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 Opt
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.