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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Brownfields Training, Research, and Technical Assistance Grants and Cooperative Agreements

Brownfields 104k6 Grants

Number: 66.814

Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Office: Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response

Program Information

Program Number/Title (010):

Popular Name (020):

Federal Agency (030):

Authorization (040):

Objectives (050):

CERCLA 104(k)(6) provides EPA with authority for a program of training, research, and technical assistance to individuals and organizations to facilitate the inventory of brownfields properties, assessments, cleanup of brownfields properties, community involvement, or site preparation. Brownfield sites are real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.

Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2015: Using a competitive grants process, EPA intends to select proposals and award cooperative agreements for training, research, and technical assistance related to brownfields. EPA also intends to incrementally fund projects with satisfactory project progress selected in previous 104(k)(6) training, research, and technical assistance competitions.

The Agency gives preference to the ten statutory ranking criteria, as applicable, found at CERCLA 104(k)(5)(C) (see [180] CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS, below) when evaluating applications for research, training and technical assistance funding. In addition to the statutory criteria, EPA also evaluates applicants based on their ability to manage grants and other policy-based factors intended to promote effective stewardship of federal funds. Up to 25% of the funding for CERCLA 104(k) may be used for characterization, assessment, and remediation of brownfields sites contaminated by petroleum or petroleum products. No more than 15% of the funding appropriated for CERCLA 104(k) grants may be used to fund training, research, and technical assistance grants authorized by CERCLA 104(k)(6). For certain competitive funding opportunities, the Agency may limit eligibility to a particular subset of eligible applicants. The amount of financial assistance will vary.

EPA expects to select and award cooperative agreement awards for the Brownfields Area-Wide Planning (BF AWP) program. Under this funding opportunity, EPA anticipates awarding approximately 20 cooperative agreements to facilitate community involvement and conduct the necessary research, training and technical assistance activities that will help the cooperative agreement recipients develop area-wide plans and implementation strategies to facilitate brownfields assessment, cleanup and subsequent reuse. The total funding amount for the BF AWP program is anticipated to be approximately $4 million, or up to $200,000 per grant award.

Based on their satisfactory progress, EPA intends to incrementally fund cooperative agreements that the Agency had awarded in previous years under CFDA 66.814. In FY15, the total incremental funding to cooperative agreements awarded in previous years under CFDA 66.814 is expected to be approximately $1 million.

Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2016: Using a competitive grants process, EPA intends to select proposals and award cooperative agreements for training, research, and technical assistance related to brownfields. EPA also intends to incrementally fund projects with satisfactory project progress selected in previous 104(k)(6) training, research, and technical assistance competitions.

The Agency gives preference to the ten statutory ranking criteria, as applicable, found at CERCLA 104(k)(5)(C) (see [180] CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS, below) when evaluating applications for research, training and technical assistance funding. In addition to the statutory criteria, EPA also evaluates applicants based on their ability to manage grants and other policy-based factors intended to promote effective stewardship of federal funds. Up to 25% of the funding for CERCLA 104(k) may be used for characterization, assessment, and remediation of brownfields sites contaminated by petroleum or petroleum products. No more than 15% of the funding appropriated for CERCLA 104(k) grants may be used to fund training, research, and technical assistance grants authorized by CERCLA 104(k)(6). For certain competitive funding opportunities, the Agency may limit eligibility to a particular subset of eligible applicants. The amount of financial assistance will vary.

In FY16, EPA anticipates the following competitive funding opportunities:

- solicit proposals and select cooperative agreement recipients for the Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities (TAB) Program. Under this funding opportunity, cooperative agreement recipients provide technical assistance related to a variety of brownfields issues to communities within their regional service area. Total funding for this program is estimated to be approximately $11 million. Each award will be incrementally funded over the project period (up to five years for each cooperative agreement).

- solicit cooperative agreement proposals for the Brownfields Area-Wide Planning (BF AWP) program. The funds will help each grant recipient conduct community involvement and other research and technical assistance activities needed to develop area-wide plans and implementation strategies, which are used to facilitate brownfields assessment, cleanup and subsequent reuse. The total funding amount for the BF AWP program is anticipated to be approximately $5 million. While the funding opportunity will be solicited in FY16, cooperative agreements will be awarded with FY17 funds; consequently, this funding opportunity is titled the "FY17 Brownfields Area-Wide Planning Grant."

- solicit cooperative agreement proposals for a tribal-focused technical assistance cooperative agreement. Under this funding opportunity, the recipient(s) will provide direct technical assistance to tribes to help them address local brownfield issues. Total funding is estimated to be up to $2 million, funded incrementally over a project period up to five years.

Based on their satisfactory progress, in FY16 EPA also intends to incrementally fund cooperative agreements that the Agency already awarded in previous years under CFDA 66.814. The total incremental funding to cooperative agreements awarded in previous years under CFDA 66.814 is expected to be approximately $1.2 million.

Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2017: Using a competitive grants process, EPA intends to select proposals and award cooperative agreements for training, research, and technical assistance related to brownfields. EPA also intends to incrementally fund projects with satisfactory project progress selected in previous 104(k)(6) training, research, and technical assistance competitions.

The Agency gives preference to the ten statutory ranking criteria, as applicable, found at CERCLA 104(k)(5)(C) (see [180] CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS, below) when evaluating applications for research, training and technical assistance funding. In addition to the statutory criteria, EPA also evaluates applicants based on their ability to manage grants and other policy-based factors intended to promote effective stewardship of federal funds. By statute, 25% of the funding for CERCLA 104(k) must be used for characterization, assessment, and remediation of brownfields sites contaminated by petroleum or petroleum products. No more than 15% of the funding appropriated for CERCLA 104(k) grants may be used to fund training, research, and technical assistance grants authorized by CERCLA 104(k)(6).

For certain competitive funding opportunities, the Agency may limit eligibility to a particular subset of eligible applicants. The amount of financial assistance will vary.

In FY17, EPA anticipates the following competitive funding opportunities:

- select recipients for the Brownfields Area-Wide Planning (BF AWP) Grant Program. Approximately 20 cooperative agreements will be selected from the proposals that were solicited by EPA in FY16. These funds will enable recipients to facilitate community involvement and conduct the necessary research and technical assistance activities that will help them develop area-wide plans and implementation strategies to facilitate brownfields assessment, cleanup and subsequent reuse. The total funding amount for the BF AWP program is anticipated to be up to $5 million. Awards up to $200,000 per grant expected.

- solicit cooperative agreement proposals and select one or more recipient(s) for a tribal-focused technical assistance cooperative agreement. The recipient(s) will provide direct technical assistance to tribes to help them address local brownfield issues. Total funding is estimated to be up to $2 million, funded incrementally over a project period up to five years.

- solicit cooperative agreement proposals and select one or more recipient(s)for a FY17 State Support Grant program. Total funding for this program is anticipated to be approximately $1 million, incrementally funded over a project period up to five years.

- solicit cooperative agreement proposals and select recipients for a multipurpose cooperative agreement to provide site assessment and technical assistance. This funding will help states create a team that provides technical assistance to small, rural and distressed communities address local brownfields issues. The total funding amount for the technical assistance portion is anticipated to be approximately $2 million over a three year project period.

- solicit cooperative agreement proposals and select one or more recipient(s) for a brownfields conference support community education grant. Total funding for this program is anticipated to be approximately $1 million, incrementally funded over a project period up to five years.

Based on their satisfactory progress, EPA intends to incrementally fund cooperative agreements that the Agency already awarded in previous years.

Types of Assistance (060):

Uses and Use Restrictions (070):

Funds awarded under Section 104(k)(6) of CERCLA must be used for training, research, and technical assistance to individuals and organizations, to facilitate the inventory of brownfields properties, site assessments, cleanup of brownfields properties, community involvement, or site preparation. Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' eligible and allowable direct costs incurred under an approved work plan plus allowable programmatic costs, in accordance with established EPA policies and regulations. Costs incurred under CERCLA 104(k)(6) grants or cooperative agreements may not be used for an administrative cost, penalty or fine, a Federal cost-share requirement, a response cost for which the recipient of the grant or cooperative agreement is potentially liable under CERCLA 107, or the cost of complying with a Federal law, with the exception of the costs of laws applicable to cleanup of Brownfields sites. Grant recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to adopt and enforce policies that ban text messaging while driving company-owned or -rented vehicles or government-owned vehicles, or while driving privately-owned vehicles when on official government business or when performing any work for or on behalf of the government. Grant recipients and sub-recipients are encouraged to conduct initiatives of the type described in section 3(a) of the Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging While Driving Executive Order that was signed on October 1, 2009. Generally this program makes Federal awards on a discretionary basis. For further information, please contact the Headquarters or regional office.

Eligibility Requirements (080)

Applicant Eligibility (081):

CERCLA 104(k)(6) cites eligible entities as: a general purpose unit of local government; a land clearance authority or other quasi-governmental entity that operates under the supervision and control of, or as an agent of, a general purpose unit of local government; a government entity created by a State legislature; a regional council or group of general purpose units of local government; a redevelopment agency that is chartered or otherwise sanctioned by a State; a State (note CERCLA 107(27) defines term "State" to include territories or possessions over which the United States has jurisdiction); an Indian Tribe other than in Alaska; an Alaska Native Regional Corporation, Alaska Native Village Corporation and the Metlakatla Indian Community. Nonprofit organizations are also eligible for training, research, and technical assistance grants. Nonprofit organizations must meet the definition of that term in Section 4(6) of the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999, Public Law 96-107, 31 U.S.C. 6101 Note: Under this definition, colleges, universities, and community colleges are eligible to apply. However, nonprofit 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. For profit organizations are not eligible to apply. 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.

