[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 246 (Wednesday, December 23, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71117-71122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34047]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-6208-2]
Mobile Source Outreach Assistance Competition Fiscal Year 1999:
Solicitation Notice
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Today's Notice announces the availability of funding and
solicits proposals from state, local, multi-state and tribal air
pollution control agencies for mobile sources-related public education
and outreach projects. The funding will be allocated by EPA's Office of
Mobile Sources through the competitive process described in this
notice.
DATES: The deadline for submitting Final Proposals is Friday, February
19, 1999. To allow for efficient management of the competitive process,
OMS is requesting agencies to submit an informal Intent to Apply by
January 7, 1999. (Instructions for submitting final proposals and
Intents to Apply are found in Section X. below.)
ADDRESSES: This proposal can also be found on the Office of Mobile
Sources Web Page: ``www.epa.gov/oms/'' click on ``What's New.''
Addresses for submitting proposals can be found in Section X. below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Bullard, Director of Outreach
and Communication, USEPA Office of Mobile Sources, 401 M Street SW,
Washington, 20460 (mail code 6401). Telephone (202) 260-2614; Fax (202)
260-6011. Or email bullard.susan@epa.gov''
Contents by Section
I. Overview and Deadlines
II. Eligible Organizations
III. Funding Issues
IV. Program Emphasis
V. Selection Criteria
VI. Evaluation and Selection
VII. Proposals
VIII. Current OMS/Section 105 Funded Outreach Projects
IX. Other Items of Interest
X. How to Apply
XI. Program Contact
Deadline for informal Intent to Apply-January 7, 1999.
Deadline for Final Proposal--Friday, February 19, 1999.
This proposal can also be found on the Office of Mobile Sources Web
Page: ``www.epa.gov/oms/'' click on ``What's New?''
[[Page 71118]]
FY 99 MOBILE SOURCE OUTREACH ASSISTANCE AGREEMENTS
Request for Proposals
Section I. Overview and Deadlines
A. Overview: Over the past two years, OMS has entered into
agreements and established partnerships with a number of organizations
to (1) provide national support for community-based mobile source
public education efforts and, (2) encourage responsible choices for
organizational and individual actions through public education. Current
outreach projects funded through OMS (listed in Section VIII(U) below)
emphasize transportation choices; education of vehicle owners and
drivers of the future; car care and the role of the automotive
technician; and, related projects such as ozone mapping and small
engines. EPA's Office of Mobile Sources has set aside funds from the
State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) account to provide support to
community-based mobile source-related projects. This notice solicits
proposals for public education and outreach projects which directly
support state and local air management organizations in their efforts
to improve air quality from mobile sources. Proposals will be accepted
from state, local, tribal and multi-state air management agencies which
are identified as such under Section 302(b) of the Clean Air Act.
Interested persons can also obtain copies of this solicitation at
no charge by accessing ``What's New?'' on the OMS Website, ``http://
www.epa.gov/oms.''
B. What are the deadlines for this competition?
In order to efficiently manage the selection process, the Office of
Mobile Sources requests that an informal ``Intent to Apply'' be
submitted by January 7, 1999 (Please provide email address if
available). An ``Intent to Apply'' simply states in the form of e-mail,
phone, or fax that your organization intends to submit a proposal to be
received by the deadline. Including the name or subject of the project
would also be helpful. Submitting an Intent to Apply does not commit an
organization to submit a final proposal. Those not submitting an Intent
to Apply may still apply by the deadline.
The deadline for submitting completed final proposals (original and
six copies) is February 19, 1999. The Office of Mobile Sources expects
to complete the Evaluation/Selection process in early April, 1999.
Section II. Eligible Organizations
C. Who is eligible to submit proposals? According to funding
policies associated with the State and Tribal Assistance Grants
regulations (STAG funds), proposals can be accepted only from air
pollution control agencies as defined under Section 302(b) of the Clean
Air Act, (for projects to be undertaken will have replicability to
other communities nationally), as well as multi-state organizations
supporting Section 302(b) agencies. OMS has no discretion over this
requirement. Interested air management or related organizations which
are not air pollution control agencies as defined under Section 302(b)
of the Clean Air Act are encouraged to create partnerships with
eligible organizations.
In that situation, the eligible organization would be required to
submit the final proposal and serve as the funding recipient if
selected.
Section III. Funding Issues
D: What is the amount of available funding? Approximately $550K.
E. How will funds be allocated? The competition process will be
managed by OMS and selected cooperative agreements will be awarded by
EPA's Regional offices and funded through either Section 103 (for
multi-state organizations as defined by law only) or Section 105
authority (state and local air pollution control agencies.) OMS has no
discretion over this requirement.
F. How many agreements will be awarded? Approximately six
agreements will be awarded, none to exceed $100,000. The total dollar
amount of the final awards must be within available funding.
G. Are matching funds required? Possibly. Clean Air Act Section 105
mandates that eligible agencies provide matching funds of at least 40%.
Therefore, if an air pollution control agency submits a proposal for
which they do not already have sufficient matching funds, they must
include a statement in their proposal indicating that the match could
be met if their proposal is selected. Organizations unable to meet a
required match must be considered ineligible. (This requirement does
not apply to multi state organizations.) Organizations which are
unclear as to their matching status are recommended to contact their
EPA Regional Grant Coordinator.
H. Can funding be used to acquire services or fund partnerships?
Yes--subgrants and other procurement services are allowed. Because
the method used to fund subgrants is not a federal matter, procedures
governing your organization's procurement practices must be followed.
Please indicate any intent to enter into such agreements in the
proposal.
Section IV. Program Emphasis
I. Program Emphasis
--Voluntary Measures
--Commuter Choice initiatives
--Transportation choices
--Car care (testing, repair, maintenance)
--Environmental education for future drivers and consumers
--Other mobile source issues (including but not limited to: on-board
diagnostics, diesel, particulate matter, heavy duty engines; nonroad
engines; ozone mapping/forecasting, and alternative fuels)
Section V. Selection Criteria
J. Primary Criteria
--Addresses environmental goals of improved air quality from mobile
sources
--Presents a strong public health message
--Demonstrates national or regional applicability
--Provides for at least minimal replication for use by other
organizations in the budget
--Demonstrates effectiveness of delivery mechanism to reach targeted
audience
--Exhibits clearly-stated and appropriate levels of funding Includes
effective measurement/evaluation methods
--Reflects the potential for sustainability
K. Other Factors to be Considered
--Innovation in public awareness
--Effectiveness of collaborative activities and partnerships with other
stakeholders needed to effectively develop or implement the project
--Integration with existing programs
--Willingness to coordinate with other OMS-funded outreach activities
L. Presentation Criteria
--Completeness
--Action-oriented
--Clearly-stated objectives
--Reasonable time frames
Section VI. Evaluation and Selection
M. The Evaluation Team is chosen to address a full range of mobile
source and EPA program expertise. In addition, each EPA Regional office
is given the opportunity to review those proposals generated by
eligible organizations within that Region. The Evaluation Team will
base its evaluation on the criteria referenced in this Request for
[[Page 71119]]
Proposal. Completed evaluations will be referred to a Selection
Committee representing OMS senior managers and Regional representatives
who are responsible for further consideration and final selection. To
ensure equity and objectivity throughout the process, the OMS Program
Contact (listed below) and staff who facilitate the process and
participate in pre-application assistance, do not serve as members of
either the Evaluation Team or the Selection Committee.
Section VII. Proposals
N. What must be included in the proposal? Proposals should be
approximately 5-7 pages in length (please do not include binders) and
must include:
(1) A brief statement that candidate organization is defined as an
air pollution control agency under Section 302(b) of the Clean Air Act.
(2) A statement that any required match could be met.
(3) A concise statement of project background/objectives
highlighting relationship to improving air quality from mobile sources.
