In FY 2008 Region 3 had at least eight awards ranging from $10,000 to $125,000 each. It is anticipated that FY 2009 funding will be used to support Region 3 strategic initiatives.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Assistance awards in the form of grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' allowable direct costs incident to approved surveys, studies, investigations, training, demonstrations and special purpose assistance, plus allowable indirect costs, in accordance with established EPA policies and regulations.

Funding awarded for research does not include research within the purview of EPA's Office of Research and Development.

Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information.

Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: http://geodata.epa.gov.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Assistance under this program is generally available to state and local governments and the District of Columbia.

Assistance is also available to public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, and other public or private nonprofit institutions (Non-profit 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.) For profit organizations are generally not eligible for funding.

Some of EPA's statutes may limit assistance to specific types of interested applicants.

See "Authorization" listed above.

For certain competitive funding opportunities under this CFDA description, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.

Beneficiary Eligibility

State and local governments, public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, and other public or private nonprofit institutions within Region III's geographical area.

Credentials/Documentation

Documentation of nonprofit status may be required. Applicants may be requested to demonstrate they have appropriate background, academic training, experience in the field, and necessary equipment to carry out projects. Region III representatives may ask applicants or principal investigators to provide curriculum vitae and relevant publications.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

EPA, Region 3 awards grants and cooperative agreements supporting surveys, studies, investigations, training, demonstrations and special purpose assistance under this program description in response to an EPA competitive solicitation.

Regarding pre-application/pre-proposal assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this program description, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application/pre-proposal assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement.

For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts" or see Appendix IV of the Catalog.

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.

12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedures

The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 and A-110 must be used for this program. EPA Region 3 requires final applications to be made on Standard Form 424, "Application for Federal Assistance." Requests for application kits must be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, Region 3, 1650 Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Grants and Audit Management Branch (3PM70) Additional information on the EPA assistance package can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/how_to_apply.htm. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA. For competitive awards the funding announcement will specify application procedures.

Award Procedures

For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements.

Deadlines

For competitive awards, deadlines will be specified in the competitive funding announcement.

Authorization

Clean Water Act, Section 104; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20; Clean Air Act, Section 103; Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001; Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442; Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 180 days.

Appeals

Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts." Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable.

Renewals

None. A standard grant application should be prepared and submitted as a new grant, which will be reviewed in the same manner as the original application and will compete for available funds. EPA can incrementally fund grants and cooperative agreements for surveys, studies, and investigations, training, demonstrations and special purpose assistance. The approval of subsequent funding increments is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the project to Region 3 priorities, and the availability of funds.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grants and cooperative agreements are normally funded on a 12-month basis. However, EPA Region III can negotiate the project period with each applicant based on project requirements. The total approved project period may not exceed 2 years for competitive awards. Grants and cooperative agreements will be paid utilizing automated funds transfer. Grants and cooperative agreements may be partially or fully funded. This determination is made by the EPA.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

In addition to the general reporting requirements under 40 CFR, EPA includes specific reporting requirements for grants and cooperative agreements in the terms and conditions of the agreements.

Agreements may require quarterly, interim, and final progress reports, and financial, equipment, and invention reports.

Reporting requirements are also identified in EPA's grant regulations 40 CFR Parts 30 and 31.

Audits

Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.

Records

The record retention requirements of 40 CFR Part 30 (nonprofits and institutions of higher education) or 40 CFR Part 31 (governmental units) are applicable depending upon the identity of the recipient. Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries on accounting records which support substantial changes to the grant, available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipients' grants and cooperative agreement records. Recipient must maintain all records for a period of three (3) years from the date of submission of final expenditures reports. If questions, such as those raised as a result of audits or litigation remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is fully resolved.

Financial Information

Account Identification

68-0108-0-1-304.

Obigations

FY 07 $411,625; FY 08 est $250,000; and FY 09 est not available.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Range - $25,000 to $150,000 per grant. Average of Financial Assistance is $100,000 per grant.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to EPA general grant regulations (40 CFR Parts 30, "Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations," and 40 CFR Part 31, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments"). Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular A-87 for State and local governments and Indian Tribes, OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions, OMB Circular No. A-122 for nonprofit institutions, and FAR Part 31 for "for profit" entities.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

EPA, Region 3 located at 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, Barbara L. Latsios, telephone 215-814-5384, FAX (215) 814-5261, email: Latsios.barbara@epa.gov.

Headquarters Office

Not applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement.