Letter to Applicant

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for expressing interest in the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assistance program. It is EPA policy (Order 5700.5) to promote competition in the award of assistance agreements to the maximum extent practicable. EPA Order 5700.5 establishes the EPA policy for competition in the award of EPA Assistance Agreements. Please visit the internet at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/egov/ or http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/competition.htm for more information on EPA's Grant Competition Policy.

An application kit for submitting a request for Federal Assistance to the EPA is attached. Additionally, we are providing you with all of the required forms and guidance documents to help you review your administrative systems to assure that they meet the minimum standards as outlined in the appropriate EPA Regulations and Office of Management and Budget, Guidance Circulars. These are the rules that govern Federal assistance. We have also included instructions that outline how to obtain a Dun and Bradstreet number (DUNS) which is now required on all SF-424 Applications for Federal Assistance.

Please consider whether your proposal is for acquisition or assistance. The Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977 require Federal agencies to use a contract to acquire property or services that directly benefit the Federal government. A grant or cooperative agreement must be used to transfer money, property, services, or anything else of value that supports or stimulates an activity to accomplish a public purpose of assistance authorized by Federal statute. The SF-424 is only used for submitting proposals for Federal assistance.

The direct beneficiary is the determining factor as to whether a proposal is for acquisition or assistance. If the direct beneficiary is a state or local government or other recipient, and the purpose of the support or stimulation is authorized by Federal statute, a grant or cooperative agreement is the proper legal instrument to use. If the direct beneficiary is EPA, a contract is the appropriate legal instrument to use, and an SF-424 is not appropriate.
Please complete all application procedures as instructed in this kit.

For reference and descriptions of EPA rules and regulations, please visit the World Wide Web at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/regulations.htm. Please direct questions about completing your application, or general inquiries about EPA's assistance program, to the Grants and Interagency Agreement Management Division at (202) 564-5315.

Sincerely,

Richard Kuhlman, Director
Grants and Interagency Agreement Management Division

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