Tribal EN RFA EPA-OEI-OIM00--18--00_final_.pdf

AGENCY: U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)

TITLE: TRIBAL SUPPORT FOR PARTICPATION IN THE NATIONAL

ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION EXCHANGE NETWORK

ACTION: Request for Applications (RFA)

RFA NUMBER: EPA-OEI-OIM00--18--00

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NO: 66.608

IMPORTANT DATES

The closing date and time for receipt of application submissions is February 22, 2019 by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST). Application packages must be submitted electronically to EPA through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) to be considered for funding. Applications received after the closing date and time will not be considered for funding.

SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of funds and solicits applications from eligible organizations to provide the outreach and technical assistance necessary to increase tribal participation in the National Environmental Information Exchange Network (EN) (http://www.exchangenetwork.net/), which is an element of E-Enterprise for the Environment (EE) (https://e-enterprisefortheenvironment.net). The EN is an Internet-based system used by state, tribal and territorial partners to securely share environmental and health information with one another and EPA (https://www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork). The objective of the cooperative agreement is to strengthen the data and information technology (IT) management skills of tribes so they can fully participate in innovative technology efforts of the EN, and incorporate data schema, software, and services developed by EN partnerships into their environmental management programs.

In accordance with CFDA 66.608, assistance under this program is available to federally recognized Indian Tribes, public and private universities and colleges, and other public or private nonprofit institutions. Nonprofit 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. For profit organizations are not eligible for funding. Federal Agencies may not apply.

Federal employees are not eligible to serve in a principal leadership role on a grant and may not receive salaries or augment their Agency's appropriations in other ways through grants made by this program. In addition, in order to be eligible an applicant must be an organization that is broadly representative of federally recognized Indian tribes with the goal of expanding tribal participation in the EN.

The recipient will promote discussions, collaboration, partnerships and technical assistance to support data and IT management practices among representatives of tribes, states, and federal agencies. These efforts may include fostering collaboration between Tribes and Tribal organizations through the EN Tribal Technical Advisory Group (TTAG), EE Management Board, EE/EN Interoperability and Operations Team (IOT), EPA Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOCs) and other EPA Tribal Partnership Groups (TPGs) (https://www.epa.gov/tribal/tribal-partnership-groups).

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.exchangenetwork.net/ https://e-enterprisefortheenvironment.net/ https://www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork https://www.epa.gov/tribal/tribal-partnership-groups

FUNDING/AWARDS: The total estimated funding expected to be available for awards under this competitive opportunity is approximately $1,500,000 over a 5-year period dependent on funding availability, the quality of applications received and other applicable considerations. Through this cooperative agreement, EPA anticipates an annual award not to exceed approximately $300,000. The cooperative agreement will be funded incrementally for up to four additional years. In FY 2019, total funding shall not exceed approximately $300,000. Funding beyond the initial FY 2019 amount is not guaranteed and depends on effective performance, the availability of funds, and other EPA priorities and applicable considerations.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Background B. Scope of Work C. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage, Anticipated Outputs/Outcomes and Performance Measures .. 9 D. Statutory Authority

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Amount of Funding Available B. Number of Agreements to be Awarded C. Project Period for Award D. Funding Type

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Entities B. Cost-Sharing or Matching C. Threshold Eligibility Criteria

IV. APPLICATION and SUBMISSION INFORMATION A. Requirement to Submit Through Grants.gov and Limited Exception Procedures B. Grants.gov Application Submission Instructions (see Appendix A) C. Content of Application Submission D. Submission Date and Times E. Additional Provisions for Applicants Incorporated Into the Solicitation

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Evaluation Criteria B. Review and Selection Process C. Other Factors D. Additional Provisions for Applicants Incorporated Into the Solicitation

VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. Award Notices B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements C. Reporting Requirement D. Disputes E. Additional Provisions for Applicants Incorporated Into the Solicitation

VII. AGENCY CONTACTS

APPENDIX A - Grants.gov Application Submission Instructions APPENDIX B – Budget Detail Sample

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Background

The National Environmental Information Exchange Network (EN) is an Internet-based system used by states, tribal and territorial partners to securely share environmental and health information with one another and EPA. The EN Grants Program supports the development of and participation in the EN. Since FY 2002, the EN Grants Program has awarded funding to all 50 states, over 75 tribes, and 6 territories. Through the EN Grants Program, EN partners define standards that make data more usable and build shared services and tools which foster more informed and efficient environmental management.

An important element of the EN Grants program is to support building the data and information technology management capacity of organizations that want to participate in the EN, including federally recognized tribes or tribal organizations that support such tribes. Achieving this capacity includes ensuring the EN tribal community has the necessary programming, analytical, IT security, and IT network skills so they can fully utilize the benefits of the EN as they manage their environmental programs. Tribes are also seeking to create a community of practice to exchange IT solutions and data management practices. Together these efforts will enhance the technical capacity to develop, deploy and maintain environmental information exchanges across tribes and the EN, leading to improved business or environmental management practices. More information on the EN Grants Program can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork/exchange-network-grant-program.

The EN is a key component of the E-Enterprise (EE) Initiative, a collaboration between tribes, territories, states and the EPA, to transform the way environmental programs are managed. EE achieves this through early and meaningful engagement on shared priority issues and collaboration to reduce regulatory and management burdens by streamlining business and operational processes. The EN is the EE mechanism to provide innovative technology solutions to support this improved, streamlined model of environmental management and to improve the collection, management, exchange, access, sharing and analysis of environmental data. Although the foundation of the EN is a secure, Internet-based platform for data exchange, it is evolving to better support changing environmental management needs related to solutions developed through EE. This includes partner collaboration on technological innovations, solutions, and services for sharing a wide range of data that inform the business of environmental protection. Through this collaboration, the EN is powering the streamlining and modernization of environmental protection identified and implemented through the EE effort. Additional information on the EN and EE can be found at:

http://www.exchangenetwork.net/, https://www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork, http://www.tribalexchangenetwork.org/, https://www.epa.gov/e-enterprise, and https://e-enterprisefortheenvironment.net.

The EN Tribal Technical Assistance Group (TTAG), formerly called the EN Tribal Governance Group (TGG), is a volunteer committee of data and IT professionals that support environmental management in federally-recognized tribes and tribal consortia. The TTAG serves as a national forum for tribal managers to strategically assess and plan for the capacity needs of tribes as they relate to the EN objectives and alignment to EE goals. The TTAG discusses issues related to data and IT management within tribal environmental programs as well as advocates for tribal data and IT management issues and requirements that relate to EN and EE activities. The TTAG develops an https://www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork/exchange-network-grant-program https://www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork/exchange-network-grant-program http://www.exchangenetwork.net/ https://www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork http://www.tribalexchangenetwork.org/ https://www.epa.gov/e-enterprise https://e-enterprisefortheenvironment.net/ https://e-enterprisefortheenvironment.net/ annual workplan to increase national tribal awareness and expertise in data and IT management as well as discusses how the EN can assist tribes in these areas. They address tribal issues or concerns related to data management, storage, transfer, analysis and sharing of data through mentoring, training and outreach. Several TTAG members participate in EE/EN governance bodies which enables the TTAG to be familiar with the overall direction of the EE efforts as they develop strategies to address tribal data and IT management training, technical assistance and mentoring activities. More information on the TTAG (formerly known as the TGG) can be found at:

http://www.tribalexchangenetwork.org/.

B. Scope of Work

EPA's Office of Environmental Information is seeking applications from eligible organizations to provide outreach to increase and enhance tribal participation in the EN (http://www.exchangenetwork.net/) which is an element of EE (https://e-enterprisefortheenvironment.net/https://e-enterpisesfortheenvironment.net). The recipient will support planning, conduct outreach and communications, promote collaboration, as well as provide technical assistance, mentoring, and training opportunities. This will include supporting interactions between tribes with mature data management and IT practices and those with emerging IT and data management practices who are potential partners in the EN. The recipient will also support information sharing among tribal EN stakeholders. This includes supporting the operation of the Tribal Technical Advisory Group (TTAG), as a national forum for tribal data and IT managers who support environmental management. Providing the TTAG with logistical support so that its members may interact with each other, with tribes, EE/EN governance bodies and with EPA is a key component of this cooperative agreement. This work supports the goals of EPA's Policy for the Administration of Environmental Programs on Indian Reservations in 1984 (also known as EPA’s Indian Policy) http://www.epa.gov/indian/pdf/indian-policy-84.pdf which supports tribal governments having the primary authority and responsibility in matters affecting American Indian Reservations.

Applicants must demonstrate in their application how they will address each of the tasks, and each of the components associated with each task, discussed below, specifically, including a percentage of monthly time devoted to each task. Efficient use of resources to address all tasks is encouraged.

The anticipated activities envisioned under this project are associated with supporting tribal participation in the Exchange Network. These activities have been divided into four major tasks.

Applications that do not address all four tasks, and each of the components associated with each task, discussed below will not be considered for funding.

Task 1: Outreach to federally recognized tribes, tribal organizations, and other federal agencies about the Exchange Network (EN).

Increasing the Tribal community’s knowledge of the Exchange Network and how it, along with EN grants, can support building the data and technology management capacity of tribal environmental programs is key for increased tribal participation in the EN and associated EE efforts. It is particularly important that tribes understand how EN participation can expand partner collaboration on technological innovations, solutions, and services for sharing a wide range of data that inform the business of environmental protection Thus, robust outreach to and communication with federally recognized tribes, tribal organizations, and other federal agencies about the EN and EE is a key goal for this cooperative agreement. The applicant must demonstrate the outreach and communication approaches they will take to achieve the communication goals outlined in this solicitation notice.

http://www.tribalexchangenetwork.org/ http://www.exchangenetwork.net/ http://www.epa.gov/indian/pdf/indian-policy-84.pdf

The successful applicant will demonstrate how they will reach a broad tribal audience and facilitate the participation of interested tribes in EN and EE activities. They must explain how they will ensure the materials developed specifically reference and incorporate tribal cultures, customs, and the unique history and situation of Native Americans nationwide. The successful applicant will describe the mix of outreach tools they will use, how they will determine the audiences they will reach and information relevant to those audiences, the frequency of delivery, and how they will link and align messages in these communications to EN, EE, and RTOC activities and communication forums such as websites and social media. As appropriate, the applicant should discuss how they plan to update and maintain information communicated on electronic media as well as staff such efforts.

Applicants must also address how they will meet the following components associated with this task.

Applicants may choose to also address other components they believe are necessary to successfully perform this task.

a. Modes of outreach and delivery: The applicant might consider: newsletters, information list-servs, webinars, workshops, forums or meetings open to general tribal participants, data and IT management training, technical assistance, and mentoring. The recipient might also consider periodically conducting interviews and other means to gather input, as needed, to identify training and technical support needs.

b. Tribal EN National Conference: The Tribal EN Conference is intended to enable tribes to meet and discuss current and future issues related to collection, management, analysis, exchange, and sharing of a broad range of environmental information, as well as provide training workshops on those topics. Recognizing the importance of communications and networking, the recipient shall organize and promote one national Tribal EN Conference during each year of the agreement. The focus and content of each annual conference will be determined by the recipient and the TTAG, as well as informed by consultation with EPA, other tribal feedback processes, and current national program initiatives, such as EE.

o Limited financial support should be available to tribes unable to fund their own travel and will be determined by the recipient. Attendance from throughout Indian country and Alaska Native Villages is preferred and EPA's participation is essential.

o Applicants must describe how the national Tribal EN Conference will be developed, planned, scheduled, and implemented in a manner that encourages interest and attendance by current and prospective tribal EN partners, as well as tribal, state, and territorial participants in the EE Initiative. Applicants should discuss and explain how funding support would be structured for tribes unable to fund their own travel, how locations would be determined, and provide suggestions for ensuring topics are current and of interest to a broad audience.

c. Outreach to Federal Agencies: Many Federal Agencies have tribal grant and technical assistance programs in the data and IT management arenas. In times of limited resources, it is increasingly important to collaborate with those federal government agencies whose experiences and resources can be leveraged to maximize building tribal data and IT management capacity, a key goal of the EN. The successful applicant must explain how they plan to effectively reach out to and build partnerships with other federal agencies whose mission supports, or can aid in, building tribal capacity for data collection, management, storage, exchange, sharing, and analysis in support of improved environmental decision-making. Some departments or agencies to consider could include but are not limited to: US Department of the Interior, US Department of Agriculture, US Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Indian Health Service.

