rfa-psep-epa-opp-2015-003 (rev. 5.19.15).pdf

US Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticide Programs

Funding Opportunity Announcement:

Funds Distribution Program (FDP) for Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEPs)

(EPA-OPP-2015-003)

May 7, 2015 Revised on May 19, 2015

Funding Opportunity Announcement: Funds Distribution Program (FDP) for Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEPs)

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

A. 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), Certification and Worker Protection Branch

(CWPB).

B. Funding Opportunity Title: Funds Distribution Program (FDP) for Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEPs).

C. Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-OPP-2015-003

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

E. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 66.716-Surveys, Studies, Investigations, Training, Demonstration & Education Outreach

F. Statutory Authority: Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), Section 20.

G. Dates: Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov on or before June 22, 2015 by midnight Eastern Time. Applications received after the closing date and time will not be considered for funding. The estimated project period for the award resulting from this solicitation will begin in October 2015. The proposed project period is up to five

(5) years.

H. Brief Description: The Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) is soliciting applications from organizations to distribute funds (Funds Distribution Program “FDP”) to established, federally recognized Pesticide Safety Education Programs (PSEPs). Funds will be distributed for fiscal years (FY) 2015 through FY 2019. Eligible to apply are: 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, and local governments. Under this program OPP will provide financial assistance on an annual basis to the recipient to distribute funds to PSEPs. In turn, PSEPs will use the funds to carry out the education and training of persons seeking to become certified pesticide applicators or to maintain existing pesticide applicator certification. The total estimated amount of funding for the cooperative agreement for the five-year period is up to $5,000,000. Up to $1,000,000 is expected to be available in FY 2015. Incremental funding up to $1,000,000 will be made available for

Funding Opportunity No. EPA-OPP-2015-003 http:Grants.gov subsequent years depending on funding availability, satisfactory performance and other applicable considerations allowing the project to continue for a total of five years.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. History

In 1972, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) assigned the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authority to regulate the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of pesticides. It also requires anyone purchasing, using, or supervising the use of restricted-use pesticides (RUPs) to be a certified applicator. Restricted-use pesticides are limited to use by pesticide applicators who are certified, or to people under the supervision of a certified applicator. EPA classifies a pesticide as restricted use if it poses unreasonable risks to the applicator, other people, or the environment, and requires assurances the applicator be certified.

Certification is a process by which a person demonstrates they are competent to use restricted use pesticides in the course of their occupation. Certification is administered by pesticide regulatory agencies in states, tribes, territories, the District of Columbia and federal agencies.

Federal regulations at 40 CFR 171 establish rules and procedures as well as standards of competency for pesticide applicators. Pesticide regulatory agencies set requirements on how to become a certified applicator and maintain certification; and use federal standards as a basis to determine whether a person is competent to become a certified applicator.

The education and training of pesticide applicators is primarily conducted by PSEPs.

Coordinators of PSEPs conduct a variety of activities to educate and train pesticide applicators, including but not limited to: the development and presentation of in-person and on-line programs, the development and distribution of written materials. The goals of PSEPs are to ensure that pesticide applicators have the requisite knowledge to handle and apply pesticides in a manner that protects human health and the environment.

B. Authority

EPA expects to award an assistance agreement under the authority provided in Section 20 of FIFRA, 7 U.S.C. 136r which authorizes the Agency to issue assistance agreements for research, public education, training, monitoring, demonstration and studies. The FDP-PSEPs agreement will primarily support FIFRA through education and training of pesticide applicators of restricted use pesticides. Regulations governing agreements are found at 2 CFR Parts 200 and 1500. All costs incurred under this program must be allowable under 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E in accordance with applicable law, regulations, and policy, any recipient of funding must agree to comply with restrictions on using assistance funds for unauthorized lobbying, fund-raising, or political activities (i.e., lobbying members of Congress or lobbying for other federal grants, cooperative agreements or contracts. See 2 CFR 200.450). Funds generally cannot be used to pay for travel by federal agency staff. Proposed project activities must also comply with all state and federal regulations applicable to the project area. The applicant must also review the solicitation for any other programmatic funding restrictions applicable to this program. If awarded funding, the recipient must refer to the terms and conditions of its award for other funding restrictions applicable to this award. It is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure compliance with these requirements.

C. Program Description

1. Purpose and Scope

The cooperative agreement awarded under this program is intended to provide financial assistance to distribute funds each fiscal year in an equitable manner to established, federally-recognized PSEPs.

