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XXXSB\  `&Times New RomanS7v(X7&  d dt)1dxd'dxd<:zTop of For7x(X7  ?%2A`Arial?  XXXSB\  `&Times New RomanS7v(X7t)2dxd0KS.SampleK<6X9`(Courier NewKSB\  `&Times New RomanS0.Strong 8dl6TypewriterK<6X9`(Courier NewKXXXSB\  `&Times New RomanS42Variable: 8HTML MarkupB      2 0CommentB  <6X9`(Courier New%2A`Arial(9 Z(Times New Roman 64 '4heading 1  &&&   XXX     )  _ ;XX April15,2004     N      V   1  ڀ#Xd#X;J# (3$ !  !  _  XXd#XXX -  COYREQUESTFORINITIALPROPOSAL(RFIP)FORAWARDOFACOOPERATIVEAGREEMENT  <OVERVIEWINFORMATION  \ 0 F FundingAgency: U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency4F5%F5%  F Laboratory: NationalHealthandEnvironmentalEffectsResearchLaboratory $  F Division: AtlanticEcologyDivision(AED)  | 0 F FundingOpportunityTitle:  X F5%F5%  F   PreCollegeEnvironmentalScienceResearchandTrainingOpportunitiesProgram 0 F AnnouncementType: InitialAnnouncement F5%F5% 0 F FundingOpportunityNumber:  F5%F5% #Xd#XXXd#S# F   EPA/ORD/NHEERL/AED/0401 p  0 F CatalogofFederalDomesticAssistance(CFDA)Number: HF5%F5% 0 F 0F5%F5% CFDAnumberis66.950:EnvironmentalEducationandTrainingProgram85%5%  F ActionDates: 0  N April20,2004 5% 5%  F   Finaldatetosubmittechnicalquestions:  May20,2004 |  F   Proposalsdue: N   June19,2004 h 0 F ExecutiveSummary: @F5%F5% 0 F EPAdesirestopromotediversity,stimulateminoritystudents'interestinenvironmentalsciencecareers,andprovidetrainingopportunitiestominoritystudents,postdocsandfaculty.Tothisend,NHEERLhasestablishedanextramuralminoritytrainingprogram.AEDseekstoestablishatrainingcooperativeagreementtosupportlocalstudentsinachievingNHEERL'sextramuralminoritytrainingprogramgoals.Theprogramwilloffermanyuniqueopportunitiesforelementaryandsecondarystudentstoreceivefirstclasstraininginenvironmentalsciences.Thesestimulatingexperienceswillhelpstudentsdevelopscientificskills,conductin-depthinvestigations,andunderstandscienceasacareer.Understandingenvironmentalsciencesasanappliedsciencewillgivepracticalmeaningtostudentsacademiccourseworkandencouragethemtopursuecareersinenvironmentalscience. F5%F5% 0 F AnticipatedFunding: Nottoexceeedapproximately$70,000peryearrenewableforthreeyears.#h #F5%F5% 0 F EligibleApplicants: States,territoriesandpossessions,andTribalnationsoftheUnitedStates, %D"% includingtheDistrictofColumbia,publicandprivateuniversitiesandcolleges,hospitals,laboratories,Stateandlocalgovernmentdepartments,otherpublicorprivatenonprofitinstitutions,andinsomecases,individualswhohavedemonstratedunusuallyhighscientificability. F5%F5% 0 F PointofContact: JamesS.Latimerh*&*F5%F5% 0 F Telephone:4017823167 F5%F5% 0 F Telefax:4017823000 F5%F5%  F Email:latimer.jim@epa.gov .*. COY C C  FULLTEXTOFANNOUNCEMENT    I. F FundingOpportunityDescription   0 F TitleofAssistanceOpportunity: S` S F5%F5%  PreCollegeEnvironmentalScienceResearchandTrainingOpportunitiesProgram      F Background:   T  F ThePreCollegeEnvironmentalScienceResearchandTrainingOpportunitiesProgramaddressesthenationalproblemofhowtoattractandretainmorestudentsinmath,science,andengineeringcareers,especiallyfromthosegroupsthathistoricallyhavebeenunderservedandunderrepresentedinthosefields.Researchindicatesthatthereisaneedtoincreasethenumberofminoritystudentsinscience,math,engineering,andtechnicalprogramsthroughoutthecountryandthathighereducationinstitutionshaveunderrepresentationofstudentsofcolorandwomeninenvironmentalmajorsattheundergraduateandgraduatelevels.Experiencehasalsoshownthatinmostelementaryandsecondaryschools,environmentalstudiesareinsufficientorlacking.Precollegeeducationprogramshavebeenidentifiedasimportantmechanismsinencouragingstudentstoenrollinscienceandengineeringcollegecurriculumsandpursuecareersinthosefields. F Thecreationofthisprogramisconsistentwith theEPAAtlanticEcologyDivision(AED)Strategyfor  EducationandOutreachtoincreasediversitywithinourorganizationby:1)reachingouttoadiversepopulationofstudentsearlyintheireducationalcareers(elementaryschoolthroughhighschoolseniors),2)providingopportunitieswhichemphasizeresearchandtraining,3)usingtheseopportunitiestoprovideimmediatepaybacktotheagencythroughinterestinemploymentordevelopmentofresearchproducts,and4)usingtheseopportunitiestoinspirethenextgenerationtobecomeenvironmentalscientists.Further,thecreationofthePreCollegeEnvironmentalScienceResearchandTrainingOpportunitiesProgramisconsistentwiththeEPANationalHealthandEnvironmentalEffectsResearchLaboratory(NHEERL)commitmenttobuildaninclusivediverseworkforceandrecommendationsofferedintheNHEERLDiversityPlantoincreasethenumberofdiversestudentsparticipatingintheStudentTemporaryEmploymentProgramandotherfellowshipprograms.Byusingthisapproach,theEPAOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentwillbeprovidedaccesstoauniqueopportunitytoincreasethenumbersofwellqualified,historicallyunderrepresentedminorityandlowincomestudentsgraduatingfromhighschoolreadytoenterhighereducationandpursuecareersinengineering,science,math,andtechnology.0 F A.RecipientActivities F5%F5% 0 F    F5%F5%  0 F FundingPriorities/Focus:D% $F5%F5%  ThepurposeofthisRFIPistosolicitproposalsforacooperativeagreementtocreateapartnershipwiththeEPA z'"& AtlanticEcologyDivision(AED)inNarragansett,RItosupportandprovidetechnicalassistanceforanafterschoolmathandscienceprogramintheschooldistrictsofRhodeIslandaimedatgettingminoritystudents,fromthe4ththrough12thgrades,interestedintheenvironmentalsciencesandengineering.Throughthispartnership,AEDwillassistinmentoringandprovidinghandsonactivitiesandresearchtrainingexperiencestostudentsinthisprogram.Theactivitiesinthisprogramshouldinclude:1.TeacherWorkshops  -(- Theselectedrecipientshalldetermineanenvironmentaltheme(e.g.,IndoorAirQuality)tobestudiedduringthe .*. academicyearanddevelopcurriculaspecifictothattheme.Therecipientshallconductaworkshopbeforetheacademicyeartotrainteachersonhowtoeffectivelyusethescienceandenvironmentalcurricula.Attheworkshop,teachersshalldesignanacademicyearplanofactivitiesforeachclublevel.̀2.AfterschoolClubsTheselectedrecipientshallestablishweeklyafterschoolclubmeetingswithscienceandmathenrichmentactivities,fieldtripstogainexposuretocareeropportunities,andproblemsolvingeventsatcollegeandresearchcampuses.Thepresentationsshallbedesignedtointroducestudentstothebroadspectrumofsubdisciplinesofenvironmentalsciences,andbasiclaboratoryandresearchtechniques.Theexperiencesmayincludelaboratoryexperiments,collectionactivities,dataanalysis,technicalreportpreparation,libraryresearch,anddiscussionsofcareerpaths. 3.Monthlyfieldtrips N    Eachclubshallparticipateinatleastthreefieldtripsofenvironmentalscienceinterestandcareerexploration.Therewillbefieldtripstodifferentwaterenvironmentsasrockyintertidal,sandyshores,saltmarsh,rivers,streams,ponds,lakes,andocean.Duringthefieldtrips,studentswillmeetwomenandminorityscientists,professionalsandengineerswhoshallactasrolemodelspresentingappropriateexplanationsanddemonstrations,discussingtheircareers,andtellingstudentshowtoprepareforsuchcareers.Parentsshallbeencouragedtoparticipateinfieldtrips.FieldtripsshallbelimitedtotheRI,CT,andMA.4. OutdoorScienceActivitiesforElementaryandMiddleSchoolStudents 8 Theselectedrecipientshallconductaweekendofoutdoorscienceactivitiesforelementaryandmiddleschoolstudentsatanenvironmentaleducationcenter.Theseactivitiesshallfocusonhandson,field!basedsciencecurriculumofbiologyandenvironmentalscience.Theactivitieswillprovidearealworldcontextforlearningandresearch.Studentswillinvestigatetheboundaries,physicalfeatures,andchemicalcharacteristicsofapond,lake,forest,uplandsandmeadows.Theywillmapeachcommunityandsurveyeachareatofindoutwhatplantsandanimalslivethereandtherelationshipwithwaterquality,andtheyalsolearnabouttheimpactofhumanactivitiesonthesesites.Forthefinalproject,eachfieldstudygroupwilldevelopareportandpresentitsfindingstoothergroups.5. EnvironmentalScienceChallengeProblemforHighSchoolStudents  Theselectedrecipientshalldevelopaonedayexperienceofscienceexplorationandenvironmentalproblemsolvingforhighschoolstudentsbasedontruerealworldscenariosandrealdata.6.FamilyOrientedScienceActivitiesThesuccessfulrecipientshallcreateopportunities(e.g.,aFamilyScienceNight)forstudentsintheprogramtotellwhatthey'velearnedandpresenthandsonscienceinteractiveactivitiestotheirparentsandfamilymembers.Atthesesessions,studentsshallmakepostersandotherpresentationstodiscusswiththeirparentsandcommunitymembers.AllinattendanceshallhavetheopportunitytotalkandshareinformationwithAEDscientists.7.SummerResearchTrainingProgramTheselectedrecipientshalldevelop,withtheEPAProjectOfficer,aSummerResearchTrainingProgramforseniorclasshighschoolstudentstoworkwithAEDscientiststo: F a.continuetheireducationinbasicscienceandgainlaboratoryexperience; T.)-   & %XXd#    Xd#X%& l+   F b.developandenhancetheirmath,scienceandcomputerskills;l++ +Ԍ  ЌXd#XXXd#     & %XXd#& %%&     Xd#X%& ,   F c. enhancetheiroralpresentationsandwrittentechnicalreports;,X- !-Ԍ  ЌXd#XXXd#     & %XXd#& %%&     Xd#X%& C.   F d. interactwithAEDscientistsfromdifferentbackgrounds.C.. .Ԍ 6 ЌXd#XXXd#   Participantsinthesummerprogramshallreceiveastipendof$1,000fortheirsummerexperience.TheSummerTrainingProgramshallawardupto5scholarshipstostudentswhosuccessfullycompletethesummertraining  4 program,plantoattendcollegeandmajorinareasrelatedtoenvironmentalsciencesincludingenvironmentalengineering,chemistry,biology,geology,andotherqualifyingfieldsrelatedtoenvironmentalactivities.Duringthesummerprogram,AEDmentorsandstafffromtheawardeeinstitutionshallberesponsiblefortrackingstudentattendanceandprogress.8.MonitoringActivitiesThesuccessfulrecipientshalluseamonitoringsystemtofollowprogramparticipants.Everyyear,recipientstaffshallmakepersonalcontactwithcollegestudents,trainedthroughtheprogram,throughtelephonecalls.AyearlyquestionnaireshallbesenttoallparticipantsintheSummerTrainingProgram.TheresultsshallbeincludedinanannualFollowupReporttobesenttotheEPAProjectOfficer.ThesuccessfulrecipientshalluselocaluniversitiesandcollegesaswellasindustriesandbusinessesintheStateofRhodeIslandasaresourcewhenplanningandconductingacademicyearactivities.9.ReportingRequirements 1 QuarterlyProgressReports:Theselectedrecipientwillberequiredtosubmitquarterlyprogressreportsor g newsletterssummarizingtechnicalprogress,difficultiesencountered,andplannedactivitiesforthenextquarter.Eachreportshallincludeasummaryofexpenditures.TheprogressreportsshouldbesubmitteddigitallytotheProjectOfficerbytheendofeachquarterofthefundingcycle.Xd#XXXd# o AnnualReports:Attheendofeachannualcycle,theDirectoroftherecipient'seducationprogramshallsendanAnnualReporttotheEPAProjectOfficer(digitalformat).#Xd#XXXd#z6#Xd#XXXd# m FinalReport:Theselectedrecipientwillberequiredtosubmitafinalreportdigitally#Xd#XXXd#}7#Xd#XXXd#ԀtotheProjectOfficer ! within90_calendercalendar_Ԁdaysofthecompletionoftheperiodofperformance.0 F GPRAGoals,Objectives: EPAGoal8:SoundScience,ImprovedUnderstandingofEnvironmentalRisk, $! andGreaterInnovationtoAddressEnvironmentalProblems.Objective:EPAwilldevelopandapplythebestavailablescienceforaddressingcurrentandfutureenvironmentalhazards,aswellasnewapproachestowardimprovingenvironmentalprotection. F5%F5% 0 F  F5%F5% 0 F StatutoryAuthorityforAwardofAssistance: 33U.S.C1254(b)(2)authorizestheadministratorto /)$& cooperatewithinstitutionsinthepreparationandconductofactivitiessuchastrainingrelatingtothecauses,effects,extent,prevention,reductionandeliminationofpollution. F5%F5%  II.0 F AwardInformation ,E(*F5%F5%   .`)+ 0 F AmountandRangeofIndividualAward: Oneawardforthreeyears,renewableonanannualbasis,  arenottoexceed$70,000peryear.Therangeoftheawardmayvarybasedontheannualbudgetofthesuccessfulcandidate. F5%F5% 0 F NumberofAwards: Oneawardforthreeyears.vF5%F5%  0 F Funding: TheEPAisexpectedtofundthisawardoveraperiodofthreeyears.Fundingofthefirstyear   oftheawardisestimatedtobeapproximately$53,000.Additionalfundingofapproximately$58,000duringthesecondyearandapproximately$64,000duringthethirdyearwillbecontingentuponavailabilityoffundsandsatisfactoryprogressbytheselectedrecipient. F5%F5% 0 F ProjectPeriod: August1,2004toJuly31,2007.: F5%F5% 0 F SupplementalApplications: ApplicationsforsupplementalawardsofexistingEPAassistance p  agreementswillnotbeeligibletocompeteforthisassistanceopportunity. F5%F5% 0 F TypeofAward: TheAgencyanticipatestheawardofacooperativeagreement.nF5%F5% 0 F AnticipatedFederalInvolvement: F5%F5% 0 F EPAandtheProjectOfficerforthisassistanceagreementanticipatesubstantialinvolvementintheimplementationoftheprogramasfollows: F5%F5% 0 F 1)EPAAEDscientistsandresearcherswillcollobratewiththerecipienttoprovidetechnicalsupportduringtheteacherworkshop(s). F5%F5% 0 F 2)EPAAEDscientistswillvisitclubsasneededtointroducestudentstoenvironmentalsciencesresearchandcareers.Theywillbringhandsonresearchactivities,talkabouttheirexpertiseanddiscusstheir  careerpath.FieldtripsofspecialinterestwillbeheldattheEPAAtlanticEcologyDivision. F5%F5% 0 F 3)EPAAEDwillactasmentorsduringChallengeProblemDayactivitiestobeheldattheAtlanticEcologyDivision.StudentswillworkinteamswithEPAscientistsandothervolunteerstodevelopskillssuchasproblemidentification,datacollectionandanalysis,riskanalysis,teamwork,andeffectivepresentationtechniques.AEDwillalsosupply(asneeded)environmentaleducationmaterialsdevelopedbyEPA. F5%F5% 0 F 4)DuringtheSummerTrainingProgram,studenttraineesshallparticipateinalaboratoryresearchproject,undertheguidanceofaEPAmentor,toassistundergraduate,graduateandpostdoctoralfellowsatAED.AEDmentors,inassociationwithstafffromthesuccessfulrecipient,willdevelopaworkplanforeachstudent.Attheendoftheprogram,studentsshallsubmitawrittenfinalreporttotheEPAmentorandDirectoroftherecipient'seducationprogram.AlltraineesshallworkcloselywiththeirEPAmentorsandmeetasagroupeveryweekduringthecourseoftheprogram.EPAmentorsandstudentswillparticipateindiscussionsthatwillhelptrackstudentsprogress,sortproblems,andinformallyreviewimportanttopicssuchasbasicscienceresearch,laboratoryhealthandsafety,laboratorytechniques,operationoflaboratoryinstrumentation,computerdatabasemanagement,librarydatabasesearch 2.), techniques,samplepreparation,andfieldtechniques.StudentsshallcompleteasafetyorientationtrainingprogramperformedbytheSafety,Health,andEnvironmentalManagementProgram(SHEMP)ManagerattheEPAAtlanticEcologyDivision. F5%F5% 0 F 5)Reports F5%F5% 0 F QuarterlyProgressReports:Theselectedrecipientshallsubmitquarterlyprogressreportsornewsletterssummarizingtechnicalprogress,difficultiesencountered,andplannedactivitiesforthenextquarter.Eachreportshallincludeasummaryofexpenditures.TheprogressreportsshouldbesubmitteddigitallytotheProjectOfficerbytheendofeachquarterofthefundingcycle. F5%F5% 0 F AnnualReports:Attheendofeachannualcycle,theselectedrecipient#Xd#XXXd#.8#Xd#XXXd#Ԁshallsendanannualreporttothe :  ProjectOfficer(digitalformat).Thisreportshallinclude: F5%F5% Ѐ1)ExecutiveSummarỳ2)Backgroundandpurposeoftheproject̀3)Objectives̀4)MajorAccomplishments̀5)Unanticipatedproblems̀6)ImprovingEducationalResearchOpportunities̀a)Studentsprogress̀b)Researchresultsandpresentations̀c)Educationalandresearchexperiencesofparticipants̀7)Lessonslearned̀8)SamplesofStudentswork̀9)ExpenseReport̀10)CooperativeAgreementPersonnel.0 F FinalReport:Theselectedrecipientwillberequiredtosubmitafinalreportdigitally#Xd#XXXd#gM#Xd#XXXd#ԀtotheProject   Officerwithin90_calendercalendar_Ԁdaysofthecompletionoftheperiodofperformance.Thereportshallcontainthesamematerialastheannualreportsbutwillbeinclusiveforentireperiodofperformance. F5%F5% Ѐ#Xd#XXXd#Q#Xd#XXXd# B# 0 F Everyyearstafffromthesuccessfulrecipientshallmakepersonalcontactwithitscollegestudentsthroughtelephonecalls.AyearlyquestionaireshallalsobesenttoallparticipantsintheSummerTrainingProgram.TheresultsshallbeincludedinanannualFollowupReport(MicrosoftWordformat)tobesenttotheProjectOfficer. F5%F5%  b #(uh83 bIII.0 F EligibilityInformation (;$$F5%F5% 0 F EligibleApplicants: ProgramsunderCFDA66.950areavailabletoeachState,territoryandpossession, !+q&& andTribalnationoftheUnitedStates,includingtheDistrictofColumbia,publicandprivateuniversitiesandcolleges,hospitals,laboratories,Stateandlocalgovernmentdepartments,andotherpublicorprivatenonprofitinstitutions,andinsomecases,individualswhohavedemonstratedunusuallyhighscientificability.A.)*F5%F5% Ї0 F CostSharingRequirements: None.F5%F5% 0 F OtherEligibilityCriteria: 6F5%F5% 0 F EligiblenonprofitorganizationsincludeanyorganizationsthatmeetthedefinitionofnonprofitinOMBCircularA122.However,nonprofitorganizationsdescribedinSection501(c)(4)oftheInternalRevenueCodethatengageinlobbyingactivitiesasdefinedinSection3oftheLobbyingDisclosureActof1995arenoteligibletoapply.UniversitiesandeducationalinstitutionsmustbesubjecttoOMBCircularA21. F5%F5% 0 F Groupsoftwoormoreeligibleapplicantsmaychoosetoformacoalitionandsubmitasingleapplicationforthisassistanceagreement.Coalitionsmustidentifywhicheligibleorganizationwillbetherecipientoftheassistanceagreement,andwhicheligibleorganizations(s)willbesubawardeesoftherecipient.Subawardsmustbeconsistentwiththedefinitionofthattermin40CFR30.2(ff).Therecipientmustadministertheassistanceagreement,isaccountabletoEPAforproperexpenditureofthefunds,andwillbethepointofcontactforthecoalition.Asprovidedin40CFR30.2(gg),subrecipientsareaccountabletotherecipientforproperuseofEPAfunding. F5%F5% 0 F Coalitionsmaynotincludeforprofitorganizationsthatwillprovideservicesorproductstothesuccessfulapplicant.Forprofitorganizationsarenoteligibleforsubawards.AnycontractsforservicesorproductsfundedwithEPAfinancialassistancemustbeawardedunderthecompetitiveprocurementproceduresof40CFRPart30.Theregulationsalsocontainlimitationsonconsultantcompensation.Applicantsarenotrequiredtoidentifycontractorsorconsultantsintheproposal.Moreover,thefactasuccessfulapplicanthasnamedaspecificcontractororconsultantintheproposalEPAapprovesdoesnotrelieveitofitsobligationstocomplywithcompetitiveprocurementrequirementsorconsultantcompensationlimitations. F5%F5% 0 F ApplicationswillbereviewedforeligibilityduringtheAdministrativeandRelevanceReviews.Thesereviewsmayhavetheeffectofmakingaproposalineligibleforaward.TheAdmininstrativeReviewandRelevanceReviewfactorsareasfollows: F5%F5% 0 F AdministrativeReview:Allinitialproposalswillbesubjecttoanadministrativereviewtoensurethat  T theyconformwiththerequirementsofthisRFIP.EPAmayrejectanyapplicationsthatfailtoconformsubstantiallywiththerequirementsofthisRFIP. F5%F5% 0 F RelevanceReview:Initialproposalsthatarefoundadministrativelyacceptablewillbesubjectedtoa #" reviewforrelevancytoEPAsmissiontosupportadvancementofenvironmentalscience.Onlyinitialproposalsthatmeettheadministrativeandrelevancereviewswillbesubjecttothetechnicalreviewandbeeligibleforaward. F5%F5% #Xd#XXXd#R#0 F TechnicalReview:Initialproposalsthatarefoundadministrativelyacceptableandrelevantshallbe X(#' reviewedfortechnicalmeritagainstthespecificcriteria.Xd#XXXd# )p$(F5%F5% Inititalproposalsfromineligibleapplicantsdeemedineligibleforawardorthatfailtomeeteithertheadministrative,relevance,ortechnicalreview,willbereturnedwithoutfurtherreview.#Xd#XXXd#d# ,n'+ b &(88#b IV. 0 F ApplicationandSubmissionInformation T.)-F5%F5% Ї0 F AddresstoRequestApplicationPackage: JamesS.Latimer,USEPA,OfficeofResearchand  Development,NHEERL,AtlanticEcologyDivision,27TarzwellDrive,Narragansett,RIorlatimer.jim@epa.gov. F5%F5% 0 F ApplicationinformationisalsoavailablefromtheEPA/ORD/NHEERLwebsiteat4 FO  5  http://www.epa.gov/nheerl/6gOg  7 gԀundertheheadingAssistanceOpportunities.Thisdocument,andany >  subsequentamendments,constitutestheentireRequestforInitialProposal. F5%F5% 0 F % + ContentandFormofApplicationSubmission: Ataminimum,theinitialproposalshallconsistofthe <  followingitems: F5%F5%  0 F 1.AcoversheetthatidentifiestheRFIPtitleandidentificationnumber,nameandaddressofapplicant, :  pointofcontact,telephonenumber,emailaddressfortheapplicant,applicant'sDUNSnumber(seeSectionVIII),andthedateofthesubmission. F5%F5% 0 F 2.TechnicalproposalthatdiscussestheapproachtoaccomplishingthegoalsstatedunderFundingPriorities/Focus,thecapabilities(intermsofpersonnelandfacilities)oftheapplicanttocompletethework,theexpectedresultsfromthiswork,howtheworkwilladvanceandstimulatethepublicneed,andhowtheresultswillbemadeavailabletothepublicandgovernment.Inaddition,indevelopingthetechnicalproposal,theapplicantshouldfocusontheevaluationcriteriasetforthinSectionVandincludeintheproposalsufficientinformationtoaddresseachofthecriteriaintheorderlisted. F5%F5%  F   0 F Thepagelimitationofthetechnicalproposalis10doublesidedpages(20pagestotal)withaminimumfontsizeof12.Thispagelimitationshouldincludealltext,tables,figures,references,attachments,andappendices.Inaddition,a2pagecurriculumvitaeshouldbeincludedfortheprogramdirectorandanyotherkeypersonnelidentifiedintheproposal. F5%F5% 0 F 3.Abudgetestimatefortheprojectthatisbrokendownintodirectlabor,fringebenefits,equipment,travel,otherdirectcostsandoverheadwithsummariesforeachyearandthetotalfortheentireproject.Indicateanyproposedcostsharing(notrequired). F5%F5% 0 F Initialproposalsshouldbesubmittedintheoriginalwith3copiesandshouldbedoublesided. F5%F5% 0 F SubmissionDate,Time,andLocation: Tobeconsideredtimely,initialproposalsmustbereceivedby #! 4:00pmlocaltimeondJune19,2004dfromtheU.S.PostalServiceorothercommercialdeliveryservice.ProposalsshouldbesubmittedtoJamesS.Latimer,USEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,OfficeofResearchandDevelopment,NHEERL,AtlanticEcologyDivision,27TarzwellDrive,Narragansett,RI02882.Initialproposalsreceivedafterthedeadlinewillnotbeconsideredandwillbereturnedtothesubmitter.ApplicantsthatsubmitproposalsbyhandshouldrequestareceiptfromthesecurityguardatthemainentranceoftheEPAfacility. F5%F5% 0 F  F5%F5% 0 F IntergovernmentalReview: ThisassistanceopportunityissubjecttoExecutiveOrder12372, *%) "IntergovernmentalReviewofFederalPrograms."ApplicantsshouldcontacttheirState'sSinglePointofContact(SPOC)tofindouthowtocomplywiththeState'sprocess.ThenamesandaddressesoftheSPOC'sarelistedintheOfficeofManagementandBudget'shomepageat:http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. F5%F5%  .*. 0 F FundingRestrictions: Fundingofthefirstyearoftheawardisexpectedtobeat$53,000.Additional  fundingwillbecontingentuponavailabilityoffunds. F5%F5% 0 F Amendments: Amendmentswillbepostedonthiswebsiteandtheduedateforinitialproposalswillbe  extendedifdeemedappropriate. F5%F5%  0 F OtherSubmissionRequirements: None. F5%F5%  V. 0 F ApplicationReviewInformation  2F5%F5% 0 F AdministrativeReview:Allinitialproposalswillbesubjecttoanadministrativereviewtoensurethat h  theyconformwiththerequirementsofthisRFIP.EPAmayrejectanyapplicationthatfailstoconformsubstantiallywiththerequirementsofthisRFIP. F5%F5% Xd#XXXd#0 F RelevanceReview:Initialproposalsthatarefoundadministrativelyacceptablewillbesubjectedtoa . reviewforrelevancytoEPAsmissiontosupportadvancementofenvironmentalscience.Onlyinitialproposalsthatmeettheadministrativereviewandrelevancereviewwillbesubjecttothetechnicalreviewandbeeligibleforaward.Inititalproposalsfromineligibleapplicantsdeemedineligibleforawardorthatfailtomeeteithertheadministrativerevieworrelevancereview,willbereturnedwithoutfurtherreview. F5%F5%  F Examplesofrelevancyissuesthatmakeproposalineligibleinclude:#Xd#XXXd#Ey# 4 Xd#XXXd#0 F 1.Proposalisdeficienttechnicallywithnochanceforconsideration.jF5%F5% 0 F 2.Proposalfailstoadvancetheobjectivesstatedinthesolicitationevenifsuccessfullyperformed. F5%F5% 0 F 3.Proposalessentiallyduplicatesworkalreadycompletedorunderway. F5%F5% 0 F 4.Proposalfailstodemonstrateapublicpurposeofsupportandstimulation;i.e.,itimpliestheprimarypurposeistoprovidedirectsupporttotheFederalgovernment. F5%F5% #Xd#XXXd#=|#0 F CriteriaforTechnicalReview:Initialproposalsthatarefoundadministrativelyacceptableandrelevant  $Z shallbereviewedfortechnicalmeritagainstthefollowingcriteria. F5%F5%  F 0 F 1.TechnicalapproachforaddressingtheRFIPproposedactivities.