[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 51 (Thursday, March 16, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14281-14285]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-6505]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5173-2]
Office of Environmental Justice and the Office of Civil Rights
Solicitation Notice for Fiscal Year (FY) 1995; Environmental Justice
Community/University Partnership Grants Program
Purpose of Notice
The purpose of this notice is to solicit applications from eligible
candidates under the Environmental Justice Community/University
Partnership Grants Program of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Grants Program Overview
The grants program was established to help community groups to
efficiently address local environmental justice issues through active
partnerships with institutions of higher education, such as
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving
Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges (TC) and institutions of higher
education serving Asian-American (AA) and other minority or low-income
communities. Executive Orders 12876 (HBCUs) and Executive Order 12900
(Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans) are designed to futher
opportunities for HBCU participation in Federal programs and for
Hispanic American participation in Federal education programs. This
grants program will further the Agency's commitment, as expressed in
its March 14,1994 reaffirmation of EPA's 1984 Indian Policy, to develop
a stronger partnership with Tribal governments in protecting the
environment.
Under this program, EPA will emphasize meaningful, fully
interactive two-way cooperation between communities and HBCUs, HSIs,
TCs, and institutions of higher education serving Asian-Americans and
other minority or low-income communities, to address environmental
justice issues (e.g., waste sites that are polluting water bodies, or
pesticide contamination of farm workers), and to identify pollution
sources, train residents on their rights and responsibilities, and help
to resolve environmental problems. Partnerships must be established
with formal agreements (ie. Memorandum of Understanding) between a
University or College and at least one socio-economically disadvantaged
community which is adversely impacted by an environmental hazard.
Participation by these institutions and communities in government
programs is advanced by expanding community outreach, and providing
training, and education. These initiatives become the catalyst for
increasing environmental awareness and involvement in resolving
environmental problems such as exposure to environmental pollutants in
minority and low-income populations.
The main objective of the program is to link members of a
community, who are directly affected by adverse environmental
conditions with an academic institution's staff. This effort is
designed to ensure that both:
are aware of basic environmental regulations, laws,
concepts, issues, and resources;
understand their role in identifying and defining
problems, and monitoring contaminants related to environmental
exposures;
are included in the dialogue that results in shaping
future policies, guidances, and approaches to problem solving; and
are encouraged to be active partners in developing
responses and setting priorities for intervention and legal recourse.
[[Page 14282]]
Through these partnerships, communities will be encouraged to
become involved in accessing information from environmental databases,
in cleaning-up and restoring communities that have environmental
insults, and in surveying and monitoring environmental quality.
Number of Grants Proposed: A minimum of four grants will be awarded
for the fiscal year 1995.
Grant Award Amount: $300,000 to each award recipient contingent
upon the availability of funds. Work funded by this program is expected
to begin upon award of the grant. All grants under this notice are
expected to be awarded by September 1995.
Grant Term: The term of the grant is one year. However, the EPA
reserves the right to offer the grantee a renewal not to exceed one
additional year, provided that conditions within the Agency remain the
same and funds are available.
Eligibility
Participation is limited to institutions of higher education,
including Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic
Serving Institutions (HSIs), institutions of higher education serving
Asian-American (AA's) and other minority or low-income communities, and
Tribal Colleges (TCs) which have formal partnerships (i.e., a signed
agreement or Memorandum of Understanding) with any affected community
group which is eligible under applicable statutory authorities (for
example, community-based / grassroots organizations, churches, schools
or other non-profit community organizations) and Tribal governments.
The Environmental Justice Community/University Partnership Grants
Program may be either a single institution or consortium. If a
consortium is proposed, the lead institution must be identified and be
one of the eligible applicants. This lead institution is recognized as
the grantee and as such is responsible for all activities under the
agreement.
Statutory Authority(ies): the granting authority is multi-media and
the grant proposal must address two or more of the statutory
requirements.
Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3)
Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001(a)
Clean Air Act, Section 103(b)(3)
Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, Section 203
Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10(a)
Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442(b)(3)
Application Instructions--Applications will serve as the sole basis
for evaluation and recommendation for funding. This notice contains all
information and forms necessary to submit an application.
Application deadline: Applications must be received or postmarked
no later than midnight, May 17, 1995.
Applications must be mailed to: United States Environmental
Protection Agency, Grants Administration Division, Mail Code 3903F,
Environmental Justice Community/University, Partnership Grants, 401 M
Street S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460.
All Applications must be sent to the headquarters address.
Background
In its 1992 report, Environmental Equity: Reducing Risk for All
Communities, EPA found that people of color and low-income communities
experience higher than average exposure to toxic pollutants than the
general population. The Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) was
established in 1992 to help these communities identify and assess
pollution sources, implement environmental awareness and training
programs for affected residents and work with local stakeholders
(community-based organizations, academia, industry, local governments)
to devise strategies for environmental improvements.
In June of 1993, OEJ was delegated granting authority to solicit
projects, select suitable projects from among those proposed, supervise
such projects, evaluate the results of projects, and disseminate
information on the effectiveness of the projects, and feasibility of
the practices, methods, techniques and processes in environmental
justice areas.
General
The following questions and answers are designed to respond to
frequent concerns of applicants.
A. What Is the Purpose of the Environmental Justice Community/
University Partnership Grants Program?
The purpose of this grants program is to provide financial
assistance to institutions of higher education, including HBCU's,
HSI's, AA's and TC's, to establish or enhance environmental justice
outreach programs with community groups. The University/Colleges shall
support affected environmental justice community groups (community-
based/grassroots organizations, churches, schools, or other non-profit
community organizations) and tribal governments who engage in or plan
to carry out projects that address environmental justice issues. The
Universities/Colleges that focus on the design, methods, and techniques
to evaluate and solve environmental justice issues of concern to
affected communities will be given priority.
B. What Specific Requirements Exist for the Environmental Justice
Community/University Partnership Grants Program?
The Environmental Justice Community/University Partnership Grants
Program shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Design and demonstration of field methods, practices, and
techniques, including assessment and analysis of environmental justice
conditions and problems which may have a wide applicability and/or
addresses a high priority environmental justice issue (e.g.,
socioeconomic impact studies, natural resource clean-up efforts);
2. Research projects to understand, assess or address, regional and
local trends in environmental justice issues or problems (e.g.,
monitoring of socioeconomic changes in a community as a result of an
environmental abuse);
3. Demonstration or dissemination of environmental justice
information, including development of educational tools and materials
(e.g. establish an Environmental Justice Clearinghouse of successful
environmental justice projects and activities or teach about risk
reduction, pollution prevention, or ecosystem protection as potential
strategies for addressing environmental justice problems or issues);
4. Determine the necessary improvements in communication and
coordination among local, state and tribal environmental programs and
facilitate communication, information exchange, and community
partnerships among all stakeholders to enhance critical thinking,
problem solving, and decision making;
5. Provide technical expert consultation for accessing, analyzing,
and interpreting public environmental data (e.g., TRI, GIS, etc.);
6. Provide for a minimal ``hard science'' analysis capability (e.g.
analyze water and soil samples to test for basic pollutants, provide
radon testing kits); In addition, the following items must be
addressed;
7. Projects should involve new and innovative approaches and/or
significant new combinations of resources, both of which should be
identified in the partnership agreements; [[Page 14283]]
8. An applicant is required to include in the application a signed
agreement which describes the role of the prospective partner(s) in the
project and its implementation, and which includes a commitment or
intent to commit resources from the prospective partner(s) contingent
only upon receipt of funds. Where appropriate the University may
identify community residents as part of the partnership team and the
residents may be compensated for this effort; and
9. Applications should include partnerships between universities,
colleges, or tribal colleges which are providers of training and
programs for these communities. One of the goals of the partnerships
should be a developing shift of focus within these organizations from
maintenance to that of self-sufficiency;
C. What does Environmental Justice Involve Under the Environmental
Justice Community/University Partnership Grant?
Environmental justice involves the fair treatment of people of all
races, cultures, and income with respect to the development,
implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and
policies. It seeks to ensure that the communities, private industry,
local governments, states, tribes, federal government, grassroots
organizations, and individuals act responsibly and environmental
protection to all communities. Environmental justice efforts may
include, but are not necessarily limited to enhancing the gathering,
observing, measuring, classifying, experimenting and other data
gathering techniques that assist individuals in discussing, inferring,
predicting, and interpreting information about environmental justice
issues and concerns. Environmental justice projects or activities
should enhance critical thinking, problem solving, and effective
decision-making skills.
D. Who May Submit An Application?
Any institution of higher education, including Historically Black
College or University (HBCU), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI),
Tribal Colleges (TC), and institutions of higher education serving
Asian-American (AA) and other minority or low-income communities, may
submit an application upon publication of this solicitation. University
consortiums are eligible to apply.
Given the limited funding available for this grant program,
priority will be given to applicants with a demonstrated capacity to
develop partnerships with socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.
E. May An Individual Apply?
No. Only institutions of higher education may apply. The
professional qualifications or community-based experience of those
individuals participating in the proposed project will be an important
factor in the selection process.
Funding Priorities
F. What Types of Proposed Environmental Justice Community/University
Partnerships Will Have the Best Chance of Being Funded?
The Environmental Justice Community/University Partnerships must
meet the objectives and criteria spelled out in section B.
G. Are Matching Funds Required?
Yes. Federal funds for the Environmental Justice Community/
University Partnerships shall not exceed 95% of the total cost of the
project. EPA encourages non-Federal matching shares of greater than 5%.
The non-Federal share of costs may be provided in cash or by in-kind
contributions and other non-cash support. In-kind contributions often
include salaries or other verifiable costs. In the case of salaries,
applicants may use either minimum wage or fair market value. The
proposed match, including the value of in-kind contributions, is
subject to negotiation with EPA. All grants are subject to audit, so
the value of in- kind contributions must be carefully documented.
The matching (non-Federal) share is a percentage of the entire cost
of the project. For example, if the total project cost is approximately
$315,000 then the Federal portion can be no more than $300,000, which
is 95% of the total project cost. For this example, the grant recipient
would be required to provide $15,000 for the project. The amount of
non-Federal funds, including in-kind contributions, must be briefly
itemized in Block 15 of the application form (SF 424) included at the
end of this notice. Among other things, EPA funds cannot be used as
matching funds for other Federal grant match requirements, for
construction, or buying furniture.
Application Procedure
An ``Application for Federal Assistance'' form (Standard Form 424
or SF 424), a ``Budget Information: Non-Construction Programs'' form
(SF 424a), and a Work Plan (described below) must be submitted. These
documents contain all the information EPA needs to evaluate the merits
of your proposed grant proposal.
Each instrument approved under the environmental justice delegation
must be consistent with the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreements
Act of 1977, Public Law 95-224, as amended, 31 U.S.C. Section 6301;
Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 30,31,33,40,45 and
47, as appropriate; and existing media-specific regulations pertinent
to the statement of work.
H. How Must the Application Be Submitted and Specifically What Must the
Standard Form (SF) 424, Standard Form (SF) 424, and Work Plan Include?
The applicant must submit one original, signed by a person
authorized to receive funds for the applicant, and two copies of the
application (double-sided copies encouraged). Applications must be
reproducible (for example; stapled once in the upper left hand corner,
on white paper, and with page numbers).
As described above, an application contains an SF 424 and a work
plan. The following describes what an SF 424 and a work plan are and
what they must contain.
1. APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE (SF 424). An SF 424 is an
official form required for all Federal grants. A completed SF 424 must
be submitted as part of your preapplication. This form, along with
instructions are included at the end of this notice.
2. BUDGET INFORMATION: NON-CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMS (SF 424A). An SF-
424A is an official form required for all Federal grants. A completed
SF 424A must be submitted as part of your application. This form, along
with instructions are included at the end of this notice.
3. QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN. It is not necessary to prepare such a
plan in response to this solicitation.
4. NECESSARY SIGNED FORMS. Procurement Systems Certification,
Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility
Matters, Certification Regarding Lobbying. These forms are provided in
the grant package.
5. WORK PLAN. A work plan describes the applicant's proposed
project. Work plans must be no more than 15 pages total. One page is
one side of a single spaced typed page. The pages must be letter size
(8 \1/2\ x 11), with normal type size (19 or 12 cpi) and at least 1''
margins. The only appendices and letters of support that EPA will
accept are a budget, resumes of key personnel, and commitment letters,
and an agreement signed between one or [[Page 14284]] more community
organizations and the applicant university.
Work plans must be submitted in the format described below. The
percentages next to the items are the weights EPA will use to evaluate
the applicant's work plan. Please note that certain sections are given
greater weight than others.
(a.) A concise introduction of no more than 3 pages that states the
nature of the college or university, how the college or university has
been successful in the past, proposed uses, objectives, methods, plans,
target audiences, and expected results of the proposed project. (10%)
(b.) Clear and concise description of the project which describes
the following:
(1.) A section describing the field methods, practices, and
techniques, including assessment and analysis, which the partnership
expects to implement. (10%)
(2.) A section discussing how the partnerships will assess or
address national, regional and local environmental justice issues.
(10%)
(3.) A section describing how the partnerships will disseminate
environmental justice information, including educational tools and
materials. (10%)
(4.) A section describing how the partnerships will improve
communications and coordination among local, state, tribal and federal
environmental programs and how the partnership will enhance critical
thinking, problem solving and decision making among all stakeholders.
Specify effective and realistic methods for involving members of the
targeted population. (10%)
(5.) A section describing who or how the partnership will obtain
expert consultation to access, analyze and interpret public
environmental data. (10%)
(6.) A section describing the ``hard science'' analysis capability
of the University, college or organization. (10%)
(c.) A conclusion discussing how the applicant will evaluate the
success of the partnership, in terms of the anticipated strengths and
challenges in developing and administering the partnership. (10%)
(d.) An appendix with a budget describing how funds will be used in
terms of personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies,
contract costs, and other. Funds can not be used for construction. The
budget must list proposed milestones with deadlines and estimated cost
and completion dates. All costs must be consistent with the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) cost principles, such as A-87 and A-122.
(10)%
(e.) An appendix with one or two page resumes of up to five key
personnel. (5%)
(f.) An appendix with one page letters of commitment from
community-based organizations with a significant role in the developing
and administration of the partnership. Letters of endorsement will not
be considered. (5%)
I. When and Where Must Application Be Submitted?
An original plus two copies of the application must be mailed to
EPA postmarked no later than Monday, May 17, 1995. Applications must be
submitted to: United States Environmental Protection Agency, Grants
Administration Division, Mail Code 3903F, Environmental Justice
Community/University, Partnership Grants, 401 M Street SW., Washington,
D.C. 20460.
Review and Selection Process
J. How Will Applications be Reviewed?
EPA's Office of Environmental Justice will form a selections
committee comprised of EPA Headquarters and Regional environmental
justice personnel to evaluate proposals and make selections.
Applications will be screened to ensure they meet all eligible
activities described in Sections A through I. Reviewers will
specifically evaluate the degree to which the applications meet EPA's
objectives and criteria as discussed in section H.5(a-f). Applications
will be disqualified if they are incomplete or do not meet EPA's basic
criteria.
K. How Will the Final Selections Be Made?
After the applications are reviewed and ranked as described in
section J, EPA officials will compare the best applications and make
final selections. Factors EPA will take into account include:
geographic and socioeconomic balance, diversity, cost and if the
partnerships benefits can be sustained after the grant is completed.
L. How Will Applicants Be Notified?
After all applications are received, EPA will mail acknowledgements
to each applicant. Once applications have been recommended for funding,
EPA will notify those applicants selected and request any additional
information necessary to complete the award process. The EPA Office of
Environmental Justice will notify those applicants whose grant
applications were not selected for funding.
Post-Award
M. When Should the Proposed Partnership Begin Functioning?
Partnerships cannot operate or begin development on this specific
project before funds are awarded. Start dates are currently targeted
for September 1, 1995. It is EPA's intent to fund each center for one
year. Future funding will be dependent upon appropriations.
N. How Much Time Does Grant Recipient Have To Complete the Work
Proposed?
Activities must be completed within the time frame specified in the
grant award, usually one year from award date.
O. Who Will Develop and Manage the Partnerships?
EPA requires that partnerships be developed and managed by the
applicant or by persons satisfactory to the applicant and EPA. All
applications must identify any person other than the applicant for
approval by EPA.
P. What Reports Must Grant Recipients Complete?
Recipients of grants will be expected to report on quarterly
progress, as well as final project completion. All recipients must
submit final reports for EPA approval prior to the expiration of the
project period. Specific report requirements will be detailed in the
award agreement. EPA plans to collect, evaluate, and disseminate
grantees' final reports to serve as model programs. Since networking is
crucial to the success of the program, grantees may be asked to
transmit an extra copy to a central collect on point.
Q. What Is the Expected Time Frame for the Review and Awarding of the
Grants?
March 17, 1995--Request for Applications Notice (RFA) is published in
the Federal Register.
March 17, 1995-May 16, 1995--Eligible grant recipients develop their
proposals.
May 17, 1995--Proposals must be postmarked for or received by EPA
Office of Environmental Justice by this date.
May 17, 1995-July 15, 1995--EPA officials review and select grants.
July 15, 1995-September 1, 1995--EPA grants division processes grants
and makes awards. Applicants will be contacted by the grants office if
their proposal were selected for funding. Additional information may be
required from the selectees, as described in Section N above.
[[Page 14285]]
September 1, 1995--EPA anticipates the beginning of the Partnership
development on or around this date.
Fiscal Year 1996 and Future Year Grants
To Receive Information on the Fiscal Year 1996 Environmental
Justice Community/University Partnership Grants Program and Future Year
Grants, You must mail your request along with your name, organization,
address and phone number to: Office of Environmental Justice (3103),
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Justice Community/
University Partnership Grants 1996, 401 M Street S.W., Washington, DC
20460, FAX: (202) 260-0852.
Available Translations
A Spanish translation of this announcement is available upon
request. Please call the Office of Environmental Justice at 1-800-962-
6215 for a copy.
Hay traducciones disponibles en espanol. Si usted esta interesado
en obtener una traduccion de este anunclo en espanol, por favor llame a
la Officina de Justicia Ambiental conocida como ``Office of
Environmental Justice'', linea de emergencia (1-800-962-6215).
Dated: March 10, 1995.
Clarice E. Gaylord,
Director, Office of Environmental Justice.
[FR Doc. 95-6505 Filed 3-15-95; 8:45 am]
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