Task 2: Support for the Exchange Network Tribal Technical Assistance Group, formerly known as the Exchange Network Tribal Governance Group.

http://www.tribalexchangenetwork.org/about.html.

Support Operation and Logistics of TTAG (under Task 2): The successful applicant will support the operation of the TTAG and logistics of the TTAG’s actions as a national forum for interactions with tribes, EPA, and EE/EN governance bodies. The successful applicant will also support the TTAG in outreach discussions with tribes, to obtain non-consensus tribal input on new and/or current priority actions identified by the TTAG that may impact tribes. Examples of identified priority actions could include new initiatives or workgroups taking place under the EN, technology initiatives, technical efforts supporting EE, or other associated data efforts.

Applicants must also address how they will meet the following components associated with this task.

Applicants may choose to also address other components they believe are necessary to successfully perform this task.

a. Propose updates to the TTAG charter as necessary to ensure effectiveness in achieving TTAG goals and objectives.

b. Support TTAG membership in coordination with the TTAG and EPA. Conduct the process for filling TTAG vacancies pursuant to the charter. Work with the TTAG to recruit new members as needed to ensure the TTAG will adequately receive individual input from tribes across the nation, as much as possible. It is anticipated that the existing TGG membership will continue to serve on the TTAG, in accordance with the current charter.

c. Assist TTAG with planning meetings and developing meeting agendas in consultation with the TTAG and EPA. Support two face-to-face TTAG-EPA meetings per year (one at the annual Tribal EN Conference and one at the EE-EN national meeting when possible). In years when it is not possible to have a face-to-face at the EE-EN national meeting, the location will be jointly agreed upon by the TTAG and EPA in a place that is easily traveled to by tribal communities. One of the two meetings should consist of a face-to-face meeting between the TTAG and the tribal members of the EELC. Applicants should describe their proposed locations for the Tribal EN Conferences in their application.

d. Encouraging the TTAG to support having at least one TTAG member on each of the EE/EN governance groups. The objective is to ensure that the TTAG understands the overall directions of the EE initiative as they determine how to approach data and IT management training, technical assistance and mentoring activities to allow tribes to fully take advantage of EN and EE products for environmental management.

e. Support TTAG travel by making travel arrangements and provide funding for necessary travel-related expenses (e.g., airfare, hotel, and per-diem) for TTAG members for the Tribal EN Conference and any other scheduled face-to-face TTAG EPA meetings. Funds awarded under this announcement may also be used by the recipient to support TTAG member travel expenses for participation at meetings identified in the cooperative agreement workplan, including TTAG member representation at relevant conferences and meetings to conduct tribal outreach, and identify and address high priority tribal interest areas. TTAG travel to relevant conferences and meetings must be for meeting the objectives of this project and acquiring knowledge that will be disseminated back to the TTAG and more broadly to tribal EN http://www.tribalexchangenetwork.org/about.html participants and data management staff. Applicants may propose to use a portion of the assistance funds to defray transportation and subsistence expenses for non-federal attendees to attend meetings and conferences. The applicant is solely responsible for determining a methodology for selecting and funding reimbursement requests and providing a report on how participating non-federal attendees benefited from the meetings and conferences. EPA will not participate in the selection or approval of individuals who receive travel assistance.

f. Provide technical support for regularly scheduled conference calls for joint TTAG and EPA discussions to exchange and bring new information or tribal perspectives on issues related to data and the EN. In their applications, applicants should support regularly scheduled monthly calls, (alternating between TTAG and recipient calls and calls between the TTAG, recipient, and EPA) and occasional special calls, to be held as needed, to cover topics that may take and describe their approach to establishing the agenda for the calls. Although the successful applicant will consult with EPA’s Project Officer on the agenda for the calls, the final decision on the agenda for the calls will be made by the recipient and the TTAG.

Task 3: Promote collaboration, capacity building, mentoring and information sharing among tribal stakeholders.

To promote collaboration, mentoring and information sharing beyond the annual Tribal Exchange Network Conference, the recipient will work with the TTAG to develop and maintain a mentoring program for tribal stakeholders. The goal is to obtain commitments from technologically advanced tribes to be leaders (mentors) by sharing and transferring their knowledge of the EN and its tool and products and help potentially interested or less technologically advanced tribes gain expertise to successfully develop and maintain their data exchanges using the EN. A tribal mentoring program will also help increase collaboration among tribes, facilitate tribe-to-tribe knowledge and technology transfer, and will promote the EN to potential tribal stakeholders. Applications must describe how these activities will be structured including methods to:

a. Create training and mentoring opportunities to include at least one face-to-face workshop and

2 webinars on technical topics per year, that will enhance tribal knowledge of EN technology and shared services as well as data management/analysis approaches.

b. Offer mentoring (e.g., webinar, video, etc.) that will be funded and maintained through this cooperative agreement.

c. Provide funding to adequately support mentoring efforts.

d. Ensure that tribal stakeholders have equal access to EN information.

e. Assist in acquiring skills and experience necessary to successfully develop and maintain data exchanges using the EN.

f. Support tribes in the development of plans and roadmaps to support technical capacity-building of the TTAG in support of the EN and EE goals and objectives.

To build upon existing services and efforts toward building tribal capacity for participation in the EN, the recipient will also work with EPA and the TTAG to promote reuse of products developed from past EN grants and/or those registered in the EPA Reusable Component System (RCS), as well as data or technology management tools or services developed as part of EE projects. These efforts will assist tribes and EPA in expanding capacity to more tribes in an efficient and effective manner. The recipient, with EPA input and support, will also look at creative solutions, including other federal agencies’ solutions, for funding enterprise licenses (such as ESRI GIS software) to promote more effective solutions for tribal capacity building.

Task 4: Serve as a coordinator between the TTAG, tribal EN, and the EE/EN governance groups and between the TTAG and the EPA’s Office of Environmental Information/Office of Information Management.

The recipient will work with the TTAG members and tribal EN grantees to ensure the EN and EE tools, expertise, and mentorship opportunities are known and understood. The recipient will also serve as a liaison between TTAG and tribal representation on EE/EN governance groups. This is intended to ensure that tribal issues raised by the TTAG related to data collection, information management, sharing, exchange, and analysis are conveyed to EPA, the tribal members, and other coordinators of the EELC, EE-EN MB, EN IOT, and MB/IOT Chairs, as appropriate. The recipient will also support the Tribal members of the IOT on coordination tasks related to the Tribal role on the IOT and will also support any travel by the tribal IOT member to IOT meetings (normally twice each year). This is intended to make certain that tribal data and IT management needs are adequately factored into the day-to-day execution of EE/EN governance operations, decisions, and policies. The Coordinator along with TTAG members on EE/EN governance groups will provide strategic advice to the TTAG relating to the direction and priorities of EE. The Coordinator along with TTAG members on EE/EN governance groups is also responsible for making the TTAG aware of EE/EN Governance efforts that may impact the activities, mentoring/training, and outreach approaches of the TTAG. The Coordinator:

a. Serves as a primary liaison between the TTAG and the EE/EN Governance Groups, EPA, and Stakeholders.

b. Continuously builds relationships with and among the TTAG, EE, EN, tribal and EPA partners so that the Coordinator can effectively keep the TTAG informed of potential synergies and preemptively identify areas where further discussion is needed and propose solutions to assure tribal data and IT management issues are adequately addressed in EE approaches.

c. Brings the TTAG and stakeholder tribal communities together with EE/EN governance groups and communities to effectively and efficiently work towards achieving shared goals.

For example, the recipient could organize this through a face-to-face meeting once per year between the TTAG and tribal EELC members. The recipient should also work with TTAG members to consider working with their tribes to be nominated to EE/EN governance groups.

C. EPA Strategic Plan Linkage, Anticipated Outputs/Outcomes and Performance Measures

Pursuant to Section 6a of EPA Order 5700.7, “Environmental Results under EPA Assistance Agreements,” EPA must link proposed assistance agreements with 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, www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015- 03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf).

1. Linkage to EPA Strategic Plan: The activities to be funded under this announcement support

EPA’s FY 2018-22 Strategic Plan. Awards made under this announcement will support Goal 2, “Cooperative Federalism: Rebalance the power between Washington and the states to create tangible environmental results for the American people” Objective 2.1, “Enhance Shared Accountability: Improve environmental protection through shared governance and enhanced collaboration with state, tribal, local, and federal partners using the full range of compliance https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf assurance tools.” All applications must be for projects that support the goals and objectives identified above.

Please read EPA’s FY 2018-2022 Strategic Plan (www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan) for more information.

EPA also requires that grant applicants adequately describe environmental outputs and outcomes to be achieved under assistance agreements (see EPA Order 5700.7A1, Environmental Results under Assistance Agreements, www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015- 03/documents/epa_order_5700_7a1.pdf).

Applicants must include specific statements describing the environmental results of the proposed project in terms of well-defined outputs and, to the maximum extent practicable, well-defined outcomes that will demonstrate how the project will contribute to the priorities described above.

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

Expected outputs from the project(s) to be funded under this announcement include development of communications materials targeted to tribes' support for the TTAG, national tribal meetings, updated website and required reports, as specified in Section VI (C) of this announcement, "Reporting Requirement."

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 qualitative and environmental, behavioral, health-related or programmatic in nature, but must also be quantitative. They may not necessarily be achievable within an assistance agreement funding period.

Projects to be funded under this announcement are expected to produce at least one, and preferably all, of the following environmental outcomes:

a. Continued and increased tribal participation in the EN;

b. Expanded tribal participation with a greater geographic representation on the TTAG; and

c. More tribes sharing environmental data electronically using the EN for improved management of their environmental programs.

4. Performance Measures. Overall Vision for Success: As part of its application, the successful applicant is also expected to describe their overall vision for successfully accomplishing the project to support tribal participation in the EN/EE. Factors to consider may include, but are not limited to: (1) how the applicant will work with tribal representatives and provide appropriate techniques and formats to ensure that tribal perspectives are understood by EPA and EE partners, of which the EN is a key component, (2) there is a diverse and geographically balanced TTAG to fully portray the wide array of tribal views, (3) how the applicant will keep the TTAG, tribes and the EPA Project Officer informed throughout the project to meet the specific needs of the TTAG and EPA, (4) how the applicant defines success for the project, (5) the applicant will monitor and collect success stories, and (6) how the applicant will measure project success.

https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan

The applicant should also develop performance measures they expect to achieve through the proposed activities and describe them in their proposal. These performance measures will help gather insights and will be the mechanism to track progress concerning successful process and output 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:

sustained or increased levels of participation by tribal members in EE/EN governance meetings, groups and projects; speed and accuracy in delivering technical assistance and meeting minutes to tribal members in support of EE/EN governance meetings; and effectiveness of and satisfaction in training. The following are questions to consider when developing output and outcome measures of quantitative and qualitative results:

a. What are the measurable short term and longer term results the project will achieve?

b. 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?

D. Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for this action is Clean Air Act, Section 103; Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10; Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442; Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, Section 203; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20; Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3); Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001; and Public Law 105-174.

All applications must also support the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 102(2)(F) for international awards; and the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Act supports EPA efforts to encourage and facilitate involvement of tribal partner governments in the EN.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Amount of Funding Available

The total estimated funding expected to be available for awards under this competitive opportunity is approximately $1,500,000 over a 5-year period dependent on funding availability, the quality of applications received and other applicable considerations. Through this cooperative agreement, EPA anticipates an annual award not to exceed approximately $300,000. The cooperative agreement will be funded incrementally for up to four additional years. In FY 2019, total funding shall not exceed approximately $300,000. Funding beyond the initial FY 2019 amount is not guaranteed and depends on effective performance, the availability of funds, and other EPA priorities and applicable considerations.

B. Number of Agreements to be Awarded

EPA anticipates the award of one cooperative agreement under this competitive opportunity whose annual value shall not exceed approximately $300,000 annually, subject to the availability of funds, quality of evaluated applications, funding availability, and other applicable considerations.

EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy and other applicable considerations, if additional funding becomes available after the original selections. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than six months from the date of the original selections.

In addition, EPA reserves the right to reject all proposals and make no awards under this announcement or to make fewer awards than anticipated.

C. Project Period for Award

The estimated initial project period for the award resulting from this solicitation will begin as early as April 1, 2019 and end no later than March 31, 2020. Proposed project periods may be up to five consecutive years.

D. Funding Type

The funding for selected projects will be in the form of a cooperative agreement.

Cooperative agreements provide for 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 these projects may include:

• close monitoring of the successful applicant’s performance to verify the results proposed by the applicant;

• collaboration during performance of the scope of work;

• in accordance with 2 CFR 200.317 and 2 CFR 200.318, review of proposed procurement;

• approving qualifications of key personnel (EPA will not select employees or contractors employed by the award recipient); and

• 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 66.608, assistance under this program is available to federally recognized Indian Tribes, public and private universities and colleges, and other public or private nonprofit institutions. Nonprofit 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. For profit organizations are not eligible for funding. Federal Agencies may not apply. Federal employees are not eligible to serve in a principal leadership role on a grant and may not receive salaries or augment their Agency's appropriations in other ways through grants made by this program. In addition, in order to be eligible an applicant must be an organization that is broadly representative of federally recognized Indian tribes with the goal of expanding tribal participation in the EN.

Applicants with questions about eligibility can contact Edward Mixon, at (202) 566-2142 or mixon.edward@epa.gov. Applicants not meeting the eligibility criteria may consider collaborative work with eligible organizations. EPA will only evaluate applications with eligible entities identified as the lead implementing entity for the project.

mailto:mixon.edward@epa.gov

B. Cost-Sharing or Matching

This grant does not require cost sharing or matching of funds by applicants.

C. Threshold Eligibility Criteria

These are requirements that if not met by the time of application submission will result in elimination of the application from consideration for funding. Only applications from eligible applicants (see Section III.A of this RFA) that meet all of these threshold eligibility criteria will be evaluated against the ranking criteria in Section V of this RFA. If necessary, EPA may contact applicants to clarify threshold eligibility questions prior to making an eligibility determination. 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. Application Content and Submission

a. Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and content requirements set forth in Section IV of this RFA or else they will be rejected.

b. Where a page limit is expressed in Section IV and Appendix B of this RFA with respect to the Project Narrative, pages in excess of the page limitation will not be reviewed.

c. 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 applications 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 applications are timely and properly submitted.

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 Edward Mixon, mixon.edward@epa.gov or 202-566-2142 as soon as possible after the submission deadline. Failure to do so may result in your application not being reviewed.

2. Applications must support EPA Strategic Plan Goal 2, “Cooperative Federalism.”

3. Applications that do not address all four tasks as described in Section I.B. Scope of Work, and each of the components associated with each task, will not be considered for funding.

In addition, if a proposal is submitted that includes any ineligible tasks or activities, that portion of the proposal will be ineligible for funding and may, depending on the extent to which it affects the proposal, render the entire proposal ineligible for funding.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Requirement to Submit Through Grants.gov and Limited Exception Procedures http://www.grants.gov/ https://grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://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 and Appendix A. If an applicant does not have the technical capability to apply electronically through Grants.gov because of limited or no internet access which prevents them from being able to upload the required application materials to Grants.gov, the applicant must contact OGDWaivers@epa.gov or the address listed below in writing (e.g., by hard copy, email) at least 15 calendar days prior to the submission deadline under this announcement to request approval to submit their application materials through an alternate method.