Beneficiary Eligibility (082):

Credentials/Documentation (083):

Application and Award Process (090)

Preapplication Coordination (091):

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.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. See Appendix 1 for additional information regarding SPOCs. If there is no single point of contact for the state, or the state has not selected this program for review, applicants must contact directly affected state area-wide regional and local entities prior to award. (See 40 CFR 29.7(b)). Environmental impact information is not required for this program. 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.

Application Procedures (092):

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by 2 CFR 200 and 1500 must be used for this program. EPA requires final applications to be made on Standard Form 424. Requests for application kits must be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division, 3903R, Washington, DC 20460 or through the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog. This is a competitive grant program. Requests for Initial Proposals or Requests for Applications will specify application procedures. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through http://www.grants.gov.

Award Procedure (093):

Deadlines (094):

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time (095):

Appeals (096):

Renewals (097):

EPA may incrementally fund grants and cooperative agreements under this program. Approval of subsequent funding increments is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the project to EPA's priorities, and availability of funds. Incremental funding is subject to review and approval by the Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization, Office of Land and Emergency Management. The funded grants and cooperative agreements are not eligible for renewal. . The funded grants and cooperative agreements are not eligible for renewal.

Assistance Consideration (100)

Formula and Matching Requirements (101):

This program has no statutory formula.
Matching Requirements: For training, research and technical assistance grants, EPA will not require that applicants include a match or cost share unless required by the terms of a competitive announcement. Even if EPA decides not to require matching funds, a statutory factor in ranking applications under Section 104(k)(6) is the extent to which EPA financial assistance will stimulate the availability of other funds for environmental assessment or remediation, and subsequent reuse of Brownfields sites. Applicants may be encouraged to provide information regarding resources (cash/in-kind services) that they, or a project partner, would commit to efforts receiving EPA financial assistance. This program has no statutory formula.
This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance (102):

EPA generally funds grants and cooperative agreements incrementally on a 12 month basis. However, EPA may fully fund any cooperative agreement at the time of award. EPA will negotiate the project period with each applicant based on project requirements. The project period can range anywhere from two to five years. The anticipated period of performance for the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) cooperative agreements is five years. The anticipated period of performance for the Brownfields Area-Wide Planning (BF AWP) cooperative agreements is two years. The anticipated period of performance for other technical assistance, research or training grants is usually up to five years, but may be fewer than five years depending on the specific terms of the cooperative agreement. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: EPA generally funds the research, training, and technical assistance grants and cooperative agreements incrementally on a 12-month basis. However, EPA can negotiate the assistance award with each applicant based on project requirements. For example, usually EPA fully funds the two-year Brownfields Area-Wide Planning grants at initial award.

Post Assistance Requirements (110)

Reports (111):

Audits (112):

In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503. 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 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-federal entities that expend $750,000 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 $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503.

Records (113):

Financial Information (120)

Account Identification (121):

Obligations (122):

(Cooperative Agreements) FY 15 $4,745,276; FY 16 est $3,500,000; and FY 17 est $10,800,000 - For FY 2015, the program obligated $4,745,276 in new and incremental funding to cooperative agreements awarded under this CFDA.

For FY 2016, EPA expects to award approximately $3.5 million in new and incremental funding for cooperative agreements awarded under this CDFA. This includes approximately $2.2 million for new awards made under the the FY 2016 Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Program and approximately $1.3 million in incremental funding for other Research, Training and Technical Assistance (k6) grants awarded in previous years.

At this time the total funding estimated for FY 2017 is approximately $10.8 million. This amount is based on the following anticipated funding opportunities:

-Based on their satisfactory progress, EPA intends to incrementally fund cooperative agreements that the Agency already awarded in previous years under CFDA 66.814 with approximately $3.2 million of those funds ($2.2 million of these funds expected for incremental funding to TAB grantees; approximately $1 million for incremental funding to other research, training and technical assistance grantees)

-Up to $5 million is anticipated for a FY17 Brownfields Area-Wide Planning grant program.

-Approximately $2 million is anticipated for a FY17 multipurpose grant technical assistance program.

-EPA expects the remaining funds to support initial funding of new state support grant recipient(s) (approximately $200,000) and new tribal technical assistance grant recipient(s) (approximately $400,000).

