Grantee Research Project Results
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development
National Center for Environmental Research
National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL)
CLOSED - FOR REFERENCES PURPOSES ONLY
Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program: Solicitation for Projects in EPA Regions 1, 5, 8, and 10
This is the initial announcement of this funding opportunity.
Funding Opportunity Number: EPA/ORD/NHEERL/MED-FY2007-27455
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 66.512 REMAP
Solicitation Opening Date: May 11, 2007
Solicitation Closing Date: July 18, 2007,
4:00 pm Eastern Time from the U.S. Postal
Service, or other commercial delivery
service.
Applications submitted electronically
through grants.gov must be received by
grants.gov by 6:00 p.m. EST on July 18,
2007.
Primary Contact: Jo Thompson (Thompson.jo@epa.gov);
phone: 218-529-5198
Alternate Contact: Craig
Johnson (Johnson.craig@epa.gov);
phone: 218-529-5016
Grant Application Forms (https://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/application.htm)
View research awarded under previous solicitations (https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/recipients.archive/RFATypeList/G,C)
SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
General Information
Announcement Type: | Initial Announcement |
Funding Instrument Type: | CA |
Funding Opportunity Number: | EPA/ORD/NHEERL/MED-FY2007-27455 |
Posted Date: | May 11, 2007 |
Original Due Date for Applications: | To be considered timely, printed applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. local time in Duluth, MN on (07/18/07) from the U.S. Postal Service, or other commercial delivery service. Applications submitted electronically through grants.gov must be received by grants.gov by 6:00 p.m. EST on (07/18/07) |
Category of Funding Activity: | Environment |
Anticipated Number of Awards: | 4 |
Anticipated Total Program Funding: | $ 1,536,000 |
Award Ceiling: | $ 384,000 |
Award Floor: | $ 40,000 (Year One) |
CFDA Number: | 66.512 REMAP |
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: | None |
Eligible Applicants
Entities that are eligible to receive federal assistance under the Clean Water Act which includes the States, their territories and possessions, local governments and federally recognized U.S. Tribal Nations (40 CFR part 31); institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other non-profit organizations (40 CFR part 30). Eligible nonprofit organizations include any organizations that meet the definition of nonprofit in 2 CFR part 230 (formerly OMB Circular A-122). However, non-profit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities, as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, are not eligible to apply. Universities and educational institutions must be subject to 2 CFR, part 220 (formerly OMB Circular A-21).
Federal Agency NameU.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development
National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory
Mid-Continent Ecology Division
Attn: Jo Thompson
6201 Congdon Boulevard
Duluth, MN 55804
The purpose of the solicited research is to build state and tribal capacity for using statistically valid monitoring data for reporting on the condition of their aquatic resources. For the 2007 solicitation, EPA is seeking proposals which meet specific priority needs within EPA’s Regions 1, 5, 8, and 10. These include:
- Regional Assessment of Large River Systems in New England (Region 1).
- Development and testing of protocols and/or the monitoring and assessment of wetlands in the Region 5 states using a stratified, statistically-valid sample survey design that will allow extrapolation of wetland condition throughout ecological regions of the Midwest.
- Improve the ability to assess wetland condition within EPA Region 8 through sampling frame enhancement, and development of indicators and assessment methods in preparation for the National Survey of Wetland Condition.
- Using a probabilistic sample design approach to assess the ecological condition of the main stem Columbia River and to assess contaminant sources from selected tributaries in the Columbia River between Grand Coulee Dam and Bonneville Dam in EPA Region 10.
You may submit either a printed application or an electronic application for this announcement. The printed application must be submitted to Jo Thompson, U.S. EPA MED, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN 55804, by the closing date and time. To apply electronically, the electronic application package available through the http://www.grants.gov/ web site must be used. If your organization is not currently registered with Grants.gov, you will need to allow approximately one week or longer to complete the registration process. This registration, and electronic submission of your application, must be completed by an Authorizing Organization Representative.
Agency Contact Person for Electronic Access Problems
Jo Thompson (Thompson.jo@epa.gov);
phone: 218-529-5198
I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION
Title of Assistance
Opportunity:
Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program: Solicitation for Research Projects in EPA Regions 1, 5, 8, and 10)
Background
The Regional Environmental
Monitoring and Assessment Program (REMAP) is a partnership between the EPA
Regional Offices and the Office of Research and Development (ORD) Environmental
Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP), with the primary goal to build
state and tribal capacity for using statistically valid monitoring data for
reporting on the condition of their aquatic resources. The goals for REMAP
are to transfer EMAP’s latest scientific techniques for ecological
monitoring to EPA Regions, States, Tribes and local decision makers. ORD
works with the EPA Regional Offices to support projects meeting EMAP criteria
and that are of importance to needs within the Regions. EMAP support
for these projects includes: contributing to development of the scientific
design of projects; assistance with the selection and evaluation of appropriate
indicators and methods for measurement; application of information management
approaches; analysis and interpretation of data; and providing a source of
funding. EPA funds projects in each of its 10 Regions. Annual
announcements reflect priority needs in those Regions where funding will
be allocated for new projects. For this year, EPA is seeking proposals
for projects in Regions 1 (CT, RI, MA, ME, NH, VT)), 5 (MN, WI, MI, IL, IN,
OH), 8 (MT, ND, SD, WY, UT, CO) and 10 (WA, OR, ID, AK) to address needs
within each of those Regions.
Government Performance Results Act (GPRA) Goals: Projects conducted under this program must advance the following goals/objectives as identified in EPA's Strategic Plan (https://www.epa.gov/ocfo/plan/2003sp.pdf):
- Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems;
Objective 4.4: Enhance Science and Research.- provide a sound scientific foundation for EPA’s goal of protecting, sustaining, and restoring the health of people, communities, and ecosystems by conducting leading-edge research and developing a better understanding and characterization of environmental outcomes under Goal 4.
Sub-objective 4.4.1 Apply the Best Available Science.- identify and synthesize the best available scientific information, models, methods and analyses to support Agency guidance and policy decisions related to the health of people, communities, and ecosystems.
Sub-objective 4.4.2 Conduct Relevant Research.-conduct research that contributes to the overall health of people, communities, and ecosystems.Assistance
Statutory Authority for Award of Assistance: Statutory Authority for Award of Assistance: Research will be funded under the statutory authority of the Clean Water Act (P.L.92-500, as amended) Section 104(b3).
Environmental Results: Pursuant to EPA Order 5700.7, “Environmental Results under EPA Assistance Agreements,” EPA requires that all grant and cooperative agreement recipients adequately address environmental outputs and outcomes. Outputs and outcomes differ both in their nature, and in how they are measured.
- Outputs: The term “output” means an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work products 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.
