Zoop_Benthos_Mysis_Chlorophyll_2017_RFA _modified_Feb_16_2017.v2.pdf

Dated: January 30, 2017

Modified: February 16, 2017

U.S. EPA GREAT LAKES NATIONAL PROGRAM OFFICE

Great Lakes Long-Term Biology Monitoring Program: Zooplankton, Benthos, Mysis, and

Chlorophyll-a Components

2017 Request for Applications

Federal Agency Name: Environmental Protection Agency

Funding Opportunity Title: Great Lakes Long-Term Biology Monitoring Program:

Zooplankton, Benthos, Mysis, and Chlorophyll-a

Components

Announcement Type: Request for Applications

Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-R5-GL2017-ZBC

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 66.469

INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

This Request for Applications (RFA) solicits applications from eligible entities for a cooperative agreement to be awarded pursuant to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan II

(http://glri.us/actionplan/pdfs/glri-action-plan-2.pdf). Applications are requested for a project to continue the long-term monitoring of zooplankton, benthos, Mysis, and chlorophyll-a in the open waters of the Great Lakes. Applications are also requested to supplement the long-term monitoring program with a synoptic whole lake assessment of benthos. This RFA is one of several funding opportunities available through federal agencies under the Great Lakes

Restoration Initiative (“GLRI” or “Initiative) for FY2017.

Funding/Awards: Up to $6.0 million may be awarded for one cooperative agreement to be incrementally funded at approximately $1,200,000 annually over about a five-year period. The awarding of this cooperative agreement is contingent upon funding availability, the quality of applications received and other applicable considerations. However, EPA expressly reserves the right to make no awards under this RFA. All incrementally funded awards will be subject to the availability of funding, future appropriations, satisfactory performance of work, and other applicable considerations.

Authorization for GLRI funding is contained in Section 118(c) of the Federal Water Pollution

Control Act and in applicable appropriations acts. Nonfederal governmental entities, including state agencies, interstate agencies, federally-recognized Indian tribes and tribal organizations, and local governments as defined in 2 C.F.R. 200 and or 2 C.F.R. 1500; institutions of higher learning (i.e., colleges and universities); and non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for funding under this RFA. Individuals, foreign organizations and governments, nonprofit organizations exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying, and “for-profit” organizations are not eligible.

http://glri.us/actionplan/pdfs/glri-action-plan-2.pdf

Important Dates:

March 17, 2017 - Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern

Time/10:59 pm Central Time. See Section IV for further submission information.

April 2017 – EPA expects to notify finalist.

May 2017 – EPA expects to make award.

Other Application Information: For your convenience, an RFA web page has been created at www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/2017-rfa-great-lakes-long-term-biology-monitoring-program-zooplankton-benthos where you will find information relating to the RFA process as well as a link to frequently asked questions (FAQs). We encourage all applicants to sign up for our mailing list and register with us at www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/great-lakes-news-email-list.

Further submittal information is described in Section IV.

http://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/2017-rfa-great-lakes-long-term-biology-monitoring-program-zooplankton-benthos http://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/2017-rfa-great-lakes-long-term-biology-monitoring-program-zooplankton-benthos http://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/great-lakes-news-email-list

U.S. EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Request for Applications: EPA-R5-GL2017-ZBC

CONTENTS

I. Application Information

II. Award Information

III. Eligibility Information

IV. Application and Submission Information

V. Application Review and Selection Process, including Criteria

VI. Award Administration

VII. Agency Contacts

VIII. Other Information

Appendix I – Budget Sample ........................................................................................................ I-1

U.S. EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Request for Applications: EPA-R5-GL2017-ZBC

I. APPLICATION INFORMATION

Background, Authority, and Funded Activities:

The President, Congress, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in conjunction with other federal departments and agencies, have made restoring the Great Lakes a national priority. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (“GLRI” or “Initiative”) builds on the prior efforts of federal, state, and local agencies; Indian tribes; businesses; public interest groups;

interested citizens; and others to develop a collaborative and comprehensive approach to restoring the Great Lakes. Information about the Initiative can be found at https://www.glri.us/.

This RFA is expected to result in the award of a cooperative agreement to help implement the

GLRI. Cooperative agreements are assistance agreements in which EPA expects to have substantial involvement in completing the project. Authorization for GLRI funding and actions to implement the U.S. responsibilities under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement is contained in Section 118(c) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and in applicable appropriations acts. EPA has authority to award grants and cooperative agreements for planning, research, monitoring, outreach and implementation projects in furtherance of the GLRI and the

GLWQA. The principal goal of GLWQA is the restoration and maintenance of the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Great Lakes ecosystem.) Funded activities must advance protection and restoration of the Great Lakes ecosystem in support of: (i) the GLRI Action Plan

II (see http://glri.us/actionplan/pdfs/glri-action-plan-2.pdf) and (ii) EPA’s Strategic Plan.1 For projects with international aspects, the above statutes are supplemented, as appropriate, by the

National Environmental Policy Act, Section 102(2)(F).

This RFA solicits applications from eligible entities for a cooperative agreement to be awarded pursuant to the statutory authorities referenced above and the GLRI Action Plan II. Up to $6.0 million may be awarded incrementally over a five-year period (approximately $1,200,000 per year) under this RFA for one project contingent on the quality of applications received, funding availability and other applicable considerations.

All eligible projects will be evaluated as described in Section V.

Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs):

EPA recognizes that it is important to engage all available minds to address the environmental challenges the nation faces. At the same time, EPA seeks to expand the environmental

1 See EPA’s Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2014-2018; Goal 2: Protecting Americas Waters; Objective 2: Protect and Restore Watersheds and Aquatic Ecosystems (Protect, restore, and sustain the quality of rivers, lakes, streams, streams, and wetlands on a watershed basis, and sustainably manage and protect coastal and ocean resources and ecosystems). The Plan is available at: www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan.

http://greatlakesrestoration.us/ http://glri.us/actionplan/pdfs/glri-action-plan-2.pdf conversation by including members of communities which may have not previously participated in such dialogues to participate in EPA programs. For this reason, EPA strongly encourages all eligible applicants identified in Section III, including minority serving institutions, to apply under this opportunity.

For purposes of this solicitation, the following are considered MSIs:

1. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as defined by the Higher Education Act (20

U.S.C. § 1061). A list of these schools can be found at White House Initiative on

Historically Black Colleges and Universities;

2. Tribal Colleges and Universities, as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. §

1059(c)). A list of these schools can be found at American Indian Tribally Controlled

Colleges and Universities;

3. Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C.

§ 1101a(a)(5). There is no list of HSIs. HSIs are institutions of higher education that, at the time of application submittal, have an enrollment of undergraduate full-time equivalent students that is at least 25% Hispanic students at the end of the award year immediately preceding the date of application for this grant; and

4. Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions;

(AANAPISIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1059g(a)(2)). There is no list of AANAPISIs. AANAPISIs are institutions of higher education that, at the time of application submittal, have an enrollment of undergraduate students that is not less than 10

% students who are Asian American or Native American Pacific Islander.

Subawardees and/or Contractors:

If you name subawardees/subgrantees and/or contractor(s), including individual consultants, in your application as partners to assist you with the proposed project, pay careful attention to the information in Section III regarding "Coalitions" and to the “Contracts and Subawards” provisions at https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses (incorporated by reference in

Section IV.J).

RFA Terms:

For purposes of this RFA:

1. 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 over the term of the cooperative agreement funding period.

2. The term “outcome” means the result, effect or consequence that will be achieved by carrying out an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product that is https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-solicitation-clauses related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health-related, or programmatic in nature, must be quantitative, and may not necessarily be achievable within a cooperative agreement funding period.

