Brownfields Training, Research, and Technical Assistance Grants and Cooperative Agreements (66.814)

Program

66.814 Brownfields Training, Research, and Technical Assistance Grants and Cooperative Agreements

Federal Agency

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

Authorization

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, Section 101(39)&104k(6), 42 U.S.C 9604(k)(6).

Program Number

66.814

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

CERCLA 104(k)(6) provides EPA with authority for a program of training, research, and technical assistance to individuals and organizations to facilitate the inventory of brownfields properties, assessments, cleanup of brownfields properties, community involvement, or site preparation. Brownfield sites are 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. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2009: EPA may solicit proposals for training, research, and technical assistance and will incrementally fund projects with satisfactory project progress selected in previous 104(k)(6) training, research, and technical assistance competition.The Agency gives preference to the ten statutory ranking criteria, as applicable, found at CERCLA 104(k)(5)(C) (see :180 CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS, below) when evaluating applications for research, training and technical assistance funding. EPA, in addition to the statutory criteria, also evaluates applicants based on their ability to manage grants and other policy based factors intended to promote effective stewardship of Federal funds.Annual Funding Priorities: By statute, 25% of the funding for CERCLA 104(k), must be used for characterization, assessment, and remediation of Brownfields sites contaminated by petroleum or petroleum products. No more than 15% of the funding appropriated for CERCLA 104(k) grants may be used to fund training, research, and technical assistance grants authorized by CERCLA 104(k)(6). EPA expects to support brownfields training, research, and technical assistance related to the following categories: (1) community involvement, (2) health impacts of brownfields sites, (3) science and technology relating to brownfields assessment, remediation, and site preparation, (4) integrated approaches to brownfields cleanup and redevelopment, (5) economics of brownfields cleanup and redevelopment, (6) results analysis, and (7) state, local and tribal government brownfields programs. For certain competitive funding opportunities, the Agency may limit eligibility to a particular subset of eligible applicants. The amount of financial assistance will vary, with the funding amount expected to be between $50,000 and $300,000 per grant. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2010: EPA may solicit proposals for training, research, and technical assistance and will incrementally fund projects with satisfactory project progress selected in previous 104(k)(6) training, research, and technical assistance competition.The Agency gives preference to the ten statutory ranking criteria, as applicable, found at CERCLA 104(k)(5)(C) (see :180 CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS, below) when evaluating applications for research, training and technical assistance funding. EPA, in addition to the statutory criteria, also evaluates applicants based on their ability to manage grants and other policy based factors intended to promote effective stewardship of Federal funds.Annual Funding Priorities: By statute, 25% of the funding for CERCLA 104(k), must be used for characterization, assessment, and remediation of Brownfields sites contaminated by petroleum or petroleum products. No more than 15% of the funding appropriated for CERCLA 104(k) grants may be used to fund training, research, and technical assistance grants authorized by CERCLA 104(k)(6). EPA expects to support brownfields training, research, and technical assistance related to the following categories: (1) community involvement, (2) health impacts of brownfields sites, (3) science and technology relating to brownfields assessment, remediation, and site preparation, (4) integrated approaches to brownfields cleanup and redevelopment, (5) economics of brownfields cleanup and redevelopment, (6) results analysis, and (7) state, local and tribal government brownfields programs. For certain competitive funding opportunities, the Agency may limit eligibility to a particular subset of eligible applicants. The amount of financial assistance will vary, with the funding amount expected to be between $50,000 and $300,000 per grant.

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. 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) grants 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

A general purpose unit of local 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 local government; a government 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; an Alaska Native Regional Corporation, Alaska Native Village Corporation and the Metlakatla Indian Community. 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. 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, Tribal - an Indian Tribe other than in Alaska; an Alaska Native Regional Corporation, Alaska Native Village Corporation and the Metlakatla Indian Community, and local governments, communities with Brownfields sites and their residents, community groups, universities and colleges, industry, and other public and private institutions and individuals.