- Outcomes: The term “outcome” means the result, effect or consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health-related or programmatic in nature, but must be quantitative. They may not necessarily be achievable within an assistance agreement funding period.
Project outputs and outcomes should be consistent with the U.S. EPA’s strategic plan (www.epa.gov/ocfopage/plan/plan.htm) and research priorities. In general, the expected outcomes supported by this Assistance Agreement will be the strengthened ability to assess and compare risks to ecosystems, to protect or restore them, and to track progress in terms of ecological outcomes. Expected Outputs delivered by this assistance agreement are to be consistent with EPA’s long term research goals for Ecosystem Protection. In general, these include, but are not limited to:
- Products that provide environmental managers and researchers with a better understanding of the links between human activities, natural dynamics, ecological stressors and ecosystem condition.
- Tools that managers and researchers can use to predict stressors on ecological resources.
- Scientifically defensible methods for protecting and restoring ecosystem condition.
More specific outputs and outcomes will depend on the research project.
Funding Priorities/Focus: The primary objectives of the solicited research are to provide States and Tribes with methods and approaches for incorporating statistically valid ecological monitoring data into their environmental decision-making process. Project goals are to be consistent with EMAP’s probabilistic approach (www.epa.gov/emap) to answer questions about ecological conditions at regional and local levels. Information produced from projects is to be transferable to Regional, State and Tribal water quality monitoring programs and regulatory agencies. Research proposals must address one or more of the following monitoring needs in U.S. EPA Regions 1, 5, 8, and 10 for state and tribal aquatic (headwater streams, lakes, near shore coastal areas, wetlands, wadeable streams or large rivers) resources:
- State and Tribal monitoring needs for water quality reporting (CWA Section 305b).
- Information needed for identifying impaired waters (CWA Section 303d).
- Using probability information to identify the effectiveness of restoration/remediation efforts.
- Advancing the science of biological reference condition for establishing biocriteria.
- Improved tools and approaches for the assessment of aquatic ecosystems.
Any proposals submitted must at the least address one of the above monitoring needs. In addition, proposals which address specific (see below) “Regional Funding Priorities” will be given greater consideration (see programmatic selection criteria in Section V). These priorities have been identified by ORD and the Regions as priority areas needing research in order to meet the monitoring needs stated above. It is anticipated that one proposal will be selected from each of the Regional Funding Priorities.
Region 1. Regional Assessment of Large River Systems in New England (Region 1)
Large, non-wadeable rivers in New England are rarely included in state monitoring plans. They are not routinely monitored nor included in comprehensive state assessments. Many non-wadeable river systems in New England cross political boundaries and monitoring data are often not comparable among states because sampling methods and indicators vary. Many methods, indicators, and indices used for assessing wadeable systems are not appropriate for these larger waterbodies. Furthermore, reference condition criteria have not been established for most systems. EPA is currently planning a National Survey of large river systems and is developing sampling methods for these systems. However, these methods need to be tested for use in statewide and regional assessments. Assessment data for large non-wadeable rivers is needed by New England states for the development of a gradient of biological condition (BCG) in support of Tiered Aquatic Life Uses (TALU). The National Survey alone will not include a sufficient number of sites in New England states to support development of a BCG. EPA is seeking proposals for the Regional monitoring and assessment of large rivers in New England. The assessment information is to include biotic and abiotic indicators of condition. Biotic indicators may include fish, macroinvertebrates, and plankton. Abiotic indicators should include physical habitat, water chemistry, and other indicators of stress (for example, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP’s), and suspended and bedded sediments (SABS). This assessment will coordinate with the national large rivers survey initiative through the EPA Office of Water to foster and promote a consistent monitoring approach for all of the New England States. This multiyear effort must support section 305b comprehensive reporting and 30d impaired waters listings. Wherever possible, EMAP field data collection and information management protocols will be used. Resulting data will be archived within the national EMAP database. Preference will be given to proposals which demonstrate the participation of all Region 1 New England States (ME, VT, NH, CT, MA, RI) and associated Tribes. EPA can provide in-kind support for the creation of a probabilistic sampling design, chemical analysis, field training, equipment loans, and QA oversight (including field audits). The awarded organization and its collaborators will be required to meet at least semi-annually with EPA and its State and Tribal office representatives to discuss the projects design, and implementation, to evaluate progress, and to coordinate a strategy for data summarization, interpretation, and application.
Outputs of this research will provide: 1) A statistically-valid assessment l of the condition of large non-wadeable streams in New England including estimates of the extent of stressors and their relative risk to biotic assemblages; 2) Methods and indicators which are applicable throughout the region for state and regional assessment; 3) The establishment of benchmark reference conditions for New England non-wadeable rivers; And, 4) Electronic datasets for use by State and Tribal agencies for 305b reporting and 303d listing purposes.
Outcomes of this research will be the improved ability of States and Tribes to assess the condition of large non-wadeable rivers in New England through the development of common assessment methods and indicators among the New England states for assessing large non-wadeable rivers. It will improve the ability of State agencies to access and utilize assessment data for 305b reporting and 303d listing purposes. This research project will provide data for the development of new tools such as the BCG/TALU which will increase State and tribal capacity for more refined management of large rivers and the ability to track trends in resource condition through selected indicators. Assessment of the pervasiveness of ubiquitous stressors such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP’s) and suspended and bedded sediments (SABS) will provide empirical data for evaluating effects of these stressors and provide baselines by which to measure the success of management and restoration efforts.
Region 5. Development and testing of protocols and/or the monitoring and assessment of wetlands in the Region 5 states using a stratified, statistically-valid sample survey design that will allow extrapolation of wetland condition throughout ecological regions of the Midwest.
The establishment of comprehensive state and tribal wetlands programs is a national priority. In response to the need for consistency and scientifically sound state monitoring programs, many federal and state workgroups have been exploring and developing assessment methodologies. EPA Region 5 is seeking proposals for a wetlands monitoring and assessment effort using a stratified, statistically-valid sample survey design that will allow extrapolation of wetland condition through out ecological regions or for specified classes of wetlands within a state and contribute to the design of the 2011 National Wetland Survey in a way that helps build state/tribal capacity for wetland monitoring and assessment. The project should be conducted in collaboration with EPA’s Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) and in close cooperation with the Region 5 states and tribes. Priority will be given to proposals that cover a large ecological region such as Omernik’s Level III and that include more than one state. In addition, priority will be given to proposals which address gaps and priorities identified in State/tribal monitoring strategies.
Outputs of this research will provide methods and approaches that address the following key science questions: 1) How accurate are existing geospatial datasets (e.g., NWI trends study plots) in characterizing wetlands of varying sizes and types, in differing landscapes, and can that accuracy be improved? 2) What indicators are most useful for evaluating the condition of multiple types of wetlands, as located across the states of Region 5. 3) How should the condition of particular wetland types within Region 5 be characterized based on reference condition (i.e., a disturbance gradient)? 4) How can broadscale monitoring information be combined with other spatial information to help inform wetland decision-making at the watershed scale for CWA purposes.