Funding Opportunity for the Great Lakes Long-Term Biology Monitoring Program:

Zooplankton, Benthos, Mysis, and Chlorophyll-a Components

General Background: The Great Lakes Biology Monitoring program was established in 1983 in order to assess and investigate the ecological health of the Great Lakes. The program benefits federal, state and tribal fisheries and water quality managers by focusing on whole lake responses to changes in loads of anthropogenic substances, and more recently, aquatic invasive species. Sampling is typically focused on the relatively homogeneous offshore waters of each lake. Zooplankton and chlorophyll-a have been an integral part of the program since its inception. Benthos was added to the program in 1997. Mysis were added to the program in 2006.

The community structure of the biota has been rapidly changing in many areas of the Great

Lakes in recent years. More information on the Great Lakes biological monitoring program can be found at www.epa.gov/great-lakes-monitoring.

Zooplankton and benthos identification and enumeration have historically provided the information which linked primary production in the lakes to fish communities. Chlorophyll-a concentrations provide estimates of primary productivity. Mysis are important food source to pelagic forage fish. In the Great Lakes, all of these components have undergone dramatic changes, with a potentially great impact on fish reproduction and growth.

Goals and Objectives: EPA expects to provide up to $6.0 million for one cooperative agreement over a 5-year period, consisting of incremental funding of about $1,200,000 per year, to support: 1) the continued documentation of the status and trends of the ecological health of the open waters of the Great Lakes based on zooplankton, benthos, Mysis, and chlorophyll-a analysis, 2) determination of the impacts of changing lower food web communities on fisheries and, 3) whole-lake benthos assessment coincident with the

Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI) 5-year rotation.

Project activities are also expected to support the following five objectives: Sample Collection;

Taxonomic and Chlorophyll-a Analysis; Data Management; Data Interpretation, Statistical

Analysis, and Report Writing; and Applied Research, as described in Section IV.D.1.

Outputs of the award (and any additional ones identified by the applicant) should include one or more of the following and must link to the GLRI Action Plan’s II Measures of Progress or goals and objectives:

a quantification of Great Lakes ecosystem health based on zooplankton, benthos, Mysis, and chlorophyll-a analyses consistent with past methodologies an evaluation of the temporal trends of ecosystem health based on zooplankton and benthos communities and chlorophyll-a concentrations in the Great Lakes provision of data and information for use in the Great Lakes Long-term Biology https://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-monitoring

Monitoring Program annual report and presentations to fisheries meetings investigation of the response of Great Lakes zooplankton and benthos communities and chlorophyll-a concentrations to anthropogenic stressors assessment of the abundance and health of Mysis in the Great Lakes sample collection, taxonomic and chlorophyll-a analysis, data management, data interpretation, statistical analysis, and report writing development of Great Lakes scientists through the education of graduate and undergraduate students in taxonomy and Great Lakes ecosystem science dissemination of results via peer-reviewed journal articles and other media development of zooplankton, benthos, and Diporeia indicator reports an intensive lake-by-lake synoptic assessment of benthos communities coincident with the Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI)2 that compliments the long-term benthos monitoring program design a monitoring design that contributes to CSMI

Applicants should also demonstrate how their proposed project will achieve one or more of the following outcomes (and any additional ones identified by the applicant):

increased understanding of biological health of the Great Lakes lower foodweb and the relationship to fisheries and water quality management increased understanding of the spatial and temporal trends of chlorophyll-a, zooplankton, Mysis, and benthos to inform each Lakewide Action and Management

Plan developed by the Lake Partnerships increased understanding of the changes occurring to the zooplankton community and the implications for larval and forage fish enhancement of indicators, based on zooplankton and benthic communities, of the health of the Great Lakes surveillance for new aquatic invasive species within the zooplankton and/or benthic community enhanced understanding of the changes in nutrient cycling related to changing zooplankton and benthos abundance and composition increased understanding of the impacts of dreissenid mussels and nutrient load changes on the zooplankton and benthos communities and primary production

