Brownfield Job Training Cooperative Agreements (66.815)

Program

66.815 Brownfield Job Training Cooperative Agreements

Federal Agency

Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Office: Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response

Authorization

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, Section 101(39)&104k(6), 42 U.S.C 9604(k)(6); American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Program Number

66.815

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

The objective of the Brownfield Job Training Program is to recruit, train, and place unemployed and under-employed residents of brownfields-impacted communities, and by doing so, providing individuals of these communities with the skills needed to obtain sustainable employment in brownfields redevelopment and environmental related careers. By doing so, the Brownfields Job Training Program promotes the facilitation of 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). The law further defines the term "brownfield site" to include a site that "is contaminated by a controlled substance...; is contaminated by petroleum or a petroleum product excluded from the definition of 'hazardous substance'...; or is mine-scarred land." Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2009: EPA expects to solicit proposals on an annual basis for its regular appropriation. Greater weight will be given to those applicants who meet the ranking criteria outlined in Section 180 of this CFDA including those who demonstrate experience in providing job training recruitment and placement services and environmental remediation knowledge, community involvement and employer partnerships, an ability to leverage nongovernmental funding, prior experience in managing and reporting upon federal grants, a demonstration of community need and environmental justice issues, and performance measurement strategies. In addition, for fiscal year 2009 only, EPA solicited proposals for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding. EPA issued a request for applications (RFA) from eligible governmental entities and nonprofit organizations to provide environmental job training projects that will facilitate job creation in the assessment, remediation, or preparation of brownfields sites for sustainable reuse. Annual Funding Priorities: 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). 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.

Types of Assistance

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. However, for brownfields job training grants, individuals are not eligible to apply. (See eligibility requirements in Section 080) Grants and cooperative agreements are available to eligible entities throughout the United States. However, eligible applicants must propose to serve a community that currently receives, or has received, financial assistance for brownfields assessment, revolving loan fund, cleanup, state or tribal site-specific response program work, and/or targeted brownfield assessment grants. 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. 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. Funds made available by the Recovery Act are prohibited from uses relating to casinos and other gambling establishments, aquariums, zoos, golf courses, or swimming pools.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Proposals will be accepted from 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. 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. For-profit or proprietary training organizations or trade schools are not eligible to apply. Evidence of current nonprofit status under Federal, state or tribal law must be provided at the time the proposal is submitted. 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. Applicants that received a Brownfields Job Training grant from EPA in Fiscal Year 2008 (announced March 2008) are not eligible to apply in FY09 for regular appropriation funds. However, this restriction has been waived for applicants applying for the ARRA funding. A list of brownfields job training grants awarded in Fiscal Year 2008 can be found on the Brownfields Website, http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/pilot.htm#previous. Applicants who received a brownfields job training grant in or before FY07 are eligible to apply for this competition. Applicants must also demonstrate that their proposed project will not duplicate other federally-funded job training programs in their target area. For example, applicants must demonstrate that the proposed training project does not duplicate National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences hazardous waste worker training programs in their target community. If an applicant is listed as a recipient of an NIEHS job training grant, the applicant must demonstrate how services under this proposed project will complement but not duplicate existing federal job training activities in the target community and area. All applicants must also include OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training as part of their proposed training curriculums. All curriculums must include this training and be provided to all individuals entering training. Please visit the following website for more details: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9765 .

Beneficiary Eligibility

Job training grants will provide environmental job training and help individuals of brownfields neighborhoods take advantage of job opportunities created as a result of the assessment and 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 requires that applicants document their nonprofit status at the time of application. 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. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This is a competitive grant program. 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" in Section 7 of the Application Guidelines for Brownfields Job Training Grants. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. (See EPA's Federal Register Notice from November 26, 1986, to exempt hazardous waste training programs from intergovernmental review.). Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. By statute, EPA must award Brownfields Job Training grants competitively. EPA will specify application procedures in Requests for Initial Proposals or Request for Applications. As stipulated in the Requests for Applications, successful grant applicants must provide, in addition to the SF 424, a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, which is now required when applying for federal grants or cooperative agreements on or after October 1, 2003. For more information go to: http://www.grants.gov. Requests for application kits must be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division, 3903R, Washington, DC 20460 or through the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA.

Award Procedure

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. 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. For the Recovery Act funding, EPA will award separate cooperative agreements. To expedite the award of ARRA cooperative agreements, awards may be made on partial workplans. In these cases, the award must include a condition requiring submission of a full workplan within a specified time period.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

For job training grants, the range of approval/disapproval time will be approximately ninety 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

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. Renewals and extensions of funding are not available.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

This program has no matching requirements.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The performance period for job training grant funds is generally two years. For those funded with ARRA funding, the performance period is three 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 depending upon the availability of funding. Proposal funding is not guaranteed at any stage of the proposal process until the Cooperative Agreement, including workplan, is completed and the final award is made. All awards are made in a lump sum. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

No program reports are required. No cash reports are required. Quarterly progress reports are generally required as part of the terms and conditions of the cooperative agreements. No expenditure reports are required. Performance monitoring is in accordance with the terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will 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 Circular No. A-133. 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 Non-Profit Organizations," non-federal 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. Non-federal 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 (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

Fiscal Year 2008: To date, EPA has funded 131 brownfields job training grants totaling approximately $25 million. In FY08, EPA received 38 proposals and awarded thirteen new cooperative agreements. As of spring 2008, more than 4,200 people had completed training; and more than 2,700 obtained employment in the environmental field with an average starting hourly wage of $13.97. Fiscal Year 2009: It is anticipated that 12 to 13 cooperative agreements will be awarded for FY09. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

68-0103-0-1-304.

Obligations

(Cooperative Agreements) FY 08 $2,597,050; FY 09 est $7,500,000; FY 10 est $2,600,000 - FY08 - $2,597,050; and an estimated $2,500,000 in FY09. Approximately $5 million in ARRA funding will also be available in FY09 only. It is estimated that $2,600,000 will be available in FY2010.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

(FY08) $197,051 to $200,000; average $199,773. For job training grants, an eligible entity may apply up to $200,000. The performance period for these grants is generally 2 years. For those grants funded with ARRA funding, they may be funded up to $500,000 for a performance periond of three 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. EPA will also provide applicants with guidance on statutory prohibitions on the use of grant and cooperative agreement funds in Requests for Initial Proposals, Requests for Applications, or by other means.

Related Programs

66.814 Brownfields Training, Research, and Technical Assistance Grants and Cooperative Agreements ; 66.817 State and Tribal Response Program Grants; 66.818 Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. EPA Regional Offices are listed in Section 7 in the Application Guidelines for Brownfields Job Training Grants.

Headquarters Office

Joseph Bruss Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization
OSWER, EPA, Washington, District of Columbia 20460 Email: bruss.joseph@epa.gov Phone: (202) 566-2772

Web Site Address

http://www.epa.gov/brownfields.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: In Fiscal Years 2006, 2007,and 2008, the EPA Brownfields Program awarded cooperative agreements to a variety of eligible entities and nonprofit organizations to provide local residents with the skills needed to gain employment in careers related to the assessment and cleanup of brownfields sites. These cooperative agreements included training and instruction in a variety of subjects, including: OSHA health and safety training, HAZWOPER and HAZMAT certification, lead and asbestos abatement, forklift operations, phytoremediation, mold remediation, site assessment, sampling, field investigation, instrumentation, and treatment technologies. Furthermore, these cooperative agreements provided brownfields job training programs the funds needed to perform recruitment and community outreach to residents in low-income and minority neighborhoods impacted by brownfields sites. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

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