(4) A detailed project summary--description of specific actions to
be undertaken, including estimated time line for each task.
(5) Associated work products to be developed.
(6) Explanation of project benefits.
(7) Detailed explanation of how project outcomes will be designed
for replication in other communities.
(8) A detailed budget estimate (clearly explain how funds will be
used, including estimated cost for each task).
(9) Projected time frame for project from initiation through
completion.
(10) Project contact(s) (provide name, organization, phone, fax,
and e-mail where available).
O. Will 2-year proposals be considered? Yes. If a proposal with a
2-year project period is submitted, OMS requires that the budget and
cost estimate be designed to indicate what will be accomplished in each
of the first and second years.
P. May an eligible organization submit more than one proposal? An
organization may submit more than one proposal only if the proposals
are for different projects.
Q. May an eligible organization resubmit a proposal which was
previously submitted to the Mobile Source Outreach Assistance
Competition, but was not selected? Yes. The proposals received by OMS
in both 1997 and 1998 were generally of very high quality. Clearly, all
proposals of merit could not be selected due to finite resources
available.
R. May an eligible organization submit a proposal for this fiscal
year, even if it was awarded funding under this program in its first
year? Yes. Applicants awarded funding in last year's competition may
submit new proposals to fund a different project. This program is
designed to provide seed money to initiate new projects or advance
existing projects that are new in some way (e.g. new audiences, new
locations, new approaches.)
S. Does this funding expire at the end of FY 99? No. The statute
states that State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) for environmental
programs remain available until expended (``no-year money'').
T. Ineligible proposals. Proposals will be determined to be
ineligible if: (1) The candidate organization is not currently defined
as an air pollution control agency under Section 302(b) of the Clean
Air Act; (2) a required match cannot be met; (3) the proposal is
incomplete; or (4) the proposal is postmarked after the deadline.
Section VIII. Current OMS/Section 105 Funded Outreach Projects
U. The following offers a brief sketch of projects currently funded
through the Office of Mobile Sources, either with Section 105 funding
or OMS program funding.
Transportation Choices
``Reusable City''
Illinois EPA and the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry
Contact: Betsy Tracey, 217/782-0408
The project is designed to:
--enhance the air quality and mobile source component of ``Reusable
City''--a permanent environmental science exhibit at the Chicago Museum
of Science and Industry.
--Present basic science, describe health effects, explain citizen
role in contributing to mobile source emissions, explain ``calls to
action'' such as Ozone Action Days,'' foster critical problem-solving
and decision-making skills.
--Create ``real'' meteorological station measuring actual ambient
conditions outside the Museum, an interactive learning device (computer
with CD Rom) and supporting materials to illustrate the relationship
between meteorology and ozone. The user can become an ozone forecaster.
--Ribbon-cutting, June 24, 1998.
``Screen Seen''
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Ron Severance, 207/287-2437
The project includes:
--Full screen cinema commercials for captive audience of
moviegoers.
--20 minute rotation of 3 messages (visual images, trivia
questions--OBD, PM, heavy duty, health message).
--Posting of all slides on WWW; Maine will assist states in
adapting.
``Chattanooga Lifestyle Campaign: Improving Chattanooga's Air Quality
Through Voluntary Citizen Behavior Change of Transportation Choices''
Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Board
Contact: Angela Turner, 423/867-4321
Working with the Global Action Plan (GAP), the project goal will be
to enhance the mobile source component of Chattanooga's Household
EcoTeam Project. The project includes:
--4-month tracking of specific actions to reduce auto emissions
through transportation choices in 50 households.
--Peer support and handbook to support family involvement.
--Follow up research to determine sustainability of new
transportation practices.
--Two-part national technology transfer--invitational conference
for local, state and federal air quality managers after demonstration
period; broad-based outreach through presentations at meetings and
conferences.
``It All Adds Up To Cleaner Air'': Transportation/Air Quality Public
Information Initiative
Contacts:
Kathy Daniel (DOT/FHWA), 202/366-6276
Patrice Thornton (EPA/OMS), 734/214-4329
Abbe Marner (DOT/FTA), 202/366-0096
This DOT/EPA collaborative effort is:
--Community-based with support from federal agencies to increase
public awareness of impact of travel behavior on air quality, and
increase driving public's awareness of alternative modes of
transportation and importance of travel choices on traffic congestion
and air quality.
--Built on results from 3 pilot community sites--Dover, DE;
Milwaukee, WI; and San Francisco, CA.
--Designed to include coalition-building, environmental education
for youth, production of informational materials for public and media,
and evaluation of changes in public awareness and actions.
--Nationally available to as many as 12 Demonstration Communities
in 1999.
[[Page 71120]]
--TV spots being aired began Clean Air Week, '98.
--Initial meeting of national coalition stakeholders late summer
'98.
``Let Kid Lead: Youth VMT Initiative'' [Creating Community-Based
Solutions to Community-Defined Problems'']
Academy for Educational Development (AED)
Contacts: Bill Smith, 202/884-8750; Rick Bossi, 202/884-8898
The purpose of this youth-based program, which has entered into
partnership with Kansas City, Tampa and Boston as its pilot sites is
to:
--Create a replicable and sustainable program for involving youth
and families in reducing growth in vehicle miles traveled (VMT).
--Enable youth to communicate about travel choices, solve problems
and make sound travel decisions to minimize VMT.
--Share successful practices, lessons learned and tools developed
in the pilot sites with other communities.
--Serve as a blueprint for communities interested in including a
youth component in efforts to reduce growth of VMT.
``Public Outreach on Congestion Relief Pricing and Cash-Out Parking''
NY Department of Environmental Conservation/Tri-State Transportation
Campaign
Dave Shaw (NYDEC), 518/457-7231
Janine Bauer (Tri-State), 212/777-8181
The project will:.
--Research, produce and disseminate educational materials about
market based pricing mechanisms to reduce auto travel.
--Build on work with cash-out parking demo projects and Pricing
Project Implementation on I-287/Tappan Zee Corridor.
--Send clear public health message.
``Air World''--Interactive Information Kiosk
Ventura County Air Pollution Control Board
Contact: Barbara Page, 805/645-1415
This initiative will:
--Develop a stand-alone bilingual interactive information kiosk for
the public focusing on transportation-related air quality issues with
content which reflects national, state and local issues.
--Produce products including a prototype kiosk (providing other air
quality management agencies with 60-70% of actual programming needed to
produce a similar kiosk for their citizens--video, graphics, animation)
and an instructional handbook.
--Be delivered in early 1999.
Educating Future Drivers and Consumers
``Smog City: Interactive Air Pollution Simulation for Use on Air Agency
Internet Web Site''
Sacramento Air Quality Management District
Kerry Shearer, 916/386-6180
``Smog City'' will be:
--Designed for users to manipulate multiple on-screen controls with
their mouse to control variables within Smog City, and the simulation
will be able to respond to that input based information.
--Colorful, challenging, completely interactive, instantly
applicable in the classroom.
``Cleaner Cars Module: An Initiative to Encourage Responsible Car
Maintenance and Driving Habits Among Future Drivers''
Environmental Health Center (National Safety Council).
Contact: Nyki Brandon-Palermo, 202/974-2484
Networking and coordinating with other similar projects across the
country, this effort has:
--Developed a driver education curriculum module for new drivers
linking benefits of responsible maintenance to responsible driving for
use in 1500+ public and private driver education programs nationwide.
--Products including teacher plans, exercises, information wheel,
interactive CD ROM, overheads.
--Available now!
Driver Education Pilot
NESCAUM
Contact: Ginger Lawrence, 617/367-8540
This effort:
--Piloted the driver education curriculum module developed by the
Environmental Health Center (see above) in several cities in the
northeast.
``I.D.L.E. in Dade''
Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management
Contact: Kristin Buch, 305/372-6895
The program will:
--Educate new drivers on the air quality impacts of driving, use of
alternative fuels and transportation choices.
--Encourage responsible maintenance and driving practices.
--Teach critical-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making
skills through educational videos, informational handouts, creative
hands-on demonstrations and design contests.
``Easy Breathers''
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Sara Burr, 608/266-2621
The project will be designed to:
--As a national educational effort focusing on the science of
mobiles sources.
--Raise awareness and understanding high schools, technical and
community colleges and business communities.
--Be integrated/coordinated with Partners for Clean Air (involved
in pilot activities for transportation/air quality initiative) and EHC
driver education curriculum.
--Represent a multimedia approach (interactive CD, poster, research
materials, link to websites).
Teacher Workshops--NESEA Tour de Sol
Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA)
Contact: Nancy Hazard, 413/774-6051
Designed as a teacher training course, this project:
--Brought issues of transportation and the environment into middle
school classrooms along the route of the 1998 Tour de Sol.
--6 workshops delivered--May, 98.
Dealing with In-Use Emissions
``Workshop Series on OBDII''
Utah Department of Air Quality/Division of Air Quality
Bill Colbert (Utah DAQ), 801/536-4423
Joe Thomas (Weber State University), 801/536-4175
The national OBDII Trainer the Trainer Workshop Series will be:
--Designed to on 2 tracks to support state I/M regulators and
technical and communication staff (Technical Track and Public Awareness
Track).
``OBD Training Course for Technicians''
Service Technicians Society (STS)
Contact: 412/772-7166
STS is:
--Developing a training course on-board diagnostic systems for
technicians.
--Course delivered, 1998.
``Motivating Timely Repair of Vehicles not subject to I/M through
Remote Sensing, Public Outreach, and Repair Community Incentives''
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Nina DeConcini (Oregon DEQ), 503/229-6788
Ken Mays (Central Oregon Community College), 541/383-7753
This project will:
[[Page 71121]]
--Raise awareness of highly polluting vehicles and their impact on
public health.
--Motivate community actions to encourage repair of high emitting
vehicles NOT subject to I/M.
--Mobilize the repair industry to offer repair incentives for
vehicles identified as high emitters.
--Stimulate communities to use resources to promote and evaluate
effectiveness of the program.
``Car Care for Clean Air''
Contacts: Mia Zmud, Weber State University, Bill Colbert, Utah DAQ
801/536-4423
This pilot project is designed to:
--Raise public awareness of ways in which automotive service
affects air quality.
--Create coalitions to identify ways to improve vehicle maintenance
practices--elevating the number, skill sets, performance and image of
vehicle maintenance technicians.
--Encourage environmentally-sound transportation choices in
anticipation of 2002 Olympics and beyond.
``The Air Repair Communications Project''
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Contact: Kerry Cordray, 573-751-4817
A bi-state effort in partnership with the American Lung Association
of Eastern Missouri, the ``Air Repair Communications Project'' will:
--Focus on enhanced inspection and maintenance.
--Create replicable materials including media kits, psas, exhibits,
articles for newsletters, brochure to educate on enhanced I/M, theater
screen slides, video to be distributed through Blockbuster;
--Undertake activities including car care clinics, community
presentations, training and materials development for transportation
management associations, participation at commuter fairs, open houses
for public information exchange; make I/M program information available
through posting on the WWW and other outreach tools.
--Market research underway--tools production temporarily on hold.
Heavy Duty
``Heavy Duty Vehicle Emission Reduction Outreach Program''
San Joaquin Valley United Air Pollution Control District
Dave Mitchell/Janis Parker, 209/497-1075
This comprehensive marketing program will:
--Target owners/operators of heavy duty on-road and non-road
engines.
--Demonstrate operating advantages.
--Inform potential participants of all available local, state, and
federal incentives for using clean technology.
--Involve participation in annual Tulare Farm and Equipment Show
(display/product show and breakout session).
Small Engines
``Cash for Clippers''
Maryland Department of the Environment
Contact: Jessica Ritter, 410/631-3229
This program:
--Educated consumers about pollution prevention, ground-level
ozone, MDE's forecasting program, and the impact of lawn and garden
equipment.
--Offered rebates toward purchase of non-gasoline powered lawn
mowers.
--Developed economic incentives to prevent pollution, foster
creativity and innovation within the private and public sectors.
Projects in Support of NAAQS
``Air Pollution, Motor Vehicles and Public Health''
American Lung Association (ALA)
Contact: Katherine Pruitt, 202/785-3355
Mini-grants provided to 15 local lung associations (through ALA
competitive process) for public education efforts which address a wide
range of mobile source issues.
Projects were designed to:
--Send a strong public health message focused on children and
asthma designed to raise public awareness of air quality and the impact
of mobile sources.
--Be implemented in ozone season `98.
``Integrate the Televised Ozone Map with Mobile Source Outreach
Initiatives''
NESCAUM/MARAMA/OTC Collaboration
Contact: Ginger Lawrence, NESCAUM, 617/367-8540
This project:
--Expanded the scope of the animated ozone map to 14 states+
represented by NESCAUM, MARAMA and OTC.
--Encourages region-wide distribution and use of the map, conduct
public outreach to inform and motivate voluntary mobile source ozone
abatement actions, and development of outreach materials for
meteorologists and the public.
--Provides technical assistance to other regions of the country
interested in the benefits of ozone mapping and forecasting, through
creation of a web site and other outreach activities.
Ozone and Particulate Matter Outreach
STAPPA/ALAPCO
Contact: Gail Graves, 202/624-7864
STAPPA/ALAPCO is developing dynamic education and outreach
materials to help state and local air agencies communicate the ozone
and PM decisions and potential implications to elected officials, the
media and the public. The project:
--Produced and distributed an informational video on PM 2.5--
``Small Town Saves World'' to every state and local air agency. The
video is designed to educate important constituents including state and
local elected officials, civic and business groups and high school and
college students.
--Will develop a modular PM implementation tool kit providing a
variety of materials including communication tools to assist state and
local agencies in explaining how the new PMfine standard will be
implemented as well as potential implications
Section IX. Other Items of Interest
V. Is there other information I should have before applying? Yes.
--Submission of an Intent to Apply or a final proposal does not
guarantee funding.
--Only those organizations selected will be required to submit a
complete ``Application for Federal Assistance and Budget Information
(SF 424 and SF 424A) to the appropriate EPA Regional Office.''
Section X. How to Apply
W. How do I apply?
Intents to Apply may take the form of email, letter or phone call
to the Program Contact listed below. Please Submit Informal Intents To
Apply by January 7, 1999.
Completed proposals must be postmarked or received on or before
Friday, February 19, 1999 (original + 6--no binders please) and should
be sent via regular mail to: Susan Bullard, Director of Outreach and
Communication, US EPA Office of Mobile Sources, Mail Code 6401, 401 M
Street SW, Washington, DC 20460.
[Note: Proposals may be faxed, but must be followed by a hard copy
original and 6 copies.]
Proposals to be sent through express mail must be sent by Friday,
February 19, to the following address: Susan Bullard, Director of
Outreach and Communication, US EPA Office of
[[Page 71122]]
Mobile Sources, Room W737, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC. 20460,
(202) 260-2614, (202) 260-7645 (backup number for expressed proposals
only).
Deadline for Completed Final Proposals, Friday, February 19, 1999.
Section XI. OMS Program Contact
Susan Bullard, Director of Outreach and Communication, EPA Office
of Mobile Sources, 401 M Street SW (Mail Code 6401), Washington, DC
20460, (Phone) 202/260-2614 (Fax) 202/260-6011,
bullard.susan@epa.gov''
Dated: December 17, 1998.
Margo T. Oge,
Program Official.
[FR Doc. 98-34047 Filed 12-22-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U
