Surveys, Studies, Investigations, Training, Demonstrations, and Special Purpose Grants for Regional Geographic Initiatives

 

Regional Geographic Initiatives (RGI) is a unique funding source that supports Regional strategic priorities and environmental risks that are not addressed wholly or in part by existing national environmental programs. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2006: To support (Region 8 states only) surveys, studies, training, demonstrations, and/or investigations, and special purpose assistance associated with air quality, acid deposition, drinking water, water quality, hazardous waste, toxic substances, and pesticides; identify, develop, and demonstrate necessary pollution control techniques; to prevent, reduce, and eliminate pollution; to evaluate the economic and social consequences of alternative strategies and mechanisms for use by those in economic, social, governmental, and environmental management positions; to support training demonstrations or educational outreach that leads to effective outreach strategies to educate key/targeted audiences associated with specific public health and environmental risks; projects that addresses places, sectors, or innovative projects; and/or are based on a regional, state, tribal or other strategic plan; and/or addresses multi-media environmental issues; and/or demonstrate state, local or other stakeholder participation; and/or identify opportunities for leveraging other sources of funding. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2007: To support (Region 8 states only) surveys, studies, training, demonstrations, and/or investigations, and special purpose assistance associated with air quality, acid deposition, drinking water, water quality, hazardous waste, toxic substances, and pesticides; identify, develop, and demonstrate necessary pollution control techniques; to prevent, reduce, and eliminate pollution; to evaluate the economic and social consequences of alternative strategies and mechanisms for use by those in economic, social, governmental, and environmental management positions; to support training demonstrations or educational outreach that leads to effective outreach strategies to educate key/targeted audiences associated with specific public health and environmental risks; projects that addresses places, sectors, or innovative projects; and/or are based on a regional, state, tribal or other strategic plan; and/or address multi-media environmental issues; and/or demonstrate state, local or other stakeholder participation; and/or identify opportunities for leveraging other sources of funding.

Deleted 08/20/2009 (Archived.) 66.112 REGION 8, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements). This is a new CFDA Number; no awards were made under this number in FY 2005. There are current projects for FY 2006 and FY 2007. Expected applications: 115; expected awards: 10. Clean Water Act, Section 104; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20; Clean Air Act, Section 103; Solid Waste Act, Section 8001; Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442; Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10; Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, Section 203; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, Section 311; National Environmental Policy Act, Section 102(2)(F) for international awards. Assistance under this program is generally available to State agencies, territories, the District of Columbia, Indian Tribes, and possessions of the US. Assistance is also available to public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, and other public or private non profit institutions. Nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of other 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 generally not eligible for funding. See "Authorization" listed above. 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. Applicants need not be located within the boundaries of the EPA Region 8 office to be eligible to apply for funding but must propose a project that affects the States, Tribes, and Territories within Region 8. State agencies and local governments, US territories and possessions, Indian Tribes, universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, and other public and private nonprofit institutions. Documentation of nonprofit status may be required. Applicants may be requested to demonstrate they have appropriate background, academic training, experience in the field and necessary equipment to carry out projects. Applicants may be requested to provide curriculum vitae and relevant publications. If an applicant submits an unsolicited proposal it will be reviewed and evaluated in accordance with Agency policy and procedures. For more information regarding the procedures for submitting unsolicited proposals, applicants may contact the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts" or see Appendix IV of the Catalog. 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 as "Information Contacts" or see Appendix IV of the Catalog.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. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 and A-110 must be used for this program. EPA requires final applications to be made on Standard Form 424. Requests for application kits must be submitted through the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog. Additional information on the EPA grant package can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/how_to_apply.htm. Unsolicited applications must be submitted to the Grants Administration Division. Applicants are encouraged to submit copies of unsolicited proposals to the appropriate program office identified in Section 153 at the same time. For competitive awards, the competitive funding announcement will specify application procedures. Applicants may use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA." For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the announcement of the competitive funding opportunity. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements. For non-competitive awards, EPA will conduct an administrative evaluation to determine the adequacy of the application in relation to grant regulations and policies, and to a technical and program evaluation to determine the merit and relevance of the project. The Agency will then advise the applicant if funding is being considered. A final work plan will then be negotiated with the applicant. For competitive awards, deadlines will be specified 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 competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable. None. A standard grant application should be prepared and submitted as a new grant, which will be reviewed in the same manner as the original application and will compete for available funds. EPA can incrementally fund grants and cooperative agreements for investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, studies and special purpose assistance. Approval of subsequent funding increments is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the project to EPA's priorities, and availability of funds. None. Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' allowable direct costs incident to approved surveys, studies, investigations and special purpose assistance, plus allowable indirect costs, in accordance with established EPA policies and regulations. Funding awarded for research does not include research within the purview of EPA's Office of Research and Development. Funds awarded under Section 311(b)(3) of CERCLA must be used for projects relating to innovative or alternative treatment technologies that may be utilized in response actions to achieve more permanent protection of human health and welfare and the environment. Only submissions for project to be performed within the States, Tribes, and/or Territories of Region 8 will be considered. Projects that are national in scope are not eligible for funding under this CFDA. EPA includes reporting requirements for grants and cooperative agreements in the terms and conditions of the agreements. Agreements may require quarterly, interim, and final progress reports, and financial, equipment, and invention reports. Reporting requirements are also identified in EPA's grant regulations Part 30 and 31. 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. The record retention requirements of 40 CFR Part 30 (non-profits and institutions of higher education) or 40 CFR Part 31(governmental units) are applicable depending upon the identity of the recipient. Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries on accounting records which support substantial changes to the grant, available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipients' grants and cooperative agreement records. Recipient must maintain all records for a period of three (3) years from the date of submission of final expenditures reports. If questions, such as those raised as a result of audits remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is fully resolved. Not applicable. Grants and cooperative agreement are normally funded on a 12-month basis (annual) and will be paid electronically utilizing automated funds transfer. The total approved project period may not exceed 5 years for competitive awards. EPA encourages potential applicants to communicate with EPA, Region 8 located at 999 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 80202, Cynthia Gonzales, telephone (303)312-6569, fax (303)312-6339, and email gonzales.cynthia@epa.gov. Not Applicable. http://www.epa.gov/regional/rgi.htm 68-0108-0-1-304. Estimated funds available will vary based on regional allocation. Funds available for FY 05 not reported; FY 06 $376,740; and FY 07 $376,740. The average amount of the financial assistance awards is not provided because this is a new program. Investigations, experiments, training, demonstrations, surveys, studies and special purpose grants and cooperative agreements are subject to EPA's General grant Regulations (40 CFR Part 30 and 40 CFRP Part 31.) Not applicable.