[Federal Register: June 15, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 115)]
[Notices]
[Page 34606-34615]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15jn06-32]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-8184-2]
Gulf of Mexico Program Office Funding Opportunity
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice; announcement of funding opportunity.
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SUMMARY: An estimated amount of $3,000,000 for ten to fifty cooperative
agreements may be awarded under this announcement to eligible
applicants for projects that improve the health of the Gulf of Mexico
by addressing improved water quality and public health, priority
coastal habitat protection/recovery, more effective coastal
environmental education, improved habitat identification/
characterization data and decision support systems, and strategic
nutrient reductions. Projects must involve stakeholders and focus on
support and implementation of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Governors'
Action Plan for Healthy and Resilient Coasts.
DATES: Deadline for Submissions is 6 p.m., Central Time, July 11, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Submissions should be sent electronically to
GMP.Proposals@epa.gov or through with the http://www.grants.gov.
Electronic messages must use the subject line: GMP Proposal Submission.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Esther Coblentz, Gulf of Mexico
Program Office, at (228) 688-1281 or coblentz.esther@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview Information
Federal Agency Name: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf of
Mexico Program Office.
Funding Opportunity Title: Gulf of Mexico Alliance Regional
Partnership Projects.
Announcement Type: Initial Announcement.
Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-GM-2006-1.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 66.475--Gulf
of Mexico Program http://www.cfda.gov.
Dates: The deadline for submissions is July 11, 2006, 6 p.m. CST.
Proposals must be submitted by electronic mail. For those applicants
who lack the technical capability to apply either by e-mail to
GMP.proposals@epa.gov or through http://www.grants.gov, please contact
Esther Coblentz at (228-688-1281) and/or coblentz.esther@epa.gov for
alternative submission methods. All Proposals must be received by EPA
or through grants.gov by the closing date and will not be accepted
after that date. For further information, see Section IV.
Funding Opportunity Description: An estimated amount of up to
$3,000,000 for between approximately ten to fifty cooperative
agreements may be awarded under this announcement to eligible
applicants for projects that improve the health of the Gulf of Mexico
by addressing improved water quality and public health, priority
coastal habitat protection/recovery, more effective coastal
environmental education, improved habitat identification/
characterization data and decision support systems, and strategic
nutrient reductions. Projects must actively involve stakeholders and
focus on support and implementation of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance
Governors' Action Plan for Healthy and Resilient Coasts.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
Background
The EPA Gulf of Mexico Program's (GMP) mission is to protect,
restore, and enhance the coastal and marine waters of the Gulf and its
natural habitats; to sustain living resources; to protect human health
and the food supply; and to ensure the long-term use of the Gulf
shores, beaches, and waters. To carry out the GMP mission, we must
continue to develop and maintain a partnership of State and Federal
agencies, local governments, academia, regional business and industry,
agricultural and environmental organizations, and individual citizens
and communities that effectively addresses the complex ecological
problems that cross State, Federal, and international jurisdictions and
boundaries.
Project Summary
EPA is issuing this Request for Proposals to strengthen and support
the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Regional Partnership. The President's U.S.
Ocean Action Plan released in December 2004 highlighted the Gulf of
Mexico Alliance, a partnership formed by the five Gulf State Governors.
The President called for increased integration of resources, knowledge
and expertise to make the collaboration of the Gulf Alliance a success.
See http://www.gulfofmexicoalliance.org. Thirteen Federal agencies
formed a Federal Workgroup, with EPA and the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as co-leads, committed to supporting
the Alliance. The Gulf of Mexico Program is the lead for EPA.
The Alliance released the Governors' Action Plan for Healthy and
Resilient Coasts on March 28, 2006. This Action Plan is intended to be
a dynamic starting point for effective regional collaboration and
addresses specific issues and projects which will result in a healthier
Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and economy with a vision toward healthy and
resilient coasts and communities in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Plan sets out a strategy with eleven actions addressing
specific projects/activities that will deliver significant on-the-
ground results to achieve the environmental outcomes of improved water
quality for healthy beaches and shellfish beds; restored/protected
coastal habitats; increased awareness/stewardship of the Gulf of
Mexico; improved management of Gulf habitats; and reduced nutrient
inputs to sustain productive Gulf aquatic ecosystems. These eleven
actions are listed in this announcement under the following topic
areas: Water Quality, Wetland and Coastal Restoration, Environmental
Education, Identification and Characterization of Gulf Habitats, and
Reducing Nutrient Inputs. The Gulf of Mexico Program is announcing the
availability of funding to address the activities in the Action Plan.
For more information on the Governors' Action Plan go to http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gulf/plan.htm
.
Each of the Actions listed below includes a description of some of
the expected outputs of projects addressing that Action and projects/
activities for that Action. Applicant proposals must address one or
more of the Actions listed under the topics below. Proposals may
address actions under different topic areas, and more than one action
may be addressed in the same proposal.
Water Quality
Action 1 (Harmful Algal Blooms): Establish a cooperative binational
coastal observing and decision support system in the Gulf of Mexico for
the advanced detection and forecasting of red tide (K. brevis) and for
notifying public health managers. Educate the public to help reduce the
human health, natural resource and economic impacts of bloom events.
Activities:
Conduct an investigation of advanced technologies for
rapid field screening and enhanced real-time
[[Page 34607]]
remote sensing, platform sensing, and autonomous sensing of HABs.
Conduct a study to evaluate and compare the multiple
methods of HAB detection technologies under development for K. brevis
against microscopic identification methods.
Conduct studies, in collaboration with state and Federal
partners throughout the region, to assess the public health, natural
resources, and socioeconomic risks and impacts from HABs.
Collaborate with existing Gulf State and Gulf Alliance
programs to develop a strategic outreach plan to inform and educate the
public about HABs and management actions taken to protect public health
and to expand educational and outreach methods used to inform the
public about HABs and their impacts.
Serve as Project Manager to facilitate actions to support
the expansion of Harmful Algal Blooms Observing System (HABSOS) to
Veracruz, Mexico; to initiate and coordinate two workshops with local,
state, and Federal expert scientists to implement a curriculum and
training program for personnel in HAB field sampling and microscopic
identification methods and to demonstrate toxin-detection methods; to
provide training to Mexican personnel in sampling, identification, and
enumeration and guide and assist Mexican personnel in establishing a
sampling program for detection of K. brevis and other HAB species; and
to provide status reports and accomplishments.
