Programs - CFDA: Programs

Program Number/Title (010):

Popular Name (020):

Federal Agency (030):

Authorization (040):

Objectives (050):

Improving EPA's partnership with the States and Tribes is critical to accelerating environmental outcomes. Performance Partnership Grants (PPGs) are the cornerstone of the National Environmental Performance Partnership System (NEPPS) -- EPA's strategy to strengthen partnerships and build a results-based management system. PPGs are innovative grant delivery tools that allow States and Tribes to combine up to 20 eligible State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) grants into a single grant with a single budget. PPGs can reduce administrative transaction costs, provide the flexibility to direct resources toward the highest priority environmental problems, and support cross-media approaches and initiatives. EPA's overarching goal is to optimize the leveraging power of PPGs to focus strategically on the joint priorities of EPA, States and Tribes. PPGs do not include any funding in addition to the state and tribal assistance grants provided under other statutory authorities.

Funding Priority - Fiscal Years 2015 and FY 2016: EPA headquarters and regional offices will give priority to flexibility and opportunities to work collaboratively with States and Tribes. The Agency will continue to focus on our ongoing goals for the PPG program, which are: (1) strengthen partnerships between EPA, the States, Tribes, and interstate agencies through joint planning and priority setting to deploy resources more effectively; (2) provide States, Tribes, and interstate agencies with the flexibility to direct resources where they are needed most to address environmental and public health priorities; (3) link program activities more effectively with environmental and public health goals and environmental outcomes; (4) foster implementation of innovative approaches such as pollution prevention, ecosystem management, and community-based environmental protection strategies; and (5) provide savings by streamlining administrative requirements.

Funding Priority - Fiscal Years 2016 and FY 2017: EPA headquarters and regional offices will give priority to flexibility and opportunities to work collaboratively with States and Tribes. The Agency will continue to focus on our ongoing goals for the PPG program, which are: (1) strengthen partnerships between EPA, the States, Tribes, and interstate agencies through joint planning and priority setting to deploy resources more effectively; (2) provide States, Tribes, and interstate agencies with the flexibility to direct resources where they are needed most to address environmental and public health priorities; (3) link program activities more effectively with environmental and public health goals and environmental outcomes; (4) foster implementation of innovative approaches such as pollution prevention, ecosystem management, and community-based environmental protection strategies; and (5) provide savings by streamlining administrative requirements.

Funding Priority - Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017: EPA headquarters and regional offices will give priority to flexibility and opportunities to work collaboratively with States and Tribes. The Agency will continue to focus on our ongoing goals for the PPG program, which are: (1) strengthen partnerships between EPA, the States, Tribes, and interstate agencies through joint planning and priority setting to deploy resources more effectively; (2) provide States, Tribes, and interstate agencies with the flexibility to direct resources where they are needed most to address environmental and public health priorities; (3) link program activities more effectively with environmental and public health goals and environmental outcomes; (4) foster implementation of innovative approaches such as pollution prevention, ecosystem management, and community-based environmental protection strategies; and (5) provide savings by streamlining administrative requirements.

Types of Assistance (060):

Uses and Use Restrictions (070):

PPGs are a type of modified block grant, where recipients may combine funds from categorical grants to accomplish their joint and several purposes, so long as recipients meet program requirements for each categorical grant combined into the PPG. The 20 categorical grants eligible for PPGs are a mixture of continuing program grants and competitive project grants. Eligible recipients can combine two or more of the following 20 categorical grants programs identified in EPA's State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) appropriation into a PPG: (1) Air Pollution Control (Clean Air Act [CAA] Section 105); (2) Water Pollution Control (Clean Water Act [CWA] Section 106); (3) Nonpoint Source Management (CWA Section 319); (4) Wetlands Program Development (CWA Section 104(b)(3)); (5) Public Water System Supervision (Safe Drinking Water Act [SDWA] Sections 1443(a) and 1451(a)(3)); (6) Underground Water Source Protection (SDWA Section 1443(b)); (7) Hazardous Waste Management (Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 3011(a)); (8) Underground Storage Tank (Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 2007(f)(2)); (9) Radon Assessment and Mitigation (Toxic Substances Control Act [TSCA] Section 306); (10) Lead-based Paint Activities (TSCA Section 404(g)); (11) Toxic Substances Compliance Monitoring (TSCA Section 28); (12) Pollution Prevention Incentives for States (Pollution Prevention Act [PPA] Section 6605); (13) Pesticide Cooperative Enforcement (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act [FIFRA] Section 23(a)(1); (14) Pesticides Program Implementation (FIFRA Section 23(a)(1)); (15) Pesticide Applicator Certification and Training (FIFRA Section 23 (a)(2)); (16) Environmental Information Network Exchange Grants (Consolidated Appropriations Resolution for the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies of 2003, Public Law 108-7; Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004, Public Law 108-199); (17) Brownfields State and Tribal Response Program Grants (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 [CERCLA], Section 128(a), as amended; Public Law 107-118; Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act); (18) General Assistance Grants to Indian Tribes (Indian Environmental General Assistance Program Act of 1992; only eligible Tribes can propose to include these funds in a PPG application); (19) Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act (Public Law 106-284); and (20) Multipurpose grants to states and tribes, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (Public Law 114-113). Recipients may use PPGs to fund activities that are within the cumulative eligibilities of the 20 categorical grants programs listed above for which they are eligible.

Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: https://www.epa.gov/geospatial.

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.

Eligibility Requirements (080)

Applicant Eligibility (081):

All States, interstate agencies, U.S. territories, the District of Columbia, and federally recognized Indian Tribes eligible to receive more than one of the 20 categorical grant programs referred to in "Uses and Use Restrictions" above are eligible to apply for PPGs. Any duly authorized State or tribal entity that currently receives or is eligible to receive EPA categorical program grants may request a PPG for the funds it administers. This may include agencies other than environmental agencies (for example, agricultural and health agencies), where authorized by state or tribal law. 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):

Applicants interested in pursuing PPGs should coordinate with their appropriate EPA regional office to develop a PPG through joint negotiations (See Appendix IV of the Catalog). 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. 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. Requests for applications should be made to the appropriate EPA regional grants management office. The standard application forms as furnished by the federal agency and required by 2 CFR Parts 200 and 1500, "Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards" must be used for this program.

Applicants will negotiate the content of their PPG with their EPA regional office and submit an application for the PPG based on these negotiations. Applicants for PPGs must submit an "Application for Federal Assistance: State and Local Non-Construction Programs," Standard Form 424, including the required supporting documents. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through http://www.grants.gov.

Award Procedure (093):

Grant applications are reviewed by the appropriate EPA regional office, and if approved, awarded by the Regional Administrator. 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. After the applicant is chosen for the competitive award, the applicant will work with the EPA regional office to add those competitive grant funds to the PPG if requested by the state. The workplan and supporting documentation that were the basis of the competitive award also will be added to the PPG.

Deadlines (094):

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time (095):

Appeals (096):

Renewals (097):

Assistance Consideration (100)

Formula and Matching Requirements (101):

This program has no statutory formula.
Matching Requirements: Major portions of the PPGs are by statutory formula. The allocation for a PPG consists of the cumulative allocations for the categorical grants included in the PPG. Recipients should calculate a single, composite minimum cost share (based on the match or maintenance of effort requirements of the categorical grants included in the PPG) for each of their PPGs. To calculate the minimum cost share for a PPG, start with the amount of federal dollars from each program (source of funds) going into the PPG. The minimum required cost share for each portion is determined by identifying the cost share requirements of the relevant categorical grant program. The minimum recipient cost share for the PPG is the sum of the minimum cost shares of the contributed categorical grants. Tribal governments and intertribal consortia may be eligible for match requirement waivers based on demonstrated hardship. Such waiver eligibility will be determined by the Regional Administrator and will be based on socio-economic criteria.
This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance (102):

The terms of the PPG shall be determined during pre-application negotiations and at the time of the award. Applicants may choose to submit either annual or multi-year work plans and project periods. Budget periods will be for 12 months with the applicant having the flexibility to select, in consultation with the Regional Administrator, the specific start and end date for the budget period. Grant awards are made after review and approval of the application. Grantees are reimbursed for actual expenses based on submissions in financial status reports. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Annually.

Post Assistance Requirements (110)

Reports (111):

Applicants must provide reports and conduct joint evaluations in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200 and 2 CFR Part 1500, "Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards" and 40 CFR Part 35, Subparts A and B. Refer to the program descriptions for the individual STAG program grants eligible for inclusion in PPGs (see section [70] for a list). Cash reports may be required. Refer to the program descriptions for the individual STAG program grants eligible for inclusion in PPGs. Progress reports may be required. Refer to the program descriptions for the individual STAG program grants eligible for inclusion in PPGs. Expenditure reports may be required. Refer to the program descriptions for the individual STAG program grants eligible for inclusion in PPGs. Performance monitoring may be required. Refer to the program descriptions for the individual STAG program grants eligible for inclusion in PPGs.

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):

Range and Average of Financial Assistance (123):

Program Accomplishments (130):

Fiscal Year 2015: PPGs have allowed States to take advantage of administrative and program efficiencies and innovations to achieve greater environmental and program results. States and Tribes have used PPGs to address critical emergencies and unplanned events and have used PPG flexibility to overcome periodic budget needs or high program demands in specific programs. States and Tribes have used PPGs to implement multi-program initiatives and innovations that impact many environmental programs. They also have taken advantage of streamlined administrative procedures to make grant processes more efficient. PPGs have allowed Tribes to develop and implement environmental programs in situations where it would have been more difficult using categorical grants. The number of PPGs in FY 2015 include 43 to state environmental agencies; 32 to state agricultural agencies; and over 120 to tribal agencies. Also refer to the descriptions of accomplishments for the individual STAG program grants eligible for inclusion in PPGs (see section [70] for a list). Fiscal Year 2016: No content available. Fiscal Year 2017: No content available.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature (140):

Information Contacts (150)

Regional or Local Office (151) :

Headquarters Office (152):

Website Address (153):

Related Programs (160):

Examples of Funded Projects (170):

Criteria for Selecting Proposals (180):

Accessibility Information

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Performance Partnership Grants

Program Information

Contact Information

General Information