Expected outcomes of this research will be the strengthen ability of the states and tribes to extrapolate site specific information over broad areas with a known level of confidence, therefore increasing the ability of the states and tribes to assess the condition of wetlands for 305B and 303d purposes and for setting targets for management and restoration efforts.
Region 8. Improve the ability to assess wetland condition within EPA Region 8 through sampling frame enhancement, and development of indicators and assessment methods in preparation for the National Survey of Wetland Condition.
The establishment of comprehensive State and Tribal wetlands programs is a national priority. In addition, EPA is currently planning a 2011 National survey of wetland condition. In response to the need for consistency and scientifically sound state monitoring programs, many federal and state workgroups have been exploring and developing assessment methodologies.
EPA is seeking proposals for research that is needed for testing indicators of wetland condition at various scales developing assessment methods and approaches and enhancing the sampling frame for areas outside of the Prairie Pothole Region. Enhancement of the sampling frame could be accomplished by analyzing how sample plots from the National Wetlands Inventory Status and Trends Study can be used to survey wetland condition in the Region 8 states. Any sampling should be done using a probabilistic sampling design to extrapolate site specific information over broad areas with a known level of confidence.
Outputs of this research will provide and demonstrate methods and approaches that address the following key science questions: 1) How accurate are existing geospatial datasets in characterizing wetlands of varying sizes and types, in differing landscapes, and can that accuracy be improved? 2) What indicators are most useful for evaluating the condition of multiple types of wetlands, as located across the states of Region 8? 3) How should the condition of particular wetland types within Region 8 be characterized based on reference condition (i.e., a disturbance gradient)? 4) How can broad scale monitoring information be combined with other spatial information to help inform wetland decision-making at the watershed scale?
Expected outcomes of this research will improve the current knowledge of wetland location and extent, wetland indicators, assessment of wetland condition, or any combination of these. The expected outcomes of this research will be the strengthened ability of states and tribes to assess the condition of wetlands in Region 8 for the purpose of setting targets for wetland protection, management and restoration efforts.
Region 10. Using a probabilistic sample design approach to assess the ecological condition of the main stem Columbia River and to assess contaminant sources from selected tributaries in the Columbia River between Grand Coulee Dam and Bonneville Dam in EPA Region 10.
The Columbia River Basin has been identified as a priority water body in Goal 4 of EPA’s Draft 2006 – 2011 National Strategic Plan. Although the strategic plan is primarily focused on the reduction of toxics in fish, water and sediment, EPA Region 10 has also identified a need to assess the ecological condition of this river. Existing State assessments of very large rivers, like the Columbia, are problematic because methods and designs for sampling these systems are not well tested. States often omit or inadequately address great rivers in their comprehensive water quality assessments, and nonwadeable tributaries to great rivers are usually characterized using methods and measures which might not accurately capture their condition. Large tributary rivers provide a transition between wadeable streams and Great Rivers in which biological, physical and chemical conditions somewhat reflect both lotic systems. EPA has developed and implemented methods for sampling Great Rivers like the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers and large non-wadeable rivers. It is likely that a combination of Great and non-wadeable river methods will prove suitable for these systems.
EPA is seeking proposals for conducting an ecological and contamination assessment of the mainstem of the Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to Grand Coulee Dam in EPA Region 10 using a probabilistic design (at least 30 sites), plus the collection of data on sources of contaminants from a limited number of hand-selected tributaries to the mainstem in the same area. Assessment information is to include biotic (eg. fish, macroinvertebrates, algae) and abiotic (eg. water quality, habitat, contaminants). Contaminant samples are to be collected in order to assess and characterize toxics (e.g. PCBs, DDT/DDE, mercury) in fish, water and sediment. Other goals of this research are to provide information about the potential source(s) of contaminants. Priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate state and tribal participation. Wherever possible, EMAP field data collection and information management protocols are to be used. Resulting data will be archived within the national EMAP database. The awarded organization and its collaborators will be required to meet at least semi-annually with EPA and its State and Tribal office representatives to discuss the projects design, and implementation, to evaluate progress, and to coordinate a strategy for data summarization, interpretation, and application. This project is expected to be conducted in collaboration with EPA Region 10 and EMAP large river researchers at WED, MED and NERL-Cincinnati. EPA in-kind support to this project can include assistance with the probabilistic sampling design, chemical analysis of fish tissue, sediment and water, assistance with data analysis and interpretation, and assistance with field sampling methodology.
Outputs of this research will be a test of large river sampling methods and indicators for the Columbia River and a statistically valid assessment on the condition of the mid-Columbia mainstem. Outputs will also identify the extent of chemical contamination throughout the mid-river mainstem and report on any potential tributary sources.
Outcomes of this research will be the improved ability of states and tribes to monitor large rivers. And, it will provide States and Tribes within Region 10 with the knowledge base for tracking changes and provide information for management decisions concerning protection and restoration efforts and their effects on the Columbia River.
Anticipated Amount of Individual Awards: $384,000 (may be incrementally funded)
Anticipated Number of Awards: 4 (One for each of Regions 1, 5, 8, and 10)
Anticipated Funding: Up to a total of $ 1,536,000 is expected to be awarded across the 4 Regions. Awards may be made in full or in increments at the discretion of EPA and is dependent on the timing and amount of future EPA appropriations and allocations to the REMAP program. Individual projects can be funded for up to $384,000.00. EPA reserves the right to partially fund proposals/applications by funding discrete activities, portions, or phases of proposed projects. If EPA decides to partially fund a project, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice any applicants or affect the basis upon which the proposal/application, or portion thereof, was evaluated and selected for award, and that maintains the integrity of the competition and selection process.
Anticipated Project Period: It is anticipated that project periods will vary between Regions and projects (see previous section), but should be no more than 3 years. The start of individual projects will vary depending upon completion of funding packages (see section V) and date of award by the Grants Administration Division. The earliest start date is anticipated to be on or about November 1, 2007.
Type of Award: The Agency anticipates the award of cooperative agreements.
Anticipated Federal Involvement: EPA anticipates substantial involvement with the implementation of the research. This involvement could include:
- Contributing to development of the probabilistic sampling design of projects.
- Provide assistance with selection and evaluation of appropriate indicators and methods for measurement, field training, and logistical support as requested by applicants.
- Provide other In-kind assistance such as equipment and analytical services if it is more efficient in terms of cost or time.
- Provide assistance on application of information management approaches and analysis and interpretation of data.