Coordinate with Gulf partners and GCOOS (Gulf Coast Ocean
Observing System) http://ocean.tamu.edu/GCOOS/gcoos.htm to support the
expansion and pilot of the Harmful Algal Blooms Observing System to
Veracruz, Mexico, with the operation of 2 meteorological stations off
the coast of Veracruz, Mexico, and to integrate and standardize the
efforts with those in SW Texas and South Florida. (See http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/habpage.html
).
Outputs:
Improve the current Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) forecasting
system off the Southwest Florida coast to better identify the onset of
blooms and better predict the transport of blooms.
Develop a satellite detection, forecasting, and internet-
based notification capability for K. brevis off the southern coast of
Texas.
Develop a satellite detection and internet-based
notification capability for K. brevis off the coast of the Mexican Gulf
State of Veracruz.
Outcome:
The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of
the above activities is to improve water quality to achieve healthy
beaches and shellfish beds.
Action 2 (Bacterial Source Tracking): Ensure safe bathing beaches
by advancing a practical, field-ready standardized bacterial source
tracking method(s) to determine coastal waters with public health
impairment and to identify the priority sources of bacterial pollution
to remediate.
Activities:
Conduct a ``State of the Gulf'' workshop on pathogen
indicators in recreational marine waters, epidemiological correlations,
and bacterial source tracking research, with an endpoint of selecting
the site and designing the study and the parameters for evaluation.
Conduct a comprehensive field evaluation of current
bacterial source tracking capabilities.
Conduct a workshop to evaluate the field evaluation
results and select two methods for use in the pilot studies; select the
pilot study areas.
Pilot test the two preferred bacterial source tracking
methodologies in five Gulf estuaries (with varying environmental
conditions). Evaluate bacterial sources responsible for the
contamination of shellfish growing waters in each of the five pilots.
Conduct a final workshop to evaluate the results of pilot
studies and prepare a final report.
Train state and local personnel in specific bacterial
source tracking methods. Assist the states in preparing and supporting
strategies for the effective implementation of these effects Gulf-wide.
Outputs:
Conduct a peer-reviewed field evaluation of current
bacterial source tracking capabilities in an estuarine recreational
area, and select two methodologies for intensive field testing/
validation.
Implement pilot testing of these two methods in five Gulf
of Mexico estuaries with varying environmental conditions (preferably
one location in each Gulf state).
Outcome:
The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of
the above activities is to improve water quality to achieve healthy
beaches and shellfish beds.
Action 3 (Data Collection): Maximize the efficiency and utility of
water quality monitoring efforts for local managers by coordinating and
standardizing state and federal water quality data collection
activities in the Gulf region.
Activities:
Host an annual Gulf of Mexico Forum for Environmental
Monitoring to promote coordination of water quality monitoring by
state, local, and federal agencies as proposed by the Governors' Action
Plan.
Develop accountability tools and accreditation standards
for laboratories performing analyses included in Gulf-wide monitoring
databases.
Facilitate the selection of a pilot parameter for
monitoring coordination and standardization by state and federal water
quality agencies and GCOOS (leverage possible linkage to National Water
Quality Monitoring Council regional pilot activities).
Outputs:
Implement a regional pilot effort to coordinate and
standardize state and federal water quality data collection activities
in the Gulf region for one or more nutrient parameter(s) and/or one or
more pathogens.
Outcome:
The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of
the above activities is to improve water quality to achieve healthy
beaches and shellfish beds.
Wetland and Coastal and Restoration
Action 1 (Restoration Coordination): Convene a Gulf of Mexico
Alliance Regional Restoration Coordination Team, where Gulf States,
federal agencies and other private sector partners can work together to
identify regional priority sites for conservation and restoration and
more successfully conserve and restore vital coastal habitat and
wetlands.
Activities:
Host workshops of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Regional
Restoration Coordination Team to determine Gulf-wide issues, inventory
current restoration successes, and identify priority sites for
restoration.
Host a Gulf of Mexico interstate workshop on the
importance of freshwater inflows to maintaining estuarine health
including wetlands.
Using the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Regional Restoration
Coordination Team, propose possible resolutions for Federal/state
environmental compliance issues that affect habitat restoration and
conservation efforts, such as essential fish habitat (EFH), Endangered
Species Act requirements, and Clean Water Act (e.g., Total Maximum
Daily Loads).
Devise a strategy to streamline certain Federal permitting
requirements for wetland restoration.
Identify administrative and legal processes in granting
agencies that may
[[Page 34608]]
either facilitate or impede wetland restoration and conservation
project planning and implementation.
Further develop public-private partnerships, such as the
Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership, in all five Gulf States and
incentives that support landowner conservation to increase funding
opportunities for restoration. Ensure state and local governments are
well-informed about partnership and incentive programs.
Develop a Gulf Regional Sediment Management Master Plan to
enable more effective use of dredged material, such as sand, to protect
and restore important and vulnerable resources and habitats. Involve
state, local, and Federal representatives in the planning process.
Outputs:
Establish a Gulf of Mexico Alliance Regional Restoration
Coordination Team.
Through the Restoration Coordination Team, hold a series
of meetings between Federal agencies and Gulf States to review existing
regulatory, funding, and policy frameworks, and identify mechanisms
that help facilitate or impede wetland conservation and restoration
efforts.
Hold a workshop on importance of freshwater inflows.
Expand the Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership
Develop a Gulf Regional Sediment Management Master Plan to
enable more effective use of dredged material.
Outcome:
The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of
the above activities is to restore/protect coastal habitats and
increase wetlands.
Action 2 (Increase Scientific Understanding): Increase the Gulf
States' scientific understanding of the implications and risks of
localized sea level rise, storm surge and subsidence through
development of tools that integrate these processes, such as integrated
models.
Activities:
Enhance the coast-wide network of elevation benchmarks,
including the Continuously Operating Reference System (CORS), to
deliver subsidence rates accurate to 1 millimeter per year.
Obtain information on projected relative sea level rise,
subsidence, and storm vulnerability to help prioritize conservation
projects, including restoration, enhancement, and acquisition.
