FR Doc 03-30374

[Federal Register: December 8, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 235)]
[Notices]
[Page 68376-68384]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08de03-69]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7596-3]

Subject to Availability of Funding Solicitation Notice;
Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program; Fiscal Year
2004

SUMMARY: The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
announces that the Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant
Program is now soliciting pre-proposals for the Program. The Exchange
Network is an Internet and standards-based information systems network
among EPA and its partners in States, Tribes, and Territories. It is
designed to help integrate information, provide secure real-time access
to environmental information, and support the electronic storage and
collection of high-quality data and information. The Exchange Network
provides a more efficient way of exchanging environmental information
at all levels of government and with the public; it revolutionizes the
way in which information is sent to and received by EPA and its State,
Tribal, and Territorial partners. For examples of projects that EPA has
funded in the past, please see the State and Tribal summaries of
proposals that are available on the Exchange Network Grant Program Web
site at http://www.epa.gov/Networkg.

DATES: Pre-proposals must be received electronically at neengprg@epamail.epa.gov no later than February 3, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Rebecca Moser, Office of Information
Collection, Office of Environmental Information, U.S. EPA, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Mail Code 2823-T, Washington, DC 20460; phone, (202) 566-1679; email, neengprg@epamail.epa.gov. For additional
information about the Exchange Network Grant Program, please visit the
Web site at http://www.epa.gov/Networkg. An Information Session for
potential applicants has been scheduled for Monday, December 15, 2003,
from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. If you are interested in
participating in this teleconference, please contact Rebecca Moser at
the number listed above.

Dated: December 2, 2003.
Mark A. Luttner,
Director, Office of Information Collection, Office of Environmental
Information, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

FY 2004 Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program

Contents

Section I: Eligibility Information
Section II: Funding Opportunity Description
Section III: Award Information
Section IV: Application and Submission Information
Section V: Application Review Information
Section VI: Assistance Agreement Categories and Evaluation Criteria
Section VI(A): Evaluation Criteria for Tribes
Section VI(B): Evaluation Criteria for States/Territories
Section VII: Award Administration Information
Section VIII: EPA Systems Information
Section IX: Agency Contacts

Section I. Eligibility Information

Eligible applicants include States, the District of Columbia,
American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the
U.S. Virgin Islands (subsequently referred to collectively as States)
and Federally Recognized Indian Tribes (subsequently referred to as
Tribes) and agencies or departments within the States or Tribes.
Applicants must indicate an intent and commitment to participate in
the Exchange Network. Exchange Network participation involves the use
of Web services to move data and information, the use of eXtensible
Markup Language (XML) schema to format data, and the use of data
standards within these schema to improve data clarity. Applicants
should use data standards that have been approved by the Environmental
Data Standards Council (EDSC) and XML schema that have been approved by
the Technical Resource Group (TRG, a workgroup established by the
Network Steering Board (NSB)), where such standards or schema are
available. If the appropriate data standards or XML schema are not
available, applicants should indicate how they will use existing
guidelines to establish common terms, definitions, and XML schema for
exchanging their data.
For a list of EDSC-approved data standards, please refer to the
EDSC Web site, http://www.epa.gov/edsc. Information on EPA's
implementation of EDSC-approved data standards is available on the
Environmental Data Registry Web site, http://www.epa.gov/edr. For
guidance on the development of XML schema and the TRG approval process,
please refer to the Network Steering Board's (NSB's) Exchange Network
Web site http://www.Exchangenetwork.net.
Agencies or departments within a State or Tribe should coordinate
submissions of pre-proposals through the appropriate State or Tribal
environmental agency and indicate that this coordination has taken
place in the pre-proposal submitted to EPA. No cost-sharing or matching
of funds is required on the part of the applicants.

Section II. Funding Opportunity Description

Congressional action on the President's fiscal year (FY) 2004
budget includes $20 million to support the Exchange Network. Subject to
the availability of appropriations for this purpose, EPA is soliciting
pre-proposals that will support and accelerate the development of the
Exchange Network. Ten percent of the appropriated funds will be set
aside for Tribal assistance agreements. The total number and amount of
the assistance agreements awarded will depend on the amount of funding
for the Exchange Network in the FY 2004 EPA appropriations. The Catalog
of Federal Domestic Assistance number is 66.608. Funding beyond FY 2004
will depend on continued appropriations.
Assistance agreements are used by EPA to transfer money, property,
services, or anything of value to a recipient to accomplish a public
purpose; they may be in the form of a grant or a cooperative agreement.
These assistance agreements will be funded in three separate
categories: Readiness, Implementation, and Challenge. The funding
ranges for these categories will be as follows:
(1) Readiness Category--States up to $150,000 and Tribes up to
$75,000;
(2) Implementation Category--States up to $300,000 and Tribes up to
$150,000; and
(3) Challenge Category--States up to $750,000 and Tribes up to
$300,000.

Section III. Award Information

Subsequent to EPA's receiving FY 2004 appropriations for the
Exchange Network, the EPA Administrator may delegate authority to
approve pre-proposals for funding to the Assistant Administrator of the
Office of Environmental Information (OEI) and delegate authority to
award the

[[Page 68377]]

assistance agreements to the EPA Regional Administrators. Thus, OEI
anticipates that the selection of pre-proposals for funding will be
made by the OEI Assistant Administrator, as in previous years, and that
the processing, awarding, and management of assistance agreements may
be handled by the appropriate EPA Regional Offices.
It is EPA's policy to promote competition in the award of
assistance agreements. EPA will strive to ensure that the competitive
process is fair and open and that no applicant receives an unfair
competitive advantage. Only those eligible applicants whose pre-
proposals are selected for funding will need to proceed with developing
and submitting the formal assistance agreement application package.
After EPA notifies the applicants whose pre-proposals have been
selected for funding, those applicants will have 45 days to complete
and submit the formal assistance agreement application package to the
appropriate Network Regional Coordinator.
The duration of each project and the final scope of activities to
be completed will be determined in pre-award discussions between the
applicant and the appropriate EPA Network Regional Coordinator. In
anticipation of this process, all applicants should refer to the Web
site http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit and review the forms and
documentation required for submitting final applications.
Applicants whose pre-proposals are selected for funding may request
that assistance be provided in the form of a grant or cooperative
agreement. Such a request should be based on the desired level of EPA
involvement in the project and must be made in writing prior to the
award of the assistance agreement.
A grant may be the most appropriate legal instrument if the
proposed activities are not principally for the direct benefit or use
of the Federal Government and no substantial involvement is anticipated
between EPA and the recipient during the program period. A cooperative
agreement may be more appropriate if the proposed activities are not
principally for the direct benefit or use of the Federal Government and
substantial involvement is anticipated between EPA and the recipient
during the program period.
All or part of a grant or cooperative agreement may be provided in
the form of in-kind assistance (in lieu of funding) if it would be more
efficient in terms of cost or time for EPA to purchase services or
equipment on a recipient's behalf (e.g., through an EPA-approved
contractor). (Policy for Distinguishing between Assistance and
Acquisition, EPA Order 5700.1, March 22, 1994.)
A recipient may also choose to receive an Exchange Network
assistance agreement as part of a Performance Partnership Grant (PPG).
PPGs can provide States with greater flexibility during the work plan
negotiation process and allow them to organize their work plan
components in ways that best suit their specific needs. Where
appropriate, the assistance agreement work plan will reflect both EPA
and State roles and responsibilities, and a joint performance
evaluation process will be negotiated.
For additional information on assistance agreements or for guidance
in preparing pre-proposals or final applications, please contact the
appropriate Exchange Network Regional Coordinator or Rebecca Moser in
EPA's Office of Information Collection (see Section IX).

Section IV. Application and Submission Information

Based on an evaluation of pre-proposals, EPA expects to make
funding decisions in the Spring of 2004. EPA may ask applicants whose
pre-proposals have been selected for funding to modify objectives, work
plans, or budgets prior to giving final approval of the award.
Pre-proposals must be submitted electronically in either WordPerfect or Microsoft Word by February 3, 2004, to neengprg@epa.gov
with an electronic copy to the appropriate Exchange Network Regional
Coordinator (see Section IX ). Each pre-proposal should not exceed 10
single-spaced pages (12 point font).
Pre-proposals should follow the following format:

I. Project Information

State/Tribe/Territory Agency or Department:
Title of Project:
Focus Area (i.e., Readiness, Implementation, or Challenge):
Total Funds Requested from EPA:
Total Project Cost (including State/Tribal cash contributions, if
applicable):
Contact Person (name, title, address, phone, fax, and e-mail):

II. Overview

Provide an overview of the project that explains the purpose,
goals, and objectives. This section should give reviewers an
understanding of the nature and expected outcomes of the project. If
applicable, explain how the project will build on previous work
supported by the Exchange Network Grant Program.

III. Summary Work Plan

Describe what the project will achieve and who will benefit from
the project. Explain each aspect of the project in enough detail to
allow reviewers to understand and evaluate it. No specific format is
required for this section, but pre-proposals should address the
following:
[sbull] Proposed Activities: List and describe the activities and
how they relate to the evaluation criteria described in Section VI of
this guidance.
[sbull] Project Milestones: List the key project milestones, with
estimated dates for completion.
[sbull] Performance Measures: Describe how the success of the
project will be measured.
[sbull] Sharing Results: Indicate a commitment to share results
with other Exchange Network partners by working with the NSB to post
those results at http://www.exchangenetwork.net.
Applicants should be aware that pre-proposals and applications
submitted under this or any other EPA assistance agreement program are
subject to potential public release under the Freedom of Information
Act (FOIA). If an applicant considers any of the information submitted
in the pre-proposal or application to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI), the applicant must claim that information as CBI
when the pre-proposal or application is submitted to EPA [40 CFR
2.203(a)].

Section V. Application Review Information

Pre-proposals will be evaluated separately for each assistance
agreement category: Readiness, Implementation, or Challenge. The
criteria and scoring system outlined in Section VI will be used to
guide the evaluation of each pre-proposal. The scoring system allows
each pre-proposal to be given a numeric value based on the criteria. A
value of one to a maximum of 90 will be assigned for one or more of the
activities listed in the criteria. A value of one to 10 will be
assigned for describing the benefits of the project being proposed. The
maximum score for any pre-proposal submitted would be 100. Pre-
proposals will be initially screened based on this criteria and scoring
system.
After the pre-proposals have been initially scored, EPA will form a
review panel composed of representatives from EPA Headquarters and
Regional Offices. This panel will consider not only the initial
scoring, but also the basic

[[Page 68378]]

substance and quality of each pre-proposal and the overall mix of
projects. The panel may also consider other factors on a case-by-case
basis when deciding whether to recommend funding for a specific
proposal. The panel will review each pre-proposal and provide its
funding recommendations to the OEI Assistant Administrator for a final
decision.
Any mandatory requirements set forth in this document may be waived
at the discretion of the OEI Assistant Administrator.

Section VI. Assistance Agreement Categories and Evaluation Criteria

OEI will consider funding pre-proposals for the three categories of
assistance agreements described below: Readiness, Implementation, and
Challenge. The categories have different, but complementary, objectives
and evaluation criteria. One cross-cutting criterion for all categories
is the description of benefits and advantages of using the Exchange
Network to improve existing data exchange practices. This section
should not exceed one-half page of the pre-proposal. Each pre-proposal
must clearly indicate that the project can be completed in two years or
less. The following points are provided to assist, but not limit,
applicants in describing the expected benefits of their proposed
projects:
[sbull] more frequent and/or efficient exchanges;
[sbull] better data quality through the use of data standards and
validation and error-detection mechanisms;
[sbull] greater ability to share and integrate data through the use
of data standards, XML schema, and Exchange Network Web services;
[sbull] the ability to exchange a variety of data with a number of
partners;
[sbull] the ability to provide access to new kinds of data using
the Exchange Network; and/or
[sbull] the ability to use common Exchange Network infrastructure
capabilities (e.g. XML schema, common security controls, etc.).

Section VI(A). Evaluation Criteria for Tribes

Readiness Category for Tribes
Amount: up to $75,000.
Eligibility: Applicants who have received no more than one
Readiness Grant. This category is intended to assist Tribes in building
upon their priority information technology investments while
constructing initial links to the Exchange Network.
Criteria:
(1) Maximum of 90 points for one or more of the following
activities:
(a) Develop the technical infrastructure needed to participate in
the Exchange Network ( e.g., servers, processors, storage devices/
media, telecommunications products/services, computer peripherals).
Tribes may wish to use the node client tool that is being made
available on the Network Web site.
(b) Develop Web-based services, security enhancements, data quality
improvements, locational data improvements [e.g., through global
positioning system (GPS) units], or other capabilities that will
enhance the Tribe's participation in the Exchange Network.
Make a commitment to share this information with other partners via
the Exchange Network Web site at http://www.exchangenetwork.net. If a
recipient of a previous Exchange Network assistance agreement, outline
activities that build on and do not duplicate previously funded
activities.
(2) 10 points.
Identify the benefits of the project (see Section VI introduction).
Implementation Category for Tribes
Amount: up to $150,000.
Eligibility: This category is designed to assist Tribes in sharing
data and building on their information technology investments, while
constructing links to the Exchange Network.
Criteria:
(1) Maximum of 90 points for one or more of the following
activities.
All activities listed in the Readiness Category may be considered
for funding under this category with the addition of at least one of
the following activities:
(a) Share environmental data with other Tribes, States, and/or EPA.
(b) Work with EPA, other Tribes, or States to use Web services they
have or plan to provide. Tribes can satisfy the Exchange Network data
exchange objectives by using Web service applications, such as those
found on the Exchange Network Web site, http://www.exchangenetwork.net,
under ``Tool Box.''
(c) Implement a project to link and exchange tribal data assets
using standards. Projects could include things such as implementing the
EDSC-approved Facility Identification data standard (refer to http://www.epa.gov/edsc
), referencing water monitoring stations to the
National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) (e.g., using the Geospatial One-Stop
hydrography data standard, which is currently under review), or other
data exchange activities involving the use of data standards.
(d) Enhance public access to data about pollution sources, the
environmental performance of regulated facilities, or environmental
status and trends.
In addition to pursuing one or more of the activities listed above,
applicants must make a commitment to share information about their
projects with other partners via the Exchange Network Web site at
http://www.exchangenetwork.net. If an applicant has received funding
through a previous Exchange Network assistance agreement, the applicant
must identify activities that build on, but do not duplicate,
previously funded activities.
(2) 10 points.
Identify the benefits of the project (see Section VI introduction).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Projects funded under the Implementation
Category may be collaborative efforts among multiple parties
(intertribal, intratribal), but collaboration is not required. If a
collaborative project is proposed, the pre-proposal must identify a
single lead agency or department that would be responsible for
administering the assistance agreement.
Challenge Category for Tribes
Amount: up to $300,000.
Eligibility: Applicants must propose activities that involve
collaboration (e.g., intra tribal, intertribal, or State/Tribal) to
develop the Exchange Network and demonstrate its value in sharing
environmental, natural resources, or human health data and/or related
administrative data.
Criteria:
(1) Maximum of 90 points for one or more of the following
activities.
(a) Implement any type of data flow using the Exchange Network.
(b) Conduct multi-party planning activities to develop new data
flows, explaining how the new data would be used and shared via the
Exchange Network. This activity could include developing a
collaborative project plan for possible submission to EPA if future
funding becomes available.
(c) Use the Exchange Network to integrate and use information for
environmental decision-making and public access, including Geospatial
data. Projects could include, but are not limited to, activities that
would improve the locational data for facilities in EPA's Facility
Registry System.
(d) Use the Exchange Network to share data that have not previously
been available for environmental and human health protection purposes
(e.g.,

[[Page 68379]]

environmentally related health data, regional environmental data, data
needed to fill current data gaps, etc.). EPA has recently entered into
a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention to collaboratively collect data for the
Environmental Public Health Tracking System; applicants may be
interested in proposing activities that complement this effort using
the Exchange Network.
(e) Enhance the Exchange Network by developing tools/applications
that use data made available through Web services.
In addition to pursuing one or more of the activities listed above,
applicants must make a commitment to share information about their
projects with other partners via the Exchange Network Web site at
http://www.exchangenetwork.net. If an applicant has received funding
through a previous Exchange Network assistance agreement, the applicant
must identify activities that build on, but do not duplicate,
previously funded activities.
(2) 10 points
Identify the benefits of the project (see Section VI introduction).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Projects funded under the Challenge Category
must be collaborative efforts. The pre-proposal must identify a single
lead agency or department that will be responsible for administering
the assistance agreement, if awarded.
In addition to the criteria outlined above, EPA may elect to fund
complementary pre-proposals from different partners that address
related work areas (e.g., XML schema development) and it will seek to
leverage and coordinate all of the complementary pre-proposals before
reaching final funding decisions.
In making award decisions, EPA will examine the past performance of
those who have received previous Exchange Network assistance agreements
(e.g., timely and complete semi-annual reports, achievement of
performance goals/milestones, etc.). If two proposals have been scored
equally, the one with the best previous track record may be ranked
higher. If an applicant has not received a prior Exchange Network
assistance agreement, that applicant will not be penalized.

Section VI(B). Evaluation Criteria for States

Readiness Category for States
Amount: up to $150,000.
Eligibility: Applicants who have received no more than one
Readiness Grant.
Criteria:
(1) Maximum of 90 points:
Develop an operational Exchange Network node in a reasonable period
of time (e.g., one to two years) depending on the applicant's current
capabilities and previously funded work. In addition to developing an
Exchange Network node, applicants must make a commitment to share
information about their projects with other partners via the Exchange
Network Web site at http://www.exchangenetwork.net. If an applicant has
received funding through a previous Exchange Network assistance
agreement, the applicant must identify activities that build on, but do
not duplicate, previously funded activities.
(2) 10 points
Identify the benefits of the project (see Section VI introduction).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An Exchange Network node is considered to be
operational if it performs the following: (1) Executes all Exchange
Network Web service functions (i.e., Authenticate, Submit, Get Status,
Query, Notify, Solicit, Download, Node Ping, and Get Services), (2)
implements the minimum Exchange Network security practices (including
the use of the Network Authorization and Authentication Service), and
(3) routinely exchanges one or more data flows. When developing
Exchange Network nodes, applicants should refer to the Node Test Suite
on the Exchange Network Website. All Network Nodes should pass the
interoperability tests on this site. This site also contains technical
specifications and protocols, as well as the implementation guidance
developed by the NSB's Node 1.0 Workgroup. Please refer to http:///www.exchangenework.net
and click on ``Tool Box.''
Implementation Category for States
Amount: up to $300,000.
Eligibility for States: Applicants, or groups of applicants, that
(1) have produced a detailed technical plan to develop an operational
node by the end of calendar year 2004, (2) have developed an Exchange
Network node and are in the final stages of testing that node, (3) are
ready to flow data, or (4) are already flowing data.
Criteria:
(1) Maximum of 90 points. If States believe that they can implement
more than two or three data flows during the two-year program period,
they should identify those data flows in their pre-proposals.
(a) Implement one or more of the following data flows using the
Exchange Network (see Section VIII for details).
[sbull] Air Quality System (AQS)
[sbull] Facility Registry System (FRS)
[sbull] National Emissions Inventory (NEI)
[sbull] Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Information System
(RCRAInfo)
[sbull] Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
[sbull] Toxics Release Inventory System (TRIS)
(b) Implement any other type of data flow (regulatory or voluntary,
State-to-EPA, facility-to-State, State-to-State, etc.) using the
Exchange Network. In addition to implementing one or more data flows,
applicants must make a commitment to share information about their
projects with other partners via the Exchange Network Web site at
http://www.exchangenetwork.net. If an applicant has received funding
through a previous Exchange Network assistance agreement, the applicant
must identify activities that build on, but do not duplicate,
previously funded activities.
(2) 10 points.
Identify the benefits of the project (see Section VI introduction).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Projects funded under the Implementation
Category may be collaborative efforts among multiple parties
(interstate or intrastate), but collaboration is not required. If a
collaborative project is proposed, the pre-proposal must identify a
single lead agency or department that would be responsible for
administering the assistance agreement.
Challenge Category for States
Amount: up to $750,000 each.
Eligibility: Applicants must propose innovative projects that
involve collaboration (e.g., State-EPA, intrastate, or interstate) to
develop the Exchange Network and demonstrate its value in sharing
environmental, natural resources, or human health data and/or related
administrative data.
Criteria:
(1) Maximum of 90 points for one or more of the following
activities. If desired, applicants may propose activities from several
different categories [(a)--(f) below) and receive partial credit from
multiple categories; but they are not required to do so to receive the
full 90 points. Applicants who submit well thought-out, innovative,
collaborative proposals for multiple data flows [i.e., as in (a) and/or
(b) below] or for just one of the other activities listed [i.e., in (c)
through (f) below] will receive the same consideration as those who
suggest activities from multiple categories.
(a) Implement one or more of the following data flows using the
Exchange

[[Page 68380]]

Network (see Section VIII for details) (45 points each).
[sbull] Air Quality System (AQS)
[sbull] Facility Registry System (FRS)
[sbull] National Emissions Inventory (NEI)
[sbull] Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Information System
(RCRAInfo)
[sbull] Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
[sbull] Toxics Release Inventory System (TRIS)
(b) Implement any other type of data flow (regulatory or voluntary,
State-to-EPA, facility-to-State, State-to-State, etc.) using the
Exchange Network. (30 points each)
(c) Conduct multi-party planning activities to develop new data
flows, explaining how the new data would be used and shared via the
Exchange Network. This activity could include developing a
collaborative project plan for possible submission to EPA if future
funding becomes available. (up to 90 points)
(d) Use the Exchange Network to integrate and use information for
environmental decision-making and public access, including geospatial
data. Projects could include, but are not limited to, activities that
would improve the locational data for facilities in EPA's Facility
Registry System. (up to 90 points)
(e) Use the Exchange Network to share data that have not previously
been available for environmental and human health protection purposes
(e.g., environmentally related health data, regional environmental
data, data needed to fill current data gaps, etc.). EPA has recently
entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention to collaboratively collect data for the
Environmental Public Health Tracking System; applicants may be
interested in proposing activities that complement this effort using
the Exchange Network. (up to 90 points)
(f) Enhance the utilization of the Exchange Network by developing
tools/applications that use data made available through Web services
(e.g., watershed analysis tools using EPA and other partner/stakeholder
data published through Web services). (up to 90 points)
In addition to implementing one or more data flows, applicants must
make a commitment to share information about their projects with other
partners via the Exchange Network Web site at http://www.exchangenetwork.net.
If an applicant has received funding through a
previous Exchange Network assistance agreement, the applicant must
identify activities that build on, but do not duplicate, previously
funded activities.
(2) 10 points.
Identify the benefits of the project (see Section VI introduction).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Projects funded under the Challenge Category
must be collaborative efforts. The pre-proposal must identify a single
lead agency or department that will be responsible for administering
the assistance agreement, if awarded.
In addition to the criteria outlined above, EPA may elect to fund
complementary pre-proposals from different partners that address
related work areas (e.g., XML schema development), and it will seek to
leverage and coordinate all of the complementary pre-proposals before
reaching final funding decisions.
In making award decisions, EPA will examine the past performance of
those who have received previous Exchange Network assistance agreements
(e.g., timely and complete semi-annual reports, achievement of
performance goals/milestones, etc.). If two proposals have been scored
equally, the one with the best previous track record may be ranked
higher. If an applicant has not received a prior Exchange Network
assistance agreement, that applicant will not be penalized.

Section VII. Award Administration Information

The selection of pre-proposals for funding and the awarding of
assistance agreements will be posted on the Exchange Network Grant
Program Web site (http://www.epa.gov/Networkg). Recipients of
assistance agreement awards will be required to submit semi-annual and
final progress reports. A reporting form template will be provided to
all funded grantees by the appropriate Exchange Network Regional
Coordinator. Recipients will also be required to complete annual
Financial Status Reports. All reports must be prepared in either
Microsoft Word or WordPerfect and submitted electronically to the
appropriate Exchange Network Regional Coordinator. If a disagreement
arises between an eligible applicant and EPA, EPA will follow dispute
resolution procedures, as outlined in 40 CFR part 31, subpart F.

Section VIII. EPA Systems Information

Applicants are urged to consider developing FY 2004 proposals that
relate to the following EPA national environmental information systems,
particularly if submitting proposals for Implementation or Challenge
assistance agreements:
[sbull] Air Quality System (AQS)
[sbull] Facility Registry System (FRS)
[sbull] National Emissions Inventory (NEI)
[sbull] Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Information System
(RCRAInfo)
[sbull] Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
[sbull] Toxics Release Inventory System (TRIS)
By focusing on this limited number of data flows, EPA and its
partners should be able to deliver tangible results by the end of the
two-year program period.
EPA urges applicants to consider the data flows listed above, but
the Agency will also consider other data flow activities, particularly
if such activities can demonstrate the value of the Exchange Network.
Provided appropriations for the Exchange Network Grant Program become
available in FY 2005, EPA plans to highlight two additional data flows
in next year's guidance:
[sbull] Integrated Compliance Information System--National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (ICIS-NPDES)
[sbull] Storage and Retrieval for Water Quality Data (STORET)
While ICIS-NPDES and STORET data flow activities may be proposed
for the FY 2004 Exchange Network Grant Program, they will receive
greater attention in FY 2005.
Each of the national environmental information systems identified
above is described briefly below, along with current plans for the data
flows and suggested activities for consideration by applicants. The
implementation schedules for specific data flows differ, but the
activities that EPA offices have suggested generally relate to one or
more of the following:
[sbull] Improve data collection processes, the quality of data in
EPA information systems, and the utility of and access to environmental
data by all Exchange Network partners;
[sbull] Work with EPA to develop XML schema for particular data
flows and conduct related data mapping and documentation activities;
[sbull] Develop or adapt Exchange Network nodes or node clients as
required to implement particular data flows;
[sbull] Submit data through the Exchange Network and EPA's Central
Data Exchange (CDX) to EPA's national environmental information
systems;
[sbull] Enhance data validation mechanisms, increase the frequency
of data submissions, or enhance error detection/feedback mechanisms
using the Exchange Network;
[sbull] Work with EPA to develop and implement Web services to
obtain, use,

[[Page 68381]]

and integrate data from EPA and partner information systems for
multiple purposes;
[sbull] Use the Exchange Network to provide access to data that are
not currently available for environmental and human health protection
purposes; and/or
[sbull] Enhance the value of the Exchange Network by developing
tools/applications that use data that are made available through Web
services.
Please note that not all of the activities listed above may be
appropriate for particular data flows at this time. In addition,
applicants may propose other types of data flow activities that have
not been mentioned here. All proposals--whether they relate to these
specific data flows or the suggested activities--will receive careful
consideration by EPA.

Air Quality System (AQS)

System Description
AQS is a national database that contains ambient air quality
monitoring data collected by State, Tribal, and local governments. This
information is used to determine compliance with clean air standards,
assess the nature of air pollution problems in North America, and
assess the exposure of humans to toxic and other airborne pollutants.
Status and Plans
[sbull] Flat File: The transfer of AQS flat files via CDX began in
July 2003.
[sbull] XML Schema: The XML schema for AQS will be available by
mid-2004 for voluntary use by agencies. Subsequent to schema
development, EPA will develop the capability to receive and process AQS
XML data.
[sbull] Other Activities: In late 2004, EPA expects to deploy Web
services that support limited real-time stakeholder queries of selected
AQS data.
Suggested Activities for Exchange Network Partners
[sbull] Conduct pilot projects to test/use the AQS XML input
schema, particularly for submitting data to AQS through CDX and for
performing local quality assurance checks (e.g., for format, range, and
file structure). EPA is particularly interested in the development of
XML error/diagnostic message schema that could accompany the XML input
transaction schema. EPA is also interested in the development of XML
output schema that describe standard reports and workfiles, based on
the final AQS XML input schema.
[sbull] Work with EPA to develop Web services and applications that
use AQS XML schema to enhance the timeliness, frequency, and/or
efficiency of air quality data transmissions to EPA (e.g., possibly
including real-time data transmissions).
[sbull] Develop/test approaches to implement machine-to-machine
transfers of queried data using Web services and CDX.
[sbull] If maintaining significant air quality data assets that are
not currently in AQS, develop approaches for using the Exchange Network
to provide partners with secure access to the data.

Facility Registry System (FRS)

System Description
FRS is a national database of facility identification information.
It covers all facilities (places, stations, and sites ) that are
subject to environmental regulations or are of environmental interest,
such as Federal facilities, industrial facilities, and facilities on
tribal reservations. Key identifying information stored in FRS includes
facility names, alternate facility names, geographic locations (i.e.,
latitude/longitude), mailing addresses, points of contact, permit and
system identification numbers, industrial codes, and parent
organizational structures. FRS receives data from EPA's national
environmental information systems and from the States, and it can
receive user input from an Error Correction Web service application
found in Envirofacts and the Enforcement and Compliance History Online
(ECHO). The FRS database directly supports EPA's Envirofacts Data
Warehouse Web site, the ECHO Web site, and the Integrated Compliance
Information System (ICIS). It is also used by many EPA applications,
such as Window to My Environment and EnviroMapper.
Status and Plans
[sbull] FRS data exchanges using the Exchange Network have been in
production since October 2003.
[sbull] The Facility Identification schema is available on the
Exchange Network Registry (http://www.exchangenetwork.net), and it
conforms with the XML Design Rules and Conventions Version 1.0.
[sbull] EPA currently plans to release Web services to publish FRS
facility data through CDX in late 2003.
Suggested Activities for Exchange Network Partners
[sbull] Begin exchanging State and Tribal facility identification
records with FRS via CDX.
[sbull] Develop the capability to use the Exchange Network to
obtain, use, and integrate facility data from FRS with other State/
Tribal/local data.

National Emission Inventory (NEI)

System Description
NEI is a national database of air emissions information which
includes input from numerous State and local air agencies, Tribes,
industry, and other Federal databases [e.g., EPA's Clean Air Markets
Division (CAMD) Emission Tracking System, Maximum Achievable Control
Technology (MACT) Program, and the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)]. The
database contains information on stationary and mobile sources that
emit criteria air pollutants and precursors, as well as hazardous air
pollutants (HAPs). NEI data are used for air dispersion modeling,
tracking emission trends, and developing risk assessments, regulations,
and regional pollution control strategies.
Status and Plans
[sbull] XML Schema: In 2004, upgraded schema will be developed for
NEI Point Source, Area Non-Road, and On-Road Mobile data.
[sbull] Pilot Data Exchanges: EPA will conduct pilot NEI data
exchanges with States in 2004.
Suggested Activities for Exchange Network Partners
[sbull] Develop approaches/processes to improve the quality of the
data in State emissions inventory systems.
[sbull] Develop and participate in technical approaches to check
the quality of data in State emissions inventory systems and transfer
files to ensure that the data are compatible with NEI data content
requirements, before the States submit their emissions inventory data
to EPA and after the data are submitted to EPA through CDX.
[sbull] If maintaining significant emissions data assets that are
not currently in NEI, describe the business case(s) and develop
approaches for using the Exchange Network to provide partners with
secure access to the data, including the documentation of data quality
checks that have been performed on the data files that are made
available.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Information System (RCRAInfo)

System Description
RCRAInfo is a national database that contains data reported by
States and Regions on facilities that handle hazardous wastes and are
regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and
equivalent State statutes. RCRAInfo includes five major modules:

[[Page 68382]]

Handler, Permitting, Corrective Action, Compliance Monitoring and
Enforcement, and Waste Activity Report.
Status and Plans
[sbull] Flat File: In 2004, EPA's CDX will support Web-based flat
file transfers for the RCRAInfo Handler, Permitting, Corrective Action,
Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement, and Waste Activity Report
modules.
[sbull] XML Schemas: EPA is currently developing the XML schemas
for the Handler, Permitting, and Corrective Action modules and expects
these schemas to be available in September 2004. The focus of Exchange
Network RCRAInfo data flows in 2004 will be on submitting data to EPA.
[sbull] Other Activities: In 2005, EPA will enhance RCRAInfo to
automate out-bound transactions using Web services and allow States to
query/retrieve data from RCRAInfo and other State nodes.
Suggested Activities for Exchange Network Partners
[sbull] Work with EPA to build Exchange Network nodes to test and
implement RCRAInfo data exchanges using XML schemas.
[sbull] Work with EPA to refine and test outbound RCRAInfo Web
services and build applications to use them. Proposals should identify
the target user communities and describe how the development of such
Web service applications would provide functionality beyond that
provided by RCRAInfo. [RCRAInfo currently provides data entry tools,
Headquarters/State/] Regional reports, automated copies of RCRAInfo
data for EnviroFacts or the Office of Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance (OECA), etc.]
[sbull] Establish compatible Web services for hazardous waste
information that could be used by authorized EPA/State/Tribal partners.
For example, States with significant transfers of wastes to or from
other States may wish to establish agreements to gain access to data
from other Exchange Network partners.
[sbull] Develop automatic periodic updates of State databases from
RCRAInfo, utilizing the Exchange Network, CDX scheduling services, and
XML schema.
RCRAInfo technical guidance and schedules can be found at http://cdx.epa.gov/RCRAFT/UserGuide
.

Safe Drinking Water Information System/Federal Version (SDWIS/FED)

System Description
SDWIS/FED is an EPA national database that stores routine
information about the Nation's drinking water. SDWIS/FED is designed to
replace the Federal Reporting Data System (FRDS), and it stores the
information EPA needs to monitor approximately 170,000 public water
systems. As required by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), States
oversee public water systems within their jurisdictions to ensure
compliance with EPA and State drinking water standards. States
periodically report drinking water information to EPA, and this
information is stored in SDWIS/FED.
Status and Plans
[sbull] XML Schema: OW has proposed to develop an XML schema for
SDWIS as part of its modernization effort. It plans to conduct a pilot
project with States in FY 2004.
[sbull] Modernization Efforts: OW's Office of Ground Water and
Drinking Water (OGWDW) has identified the following milestones for
modernizing SDWIS (the milestone numbers correspond to the numbers of
suggested State activities outlined below).
1. Maintain most or all historical support functions for both the
SDWIS/FED database and SDWIS/STATE software (26 States are currently
using SDWIS/STATE and nine additional States are committed and
scheduled to use it).
2. Provide drinking water data providers (States and Regions) with
access to CDX through a registration process.
3. Conduct a pilot project using XML schema for a State-to-EPA data
flow.
4. Conduct a pilot project using FedRep validation software
(desktop application). The software incorporates the State-to-Fed XML
schema and is intended to move the validation of State data submissions
closer to the data providers, thus minimizing reporting delays and
errors.
5. Launch the production of the ORACLE replacement database that
will allow EPA to receive XML files of drinking water data from States
through CDX.
6. Enhance and expand the Drinking Water Data Warehouse. The
Drinking Water Data Warehouse extracts data from SDWIS and organizes it
into topic-specific Pivot Tables that are available over the Internet
for on-line querying by the public. OGWDW is discussing the potential
development of new formats for presenting the data.
7. Develop Web-enabled SDWIS/STATE software--the primary State
implementation assistance tool.
Suggested Activities for Exchange Network Partners
EPA is interested in enhancing the exchange of drinking water data
using the Exchange Network, particularly through node-to-node data
exchanges and activities that improve the timeliness and completeness
of the data. Suggested State activities include the following (numbers
correspond to the modernization milestones outlined above):
1. Help test changes in the SDWIS software that would allow the
system to accept XML-formatted data submitted by labs and public water
systems.
2. Document efforts to develop/expand State nodes to allow the
node-to-node exchange of drinking water data with EPA.
3. a. Document how States are incorporating XML into their local
data flows and how these efforts are linked to EPA's development of XML
schema for State-to-EPA data flows.
b. Analyze the costs associated with the one-time migration of
State drinking water data (for which quarterly reporting is required)
from the current DTF format to the new XML format, including the costs
associated with data mapping and translator tools.
4. Participate in OW's pilot project to test the FedRep software.
5. a. Use XML to receive drinking water data from labs or public
water systems.
b. Use the FedRep validation software (with built-in XML schema) to
load the reporting data to State nodes.
c. Exchange data from State nodes with EPA's CDX.
6. There are no specific State activities suggested in relation to
EPA's Drinking Water Data Warehouse.
7. a. Develop a Web-enabled version of State drinking water
databases (SDWIS/STATE or other).
b. Participate in a pilot project with EPA as OGWDW considers Web-
enabling the SDWIS/STATE software.
In addition to the activities suggested above, OGWDW is interested
the following potential State activities:
[sbull] Develop XML schema for drinking water occurrence data to
support the six-year review process.
[sbull] Develop XML schema for occurrence data that would tie into
the FedRep XML schema for drinking water violation data (currently
being piloted by EPA).

Toxic Release Inventory System (TRIS)

System Description
TRIS is populated by TRI-Made Easy (TRI-ME) via CDX. TRI was
established under the Emergency Planning and

[[Page 68383]]

Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA) and expanded by the
Pollution Prevention Act of 1990. The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) is
a publicly available database that contains information on toxic
chemical releases and other waste management activities reported
annually by certain covered industry groups, as well as Federal
facilities. States collect the same information from the same reporting
population for their own records.
Status and Plans
[sbull] TRI-ME: EPA finalized the TRI-ME software for Reporting
Year (RY) 2002 in March 2003, making the TRI-ME/CDX process completely
paperless. Planning for RY 2003 software will begin in the Fall of
2003.
Suggested Activities for Exchange Network Partners
[sbull] Work with EPA to develop common reporting formats that
would make it easier for regulated facilities to submit TRI data to
States and EPA simultaneously.
[sbull] Work with EPA to develop tools/applications that use TRI
data that will be made available through Web services using the
Exchange Network.
[sbull] Develop processes that reduce the amount of time EPA and
States must spend on reconciling TRI data received from regulated
facilities.

Future Data Flow Activities

As indicated in the introduction to this section, ICIS-NPDES and
STORET will receive less emphasis under the FY 2004 Exchange Network
Grants Program than the information systems listed above (i.e., AQS,
FRS, NEI, RCRAInfo, SDWIS, or TRIS). The following information on ICIS-
NDES and STORET is provided primarily to assist Exchange Network
partners in planning activities in FY 2005 and beyond.

Integrated Compliance Information System--National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (ICIS-NPDES) System

System Description
ICIS-NPDES is a modernized version of the Permit Compliance System
(PCS). It supports traditional wastewater discharge program functions
(e.g., permitting, compliance monitoring, and enforcement), as well as
new functions for special regulatory programs [e.g., concentrated
animal feeding operations (CAFO)]. ICIS-NPDES allows data exchanges
using XML, Web services, and Web forms and provides links to other
databases (i.e., FRS, TMDL, RAD, SRS).
Status and Plans
[sbull] XML Schema: The draft ICIS-NPDES schema is available for
States to begin initial data mapping of State system data to ICIS-
NPDES. The final ICIS-NPDES schema will be available by June 2004, at
which time States can begin finalizing their ICIS-NPDES schema mapping.
Testing of the submission/acceptance of XML schema by the ICIS-NPDES
system can begin in March 2006. By September 2006, OECA expects to
complete the implementation of State NPDES XML data flows into ICIS-
NPDES and will no longer accept flat file transfers from States into
legacy PCS.
Suggested Activities for Exchange Network Partners in FY 2005 and
Beyond
The modernization of legacy PCS into ICIS-NPDES will affect three
groups of States:
(1) States that currently submit flat files to legacy PCS,
(2) States that are currently using the CDX-PCS Interim Data
Exchange Format (IDEF) or have already been in discussions with EPA
about doing so, and
(3) States that are currently indirect users of legacy PCS and/or
wish to become direct users of ICIS-NPDES.
States that currently submit flat files to legacy PCS and those
that are current/scheduled users of CDX-PCS IDEF may wish to consider
some of the following activities, which will support the exchange of
NPDES XML data with ICIS-NPDES using the Exchange Network:
[sbull] Obtain technical training and support for using XML.
[sbull] Extract and convert the data from State NPDES systems into
the XML format needed to submit data to ICIS-NPDES.
[sbull] Modify State systems to accommodate the new/revised data
requirements of ICIS-NPDES.
[sbull] Modify State data extraction/conversion software to
accommodate new/revised ICIS-NPDES submission and transaction types
(e.g., for special regulatory programs).
[sbull] In coordination with EPA, clean up the State data in legacy
PCS as needed to move the data into ICIS-NPDES.
[sbull] In coordination with EPA, synchronize and then migrate the
data in legacy PCS to ICIS-NPDES.
[sbull] Develop XML export capabilities to generate XML data
documents using ICIS-NPDES schema.
[sbull] Implement node-to-node communications with CDX.
States that wish to become direct, on-line, users of ICIS-NPDES--
rather than submitting data in the XML format through the Exchange
Network--may be eligible for funding under a separate grant which OECA
plans to offer in FY 2004. Please contact David Piantanida at (202)
564-8318 for further information and assistance about relevant OECA
grants.

Storage and Retrieval System (STORET)

System Description
STORET is EPA's main repository of water quality and biological
monitoring data. It contains data obtained from a variety of
organizations across the United States ranging from small volunteer
watershed groups to State and Federal environmental agencies.
Currently, data are entered into a locally operated copy of STORET
through the use of a series of desktop validation software applications
provided by EPA. These data are centralized at EPA and made available
to the public through an Internet accessible data warehouse. This
architecture ensures that data owners maintain complete control over
data content, while at the same time, promoting shared access to these
data through the EPA data warehouse.
Status and Plans
(1) XML Schema: XML tags which support the Office of Water's Water
Quality Data Elements (WQDE) have been published for review. A joint
project with the EPA Beaches Program has produced an XML schema which
supports a limited subset of Beach Monitoring data and allows data
transfer from participating States to EPA. OW plans to develop full
STORET XML v2.0 schema(s) by February 2005 which will build off the
existing WQDE XML tags and schema from the Beaches project.
[sbull] Future Development: A task is currently underway to provide
specifications for support software (transaction based load modules)
necessary to enable STORET to fully participate in the Exchange
Network. These software specifications are expected by mid-2004, and
will become the foundation for software modules necessary to achieve
this goal. States can begin mapping data in State systems to the STORET
schema(s) in March 2005. Testing of submission/acceptance of XML
schema(s) by the STORET database will take place in October through
December 2005. By February 2006, OW plans to complete the
implementation of XML data flows into STORET through CDX. STORET will
continue to fully support and operate the existing process for moving
data from remote copies of STORET to the central STORET Warehouse.
STORET

[[Page 68384]]

will also build Web Services from the STORET Warehouse to support
queries of STORET data for stakeholder use.
Suggested Activities for Exchange Network Partners in FY 2005 and
Beyond
[sbull] Work with EPA's Office of Water to develop the STORET XML
schema in a phased, modular approach.
[sbull] If wishing to participate in STORET through CDX, adopt all
applicable data standards (i.e., standardized XML tags, chemical
nomenclature, taxonomic nomenclature, date formatting, latitude and
longitude location and associated method standards).
[sbull] Actively participate in the various working groups which
are developing these standards.
[sbull] Become familiar with the requirements of STORET with regard
to the documentation of the monitoring process as well as the
documentation of environmental results.
[sbull] Begin mapping State data to the STORET v2.0 schema(s) in
March 2005.
[sbull] Develop applications that use STORET Web Services for
stakeholder analyses.
[sbull] Begin linking station locations consistent with the
National Hydrography Dataset and the Geospatial One-Stop Hydrography
Standard.

Section IX. Agency Contacts

EPA Headquarters: Rebecca Moser, Office of Information Collection,
Office of Environmental Information, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Mail Code 2823-T, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 566-1679, neengprg@epamail.epa.gov.
EPA Region I: Mike MacDougall, U.S. EPA Region I, 1 Congress Street,
Suite 1100 (MIR), Boston, MA 02114, (617) 918-1941, macdougall.mike@epa.gov. Ken Blumberg, U.S. EPA Region I, 1 Congress
Street, Suite 1100 (MIR), Boston, MA 02114, (617) 918-1084.
EPA Region II: Robert ``Bob'' Simpson, U.S. EPA Region II, 290
Broadway, New York, NY 10007-1866, (212) 637-3335, simpson.robert@epa.gov.
EPA Region III: Joseph Kunz, U.S. EPA Region III, 1650 Arch Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19103, (215) 814-2116, Fax (215) 814-5251, kunz.joseph@epa.gov.
EPA Region IV: Richard Nawyn, U.S. EPA Region IV, 61 Forsyth Street, Atlanta, GA 30303, (404) 562-8320, nawyn.richard@epa.gov.
EPA Region V: Noel Kohl, U.S. EPA Region V, Resource Management
Division, 77 W. Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604, (312) 886-6224, kohl.noel@epa.gov.
EPA Region VI: Dorian Reines, U.S. EPA Region VI, 1445 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX 75202, (214) 665-6542, reines.dorian@epa.gov.
EPA Region VII: Maryane Tremaine, U.S. EPA Region VII, 901 N. Fifth
Street, Kansas City, KS 66101, (913) 551-7430, tremaine.maryane@epa.gov.
EPA Region VIII: Josie Lopez, U.S. EPA Region VIII, 999 18th Street, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80202-2466, lopez.josie@epa.gov.
EPA Region IX: Patricia Eklund, U.S. EPA Region IX, 75 Hawthorne
Street-Mail Stop SPE-1, San Francisco, CA 94105, (415) 972-3738, eklund.patrica@epa.gov.
EPA Region X: Burney Hill, U.S. EPA Region X, 1200 6th Avenue (EMI-095), Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 553-1761, hill.burney@epa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rebecca Moser, Office of Information
Collection, U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460; phone, (202) 566-1679; e-mail, neengprg@epamail.epa.gov.
An Information Session for potential applicants has been scheduled
for Monday, December 15, 2003, from 2 to 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
If you are interested in participating in this teleconference, please
contact Rebecca Moser.
Posting of Document: This document will be posted on the EPA's OEI
Web site at http://www.epa.gov/Networkg/guidance.

[FR Doc. 03-30374 Filed 12-5-03; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P