- Participate in the development and preparation of journal articles on these activities.
EPA reserves the right to reject all proposals and make no awards.
Eligible Applicants: Entities that are eligible to
receive federal assistance under the Clean Water Act which includes the States,
their territories and possessions, local governments and federally recognized
U.S. Tribal Nations (40 CFR part 31); institutions of higher education, hospitals,
and other non-profit organizations (40 CFR part 30). Eligible nonprofit
organizations include any organizations that meet the definition of nonprofit
in 2 CFR part 230 (formerly OMB Circular A-122). Non-profit
organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code
that engage in lobbying activities, as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying
Disclosure Act of 1995, are not eligible to apply. Universities and educational
institutions must be subject to 2 CFR, part 220 (formerly OMB Circular A-21).
Cost Sharing Requirements: Institutional
cost-sharing is not required. However, if the applicant intends to cost-share,
a brief statement concerning cost-sharing should be added to the budget justification,
and estimated dollar amounts must be included in the appropriate categories in
the budget table.
Sub-agreement Eligibility Criteria: If two or more eligible organizations (40 CFR part 30 and 31) wish to form a consortium in response to this RFA, they must submit a single application for this assistance agreement. Consortiums must identify which eligible organization will be the recipient of the assistance agreement, and which eligible organizations(s) will be sub-awardees of the recipient. Sub-awards must be consistent with the definition of that term in 40 CFR 30.2(ff). The recipient must administer the assistance agreement, is accountable to EPA for proper expenditure of the funds, and will be the point of contact for the coalition. As provided in 40 CFR 30.2(gg), sub-recipients are accountable to the recipient for proper use of EPA funding. Consortiums may not include for-profit organizations that will provide services or products to the successful applicant. For-profit organizations are not eligible for sub-awards. Any contracts for services or products funded with EPA financial assistance must be awarded under the competitive procurement procedures of 40 CFR Part 30 and 31. Applicants are not required to identify contractors or consultants in the proposal. Moreover, the fact that a successful applicant has named a specific contractor or consultant in the proposal EPA approves does not relieve it of its obligations to comply with competitive procurement requirements.
- Applications will be rejected which do not address State and/or Tribal aquatic monitoring needs and consider one or more of the following:
- State and Tribal monitoring needs for water quality reporting (CWA Section 0305b).
- Information needed for identifying impaired waters (CWA Section 303d).
- Using probability information to identify the effectiveness of restoration/remediation efforts.
- Advancing the science of biological reference condition for establishing biocriteria.
- Improved tools and approaches for the assessment of aquatic ecosystems.
- Applications will be rejected if the proposed projects are not within the States, U.S. possessions or Tribal lands of EPA's Regions 1, 5, 8, or 10.
- Applications must substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section IV of this announcement or else they will be rejected. Applications must be received by the EPA or through www.grants.gov on or before the solicitation closing date published in Section IV of this announcement. Applications received after the published closing date will be returned to the sender without further consideration.
- The amount of requested federal assistance must not exceed $384,000.
IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Applicants must submit a full, detailed application to include all of the documents described in Section A below. Applications that do not substantially comply will be rejected. Applicants must submit adequate information addressing each of the ranking criteria in Section V. Additional guidance on completing the documents is available at EPA’s Office of Grants and Debarment (https://www.epa.gov/ogd/). Applicants may submit either a printed application or an electronic application through www.grants.gov for this announcement. Applications may not be submitted via email or by fax. Applications submitted by email or fax will not be considered for selection. Instructions for both forms of submission follow.
The application is made through submission of the materials described below for both electronic and printed applications. The application must contain the following items:
1. Application For Federal Assistance (SF-424). This form will be the first page of the application. Instructions for completion of the SF-424 are included with the form. Complete the form. There are no attachments. The form must contain the original signature of an authorized representative of the applying institution. Please note that both the Principal Investigator and an administrative contact are to be identified in Section 5 of the SF424. 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 or on-line at www.dnb.com.
2. Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A). Complete the form. There are no attachments. The total amount of federal funding requested for the project period should be shown on line 5(e) and on line 6(k) of SF-424A. If indirect costs are included, the amount of indirect costs should be entered on line 6(j). The indirect cost rate (i.e., a percentage), the base (e.g., personnel costs and fringe benefits), and the amount should also be indicated on line 22. Budget information must be broken down by each year of the project
3. SF-424B, Assurances for Non Construction Programs. Complete the form. There are no attachments.
4. Grants. Gov Lobbying Form-Certificate Regarding Lobbying. Complete the form. There are no attachments.
5. EPA Form 5700-54, Key Contacts Form should include the Principal, Co-Investigators, and administrative contacts. A copy of this form should also be completed for major sub-agreements (contacts at the institutions of primary co-investigators).
6. EPA Form 4700-4, Pre-Award Compliance Review Report. Complete the form. There are no attachments.
7. Project Narrative and Supporting Documentation.
The Project Narrative is the technical proposal that discusses the technical approach and organizational capabilities for accomplishing the goals stated under the Funding Priorities/Focus and Regional Priorities in Section I. It will become the technical work plan for selected proposals. It describes the objective of the proposed project and its link to EPA’s strategic plan. Pages should be consecutively numbered (bottom center) on 8.5X11-inch pages of single-spaced, standard 12-point type with 1-inch margins. Narratives shall include all supportive text, tables, figures, and references. There are no page limitations, but brevity is encouraged and expected. The document should be readable in PDF, MS Word or Word Perfect WP6/7/8 for Windows and consolidated into a single file. The project narrative shall contain the following sections and information:
A. Title Page. Include the title of the proposed project, the organization submitting the proposal, the principal investigator(s) with address, phone number and email address and other contact information if different than the PI. Also include the EPA Region for which the proposal is intended.
B. Table of Contents.
C. Project Description. Brief discussion (1-2 paragraphs) of the purpose, rationale and importance of the research to be conducted. Identify region and resource population being sampled or targeted and discussion about how the outputs (products) of this project will be linked to real environmental outcomes.
D. Background. State the problem. Incorporate existing literature.
E. Project Objectives. Specify questions/hypotheses that the research will address. Describe how this research is consistent with EPA's strategic plan.
F. Technical Approach.
a. Overview of Approach. Include activities and measurements that will be needed to address the objectives of the proposed research.
b. Statistical design. Identify target population, site selection criteria and sample size required to meet research objectives.
c. Existing data. Identify sources and information about existing data, including land cover data, and how it will be used in the research.
d. Sampling and Analytical procedures and protocols. Identify criteria used to select field and laboratory methods, description of the logistics for the field work, including choosing, training and deployment of field crews, and the approach for evaluating the efficacy of the methods. Include (in the Appendices) copies of proposed analytical and field methods (If methods are established EPA EMAP methods or standard analytical methods, cite in references only).
e. Data qualifications. Specify precision, accuracy, completeness, representativeness, and comparability of data required to meet objectives.
f. Data reduction, validation, management and reporting procedures. Include discussion on how data are to be managed, validated, and analyzed. It will also describe how the data and metadata files will be made available to EPA and State and Tribal stakeholders.
