State Information Grants (66.608)
Program
66.608 State Information Grants
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONAGENCY
Authorization
Clean Air Act of 1963, Sections 103-104, as amended; Public Law 101-549; Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001; Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10, as amended; Public 94-469; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, Section 311, as amended; Public Law 95-510; H.R. 2620, FY 2002 VA-HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations Bill.
Program Number
66.608
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
Information is fundamental to the work of environmental protection. Environmental decision makers at all levels need timely and high quality environmental information to make informed decisions. Yet, many of the current systems and approaches to information exchange are not designed to meet those needs. EPA, through work with the Environmental Council of the States, has developed a new vision for exchanging environmental data that, when fully established, will help meet those needs. The National Environmental Information Exchange Network (the Network) is a major component of the solution envisioned by EPA. The Network utilizes technologies and approaches that help create E-commerce and will provide an alternative to the current approach of exchanging data. These data exchanges will replace and complement the traditional approach to information exchange that currently relies upon data being processed directly to multiple EPA national data systems. Network participants will house information on their own nodes or portals where it will be available upon authorized request. In FY 2003, EPA received $19.9 million in appropriations from Congress to support the Network Grant Program. The goal of this program is to advance the Network by encouraging state and other partner's data integration efforts and to assist the states and tribes with their efforts to establish nodes on the Network. Funding Priority: In FY 2003, EPA received $19.9 million in appropriations from Congress to support the National Environmental Information Exchange Network (the Exchange Network) Grant Program. The goal of this grant program is to advance the Exchange Network by encouraging state and other partners' data integration efforts. The program has four main parts: 1) Network One Stop; 2) Network Readiness Grants; 3) Network Challenge Grants; and 4) Network Administration Grants. These grants will increase state and tribal capacity to integrate their environmental data, reduce reporting burden, enhance electronic reporting, provide public access to data, and participate on the Exchange Network. EPA announced the solicitation for applications for this program in the Federal Register in early December 2003 and is making awards in the summer (May - July) 2003. State, tribal and EPA data on the Network will both facilitate understanding of various environmental issues, and serve as a precursor to understanding what data needs exist in order to more fully comprehend environmental conditions. EPA envisions that this grant program will need multiple year funding to accomplish the implementation of the Network. In FY 2002, EPA received $25.0 million in appropriations from Congress to support the National Environmental Information Exchange Network (the Network) Grant Program. The goal of this grant program is to advance the Network by encouraging state and other partners' data integration efforts. The program has four main parts: 1) Network One Stop Grants; 2) Network Readiness Grants; 3) Network Challenge Grants; and 4) Network Administration Grants. These grants will increase states' capacity to integrate their environmental data, reduce reporting burden, enhance electronic reporting, provide public access to data, and participate on the Network. EPA announced the solicitation for applications for this program in the Federal Register in early February 2002 and made awards in August 2002. State, tribal, and EPA data on the Network will both facilitate understanding of various environmental issues, and serve as a precursor to understanding what data needs exist in order to more fully comprehend environmental conditions. EPA envisions that this grant program will need multiple year funding to accomplish the implementation of the Network. Examples of grants funded in FY 2002 include the Michigan Technology Assessment and e-DMR XML Pilot and Data Exchange project; the Pacific Northwest WaterQualityData Exchange efforts between Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, and Washington State; and the Multi-tribe (Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla, the Yakima Nation, and the Nez Perce Tribe) collaborative project for Air Quality Analysis in the Columbia River Gorge. A narrative description of these projects and the other Network grants funded in FY 2002 can be found at www.epa.gov/neengprg.
Types of Assistance
Cooperative Agreements.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Available for the allowable direct cost expenditures incident to the performance plus allocable portions of allowable indirect costs in accordance with the established policies of EPA.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
The program is available to agencies of each state, Territory, Federally Recognized Indian Tribes, and possessions of the United States, including the District of Columbia, that administer programs and authorities delegated by the EPA.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Federal, state, and local governments, industries, and public institutions subject to EPA reporting requirements, and thepublic.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for state and local governments.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Interested applicants are encouraged to consult with the appropriate EPA Regional Office identified in Appendix IV of the Catalog or contact the National Environmental Information Network Grant Program Manager, EPA. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.12372.
Application Procedure
EPA Form-SF -424 should be requested, and the completed from submitted to the appropriate EPA Regional Office identified in Appendix IV of this catalogue. This award is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.
Award Procedure
Applications will be reviewed by a panel of EPA Headquarters and Regional employees. Final approval of applications and supporting documents and offer of award will be made by EPA Headquarters. All recipients will be asked to develop a detailed program plan within the first 120 days of award, working with EPA, that specifies program outputs and assistance fromEPA.
Deadlines
Contact agency for deadline information. See information contact sectionbelow.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
See 40 CFR Part 31, Subpart F.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None. However, states and tribes that are selected to receive both a Network One Stop or Network Readiness Grant and a Network Challenge grant may receive the combined grant funds in a single award. However, if a state or tribe elects to receive the combined funds in a single award, it will have to wait until the Network Challenge grant selections are made to be awarded funds. EPA will award funds to those states and tribes that only apply for Network One Stop or Network Readiness Grants after final selections are made. Funds that states or tribes do not apply for, or ultimately qualify for, under the Network One Stop Grant or the Network Challenge Grant, will be made available through the Network Readiness Grants.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Three years, although EPA anticipates that most activities performed under this grant will be completed in 18-24months.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Grant recipients must submit a copy of the semiannual program report to the Regional grant manager and the Headquarters contact. At a minimum, program reports will include: (1) an update on the schedule and status of the implementation of the project, including any implementation problems encountered and suggestions to overcome them; (2) an explanation of expenditures to date, and unless the grant is included in the PPG (40 CFR.Part 35.530(b) and 40 CFR Part 35.130(b)), expenditures linked to project results; and (3) an assessment of progress in meeting project goals, including output and outcome measures whenavailable.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," non-federal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made for that year. OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits 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 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. With the revised Circular, the previous OMB Circular No. A-128 for single audits of state and local government was rescinded and the single audit requirements for these entities were incorporated among the provisions of OMB Circular No.A-133.
Records
Financial records including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate charges to each grant, must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grants accounts. If certain financial records are part of an audit investigation, then they should be retained until the matter is completelyresolved.
Program Accomplishments
Highlights in FY 2002 include the following: (1) Many tribes are developing the technical infrastructure to support its basic information management capabilities; (2) Several states are building data partnerships and discussing approaches and standards for sharing environmental information through the internet; (3) The states have collectively agreed to support each other as they develop their network nodes; (4) Some states competing and singing Trading Partner Agreements with EPA; (5) We are beginning to establish a network to make resource data accessible intra- and inter-departmentally; (6) The Network Exchange Web Site was established; and (7) Network Implementation and Security Guidelines werepublished.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0108-0-1-304.
Obligations
FY 02 $25,000,000; FY 03 $19,869,900; and FY 04 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$100,000 to $1,000,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Eligible entities must designate a single lead agency that will have overall responsibility for developing the grant proposal, submitting the grant application, and managing grant funds. Along with their grant proposals applicants must also submit: (1.) Federal Grant Forms - Federal Standard Forms 424 and 424A. SF 424: Application for Federal Assistance, the official form required for all federal grants, requests basic information about the grantee and the proposed project. (2.) A clear definition of project goals and measures. (3)Funding Vehicle Preference. (4) Confidential Information - Applicants should clearly mark information in their grant proposals that they consider to be confidential. Pre-application Assistance - Applicants seeking assistance on developing any of the grants should contact the appropriate regional or headquarters contact. Submission of Multiple Grant Applications - States and tribes submitting Network One Stop, Network Readiness, and/or Network Challenge applications may submit applications at the same time. Lead Agency - The Lead Agency designated by the eligible entity must submit a single application.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Individuals are encouraged to contact the appropriate EPA Regional office listed in Appendix IV of the catalogue.
Headquarters Office
Lyn Burger, US EPA, OEI, Mail Code 2821T2, 1200 Pennsylvania venue, NW, Washington, DC 20460; Phone (202) 566-1024; Fax (202) 555-1624; E-mail: Burger.Lyn@epa.gov.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Examples of grants funded in FY 2002 include the Michigan Technology Assessment and e-DMR XML Pilot and Data Exchange project; the Pacific Northwest Water Quality Data Exchange efforts between Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, and Washington State; and the Multi-tribe (Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla, the Yakima Nation, and the Nez Perce Tribe) collaborative project for Air Quality Analysis in the Columbia River Gorge. A narrative description of these projects and other Network grants funded in FY 2002 can be found at www.epa.gov/neengprg.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
EPA will focus on: (1) investment in and capacity for environmental data management; (2) readiness for full-scale implementation of standards for identifying and locating regulated facilities across all programs; and (3) producing a comprehensive three to five-year plan to reform environmental reporting and data management. Criteria for Network One Stop Grants. EPA will evaluate work plans on how they best address critical steps and milestones that will be taken over the next three years that demonstrate commitment for participation on the Network. Work plans should address the purpose of the project and how it will demonstrate a commitment to participate on the Network in one of the following ways: (1) establishment of an official information source and steward; (2) development of technical infrastructure for Internet node operation; (3) connection of information resources to a node; and (4) node implementation for providing information to the Network. Criteria for Challenge Grants. EPA will evaluate proposals on their feasibility, and on their potential to make a contribution to nationwide Network capacity. The proposals should clearly address how the project would: (1) advance the functionality of the Network through the immediate flow of higher quality environmental data; (2) create a model that would be easily implemented, have broad applicability, and would be readily transferable to a wide group of Network participants; (3) achieve a reduction in reporting and accessing burden; (4) provide increased public access to environmental data; and (5) involve collaborationthroughout the project.