II. AWARD INFORMATION

Amounts and Number of Projects: Up to $6.0 million in EPA funding is expected to be awarded under this RFA for one project over five years, consisting of incremental funding of about $1,200,000 per year. Project funding under this RFA will be based on the quality of applications received, the availability of funding, and other applicable considerations. Please

2 The Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI) is a joint United States and Canadian effort to provide environmental managers with needed information on each Great Lake. The lakes are visited one per year in a five-year rotation. In 2017, CSMI will be focused on Lake Huron. In subsequent years (2018-2021), CMSI will focus on

Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, and Lake Superior.

note that applications seeking more than $6.0 million will be rejected. In addition, an application for a multi-phase project will be treated as a request for the full amount for all phases. If that combined amount exceeds $6.0 million, the application will be rejected.

EPA reserves the right to reject all applications and make no awards pursuant to this RFA.

Anticipated Project Start and End Dates: Applications should specify a start date on or around

May 1, 2017 and an end date on or around September 30, 2022.

Additional Awards: EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this announcement, consistent with Agency policy and guidance, if additional funding becomes available after the original selections are made. Any additional selections for awards will be made no later than 6 months after the original selection decisions.

Award Funding: The award will be funded incrementally and is based on funding availability, future appropriations, satisfactory performance of work, program priorities, and other applicable considerations.

Funding Type: A successful applicant will be awarded a cooperative agreement3. A cooperative agreement is an assistance agreement that is used when there is substantial federal involvement with the recipient during the performance of an activity or project. EPA awards cooperative agreements for those projects in which it expects to have substantial interaction with the recipient throughout the performance of the project. EPA will negotiate the precise terms and conditions of “substantial involvement” as part of the award process. Federal involvement may include close monitoring of the recipient’s performance; collaboration during the performance of the scope of work; review of proposed procurements in accordance with; 2 CFR 200.317 and 2 CFR

200.318 and 2 CFR 1500.9 reviewing qualifications of key personnel; and/or review and comment on the content of printed or electronic publications prepared. EPA does not have the authority to select employees or contractors employed by the recipient. The final decision on the content of reports rests with the recipient.

Future Funding: Selection or award of funding under this RFA is not a guarantee of future funding.

Partial Funding: In appropriate circumstances, EPA reserves the right to partially fund an application by funding discrete portions or phases of the proposed project. If EPA decides to partially fund an application, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice the 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.

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Applicant Eligibility (CFDA 66.469):

3 While the award being offered pursuant to this RFA will be a cooperative agreement, throughout the remainder of the RFA the terms “grant” and “cooperative agreement” are synonymous.

Entities eligible to apply for grants include non-federal governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, and institutions. This includes state agencies; any agency or instrumentality of local government; interstate agencies; federally-recognized tribes and tribal organizations;

colleges and universities; non-profit organizations; and other public or non-profit private agencies, institutions, and organizations. Non-profit organization, as defined by 2 CFR Part 200, means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative or other organization that: (1) is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable or similar purposes in the public interest;

(2) is not organized primarily for profit; and (3) uses its net proceeds to maintain, improve and/or expand its operations. Note that 2 CFR Part 200 specifically excludes the following types of organizations from the definition of non-profit organization because they are separately defined in the regulation: (i) institutions of higher education; and (ii) state, local and federally-recognized

Indian tribal governments. While not considered to be a non-profit organization(s) as defined by

2 CFR Part 200, Institutions of Higher Education and state, local and federally-recognized Indian tribal governments are, nevertheless, eligible to submit applications under this RFA. Hospitals operated by state, tribal, or local governments or that meet the definition of nonprofit at 2 CFR

200.70 are also eligible to apply. For-profit colleges, universities, trade schools, and hospitals are ineligible. 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 applicants. The following applicants are not eligible: foreign governmental entities, nonprofit organizations and institutions; "for profit" organizations; and individuals.

Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria at the time of their submission.

Eligible Minority Serving Institutions, as described in Section I, are strongly encouraged to apply for funding under this competition.

Coalitions: Groups of two or more eligible applicants may choose to form a coalition and submit a single application under this RFA; however, one entity must be responsible for the grant.