Range and Average of Financial Assistance (123):

Historically, the Brownfields Training, Research, and Technical Assistance cooperative agreements have ranged anywhere from $200,000 to $2,000,000 over the entire cooperative agreement, depending on the specific focus area of solicitation and the project period of the award (typical project period is between 2-5 years)

New awards made under the Brownfields Area-Wide Planning grant are up to $200,000. New awards made to the TAB recipients are up to $1 million, funded incrementally at approximately $200,000 per year. New awards made for other research, training and technical assistance grants usually range between $200,000 and $1 million and usually incrementally funded over the project period if the award is above $200,000.

Program Accomplishments (130):

Fiscal Year 2015: EPA awarded 21 Brownfields Area-Wide Planning (BF AWP) program cooperative agreements in FY 2015. Recipients are using the grant funding to facilitate community involvement and conduct the necessary research and technical assistance activities that will help them develop area-wide plans and implementation strategies to facilitate brownfields assessment, cleanup and subsequent reuse. The total funding amount for the FY15 BF AWP program was $3,971,400, with up to $200,000 per grant award.

EPA incrementally funded five cooperative agreements that the Agency awarded in previous years. The total FY 2015 incremental funding to cooperative agreements awarded in previous years was approximately $800,000. Fiscal Year 2016: In FY16, EPA expects to award cooperative agreements to entities that will serve as regional TAB providers (one TAB provider designated for each region), for a total of $2.2 million this year.

EPA also expects to incrementally fund six cooperative agreements made in previous years to continue specific technical assistance support to brownfields communities on a range of topics. Total incremental funding support is anticipated at $1.3 million. Fiscal Year 2017: No content available.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature (140):

Brownfields training, research, and technical assistance grants are subject to EPA's General Grant Regulations 2CFR 200 and 1500.

Costs will be determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200 Subpart E.

EPA will provide applicants with guidance on statutory prohibitions on the use of grant and cooperative agreement funds in Requests for Proposals, Requests for Applications, or by other means. EPA will provide assistance regarding clarification of the grant proposal guidelines. Potential applicants may submit written requests to OBLR for clarification. Significant clarifications to the guidelines will be posted on the brownfields website http://www.epa.gov/brownfields. This is the only form of pre-application assistance available. EPA will not meet with applicants to discuss draft proposals or provide informal comments on proposals.

Information Contacts (150)

Regional or Local Office (151) :

Headquarters Office (152):

Website Address (153):

Related Programs (160):

Examples of Funded Projects (170):

Fiscal Year 2015: In FY2015, EPA awarded cooperative agreements for brownfields area-wide planning to 21 communities (including local government, non-profit organizations, and regional planning commissions) to involve the community in developing area-wide plans and implementation strategies to help address local brownfield sites.

Incremental funding was provided to previously awarded cooperative agreements recipients who continue to make satisfactory progress. These EPA funds are used for research, training and technical assistance projects related to technical assistance to environmental workforce development and job training (EWDJT) grantees; technical assistance on the integration of environmental justice and equitable development for brownfields-impacted communities; research on the benefits of brownfields redevelopment; technical assistance on brownfields financing and economic development strategies to brownfields-impacted communities; support to organize a national brownfields conference in 2015; state support on brownfields issues and tribal support on brownfields issues. Fiscal Year 2016: EPA expects to award cooperative agreements for regional Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) providers. TAB providers will be available to brownfields communities to assist them with understanding how to address brownfield sites and advance local efforts around brownfields assessment, cleanup and reuse.

EPA expects to provide incremental funding to previously awarded cooperative agreement recipients if they make satisfactory progress. These EPA funds will be used for research, training and technical assistance projects related to technical assistance to environmental workforce development and job training (EWDJT) grantees; technical assistance on the integration of environmental justice and equitable development for brownfields-impacted communities; research on the benefits of brownfields redevelopment; technical assistance on brownfields financing and economic development strategies to brownfields-impacted communities; organize a national brownfields conference in 2017; state support on brownfields issues and tribal support on brownfields issues. Fiscal Year 2017: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals (180):

Contact Information

Website:

Regional or Local Office:

Headquarters Office:

General Information

Assistance Types:

Applicant Eligibilty:

14-State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals)/ 36-Environment (water, air, solid waste, pesticides, radiation)
15-Local (includes State-designated lndian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals/ 36-Environment (water, air, solid waste, pesticides, radiation)
20-Public nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals)/ 36-Environment (water, air, solid waste, pesticides, radiation)
22-Federally Recognized lndian Tribal Governments/ 36-Environment (water, air, solid waste, pesticides, radiation)
23-U.S. Territories and possessions (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals)/ 36-Environment (water, air, solid waste, pesticides, radiation)
36-Private nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals)/ 36-Environment (water, air, solid waste, pesticides, radiation)
37-Quasi-public nonprofit institution/organization/ 36-Environment (water, air, solid waste, pesticides, radiation)

Beneficiary Eligibilty: