State Senior Environmental Employment Program (66.518)

Program

66.518 State Senior Environmental Employment Program

Federal Agency

Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Office: Office of Administration and Resources Management

Authorization

Environmental Programs Assistance Act of 1984, Public Law 98-313, 42 U.S.C 4368a.

Program Number

66.518

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To use the talents of Americans 55 years of age or older to provide technical assistance to State environmental agencies for projects of pollution prevention, abatement, and control to achieve the Agency's goals of Clean Air; Clean and Safe Water; Land Preservation and Restoration; Healthy Communities and Ecosystems; and Compliance and Environmental Stewardship. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2009: The Environmental Programs Assistance Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-313) authorized the Administrator of the EPA "to make grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements with private, nonprofit organizations designated by the Secretary of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965." These cooperative agreements are to utilize the talents of older Americans in temporary, full time or part time positions "providing technical assistance to Federal, State, and local environmental agencies for projects of pollution prevention, abatement, and control." "Technical assistance" may include any activity performed for the State in support of its projects ranging from inspections of large capacity cesspools, to support for a State Environmental staff office. This allows for coverage of all types of SEE program positions from professional to clerical. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2010: The Environmental Programs Assistance Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-313) authorized the Administrator of the EPA "to make grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements with private, nonprofit organizations designated by the Secretary of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965." These cooperative agreements are to utilize the talents of older Americans in temporary, full time or part time positions "providing technical assistance to Federal, State, and local environmental agencies for projects of pollution prevention, abatement, and control." "Technical assistance" may include any activity performed for the State in support of its projects ranging from inspections of large capacity cesspools, to support for a State Environmental staff office. This allows for coverage of all types of SEE program positions from professional to clerical.

Types of Assistance

Cooperative Agreements

Uses and Use Restrictions

The SEE Act states that only nonprofit organizations which are designated by the Secretary of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act can participate. These cooperative agreements are to utilize the talents of older Americans in temporary full time or part time positions "providing technical assistance to Federal, State and local environmental agencies for projects of pollution prevention, abatement, and control.".

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Private, nonprofit organizations designated by the Secretary of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965.

Beneficiary Eligibility

State environmental agencies and individuals 55 years old or older.

Credentials/Documentation

The Environmental Programs Assistance Act of 1984 requires a certification by the Federal, State, or local agency that is to receive the SEE workers that the grant/cooperative agreement will not displace any Federal or State workers, prevent the rehiring of any laid-off Federal/State workers, or affect existing service contracts. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Requests for application forms must be submitted to: Environmental Protection Agency, Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division, (3903R), Washington, DC 20460. Completed applications must be sent to the same address, and a copy of the completed application should also be sent to: Susan Street, Manager, SEE Program, Office of Human Resources, Program Management and Communications Staff (3605A), Washington, DC 20460. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. Basic steps of the application process are outlined in the applicaton package.

Award Procedure

Each application shall be subjected to administrative evaluation to determine adequacy of application in relation to assistance regulations and to program objectives.

Deadlines

Not Applicable.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Not Applicable.

Appeals

Disputes will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

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

Assistance covers a period of one to three years and is awarded in increments during that period. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Assistance is awarded throughout the life of the Agreement to support ongoing activities.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

No program reports are required. Yes, on a quarterly schedule. Progress reports are required on a quarterly schedule. Recipients must furnish quarterly reports on expenditures by cooperative agreement. Performance monitoring is required as a normal part of Project Officer Post Award Monitoring.

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

Financial records, including all documents which support entries on accounting records and which substantiate changes to each assistance agreement, must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA assistance accounts. All records must be maintained until expiration of three years from the date of submission of the final financial status report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of an audit, related records should be retained until the matter is completely resolved.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: In Fiscal Year 2008, two cooperative agreements were continued. Fiscal Year 2009: In Fiscal Year 2009, two cooperative agreements will continue to be administered. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

68-0108-0-1-304.

Obligations

(Cooperative Agreements) FY 08 $399,851; FY 09 est $500,000; FY 10 est $500,000 - The vast majority of the funds in this CFDA are not Recover Act. Approximately 1 percent of the funding could be obligated as Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Ogligations are for Salaries and Expenses.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

New awards and amendments: FY 2008, $41,251 - $258,600; Average $133,283; FY 2009 estimated range $100,000 - $270,000; Estimated Averages $185,000; FY 2010, estimated range $40,000 - $250,00; Average $150,000.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Assistance Administration Manual, available from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161 on a subscription basis; 40 CFR Part 30, General Regulation for Assistance Programs; Office of Administration and Resources Management for the Management of the Senior Environmental Employment Program.

Related Programs

66.508 Senior Environmental Employment Program

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. Susan Street, Director SEE Program (3661A), Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Administration and Resources Management, Office of Human Resources, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington DC 20460. Telephone: (202) 564-0410 Fax: (202) 564-0735; E-mail: street.susan@epa.gov.

Headquarters Office

Susan Street SEE Program (3605A), Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Administration and Resources Management
1200 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W, Washington, District of Columbia 20460 Email: street.susan@epa.gov Phone: (202) 564-0410

Web Site Address

http://epa.gov/epahrist/see/brochure .

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Focus is on State level programs. Similar programs conducted at the Federal level provided to senior citizens to do national non-agricultural pesticide surveys, monitor for asbestos compliance in schools, provide review and monitoring support for the Import Car Program, monitor the anti-fuel switching program, conduct research, and general administrative and clerical tasks. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Proposals must demonstrate that the Organizations have the capability of operating nationwide; can manage the program within the prescribed administrative funding limits; and can provide a quality fringe benefit package to enrollees under the proposal (including health insurance).