Coalitions must identify which eligible organization will be the recipient of the grant and which eligible organization(s) will be subawardees of the recipient. Subawards and subgrants must be consistent with the definitions of those terms in 2 C.F.R. 200.92. The recipient that administers the grant will be accountable to EPA for proper expenditure of the funds and reporting, and will be the point of contact for the coalition. As provided in 2 C.F.R. 200.331(d), subrecipients or subgrantees are accountable to the recipient or grantee for proper use of EPA funding.

Coalitions may not include for-profit organizations that will provide services or products to the successful applicant. For-profit organizations are not eligible for subawards. For-profit organizations are eligible to receive contracts. Any contracts for services or products funded with EPA financial assistance must be awarded under the competitive procurement procedures of 2 C.F.R. 200.319, as applicable. The regulations also contain limitations on consultant compensation. (Please see 2 C.F.R. § 1500.9, formerly at 40 C.F.R. § 30.27(b) or 31.36(j), as applicable.) For additional information, please review the following Federal Register:

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-7867.pdf.

Eligible Activities: Unless specifically excluded under this RFA, assistance is available to eligible applicants for planning, research, monitoring, outreach, and implementation of the GLRI and GLWQA. Proposed projects must also either: (i) protect, enhance, and/or restore the Great http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-7867.pdf

Lakes, including projects impacting connecting waterways such as Lake St. Clair and the St.

Lawrence River (at or upstream from the point at which the St. Lawrence River becomes the international boundary between Canada and the United States); or (ii) protect Great Lakes ecosystem health, including human health. Information about the GLRI can be found at www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/great-lakes-restoration-initiative-glri. Applications for other activities will be rejected.

Ineligible Activities: Sampling and analysis of zooplankton and benthos communities for the purpose of listing/delisting criteria and generation of Area of Concern (AOC) Beneficial Use Impairment data.

If an application is submitted that includes any ineligible activities, including, but not limited to, those listed above, that portion of the application will be ineligible for funding and may, depending on the extent to which it affects the application, render the entire application ineligible.

Match or Cost-Share: There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement as a condition of eligibility under this RFA. However, see Section IV.D.3 and Section V for additional information regarding applicants who propose voluntary matches and additional funds/resources to support the project.

Although cost-sharing/matching is not required as a condition of eligibility under this competition, pursuant to Section V of this RFA, EPA will consider voluntary cost-sharing/matching and other leveraging as a part of the criterion for collaboration.

Leveraging generally refers to situations where 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 which 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 RFA). A letter of support should also be included in the application package to document any proposed leveraging. Leveraged funds and resources may take various forms as noted below.

Voluntary cost share is a form of leveraging. Voluntary cost sharing refers to situations where 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 includes voluntary cost share in their workplan and budget narrative, but fails to include it on their SF-424, if selected, they may be required to revise their SF-424 to include the cost share as a condition of award. If an applicant proposes a voluntary cost share, the following apply:

A voluntary cost share is subject to the match provisions in the grant regulations (2 C.F.R.

Section 200.306);

A voluntary cost share must be eligible and allowable;

http://www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/great-lakes-restoration-initiative-glri

The recipient may not use other sources of federal funds to meet a voluntary cost share 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; and

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 C.F.R. 200 and/or 1500.

Other leveraged funding/resources that are not identified as a voluntary cost share 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 workplan should include a statement indicating that the applicant expects to produce the proposed leveraging consistent with the terms of the announcement and the applicant's proposal. 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. 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 C.F.R. § 200 as applicable.

Threshold Eligibility Criteria: These are requirements that if not met by the applicant by the time of application submission will result in elimination of the application from consideration for funding. Only applications for eligible activities from eligible entities (see above definitions of applicant eligibility, eligible activities, and ineligible activities) that meet these criteria by the time of application submission will be evaluated against the ranking factors in Section V of this

RFA. Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration as a result of the threshold eligibility review will be notified by e-mail within 15 calendar days of the ineligibility determination.

