so may result in your application not being reviewed.

C. Technical Issues with Submission

1. Once the application package has been completed, the “Submit” button should be enabled.

If the “Submit” button is not active, please call Grants.gov for assistance at 1-800-518- 4726. Applicants who are outside the U.S. at the time of submittal and are not able to access the toll-free number may reach a Grants.gov representative by calling 606-545- 5035. Applicants should save the completed application package with two different file names before providing it to the AOR to avoid having to re-create the package should submission problems be experienced or a revised application needs to be submitted.

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html http://www.grants.gov/

2. Submitting the application. The application package must be transferred to Grants.gov by an AOR. The AOR should close all other software before attempting to submit the application package. Click the “submit” button of the application package. Your Internet browser will launch and a sign-in page will appear. Note: Minor problems are not uncommon with transfers to Grants.gov. It is essential to allow sufficient time to ensure that your application is submitted to Grants.gov BEFORE the due date identified in Section IV of the solicitation. The Grants.gov support desk operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except Federal Holidays.

A successful transfer will end with an on-screen acknowledgement. For documentation purposes, print or screen capture this acknowledgement. If a submission problem occurs, reboot the computer – turning the power off may be necessary – and re-attempt the submission.

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

3. Transmission Difficulties. If transmission difficulties that result in a late transmission, no transmission, or rejection of the transmitted application are experienced, and following the above instructions does not resolve the problem so that the application is submitted to Grants.gov by the deadline date and time, follow the guidance below. The Agency will make a decision concerning acceptance of each late submission on a case-by-case basis.

All emails, as described below, are to be sent to Ana Rivera-Lupiañez at rivera-lupianez.ana@epa.gov with the FON in the subject line. If you are unable to email, contact Ana Rivera-Lupiañez at (703) 308-6841. Be aware that EPA will only consider accepting applications that were unable to transmit due to Grants.gov or relevant www.Sam.gov system issues or for unforeseen exigent circumstances, such as extreme weather interfering with internet access. Failure of an applicant to submit timely because they did not properly or timely register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov is not an acceptable reason to justify acceptance of a late submittal.

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

(703) 308-6841.

b. Unsuccessful transfer of the application package: If a successful transfer of the application cannot be accomplished even with assistance from Grants.gov due to electronic submission system issues or unforeseen exigent circumstances, send an email message to Ana Rivera-Lupiañez at rivera-lupianez.ana@epa.gov prior to the application deadline. The email message must document the problem and include the Grants.gov case number as well as the entire application in PDF format as an attachment.

http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:rivera-lupianez.ana@epa.gov mailto:rivera-lupianez.ana@epa.gov http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:rivera-lupianez.ana@epa.gov

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

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

D. Content of Application Package Submission

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

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

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

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

3. SF 424B, Non-Construction Programs

4. SF 6600-06, Certification Regarding Lobbying

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

Federal Financial Assistance

6. EPA Form 5700-54, Key Contacts Form

7. Narrative Proposal (as described below)

Narrative Proposal The Narrative Proposal must contain all parts (1 through 3) described below, in sequential order as shown. Each page must be numbered, formatted for 8.5 x 11inch paper, single-spaced and text in 11-point font. Electronic files must be legible and in Adobe Acrobat PDF or MS Word for Windows. The project narrative cannot exceed the page limits identified below. Each page past the limit will not be considered. Federal forms, resumes and letters will not count toward any page limit.

1. Cover Page (Page 1- one-page limit). The cover page must list the following information with the letterhead for your organization:

· EPA funding opportunity number: [EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-003]

· Project Title:

mailto:rivera-lupianez.ana@epa.gov http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.epa.gov/ogd/ http://www.epa.gov/ogd/forms/forms.htm http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform http://www.epa.gov/ogd/forms/forms.htm

· Project Coordinator:

· Organization Name and Address:

· Telephone No.: Fax No.: Email Address:

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

· First Year Funding Request:

· Total Funding Request (for the entire project):

· DUNS number:

2. Table of Contents (Page 2 – two-page limit): A table listing the different parts of the application and the page number on which each part begins.

3. Executive Summary (page 3 – three - page limit). A stand-alone, concise description of the project with objectives, outputs, and outcomes; and an assurance that your organization meets the eligibility factors, as listed in Section III (Eligibility Information).

4. Narrative Proposal Work-Plan (20 pages or less).

The narrative proposal work-plan must directly and explicitly describe how the proposed project meets the guidelines in Sections I – III of this announcement (including the requirements in Section I and the threshold eligibility criteria in Section III) and all evaluation criteria set forth in Section V.

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

Project title

Part I. Project Summary and Approach

a. Purpose Statement A one sentence description of what will be accomplished as a result of the project.

b. Project Goal and Objectives (See section I) Describe a plan that includes the following:

• Stated goal and a numbered list of concisely written objective(s);

• How the goal and objectives are linked to EPA Strategic Plan Goal 4, Objective 4.1;

• A list of outputs and results expected from the outputs;

• A list of outcomes and anticipated changes or benefits to human health and the environment as a result of the outcomes; and

• An approach for tracking and reporting progress toward achieving the expected outputs and outcomes.

c. Project Design

Describe in detail the approach and plan for establishing a program with national coverage, that continues, expands and enhances the HCPPI, and includes:

• How the overall approach and plan will meet program objectives.

• A list of outputs with expected results, and expected outcomes with the anticipated changes or benefits to human health and the environment.

• An approach for tracking and reporting progress toward achieving the expected outputs and outcomes. Clearly describe the expected project outputs and outcomes and how progress towards achieving them will be tracked and measured, and how the project will be evaluated.

• How lessons learned from previous or existing efforts will be used or considered for this project.

• The reports and content of reports to EPA.

d. Project Milestone Schedule Provide a milestone schedule that (1) covers each of the five years of the cooperative agreement, with a breakout of the project activities into phases with associated tasks and a timeframe for completion of tasks and (2) includes an approach to ensure that funds are awarded and expended in a timely and efficient manner.

Part II. Programmatic Capability and Environmental Results Past Performance Submit a list of federally and/or non-federally funded assistance agreements (assistance agreements include Federal grants and cooperative agreements but not Federal contracts) similar in size, scope and relevance to the proposed project that your organization managed within the last three years (no more than 5 agreements, and preferably EPA agreements) and describe (1) whether and how you were able to successfully complete and manage those agreements and (2) your history of meeting the…