Brownfield Job Training Cooperative Agreements (66.815)
Program
66.815 Brownfield Job Training Cooperative Agreements
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF BROWNFIELDS CLEANUP AND REDEVELOPMENT, OFFICE OF SOLID WASTE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Authorization
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, Sections 101(39) and 104(k)6), as amended; 42 U.S.C. 9604(k)(6).
Program Number
66.815
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
The objective of the Brownfield Job Training Cooperative Agreements is to provide training to facilitate assessment, remediation, or preparation of brownfield sites. A brownfield site is "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," as defined in 101(39) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (CERCLA, or Superfund). Funding Priorities: By statute, 25% of the funding appropriated for CERCLA 104(k) grants must be used for characterization, assessment, and remediation of Brownfields sites contaminated by petroleum or petroleum products. The Agency must also give preference to the ten statutory ranking criteria found at CERCLA 104(k)(5)(C) when evaluating applications for funding. No more than 15% of the funding appropriated for CERCLA 104(k) grants may be used to fund research, training and technical assistance grants authorized by CERCLA 104(k)(6). In FY 2003, EPA expects to solicit proposals for job training programs to facilitate assessment, remediation, or preparation of brownfield sites. Greater weight will be given to those applicants that exhibit comprehensive plans to leverage funding to develop an integrated job training program, as well as those applicants with experience in providing job training and other job training services.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).
Uses and Use Restrictions
Funds awarded under Section 104(k)(6) of CERCLA must be used for training, research, and technical assistance to individuals and organizations, to facilitate the inventory of brownfields properties, site assessments, cleanup of brownfields properties, community involvement, or site preparation. Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' eligible and allowable direct costs incurred under an approved work plan plus allowable programmatic costs, in accordance with established EPA policies and regulations. Costs incurred under CERCLA 104(k)(6) grant or cooperative agreements may not be used for an administrative cost, penalty or fine, a Federal cost-share requirement, a response cost for which the recipient of the grant or cooperative agreement is potentially liable under CERCLA 107, or the cost of complying with a Federal law, with the exception of the costs of laws applicable to cleanup of Brownfields sites.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
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 unit 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 Alaska tribes, are eligible to apply as well. Nonprofit organizations are also eligible for training, research, and technical assistance grants. Nonprofit organizations must meet the definition of that term in Section 4(6) of the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999, Public Law 96-107, 31 U.S.C. 6101 Note. Under this definition, colleges, universities, and community colleges 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. For profit organizations are not eligible to apply. Unless we are going to limit applications to those with experience, this is more of a priority than an eligibility requirement.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Job training grants will provide environmental job training and help residents of Brownfields neighborhoods take advantage of job opportunities created as a result of the assessment of cleanup of Brownfields properties. In addition, this program benefits industry by increasing the supply of skilled labor for firms that engage in environmental assessment and cleanup.
Credentials/Documentation
EPA may request that applicants document their non profit status. The Agency may also request that applicants demonstrate that they have appropriate background, academic training, experience in fields, and necessary equipment to carry out training projects.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This is a competitive grant program. EPA will specify the nature of the pre-application assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the Request for Initial Proposals or Request for applications. For information contacts, see Appendix IV of the Catalog. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Job training pilots are exempt from intergovernmental review. (See EPA's Federal Register Notice November 26, 1986, to exempt hazardous waste training programs from intergovernmental review.)
Application Procedure
By statute, EPA must award Brownfields Job Training grants ompetitively. Unsolicited proposals cannot be considered. EPA will specify application procedures in Requests for Initial Proposals or Request for Applications. EPA requires final applications to be made on Standard Form 424. Requests for application kits must be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, Grants Administration Division, 3903R, Washington, DC 20460 or through the appropriate PEA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Award Procedure
his is a competitive grant program. EPA will review applications in accordance with the criteria specified in Requests for Initial Proposals or Requests for Applications.. Final approval of applications for job training grants and supporting documentation is made by EPA . Award of grant funds are made by EPA Regional Award Officials.
Deadlines
Proposal deadlines for selection of job training grant projects are announced in Requests for Initial Proposals and Requests for Applications.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
See 40 CFR 30.63 and 40 CFR Part 31, Subpart F..
Renewals
EPA may incrementally fund grants and cooperative agreements under this program. Approval of subsequent funding increments is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the project to EPA's priorities and availability of funds.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Applicants will be advised of matching or cost share requirements, if any, in Requests for Initial Proposals or Requests for Applications. Even if EPA decides not to require matching funds, a statutory factor in ranking applications under Section 104(k)(6) is the extent to which EPA financial assistance will stimulate the availability of other funds for environmental assessment or remediation, and subsequent reuse of Brownfields sites. Applicants may be encouraged to provide information regarding resources (cash/in- kind services) that they, or a project partner, would commit to efforts receiving EPA financial assistance. EPA may take these commitments into account as in ranking proposals.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The performance period for job training grant funds is generally two years. Brownfield grant cooperative agreements may be amended to provide additional funding and additional time for grant recipients demonstrating significant success in brownfields training and redevelopment efforts.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Reporting requirements are identified at 40 CFR Parts 30 and 31. EPA may include additional information regarding the content and frequency of reporting requirements in the terms and conditions of the agreements.