1. Applications that do not demonstrate how they will ensure continuity of taxonomic analysis with historic zooplankton and benthos data will be rejected

2. a. Applications seeking EPA funding in excess of $6 million will be rejected. In addition, an application for a multi-phased project will be viewed as a request for the full amount of all phases. If that combined amount exceeds $6 million, the application will be rejected.

b. Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section IV of this RFA or else they will be rejected. Where a page limit is stated for the Narrative Proposal in Section IV, pages in excess of the limitation will not be reviewed.

c. In addition, 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.

http://www.grants.gov/

d. 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 Glenn Warren

(warren.glenn@epa.gov) as soon as possible after the submission deadline—failure to do so may result in your application not being reviewed.

3. Ineligible activities: 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.

Applicants should contact the applicable individual listed in Section VII with any questions about the threshold eligibility requirements.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

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

Applicants, except as noted below, must apply electronically through Grants.gov under this funding opportunity based on the grants.gov instructions in this announcement. If an applicant does not have the technical capability to apply electronically through grants.gov because of limited or no internet access which prevents them from being able to upload the required application materials to Grants.gov, the applicant must contact

OGDWaivers@epa.gov or the address listed below in writing (e.g., by hard copy, email) at least 15 calendar days prior to the submission deadline under this announcement to request approval to submit their application materials through an alternate method.

Mailing Address:

OGD Waivers c/o Barbara Perkins

USEPA Headquarters

William Jefferson Clinton Building

1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N. W.

Mail Code: 3903R

Washington, DC 20460

Courier Address:

OGD Waivers c/o Barbara Perkins

Ronald Reagan Building

1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.

Rm # 51267

Washington, DC 20004 http://grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ http://grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:Grants.gov mailto:OGDWaivers@epa.gov

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

Funding Opportunity Number (FON)

Organization Name and DUNS

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

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

Grants.gov because of 1) limited internet access or 2) no internet access which prevents them from being able to upload the required application materials through 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, 2016, it is valid for any competitive or non-competitive application submission to EPA through December 31, 2016). 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, 2016 with a submission deadline of January 15, 2017, the applicant would need a new exception to submit through alternative methods beginning

January 1, 2017.

Please note that the process described in this section is only for requesting alternate submission methods. All other inquiries about this announcement must be directed to the

Agency Contact listed in Section VII of the announcement. Queries or requests submitted to the email address identified above for any reason other than to request an alternate submission method will not be acknowledged or answered.

B. Submission Instructions

The electronic submission of your application must be made by an official representative of your institution who is registered with Grants.gov and is authorized to sign applications for

Federal assistance. For more information on the registration requirements that must be completed in order to submit an application through grants.gov, go to Grants.gov and click on

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

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

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

You may also be able to access the application package for this announcement by searching for the opportunity on Grants.gov. Go to Grants.gov and then click on “Search Grants” at the top of the page and enter the Funding Opportunity Number, EPA-R5-GL2017-ZBC, in the appropriate field and click the Search button. Alternatively, you may be able to access the application package by clicking on the Package button at the top right of the synopsis page for the announcement on Grants.gov. To find the synopsis page, go to Grants.gov and click

“Browse Agencies” in the middle of the page and then go to “Environmental Protection

Agency” to find the EPA funding opportunities.

Please note that Grants.gov is strongly encouraging users to sign up for and use their

“Workspace” feature when applying for opportunities. Grants.gov will be phasing out the

“legacy” application process, so EPA recommends that all applicants begin using Workspace as soon as possible so they are prepared when the “legacy” application process is no longer available.

Application Submission Deadline: Your organization’s AOR must submit your complete application package electronically to EPA through Grants.gov on or before 10:59 p.m. Central

Time / 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 17, 2017.

Please allow for enough time to successfully submit your application process and allow for unexpected errors that may require you to resubmit. Please submit all of the application materials described below using the grants.gov application package that you downloaded using the instructions above. All documents must be submitted as PDF files. For additional instructions on completing and submitting the electronic application package, click on the http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

“Show Instructions” tab that is accessible within the application package itself.

Application Materials

The following forms and documents are required under this announcement:

1. Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

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

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

4. Grants.gov Lobbying Form

5. EPA Key Contacts Form 5700-54

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

7. Narrative Proposal (Project Narrative Attachment Form)-prepared as described in Section

IV.D. of the announcement

8. Other Attachments Form - Resumes or curriculum vitae of Principal Investigators and

Critical Staff

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

10. Other Attachments Form - Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, if applicable

11. Other Attachments Form - Letters of support, if applicable

Note that the Narrative Proposal includes the Summary Information Page; Workplan;

Detailed Budget Narrative; Maps, Charts and Figures; and Meeting/Conference/Workshop

Information. Prepare as described in Section IV.D. of the announcement. This is the only file that should be submitted using the Project Narrative Attachment form.

Note that an Other Attachments Form should be used for Resumes or curriculum vitae of

Principal Investigators and critical staff. Use the “Other Attachments Form” in the “Optional

Documents” box to attach a copy of the resume or curriculum vitae of principal investigators and critical staff for the proposed project. Such documentation should outline the education, work history, and knowledge/expertise of the individual that relate to managing the proposed project. Please include the word “resume” in the filename.

Note that an Other Attachments Form should be used for Support Letters. Use the “Other

Attachments Form” in the “Optional Documents” box to attach any relevant letters from collaborators or partners in support of the project. A letter of support may also be required for voluntary cost share. Specifically indicate how the supporting organization will assist in the project or what that organization supports, as applicable. No other types of letters of support will be considered in the review of the application. Please include the words “letters of support” or “LOS” in the filename.

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 Glenn Warren at (312) 886-2405. Failure to do so may result in your application not being reviewed.

C. Technical Issues With Submission

1. Once the application package has been completed, the “Submit” button should be enabled. If the “Submit” button is not active, please call Grants.gov for assistance at 1-800-

518-4726. Applicants who are outside the U.S. at the time of submittal and are not able to access the toll-free number may reach a Grants.gov representative by calling 606-545-5035.

Applicants should save the completed application package with two different file names before providing it to the AOR to avoid having to re-create the package should submission problems be experienced or a revised application needs to be submitted.

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

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

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

3. Transmission Difficulties. If transmission difficulties that result in a late transmission, no transmission, or rejection of the transmitted application are experienced, and following the above instructions do not resolve the problem so that the application is submitted to

Grants.gov by the deadline date and time, follow the guidance below. The Agency will make a decision concerning acceptance of each late submission on a case-by-case basis. All emails, as described below, are to be sent to warren.glenn@epa.gov with the FON in the subject line.

If you are unable to email, contact Glenn Warren at (312) 886-2405. Be aware that EPA will only consider accepting applications that were unable to transmit due to Grants.gov or relevant www.Sam.gov system issues or for unforeseen exigent circumstances, such as extreme weather interfering with internet access. Failure of an applicant to submit timely because they did not properly or timely register in SAM.gov or Grants.gov is not an acceptable reason to justify acceptance of a late submittal.

a. If you are experiencing problems resulting in an inability to upload the application to

Grants.gov, it is essential to call Grants.gov for assistance at 1-800-518-4726 before the application deadline. Applicants who are outside the U.S. at the time of submittal and are not able to access the toll-free number may reach a Grants.gov representative by calling 606-545-

5035. Be sure to obtain a case number from Grants.gov. If the problems stem from unforeseen exigent circumstances unrelated to Grants.gov, such as extreme weather interfering with internet access, contact Glenn Warren at (312) 886-2405.

b. Unsuccessful transfer of the application package: If a successful transfer of the application cannot be accomplished even with assistance from Grants.gov due to electronic submission system issues or unforeseen exigent circumstances, send an email message to http://www.grants.gov/ warren.glenn@epa.gov prior to the application deadline. The email message must document the problem and include the Grants.gov case number as well as the entire application in PDF format as an attachment.