2. Goal and Objectives

EPA expects that the recipient to use funds provided under this solicitation to develop a program and distribute funds to established federally-recognized PSEPs ( See http://www.ipmcenters.org/index.cfm/ipm-databases/key-contact-databases ). The goal of the FDP is to protect humans, the environment and ecosystems through the safe use of pesticides. The objectives are to provide financial assistance to PSEPs who will in turn use the funds on the education and training of certified pesticide applicators of restricted use pesticides.

Funds can be used for wages, salary, benefits, goods, services, travel, or equipment to carry out such activities.

3. Activities to be Funded

Funds under this cooperative agreement may be used, as funds allow, to:

funds;

http://www.ipmcenters.org/index.cfm/ipm-databases/key-contact-databases

l. Ninety days after the end of the fiscal year, provide EPA with a brief report on the outputs and outcomes overall and by entity.

D. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage and Anticipated Outputs and Outcomes 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 grant applicants and recipients adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements (see EPA Order 5700.7, Environmental Results under Assistance Agreements, http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/award/5700.7.pdf).

1. Linkage to EPA Strategic Plan /GPRA Architecture

The award to be made under this announcement will support EPA Strategic Plan Goal 4:

Ensuring the Safety of Chemicals and Preventing Pollution, Objective 4.1: Ensure Chemical Safety. To see EPA’s 2014-2018 Strategic Plan visit:

http://www2.epa.gov/planandbudget/fy-2014-2018-strategic-plan.

2. 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.

The anticipated outputs of this cooperative agreement include but are not limited to:

a. Equitable distribution of funds to PSEPs for the education and training of certified pesticide applicators;

b. A range of opportunities for pesticide applicator to maintain certification through quality PSEP programs; and

c. A report of PSEPs programs and activities to educate and train certified pesticide applicators so they have the requisite knowledge to safely handle and apply pesticides.

3. 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, healthrelated or programmatic in nature, but must be quantitative and correlate with the objectives of the FDP of PSEPs. They may not necessarily be achievable within an assistance agreement funding period.

Examples of anticipated outcomes include:

Funding Opportunity No. EPA-OPP-2015-003 http://www2.epa.gov/planandbudget/fy-2014-2018-strategic-plan http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/award/5700.7.pdf

a. Enhanced capabilities of PSEPs to educate and train pesticide applicators on the safe use of pesticides;

b. Pesticide applicators demonstrate competency to safely use pesticides by becoming a certified applicator and maintaining certification;

4. Performance Measures

The applicant should also develop performance measures they expect to achieve through the proposed activities and describe them in the application. These performance measures will help gather insights and will be the mechanism to track progress concerning successful process and outcome strategies and will provide the basis for developing lessons to inform future recipients. It is expected that the description of performance measures will include the following:

• oversight of project partners;

• oversight of PSEP reports on outputs and outcomes;

• tracking and reporting project progress on the distribution of funds, expenditures, purchases, and other fiscal activities;

• tracking and reporting actual accomplishments versus proposed outputs/outcomes and proposed timelines/milestones; D measuring and reporting on outcomes.

The following are questions to consider when developing output and outcome measures of quantitative and qualitative results:

i) What are the measurable short term and longer term results the project will achieve?

ii) How does the plan measure progress in achieving the expected results (including outputs and outcomes) and how will the approach use resources effectively and efficiently?

II. Award Information

A. Amount of Funding Available

The total estimated funding expected to be available for award under this announcement is up to $5,000,000, subject to the availability of funds. EPA anticipates awarding up to $1,000,000 for FY 2015. In July 2016 at the conclusion of the first year period of performance, incremental funding of up to $1,000,000 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. Total Number of Awards

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, 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 selection.

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. Start Date/Project Duration

The estimated project period for the award resulting from this solicitation will begin in October 2015. The proposed project period is up to five (5) years.

E. Funding Type

Successful applicants will be issued a cooperative agreement as appropriate. A cooperative agreement is an assistance agreement grant in which substantial EPA programmatic involvement is anticipated during the performance of the project. EPA awards cooperative agreements for those projects in which it expects to have substantial involvement 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 317 and 2 CFR 318, review of proposed procurements; reviewing qualifications of key personnel; and/or review and comment on the content of printed or electronic publications prepared under the cooperative agreement. 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.