(30%) F5%F5% 0 F 2.Qualificationoftheproposedkeypersonnel.Applicantsshouldidentifykeypersonnelandtheirproposedtimecommitmenttothisassistanceagreement.(25%) F5%F5% 0 F 3.Institutionalcapabilityincludingtheabilityto(a)securelargelaboratoryandconferencespacesatauniversityenginneeringdepartmentandatAEDforchallengeweekends,(b)provideexternaltransportationneedsforstudentstosponsoredevents,(c)producehighqualitynewletters,(d)generatecorporatesupportand(e)generatesignificantworkingrelationshipswithlocalelementaryandhigh .)* schoolsandwithAED.(20%) F5%F5% 0 F 4.PastPerformance.Demonstrateabilityto(a)conductayearroundeducatoinalandtrainingprogramwithelementarythroughhighschoolstudents,(b)planandexecuteengineeringandchallangeweekendtypeprograms,(c)tomaintainstrongparentalinvolvment,tomaintaininteractionswithcooporateandAEDandEPAregion1personnel.Insummary,theapplicantmustdemonstratearecordofperformanceinprojectsofsimilarsize,relevance,andscopetothisagreement.(25%) F5%F5% 0 F  ReviewandSelectionProcess: < F5%F5% 0 F EvaluationProcess:TheadministrativeandrelevancyreviewswillbeconductedbyEPApersonnelwho r  arenotapartofthetechnicalreviewpanel.Thereviewofthetechnicalcriteriawillbeconductedbyatechnicalreviewpanel;technicalreviewpanelshallconsistofatleastoneinternalEPAreviewerandatleasttwononEPAreviewerswhoareabletodemonstratetechnicalexpertiseintheareasrelatedtotheRFIPandalackofanyconflictofinterest. F5%F5% 0 F SourceSelection:Apreliminaryselectionoftheapplicantforawardwillbemadebaseduponthe  rankingsofthetechnicalreviewpanelandtheotherfactorsdiscussedabove.TheDecisionOfficialisanOfficeofResearchandDevelopment(ORD)managerwhowillpreliminarilyselectwhichapplicantshouldreceivetheaward. F5%F5% 0 F FullApplication:Theapplicantselectedforawardwillberequestedtosubmitafull,detailedapplication V inaccordancewiththeguidanceprovidedbyEPAsOfficeofGrantsandDebarment(4 O  5  http://www.epa.gov/ogd/)6O  7 ԉ.Afterreceiptofthefullapplication,EPAmaynegotiatechangestothe 6 proposalwiththeselectedapplicant. F5%F5% 0 F RejectionFactors:Applicationsmayberejectedbecausetheyfailtocomplywiththeadministrative 4 requirementsoftheRFIP,theyarefoundtolackrelevancy,theyarejudgedtechnicallyunacceptable,ortheyarenotdeemedsuitableforawardduetootherfactors(ifidentified).EPAreservestherighttorejectallproposalsorapplicationsandmakenoawards. F5%F5% 0 F Disputes:Disputeswillberesolvedpursuanttotheprocessdescribedin40CFR30.63andPart31, r! subpartF. F5%F5% 0 F AnticipatedAnnouncementandAwardDates: 󀀀TheanticipatedannouncementdateisdJunApril20,2004d. p$" TheanticipatedawarddateisAugust2004. F5%F5%  VI. 0 F AwardAdministrationInformation n'"%F5%F5% 0 F AwardNotices: NoticeofawardwillbemadeinwritingbyanofficialintheEPAGrants )$' AdministrationDivision.PreliminaryselectionbytheDecisionOfficialintheOfficeofResearchandDevelopmentdoesnotguaranteeanawardwillbemade.ApplicantsarecautionedthatonlyagrantsofficercanbindtheGovernmenttotheexpenditureoffunds.NocommitmentonthepartofEPAshouldbeinferredfromtechnicalorbudgetarydiscussionswithanEPAProgramOfficial.APrincipalInvestigatorororganizationthatmakesfinancialorpersonnelcommitmentsintheabsenceofagrantorcooperativeagreementsignedbytheEPAGrantsAwardOfficialdoessoattheirownrisk.T.)-F5%F5% Ї0 F EPAwillpromptlynotifyinwriting(postaloremail)thoseapplicantswhoseproposalhasnotbeenselectedforaward..Anunsuccessfulapplicantmayrequestadebriefingtobetterunderstandtheevaluatedstrengthsandweaknessesofitsproposalandthereasonitwasnotselectedforaward. F5%F5% 0 F AdministrativeandNationalPolicyRequirements: vF5%F5% 0 F RegulationsandOMBCoverage: F5%F5% 0 F Grantsandagreementswithinstitutionsofhighereducation,hospitals,andothernonprofitorganizationsaresubjectto40CFRParts30and40andOMBCircularA122fornonprofitsandA21forinstitutionsofhigherlearning. F5%F5% 0 F Grantsandagreementswithstate,local,andtribalgovernmentsaresubjectto40CFRParts31and40andOMBCircularA87. F5%F5% 0 F ProgrammaticTermsandConditions:Termsandconditionswillbenegotiatedwiththeselectedrecipient  coveringthefollowingrequirements: F5%F5% 0 F Tofurthertheassistanceagreementobjectivesofpublicsupportandstimulation,applicantsmustagreetomakemethods,models,anddataresultingfromthisagreementaccessibletothepublicandtoEPAresearchers. F5%F5%  0 F Reporting: jF5%F5% Xd#XXXd#0 F QuarterlyProgressReports:Theselectedrecipientshallsubmitquarterlyprogressreportsornewsletters  summarizingtechnicalprogress,difficultiesencountered,andplannedactivitiesforthenextquarter.Eachreportshallincludeasummaryofexpenditures.TheprogressreportsshouldbesubmitteddigitallytotheProjectOfficerbytheendofeachquarterofthefundingcycle. F5%F5% 0 F AnnualReports:Attheendofeachannualcycle,theselectedrecipient#Xd#XXXd#5#Xd#XXXd#Ԁshallsendanannualreporttothe .!~ ProjectOfficer(digitalformat). F5%F5% 0 F FinalReport:Theselectedrecipientwillberequiredtosubmitafinalreportdigitally#Xd#XXXd##Xd#XXXd#ԀtotheProject ,$|  Officerwithin90_calendercalendar_Ԁdaysofthecompletionoftheperiodofperformance.Thereportshallcontainthesamematerialastheannualreportsbutwillbeinclusiveforentireperiodofperformance.#Xd#XXXd##% !"F5%F5%  VII. 0 F AgencyContact 'B#$F5%F5% 0 F TheprimaryagencycontactforthisRFIPisԀDr.JamesLatimerat: F5%F5% 0 F USEnvironmentalProtectionAgency F5%F5%  F OfficeofResearchandDevelopment F NHEERL,AltanticEcologyDivision .)*  F 27TarzwellDrive,Narragansett,RI028820 F Telephone:4017823167 F5%F5%  F Telefax:4017823030 F Email:laitmer.jim@epa.gov0 F IfunabletoreachDr.Latimer,contactMs.MargaretMannat: F5%F5%  F    F USEnvironmentalProtectionAgency F ORD/NHEERL/IO/NARMS F 9AlexanderDrive F MDB34301 F ResearchTrianglePark,NC27711 F Telephone:9195414896 F Telefax:9195412581 F Email:mann.margaret@epa.gov VIII. 0 F OtherInformation F5%F5% 0 F Questions:QuestionsshouldbesubmittedinwritingtoJimLatimer.Donotattempttoseekinformation 7 regardingthisRFIPfromanysourceotherthanthoseidentifiedinSectionVIIastheinformationprovidedmaymaynotbeaccurate.QuestionsthatareconsideredsignificantwillbeansweredviaanamendmenttothisRFIP. F5%F5% 0 F ConfidentialInformation:Clearlymarkinformationconsideredtobeconfidential.EPAwillmakefinal u  confidentiallydecisionsinaccordancewithAgencyregulationsat40CFR,Part2,SubpartB.Asnotedabove,initialproposalsforresearchanddemonstrationprojectswillbeprovidedtoatleasttwononEPAconsultantsfortechnicalreview.Allreviewerswillberequiredtosignconfidentialityagreementscertifyingtheywillkeepalldeliberationsconfidential,andtheywillnotcopyanyportionsofanymaterialprovidedbyEPAforreview,andtheywillreturnallmaterialtoEPAuponrequest.IfyouareunwillingtoallownonEPAconsultantstoreviewyourproposal,pleaseadviseusofyourdecisioninacoverlettertoyourproposal. F5%F5% 0 F DUNSNumber:GrantapplicantsarerequiredtoprovideaDunandBradstreet(D&B)DataUniversal #(s## NumberingSystem(DUNS)numberwhenapplyingforFederalgrantsorcooperativeagreements.OMBhasdeterminedthatthereisaneedforimprovedstatisticalreportingofFederalgrantsandcooperativeagreements.UseoftheDUNSnumbergovernmentwidewillprovideameanstoidentifyentitiesreceivingthoseawardsandtheirbusinessrelationships.Theidentifierwillbeusedfortrackingpurposes,andtovalidateaddressandpointofcontactinformation. F5%F5% 0 F ADUNSnumberwillberequiredwhetheranapplicantissubmittingapaperapplicationorusingthe A.)* governmentwideelectronicportal(Grants.gov).TheDUNSnumberwillsupplementotheridentifiersrequiredbystatuteorregulation,suchastaxidentificationnumbers.OrganizationscanreceiveaDUNSnumberinoneday,atnocost,bycallingthededicatedtollfreeDUNSNumberrequestlineat1!866!705!5711.IndividualswhowouldpersonallyreceiveagrantorcooperativeagreementawardfromtheFederalgovernmentapartfromanybusinessornonprofitorganizationtheymayoperateareexemptfromthisrequirement.ThewebsitewhereanorganizationcanobtainaDUNSnumberis:  http://www.dnb.coml.Thistakes30businessdaysandthereisnocostunlesstheorganizationrequests `  expedited(1day)processing,whichincludesafeeof$40.