G. Schedule, Milestones, Products and Final Reports. Include sampling schedules, schedules for data analysis, reports, workshops, etc. Break down project activities and deliverables for each year of anticipated funding. Identify specific anticipated environmental outputs (e.g. Demonstration of a probabilistic design for sampling MAH wetlands) and associated outcomes (e.g. Providing MAH states with statistically valid methods for determining the condition of wetlands).
H. Personnel Qualifications, Project Management Structure, Personnel Time Commitments, and Personnel Responsibilities. Identify roles and responsibilities of personnel and expertise for the research to be undertaken. Include citations of relevant manuscripts, reports, etc. produced by the proposed key personnel under other similar projects that would demonstrate their expertise, experience and knowledge of the proposed research. Include partners and collaborators.
I. Plan for tracking and measuring progress toward achieving the expected outputs and outcomes identified in Section I of the announcement. See EPA order 5700.7 (https://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/award/5700.7.pdf). This plan should include measurable products (e.g. Report on biological data collected, List of sample sites, Draft report on Reference Condition) that can be used to track the success of the project toward meeting the expected outputs of the project.
J. List documenting Environmental Results Past Performance. Submit a list of all EPA and other Federal agency assistance agreements that your organization performed in the last three years, and describe how you documented and/or reported on whether you were making progress towards achieving the expected results (e.g., outputs and outcomes) under those agreements. If you were not making progress, please indicate whether, and how, you documented why not. In evaluating applicants under this factor 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 and prior Federal agency grantors (e.g., to verify and/or supplement the information provided by applicants). If you do not have any past performance information please indicate this in the proposal.
K. List documenting Programmatic Capability. Submit a list of all federally funded agreements similar in size, scope and relevance to the proposed project that your organization performed within the last three years and describe how you were (1) technically able to successfully carry out and manage those agreements and (2) your history of meeting the reporting requirements under those agreements including submitting acceptable final technical reports. In evaluating applicants, under this factor 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 and prior Federal agency grantors. (e.g. to verify and/or supplement the information provided by applicants). If you do not have such information, indicate this in the proposal. In addition, provide information on your organizational experience and plan for timely and successfully achieving the objectives of the proposed project and your staff expertise/qualifications, staff knowledge, and resources or the ability to obtain them, to successfully achieve the goals of the proposed project.
L. Biographical Sketches. A 2-page curriculum vitae should be included for the Principal Investigator and any other key personnel identified in the proposal.
M. References.
N. Appendices.
8. A Budget Narrative which includes detailed, itemized budget estimates for the project and is broken down into direct labor categories, fringe benefits, contractual and sub-agreement costs, equipment, travel, other direct costs and overhead with summaries for each year and the total for the entire project. If a sub-agreement is included in the application, provide a separate budget for the sub-agreement in the same format if the sub-agreement is greater than $25k.
If amounts are budgeted for subcontracts, provide a description of the work that will be subcontracted and an explanation of why it must be subcontracted. Indicate whether the subcontracts will be awarded competitively or if not, what justification exists to make a non-competitive award. Any budget that includes amounts for subcontracts of 40% or more of the total direct costs will be subject to special review. Refer to Section III, Sub-agreement Eligibility Criteria, for a further discussion of proposed subcontracts.
Please note that institutional cost-sharing (In-Kind) is not required. However, if you intend to cost-share, a brief statement concerning cost-sharing should be added to the budget justification, and estimated dollar amounts must be included in the appropriate categories in the budget table.
Describe the basis for calculating the personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and other costs identified in the itemized budget and explain the basis for their calculation. (Special attention should be given to explaining the “travel,” “equipment,” and “other” categories.). For any proposed equipment, identify any tangible non-expendable personal property to be purchased which has an estimated cost of $5,000 or more per unit and a useful life of more than one year. (Personal property items with a unit cost of less than $5,000 are considered supplies.)
9. SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (required if your organization is involved in lobbying). Complete the form if your organization is involved in lobbying activities.
10. Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if indirect costs are included in the project budget). Attach a copy of your organization’s Indirect Cost Rate Agreement, if applicable. You must submit a copy of your organization’s Indirect Cost Rate Agreement as part of the application package if your proposed budget includes indirect costs.
B. Submission Instructions for Electronic Applications
The electronic submission of your application must be made by an official representative of your institution who is registered with Grants.gov. For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov and click on “Get Registered” on the left side of the page. Note that the registration process may take a week or longer to complete. If your organization is not currently registered with Grants.gov, please encourage your office to designate an AOR and ask that individual to begin the registration process as soon as possible.
To begin the application process under this grant announcement, go to http://www.grants.gov and click on “Apply for Grants” on the left side of the page. Then click on “Apply Step 1: Download a Grant Application Package and Instructions” to download the PureEdge viewer and obtain the application package. You may retrieve the application package by entering the Funding Opportunity Number, EPA/ORD/NHEERL/MED-FY2007-27455, or the appropriate CFDA number (CFDA 66.512), in the space provided. Then complete and submit the application package as indicated. You may also be able to access the application package by clicking on the button “How To Apply” at the top right of the synopsis page for this announcement on http://www.grants.gov (to find the synopsis page, go to http://www.grants.gov and click on the “Find Grant Opportunities” button on the left side of the page and then go to Search Opportunities/Browse by Agency and then go to EPA opportunities).
Application Submission Deadline: Your organization’s AOR must submit your complete application electronically to EPA through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) no later than 6 pm (EST) on 07/18/2007.
Please submit all of the application materials as described in section IV.ADocuments 1 through 10 listed under Application Materials in Section IV.A of this announcement should appear in the “mandatory Documents” box on the grants.gov Grant Application Package page.
For documents 1-6, click on the appropriate form and then click “Open Form” below the box. The fields that must be completed will be highlighted in yellow. Optional fields and completed fields will be displayed in white. If you enter an invalid response or incomplete information in a field, you will receive an error message. When you have finished filling out each form, click “Save”. When you return to the electronic Grant Application Package page, click on the form you just completed, and then click on the box that says, “Move Form to Submission List”. This action will move the document over to the box that says, “Mandatory Completed Documents for Submission.”