Develop and apply aquatic ecosystem models to forecast the
habitat structure and succession following hurricane disturbance and
changes in ecological functions and services that impact vital
socioeconomic aspects of coastal systems.
Outputs:
Develop a prototype decision-support tool that allows Gulf
resource managers to integrate storm surge, sea level rise, and
subsidence information for at least one pilot area on the Gulf Coast
and the use of the tool in determining water quality impacts.
Develop a pilot Community Resiliency Index for Gulf
coastal communities.
Outcome:
The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of
the above activities is to restore/protect coastal habitats and
increase wetlands.
Environmental Education
Action 1 (Awareness and Stewardship): Build awareness and
stewardship ethics among Gulf citizens by coordinating education and
outreach activities across the Gulf States to increase access to
materials and programs that address Gulf of Mexico Alliance priority
issues. Translate, communicate and disseminate relevant scientific data
and information to the public, including students, educators, resource
managers, local decision-makers and the business community.
Activities:
Serve as a Gulf of Mexico Alliance Network Coordinator for
a term of at least 3 years, who will serve as staff to the Network,
facilitate Alliance communications, and coordinate regional education
and outreach activities.
Coordinate a planning workshop of the newly established
Network at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR),
Naples, Florida, (http://www.rookerybay.org) to review priority goals,
actions and funding needs in Gulf coast education and outreach, and
build an effective communications strategy for the Alliance. The
workshop will culminate in the formulation of a strategic plan that
will guide the initial activities of the Network.
Establish a Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center (CELC) in each of the
five Gulf States and in one Mexican State that borders the Gulf. http://www.coastalamerica.gov
.
Develop and host a pilot program to engage
underrepresented and underserved communities in Gulf stewardship
activities related to the Gulf of Mexico Alliance strategic priorities.
Design and host a Web site to support education and
outreach efforts of the Network, including a electronic clearinghouse
to disseminate effective Gulf coast related educational information and
materials via the Internet.
Outputs:
Convene a binational Gulf of Mexico Alliance Environmental
Education and Outreach Network, with dedicated staff, to (1) coordinate
educational and outreach activities that address Alliance priority
issues, and (2) establish effective methods to disseminate materials
and programs throughout Gulf coastal communities.
Coordinate with the existing Coastal Ecosystem Learning
Center networks as they are expanded to each of the five U.S. Gulf
States and the Mexican Gulf State of Veracruz. See http://www.coastalamerica.gov
.
Develop an environmental education pilot program targeted
towards under-represented and under-served communities in the Gulf
region.
Outcome:
The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of
the above activities is to increase awareness/stewardship among Gulf
residents to establish the link between the health of the Gulf and
quality of life of residents.
Action 2 (Environmental Awareness): Promote an environmentally
literate citizenry who understands the relevance of the Gulf of Mexico
watersheds and coasts to the quality of their everyday lives and to the
economic vitality of the region and the nation. Increase environmental
stewardship in the practices and activities of Gulf coast local
governments and businesses.
Activities:
Design and conduct a strategic public awareness campaign
that will encourage Gulf stewardship and coastal hazard identification
and prevention.
Coordinate funding sources to sustain the public awareness
campaign in the short-term (within 36 months) and long-term (after 36
months).
Outputs:
Develop and implement a comprehensive, 36-month (minimum)
public awareness campaign to promote stewardship messages associated
with the other four Alliance priority issues and community hurricane
preparedness.
Outcome:
The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of
the above activities is to increase awareness/stewardship among Gulf
residents to establish the link between the health of the Gulf and
quality of life of residents.
Identification and Characterization of Gulf Aquatic Habitats
Action 1 (Identify and Assess Gulf Habitats): Identify and assess
the location, extent, variation and condition of priority coastal,
estuarine, nearshore
[[Page 34609]]
and offshore Gulf habitats and establish a baseline information and
mapping system. The system will provide comprehensive access to
uniform, quality-assured coastal habitat observations in the Gulf
region by developing an Internet-accessible, geospatial database of
local, state, and Federal data sources.
Activities:
Coordinate Federal and state collection of information and
complete an inventory of existing habitat data and initiate a gap
analysis. This inventory will identify available data and associated
metadata. The inventory will have both a regional and local scope and
will focus on mapping and restoration projects. Products will include:
(a) User Needs Assessment; (b) Inventory of Gulf of Mexico Habitat
Data; and (c) Assessment of Priority Gulf of Mexico Habitat Data Needs.
Establish the Federal Data Management Group (FDMG), a team
to work with state, local, and Federal entities to identify specific
requirements for a regional data management platform and portal.
Establish a standard metadata format to streamline
metadata development and maintenance at the state, local, and Federal
level.
Establish a data management platform and portal that will
provide access and delivery of existing state, local, and Federal data.
Provide training on data management equipment to Gulf
state agencies.
Provide GIS and metadata training to state and local
resource managers in the five Gulf States.
Output:
Produce a prototype Web portal to provide public access to
and delivery of current and historic state, Federal, and local Gulf of
Mexico habitat data, with the initial focus on sea grass beds. Users
will be able to search a digital library for habitat information by
keyword or geographic location, preview geospatial data, and download
selected data products. The portal will also demonstrate the
feasibility of building a distributed system that will enable users to
request and retrieve data directly from the agencies holding the
original data.
Outcome:
The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of
the above activities is to sustain the quality of Gulf habitats.
Reducing Nutrient Inputs
Action 1 (Nutrient Criteria): Establish a regional coordination
venue to coordinate knowledge, resources and tools for the development
of nutrient criteria in Gulf coastal ecosystems.
Activities:
Convene the Coordination Team and a technical conference
to synthesize the state of knowledge regarding nutrient levels and
develop a plan for regional coordination.
Use information gained from the Northern Gulf Estuarine
Pilot Project to identify one or more estuaries to apply the methods
and lessons learned from the Northern Gulf Estuarine Pilot Project.
Establish and implement a regional communications plan. At the
direction of the State lead(s), facilitate the identification of at
least three targeted estuaries (one in each of the northern Gulf
States) for trial application of the lessons learned through the course
of this study.
Identify and coordinate federal, state, and local
monitoring efforts and data management systems to support development
of nutrient criteria.
Present a comprehensive assessment of Gulf nutrient
monitoring program needs to the National Water Quality Design Team.
Inventory modeling needs to deal with nutrient issues
under permitting, TMDL development, and nutrient criteria development.
Develop a library/database of marine and estuarine species
for site specific D.O. criteria development.
Output:
Establish a Gulf of Mexico Alliance Nutrient Criteria
Coordination Team of state and federal representatives to meet the
needs of the Gulf States through improved coordination among existing
local, state, regional, and national nutrient reduction programs.
Outcome:
The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of
the above activities is to reduce nutrients in Gulf waters to achieve
healthy and resilient coastal ecosystems.
Action 2 (Nutrient Prevention and Reduction): During recovery and
rebuilding efforts in the Gulf region, apply innovative practices and
technologies to restore fishing and recreational uses in key coastal
watersheds impaired by excessive nutrient inputs.
Activities:
Identify key coastal watersheds with significant nutrient
impacts, sensitive waters, and a high likelihood of successful
restoration of fishing and recreational uses.
Identify communities conducting infrastructure rebuilding
activities where nutrient reduction can be achieved through improved
infrastructure planning and design.
Identify and prioritize implementation and coordination
opportunities for existing Federal, state, and local programs in key
coastal watersheds and communities conducting infrastructure rebuilding
activities.
Provide technical assistance to interested local
governments to improve infrastructure planning and design.
Evaluate the effectiveness of nutrient reduction
activities in key coastal watersheds and rebuilding communities and
develop techniques to improve effectiveness.
Map communities served by advanced wastewater treatment
systems to help develop strategies for remediation activities.
Output:
Perform a study on nutrient prevention and reduction
activities in Gulf communities improving or rebuilding infrastructure.
Outcome:
The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of
the above activities is to reduce nutrients in Gulf waters to achieve
healthy and resilient coastal ecosystems.
Action 3 (Hypoxia): Coordinate among the Gulf States to develop a
unified position shared by all Gulf States to advocate actions--by all
31 states in the Mississippi River Watershed--to reduce Gulf hypoxia.
Activities:
Assist in the completion of a comprehensive assessment of
the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan.
Provide Gulf States information on point and non-point
source pollution in the Mississippi River Basin and the ecological and
economic impacts of the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Zone on natural
resources such as fish and shellfish.
Establish effective Mississippi River Basin-wide
agricultural partnerships to better facilitate strategic voluntary
nutrient reductions.
Output:
Develop and represent a consistent five Gulf State
position on the need to reduce Gulf hypoxia, in venues such as the
Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force.
Outcome:
The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of
the above activities is to reduce nutrients in Gulf waters to achieve
healthy and resilient coastal ecosystems and reduce the size of the
hypoxic zone.
Alignment to EPA's Strategic Plan
Successful proposals must have clear and measurable environmental
results directly related to EPA's Strategic Plan. Awards resulting from
this
[[Page 34610]]
announcement must relate to Goal 4: Healthy Communities and
Ecosystems--Protect, sustain or restore the health of people,
communities, and ecosystems using integrated and comprehensive
approaches and partnerships; Objective 4.3: Ecosystems--Protect,
sustain, and restore the health of critical natural habitats and
ecosystems; and Subobjective 4.3.5: Improve the Health of the Gulf of
Mexico. For more information on EPA's Strategic Plan go to: http://epa.gov/ocfopage/plan/plan.htm
.
Measuring Environmental Results
Pursuant to EPA Order 5700.7, ``Environmental Results under EPA
Assistance Agreements,'' EPA requires that all grant recipients
adequately address environmental outputs and outcomes. Outputs and
outcomes differ both in their nature and in how they are measured.
Applicants must discuss environmental outputs and outcomes in their
proposed workplan.
1. 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.
Expected outputs from the projects funded under this announcement
are listed with each of the Actions identified above.
2. 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.
Statutory Authority
All proposals submitted will be reviewed for eligibility under
section 104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act. Assistance Agreements are
authorized under this statutory authority to conduct and promote the
coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments,
training, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the causes,
effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution.
The term ``pollution'' means the man-made or man-induced alteration of
the chemical, physical, biological, and radiological integrity of
water.
II. Award Information
Funding Amounts and Number of Awards
Under this funding opportunity, EPA expects to award an estimated
$3,000,000 depending on availability of funds and the evaluation and
quality of proposals. An estimated ten to fifty projects are expected
to be awarded.
EPA reserves the right to make no awards under this announcement or
make fewer than anticipated. EPA also reserves the right to offer
partial funding of a proposal by funding discrete activities, portions,
or phases of the proposed project. If EPA decides to partially fund the
proposed project, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice any
applicants or affect the basis upon which the proposed project, or
portion thereof, was evaluated and selected, and that maintains the
integrity of the competition and the selection/evaluation process.
EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this
announcement consistent with Agency policy, if additional funding
becomes available. Any additional selections for awards will be made no
later than 4 months after the original selection decisions.
The period of performance for awards under this announcement is
from 0.5 years to three years.
Type of Award
Successful applicants will be issued a cooperative agreement.
Cooperative agreements require substantial EPA involvement with the
recipient in the form of programmatic oversight and review and comment
on all agreement activities and products. When a cooperative agreement
is awarded, EPA's involvement in carrying out the work with the
applicant will be described in a selection letter and identified in the
terms and conditions of the award document. In general, cooperative
agreements awarded will be one-time awards and recipients should use
the funds within the period of performance (from 0.5 years to three
years).
III. Eligibility Information
Eligible Applicants
State and local governments, interstate agencies, tribes, colleges
and universities, individuals, and other public or nonprofit
organizations. EPA will require nonprofit organizations selected for
funding to provide verification of their nonprofit status prior to the
grant award.
Threshold Eligibility Criteria
Applicant proposals must meet all of the following threshold
eligibility criteria by the time of proposal submission. Proposals that
fail to meet all of these criteria will not be considered for funding.
Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration as a result of
the threshold eligibility review will be notified within 15 calendar
days of the ineligibility determination.
1. Proposed projects must be consistent with the Clean Water Act
section 104(b)(3) authority. All proposals submitted will be reviewed
for eligibility under section 104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act (CWA).
Water Quality Cooperative Agreements are authorized under this
statutory authority to conduct and promote the coordination and
acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training,
demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the causes, effects,
extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution. The term
``pollution'' means the man-made or man-induced alteration of the
chemical, physical, biological, and radiological integrity of water.
