Superfund State and Indian Tribe Combined Cooperative Agreements (Site-Specfic and Core)

 

To effectively implement the statutory requirements of CERCLA for state or tribal involvement and provide funds to conduct (1) site characterization activities at potential or confirmed hazardous waste sites; (2) undertake response planning at sites on the National Priorities List (NPL) and (3) CERCLA activities which are not assignable to specific sites that support a state or Indian tribe's Superfund program.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
66.961
Federal Agency/Office
Environmental Protection Agency
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2018 Site specific accomplishments include completed site assessments, non-time critical removal actions, remedial investigations, and feasibility studies; reviews of EPA decision documents; and enforcement actions against PRPs. Core accomplishments include program development, hiring and training of state response staff, and creation of procedures for emergency response actions.
Fiscal Year 2019 Site specific accomplishments include completed site assessments, non-time critical removal actions, remedial investigations, and feasibility studies; reviews of EPA decision documents; enforcement actions against PRPs. Core accomplishments include program development, hiring and training of state response staff, and creation of procedures for emergency response actions.
Fiscal Year 2020 Anticipated site specific accomplishments include completed site assessments, non-time critical removal actions, remedial investigations, and feasibility studies; reviews of proposed plans and records of decision; and enforcement actions against PRPs. Anticipated core accomplishments include program development, hiring and training of state response staff, and creation of procedures for emergency response actions.
Authorization
Comprehensive Enivornmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), as amended, Section 104 (d)(1) and 121 (f)
Public Law 96-510
Public Law 99-499
42 U.S.C. Chapter 103, Section 9604
Provides broad Federal authority to respond directly to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances that may endanger public health or the environment and provides for meaningful and substantial state and tribal involvement. A state or Indian tribe may apply to carry out actions authorized in this section
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
U.S. Territories and possessions, State and Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments are eligible to apply. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Not applicable.
Credentials/Documentation
Not applicable.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
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.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through https://www.grants.gov
Award Procedure
EPA Regional Superfund program offices review applications for cooperative agreements. Final approval of application and supporting documentation and offer of award is made by the EPA Regional Administrator unless re-delegated to the Regional Superfund Division Director.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
Approximately 90 days.
Appeals
Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable."
Renewals
Extensions are available but not guaranteed. Applications for additional funding need to include only the revised pages from EPA Standard Form 424.
How are proposals selected?
For Superfund Core Program funding, recipients must demonstrate a need for non-site specific funds to support activities. Removal actions require a planning period of six months or more. Other site-specific projects are examined and selected on a case -by-case basis based upon availability of funds, eligibility of activities and other criteria as determined by EPA.
How may assistance be used?
This assistance program allows site-specific, non-remedial action activities and non-site specific Core state or Indian tribal Superfund support to be combined within the same cooperative agreement. The site-specific activities may include (1) non-time critical removal actions; (2) site characterization activities such as preliminary assessments, site inspections, remedial investigations, feasibility studies, and remedial design activities at potential or confirmed hazardous waste sites; (3) support for CERCLA implementation activities; (4) identification of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs); (5) settlement negotiations; (6) enforcement actions against PRPs; and (7) oversight of PRP cleanups. Core program support ensures that states or Indian tribes can substantially participate in CERCLA response actions. Recipients negotiate with EPA Regions to receive funding for a variety of non-site specific activities that include: (1) procedures for emergency response actions and remediation of environmental and health risks; (2) provisions for satisfying all requirements and assurances; (3) development of legal authorities and enforcement support; (4) hiring and training staff; and (5) activities that support EPA/Recipient interaction.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: EPA includes reporting requirements for grants and cooperative agreements in the terms and conditions of the agreements.
Auditing
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.
Records
The record retention requirements of 2 CFR Part 200 and Part 35, Subpart O are applicable. Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes in grants, available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipients grants and cooperative agreements records. The recipient must maintain all records for ten years following submission of the final Financial Status Report unless otherwise directed by the EPA award official and must obtain written approval from the EPA award official before destroying any records. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, cost recovery, or other action involving the records has been started before the expiration of the ten-year period, the records must be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the end of the regular ten year.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is mandatory. As required by 40 CFR Part 35 Subpart O, State recipients of Core Program assistance must provide a 10 percent cost share of the total project cost on all awards. This match may be made from either direct, non-federal funds, non-reimbursed fund, or with in kind contributions. CERCLA credits earned at other Superfund sites cannot be used to meet the 10 percent match. This program has no statutory formula. The site-specific funds awarded as part of this cooperative agreement are NOT subject to cost share.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Contact your Regional Superfund program for more information on when to apply for assistance. Assistance is awarded as a lump sum or may be incrementally funded. Recipients with Regional approval may receive cooperative agreement awards for multi-year budget and project periods at the Region's discretion. Continued funding of tasks in subsequent years is based on an evaluation of demonstrated progress towards the goals in the Statement of Work. Lump sum or incremental.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
Ellyn Fine
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (Mail Code: 5202P)
Washington, DC 20460 USA
fine.ellyn@epa.gov
Phone: 703-603-8714
Website Address
https://www.epa.gov/superfund
Financial Information
Account Identification
68-8145-0-1-304
Obligations
(Cooperative Agreements) FY 18$4,000,000.00; FY 19 est $4,000,000.00; FY 20 est $4,000,000.00; - These are approximate numbers and should not be considered a guarantee of funding availability
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$5,000 to $791,000. Average $178,483.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
2 CRF 200 and 1500, 40 CFR 35 (Subpart O)
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2019 Site specific projects including non-time critical removal actions; site characterization; remedial investigations, feasibility studies, and remedial design activities to support CERCLA implementation; identification of and settlement agreements, enforcement actions against or oversight of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs). Non-site specific projects including program management and planning, legal and enforcement support hiring and training of state response staff, and procedures for emergency response actions

 



Federal Grants Resources