For documents 7 and 8, you will need to attach electronic files. Prepare each of the documents as described in Section IV.A of the announcement and save the documents to your computer as an MS Word, PDF or WordPerfect file. When you are ready to attach your proposal to the application package, click on “Project Narrative Attachment Form”, and open the form. Click “Add Mandatory Project Narrative File”, and then attach your proposal (previously saved to your computer) using the browse window that appears. You may then click “View Mandatory Project Narrative File” to view it. Enter a brief descriptive title of your project in the space beside “Mandatory Project Narrative File Filename,” the filename should be no more than 40 characters long. If there are other attachments that you would like to submit to accompany your proposal, you may click “Add Optional Project Narrative File” and proceed as before. When you have finished attaching the necessary documents, click “Close Form”. When your return to the “Grant Application Package” page, select “Project Narrative Attachment Form” and click “Move Form to Submission List”. The form should now appear in the box that says, “Mandatory Completed Documents for Submission”.
Documents 9 and 10 are listed in the “Optional Documents” box, but please note that these so-called “optional” documents must also be submitted as part of the application package, if applicable to your organization. You are only required to submit document 9 – SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities – if your organization is involved in lobbying activities. You are required to submit document 10 – Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement – if you have included any indirect costs in your proposed budget. To attach document 10, use the “Other Attachments Form” in the “Optional Documents” box. After attaching the document, please remember to highlight the “Other Attachments Form” and click “Move Form to Submission List” in order to move the documents to the box that says, “Optional Completed Documents for Submission
Once you have finished filling out all of the forms/attachments and they appear in one of the “Completed Documents for Submission” boxes, click the “Save” button that appears at the top of the Web page. It is suggested that you save the document a second time, using a different name, since this will make it easier to submit an amended package later if necessary. Please use the following format when saving your file: “Applicant Name – FY 07 (grant category; e.g., Assoc Prog Supp) – 1st Submission” or “Applicant Name – FY 07 (grant category) – Back-up Submission.” If it becomes necessary to submit an amended package at a later date, then the name of the 2nd submission should be changed to “Applicant Name – FY 07 (grant category) – 2nd Submission.”
Once your application package has been completed and saved, send it to your
AOR for submission to the U.S. EPA through Grants.gov. Please advise
your AOR to close all other software programs before attempting to submit
the application package through Grants.gov.
In the “Application Filing Name” box, your AOR should enter your
organization’s name (abbreviate where possible), the fiscal year (e.g.,
FY07), and the grant category (e.g., Assoc Prog Supp). The filing name
should not exceed 40 characters. From the “Grant Application
Package” page, your AOR may submit the application package by clicking
the “Submit” button that appears at the top of the page. The
AOR will then be asked to verify the agency and funding opportunity number
for which the application package is being submitted. If problems are
encountered during the submission process, the AOR should reboot his/her
computer before trying to submit the application package again. [It
may be necessary to turn of the computer (not just restart it) before attempting
to submit the package again.] If the AOR continues to experience submission
problems, he/she should contact grants.gov for assistance (Phone: 1-800-518-4726,
Email: support@grants.gov ). If
submission problems are not quickly resolved, contact the NHEERL electronic
submission support person, Craig Johnson (218) 529-5016) or johnson.craig@epa.gov.
Application packages submitted through grants.gov will be time/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 Dennis Finney, Grant Program Manager, at (202) 264-5318.
C. Submission Instructions for Printed Applications
Submit a complete application including all of the documents identified in Section IV.A.of this announcement. If the application is not submitted electronically through grants.gov, it must be sent through regular mail, express mail, or a major courier to: Jo Thompson, U.S. EPA, MED, 6201 Congdon Blvd. Duluth, MN 55804. Do not email or Fax the application. With the hard copy submission, include all of the information on a CD or floppy disk.
Because of security concerns, applications cannot be personally delivered. To be considered timely, printed applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. local time in Duluth, MN, on 7/18/2007 from the U.S. Postal Service or a major courier. If you are sending a printed application, please request a delivery receipt from the Post Office or delivery service. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered and will be returned to the submitter. Printed applications, including all documents stated in Section IV.A., must be submitted in the original with 3 copies and should be double-sided. Grant application forms can be found at >https://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/application.htm
This assistance opportunity is subject to Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." Applicants should contact their State's Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to find out how to comply with the State's process. The names and addresses of SPOCs are listed in the Office of Management and Budget's home page at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.
Annual increments of awards will be made by request to EPA. Funding will be contingent upon availability of funds and satisfactory performance during the first year.
Amendments to this RFA, if any, will be posted on this website and the due date for applications will be extended if deemed appropriate.
V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION
Administrative Review: All applications will be subject to Administrative Review by the National REMAP coordinator, to insure that all packages meet the requirements of this RFA. Proposals that do not meet the eligibility and threshold requirements stated in Section III, substantially comply with the application submission instructions and requirements set forth in Section IV, meet the submission closing date published in Section IV of this announcement will be rejected. Rejected applications will be returned to the sender without further consideration.
Relevancy Review: Proposals that are found administratively acceptable will be reviewed by ORD for relevancy to EPA’s mission to support advancement of environmental science. Proposals will be rejected if they are found to lack relevance. Examples of proposals that lack relevance include:
- Proposal is deficient technically with no chance for consideration.
- Proposal fails to advance the objectives stated in the solicitation even if successfully performed.
- Proposal essentially duplicates REMAP research already completed or underway. (see past and current REMAP projects at https://www.epa.gov/emap/remap).
- Proposal fails to demonstrate a public purpose of support and stimulation; i.e., it implies the primary purpose is to provide direct support to the Federal government.
Programmatic and Technical Review: Proposals that are found administratively acceptable and relevant will be forwarded to the U.S. EPA Region for which the proposal is intended. A panel of EPA scientists at each Region who have no conflict of interest with the applicants will review and rank proposals based on the following ranking criteria:
Past Performance Environmental Results Criteria:
- Extent and quality to which the applicant adequately documented and/or reported on its past progress towards achieving the expected results (i.e. Outcomes and outputs) under EPA and other Federal agency assistance agreements performed within the last 3 years, and if such progress was not being made whether or not the applicant adequately documented and/or reported why not. (Organizations that have no relevant past performance will be given a neutral rating. The Agency may contact the sponsor to corroborate the information and may review other data.)(10 points)
Programmatic Criteria:
- The extent to which proposed research addresses the RFA "Regional Funding Priorities identified in Section 1. (30 points)
- Extent to which approach considers State and Tribal needs for 305b reporting, the 303d process, restoration/remediation efforts, improved development of biological reference condition for establishing biocriteria and improved tools and approaches for the assessment of aquatic ecosystems. (20 points)
- Adequacy of the plan for transferring project data and results to Regions, States and Tribes. (15 points)
- Extent to which proposed work links to existing efforts and forms collaborations with Inter-government organizations, State, Tribal and Federal partners. (15 points)
- Extent to which the applicant demonstrates the technical ability to successfully carry out the proposed project based on: 1) past performance (last 3 years) in successfully completing and managing federally funded agreements of similar size, scope, and relevance to the proposed pro, its history of meeting reporting requirements under federally funded agreements of similar size, scope, and relevance to the proposed project and submitting acceptable final technical reports under these agreements; 2) organizational experience and plan for timely and successfully achieving the objectives of the proposed project; And, 3) its staff expertise/qualifications, staff knowledge and resources or the ability to obtain them in order to successfully achieve the goals of the proposed project. (Organizations that have no relevant past performance will be given a neutral rating. The Agency may contact the sponsor to corroborate the information and may review other data (e.g., the EPA's Grantee Compliance Assistance Initiative database.) (15 points)
Technical Criteria:
- Extent to which the project objectives and hypothesis are clearly stated (10 points).