Projects that implement ``Best Management Practices'' or any type of
construction activities must qualify as a demonstration project under
CWA section 104(b)(3). A demonstration project must involve new or
experimental technologies, methods, or approaches, where the results of
the project will be disseminated so that others can benefit from the
knowledge gained in the demonstration project. A project that is
accomplished through the performance of routine, traditional, or
established practices, or a project that is simply intended to carry
out a task rather than transfer information or advance the state of
knowledge is not a demonstration.
2. Ineligible Activities: Applicants must adhere closely to the
types of projects authorized for funding under CWA Sec. 104(b)(3) in
developing proposals. Unauthorized project types will be disqualified.
Types of projects that are ineligible for funding are routine
construction projects, except to a limited degree to demonstrate
innovation, prevention, or removal of pollution; land acquisition; or
projects that are largely general education/outreach or conferences
unless they meet a clear need to accomplish a public purpose and are
not for the direct benefit of EPA.
[[Page 34611]]
3. Proposals must address one or more of the Actions identified in
Section I or they will be rejected. Proposals may address actions under
different topic areas, and more than one action may be addressed in the
same proposal.
4. Proposals must substantially comply with the proposal submission
instructions and requirements set forth in Section IV of this
announcement or they will be rejected.
In addition, proposals must be received by EPA or through http://www.grants.gov
on or before the solicitation closing date published in
Section IV of this announcement. Proposals received after the published
closing date will be returned to the sender without further
consideration.
Matching Requirements
There is no matching requirement; however, the extent of
partnerships and leveraged funding will be considered by reviewers
during the evaluation process. (See Section V).
Matching funds are considered to be cooperative agreement funds and
may be used for reasonable and necessary expenses of carrying out the
project described in the Final Project Workplan. Any restrictions on
the use of grant funds, including project budget periods, also apply to
the use of matching funds. All project expenditures, including both the
Federal and nonfederal share, are subject to Federal regulations
governing the use of Federal funds. Other Federal money cannot be used
as match unless authorized by the statute governing the award of the
other Federal funds. Reductions to the amount of the match after a
proposal is selected for funding may result in loss of funding.
IV. Application and Submission Information
A. Content and Format of Project Proposals
Follow the proposal format and instructions provided
below.
Use only Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat for electronic
submissions.
Use only one method to submit your proposal.
Examples from Previous Years.
When developing project submissions, you may look at types of
successful projects from previous years, available at http://www.epa.gov/gmpo
.
B. Submission Dates and Times
Regardless of mode of submission, proposal packages must
be received by EPA at GMP.proposals@epa.gov or through http://www.grants.gov
by July 11, 2006, 6 p.m. CST. Proposals received after
this time will be disqualified.
Use an e-mail return receipt for verification of receipt
if you want to confirm delivery.
C. Proposal Submission Instructions
Applicants are encouraged to apply electronically via e-mail or
online using the Grants.gov Web site with an electronic signature--
please only use one method. For those applicants who lack the technical
capability to apply either by e-mail or through Grants.gov, please
contact Esther Coblentz (228-688-1281) and/or coblentz.esther@epa.gov
for alternative submission methods.
1. Instructions for E-Mail Submissions
Proposals must be e-mailed to GMP.proposals@epa.gov. The title of
the e-mail should read ``GMP Proposal Submission''. The proposal should
be one attached file prepared as described in Section IV.E. Please do
not zip the attached file--it will not be accepted. If you do not
receive an email confirmation within five business days, please call
Esther Coblentz at 228-688-1281.
2. Instructions for Submissions Using Grants.Gov
With Grants.Gov, you will be able to submit your entire proposal
package on line with no hard copy or computer disks. Please be sure to
view the additional instructions that are available for download on
Grants.gov for this announcement and which are included below. If you
have any technical difficulties while applying electronically, please
refer to http://www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport or call the toll free
Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 or Esther Coblentz at 228-688-1281 or
coblentz.esther@epa.gov.
If you wish to apply electronically via Grants.gov, the electronic
submission of your proposal package must be made by an official
representative of your institution who is registered with Grants.gov
and authorized to sign applications for Federal assistance. For more
information, go to http://www.grants.gov and click on ``Get Started,''
and then click on ``For AORs'' (Authorized Organization Representative)
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, go to http://www.Grants.Gov and
click on ``Apply for Grants.'' Following the online instructions,
download PureEdge Viewer software and enter the Funding Opportunity
Number, EPA--GM-2006-1, in the space provided to retrieve the
application package. 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 top of the page and then to go EPA
opportunities).
Be sure to download and read the instructions and the application
package at the Grants.Gov Web site.
Proposal Submission Deadline: Your organization's AOR must submit
your complete proposal electronically to EPA through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov
) no later than (insert date).
Proposal Materials.
The following forms and documents are required to be submitted by
applicants using grants.gov under this announcement:
I. Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal Assistance.
Complete the form. There are no attachments. Please be sure to include
organization fax number and email address in Block 5 of the Standard
Form SF 424.
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.
II. Proposal Workplan.
Prepare as described in Section IV. E. of this announcement.
The proposal workplan must be readable in PDF or MS Word for
Windows and consolidated into a single file.
Submission Instructions
Documents I and II listed under Proposal Materials above should
appear in the ``Mandatory Documents'' box on the Grants.gov Grant
Application Package page. For document I, 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
[[Page 34612]]
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 document II, you will need to attach electronic files. Prepare
your proposal workplan as described in Section IV.E. of the
announcement and save the document to your computer as an MS Word or
PDF file. When you are ready to attach your proposal workplan to the
application package, click on ``Project Narrative Attachment Form,''
and open the form. Click ``Add Mandatory Project Narrative File,'' and
then attach it (previously saved to your computer) using the browse
window that appears. You may then click ``View Mandatory Project
Narrative File'' to view it. Enter a brief descriptive title of your
project in the space beside ``Mandatory Project Narrative File
Filename;'' the filename should be no more than 40 characters long. If
there are other attachments that you would like to submit to accompany
your proposal, you may click ``Add Optional Project Narrative File''
and proceed as before. When you have finished attaching the necessary
documents, click ``Close Form.'' When you return to the ``Grant
Application Package'' page, select the ``Project Narrative Attachment
Form'' and click ``Move Form to Submission List.'' The form should now
appear in the box that says, ``Mandatory Completed Documents for
Submission.''
Once you have finished filling out all of the forms/attachments and
they appear in one of the ``Completed Documents for Submission'' boxes,
click the ``Save'' button that appears at the top of the Web page. It
is suggested that you save the document a second time, using a
different name, since this will make it easier to submit an amended
package later if necessary. Please use the following format when saving
your file: ``Applicant Name--FY 06--Assoc Prog Supp--1st Submission''
or ``Applicant Name--FY 06 Assoc Prog Supp--Back-up Submission.'' If it
becomes necessary to submit an amended package at a later date, then
the name of the 2nd submission should be changed to ``Applicant Name--
FY 06 Assoc Prog Supp--2nd Submission.''
Once your application package has been completed and saved, send it
to your AOR for submission to U.S. EPA through Grants.gov. Please
advise your AOR to close all other software programs before attempting
to submit the application package through Grants.gov.
In the ``Application Filing Name'' box, your AOR should enter your
organization's name (abbreviate where possible), the fiscal year (e.g.,
FY 06), and the grant category (e.g., Assoc Prog Supp). The filing name
should not exceed 40 characters. From the ``Grant Application Package''
page, your AOR may submit the application package by clicking the
``Submit'' button that appears at the top of the page. The AOR will
then be asked to verify the agency and funding opportunity number for
which the application package is being submitted. If problems are
encountered during the submission process, the AOR should reboot his/
her computer before trying to submit the application package again. [It
may be necessary to turn off the computer (not just restart it) before
attempting to submit the package again.] If the AOR continues to
experience submission problems, he/she may contact Grants.gov for
assistance by phone at 1-800-518-4726 or e-mail at support@grants.gov
or contact Esther Coblentz at (228) 688-1281 and/or e-mail at
coblentz.esther@epa.gov.
Application packages submitted thru grants.gov will be time/date
stamped electronically. If you have not received a confirmation of
receipt from EPA (not from support@grant.gov) within 30 days of the
application deadline, please send an e-mail to coblentz.esther@epa.gov.
Failure to do so may result in your application not being reviewed.
If you have never used Grants.Gov before, here are some tips. Most
organizations have found Grants.Gov to be a user friendly system. The
most frequent concern has occurred when an organization has delayed
obtaining the unique electronic signature to the last minute.
Register for your electronic signature early! An electronic
signature requires three levels of authorization before you can submit
on line. You need to decide who will be the AOR, the caretaker of the
electronic signature for your organization. At a university the Chief
Grant Official generally signs all of the electronic grants for the
entire institution. If all goes well, this process takes about a week,
but some organizations have encountered internal and external delays;
therefore the registration process can take longer.
Remember, you cannot submit your application online until your
organization has e-authentication credentials. Here are the basic
steps:
1. Obtain a Certified DUNS Number. You must first have a certified,
unique Dun and Bradstreet Universal Data Numbering System (DUNS)
number. Some organizations may have more than one DUNS number
registered. Only one can be certified. This can lead to unanticipated
delays.
2. Central Contractor Registry and Credential Provider
Registration. Once you have your unique, approved DUNS number, you need
to register with the Central Contractor Registry.
3. Grants.Gov Electronic Signature Authorization. Once steps A and
B are complete, you will then need to contact Grants.Gov. The
Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) will be assigned a
password that will enable him or her to sign the Grants.Gov
applications electronically. The AOR must be an individual who is able
to make legally binding commitments for the applicant organization.
Organizations may designate more than one AOR.
Be sure to download and read the instructions and the application
at the Grants.Gov Web site.
D. DUNS Number
All applicants applying for funding, including renewal funding,
must have a Dun and Bradstreet Universal Data Numbering System (DUNS)
number. Applicants who do not already have a DUNS number may find
instructions for obtaining one at the following Web site: http://www.Grants.Gov/GetStarted.
A DUNS number may also be obtained by
calling 1-866-705-5711.
Confidentiality
In accordance with 40 CFR 2.203, applicants may claim all or a
portion of their application/proposal as confidential business
information. EPA will evaluate confidentiality claims in accordance
with 40 CFR part 2. Applicants must clearly mark applications/proposals
or portions of applications/proposals they claim as confidential. If no
claim of confidentiality is made, EPA is not required to make the
inquiry to the applicant otherwise required by 40 CFR 2.204(c)(2) prior
to disclosure.
Other Considerations
The funds associated with this announcement require Executive Order
(E.O.) 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, review.
E.O. 12372 structures the Federal government's system of consultation
with states and local governments on its decisions involving grants,
other forms of financial assistance, and direct development. Under E.O.
12372, states, in consultation with their local governments, design
their own review process and select the Federal financial
[[Page 34613]]
assistance and direct development activities they wish to review. If
selected for funding, the recipient of the Federal assistance agreement
will be required to send a copy of their application and proposal to
the appropriate State Clearinghouse Office for an intergovernmental
review, if applicable. (See: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html
).
E. Proposal/Workplan Format
The proposal/workplan should include the following information:
Applicant Information
Applicant Information: Business Mailing and Contact information,
including email address. DUNS number if Applicant Organization has one.
Type of Organization: State or local government, interstate agency,
tribe, college or university, individual, or other public or nonprofit
organizations.
Project Summary Information
Project Title.
Project Manager: Identify who will serve as the principal party
responsible for accomplishing the activities.
Topic: Identify the Actions/Activities described in Section I of
the announcement that the proposed project will address.
Brief Project Description: Summarize the project. Do not use
acronyms.
Total Project Cost: Specify total amount requested from EPA, as
well as any resources or funding from any other sources that are
contributing support.
Duration: Specify project period of performance, from 0.5 years up
to 3 years.
Geographic Applicability
Applicable Geographic Location: If applicable, geographic locations
which would be most impacted by this project, include the Hydrologic
Unit Code (HUC) for the Project location. HUCs can be found on EPA's
Surf Your Watershed Web site at http://www.epa.gov/surf/locate/index.cfm
.
Project Location: As applicable, enter City, County, and State(s).
Problem, Work, Results
Problem Statement: Describe the issue that will be addressed and
its relevance to the Gulf of Mexico, particularly to the needs and
priorities in the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Governors' Action Plan and
EPA's Strategic Plan, Sub-objective 4.3.5 (Improve the Health of the
Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem). Describe how the project will address one or
more of the activities that are listed under the 11 Actions under the
priority topic categories: Water Quality, Wetland and Coastal
Restoration, Environmental Education, Identification and
Characterization of Gulf Habitats, and Reducing Nutrient Inputs. These
projects/activities will be considered for funding. Projects must
actively involve stakeholders and focus on long-term partnership goals,
integration of resources, knowledge and expertise.
Proposed Work: Describe what will be done and how. Many of the
criteria in Section V should be addressed here.
Environmental Results: Describe anticipated environmental outputs
and outcomes and their linkages to the problem statement. (See
Outcomes/Outputs described in Section 1 and Environmental Results Order
5700.7 at: http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/award/5700.7.pdf). Specify
affected pollutants, industry sectors, economic impacts, habitats, and/
or species as applicable for the topic, and proposed progress toward
delisting, toward restoration of beneficial use impairments, toward
reducing nitrogen loading, etc.
Environmental Results Past Performance: Submit a list of federally
funded assistance agreements that your organization performed within
the last three years (no more than 5, and preferably EPA agreements)
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 b y the applicant and may also consider other
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 the applicant). If
you have no relevant or available past performance reporting history,
please indicate this in the proposal, and you will receive a neutral
score for this factor under Section V.
Programmatic Capability: Submit a list of federally funded
assistance agreements similar in size, scope and relevance to the
proposed project that your organization performed within the last three
years (no more than 5, and preferably EPA agreements) and describe (i)
whether, and how, you were able to successfully complete and manage
those agreements and (ii) your history of meeting the reporting
requirements under those agreements including submitting acceptable
final technical reports. In evaluating applicants under these factors
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 the applicant). If you do not have any relevant
or available past performance or reporting information, please indicate
this in the proposal and you will receive a neutral score for these
factors under Section V.
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.
Tracking and Measuring Environmental Results: Describe your plan
for tracking, measuring, and reporting progress toward achieving the
expected project outputs and outcomes, including those identified in
Section I. The applicant must describe the ability to specify and
measure the expected environmental outcomes/outputs and performance
measures to be accomplished as a result of the project. See
Environmental Results Order 5700.7 at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/award/5700.7.pdf
.
Project Milestones
Milestones: Specify milestones and/or final products and projected
due dates, including Project Start and End.
Education
Education/Outreach Component: Identify whether project includes an
education/outreach component. If applicable, describe the target
audience and how that group would be impacted by the project.
Collaboration
Collaboration/Partnerships: Describe plans and status of
collaboration and partnerships amongst the public, private, and
independent sectors.
Project Budget
Budget: Specify how the total of EPA funds and Applicant funds will
be used for the following: personnel/salaries, fringe benefits, travel,
equipment, supplies, contract costs, and other costs. Include narrative
descriptions for costs you identify as ``contract'' or ``other''. You
may include a separate line for indirect costs if your organization has
in place (or will negotiate) an ``indirect
[[Page 34614]]
cost rate.'' Budget should represent the project total and the total
which would be requested from EPA for the project's duration. Funding
is not assured for subsequent years for any project.
Leveraging Funding
Other Funding: If others are expected to contribute funds to your
Project, list Name(s) of providers, amount provided, and commitments
made by each. Describe how the applicant will obtain the leveraged
resources and what role EPA funding will play in the overall project.
Other Information
To the extent not otherwise addressed above, include information
addressing the threshold eligibility criteria in Section III and
ranking criteria in Section V.
V. Application Review Information
Criteria
Each eligible proposal that meets all of the threshold eligibility
criteria in Section III will be evaluated according to the criteria set
forth below. Applicants should directly and explicitly address these
criteria as part of their proposal submittal. Each proposal will be
rated under a points system with a total of 100 points possible.
1. Relevance/Rationale: (15 points)
a. Importance and/or relevance and applicability of the proposed
approach to the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Governors' Action Plan and the
level of support for long-term goals and implementation actions. (5
points).
b. Whether there is intrinsic value in the proposed work and/or
relevance to the Governors' Action Plan and activities. (5 points).
c. Likelihood that the approach proposed will make substantial
progress toward strategies leading to improving the health of the Gulf
of Mexico and achieving one or more of the environmental outcomes as
identified in the announcement. (5 points).
2. Scientific/Professional Merit: (15 points)
Extent to which the proposed approach is technically sound and/or
innovative; whether the proposed methods, approaches, and concepts are
appropriate and; whether there are clear goals and objectives.
3. Programmatic Capability: (15 points)
Under this criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on their
ability to successfully complete and manage the proposed project taking
into account the following factors: (i) Its past performance in
successfully completing and managing federally funded assistance
agreements similar in size, scope, and relevance to the proposed
project performed within the last 3 years, (ii) its history of meeting
reporting requirements under federally funded assistance agreements
similar in size, scope, and relevance to the proposed project performed
within the last 3 years and submitting acceptable final technical
reports under those agreements, (iii) its organizational experience and
plan for timely and successfully achieving the objectives of the
proposed project, and (iv) its staff expertise/qualifications, staff
knowledge, and resources or the ability to obtain them, to successfully
achieve the goals of the proposed project.
Note: In evaluating applicants under this criterion, the Agency
will consider the information provided by the applicant and may also
consider relevant information from other sources including agency
files and prior/current grantors (e.g., to verify and/or supplement
the information supplied by the applicant). Applicants with no
relevant or available past performance or reporting history (items i
and ii above), will receive a neutral score for those elements of
this criterion.
4. Environmental Results Past Performance: (10 points)
Applicants will be evaluated based on the extent and quality to
which they adequately documented and/or reported on their progress
towards achieving the expected results (e.g., outcomes and outputs)
under Federal agency assistance agreements performed within the last
three years, and if such progress was not being made whether the
applicant adequately documented and/or reported why not.
Note: In evaluating applicants under this factor, EPA will
consider the information provided by the applicant and may also
consider relevant information from other sources including agency
files and prior/current grantors (e.g., to verify and/or supplement
the information supplied by the applicant). Applicants with no
relevant or available past performance reporting history will
receive a neutral score for this factor.
