Water Security Training and Technical Assistance Grant Program (66.478)
Program
66.478 Water Security Training and Technical Assistance Grant Program
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF WATER, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Authorization
Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1433, as amended; The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, Title IV, Public Law 107-188; Department of Defense and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Recovery from and Response to Terrorist Attacks on the United States Act of 2002, Public Law 107-117.
Program Number
66.478
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
The objective of this grant program is to improve drinking water system security through the use of training and technical assistance. Funding Priority: EPA's funding priority is to provide grant assistance to eligible non-profit organizations involved in drinking water system security training and technical assistance.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Funded activities include: 1) obtaining training to gain competence and expertise in the process of developing or completing vulnerability assessments; 2) obtaining training to gain competence and expertise in the process of developing, amending, or updating emergency response plans; 3) obtaining training to gain competence and expertise in various security enhancements for drinking water facilities; and subsequently 4) providing competent training and technical assistance in the aforementioned areas to help states, tribes, and local authorities in their drinking water system security efforts.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Assistance under this program is available to non-profit organizations, both public and private, capable of providing training, technical support and/or assistance to drinking water systems. Note that 501(c)(4) non-profit organizations that lobby are not eligible.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Non-profit organizations, both public and private, capable of providing training, technical support and/or assistance to drinking water systems, and the water programs of state, tribal, or local agencies. Since the ultimate goal of the program is to increase the security of drinking water systems, the general public/anyone will stand to benefit from this program through safer and more secure drinking water.
Credentials/Documentation
No credentials or documentation are required. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-122 for non-profit organizations.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." This program also does not require an environmental impact statement or assessment.
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 Report," EPA 4700-4, and other required forms to complete the application process. Application kits should be requested from and submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Grants Administration Division, Mail Code 3903R, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington , DC 20460 or the appropriate EPA Regional Office identified in Appendix IV of the Catalog. Detailed information and assistance, including an application kit, required forms, and a check list, may also be found at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/AppKit/index.htm.
Award Procedure
Applications are reviewed at EPA Headquarters, where subsequent grant awards are made to successful applicants. This program is competitive and proposals are approved by EPA headquarters according to technical merit, relevance, ability of the applicant(s) to meet the objectives of the grant program, and availability of funds. Requests for Initial Proposal or Request for Applications will specify application procedures and will identify specific selection criteria.
Deadlines
EPA will consider all grant applications received on or before the due date stipulated in its Requests for Initial Proposal or Request for Applications.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Appeals are subject to the provisions described in 40 CFR Part 30.63.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula. This program has no matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Recipients who receive funding should be able to complete their project activities within the time period stipulated in EPA's Requests for Initial Proposal or Request for Applications, subject to the grant Terms and Conditions.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
A final financial status report is due at the end of the grant period. Terms/Conditions will be negotiated in the final grant award that will outline the procedures that grant recipients must follow to demonstrate to EPA that the project(s) performed under this grant program were satisfactorily completed.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-133 (revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non- Profit Organizations," non-federal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted in that year. Non-federal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
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 for 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 should be retained until the matter is completely resolved.
Program Accomplishments
In Fiscal Year 2003 $1,500,000 was divided among five (5) grant awards (approximately $300,000 each) to fund security training activities for eligible non-profit organizations that provide technical support or assistance to drinking water systems serving populations of fewer than 50,000 people. It is anticipated that $1,700,000 will also be granted in Fiscal Year 2003 among 1-6 eligible non-profit organizations to fund security training and technical assistance activities to aid states with their security efforts for drinking water systems serving populations between 50,000-100,000 people.
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-0107-1-1-301.
Obligations
FY 02 $0; FY 03 est $3,200,000; and FY 04 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
FY 2003 Grants range from approximately $300,000 to $1,700,000 per eligible non-profit organization. Approximate average currently awarded $300,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1433; "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-profit Organizations," 40 CFR Part 30.
Related Programs
CFDA Number 66.474, Water Protection Coordination Grants to the States.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
For general information only on the program, contact Andrew Bielanski at EPA; Water Protection Task Force, 4606M; 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.; Washington, DC 20460.Telephone: 202-564-3824; e-mail bielanski.andrew@epa.gov.
Web Site Address
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/security/
Examples of Funded Projects
Private non-profit organization obtains training for approximately 120 of its member to be security trainers who will assist state and local agencies with drinking water security. Private non-profit organization obtains training on the use of vulnerability assessment software and provides additional training for non-profit groups and state, tribal, and local agencies.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
This program is competitive and proposals are approved by EPA according to technical merit, relevance, ability of the applicant(s) to meet the objectives of the grant program, and availability of funds. Requests for Initial Proposals and Requests for Applications will identify specific selection criteria.