F. Pre-award Costs

In accordance with 2 CFR 1500.8, EPA award recipients may incur allowable project costs 90 calendar days before the Federal awarding agency makes the Federal award. Expenses more than 90 calendar days pre-award require prior approval of EPA. All costs incurred before EPA makes the award are at the recipient’s risk. EPA is under no obligation to reimburse such costs if for any reason the recipient does not receive a Federal award or if the Federal award is less than anticipated and inadequate to cover such costs.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

Consistent with the Applicant Eligibility Section of CFDA 66.716 - Research, Development, Monitoring, Public Education, Training, Demonstrations, and Studies, and the EPA’s Assistance Agreement Competition Policy (EPA Order 5700.5A1), competition under this announcement is being limited to a subset of eligible applicants. Under this competition, EPA will accept applications from the following eligible applicants: 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 and local governments.

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 OMB Circular A-122 specifically excludes the following types of organizations from the definition of “non-profit organization” because they are separately defined in the Circular: (i) colleges and universities; (ii) hospitals; (iii) state, local and federally-recognized Indian tribal governments; and (iv) those non-profit organizations that are excluded from coverage of this Circular in accordance with paragraph 5 of the Circular. While not considered to be a “non-profit organization(s)” as defined by OMB Circular A-122, colleges and universities, hospitals, state, local and federally-recognized Indian tribal governments are, nevertheless, eligible to submit applications under OMB Circular A-122 and this RFA.

For-profit organizations, individuals and international entities are not eligible entities 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/Matching

No matching funds are required under this competition. Although cost-sharing/matching is not required as a condition of eligibility under this competition, under Section V of this announcement EPA will evaluate proposals based on a leveraging criterion. Leveraging is generally when an applicant proposes to provide its own additional funds/resources or those from third party sources to support or complement the project they are awarded under the competition that are above and beyond the EPA grant funds awarded. Any leveraged funds/resources, and their source, must be identified in the proposal (See Section IV of the announcement). Leveraged funds and resources may take various forms as noted below.

Voluntary cost share is a form of leveraging. Voluntary cost sharing is when an applicant voluntarily proposes to legally commit to provide costs or contributions to support the project when a cost share is not required. Applicants who propose to use a voluntary cost share must include the costs or contributions for the voluntary cost share in the project budget on the SF-

424. If an applicant proposes a voluntary cost share, the following apply:

• A voluntary cost share is subject to the match provisions in the grant regulation, 2 CFR Part 200 as applicable.

unless the statute authorizing the other federal funding provides that the federal funds may be used to meet a cost share requirement on a federal grant.

The recipient is legally obligated to meet any proposed voluntary cost share that is included in the approved project budget. If the proposed voluntary cost share does not materialize during grant performance, then EPA may reconsider the legitimacy of the award and/or take other appropriate action as authorized by 2 CFR Part 200 as applicable.

Other leveraged funding/resources that are not identified as a voluntary cost share-this form of leveraging may be met by funding from another federal grant, from an applicant's own resources, or resources from other third party sources. This form of leveraging should not be included in the budget and the costs need not be eligible and allowable project costs under the EPA assistance agreement. While this form of leveraging should not be included in the budget, the grant work plan should include a statement indicating that the applicant is expected to produce the proposed leveraging consistent with the terms of the announcement and the applicant's proposal. If applicants propose to provide this form of leveraging, EPA expects them to make the effort to secure the leveraged resources described in their proposals. If the proposed leveraging does not materialize during grant performance, then EPA may reconsider the legitimacy of the award and/or take other appropriate action as authorized by 2 CFR Part 200 as applicable.

C. Threshold Eligibility Requirements

These requirements, if not met by the time of application submission, will result in the elimination of the application from consideration for funding. Only applications that meet all of these criteria will be evaluated against the ranking factors in Section V of the 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. Applicants must be eligible (See Section III. A) to receive funding under this announcement.

2. The application must address all of the activities to be funded. The activities to be funded are listed under Section I.C.3.

3. Initial applications must be submitted through http://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 application 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 application is timely submitted.

4. Applications submitted after the submission deadline will be considered late and deemed ineligible without further consideration unless the applicant can clearly demonstrate that it was late due to EPA mishandling or because of technical problems associated with Grants.gov or relevant SAM.gov system issues. An applicant’s failure to timely submit their application through Grants.gov because they did not timely or properly register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov will not be considered an acceptable reason to consider a late submission. Applicants should confirm receipt of their application with the Agency Contact listed in Section VII as soon as possible after the submission deadline – failure to do so may result in your application not being reviewed.

5. Multiple applications from the same project manager within an organization is not allowed. Only the first application from a project manager will be considered eligible.

Multiple applications from the same organization but different project managers are acceptable.

6. Applications must comply with the submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section IV of this announcement or else they will be rejected. Where page limitations are established, pages in excess of the page limitation will not be reviewed.

7. Applications must demonstrate that all meetings will be held in the contiguous United States.

8. Applications must contain specific outputs and outcomes and state how those will be measured and documented.

9. The maximum funding level requested for a project must not exceed $5,000,000.

Applications requesting more than the maximum will be rejected.

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

11. Ineligible activities: If an application is submitted that includes any ineligible tasks or activities, that portion of the application will be ineligible for funding and may, depending on the extent to which it affects the proposal, render the entire application ineligible for funding.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. How to Obtain Application Package

The required forms are available through EPA’s Office of Grants and Debarment website at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/how_to_apply.htm.

B. Requirement to Submit through Grants.gov and Limited Exception Procedures

Funding Opportunity No. EPA-OPP-2015-003 http:Grants.gov http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/how_to_apply.htm http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:http://www.grants.gov

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 http://www.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:

USEPA Headquarters William Jefferson Clinton Building 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.

Mail Code: 3903R Washington, DC 20460

Courier Address:

Ronald Reagan Building 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.

Rm # 51267 Washington, DC 20004

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

D Funding Opportunity Number (FON);

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 http://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

Funding Opportunity No. EPA-OPP-2015-003 http:http://www.grants.gov http:Grants.gov mailto:OGDWaivers@epa.gov http:http://www.grants.gov http:Grants.gov 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. 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, 2015 with a submission deadline of January 15, 2016, the applicant would need a new exception to submit through alternative methods beginning January 1, 2016.

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.

C. Application 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 http://www.grants.gov and click on “Applicants” on the top of the page and then go to the “Get Registered” section 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.

To begin the application process under this grant announcement, go to http://www.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. 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 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support/technicalsupport/software/adobe-reader-compatibility.html.

You may also be able to access the application package for this announcement by searching for the opportunity on http://www.grants.gov. Go to http://www.grants.gov and then click on “Search Grants” at the top of the page and enter the FON, EPA-OPP-2015-003, 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

Funding Opportunity No. EPA-OPP-2015-003 http:http://www.grants.gov http:http://www.grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support/technicalsupport/software/adobe-reader http:grants.gov http:http://www.grants.gov http:grants.gov http:grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:http://www.grants.gov http:Grants.gov the Application Package button at the top right of the synopsis page for the announcement on http://www.grants.gov. To find the synopsis page, go to http://www.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.

D. Application Submission Deadline

Applicants must submit a complete application package electronically to EPA through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) no later than June 22, 2015 by midnight Eastern Time.

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 in Section IV.F 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.

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 Jeanne Kasai at (703) 308-3240. Failure to do so may result in your application not being reviewed.

E. 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 1800-518-4726. 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. Investigators should save the completed application package with two different file names before providing it to the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) to avoid having to re-create the package should submission problems be experienced or a revised application needs to be submitted. NOTE: Revised applications must be submitted before the solicitation closing date and time.

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, Funding Opportunity No. EPA-OPP-2015-003 http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:grants.gov http:grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:http://www.grants.gov http:Grants.gov 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 http://www.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 Jeanne Kasai at kasai.jeanne@epa.gov the FON in the subject line. If you are unable to email, contact Jeanne Kasai at 703-308-3240. Be aware that EPA will only consider accepting applications that were unable to transmit due to http://www.grants.gov or relevant http://www.Sam.gov system issues or for unforeseen exigent circumstances, such as extreme weather interfering with Internet access. EPA will not accept applications that are unable to be submitted using Grants.gov because the applicant failed to register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov due to their own error.

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 Jeanne Kasai at 703- 3083240.

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 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.

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 promptly send an email to Jeanne Kasai at kasai.jeanne@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.

F. Content of Application Submission

The application package must include all of the following materials, in sequential order shown.

Funding Opportunity No. EPA-OPP-2015-003 http:Grants.gov mailto:kasai.jeanne@epa.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:Grants.gov http:http://www.Sam.gov http:http://www.grants.gov mailto:kasai.jeanne@epa.gov

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. Be sure to include organization fax number and e-mail address in Block 5 of the SF-424 form. Clearly state the total funding amount requested for the entire project period in Block 15.

Please note that the organizational Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number must be included on the SF-424. Organizations may obtain a DUNS number at no cost by calling the toll-free DUNS number request line at 1- 866705-5711. 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. The total amount of federal funding requested for the project period should be shown on line 5(e) and on line 6(k) of SF-424A. The amount of indirect costs should be entered on line 6(j). The indirect cost rate (i.e. a percentage), the base (e.g., personnel costs and fringe benefits), and the amount should also be indicated on line 22. Clearly state the total funding amount requested for the entire project period in Block 15.

3. EPA Form 5700-54, Key Contacts Complete the form available at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/forms/forms.htm. There are no attachments. If additional pages are needed, attach these additional pages to your front page in the form of a Microsoft Word document. Include a header on the additional pages with the form number and your name.

4. SF-424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs Complete the form available at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/forms/forms.htm. There are no attachments.

5. EPA Form 6600-06, Lobbying Form – Certification Regarding Lobbying Complete the form available at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/form/Lobbying_sec.pdf. There are no attachments.

Disregard the line in the upper right for inserting an EPA Project Control Number.

6. EPA Form 4700-4, Pre-Award Compliance Review Report Complete the form available at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/forms/forms.htm. There are no attachments.

7. Project Proposal NOTE: In developing a work plan, applicants should provide discussion on how activities and resources would be prioritized for a smaller budget allocation.

Funding Opportunity No. EPA-OPP-2015-003 http://www.epa.gov/ogd/forms/forms.htm http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/form/Lobbying_sec.pdf http://www.epa.gov/ogd/forms/forms.htm http://www.epa.gov/ogd/forms/forms.htm http://www.epa.gov/ogd/forms/forms.htm http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform http://www.epa.gov/ogd/forms/forms.htm

a. Cover Page (page 1): The cover page (one page) must list the following information with your letterhead:

EPA Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-OPP-2015-003 Project Title:

Project Coordinator:

Organization Name and Address:

Telephone No.: Fax No.: Email Address:

Project Duration (including Starting Date and Ending Date):

First Year Funding Request:

Subsequent Year Funding Requests, if applicable:

Total Funding Request (for the entire project):

Indicate if this application is for new activities connected with a previously funded EPA project. If yes, please provide the following: EPA Assistance Number:_________________

Budget Period of Project:_________________

b. Table of Contents (page 2): A one-page table listing the different parts of the proposal and the page number on which each part begins.

c. Executive Summary (page 3): Stand-alone, one-page document that concisely explains the objectives, outputs and outcomes of the proposed project. It must also include an assurance that the applicant meets the eligibility factors, as listed in Section III (Eligibility Information), are addressed in the application.

d. Project Narrative (20 pages or less): The project narrative must contain Parts I – V in sequential order as identified below. The project narrative must not exceed 20 pages typewritten on 8.5 x 11 inch paper, 1.5 line-spacing, Times New Roman font 12-point size.

Part I. Project Title

Part II. Project Goals and Objectives Include a numbered list of concisely written project objectives consistent with the purpose of this program and activities to be funded under this announcement (see Section I.C). These objectives should be concise, specific, realistic and measurable.

Part III. Project Approach and Design Describe in detail the project activities to be funded (see Section I.C.3 for activities to be included at a minimum). Indicate in detail the staff, resources, tools and methodologies that will be utilized. Describe how the project activities build upon or consider lessons learned from existing efforts and resources.

Part IV. Environmental Results – Outcomes, Outputs and Performance Measures Clearly describe the expected project outputs (see Section I.D.2 of this announcement) and how progress towards achieving the expected outputs will be tracked and measured.

Clearly describe expected outcomes (see Section I.D.3) and how progress towards achieving the expected outcomes, including what performance measurements, timeline of milestones, or other means will be used to track and measure your progress towards achieving the expected outcomes and outputs, and how the results of the project will be evaluated.

Part V. Past Performance – Programmatic Capability and Environmental Results Past Performance Explain your current state of knowledge and experience related to the purposes and objectives stated in Section I.C of this announcement.

Submit a list of federally and/or non-federally funded assistance agreements (assistance agreements include Federal, state or private grants and cooperative agreements but not contracts) similar in size, scope and relevance to the proposed project that your organization performed within the last three years. Submit no more than five agreements, and preferably EPA agreements. Describe (a) whether, and how, you were able to successfully complete and manage those agreements; (b) your history of meeting the reporting requirements under those agreements including whether you adequately and timely reported on your progress towards achieving the expected outputs and outcomes of those agreements (and if not, explain why not) and whether you submitted acceptable final technical reports under the agreement;

(c) the organizational experience and plan for timely and successfully achieving the objectives of the proposed project; (d) your history of complying with financial management regulations under the assistance agreements identified; and (e) whether you received adverse material findings made within the last 5 years by a federal auditor or an independent auditor under 2 CFR Part 200 subpart F. Please also provide name, phone number, and email address for the primary liaison for each listed agreement, such as the project officer or similar person, who is familiar with your performance under the agreement.

