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| 66.518 STATE SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM |
| (SSEE) |
| FEDERAL AGENCY |
| OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION AND RESOURCES MANAGEMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY |
| AUTHORIZATION |
| Environmental Programs Assistance Act of 1984, Public Law 98-313, 42 U.S.C. 4368a. |
| OBJECTIVES |
| To use the talents of Americans 55 years of age or older to provide technical assistance to State environmental agencies for projects of pollution prevention, abatement, and control to achieve the Agency's goals of Clean Air; Clean and Safe Water; Land Preservation and Restoration; Healthy Communities and Ecosystems; and Compliance and Environmental Stewardship. Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2008: The Environmental Programs Assistance Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-313) authorized the Administrator of the EPA "to make grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements with private, nonprofit organizations designated by the Secretary of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965." These cooperative agreements are to utilize the talents of older Americans in temporary, full time or part time positions "providing technical assistance to Federal, State, and local environmental agencies for projects of pollution prevention, abatement, and control." "Technical assistance" may include any activity performed for the State in support of its projects ranging from inspections of large capacity cesspools, to support for a State Environmental staff office. This allows for coverage of all types of SEE program positions from professional to clerical. Annual funding priorities are established by EPA program officials and the participating state program office requiring SEE Program support. |
| TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
| Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements). |
| USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
| The SEE Act states that only nonprofit organizations which are designated by the Secretary of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act can participate. These cooperative agreements are to utilize the talents of older Americans in temporary full time or part time positions "providing technical assistance to Federal, State and local environmental agencies for projects of pollution prevention, abatement, and control." |
| Applicant Eligibility |
| Private, nonprofit organizations designated by the Secretary of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965. |
| Beneficiary Eligibility |
| State environmental agencies and individuals 55 years old or older. |
| Credentials/Documentation |
| The Environmental Programs Assistance Act of 1984 requires a certification by the Federal, State, or local agency that is to receive the SEE workers that the grant/cooperative agreement will not displace any Federal or State workers, prevent the rehiring of any laid-off Federal/State workers, or affect existing service contracts. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. |
| Preapplication Coordination |
| This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. |
| Application Procedure |
| Requests for application forms must be submitted to: Environmental Protection Agency, Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division, (3903R), Washington, DC 20460. Completed applications must be sent to the same address, and a copy of the completed application should also be sent to: Susan Street, Director SEE Program, Office of Human Resources, Customer Services Support Center (3605A), Washington, DC 20460. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. Basic steps of the application process are outlined in the applicaton package. |
| Award Procedure |
| Each application shall be subjected to administrative evaluation to determine adequacy of application in relation to assistance regulations and to program objectives. |
| Deadlines |
| None. |
| Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
| Not applicable. |
| Appeals |
| Disputes will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable. |
| Renewals |
| None. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| Not applicable. |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| Assistance covers a period of one to three years and is awarded in increments during that period. |
| Reports |
| Recipients must furnish quarterly reports on expenditures by cooperative agreement. |
| 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 Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal 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. Nonfederal 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 |
| Financial records, including all documents which support entries on accounting records and which substantiate changes to each assistance agreement, must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA assistance accounts. All records must be maintained until expiration of three years from the date of submission of the final financial status report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of an audit, related records should be retained until the matter is completely resolved. |
| Account Identification |
| 68-0108-0-1-304. |
| Obligations |
| (Grants) FY 07 $270,000; FY 08 $350,000; and FY 09 est. $58,000. |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| New awards and amendments: FY 2008 Range $35,000 - $672,000; Average $260,000. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| In Fiscal Year 2007, two cooperative agreements were continued. In Fiscal Year 2008, two cooperative agreements will continue to be administered. |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| Assistance Administration Manual, available from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161 on a subscription basis; 40 CFR Part 30, General Regulation for Assistance Programs; Office of Administration and Resources Management for the Management of the Senior Environmental Employment Program. |
| Regional or Local Office |
| Susan Street, Director SEE Program (3661A), Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Administration and Resources Management, Office of Human Resources, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington DC 20460. Telephone: (202) 564-0410 Fax: (202) 564-0735; E-mail: street.susan@epa.gov. |
| Headquarters Office |
| Susan Street, Director SEE Program (3661A), Environmental Protection Agency,Office of Administration and Resources Management, Office of Human Resources, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington DC 20460. Telephone: (202) 564-0410 Fax: (202) 564-0735; E-mail: street.susan@epa.gov. |
| Web Site Address |
| http://epa.gov/epahrist/see/brochure |
| RELATED PROGRAMS |
| CFDA Number: 66.508, Senior Environmental Employment Program, Nonprofits. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| Focus is on State level programs. Similar programs conducted at the Federal level provided to senior citizens to do national non-agricultural pesticide surveys, monitor for asbestos compliance in schools, provide review and monitoring support for the Import Car Program, monitor the anti-fuel switching program, conduct research, and general administrative and clerical tasks. |
| CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
| Proposals must demonstrate that the Organizations have the capability of operating nationwide; can manage the program within the prescribed administrative funding limits; and can provide a quality fringe benefit package to enrollees under the proposal (including health insurance). |
|
General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
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