Brownfields Job Training Cooperative Agreements

Brownfield sites are real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. The objective of the Brownfields Job Training Program is

Training programs funded by Brownfields Job Training Grants enable program graduates to obtain skills to secure full-time, long term employment in various aspects of hazardous substances, pollutants, contaminants, and petroleum products within the larger environmental field, including sustainable cleanup and reuse, and chemical safety. Some example certifications graduates earn are: HAZWOPER, Lead Based Paint Inspection, Lead Renovation, Repair, and Repainting (RRP), Asbestos Inspection, Confined Space Entry, and CDL/ Hazardous Waste Transport/Forklift Operator. For examples of the types of projects funded under this assistance listing, please visit https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-job-training-jt-grants.

Applications will be accepted from either eligible entities as defined in CERCLA Section 104(k)(1) or eligible nonprofit organizations as defined in 2 CFR 200.1. Eligible governmental entities include a general purpose local unit of government; a land clearance authority or other quasi-governmental entity that operates under the supervision and control of, or as an agent of, a general purpose unit of government; a governmental entity created by a state legislature; a regional council or group of general purpose units of local government; a redevelopment agency that is chartered or otherwise sanctioned by a state; a state; a Federally recognized Indian Tribe other than in Alaska, an Alaskan Native Regional Corporation, Alaska Native Village Corporation as those terms are defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 and following); and the Metlakatla Indian Community. Intertribal consortia, except consortia comprised of ineligible Alaskan tribes, are eligible to apply as well. Eligible nonprofit organizations include any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization that is operated mainly for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purpose in the public interest; is not organized primarily for profit; and uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operation of the organization. Workforce Investment Boards that meet these criteria may be eligible nonprofit organizations. Public and nonprofit private educational institutions are eligible to apply. However, 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 or proprietary training organizations or trade schools are not eligible to apply. Limited liability corporation in which all managing members are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or limited liability corporations whose sole members are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, limited liability partnership in which all general partners are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or limited liability corporations whose sole members are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and qualified community development entity as defined in section 45D(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 are eligible to apply. Evidence of nonprofit status under Federal, state or tribal law must be provided at the time the proposal is submitted. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.

Brownfields Job Training grants will provide environmental job training to unemployed and underemployed residents of brownfields-impacted neighborhoods to help them take advantage of job opportunities created as a result of the management, assessment, and cleanup of contaminated properties.

Funds awarded under Section 104(k)(7) of CERCLA must be used for training, research, and technical assistance to individuals and organizations, to facilitate the inventory of brownfield properties, site assessments, cleanup of brownfield properties, community involvement, or site preparation. For Brownfields Job Training grants however, individuals are not eligible to apply. (See eligibility requirements). Cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' eligible and allowable direct costs incurred under an approved workplan plus allowable programmatic costs, in accordance with established EPA policies and regulations. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: Geospatial Resources at EPA (https://www.epa.gov/geospatial). Costs incurred under CERCLA Section 104(k)(7) cooperative agreements may not be used for a penalty or fine, a Federal cost-share requirement, a response cost for which the recipient of the cooperative agreement is potentially liable under CERCLA Section 107, or the cost of complying with a Federal law, with the exception of the costs of laws applicable to cleanup of brownfield sites. Administrative costs, including indirect costs, are limited to 5% of the amount of EPA funding as required by CERCLA Section 104(k)(5)(E).Grant funds cannot be used for the payment of administrative costs, including all indirect costs and direct costs for grant administration, in excess of five (5) percent of the total amount of EPA grant funding, with the exception of financial and performance reporting costs (which are considered allowable programmatic costs and not subject to the 5% limitation); a response cost at a brownfield site for which the recipient of the grant or a subaward is potentially liable under CERCLA Section 107; and a cost of compliance with any federal law, excluding the cost of compliance with laws applicable to the cleanup. This program makes Federal awards on a discretionary basis. A discretionary award means an award in which the Federal awarding agency, in keeping with specific statutory authority that enables the agency to exercise judgement ("discretion"), selects the recipient and/or the amount of Federal funding awarded through a competitive process or based on merit of proposals. A discretionary award may be selected on a non-competitive basis, as appropriate. For further information, please contact the Headquarters or regional office.

Grant funds cannot be used for the payment of administrative costs, including all indirect costs and direct costs for grant administration, in excess of five (5) percent of the total amount of EPA grant funding, with the exception of financial and performance reporting costs (which are considered allowable programmatic costs and not subject to the 5% limitation); a response cost at a brownfield site for which the recipient of the grant or a subaward is potentially liable under CERCLA Section 107; and a cost of compliance with any federal law, excluding the cost of compliance with laws applicable to the cleanup.

The assistance is available for 180+ days. The performance period for a Brownfields Job Training grant is up to five years. Grants are generally announced nationally and awarded by EPA Regional Offices. The Regional Offices work with applicants to negotiate a workplan and award the cooperative agreement.

Regarding pre-application assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement. For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed in the competitive announcement.

The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this assistance listing will be described in the NOFO.

For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements. Final approval of applications for job training grants and supporting documentation is made by EPA. Award of grant funds are generally made by EPA Regional Award Officials.

For competitive awards, deadlines will be specified in the competitive announcement.

For Brownfields Job Training grants, the range of approval/disapproval time will be approximately 90 days.

Extensions are subject to EPA approval.

Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be found at: https://www.epa.gov/grants/grant-competition-dispute-resolution-procedures. Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable.