[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 83 (Monday, May 2, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10419]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 2, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

 

Environmental Scholarships/Fellowships and Grants Program

AGENCY: Department of Defense, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of 
Defense for Environmental Security (DUSD(ES)).

ACTION: Notice of funding availability for the Department of Defense 
Environmental Scholarships/Fellowships, and Grants Program to 
institutions of higher education heading a consortium.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Defense announces the competition for the 
Defense Environmental Scholarships/Fellowships and Grants Program, 
authorized by Section 4451 of The National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 1993 and section 1333 of The National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994. The program has two purposes: 
(1) For Section 4451 to provide scholarships and fellowships to enable 
individuals to qualify for employment in the field of environmental 
restoration or in other environmental programs in the Department of 
Defense; and (2) for Section 1333 to provide demonstration grants to 
assist institutions of higher education in providing expertise, 
training and education in environmental restoration, hazardous 
materials and waste management, and other environmental fields 
applicable to Department of Defense and Department of Energy defense 
facilities. The program will be executed by an institution of higher 
education heading a consortium. A consortium must consist of the 
institution of higher education and one or more of each of the 
following:
    1. Appropriate State and local agencies.
    2. Private industry councils (as described in Section 102 of the 
Job Training Partnership Act (29 U.S.C. 1512)).
    3. Community-based organizations (as defined in Section 4(5) of 
such Act (29 U.S.C. 1503 (5)).
    4. Businesses.
    5. Organized labor.
    6. Other appropriate educational institutions.
    At least five percent of each award will be available to 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions.
    Each award will be composed of two agreements, each with its own 
budget and funds:
    1. An agreement to nominate scholarship and fellowship recipients, 
forward nominations to the Department of Defense for approval, then 
provide selectees with education leading to degrees relevant for 
subsequent DoD employment, subject to the needs of the Department of 
Defense (Section 4451).
    2. An agreement to provide expertise, training, and education in 
hazardous materials and waste management and other environmental fields 
applicable to defense manufacturing sites and Department of Defense and 
Department of Energy defense facilities (Section 1333).
    A total of $20.382 million will be available initially for this 
program to be distributed as follows:
    (a) $7 million for Section 4451 purposes, and
    (b) An initial $13.382 million for Section 1333 purposes.
    The $20.382 million will be divided into sixteen awards of 
$1,273,875 each, made to applicants from the four Census Regions--four 
per region--based on a merit selection process.
    Each award will provide $437,500 for scholarships/fellowships 
(Section 4451 purposes) and $836,375 for the demonstration grant 
(Section 1333 purposes). An award made to a consortium under Section 
4451 may be used for a period of from one to five years. Demonstration 
grant monies awarded under Section 1333 must be expended within one 
year. Funds for Section 1333 purposes may later be made available for a 
second and a third year, subject to the approval of the Secretary of 
Defense and to the availability of appropriations for each year.

The DoD Environmental Security Program

    The DoD multi-disciplinary approach to environmental security is 
embodied in a five-pronged strategy:
    Cleanup; Compliance; Conservation; Pollution Prevention; and 
Technology represented by:
    C cubed, P squared, plus T.
    The DoD program is creating environmental partnerships, matching 
environmental and economic opportunities, expediting cleanup at DoD 
sites, improving compliance with environmental laws and regulations, 
preventing pollution, and targeting technology to meet environmental 
needs. To develop and exploit technology and innovative ideas which 
lead to rapid, economical, safe solutions to environmental problems, 
the Department of Defense requires education and training programs 
which will produce qualified individuals in career fields which relate 
to the five programs of environmental security. These five areas will 
be given priority in the evaluation of applications and are defined as 
follows:

Cleanup--Restoring DoD Facilities

    The Department of Defense is dealing with a legacy of environmental 
contamination resulting from decades of military operations. 
Environmental problems continue to grow as the United States and Russia 
denuclearize and demilitarize their chemical weapons.
    Currently, the Department of Defense is engaged in cleanup at 1,800 
military locations in the United States and at 1,700 locations 
overseas. Ninety-three of the stateside locations are listed on the 
Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund National Priorities List.

