Brownfields Job Training Grant Guidelines
Frequently Asked Questions

1.What is the grant application process in Fiscal Year 2005?

A.  The process for applying for a job training grant is a one step process as discussed in the new guidelines. EPA is asking applicants to demonstrate that they meet threshold eligibility requirements and to respond to evaluation criteria that will be used to rank applications. The one step process for applying for the assessment, revolving loan fund, and cleanup grants are discussed in a separate set of guidelines from the job training program.

EPA has prepared guidelines on an application process for the job training grants. Proposals must be postmarked no later than January 14, 2005. See guidelines for submission details.

2Q.  How do I get help in understanding and responding to the FY 2005 grant guidelines?

A.  Applicants should review information on the EPA brownfields website; http://www.epa.gov/brownfields. EPA Regional Brownfields staff will provide pre-application assistance to individual applicants regarding threshold eligibility requirements only. Regional staff will not provide assistance to help applicants prepare their responses to ranking criteria. Agency personnel will not review drafted proposals. Electronic questions may be submitted to EPA's Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment to the attention of Joseph Bruss bruss.joseph@epa.gov . Parties wishing to submit their questions via the United Postal Service should address their questions to: Attn: Mr. Joseph Bruss, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment, Room 2402, EPA West (MC-5105T); 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW; Washington, DC 20460-0001.

3Q.  Who is eligible to apply for a brownfields job training grant?

A.  Applicants must be either eligible governmental entities as defined in CERCLA section 104(k)(1) or eligible nonprofit organizations as defined in Public Law 106-107, the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act.

Eligible governmental entities include a general purpose local unit of government; a land clearance authority or other quasi-governmental entity that operates under the supervision and control of, or as an agent of, a general purpose unit of government; a governmental entity created by a state legislature; a regional council or group of general purpose units of local government; a redevelopment agency that is chartered or otherwise sanctioned by a state; a state; an Indian Tribe (other than in Alaska), or an Alaskan Native Regional Corporation and an Alaska Native Village Corporation as those terms are defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 and following); and the Metlakatla Indian Community. EPA welcomes and encourages proposals from coalitions of such entities, but a single eligible entity must be identified as the legal recipient. Intertribal consortia, except consortia comprised of ineligible Alaskan tribes, are eligible to apply as well.

Eligible nonprofit organizations include any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization that is operated mainly for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purpose in the public interest; is not organized primarily for profit; and uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operation of the organization. Workforce Investment Boards that meet these criteria may be eligible nonprofit organizations. Public and nonprofit private educational institutions are eligible to apply. However, nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible to apply.

4Q.  How have the job training guidelines changed since 2004?

A.  For the 2005 job training competition, please be aware that changes have taken place in the guidelines. The 2004 job training guidelines are no longer valid.

Applicants are now required under the "Community Involvement and Partnerships" ranking criteria to submit to EPA a copy of the letter they sent to the appropriate State or Tribal environmental program contact stipulating the applicant's plan to apply for an EPA brownfields job training grant.

Applicants that received a brownfields job training grant in Fiscal Year 2003 (announced May 2003) or Fiscal Year 2004 (announced March 2004) are not eligible to apply. A list of brownfields job training grants awarded in Fiscal Year 2003 and 2004 can be found on the EPA's Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment website;
http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/pilot.htm#previous

Also, under the "2005 Threshold Criteria," eligible State and/or Tribal governments who currently receive CERCLA Section 128 funding may propose to serve a community where site-specific brownfields work is being conducted with State, Tribal, and/or Federal CERCLA Section 128 funds. Additionally, these entities who are receiving Section 128 funding may propose to sub-grant to eligible non-profit organizations or community colleges. Please see "Applicant Eligibility" and "Eligible Uses of EPA Funds" in the job training guidelines. (In the past, State and Tribal governments were eligible to apply for the brownfields job training grant. However, these entities could only propose to serve communities which had received, or were receiving, brownfields assessment, clean-up, and/or revolving loan fund grant money.)

Note: Please note that these are not the only changes which have occurred for FY 2005. For a more detailed listing, please refer to the brownfields job training guidelines at the website listed above.

5Q.  How is my application evaluated?

A.  Evaluation panels comprised of EPA employees and representatives of other federal agencies will assess how well the proposals meet the evaluation criteria outlined below. There are two different types of criteria-"threshold criteria" and "ranking criteria." Threshold and ranking criteria are clearly indicated. If a response fails to meet any threshold criterion, the proposal will be disqualified from further consideration and the applicant will be notified. However, EPA Regional representatives may seek clarification from an applicant regarding its response to a threshold criterion. EPA will not seek clarification of responses to any ranking criteria.

The evaluation panel will determine which proposals have the potential to effectively use the limited funds EPA has available for awards. Scores on each ranking criterion will be totaled to determine initial proposal rankings. EPA senior management will determine the final ranking of proposals, taking into consideration the recommendations of the initial review panel and the applicants' response to the "Ability to Manage Grants" ranking criterion. Additionally, EPA will make final decisions on funding based upon the geographic distribution of funds throughout regions, urban versus non-urban distribution, designation as a federal Empowerment Zone, Enterprise Community, or Renewal Community; population; whether the applicant is a federally recognized Indian tribe; and, whether the proposed project may assist in addressing environmental justice concerns (such as the disproportionate impact on, or presence of brownfields sites near, low-income and/or minority citizens).

6Q.What is the maximum amount of money that an applicant may be awarded?

A.  Under the Brownfields Law, an eligible entity may apply for up to $200,000 per job training grant. However, EPA reserves the right to fund successful proposals at lower amounts depending upon the availability of EPA funds, applicant's access to other funding sources, quality of the applicant's proposal, and community need. The project period for the brownfields job training grants is up to two years. Actual funding is dependent upon the availability of funds through the Federal budget process. Contact your Regional EPA Brownfields Coordinator for additional information. (A list of contacts can be found in the brownfields job training grant's guidelines.)

7Q.  What is a brownfield?

A.  For the purpose of EPA's Brownfields Grant Program. A "Brownfield(s)" is defined as:

"(...) real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant."

8Q.  How does an applicant ensure "non-duplication"?

A.  Under Threshold Criterion C, "[A]pplicants must demonstrate that the proposed job training project does not duplicate other federally funded hazardous waste management training programs in their target community." (Brownfields Job Training Guidelines, 12) For example, applicants must demonstrate that the proposed training project does not duplicate NIEHS's hazardous waste management training programs in their target community. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences maintains a list of its worker training grantees on its website, http://www.niehs.nih.gov/wetp.

9Q.  How does an applicant ensure that all uses of EPA funds are eligible?

A.  Applicants must carefully review the proposed guidelines to ensure that the activities included in their proposal are consistent with the brownfields job training guidelines. (Please see Appendix 2 in the job training guidelines "Prohibitions on Use of Funds") Please note that due to the statutory administrative cost prohibition, indirect costs are not eligible under brownfields grants.

10Q.  Why are binders and color printing discouraged?

A.  Each application is photocopied and distributed to members of the National Review Panel. Graphics, binders, colorful charts, etc., do not photocopy well and may distort information submitted for reproduction.

11Q.  What are the important deadlines?

A.

12Q.  Where can I find information on Environmental Job Training Programs?

A.  For more information on environmental job training, please visit the Hazardous Materials and Research Training Institute's website at: http://www.hmtri.org.