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66.716 RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, MONITORING, PUBLIC EDUCATION, TRAINING, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND STUDIES

FEDERAL AGENCY
OFFICE OF PREVENTION, PESTICIDES AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

AUTHORIZATION
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), Section 20; Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10, as supplemented by Public Law No. 106-74; Public Law No. 105-174, which granted EPA permanent authority to use STAG funds to award grants (other than PPGs) to entities eligible to receive grants under the Agency's organic statutes; and NEPA Section 102(2)(F).

OBJECTIVES
Grants are awarded to support Research, Development, Monitoring, Public Education, Training, Demonstrations, and Studies assistance relating to the protection of public health and the environment from pesticides and potential risk from toxic chemicals. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2008: Topics include, but are not limited to, promotion of pollution prevention and the public's right to know about chemical risks, evaluation of pesticides and chemicals to safeguard all Americans, including children and other vulnerable members of the population, as well as, our most threatened species and ecosystems from environmental harm and emerging issues like biotechnology, endocrine disruptors and lead poisoning prevention. Projects for toxic chemical risk reduction include existing chemical data development and dissemination; risk assessment, peer consultation, and data utilization, training in use of EPA chemical risk screening tool; promotion and training in development use of safer chemicals, processes and technologies; reduction in use of toxic chemicals; targeted education and outreach aimed at reducing childhood lead poisoning. OPP: projects for safer use of pesticides, including worker protection, certification and training of pesticide applicators, protection of endangered species, tribal pesticide programs, integrated pest management; environmental stewardship, Pesticide Registration Renewal Act (PRIA 2) Partnership grants; and Pesticide Regulatory Education Program (PREP). Types of activities: developed and implemented programs to reduce pesticide risks; developed pesticide drift mitigation education program; analysis and development of pilot pesticide safety programs and materials; Water Quality and Pesticide Management Planning for Federal Recognized Tribes; Tribal Pesticide Program Council (TPPC); national Train-the-Trainer program to educate farmworkers on how to reduce risks from pesticides; develop and distribute innovative materials for integrating the National pesticide Competency for Medical & Nursing Education into curricular of medical and nursing programs; continue the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC); and continue the National Pesticide Medical Monitoring Program (NPMMP) - provide clinical toxicology information and laboratory service; PRIA partnership grants; and PREP education program for states and tribes.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE
Project Grants.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS
Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' allowable direct costs incident to approved scopes of work 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.

Applicant Eligibility
Assistance under this program is generally available to States, U.S. territories or possession, federally recognized Indian tribal governments and Native American Organizations, public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, other public or private nonprofit institutions, local governments, and individuals and international entities. For profit organizations are not eligible. Non-profit 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. EPA may also limit eligibility for certain competitive funding opportunities under this CFDA to a subset of eligible applicants and/or to tribes, Alaska native villages, and intertribal consortia located in the Region where a project is going to be performed. For Tribal funding opportunities to be funded with the State and Tribal Grant (STAG) appropriation, eligibility will be limited to Tribes, Alaska native villages, and intertribal consortia to support the Office of Pesticide Programs Tribal Program. 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. Also, for certain competitive opportunities offices may limit eligibility to tribes in a region.

Beneficiary Eligibility
State and local governments, U.S. territories and possessions, federally recognized Indian tribal governments and Native American Organizations, universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, other public and private nonprofit institutions, general public, and other Non-Governmental Organizations.

Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87, 2 CFR Part 225 for State and local governments and Indian Tribes, OMB Circular No. A-21, 2 CFR Part 220 for educational institutions, and OMB Circular No. A-122, 2 CFR Part 230 for nonprofit institutions. Applicants may be requested to demonstrate that they have appropriate background, academic training, experience in the field, and necessary equipment to carry out projects. EPA may ask applicants or principle investigators to provide curriculum vitae and relevant publications. Non-profits required to demonstrate nonprofit status.

Preapplication Coordination
EPA awards grants and cooperative agreements supporting research, development, monitoring, public education, training, demonstrations, and studies based on competitive applications submitted in response to EPA solicitations, considering relevance and likelihood of success of proposed projects. When making competitive awards, EPA will specify the nature of the pre-application assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the Requests for Initial Proposals or Requests for Applications. For this reason, we recommend that potential applicants discuss proposed projects with or submit pre-applications to staff in the appropriate EPA technical program offices. 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. 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.

Application Procedure
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. Application kits should be requested from and submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division, 3903R, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N. W., Washington, DC 20460 or the appropriate EPA Regional Office identified in Appendix IV of the Catalog. Detailed information and assistance, including and application kit, required forms, and a check list may also be found at: http//www.epa..gov/ogd/AppKit/. For competitive awards, Requests for Initial Proposals or Requests for Applications will specify application procedures. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA.

Award Procedure
For non-competitive awards, EPA will conduct an administrative evaluation to determine the adequacy of the application in relation to grant regulations and to 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, 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.

Deadlines
For competitive awards, deadlines will be specified in Request for Applications or Request for Initial Proposals. Contact your HQ or Regional Office for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 180 days.

Appeals
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 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable.

Renewals
None. Generally, EPA incrementally funds grants and cooperative agreements for research, development, monitoring, public education, training, demonstrations and studies. Approval of subsequent funding increments is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the project to EPA's priorities, and availability of funds, and the Agency policy on the competitive grant process.

Formula and Matching Requirements
Not Applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
EPA normally funds grants and cooperative agreements on a 12-month basis. However, EPA can negotiate the project period with each applicant based on project requirements. Funds are released by a letter of credit.

Reports
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 the Grant Regulations, 40 CFR Parts 30 and Part 31.

Audits
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.

Records
The record retention requirements of 40 CFR Parts 30 and 31 are applicable depending upon the identity of the recipient. 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. All records must be maintained until expiration of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. 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 completely resolved.

Account Identification
68-0108-0-1-304 - EPM; 68-0103-2-1-304 - STAG; 68-X-5374-000-0 - PRIA; 68-X-4310-000-0 - FIFRA Fees

Obligations
OPP - FY 07 $3,817,100; FY 08 est. $5,249,300; and FY 09 est. $5,249,300 OPP's obligations for each FY includes, Regional Tribal STAG funds. OPPT - FY 07 $1,021,727; FY 08 $300,000; FY 09 est. $300,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$1,000 to $1,500,000. Average: $500,000.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) made 6 awards in 2007 and 11 awards in 2008 to conduct projects to protect human health and the environment. The Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) made one award in FY 2007 and six awards in FY2008 for P2 information network, Pollution Prevention roundtable, mercury in hospital and lead-based paint programs.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE
Research, development, monitoring, public education, training, demonstrations and studies grants and cooperative agreements are subject to EPA's General Grant Regulations (40 CFR Part 30 and 40 CFR Part 31). Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments and Indian Tribes, OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions and OMB Circular No. A-122 for non-profit institutions.

Regional or Local Office
EPA encourages potential applicants to communicate with the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog, and the Headquarters program contacts listed below.

Headquarters Office
For information on grant applications and procedures, contact: Environmental Protection Agency, Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division, 3903R, Washington, DC 20460. For program information contact: Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances Immediate Office Lenee' Morina-Dickerson (202) 564-5304, morina.lenee@epa.gov, Fax: (202) 564-0550; Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics - Sharon Clark (202) 564- 3810, clark.sharon@epa.gov, Fax: (202) 564-0575, Darlene Williams (202) 564-7031, williams.darlene@epa.gov, Fax: (202) 564-8251; Office of Pesticide Programs -Cathy Stewart (703) 305-7711, Stewart.Cathy@EPA.gov, Fax: (702) 305-5512; and Office of Science Coordination Policy - Inza Graves (202) 564-8430, Graves.Inza@EPA.gov, Fax: (202) 564-8452.

Web Site Address
http://www.epa.gov/oppts.html

RELATED PROGRAMS
66.034, Survey, Studies, Investigations, Demonstrations and Special Purpose Activities relating to the Clean Air Act; 66.424 , Surveys, Studies, Investigations, Demonstrations and Special Purpose - Section 1442 of the Safe Drinking Water Act; 66.436, Surveys, Studies, and Investigation Grants and Cooperative Agreements - Section 104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act; 66.510, Surveys, Studies, Investigations and Special Purpose Grants within the Office of Research and Development; 66.610, Surveys, Studies, Investigations, and Special Purpose Grants within the Office of the Administrator.

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS
The Office of Pesticide Programs funded the following projects: developed and implemented programs to reduce pesticide risks; developed an education/outreach program targetd at aerial applicators to reduce pesticide drift incidents; commercialization of pesticides reducing biotechnologies; analysis and development of pilot pesticide safety programs and materials; Developed an integrative modeling framework for use in assessing the benefits and costs of pesticide use; Water Quality and Pesticide Management Planning for Federally Recognized Tribes; Formed a council that works to strengthen tribal pesticide programs; Provide a toll-free number that serves the US, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands seeking impartial information about pesticides; Provide clinical toxicology information and laboratory services regarding pesticides; Pesticide Regulatory Education Program (PREP) Education Program for States and Tribes; and Pesticide Registration Renewal Act (PRIA 2) Partnership Grants. The Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics funded the following: Increased scientific and technical support for Children's Environmental Health Network; researched and developed methods of microbial identification; education materials development and outreach for green engineering in chemical curriculum; development of computational methods for visualization of taxonomic relationships; and public outreach and education for green chemistry and the evaluation of chemicals to safeguard vulnerable populations.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS
The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement.


General Services Administration
Office of Chief Acquisition Officer
Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR)