Headquarter and Regional Underground Storage Tanks Program
Published on AidPage by
IDILOGIC on Jun 24, 2005
Purpose of this program:
To support activities that promote the prevention, identification, corrective action, enforcement and management of releases from underground storage tank systems. Funding Priority: High priority tasks include: (1) Training Support: Provide State underground storage tanks (UST) and leaking underground storage tanks (LUST) programs and the regulated community mechanisms by which State and Federal communication, assistance and training on UST/LUST program implementation can occur on both a regional and national scale; (2) Electronic Newsletter: Provide State and tribal regulators, the general public and the regulated community with technical information on underground storage tank (UST) systems; and (3) State/Federal Partnerships: Provide technical assistance and forums for information exchange to assist States in developing their program capabilities to manage their UST/LUST programs in the most efficient and effective manner possible.
Possible uses and use restrictions...
Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' eligible and allowable direct costs incurred under an approved work plan plus allowable indirect costs, in accordance with established EPA policies and regulations. Funds awarded under Section 8001 of RCRA must be used for projects that may include the following types of activities: educational materials, surveys, training, studies, demonstrations, investigations, special projects and the development or use of methods to improve UST systems management and performance to reduce the actual and potential risks to human health and the environment.
Who is eligible to apply...
These funds can be awarded to the following types of entities: public authorities (State, interstate, intrastate, Tribal, Intertribal Consortia, and local), public agencies and institutions; private non-profit organizations and agencies. Profit-making organizations are not eligible.
Credentials/Documentation
EPA may request that applicants document their non-profit status.
Note:This is a brief description of the credentials or documentation required prior to, or along with, an application for assistance.
About this section:
This section indicates who can apply to the Federal government for assistance and the criteria the potential applicant must satisfy.
For example, individuals may be eligible for research grants, and the criteria to be satisfied may be that they have a professional or scientific degree,
3 years of research experience, and be a citizen of the United States. Universities, medical schools, hospitals, or State and local governments may also be eligible.
Where State governments are eligible, the type of State agency will be indicated (State welfare agency or State agency on aging) and the criteria that they
must satisfy.
Certain federal programs (e.g., the Pell Grant program which provides grants to students) involve intermediate levels of application processing, i.e., applications
are transmitted through colleges or universities that are neither the direct applicant nor the ultimate beneficiary. For these programs,
the criteria that the intermediaries must satisfy are also indicated, along with intermediaries who are not eligible.
How to apply...
Application Procedure:
The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular Nos. A-102 and A-110 must be used for this program. EPA requires final applications to be made on Standard Form 424. For non-competitive proposals, requests for application forms and submission of completed applications should be directed to EPA Grants Administration Division (3903R), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460, the Office of Underground Storage Tanks (5401G), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460, and the appropriate Regional Office listed in Additional Contact Information - FMR Help for the list of Underground Storage Tanks Regional Program Managers. For competitive proposals, application procedures will be specified in Requests for Initial Proposals or Requests for Applications, if applicable.
Note: Each program will indicate whether applications are to be submitted to the Federal headquarters, regional or local office, or to a State or local government office.
Award Procedure:
EPA reviews applications. For non-competitive awards, applications will be subjected to administrative evaluation to determine the adequacy of application in relation to grant regulations and to technical and program evaluation to determine the merit and relevance of the project. The Agency will advise the applicant if funding is being considered. A final work plan will be negotiated with the applicant. For competitive awards, EPA will review applications or proposals in accordance with the criteria specified in the Requests for Initial Proposals or the Requests for Applications.
Note: Grant payments may be made by a letter of credit, advance by Treasury check, or reimbursement by Treasury check.
Awards may be made by the headquarters office directly to the applicant, an agency field office, a regional office,
or by an authorized county office. The assistance may pass through the initial applicant for further distribution by
intermediate level applicants to groups or individuals in the private sector.
Deadlines and process...
Deadlines
Non-competitive proposals generally must be received prior to May 15 for funding in applicable fiscal year. For competitive awards, deadlines will be specified in the Requests for Initial Proposals or the Requests for Applications.
Note:
When available, this section indicates the deadlines for applications to the funding agency which will
be stated in terms of the date(s) or between what dates the application should be received.
When not available, applicants should contact the funding agency for deadline information.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 180 days.
Preapplication Coordination
Applicants considering submitting unsolicited proposals should discuss proposed projects with or submit preapplications to staff in the appropriate EPA Headquarters and/or Regional Office. When making competitive awards, EPA will specify the nature of the preapplication assistance, if any, that will be available to applications in the Requests for Initial Proposals or Requests for Applications. For information contacts, see Additional Contact Information - FMR Help for the list of Underground Storage Tanks Regional Program Managers, and the Headquarters program contact listed at the end of this program. Awards under this program may be subject to E.O.12372,"Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." Applicants should consult the office or official designated as the State's Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for more information on the State's review process, and to determine if the State has selected the program for review. See Appendix 1 for additional information regarding SPOC's. If there is no SPOC 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).).
Note:
This section indicates whether any prior coordination or approval is required with governmental or nongovernmental units
prior to the submission of a formal application to the federal funding agency.
Appeals
See 40 CFR Part 30.63 and 40 CFR Part 31, Subpart F.
Note:
In some cases, there are no provisions for appeal. Where applicable, this section discusses appeal procedures or allowable rework time for resubmission
of applications to be processed by the funding agency. Appeal procedures vary with individual programs and are either listed in this section or
applicants are referred to appeal procedures documented in the relevant Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Renewals
None. 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.
Note:
In some instances, renewal procedures may be the same as for the application procedure, e.g., for projects of a non-continuing nature renewals will be treated as new, competing applications; for projects of an ongoing nature, renewals may be given annually.
Who can benefit...
State and local governments, territories and possessions, interstate agencies, Tribes, members of the regulated community and residents in areas impacted by federally regulated underground storage tanks.
Beneficiaries
About this section:
This section lists the ultimate beneficiaries of a program, the criteria they must satisfy and who specifically is not eligible. The applicant and beneficiary will generally be the same for programs that provide assistance directly from a Federal agency. However, financial assistance that passes through State or local governments will have different applicants and beneficiaries since the assistance is transmitted to private sector beneficiaries who are not obligated to request or apply for the assistance.
What types of assistance...
Project Grants
The funding, for fixed or known periods, of specific projects. Project grants can include fellowships, scholarships, research grants, training grants, traineeships, experimental and demonstration grants, evaluation grants, planning grants, technical assistance grants, survey grants, and construction grants.
How much financial aid...
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
New program, not applicable.
Note:
This section lists the representative range (smallest to largest) of the amount of financial assistance available. These figures are based upon funds awarded in the past fiscal year and the current fiscal year to date. Also indicated is an approximate average amount of awards which were made in the past and current fiscal years.
Obligations
FY 03 not available; FY 04 est $1,085,000; and FY 05 est $1,085,000.
Note:
The dollar amounts listed in this section represent obligations for the past fiscal year (PY), estimates for the current fiscal year (CY), and estimates for the budget fiscal year (BY) as reported by the Federal agencies. Obligations for non-financial assistance programs indicate the administrative expenses involved in the operation of a program.
Account Identification
68-0108-0-1-304; 20-8153-0-7-304.
Note:
Note: This 11-digit budget account identification code represents the account which funds a particular program.
This code should be consistent with the code given for the program area as specified in Appendix III of the Budget of the United States Government.
Examples of funded projects...
(1) Training Support: Provide State underground storage tanks (UST) and leaking underground storage tanks (LUST) programs and the regulated community mechanisms by which State and Federal communication, assistance and training on UST/LUST program implementation can occur on both a regional and national scale; (2) Electronic Newsletter: Provide State and tribal regulators, the general public and the regulated community with technical information on underground storage tank (UST) systems; and (3) State/Federal Partnerships: Provide technical assistance and forums for information exchange to assist States in developing their program capabilities to manage their UST/LUST programs in the most efficient and effective manner possible.
About this section
This section indicates the different types of projects which have been funded in the past. Only projects funded under Project Grants or Direct Payments for Specified Use should be listed here. The examples give potential applicants an idea of the types of projects that may be accepted for funding. The agency should list at least five examples of the most recently funded projects.
Program accomplishments...
New program, not applicable.
Criteria for selecting proposals...
Competitive applications and proposals will be selected in accordance with announced criteria. Non- competitive proposals are judged for (a) technical merit in terms of: (1) strengths and weaknesses of the project; (2) adequacy of overall project design; (3) competency of proposed staff; (4) suitability of applicant's available resources; (5) appropriateness of the proposed project period and budget; and (6) probability that the project will accomplish stated objectives; and, for (b) program interest in terms of: (1) the need for the proposed project; and (2) relationship to program objectives.
Assistance considerations...
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
EPA generally funds grants and cooperative agreements on a 12-month basis. However, EPA can negotiate the project period with each applicant based on project requirements. Incremental funding may be available. EPA generally limits project periods to 5 years.
Formula and Matching Requirements
Cost sharing is not required, unless noted in request for applications or initial proposals. Unsolicited applications for research funding may require cost-sharing under the general provisions of EPA's Appropriations legislation.
Note:
A formula may be based on population, per capita income, and other statistical factors. Applicants are informed whether there are any matching requirements to be met when participating in the cost of a project. In general, the matching share represents that portion of the project costs not borne by the Federal government. Attachment F of OMB Circular No. A-102 (Office of Management and Budget) sets forth the criteria and procedures for the evaluation of matching share requirements which may be cash or in-kind contributions made by State and local governments or other agencies, institutions, private organizations, or individuals to satisfy matching requirements of Federal grants or loans.
Cash contributions represent the grantees' cash outlay, including the outlay of money contributed to the grantee by other public agencies, institutions, private organizations, or individuals. When authorized by Federal regulation, Federal funds received from other grants may be considered as the grantees' cash contribution.
In-kind contributions represent the value of noncash contributions provided by the grantee, other public agencies and institutions, private organizations or individuals. In-kind contributions may consist of charges for real property and equipment, and value of goods and services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to the grant program. When authorized by Federal legislation, property purchased with Federal funds may be considered as grantees' in-kind contribution.
Maintenance of effort (MOE) is a requirement contained in certain legislation, regulations, or administrative policies stating that a grantee must maintain a specified level of financial effort in a specific area in order to receive Federal grant funds, and that the Federal grant funds may be used only to supplement, not supplant, the level of grantee funds.
Post assistance requirements...
Reports
Reporting requirements are identified at 40 CFR Parts 30 and 31. EPA may include additional information regarding the content and frequency of reporting requirements in the terms and conditions of the agreements.
Note:
This section indicates whether program reports, expenditure reports, cash reports or performance monitoring are required by the Federal funding agency, and specifies at what time intervals (monthly, annually, etc.) this must be accomplished.
Audits
Grants and cooperative agreements under this program 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. If the Government Accounting Office or EPA's Inspector General conducts Federal audits, the audits will be made in accordance with OMB Circular No. A- 173 to ensure that funds have been used efficiently, economically, and effectively. Recipients must conduct periodic audits in accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No A-133, "Audits of Institutions of Higher Education and Other Non-Profit Institutions." The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-133, "Audit of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 1997. The Circular implements the Single Audit Act amendments of 1996. The Circular requires nonfederal entities that expend more than $300,000 in Federal award dollars, to have an audit conducted in accordance with the Circular's provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133.
Note:
This section discusses audits required by the Federal agency.
The procedures and requirements for State and local governments and nonprofit entities are set forth in OMB Circular No. A-133.
These requirements pertain to awards made within the respective State's fiscal year - not the Federal fiscal year,
as some State and local governments may use the calendar year or other variation of time span designated as the fiscal year period,
rather than that commonly known as the Federal fiscal year (from October 1st through September 30th).
Records
The record retention requirements of 40 CFR Part 30 (non- profits and universities) or 40 CFR Part 31 (governmental units) are applicable depending upon the identity of the recipient. Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes to each grant must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records must be maintained until expiration of 3 years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of audit, related records should be retained until the matter is completely resolved.
Note:
This section indicates the record retention requirements and the type of records the Federal agency may require.
Not included are the normally imposed requirements of the General Accounting Office.
For programs falling under the purview of OMB Circular No. A-102, record retention is set forth in Attachment C.
For other programs, record retention is governed by the funding agency's requirements.
Regulations...
Authorization
Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001 as amended; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976.
Note:
This section lists the legal authority upon which a program is based (acts, amendments to acts, Public Law numbers, titles, sections, Statute Codes, citations to the U.S. Code, Executive Orders, Presidential Reorganization Plans, and Memoranda from an agency head).
Regulations, Guidelines, And Literature
General Grant Regulations and Procedures (40 CFR Part 30, 31, and 34); "EPA Assistance Administration Manual," available from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA, on a subscription basis. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions, OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments and Indian Tribes, and OMB Circular No. A-122 for non-profit institutions.