Compliance--Complying With Environmental Laws in Day-to-Day Operations

    The Department of Defense, like private industry, is concerned with 
a myriad of environmental laws and regulations. Common compliance 
issues include:
     Obtaining thousands of air emission permits and hundreds 
of permits for water discharges such as sewage, industrial, and water 
treatment plants;
     Managing 300 to 400 permits to treat, store, or dispose of 
hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 
(RCRA);
     Managing 30,000 regulated underground fuel storage tanks;
     Preparing spill prevention and response plans at every 
base; and
     Obtaining storm water permits at every base.

Conservation--Conserving Natural Resources

    The Department of Defense consumes approximately two percent of the 
Nation's total energy supply, uses over 200 billion gallons of fresh 
water each year, and is the steward for 25 million acres of public 
lands containing valuable ecosystems, natural, cultural, and historic 
resources.
    The Energy Policy Act of 1992 requires that the Department of 
Defense identify and implement all energy and water conservation 
measures that pay back in ten years or less, and establish the goal to 
reduce consumption by 20 percent by the year 2000. Funding for energy 
conservation is expected to be over $300 million in fiscal year 1996.
    Good stewardship requires that the Department of Defense conserve 
and protect valuable resources, such as the 300 threatened and 
endangered species that reside on DoD lands, and the numerous DoD 
facilities on the National Historic Register.

Pollution Prevention--Preventing Pollution

    The newest strategy in environmental protection, pollution 
prevention, reduces the amount of pollution at the source. The 
Department of Defense's new pollution prevention goals reflect the 
Pollution Prevention Act of 1990. The program is build on minimizing 
pollution and emphasizes reduction, recycling, treatment, and disposal. 
Pollution prevention will ease skyrocketing disposal costs and reduce 
dependence on disappearing municipal solid waste landfills.
    On August 3, 1993, President Clinton signed Executive Order 12856, 
``Federal Compliance with Right-to-Know Laws and Pollution Prevention 
Requirements.'' This executive order was designed to bring federal 
facilities in line with requirements of the Emergency Planning and 
Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) by requiring federal authorities to 
notify local emergency planning committees of all toxic chemicals 
stored or used at federal facilities. Federal agencies will be required 
to develop a written strategy to eliminate or minimize acquisition of 
hazardous or toxic chemicals and to develop a strategy to meet a 
voluntary goal of 50 percent reduction by December 1999.
    The Clean Air Act, Energy Policy Act, Executive Order 12579 
(``Federal Energy Management''), and Executive Order 12844 (``Federal 
Use of Alternative Fueled Vehicles'') require that DoD facilities use 
equipment that substantially reduces pollutants at their source.

Technology--Environmental Security Technology Certification Program 
(ESTCP)

    Technology contributes to advancing the objectives of each of the 
C3P2 thrust areas within the Environmental Security Program. 
The objective of ESTCP is to executive the most promising environmental 
technology demonstration projects that target the Department of 
Defense's most urgent environmental needs and have a paycheck in the 
short term with regard to cost savings and improved efficiencies.

Environmental Concerns

    Expansion and further development of the existing core of DoD 
professionals whose collective disciplines are applicable across the 
spectrum of issues embraced by the five programs are crucial to ensure 
restoration, protection, and conservation of the Nation's natural and 
cultural resources under the stewardship of the Department of Defense. 
The Defense Environmental Scholarships/Fellowships and Grants Program 
will serve the upcoming generation of environmental professionals and 
the emerging technologies they will apply to solve the challenges 
facing the environment.
    The Department of Defense has numerous environmental program areas, 
each defined by a major topic of environmental regulation, a particular 
environment-related task or mission. These include, but are not limited 
to: environmental restoration, compliance, program planning and 
management, air pollution abatement, hazardous waste management, spill 
planning and response, solid waste management/recycling, natural 
resource management, pollution prevention, asbestos management, radon 
reduction, environmental analysis and documentation, hazardous 
materials, underground storage tank management, research and 
development, technology, historic preservation, archaeological resource 
protection, noise abatement, water resources, and pesticides and 
integrated pest management.
    Section 4451 mandates that scholarship or fellowship recipients 
pursue and academic program leading to a degree in ``engineering, 
biology, chemistry, or another qualifying field.'' Other degree areas 
related to DoD environmental positions include, but are not limited to:

Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Environmental Program Management
Environmental Technology
Natural Resource Management
Earth Sciences
Environmental Engineering
Environmental Sciences
Geotechnology
Geology
Cultural Resource Management
Hydrology
Oceanography
Industrial Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Forestry
Toxicology
Entomology

Eligibility

    Award applicants mut be institutions of higher education as defined 
by section 1201(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1141(a)) that have or will create a consortium headed by that 
institution of higher education. They must develop proposals that 
address the requirements of both Section 4451 of The National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 and Section 1333 of The National 
Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 1994.
    At least five percent of each award must be made available to 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions.
    Section 4451 requires scholarship/fellowships students nominated 
for selection to meet the following criteria:
    (1) Be accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled as a full-time 
student at a selected institution of higher education.
    (2) Be pursuing a degree in an environmental career field.
    (3) Agree to serve as a full-time civilian employee in an 
environmental position with the Department of Defense upon graduation, 
if such employment is available and offered. (Period of employment will 
be 12 months for each school year students are provided a scholarship 
in an undergraduate program, or 24 months for each school year students 
are provided a fellowship in a graduate program.)
    (4) Be a citizen or national of the United States, or an alien 
lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence.
    Section 1333 requires that an institution receiving a grant under 
this section must use the grant to establish a consortium for the 
purpose of establishing and conducting a program to provide training 
and education in environmental restoration, hazardous materials and 
waste management and other environmental fields applicable to 
Department of Defense and Department of Energy defense facilities to:
    (1) Individuals who have been terminated or laid off from 
employment (or have been notified of impending termination or lay off) 
as a result of reductions in defense spending, the cancellation, 
termination, or completion of a defense contract, or a base closure or 
realignment; or
    (2) Individuals who are at least 16 but not yet 25.

Selection Criteria

    The intent of this section is to help applicants understand how the 
selection criteria are applied to training and education proposals 
during the review process. The review process, to identify the best 
proposals and to provide the best wide-range support of the program, 
will compare each application to all others in each region.
    Proposals for the Defense Environmental Scholarships/Fellowships 
and Grants Program will be evaluated and rank-ordered by a peer review 
panel selected by the National Research Council from among recognized 
experts in various environment-related fields. Rank-ordered proposals 
for each region will be presented to the Deputy Under Secretary of 
Defense for Environmental Security for final selection.
    At least five percent of each award will be available to 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions.
    The final judgment of an application will be based on an overall 
assessment of the extent to which the application satisfactorily 
addresses the following selection criteria:
    (1) The proposal is submitted by an institution of higher 
education. An application will be submitted by an institution of higher 
education that will agree to form and head a consortium, as mandated by 
section 1333, that will consist of at least one of each of the 
following:
    (i) Appropriate state and local agencies.
    (ii) Private industry councils as described in 29 U.S.C. 1512.
    (iii) Community-based organizations as defined in 29 U.S.C. 
1503(5).
    (iv) Businesses.
    (v) Organized labor.
    (vi) Other appropriate educational institutions.
    (2) The proposal addresses education and training in an area of the 
Department of Defense's Environmental Security Program. Describe the 
area addressed and its applicational setting--from installation level 
to Command Headquarters. The Department of Defense's Environmental 
Security Program identifies specific areas (i.e., cleanup, compliance, 
conservation, pollution prevention, and technology), but an applicant 
may choose to focus and provide specific applications on an 
environmental subject not specifically mentioned in these areas or to 
address more than one topic in a single project.
    (3) The proposal represents an improvement upon existing practice. 
Since improvements over existing practice are important, reviewers will 
appreciate any evidence included to illustrate how this project differs 
from and improves upon previous efforts.
    (4) The proposal achieves a far-reaching impact that will be useful 
in a variety of ways and in a variety of settings. The Department of 
Defense seeks to make the most of its limited funds by supporting 
projects which have broad, multiple application and that can become 
models for the nation's environment program.
    (5) The proposal represents an appropriate response to an 
environmental area. Not only should a proposal demonstrate 
understanding of an environmental area, but strategies should be 
carefully designed to address those areas and reach specific endpoints.
    (6) The applicant is capable of carrying out the proposal as 
evidenced by, for example:
    (i) The applicant's understanding of the environmental area or 
need. The applicant should demonstrate understanding of the area 
through analysis of it and through the thoughtfulness and specificity 
of the proposed response.
    (ii) The quality of the proposed design, including objectives, 
approaches, and planning. The proposal should reflect careful attention 
to the question of who will do what, when, where, why and how.
    (iii) The adequacy of resources including money, personnel, 
facilities, equipment, and supplies. It should be clear that the 
applicant has carefully allocated appropriate resources and personnel 
for the tasks and activities proposed in the proposal. The detailed 
budget justification attached to the proposal should itemize the 
support requested from the Department of Defense.
    (iv) The qualifications of key personnel who would execute the 
proposal. The qualifications of key personnel should be briefly 
outlined and attached to the proposal. Please note that a standard 
curriculum vitae is usually not appropriate for this purpose. Be sure 
to indicate in the biographical sketch how each individual's background 
and experience relate to the specific project described in the 
proposal.
    (v) The applicant's relevant experience. It is helpful for the 
readers to know what other projects of a similar nature the applicant 
has conducted. With regard to the specific proposal, it is equally 
helpful to know what steps have already been initiated.
    (vi) The applicant's prior work in the area. It is helpful to know 
the extent to which the applicant has successfully completed prior work 
on similar or related projects.
    (7) The proposal includes an assurance that demonstration grant 
funds awarded under Section 1333 will supplement and not supplant non-
Federal funds that would otherwise be available for education and 
training activities funded by the grant.
    (8) The proposal demonstrates that an education and training 
program to be established under Section 1333:
    (i) Provides a work-based learning system in environmental 
restoration. Such a system may include basic educational courses, on-
site basic skills training, and mentor assistance to participants and 
may lead to award of a certificate or degree at the institution of 
higher education.
    (ii) Includes out-reach and recruitment efforts to encourage 
participation by eligible individuals. To the extent practicable in the 
selection of young adults, priority must be given to those who have not 
attended and are otherwise unlikely to attend an institution of higher 
education or have a total family income that does not exceed the higher 
of the official poverty line or 70% of the lower living standard income 
level.
    (iii) Utilizes, to the extent practicable, instructors selected 
from institutions of higher education, appropriate community programs, 
industry and labor.
    (iv) Includes provisions for consultation, to the extent 
practicable, with appropriate Federal, state, and local agencies 
carrying out environmental restoration programs. The purpose of such 
consultation is to ensure the Section 1333 program is fully coordinated 
with similar government programs.
    (9) For Section 4451 requirements the proposal demonstrates ability 
to recruit students, provide education leading to degrees qualifying 
students for DoD environmental positions, and manage a scholarship and 
fellowship program. Applicants must make potential scholarship/
fellowship recipients aware that acceptance of financial assistance 
under this program requires a commitment to employment at any DoD 
facility or site where an environmental position may be offered.
    (10) Scholarship and fellowship nomination preference under Section 
4451 is given to current and former members of the US Armed Forces and 
to individuals who are or have been employed by the Department of 
Defense, or its contractors and sub-contractors. The Department of 
Defense will retain final approval authority for all individual 
scholarship and fellowship awards.

Application Procedures

    Applications for participation in the Department of Defense 
Environmental Scholarships/Fellowships and Grants Program will follow 
the format prescribed in parts of the U.S. Public Health Service 
(USPHS) Application Form PHS 398.
    Applications must include two implementation plans, one for 
scholarships/fellowships (Public Law 102-484 Section 4451) and one for 
demonstration grants (Public Law 103-160 Section 1333), each with its 
own budget proposal. At least five percent of each award must be made 
available to Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority 
Institutions.
     Plans for scholarships and fellowships programs (not to 
exceed five years) meeting Section 4451 requirements will include 
detailed descriptions of the education program, program facility, 
scholarship and fellowship candidate populations, methods of recruiting 
individuals, tuition costs and administration procedures. Stipends for 
fellowship recipients will not exceed $16,000 per year. Tuition, fees 
and stipends will not be included in calculations of indirect costs. 
Scholarship/fellowship plans will not exceed 10 pages.
     Plans for demonstration grants (not to exceed three years) 
meeting the provisions of Section 1333 will include, in 10 pages or 
less, a detailed description of the specific aims of the education and 
training program to be supported, background and significance of the 
proposed program, and its application to the DoD Environmental Program.
    A complete Defense Environmental Scholarships/Fellowships and 
Grants Program application must be submitted to qualify for 
consideration. A complete application will consist of three sections:
    1. General Information--PHS 398 Form AA (Face Page).
    2. Scholarships and Fellowships Section--PHS 398 Forms BB, NN, OO, 
FF, HH, II, and JJ and Implementation Plan.
    3. Environmental Grants Section--PHS 398 Forms BB, DD, EE, FF, HH, 
II, and JJ and Implementation Plan.
    It is essential that applications be complete and accurate at the 
time of submission. Incomplete applications will not be considered. One 
copy of an incomplete or incorrect application will be returned by 
mail.
    Additional PHS 398 forms and application instructions are available 
by writing the Defense Environmental Scholarships/Fellowships and 
Grants Program, P.O. Box R, Woodbridge, VA 22194 (telephone 703-643-
2952; FAX 703-497-2095).
    Grant recipients will also be required to comply with provisions of 
Office of Management and Budget Circulars A-21, ``Cost Principles for 
Educational Institutions,'' A-110, ``Uniform Administrative 
Requirements for Grants and Agreements With Institutions of Higher 
Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations,'' and A-133, 
``Audits of Institutions of Higher Education and Other Nonprofit 
Institutions.''
    Proposal must be submitted in 6 copies (original + 5).

DEADLINE: Deadline for complete proposals to be received at the Defense 
Environmental Scholarships/Fellowships and Grants Program, P.O. Box R, 
Woodbridge, VA 22194, is 4:00 p.m. (EDT), June 21, 1994. Proposals 
received after that time and date will not be considered.

LATE APPLICATIONS: Applications which do not meet the criteria under 
``Deadline,'' above, are considered late applications. Late 
applications will not be considered.

    Mailing Address for Application Package. Department of Defense, 
Environmental Scholarships/Fellowships and Grants Program, P.O. Box R, 
Woodbridge, Virginia 22194.
    Shipping (FedEx, UPT, etc.) Address for Application Package. 
Department of Defense, Environmental Scholarships/ Fellowships and 
Grants Program, 1635-2 Woodside Drive, Woodbridge, Virginia 22191, 
Phone: 703-643-2952.

DATES: Application packages and detailed instructions will be available 
April 30, 1994. Deadline for completed applications to be received by 
the Department of Defense will be 4:00 p.m. (EDT), June 21, 1994. 
Grants will be issued by September 30, 1994.

ADDRESSES: For additional information or to receive application 
packages and detailed instructions, contact Dave Fletcher, Department 
of Defense Environmental Grants Program, P.O. Box R, Woodbridge, VA 
22194, phone 703-643-2952 or FAX 703-497-2905.

    Dated: April 26, 1994.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 94-10419 Filed 4-26-94; 3:00 pm]
BILLING CODE 5000-04-M