Mailing Address:

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

Mail Code: 3903R Washington, DC 20460

Courier Address:

OGD Waivers c/o Jessica Durand Ronald Reagan Building 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.

Rm # 51278 Washington, DC 20004

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

• Funding Opportunity Number (FON)

• Organization Name and Unique Entity Identifier (e.g., DUNS)

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

• Explanation of how they lack the technical capability to apply electronically through

Grants.gov because of 1) limited internet access or 2) no internet access which prevents them from being able to upload the required application materials through 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 application 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 https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:OGDWaivers@epa.gov https://www.grants.gov/ 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, 2018, it is valid for any competitive or non-competitive application submission to EPA through December 31, 2018). 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. Grants.gov Application Submission Instructions (see Appendix A)

Your organization’s authorized official representative (AOR) must submit your complete proposal electronically to EPA through Grants.gov no later than February 22, 2019, 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

C. Content of Application Submission

The following documents are required under this announcement. All applicable forms and documents must be submitted and validated within grants.gov or, for applicants with a waiver, submitted via a method specified in the waiver at or before 11:59 pm on February 22, 2019. The application package must include all of the following materials:

1. Grant Application Forms. Please complete the forms as appropriate.

a. Standard Form (SF) -424, Application for Federal Assistance. 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 1-866-705-5711.

b. SF-424A, Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs. Collects budget information for Non-Construction Programs.

c. SF-424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs. Provides assurances for Non-Construction Programs.

d. EPA Form 5700-54, EPA Key Contacts Form. Collects contact information for individuals responsible for various aspects of the proposed work, including authorized representative, payee, administrative contact, and investigators.

e. EPA Form 4700-4, Preaward Compliance Review Report for all Applicants and

Recipients Requesting Federal Financial Assistance. Collects information that enables EPA to determine whether applicants are developing projects, programs, and activities on a non-discriminatory basis.

2. Project Narrative. The project narrative must explicitly describe how the proposed project meets the guidelines established in Sections I-III of this announcement (including the threshold eligibility criteria in Section III.C) and must address each of the evaluation criteria set forth in Section V. The Project Narrative (a through e below) cannot exceed a maximum of 10 single-spaced typewritten pages, including the Summary Page — excess pages will not be reviewed. Supporting materials, such as resumes and letters of support, can be submitted as attachments and are not included in the page limit.

a. Summary Information Page (recommended not to exceed one page)

i. Project Title

ii. Applicant Information. Include applicant (organization) name, address, contact person, phone number, fax and e-mail address.

iii. Funding Requested. Specify the amount you are requesting from EPA.

iv. Total Project Cost. Specify total cost of the project. Identify funding from other sources, including cost share or in-kind resources.

v. Project period. Provide beginning and ending dates. (Projects are anticipated to begin date and end no later than date.)

vi. DUNS number

b. Project Summary/Approach. The summary shall contain the following components:

i. Detailed project summary addressing Section I requirements for all tasks and associated components, description of specific actions and methods to be undertaken and the responsible institutions to perform the work described in Section I, including estimated time line for each task.

ii. Description of the associated work products to be developed.

iii. Explanation of project benefits to the public, and specifically the potential audience(s) served.

iv. Description of the roles of the applicant and partners, if any.

v. Description of the applicant’s organization and experience related to the proposed project.

vi. Description of staff expertise/qualifications, staff knowledge, and resources or the ability to obtain them, to successfully achieve the goals of the proposed project.

For example, identify any specific experience and expertise your organization and key staff have in working collaboratively with EPA and Native American Indian Tribes.

c. Environmental Results—Outcomes, Outputs and Performance Measures. Identify the expected quantitative and qualitative outcomes and outputs of the project (See Section I), 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.

d. Programmatic Capability and Past Performance. Submit a list of 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 performed within the last three years (no more than 5 agreements, and preferably EPA agreements) and describe (i) whether, and how, you were able to successfully complete and manage those agreements and (ii) 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 agreements. In evaluating applicants under these factors 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).