Brownfields Training, Research, and Technical Assistance Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program - Section V

Section V.1: Criteria
See Section IV : Application and Submission Information. (IV.3 and IV.4)

Section V.2: Review and Selection Process
Applications will be evaluated and ranked by an EPA evaluation panel based on information the applicant provides in the application and related attachments. EPA evaluation panel members may verify the accuracy of any information an applicant provides in its application. The EPA evaluation panel will score each eligible application, rank the applications, and forward the recommended rankings to Senior Agency management for final ranking decisions. In making final decisions, Senior Agency management may also consider such factors as geographic diversity, project diversity, avoiding duplication of effort, and applicant diversity (i.e., type(s) of organizations) in deciding which applicant's to approve for funding. As noted, the Agency reserves the right to offer partial funding for specific components of an applicant's project or make no awards.

Section V.3: Additional Considerations
Text deleted September 29, 2004.

Section V.4: Funding Restrictions
Funding is only available for the activities authorized under CERCLA 104(k)(6) and the terms of this funding announcement. All costs incurred under this program must be allowable under the applicable OMB Cost Circulars (A-21 for universities, A-87 for governments, and A-122 for nonprofit organizations) and eligible for funding under EPA's appropriations authority. Ineligible and unallowable costs include lobbying, entertainment, and litigation against the Federal government.

In accordance with CERCLA 104(k)(4)(B)(i)(III), EPA cannot fund a successful applicant's administrative costs. Prohibited administrative costs include proposal preparation costs and a successful applicant's indirect costs. See Appendix A for a detailed description of prohibited administrative costs and eligible programmatic costs.

Pre-award costs are governed by 40 CFR 30.25(f) and 40 CFR 31.23, as applicable. EPA will not fund construction activity under this announcement. Equipment costs are allowable only with the prior written consent of EPA.

Applicants must comply with the procurement requirements of the EPA financial assistance regulations, 40 CFR Part 30 for nonprofit organizations, and 40 CFR Part 31 for states, tribes, and local governments. Subawards/subgrants must be consistent with the definitions of these terms in 40 CFR 30.2 (ff) and 40 CFR 31.3 "Subgrant", as applicable. EPA encourages applicants to compete subgrants.