Brownfields Training, Research, and Technical Assistance Grants and Cooperative Agreements

 

CERCLA 104(k)(7) provides EPA with authority for a financial assistance program of training, research, and technical assistance to individuals and organizations to facilitate the inventory of brownfields properties, assessments, cleanup of brownfields properties, community involvement, or site preparation. Brownfield sites are real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2019: Using a competitive grants process, EPA intends to select proposals and award cooperative agreements for training, research, and technical assistance related to brownfields. EPA also intends to incrementally fund projects with satisfactory project progress selected in previous 104(k)(7) training, research, and technical assistance competitions. The Agency gives preference to the twelve statutory ranking criteria, as applicable, found at CERCLA 104(k)(6)(C) when evaluating applications for research, training and technical assistance funding. In addition to the statutory criteria, EPA also evaluates applicants based on their ability to manage grants and other policy-based factors intended to promote effective stewardship of federal funds.No more than 15% of the funding appropriated for CERCLA 104(k) grants may be used to fund training, research, and technical assistance grants authorized by CERCLA 104(k)(7). For certain competitive funding opportunities, the Agency may limit eligibility to a particular subset of eligible applicants. The amount of financial assistance will vary. In FY19, EPA anticipates the following competitive funding opportunities: - solicit cooperative agreement proposals and select recipients for technical assistance, training and research for specific focus areas. Examples of focus areas include supporting environmental workforce development and job training grantees and prospective grantees. The total funding amount for the technical assistance portion is anticipated to be approximately $2 million over a five year project period. Based on their satisfactory progress, EPA intends to incrementally fund cooperative agreements that the Agency had awarded in previous years under assistance listing 66.814. In FY19, the total incremental funding to cooperative agreements awarded in previous years under CFDA 66.814 is expected to be over $2.2 million. In addition, the agency anticipates awarding approximately $200,000 for a new grant award under this assistance listing.

Active 66.814 Environmental Protection Agency B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 In FY16, EPA expects to award cooperative agreements to entities that will serve as regional TAB providers (one TAB provider designated for each region), for a total of $2.2 million this year. EPA also expects to incrementally fund six cooperative agreements made in previous years to continue specific technical assistance support to brownfields communities on a range of topics. Total incremental funding support is anticipated at $1.3 million. In FY16, EPA awarded cooperative agreements and incrementally funded entities that will serve as regional TAB providers (one TAB provider designated for each region plus one national TAB), for a total of $3.6 million. EPA also funded five cooperative agreements made in previous years to continue specific technical assistance support to brownfields communities on a range of topics. Total incremental funding support was anticipated at approximately $775,000.
Fiscal Year 2017 For FY 2017, EPA awarded up to $9.1 million in new and incremental funding for cooperative agreements awarded under this CDFA assistance listing. This included approximately $3.8 million for new awards made under the FY 2017 Brownfields Area-Wide Planning (BF AWP) Grant Program, approximately $2.9 million for incremental funding made under the FY 2017 Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Program and approximately $2.4 million in incremental funding for other Research, Training and Technical Assistance (k6) grants awarded in previous years.
Fiscal Year 2019 For accomplishments under this program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-technical-assistance-training-and-research. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Section 101(39) & 104(k)(7) Under CERCLA 104(k)(7), EPA may provide financial assistance to eligible entities and other nonprofit organizations. CERCLA 104(k)(1) defines eligible entities as: a general purpose unit of local government; a land clearance authority or other quasi-governmental entity that operates under the supervision and control of, or as an agent of, a general purpose unit of local government; a government entity created by a State legislature; a regional council or group of general purpose units of local government; a redevelopment agency that is chartered or otherwise sanctioned by a State; a State (note CERCLA 107(27) defines term "State" to include territories or possessions over which the United States has jurisdiction); an Indian Tribe other than in Alaska; an Alaska Native Regional Corporation, Alaska Native Village Corporation and the Metlakatla Indian Community, nonprofit organizations exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, Limited liability corporation in which all managing members are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or limited liability corporations whose sole members are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, Limited liability partnership in which all general partners are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or limited liability corporations whose sole members are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and qualified community development entities as defined in section 45D(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Other nonprofit organizations that do not have 501(c)(3) tax exempt status are also eligible for training, research, and technical assistance grants. For the purposes of the Brownfields Grant Program, the term "other nonprofit organization" consistent with 2 CFR 200.70 means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization that is operated mainly for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purpose in the public interest and is not organized primarily for profit; and uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operation of the organization. The term includes nonprofit institutions of higher education. However, nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible to apply. For profit organizations are not eligible to apply. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this CFDA description, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy. Cooperative agreement-funded activities will benefit the community members and local stakeholders who are proximate to brownfield sites (whether in an urban, suburban or rural setting) including local governments, non-profit organizations, quasi public nonprofits, residents, local business owners, community groups, universities and colleges, industry, other public and private institutions, individuals, states and tribes. EPA may request that applicants document their non-profit status. The Agency may also request that applicants demonstrate they have appropriate background, academic training, and experience in the field to carry out projects. EPA may ask applicants for research projects to provide curriculum vitae and relevant publications. Preapplication coordination is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Regarding pre-application/pre-proposal assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this program description, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application/pre-proposal assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement. For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed in the competitive announcement. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. This is a competitive grant program. Requests for Initial Proposals or Requests for Applications will specify application procedures. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through https://www.grants.gov. Additional information on applying for EPA grants can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/grants/how-apply-grants. EPA is required by statute to conduct this assistance program competitively. For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements. Specific information regarding deadlines is provided in the competitive announcement. Approximately 180 days. Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts." Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable. EPA may incrementally fund grants and cooperative agreements under this program. Approval of subsequent funding increments is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the project to EPA's priorities, and availability of funds. Incremental funding is subject to review and approval by the Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization, Office of Land and Emergency Management. The funded grants and cooperative agreements are not eligible for renewal. This is a competitive grant program. The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this assistance listing will be described in the competitive announcement. Funds awarded under Section 104(k)(7) of CERCLA must be used for training, research, and technical assistance to individuals and organizations, to facilitate the inventory of brownfields properties, site assessments, cleanup of brownfields properties, community involvement, or site preparation. Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' eligible and allowable direct costs incurred under an approved work plan plus allowable programmatic costs, in accordance with established EPA policies and regulations. Grant recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to adopt and enforce policies that ban text messaging while driving company-owned or -rented vehicles or government-owned vehicles, or while driving privately-owned vehicles when on official government business or when performing any work for or on behalf of the government. Grant recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to adopt and enforce policies that ban text messaging while driving company-owned or -rented vehicles or government-owned vehicles, or while driving privately-owned vehicles when on official government business or when performing any work for or on behalf of the government. Grant recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to conduct initiatives of the type described in section 3(a) of the Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging While Driving Executive Order that was signed on October 1, 2009. Performance Reports: Post-award baseline monitoring is required. 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. 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. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is voluntary. For training, research and technical assistance grants, EPA will not require that applicants include a match or cost share unless required by the terms of a competitive announcement. Even if EPA decides not to require matching funds, a statutory factor in ranking applications under Section 104(k)(7) is the extent to which EPA financial assistance will stimulate the availability of other funds for environmental assessment or remediation, and subsequent reuse of Brownfields sites. Applicants may be encouraged to provide information regarding resources (cash/in-kind services) that they, or a project partner, would commit to efforts receiving EPA financial assistance.