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Notice of Request for Proposals for Water Quality Projects to be Funded under Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 104(b)(3)

Overview Information

SECTION I: Funding Opportunity Description:

SECTION II: Award Information

SECTION III: Eligibility Information

SECTION IV: Proposal and Submission Information

SECTION V: Proposals Review Information

SECTION VI: Award Administration Information

SECTION VII: Agency Contact(s)

Announcement Type: Initial Announcement

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 66.463, Water Quality Cooperative Agreements Exit EPA disclaimer

Funding Opportunity Number: DEPP-FO-05-01

Dates:

Proposal Due Date: February 10, 2005
Anticipated Date for Announcement of Selected Proposals: April 11, 2005
Complete Application Submittal Date: June 10, 2005
Anticipated Award Date: Expected approximately 60 days after receipt of the full application.

SECTION I: Funding Opportunity Description

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 is soliciting Proposals from State agencies, Tribal governments, intertribal consortia, interstate agencies, and other public or non-profit private agencies, institutions, organizations and individuals interested in applying for Federal assistance for Water Quality projects (CFDA 66.463) Exit EPA disclaimer under the Clean Water Act (CWA) section 104(b)(3) Exit EPA disclaimer . Proposed work must take place in one or more Region 2 States:

The regulations governing the award and administration of Water Quality Cooperative Agreements are 40 CFR Part 30 (for institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other non-profit organizations) and 40 CFR Part 31, as well as 40 CFR §§35.360 -364 and §§35.600 - 604 (for States, Tribes, local governments, intertribal consortia, and interstate agencies).

The Office of Wastewater Management in the Office of Water (an AA ship) in EPA Headquarters has identified the high priority areas for consideration discussed below.

Assistance agreements awarded under Section 104(b)(3) may only be used 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.

These activities, while not defined in the statute, advance the state of knowledge, gather information, or transfer information. For instance, "demonstrations" are generally projects that demonstrate new or experimental technologies, methods, or approaches and the results of the project will be disseminated so that others can benefit from the knowledge gained. 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, however worthwhile the project may be, is not a demonstration. Research projects may include the application of established practices when they contribute to learning about an environmental concept or problem.

Initiative Priorities:

EPA, Region 2 will award Assistance Agreements for research, investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys and studies related to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of water pollution in the subject areas shown below in bold. Example projects are shown for each area:

Water and Wastewater Infrastructure

SECTION II: Award Information

EPA Region 2 intends to award an estimated $1.8 million to eligible applicants, through assistance agreements ranging in amount from $25,000 up to $250,000 for unique and innovative projects that address the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) program with special emphasis on wet weather activities, i.e., storm water, combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, and concentrated animal feeding operations as well as projects that enhance the ability of the regulated community to deal with non-traditional pollution problems in priority watersheds.

Eligible activities should be of a relatively short time frame, (1 to 2 years), with tangible results. All projects should achieve and demonstrate results. Cooperative Agreements are not awarded to fund ongoing State program activities or any other ongoing program activities.

From the Proposals received, EPA estimates that 5 to 10 projects may be selected to submit full applications. The Agency reserves the right to reject all Proposals/applications and make no awards. An organization whose proposal is selected for possible Federal assistance must complete an EPA Application for Assistance, including the Federal SF–424 Exit EPA disclaimer (Application for Federal Assistance, see 40 CFR §30.12 and §31.10). Organizations that have an existing agreement under this program are eligible to compete for new awards, or to expand the scope of existing awards.

The selected proposal will receive federal financial assistance from EPA primarily through a Cooperative Agreement. A Cooperative Agreement is a legal instrument for the transfer of funds to an organization for the implementation of an EPA approved workplan, under which substantial involvement is anticipated between the Federal Agency and the recipient organization during the performance of the approved activities. EPA-Region 2 will work closely with the recipient organization during the finalization of the workplan to determine EPA's involvement with the project as appropriate. If it is determined that there will be no substantial EPA involvement, the assistance agreement will be awarded as a grant.

SECTION III: Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants for assistance agreements under section 104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act Exit EPA disclaimer are: State agencies, Tribal governments, intertribal consortia, interstate agencies and other public or non-profit private agencies, institutions, organizations and individuals. The non-profit private agencies, institutions, organizations and individuals must comply with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All applicants must be eligible to receive an assistance award at the time of proposal submission. EPA cannot make an award to an ineligible applicant.

Proposals eligible under Clean Water Act section 104(b)(3) are for unique and innovative projects that address the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) program with special emphasis on wet weather activities, i.e., storm water, combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, and concentrated animal feeding operations as well as projects that enhance the ability of the regulated community to deal with nontraditional pollution problems in priority watersheds. Only activities authorized under CWA Section 104(b)(3) can be funded under this proposals.

Construction projects, except for the construction required to carry out a demonstration project, and acquisition of land are not eligible for funding under this program. New or ongoing programs to implement environmental controls are not eligible for funding under this program. Please refer to the applicable cost principles in the Office of Management and Budget Circulars; Exit EPA disclaimer e.g.:

Other administrative requirements are stipulated in the following Circulars:

Cost Sharing: Cost sharing is not required, but is strongly encouraged.

Other Eligibility Criteria:

Threshold Criteria: All applicants must meet all eligibility criteria as defined in Eligibility Information above; and all projects must be eligible under the authorizing statute described above in Section I, Funding Opportunity Description . Those projects not meeting these threshold criteria will not be further evaluated.

Applicants invited to submit a full application (SF-424) Exit EPA disclaimer will be required to comply with Intergovernmental Review Exit EPA disclaimer requirements (40 CFR Part 29).

Applicants must provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number with the full application. Organizations may obtain the number by calling, toll free, 1-866-705-5711. Construction projects, except for the construction required to carry out a demonstration project, and acquisition of land, are not eligible for funding under this program. New or on-going programs to implement environmental controls are not eligible for funding under this program. Proposals which are not in compliance with this notice, i.e., do not provide the required information, are submitted by ineligible applicants, are considered to be primarily construction projects or are for the acquisition of land are not eligible for award.

SECTION IV: Proposal and Submission Information

Due Date: All proposals must be postmarked, hand delivered or electronically delivered to the Agency, on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on February 10, 2005. Within 15 days after the proposal due date, all applicants will receive a confirmation that their proposal has been received by EPA, Region 2. To maintain open fair competition, proposals received after the deadline will be returned to the sender without review or consideration.

Addresses: We prefer to receive proposals electronically to facilitate the review process. However, proposals submitted by mail will be accepted.

Email: VanRabenswaay.Elizabeth@epa.gov

By mail, send three copies of your proposal to:

Elizabeth E. Van Rabenswaay
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2
290 Broadway, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10007-1866
telephone 212-637-3881

Content and Form of Proposal: Proposals must not exceed five pages. Pages beyond the limit will not be evaluated or considered. Full application packages will not be accepted at this time; only those organizations whose Proposals rank the highest will be invited to submit full application packages.. It is recommended that confidential information not be included in the Proposal. However, if confidential information must be included, it must be clearly marked as such. EPA will make final confidentiality decisions in accordance with Agency regulations at 40 CFR Part 2, Subpart B(16).

The following format should be used for all Proposals:

SECTION V: Proposals Review Information

Criteria: EPA will award Water Quality assistance agreements on a competitive basis and evaluate Proposals based on the criteria below:

Proposal Review and Selection Process: A panel of EPA technical staff will evaluate the Proposals against the criteria described above and rank them for consideration by the Director of the Division of Environmental Planning and Protection. Final selection of Proposals will be made by the Director. Anticipated date of announcement of the selected Proposals is 60 days after proposal due date and complete application are due to EPA 60 days after announcement of the selected Proposals.

The selected applicant(s) will be notified by mail after final decisions have been made. The selected applicant(s) will be invited to submit a complete application packet. The required forms and instructions for preparing and submitting the completed application will be provided at that time. All completed applications must be addressed to:

Roch Baamonde, Chief Grants and Contracts Management Branch
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2
290 Broadway, 27th Floor
New York, NY 10007-1866.

The final application will be subject to review under Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs. Exit EPA disclaimer . Applicants that are not invited to submit a complete application will be notified by mail.

Dispute Resolution Process: Decisions under this solicitation are subject to the applicable dispute resolution process under 40 CFR 30.63 and Part 31, subpart F. and 40 CFR 31.70.

Award Notice: Upon receipt of a complete application, work plan and budget, the recommendations for funding of the award will be made to the EPA Award Official. When all funding decisions are complete, a grant award notification will be issued to the recipients. Anticipated award date is 60 days after receipt of a completed application.

SECTION VI: Award Administration Information

States, Interstate agencies, Tribal Nations and intertribal consortia meeting the requirements at 40 CFR 35.504 may include the funds for Water Quality Cooperative Agreements (WQCA) in a Performance Partnership Grant (PPG) in accordance with the regulations governing PPGs at 40 CFR part 35, subparts A and B. For States and agencies that choose to do so, the regulations provide that the work plan commitments that would have been included in the WQCA must be included in the PPG work plan. A description of the Agency's substantial involvement in cooperative agreements will be included in the final agreement.

Responsible Officials: It is required that projects be performed by qualified personnel. All Proposals must identify any person who will assist in carrying out the project. The authorized representative of the recipient whose proposal is selected for an award is responsible for accepting the assistance agreement from EPA and ensuring that all assistance agreement conditions are satisfied. Recipients are responsible for the successful completion of the project and for complying with all reporting requirements of the assistance agreement, including those specified at 40 C.F.R. §31.40 - §31.41 and 40 C.F.R. §30.51 - §30.52, as applicable.

Incurring Costs: Award recipients may begin incurring allowable costs on the start date identified in the EPA assistance agreement. Activities must be completed and funds spent within the time frames specified in the award agreement. EPA funds may be used only for the purposes set forth in the assistance agreement and must conform to Federal cost principles contained in OMB Circular A-87; A-122; and A-21, as appropriate. Ineligible costs will be reduced from the final award.

SECTION VII: Agency Contact(s)

For Further Information Contact:

Dated: December 10, 2004

_________________
Kathleen C. Callahan, Acting Regional Administrator
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2

 

 

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