- Extent to which the proposed approach, including the conceptual framework, design, methods analyses, is adequately developed, integrated and appropriate to the goals of EMAP/REMAP and the research questions/hypotheses being addressed (20 points).
Environmental Results Criteria:
- Extent to which the applicant adequately defines a plan for tracking and measuring progress toward achieving the expected environmental outputs/outcomes. (10 points)
Each reviewer will separately score each proposal based on the extent (relevant to maximum points assigned to each criterion) to which each of the above programmatic and technical criterion are met. Reviewers will provide narrative justification for each score. The total maximum obtainable score for any one proposal would be 145 points. Proposals will be ranked by the average total scores from all the reviewers in the Region.
Other Factors: When two or more of the highly rated proposals receive equivalent rankings, the respective budgets will be evaluated for cost reasonableness and cost realism in order to determine which applicant will be selected for funding recommendation. The proposal that is determined to be the most reasonable/realistic will be selected. The amount of cost sharing proposed (if any) will not result in additional points for any applicant, but will be considered in the evaluation of the reasonableness and realism of the overall budget.
Source Selection: U.S. EPA Regional Offices will summarize reviews of their proposals. This will include averaging the scores of each proposal reviewed and providing comment on each ranking criteria factor. All reviews will then be forwarded to MED. The top ranking proposal from each Region will be the proposal that is selected by the program office for recommended award based upon the combined rankings of the technical and programmatic reviews and the other factors discussed above.
VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
The selection of a proposal by ORD does not guarantee award. Upon selection, an ORD Scientist will be assigned as the project officer (PO). It is the PO responsibility to assure that work plans reflect shared EPA and applicant interests and include well defined commitments (environmental outputs) that foster accountability and ensure that the activities in the work plan are consistent with the statutory authority for the assistance agreement and EPA Order 5700.1, Policy for Distinguishing between Assistance and Acquisition. The project officer, through consultation with other EMAP scientists, may negotiate with the selected applicant to refine proposed methods and testing protocols, eliminate unnecessary tasks, delete unnecessary and unallowable costs and clarify outcomes and outputs. Negotiated changes are to improve the quality of the project and assure the usefulness of its products. They do not result in material changes to the original proposal and since they are made after the selection process, they provide no leverage over other applicants. As required of assistance agreement research plans, the Project Officer will arrange to have an expert peer review performed on the negotiated work plan. The peer review will be conducted by one internal peer reviewer and 2 external reviewers. Upon acceptance of the applicant's reconciliation of peer review comments, the project officer will assemble a complete funding package in accordance with the guidance provided by EPA's Office of Grants and Debarment (www.epa.gov/ogd), along with a Funding Recommendation from the PO's Division Director who is the Decision Official. The National REMAP Coordinator and the Extramural Management Specialist at ORD's Mid-continent Ecology Division (MED) will review the package for completeness. If the funding package is complete, MED will prepare the commitment notice, apply funds and forwarded the package to the Grants Administration Division (GAD) for recommendation of award (See Section VI, Award Notices).
Notice of award will be made in writing by an official in the EPA Grants Administration Division. Preliminary recommendation by the Decision Official in the Office of Research and Development does not guarantee an award will be made. Applicants are cautioned that only a grants officer can bind the Government to the expenditure of funds. No commitment on the part of EPA should be inferred from technical or budgetary discussions with an EPA Program Official. A Principal Investigator or organization that makes financial or personnel commitments in the absence of a grant or cooperative agreement signed by the EPA Grants Award Official does so at their own risk.
EPA will promptly notify in writing (postal or email) those applicants whose application is rejected. An unsuccessful applicant may request a debriefing to better understand the evaluated strengths and weaknesses of its proposal and the reason for rejection if other than technical merit.
Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Regulations and OMB Coverage: Grants and agreements with institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other non-profit organizations are subject to 40 CFR Parts 30 and 40 and OMB Circular A-122 for non-profits and A-21 for institutions of higher learning.
Grants and agreements with state, local, and tribal governments are subject to 40 CFR Parts 31 and 40 and OMB Circular A-87.
Nonprofit applicants that are recommended for funding will be subject to pre-award administrative capability reviews consistent with Sections 8.b, 8.c, and 9.d of EPA Order 5700.8.
Programmatic Terms and Conditions: Terms and conditions will be negotiated with the selected recipient covering the following requirements:
It is required that projects be performed by qualified personnel. All proposals must identify any person who will assist in carrying out the project.
The authorized representative of the recipient whose proposal is selected for an award is responsible for accepting the cooperative agreement from EPA and ensuring that all cooperative agreement conditions are satisfied.
Recipients are responsible for the successful completion of the project and for complying with all reporting requirements of the cooperative agreement.
Award recipients may begin incurring allowable costs on the start date identified in the EPA cooperative agreement. Pre-award costs are allowable 90 days prior to award. However, the applicant does so at his/her own risk. Activities must be completed and funds spent within the time frames specified in the award agreement. EPA funds may be used only for the purposes set forth in the cooperative agreement and must conform to federal cost principles (for State, Local, and Indian Tribes (2 CFR part 225, formerly OMB circular A-87), nonprofit organizations (2 CFR 230, formerly OMB A-122), and educational institutes (2 CFR part 220, formerly OMB circular A-21). Ineligible costs will be reduced from the final cooperative agreement award.
Work plans and resultant work generated under this solicitation must comply with all EPA quality assurance requirements. If a QAPP is not submitted with the application package, it must be identified as a deliverable in the Project Narrative (under Schedule, Milestones, Products, and Final Reports) and it will be listed in the terms and conditions of the Assistance Agreement. The QAPP documents the procedures necessary to assure that the project will result in high quality data. It includes, but is not limited to, sample tracking/custody procedures, Internal quality control checks and frequency, performance and systems audit procedures and frequency, preventative maintenance schedules and procedures, procedures for corrective actions, and specific procedures for assessing precision, accuracy, and completeness of data. A Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) is required for all monitoring projects and must be approved prior to the collection or use of environmental data (EPA Order 5360.1A2). Instructions for preparing a QAPP can be found in EPA QA/G-5, Guidance for Quality Assurance Project Plans, available at (https://www.epa.gov/quality/qs-docs/g5-final.pdf). An acceptable QAPP shall be due within 45 days following acceptance of the award and prior to any data collection.