In evaluating applicants under criterion in Section V, EPA will consider the information provided by the applicant and may also consider relevant information from other sources, including information from EPA files and from current/prior grantors (e.g., to verify and/or supplement the information provided by the applicant). If you do not have any relevant or available past performance, past reporting information, or financial management experience please indicate this in the application and you will receive a neutral score for selection criterion under Section V.B.4 (a), (b), (d) and (e) of this project proposal (a neutral score is half of the total points available in a subset of possible points). If you have had no adverse material findings from audits, or have resolved adverse material findings without actions by federal agencies to disallow costs or impose special conditions, you will receive a favorable score for criterion (e). If you do not provide any response for (a), (b), (d) and (e), you may receive a score of 0 for these criteria.

8. Budget Narrative

In addition to the SF-424A form, prepare a detailed budget for allocation of $5,000,000 over five years with a narrative, explaining the need for funding under each of the appropriate budget categories as listed below. Link each task or activity from the project work plan to the associated resources needed to accomplish the activity.

Include sufficient detail for EPA to determine if the costs are eligible, allocable, reasonable, and allowable. For more information, see http://www.epa.gov/ogd/recipient/tips.htm and for guidelines and a sample budget, see http://www.epa.gov/ogd/recipient/ogd_budget_detail_guidance.pdf.

Personnel: Include only direct costs for salaries of those individuals who will perform work directly for the project. Identify the personnel type by full time employee.

Personnel costs do not include: costs for services of consultants, contractors or other partner organizations. Include the requested federal and any non-federal cost share in these estimates.

Travel: Include the travel location(s), estimated number of trips, estimated total mileage, applicable reimbursement rate, and number of nights lodging required throughout the entire project period.

Equipment: Include only equipment proposed to be purchased as a direct cost. This does not include equipment to be leased/rented and service/maintenance contracts. Include costs for each item.

Supplies: Include tangible personal property other than equipment. Include a brief description of the supplies required to perform the work and categorized by major supply category. Example: office supplies, computer supplies, etc.

Contractual/Consultant Services: List services and associated costs that are to be carried out by an individual or organization other than the applicant in the form of a procurement relationship. Include a brief description of the scope of work or services to be provided.

Other Direct Costs: Include only those types of direct costs that do not fit in any of the other budget categories. Examples include: printing/photocopying and sub-award costs.

(Sub-awards: Any award of financial assistance by any legal agreement made by the recipient to an eligible sub-recipient.)

Funding Opportunity No. EPA-OPP-2015-003 http://www.epa.gov/ogd/recipient/ogd_budget_detail_guidance.pdf http://www.epa.gov/ogd/recipient/tips.htm

Voluntary cost share/match and leveraged funds: Demonstrate how you will leverage additional funds/resources beyond the grant funds awarded to support the proposed project activities and how these funds/resources will be used to contribute to the performance and success of the proposed project. This includes but is not limited to funds and other resources leveraged from businesses, labor organizations, non-profit organizations, education and training providers, and/or federal, state, tribal, and local governments, as appropriate. Describe the amount and type of leveraged resources to be provided, how you will obtain the leveraged resources, the likelihood the leveraging will materialize during grant performance, the strength of the leveraging commitment, and the role the leveraged resources will play to support the proposed project activities. Selected applicants are expected to abide by their proposed leveraging commitments during grant performance and the failure to do so may affect the legitimacy of the award.

9. SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, if applicable Complete the form, available at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/form/sflllin_sec.pdf, if your organization is involved in lobbying activities.

10. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement If your proposed budget includes indirect costs, you must submit a copy of your organization’s Indirect Cost Rate Agreement as part of the application package.

11. Optional Appendix A, Resumes You may provide resumes for the major project participants. Resumes are not required.

12. Optional Appendix B, Letters of Support When the work plan describes partnerships, funding, or in-kind services, a letter of support may be included in the proposal. Letters of support are not required. If submitted, letters of support should clearly state the intent of the partner and their contribution, cash or in-kind services to the project. Letters of recommendation will not be considered.

G. Partnerships, Contractors and Subawards

1. Subawards, Contract Services and Partnerships

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

Funding may be used to provide subawards of financial assistance, which includes using subawards to fund partnerships, provided the recipient complies with applicable requirements for subawards including those contained in 2 CFR Part 200.