Vulnerability Assessments and Related Security Improvements at Large Privately-Owned Community Drinking Water Utilities (66.477)
Program
66.477 Vulnerability Assessments and Related Security Improvements at Large Privately-Owned Community Drinking Water Utilities
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF WATER, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Authorization
Safe Drinking Water Act, Sections 1433 (a), (b), and (e), as amended; The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002; Public Law 107-188.
Program Number
66.477
Last Known Status
Deleted 02/22/2005 (Program is no longer funded.)
Objectives
To provide grant assistance to large (regularly serving 100,000 people or more) privately-owned community drinking water systems, for up to $115,000 to each eligible utility to develop/revise a vulnerability assessment (V/A), emergency response/operating plan (ERP), security enhancement plans and designs, or a combination of these efforts.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
These grants provide assistance to recipients to conduct a vulnerability assessment (V/A) and an emergency response plan (ERP) as well as planning and designing security enhancements. Recipients may not use a grant to fund construction or other physical improvements to a utility.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Large privately-owned community drinking water utilities those serving 100,000 or more people on a regular basis which have not performed/updated a vulnerability assessment or developed/revised an emergency response plan or designs for security enhancements are eligible to apply for this funding. Such utilities must be privately-owned and operated community systems operating either for-profit or non-profit. Publicly-owned community utilities are not eligible for this program.
Beneficiary Eligibility
General Public.
Credentials/Documentation
Documentation to support indirect costs, if any, included with the application; also documentation demonstrating the qualifications of the persons or company to perform the work.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Applicants must submit an "Application for Federal Assistance," SF 424, "Budget Information: Non-Construction Programs," SF 424A, "Assurances-Non-Construction Programs, SF-424B," Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters," "Certification Regarding Lobbying," "Pre-Award Compliance Review," EPA 4700-4, and other required forms to complete the application process. Applicants can obtain downloadable forms at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/application.htm. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." However, EPA will manage the process. Applicants will not have to consult the official designated as the single point of contact in their State for information on the process the State requires to be followed. Privately-owned community water utilities are strongly encouraged to apply for this program as soon as possible. This program is non-competitive, and all eligible utilities that submit complete applications and satisfactory work plans, as specified in the Request for Applications, will be considered for grant awards as quickly as possible. Utilities that submit applications early in the process may receive grant awards more quickly. Since postal mail delays are to be expected that could inordinately delay EPA's receipt of applications, EPA encourages applicants to use an express mail or courier service to transmit applications to the appropriate addresses below.
Award Procedure
Application is reviewed by the appropriate EPA Regional Office and approval sent to EPA Headquarters for further processing. EPA Headquarters awards the grants.
Deadlines
Contact the Headquarters Office for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 30-90 days after EPA receives an application.
Appeals
40 CFR 30.63 and 40 CFR 31, Subpart F.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
There are no formula and matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Recipients who receive funding for a vulnerability assessment must complete it either within six months of grant award or by March 31, 2003, whichever is earlier, subject to the grant Terms and Conditions. Recipients who receive funding to develop an emergency response plan must complete the plan within six months of completion of the V/A. Utilities must complete plans to improve plant security under this grant by December 31, 2003.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
A final financial status report is due at the end of the grant period. Products include the V/A, ERP, and security enhancement plans. Term/Conditions will be negotiated in the final grant award that will outline the procedure utilities must follow to demonstrate to EPA that the project(s) performed under this grant program were satisfactorily completed. Each utility must certify to EPA that it conducted a vulnerability assessment complying with the law and submit a copy of the assessment to EPA by March 31, 2003; utilities will be contacted with details prior to submission on how to submit the V/A in a secure manner.
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 receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more within the State's fiscal year shall have an audit made for that year. The Office of Management and Budget (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.
Records
Each utility must maintain a copy of the emergency response plan that it completes for five years after such plan has been certified complete to EPA.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2002 EPA awarded $3,215,330 in grants.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0107-0-1-304.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 not available; FY 03 est $3,215,000; and FY 04 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Grants of up to $115,000 will be issued to applicants for one or more of the three allowable activities.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Sections 1433 (a), (b), and (e) added to the Safe Drinking Water Act via The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-188); "EPA Assistance Administration Manual," available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Springfield, VA 22161 on a subscription basis: Order No. NTIS UB/031.
Related Programs
66.476, Vulnerability Assessments and Related Security Improvements at Large Drinking Water Utilities.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
EPA Region I: Mr. Kevin Reilly (CMA),Drinking Water Program, US EPA Region 1, One Congress Street, Boston, MA 02114-2023. Phone: 617-918-1694. EPA Region II: Mr. Bruce Kiselica, Chief, Drinking Water Section, US EPA Region 2, 24th Floor, 290 Broadway, New York, NY 10007, 212-637-3879. EPA Region III: Ms. Patti-Kay Wisniewski, Drinking Water Branch (3WP22), US EPA, Region 3, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029, 215-814-5668. EPA Region IV: Mr. Dale Froneberger, Drinking Water Section, US EPA Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street, SW, Atlanta, GA 30303, 404-562-9446. EPA Region V: Mr. Nicholas Damato (WG-15J), Ground Water/Drinking Water Branch, US EPA Region 5, 77 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Illinois 60604, (312) 886-0190. Region VI: Ms. Joan Brown, Chief, Assistance Programs Branch (6WQA). US EPA Region 6, Suite 1200,1445 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX 75203-2733, 214-665-7110. Region VII: Mr. Ralph Flournoy, US EPA Region 7 (WWPDDWGW), 901 North Fifth St., Kansas City, MO 66101, 913-551-7374. Region VIII: Ms. Marty Swickard U.S. EPA Region 8 (Mail Code P-W-MS), 999 Eighteenth St., Suite 500, Denver CO 80202- 2466 (303)-312-7021. Region IX: Ms. Corine Li, Drinking Water Office (WTR-6), US EPA Region 9, 75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, 415-972-3560. Region X: Mr. Gene Taylor, Drinking Water Unit (OW-136), US EPA Region 10, 1200 6th Ave., Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 553-1389.
Headquarters Office
For general information, please contact http://www.epa.gov/safewater/security/rfa_private_grants.html or call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. Applicants should inform the Hotline operator that the question concerns the "Security Grants for Privately-Owned Water Utilities."
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Grants to eligible utilities.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
This program is non-competitive, and all eligible utilities that submit complete applications and satisfactory work plans as specified in the Request for Applications will be considered for grant awards as quickly as possible. Utilities that submit applications early in the process may receive grant awards more quickly.
