International Financial Assistance Projects Sponsored by the Office of International Affairs (66.931)
Program
66.931 International Financial Assistance Projects Sponsored by the Office of International Affairs
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Authorization
Clean Water Act, Section 104, as amended; Public Law 95-217, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.; Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001, as amended; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended; Public Law 94-580, 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.; Clean Air Act, Section 103, as amended; Public Law 95-95; 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.; Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10, as amended; Public Law 94-469; 15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20, as amended; Public Law 92-516; Public Laws 94-140 and 95-396, 7; U.S.C. 136 et seq.; Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442(b), as amended; Public Law 93-523; National Environmental Policy Act, Section 102; Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972.
Program Number
66.931
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To support assistance projects relating to multilateral international efforts to reduce significant risks to human health and ecosystems caused by pollution that crosses national boundaries. Funding priorities: In fiscal year 2003, OIA's funding priorities are (1) Issues concerning air quality, water, and toxins relating to the borders between the U.S., and Mexico, Canada (particularly the Great Lakes region), and the Arctic region; (2) reviews and analytical studies of the environmental aspects of international trade issues; and (3) continue providing technical assistance, capacity building and on the ground projects in priority countries. Funding Priority: I. Reduce Transboundary Threats to Human and Ecosystem Health in North America. A. To reduce environmental and human health risks along the U.S./Mexico Border and the Great Lakes, EPA employs both voluntary and regulatory measures. Efforts in the U.S./Mexico Border area utilize a series of regional workgroups that focus on priority issues ranging from water infrastructure and hazardous waste to air quality and outreach efforts focusing on communities and businesses in the border area. B. to prevent degradation of the marine environment, the Agency, in conjunction with the Department of State, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other Federal agencies, is focusing on the negotiation and implementation of legally-binding multilateral agreements. These agreements are designed to address sources of marine pollution that impact the United States. II. Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. EPA is also engaged in working with key developing countries and economies in-transition to provide capacity building and technology transfer in areas of air quality, transportation, clean energy use and energy efficiency, and cleaner production. Working hand-in-hand with international partners, these joint activities support more sustainable practices and lead to greenhouse gas emissions reductions as well as build local technical capacity for developing countries to take on commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the 1992 Climate Convention. III. Protect Human Health and Ecosystems from PBTs and other Toxics. To address the risks associated with persistent and bio accumulative substances and other toxics, OIA's assistance projects seeks to minimize the harmful impacts of toxic substances known to circulate in the environment over long distances through the negotiation and implementation of specific treaties, such as the POP's convention, and PIC. IV. Increase Domestic and International Use of Cleaner and More Cost-Effective Technologies. A. Implementing formal bilateral and multilateral environmental agreements with key countries, executing environmental components of key foreign policy initiatives, and, in partnership with the Department of State, engaging in the regional and global negotiations aimed at reducing risks via formal and informal agreements. B. working with other countries to ensure that domestic and international environmental laws, policies, and priorities are recognized and implemented. C. partnering with other Federal agencies, states, business, and environmental groups to promote the flow of environmentally sustainable technologies and services worldwide.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' allowable direct cost expenditures incident to approved project plus allocable portions of allowable indirect costs of the institution, in accordance with established EPA policies. Funding awarded for international research under these projects does not include research within the purview of EPA's Office of Research and Development.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Assistance under this program is generally available to States, territories, Indian Tribes, and possessions of the U.S., including the District of Columbia, public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, other public or private nonprofit institutions, which submit applications proposing projects with significant technical merit and relevance to EPA's Office of International Affairs' mission.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State and local governments, U.S. territories and possessions, foreign governments, international organizations, Indian Tribes, universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, and other public and private nonprofit institutions.
Credentials/Documentation
OIA may require applicants to submit documentation of non-profit status. OIA may request applicants to demonstrate they have appropriate background, academic training, experience in the field, and necessary equipment to carry out projects. OIA may also ask applicants or principal investigators to provide curriculum vitae and relevant publications.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Applicants considering submitting unsolicited proposals should discuss proposed projects with or submit preapplications to staff in OIA. When making competitive awards, OIA will specify the nature of the preapplication assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the Requests for Initial Proposals or Requests for Applications. For information contacts, see Appendix IV of the Catalog. Awards under this program, particularly those relating to border projects, may be subject to E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." Applicants should consult the office or official designated as the State's Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for more information on the State's review process, and to determine 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).)