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 warren.glenn@epa.gov with the FON in the subject line within one business day of the closing date of this solicitation. The email should include any materials provided by Grants.gov and attach the entire application in PDF format.

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

D. Narrative Proposal:

Narrative Proposals (including the Summary Information Page, Workplan, Detailed Budget

Narrative; Maps, Charts and Figures; Environmental and Regulatory Compliance

Information; and Meeting/Conference/Workshop Information) must be no more than thirty single-spaced pages in length and include the items below in the requested order. Excess pages will not be reviewed. Maps, charts, pictures, and other figures must be included in the

Narrative Proposal file. They may be included within the body of the workplan or as an appendix. In either case those items will be counted against the page limit. Maps, charts, pictures, and other figures that are submitted as a separate attachment will not be reviewed.

Each Narrative Proposal must be formatted for 8½” x 11” paper and should use no smaller than an 11-point Times New Roman font with 1” margins. Do not use a “double column” (aka newspaper) format. Readability is of paramount importance. Do not include more than one application in any file. Please do not zip the file or use a zip extension for your file because it will not be accepted.

Summary Information Page (should not exceed one page):

i. Project Title. Please limit to 60 characters. EPA reserves the right to change the project title for its administrative convenience.

ii. Applicant Information. Include applicant (organization) name, address, contact person, phone number, and e-mail address. Do not include private information.

iii. Proposed Funding Request. The total dollar amount requested from EPA-make sure it is within the limits specified or your application will be rejected.

iv. Project Duration. Provide beginning and ending dates. See “Anticipated

Start and End Dates” in Section II.

mailto:warren.glenn@epa.gov

v. Brief Project Description. Summarize the proposed project in 100 words or less in a clear and succinct manner in PLAIN LANGUAGE, including expected outputs, outcomes and environmental benefits resulting from implementation of the project. Include environmental KEY TERMS that could be used as search terms (e.g., zooplankton and benthos, Mysis, algae, chlorophyll, ecosystem, water quality, etc.). Do not use acronyms. Should the proposal be selected and a grant awarded, this description may be posted to the EPA Web. EPA reserves the right to make unilateral changes to conform to posting requirements. See https://www.glri.us/projects/index.html for examples.

Work Plan:

The Work Plan for the proposed project must explicitly describe how the proposed project meets the guidelines established in Sections I-III of this RFA (including the threshold eligibility criteria in Section III) and must address each of the evaluation criteria set forth in Section V. Each

Work Plan should be organized in the order and with the headings and information requested below. Details and associated point values for each section of the workplan are described in

RFA Section V.A (Application Review) below.

1) Technical Process and Study Design

Applicants should describe with specificity the nature of the proposed project including what will be done, by whom, how, and when it will be accomplished. Outline the steps to be taken and the significant milestones to be achieved to complete the proposed project as well as the estimated dates of these achievements, including the submittal of the final report.

Applicants should describe the process by which the applicant will implement a monitoring and assessment approach consistent with the five major objectives of the project.

a) Sample collection – Applicants should describe their plans to collect zooplankton, Mysis, and chlorophyll samples on all five Great Lakes in spring and summer, starting in summer 2017 for a 5year period. Applicants should also describe their plans to collect benthos samples during summer, along with four sampling locations in the spring.

Applicants should also describe how they intend to carry out an intensive synoptic assessment of whole-lake benthos community abundance and distribution annually on the

Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI) intensive lake.

CSMI Rotation

2017 Lake Huron

2018 Lake Ontario

2019 Lake Erie

2020 Lake Michigan

2021 Lake Superior https://www.glri.us/projects/index.html

Applicants may use the U.S. EPA Research Vessel (R/V) Lake Guardian for sample collection. Historic sampling procedures can be found at:

www.epa.gov/great-lakes-funding/2017-rfa-great-lakes-long-term-biology-monitoring-pr…