5. Environmental Results--Measurable or Quantifiable Outputs and
Outcomes: (10 points)
Includes the degree to which the applicant has provided an
evaluative component to the project as requested in Section I,
Measuring Environmental Results, in addition to how the applicant's
progress and success in achieving the project outputs and outcomes
including those identified in Section I will be measured and tracked.
6. Budget (10 points)
The reasonableness and appropriateness of the proposed budget for
the level of work proposed and with the expected benefits to be
achieved.
7. Collaboration/Partnerships: (15 points)
The quality of proposed partnerships, including the degree of broad
participation within the network of Gulf of Mexico programs,
organizations, State and Federal agencies and workgroups, etc., and
demonstration of significant partnering that results in outreach and
education. Applications will also be evaluated on whether they provide
a partnership with a focused and effective education and outreach
strategy regarding the long-term commitment to the proposed objectives
of the Action Plan.
8. Leveraged Resources: (10 points)
Under this criteria, applicants will be evaluated based on the
extent they demonstrate (i) how they will coordinate the use of EPA
funding with other Federal and/or non Federal sources of funds to
leverage additional resources to carry out the proposed project(s) and/
or (ii) that EPA funding will compliment activities relevant to the
proposed project(s) carried out by the applicant with other sources of
funds or resources. Applicants may use their own funds or other
resources for a voluntary match or cost share if the standards at 40
CFR 30.23 or 40 CFR 31.24, as applicable, are met. Only eligible and
allowable costs may be used for matches or cost shares. Other Federal
grants may not be used as matches or cost shares without specific
statutory authority (e.g. HUD's Community Development Block Grants).
Review and Selection Process
The evaluation and selection process will include the following
steps:
Steps
1. Screening for threshold eligibility by the Gulf of Mexico
Program Office.
2. Review and score eligible proposals against the Section V
criteria (Reviewers/Panel)
3. Panel to rank all eligible proposals according to total score.
4. Panel identifies proposals for funding consideration based on
the review.
5. The Approval Official makes the final funding recommendations
based on the review panel rankings and may also consider project
diversity and
[[Page 34615]]
programmatic balance/priorities in making the recommendations.
6. Announce selections.
7. Contact selected applicants and request a completed grant
application and final workplan.
8. Final Applications/Workplans reviewed and submitted for Funding
Award.
EPA employees as well as GMP reviewers and/or panel members who
intend to serve as reviewers and score project proposals will be
required to sign a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form and will not be
able to serve as a reviewer if they have a personal, familial, or
financial or any other type of conflict of interest with any applicant
that cannot be mitigated. If an individual has a conflict of interest
with respect to a proposal, then they cannot review any proposals under
this competition.
The Director of the Gulf of Mexico Program is the Approval Official
who will make the final selection recommendations.
Anticipated Announcement Date
GMPO will post a list of all proposals selected for funding on or
about August 31, 2006. The list will be posted at the following site:
http://www.epa.gov/gmpo. All applicants, including those who are not
selected for funding will be notified within 15 days by e-mail and
postal mail.
VI. Award Administration Information
Award Notices
EPA has 60 days to issue an award following receipt of the
complete, fundable Application Package. Final funding decisions are
based upon the Application Packages.
Pre-award Review for Administrative Capability
Non-profit applicants that are recommended for funding will be
subject to pre-award administrative capability reviews consistent with
paragraphs 8.b, 8.c, and 9.d of EPA Order 5700.8 http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/award/5700_8.pdf
and may be required to fill out an
``Administrative Capability'' form.
In accordance with Executive Order 12579, organizations that have
been debarred or suspended from a program by any federal agency will
not be eligible to receive an award or subaward through this
solicitation.
Administrative and Reporting Requirements
The successful applicant will be required to adhere to the Federal
grants requirements, particularly those found in applicable OMB
circulars on Cost Principles (A-21, A-87, or A-122), Administrative
Requirements (A-102 or 110), and Audit Requirements (A-133) available
from http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/. This includes government-
wide requirements pertaining to accounting standards, lobbying,
minority or woman business enterprise, publication, meetings,
construction, and disposition of property. EPA regulations governing
assistance programs and recipients are codified in Title 40 of the Code
of Federal Regulations. Those requirements, GMPO-specific requirements
currently in effect, and the application materials that will be needed
by applicants ultimately selected in this process can be found at
http://www.epa.gov/gmpo. The successful Federal applicant will be
required to comply with the OMB Circular and appropriate sections of
Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations determined applicable by
GMPO. This determination will be embodied in the terms and conditions
of an interagency agreement.
Dispute Resolution Process
Assistance agreement competition-related disputes involving any
applicant, including Federal applicants, will be resolved in accordance
with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal
Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005) which can be found at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-1371.htm.
Copies of these procedures may also be requested by contacting coblentz.esther@epa.gov..
Other Requirements
Please note that this is not a complete list of all regulations and
policies that govern these funds. Our Grants Management Office Web site
at http://www.epa.gov/region4/grants/regulations.html identifies other
grant regulations that apply.
VII. Agency Contact
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Esther Coblentz,
Coblentz.esther@epa.gov, Phone: 228-688-1281.
In accordance with EPA's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy
(EPA Order 5700.5A1), EPA staff will not meet with individual
applicants to discuss draft proposals, provide informal comments on
draft proposals, or provide advice to applicants on how to respond to
ranking criteria. Applicants are responsible for the contents of their
applications/proposals. However, EPA will respond to questions in
writing from individual applicants regarding threshold eligibility
criteria, administrative issues related to the submission of the
proposal, and requests for clarification about the announcement.
VIII. Other information
Funding amounts are estimates of the maximum amount expected to be
available for FY 2006-2007, based on our best available information.
These amounts are subject to change without further notification, based
on the amount of federal funds actually appropriated and allocated for
these programs.
Although an Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424
and attachments) is not required when the proposal is submitted, we
encourage you to review our grant application package at http://www.epa.gov/gmpo
to become familiar with the information and
certifications that will be required if your proposal is selected for
funding.
Dated: June 8, 2006.
Gloria D. Car,
Deputy Director, Gulf of Mexico Program Office.
[FR Doc. E6-9362 Filed 6-14-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P