Application Procedure
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 Administration Division, 3903R, Washington, DC 20460. Applicants are encouraged to submit copies of unsolicited proposals to OIA. Under EPA Order No. 5700.5, Policy for Competition in Assistance Agreements (9/12/02), Assistance awards to Foreign Governments and to United Nations agencies and similar International Organizations, such as the Organization of American States and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) may be exempted from competition at the discretion of OIA. For competitive awards, Requests for Initial Proposals or Requests for Applications will specify application procedures.
Award Procedure
For non-competitive awards, OIA will conduct an administrative evaluation to determine the adequacy of the application in relation to grant regulations and to technical and program evaluation to determine the merit and relevance of the project. The Agency will then advise the applicant if funding is being considered. A final work plan will then be negotiated with the applicant. For competitive awards, OIA will review applications or proposals in accordance with the criteria specified in the Request for Applications or Request for Initial Proposals. Competitions will be conducted consistent with EPA Order No. 5700.5, Policy for Competition in Assistance Agreements (9/12/02).
Deadlines
Unsolicited proposals generally must be received prior to May 15 for funding in applicable fiscal year. For competitive awards, deadlines will be specified in Request for Applications or Request for Initial Proposals.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
See 40 CFR Part 30.63 and 40 CFR Part 31, Subpart F.
Renewals
None. Generally, EPA incrementally funds grants and cooperative agreements. Approval of subsequent funding increments is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the project to OIA's priorities, and availability of funds.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
EPA's Appropriation Act requires that applicants submitting unsolicited research grant proposals share in the cost of conducting research. The amount of the cost share will be based on the mutuality of interest between the Government and the applicant. This requirement cannot be waived by EPA. Applicants will be advised of other matching requirements, if any, in Requests for Applications or Requests for Initial Proposals.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
EPA normally funds grants and cooperative agreements on a 12-month basis. However, EPA can negotiate the project period with each applicant based on project requirements. EPA limits project periods to 5 years.
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
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. If the Government Accounting Office or 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 Nonprofit Institutions." The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 1997. The Circular implements the Single Audit Act amendments of 1996. The Circular requires non Federal entities that expend more than $300,000 in Federal award dollars, to have an audit conducted in accordance with the Circular's provisions.
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 CFDA entry.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0108-0-1-304.
Obligations
(Grants and Cooperative Agreements) FY 02 not available; FY 03 est $3,000,000; and FY 04 est $2,500,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$15,000 to $325,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
These grants and cooperative agreements 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 Nos. A-110 and A-87 for State and local governments and Indian Tribes, OMB Circular A-21 for educational institutions, and OMB Circular A-122 for nonprofit institutions.
Related Programs
66.463, Water Quality Cooperative Agreements; 66.469, Great Lakes Program; 66.609, Protection of Children and the Aging as a Fundamental Goal of Public Health and Environmental Protection; 66.808, Solid Waste Management Assistance.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
For information on grant applications and procedures, contact: Environmental Protection Agency, Grants Administration Division, 3903R, Washington, DC 20460. For program information contact: Office of International Affairs.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
This is a new CFDA entry. Under a similar program described in CFDA Number 66.606, OIA awarded international projects for "Improving and Updating Mexico's Capabilities of Environmental Management", "Chemical Global Mercury Assessments", "Improving Drinking Water Quality through Lab and Treatment Plant Activities" "The Effects of Free Trade Agreements on International Capitol Flows and Environmental Quality Assurance", "Providing Education and Outreach Materials on Children's Health", "International Vehicle Emissions Model and Training", "Assisting African Refineries to Convert to Unleaded Gasoline", and "The Reduction of Coal Mine Methane Emissions in Ukraine".
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Competitive applications and proposals will be selected in accordance with announced criteria. Non- competitive proposals are judged for (a) technical merit in terms of: (1) strengths and weaknesses of the project as it relates to international environmental protection; (2) adequacy of overall project design; (3) competency of proposed staff; (4) suitability of applicant's available resources; (5) appropriateness of the proposed project period and budget; and (6) probability that the project will accomplish stated objectives; and, for (b) program interest in terms of: (1) the need for the proposed project; and (2) relationship to program objectives.