Audits
Job Training grants 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. If the Government Accounting Office of EPA's Inspector General conducts Federal audits, the audits will be made in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-173 to ensure funds have been used efficiently, economically, and effectively. Recipients must conduct periodic audits in accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No A-133, "Audits of Institutions of Higher Education and Other Non-Profit Institutions." The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-133, "Audit of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 1997. The Circular implements the Single Audit Act amendments of 1996. The Circular requires nonfederal entities that expend more than $300,000 in Federal award dollars, to have an audit conducted in accordance with the Circular's provisions. With the Revised Circular, the previous OMB Circular No. A-128 for single audits of State and local governments was rescinded and the single audit requirements for these entities were incorporated among the provisions of OMB Circular No. a-133.
Records
The record retention requirements of 40 CFR Part 30 (non- profits and universities) or 40 CFR Part 31 (governmental units) are applicable depending upon the identity of the recipient. Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes to each grant must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records must be maintained until expiration of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of audit, related records must be retained until the matter is completely resolved.
Program Accomplishments
This is a new assistance program. Under a similar program for training in innovative or alternative technologies that can be applied at Brownfields and other sites contaminated by hazarsous substances, EPA awarded 57 grants that provided approximately $9,000,000 to Brownfields training programs. The Agency expects to award 10 grants at approximately $200,000 each in fiscal year 2003.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0103-0-1-304.
Obligations
FY 02 not available; FY 03 est not available; and FY 04 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
For Job Training grants, an eligible entity may apply for up to $200,000. The performance period for these grants generally will be two years.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
For job training grants, costs must be in accordance with OMB Circulars Nos. A-87 (State, tribal and local governments), A-21 (universities) and A-122(nonprofit organizations), depending on the recipient. Recipients must comply with 40 CFR Part 30 for universities and nonprofit organizations, and Part 31 for States, tribes, and local governments. In addition, recipients must comply with applicable provisions of EPA training grant regulations at 40 CFR Part 45. The Agency will periodically issue proposal guidelines.
Related Programs
66.817, State and Tribal Response Program Grants.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
EPA Regional Offices are listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office
For program information contact: Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment, OSWER, EPA, Washington, DC 20460, Linda Garczynski, Director. Telephone: (202) 566-2777.
Web Site Address
http://www.epa.gov/brownfields
Examples of Funded Projects
This grant program replaces CFDA 66.811 which was in effect prior to the passage of the Brownfields legislation. Prior to legislation, EPA-funded grants were used to bring together community groups, job training organizations, educators, investors, lenders, developers, and other affected parties to address the issue of providing training for residents in communities impacted by brownfields. The goal of the grants was to facilitate cleanup of brownfields sites contaminated with hazardous substances and prepare trainees in activities that can be usefully applied to a cleanup employing an alternative or innovative technology.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Selection criteria will be outlined in the proposal guidelines. This is a competitive grant program. Selection criteria will be outlined in the proposal guidelines and will be based on a system that includes the following ten statutory ranking criteria: (i) The extent to which a grant will stimulate the availability of other funds for environmental assessment or remediation, and subsequent reuse, of an area in which one or more brownfield sites are located. (ii) The potential of the proposed project or the development plan for an area in which one or more brownfield sites are located to stimulate economic development of the area on completion of the cleanup. (iii) The extent to which a grant would address or facilitate the identification and reduction of threats to human health and the environment, including threats in areas in which there is a greater-than-normal incidence of diseases or conditions (including cancer, asthma, or birth defects) that may be associated with exposure to hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. (iv) The extent to which a grant would facilitate the use or reuse of existing infrastructure. (v) The extent to which a grant would facilitate the creation of, preservation of, or addition to a park, a greenway, undeveloped property, recreational property, or other property used for nonprofit purposes.(vi) The extent to which a grant would meet the needs of a community that has an inability to draw on other sources of funding for environmental remediation and subsequent redevelopment of the area in which a brownfield site is located because of the small population or low income of the community.(vii) The extent to which the applicant is eligible for funding from other sources. (viii) The extent to which a grant will further the fair distribution of funding between urban and nonurban areas. (ix) The extent to which the grant provides for involvement of the local community in the process of making decisions relating to cleanup and future use of a brownfield site. (x) The extent to which a grant would address or facilitate the identification and reduction of threats to the health or welfare of children, pregnant women, minority or low-income communities, or other sensitive populations. In addition to the statutory criteria, EPA may consider applicants' experience in providing job training, linkages with other training programs and Brownfields efforts, success in placing trainees with employers, success in recruitment, training and job placement as well as experience with the curriculum and target population.