Award recipients must agree to make methods, models, and data resulting from this agreement accessible to the public and to EPA.
Collaboration between EPA and the recipient is allowable. The nature and extent of any collaboration will be identified in the terms and conditions of the agreement.
Disputes: 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) which can be found at: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-1371.htm
Copies of procedures may also be requested through the contacts listed in Section VII. Disputes relating to matters other than competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable.
Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates: Awards are expected to be made between October 1, 2007 and June 1, 2008. Award dates will vary and are dependent on expediency of negotiated work plans and peer review reconciliations (see Section VI). Applicants must provide ORD project officers with completed reconciliations no later than February 1, 2008 in order to ensure timely processing of the funding package to GAD. Failure to do so may result in loss of available funds. It is expected that awards will be made by GAD no later than June 1, 2008.
The frequency and content of project reports will be negotiated with the applicant and will be specified in the terms and conditions of the Assistance Agreement. In general, there will be 3 types of reporting for awarded projects:
Progress Reports: The selected recipient will be required to submit progress reports at least annually, but some Project Officers may require quarterly reports, with the first report due (90) days after the cooperative agreement is awarded to the recipient.
Performance Reports: In accordance with 40 CFR 30.51 and 31.40, recipients agree to submit performance reports with brief information on 1). A comparison of actual accomplishments with the anticipated outputs/outcomes specified in the assistance agreement work plan; 2) reasons why anticipated outputs/outcomes were not met; and 3) other pertinent information, including, when appropriate, analysis and explanation of cost overruns or high unit costs.. The recipient also agrees that it will notify EPA or problems, delays, or adverse conditions which materially impair the ability to meet the outputs/outcomes specified in the assistance agreement work plan.
Final Report: The selected recipient will be required to submit a draft final report at least 60 days prior to the project period end date. The final report is to be submitted within 90 calendar days of the completion of the period of performance.
The primary agency contact for this RFA is Jo Thompson at:
U. S. EPA, Mid-Continent Ecology Division (MED)
6201 Congdon Blvd.
Duluth, MN 55804
Telephone: 218-529-5198
Fax: 218-529-5003
E-mail: Thompson.jo@epa.gov
If unable to reach Jo Thompson, contact Mr. Craig Johnson at:
U. S. EPA, Mid-Continent Ecology Division (MED)
6201 Congdon Blvd.
Duluth, MN 55804
Telephone: 218-529-5016
Fax: 218-529-5003
E-mail: Johnson.craig@epa.gov
Pre-proposal/Application Assistance and Communications: In accordance with EPA's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy (EPA Order 5700.5A1), EPA staff will not meet with individual applicants to discuss draft proposals, provide informal comments on draft proposals, or provide advice to applicants on how to respond to ranking criteria. Applicants are responsible for the contents of their applications/proposals. However, EPA will respond to questions in writing from individual applicants regarding threshold eligibility criteria, administrative issues related to the submission of the proposal, and requests for clarification about the announcement.
Questions: Questions should be submitted in writing by (05/10/2007). Do not attempt to seek information regarding this RFA from any source other than those identified in Section VII as the information provided may be erroneous. Questions that identify erroneous information or information in the RFA that needs clarification for all potential applicants will be answered via an amendment to this RFA which will be posted on www.grants.gov . Visit the REMAP website (www.epa.gov/emap/remap) frequently for news about the RFA
Confidentiality: In accordance with 40 CFR 2.203, applicants may claim all or a portion of the application/proposal as confidential business information (for example, hypotheses or methodologies contained in the research narrative that the applicant wishes to protect from possible public disclosure). EPA will evaluate confidentiality claims in accordance with 40 CFR Part 2. Applicants must clearly mark applications/proposals or portions of applications/proposals they claim as confidential. If no claim of confidentiality is made, the EPA is not required to make an inquiry to the applicant otherwise required by 40 CFR 2.204(c)(2) prior to disclosure.
Data Access and Information Release: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-110 has been revised to provide public access to research data through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) under some circumstances. Data that are (1) first produced in a project that is supported in whole or in part with Federal funds and (2) cited publicly and officially by a Federal agency in support of an action that has the force and effect of law (i.e., a regulation) may be accessed through FOIA. If such data are requested by the public, the EPA must ask for it, and the grantee must submit it, in accordance with A-110 and EPA regulations at 40 C.F.R. 30.36.
Geospatial Information: It is anticipated that the agreement that is awarded will involve or relate to geospatial information. In compliance with Executive Order 12906, REMAP data is made available for use throughout all levels of government, the private and non-profit sectors, and the academic community. The goal of this infrastructure is to reduce duplication of effort among agencies, improve quality and reduce costs related to geographic information, to make geographic data more accessible to the public, to increase the benefits of using available data, and to establish key partnerships with states, counties, cities, tribal nations, academia and the private sector to increase data availability. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: http://www.fgdc.gov/nsdi/nsdi.html.
Animal and Human Subject Research: Research projects that involve animals will be subject to the Animal Welfare Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-544), as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2131-2156. Recipients agree to abide by the "U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals used in Testing, Research, and Training". (Federal Register 50(97): 20864-20865. May 20, 1985). The nine principles can be viewed at: http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/pubs/IACUC/vert.htm. For additional information about the principles, the recipient should consult the Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, prepared by the Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Research Council and can be accessed at: http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/labrats/. Vertebrate animals include cold-blood organisms such as fish and amphibians. Recipients who propose to conduct research on human subjects must agree to meet all of the EPA requirements under 40 CFR 26, referred to as the "Common Rule". If the proposed project involves human or animal testing studies, including field collections, please indicate it on a separate sheet of paper.
DUNS Number: Grant applicants are required to provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B), Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements. OMB has determined that there is a need for improved statistical reporting of Federal grants and cooperative agreements. Use of the DUNS number government-wide will provide a means to identify entities receiving those awards and their business relationships. The identifier will be used for tracking purposes, and to validate address and point of contact information.
A DUNS number will be required whether an applicant is submitting a printed application or using the government-wide electronic portal (Grants.gov). The DUNS number will supplement other identifiers required by statute or regulation, such as tax identification numbers. Organizations can receive a DUNS number in one day, at no cost, by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line at 1-866-705- 5711 or on-line at: http://www.dnb.com Individuals who would personally receive a grant or cooperative agreement award from the Federal government apart from any business or non-profit organization they may operate are exempt from this requirement.
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.