Learn the Issues
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What are the reporting requirements for a partnership agreement?
Per the Exchange Network Terms and Conditions, partnering organizations must report on their sub-awardee activities in both the semi-annual reports and final reports. This includes: Summaries of results of reviews of financial and programmatic reports. Summaries of findings from site visits and/or desk reviews to ensure effective subrecipient performance. Environmental…
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Can you clarify who is confirming partner participation in ‘Additional Attachment C: Formal Project Partners?
For each participating partnering organization, there should be a letter provided by the partnering agency that confirms that organization’s participation in the project. That letter can be addressed to either the lead applicant or EPA, and the content is standardized. We just need to see something on that organization’s/agency’s letterhead…
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What constitutes "an overview" of subaward budget as requested in Additional Attachment C: Formal Project Partners?
A spreadsheet with line items is fine – basically, if money is going to be passed to the partnering organization via a subaward, that subaward amount should be explained. So, if $100K is going to be given to the partner as a subaward, what will that money be used for…
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Do the restrictions on non-competitive procurement for contractors also apply to sub-awardees (EN partners)?
Contractual procurement restrictions do not apply to partnering organizations receiving funds from the lead applicant in the form of a subaward under the Exchange Network grant program. If you are working with another organization as part of a EN partnership assistance agreement, you are required to submit 'Additional Attachment C…
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For a partnership grant, is it okay to have part of the work be for the partnership and the rest for one of the participating organizations only?
The goals and outputs for the proposed project may include work for just one of the organizations, in addition to goals and outputs that encompass both organizations. The EN Grant Program would just caution that the work must be in alignment with the requirements of the EN Grant Program (supporting…
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What is a node?
A Node or Network Node is a server running specialized software that initiates and responds to requests for environmental information from Exchange Network partners. The requests and responses use common formats expressed in eXtensible Markup Language (XML) and conform to the Exchange Network protocol and specifications. A Node can initiate…
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What is a node client?
A node client is a software application that allows a user to send data to Exchange Network nodes using Exchange Network services but cannot listen to requests or other messages coming from nodes. It allows for human-to-machine communication as opposed to machine-to machine communication. Node clients are easy to install…
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Can you expand on the funding restriction around ‘operations and maintenance (O&M)’?
During O&M an asset is in operation and produces the same product or provides a repetitive service. Maintenance is the activities necessary to keep an IT asset functioning as designed. This includes operating system upgrades, technology refreshes, and security patch implementations. Maintenance excludes activities that expand the capacity of an…
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Can you expand on the funding restriction ‘development and deployment of physical nodes’?
In data communication, a physical node is a node (an electronic device which creates, receives, and/or transmits information) which can be physically touched. General examples of a physical node include a modem, hub, bridge, switch, or data terminal equipment (DTE) such as a digital telephone handset or printer. In the…
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What is the definition of ‘management fees’, as listed as an unallowable cost?
‘Management fees’ are expenses which exceed the direct costs and allowable indirect costs (per their indirect cost rate agreement). These costs are used to accommodate ongoing business expenses, unforeseen liabilities, and other similar expenses. These costs fall outside the scope of the proposed project and/or are unforeseeable. Management fee costs…
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Can you explain more about the unallowable costs related to conferences and workshops and clarify if this includes travel to such events?
The restrictions around the funding of conferences and workshops fall into two categories: (1) the EN does not fund workshops or conferences that do not primarily benefit the applicant/any formal partners and (2) the EN does not fund workshops or conferences that primarily benefit the EPA. Costs related to hosting…
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Is the funding restriction on duplicative work in regard to EN grants or all received EPA grants?
During our annual application review process, we have application review panels score applications against the evaluation criteria as well as subject matter experts who conduct a separate technical review. These subject matter experts (SMEs) are from the applicable EPA National Program Office (e.g., the Office of Air and Radiation) and…
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What costs are restricted under the EN Grant Program?
The following costs are not allowable under the EN Grant program: Construction costs; Operations and maintenance of (1) previously developed or implemented EN projects and (2) flows, including minor schema updates for existing flows; Workshops and Conferences not initiated, advertised, and conducted for the benefit of the recipient and other…
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What is the E-Enterprise Digital Strategy (EEDS), its three principles, and how is it scored?
The E-Enterprise Digital Strategy (EEDS) is a shared vision to unlock the power of digital information, better coordinate IT systems and services, and deliver more responsive environmental protection. The three principles of this strategy are, the 'Information Centric Approach', the 'Shared Platform Approach', and the 'Customer Centric Approach'. An applicant’s…
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Does the removal of VES as a stand-alone EN Project Opportunity in the Solicitation Notice’s Appendix A mean that EPA will no longer fund projects which involve VES?
Beginning in FY24, Virtual Exchange Services (VES) is no longer an EN project opportunity within Appendix A. VES provides foundational EN capabilities for exchanging data, comparable to physical nodes. VES continues to be a supported capability that can be leveraged to deliver on many of the data exchange opportunities outlined…
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Are there limitations on who can implement VES?
Certain technical requirements are necessary for successful implementation of VES. Technical Requirements are a Machine Windows 64-bit Internet connected computer with a modern web browser, a Database SQL Server Express Edition, an SQL Server, an Oracle Connectivity Internet Service Bus (ISB) Technical Skill Database processing to move data from source(s)…
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Can I choose to build my own node and not use VES or open data services?
Yes. EPA, however, no longer provides grant funding to build and deploy physical nodes. Furthermore, the agency does not provide funding for node operation and maintenance.
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If I have a traditional node, can I continue to use it and receive grant funding under the EN Grant Program? If not, how do I transition to a virtual node and virtual services?
EN Partners that have their own nodes can apply for grant funding to deploy new data exchanges or for data publishing projects that use their own node.
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For developing software, how detailed does each proposal need to be as far as scope? Can it generally explain what it's supposed to do?
It is important to provide as much detail as possible, so that reviewers and EPA can understand what is being proposed and assess the applicant’s ability to carry out the proposed work. Additional information, in terms of how project narrative details are scored, can be found in the Solicitation Notice’s…
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If EPA has requested that we fix something within an implemented system, and we are applying for a grant to do so, would it be beneficial for us to include that information?
Yes; this information should be included in the project description section of your project narrative (section 1), where we ask for background information and details about why the proposed project is necessary. As the EN grant program has an express restriction on both duplicative funding and Operations and Maintenance (O&M)…