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. EPA generally funds grants and cooperative agreements incrementally on a 12 month basis. However, EPA may fully fund any cooperative agreement at the time of award. EPA will negotiate the project period with each applicant based on project requirements. The project period can range anywhere from two to five years. The anticipated period of performance for the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) cooperative agreements is five years. The anticipated period of performance for other technical assistance, research or training grants is usually up to five years, but may be fewer than five years, or up to seven years, depending on the specific terms of the cooperative agreement. EPA generally funds the research, training, and technical assistance grants and cooperative agreements incrementally on a 12-month basis. However, EPA can negotiate the assistance award with each applicant based on satisfactory performance and project requirements. None/Not specified. Rachel Lentz
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization, Office of Land and Emergency Management, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (Mail Code: 5105T)
Washington, DC 20460 US
Lentz.rachel@epa.gov
Phone: 202-566-2745
Fax: 202-566-1476 https://www.epa.gov/brownfields 68-0103-0-1-304 (Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 18$5,000,000.00; FY 19 est $1,400,000.00; FY 20 Estimate Not Available FY 17$8,500,000.00; FY 16$4,400,000.00; - Historically, the Brownfields Training, Research, and Technical Assistance cooperative agreements have ranged anywhere from $200,000,000 to $2,000,000 over the entire cooperative agreement, depending on the specific focus area of solicitation and the project period of the award (typical project period is 5 years) New awards made for other research, training and technical assistance grants usually range between $200,000 and $2 million and usually incrementally funded over the project period if the award is above $200,000. Brownfields training, research, and technical assistance grants are subject to EPA's General Grant Regulations 2CFR 200 and 1500. Costs will be determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200 Subpart E. EPA will provide applicants with guidance on statutory prohibitions on the use of grant and cooperative agreement funds in Requests for Proposals, Requests for Applications, or by other means. EPA will provide assistance regarding clarification of the grant proposal guidelines. Potential applicants may submit written requests to EPA/OBLR for clarification. Significant clarifications to the guidelines will be posted on the brownfields website https://www.epa.gov/brownfields. This is the only form of pre-application assistance available. EPA will not meet with applicants to discuss draft proposals or provide informal comments on proposals. Fiscal Year 2016 EPA expects to award cooperative agreements for regional Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) providers. TAB providers will be available to brownfields communities to assist them with understanding how to address brownfield sites and advance local efforts around brownfields assessment, cleanup and reuse. EPA expects to provide incremental funding to previously awarded cooperative agreement recipients if they make satisfactory progress. These EPA funds will be used for research, training and technical assistance projects related to technical assistance to environmental workforce development and job training (EWDJT) grantees; technical assistance on the integration of environmental justice and equitable development for brownfields-impacted communities; research on the benefits of brownfields redevelopment; technical assistance on brownfields financing and economic development strategies to brownfields-impacted communities; organize a national brownfields conference in 2017; state support on brownfields issues and tribal support on brownfields issues. EPA expects to award cooperative agreements for regional Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) providers. TAB providers will be available to brownfields communities to assist them with understanding how to address brownfield sites and advance local efforts around brownfields assessment, cleanup and reuse. EPA expects to provide incremental funding to previously awarded cooperative agreement recipients if they make satisfactory progress. These EPA funds will be used for research, training and technical assistance projects related to technical assistance to environmental workforce development and job training (EWDJT) grantees; technical assistance on the integration of environmental justice and equitable development for brownfields-impacted communities; research on the benefits of brownfields redevelopment; technical assistance on brownfields financing and economic development strategies to brownfields-impacted communities; organize a national brownfields conference in 2017; state support on brownfields issues and tribal support on brownfields issues.
Fiscal Year 2017 EPA continues to incrementally fund cooperative agreements for regional Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) providers. TAB providers will be available to brownfields communities to assist them with understanding how to address brownfield sites and advance local efforts around brownfields assessment, cleanup and reuse. EPA incrementally funded six other previously awarded cooperative agreement recipients making satisfactory progress. These EPA funds are used for research, training and technical assistance projects related to technical assistance to environmental workforce development and job training (EWDJT) on the integration of environmental justice and equitable development for brownfields-impacted communities; research on the benefits of brownfields redevelopment; technical assistance on brownfields financing and economic development strategies to brownfields-impacted communities; state support on brownfields issues and tribal support on brownfields issues.
Fiscal Year 2018 EPA continues to incrementally fund cooperative agreements for regional Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) providers. TAB providers will be available to brownfields communities to assist them with understanding how to address brownfield sites and advance local efforts around brownfields assessment, cleanup and reuse. EPA incrementally funded six other previously awarded cooperative agreement recipients making satisfactory progress. These EPA funds are used for research, training and technical assistance projects related to technical assistance to environmental workforce development and job training (EWDJT) on the integration of environmental justice and equitable development for brownfields-impacted communities; research on the benefits of brownfields redevelopment; technical assistance on brownfields financing and economic development strategies to brownfields-impacted communities; state support on brownfields issues and tribal support on brownfields issues.