Credentials/Documentation

EPA may request that applicants document their non-profit status. The Agency may also request that applicants demonstrate they have appropriate background, academic training, and experience in the field to carry out projects. EPA may ask applicants for research projects to provide curriculum vitae and relevant publications. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

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. See Appendix 1 for additional information regarding SPOC's. If there is no single point of contact for the state, or the state has not selected this program for review, applicants must contact directly affected state area-wide regional and local entities prior to award. (See 40 CFR 29.7(b)). Environmental impact information is not required for this program. 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 Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. 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 requires final applications to be made on Standard Form 424. 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. This is a competitive grant program. Requests for Initial Proposals or Requests for Applications will specify application procedures. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA.

Award Procedure

EPA is required by statute to conduct this assistance program competitively. 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

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

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

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. Incremental funding is subject to review and approval by the Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. The funded grants and cooperative agreements are not eligible for renewal.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

Matching Requirements: For training, research and technical assistance grants, EPA will not require that applicants include a match or cost share unless required by the terms of a competitive announcement. 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. This program has no statutory formula.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

EPA generally funds grants and cooperative agreements on a 12 month basis. However, EPA can negotiate the project period with each applicant based on project requirements. Incremental funding may be available. EPA generally limits project periods for training, research and technical assistance grants to 5 years. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: EPA generally funds the research, training, and technical assistance grants and cooperative agreements incrementally on a 12 month basis. However, EPA can negotiate the assistance award with each applicant based on project requirements.

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 grants and cooperative agreements. No expenditure reports are required. No performance monitoring is required.

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: In FY08, EPA solicited proposals for training, research, and technical assistance to support geographically based technical assistance centers. EPA selected four proposals with an award of $200,000 per year for up to 5 years each. In FY08, EPA solicited proposals for training, research, and technical assistance focused on protecting health and the environment, sustainable development, and equitable development. EPA received 44 applications and selected 11 proposals with awards of up to $300,000 per year for up to 5 years each. The new grants were awarded in FY09 and include brownfields related projects providing sustainable redevelopment training, researching community gardens and renewable fuels on brownfields, and models for the carbon and air emmision impacts of brownfields projects. Fiscal Year 2009: In FY09, EPA provided incremental funding to projects awarded in previous years. The ongoing grants provided training, community education and technical assistance to support brownfields assessment and cleanup efforts by state, local and tribal governments, communities, nonprofit organizations and private sector entities. The grants also resulted in research reports, case studies, and documents assisting communities with brownfields projects. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

68-0103-0-1-304.

Obligations

(Cooperative Agreements) FY 08 $1,266,053; FY 09 est $3,000,000; FY 10 est $3,000,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

(FY08) $47,640.38 to $398,569.00; Average $180,864.72. The performance period for these grants ranges from two to five years.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Brownfields training, research, and technical assistance grants are subject to EPA's General Grant Regulations (40 CFR Part 30 and 40 CFR Part 31). Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments and Indian Tribes, OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions, and OMB Circular No. A-122 for non-profit institutions. EPA will 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. EPA will provide assistance regarding clarification of the grant proposal guidelines. Potential applicants may submit written requests to OBCR for clarification. Significant clarifications to the guidelines will be posted on the brownfields website http://www.epa.gov/brownfields. This is the only form of pre-application assistance available. EPA will not meet with applicants to discuss draft proposals or provide informal comments on proposals.

Related Programs

66.815 Brownfield Job Training 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.

Headquarters Office

David Lloyd Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization
OSWER, EPA
1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20460 Email: lloyd.davidr@epa.gov Phone: (202) 566-2777

Web Site Address

http://www.epa.gov/brownfields

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: EPA has funded cooperative agreements for a variety of training, research, and technical assistance activities including: new geographically based technical assistance centers; training for communities new to brownfields activities; technical assistance and training for assessing and cleaning up meth labs in Indian Country; research on brownfields financing; and web sessions and conference calls providing training and technical assistance to brownfields communities. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

This is a competitive grant program. The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement.