[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 246 (Wednesday, December 23, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71117-71122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34047]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6208-2]


Mobile Source Outreach Assistance Competition Fiscal Year 1999: 
Solicitation Notice

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Today's Notice announces the availability of funding and 
solicits proposals from state, local, multi-state and tribal air 
pollution control agencies for mobile sources-related public education 
and outreach projects. The funding will be allocated by EPA's Office of 
Mobile Sources through the competitive process described in this 
notice.

DATES: The deadline for submitting Final Proposals is Friday, February 
19, 1999. To allow for efficient management of the competitive process, 
OMS is requesting agencies to submit an informal Intent to Apply by 
January 7, 1999. (Instructions for submitting final proposals and 
Intents to Apply are found in Section X. below.)

ADDRESSES: This proposal can also be found on the Office of Mobile 
Sources Web Page: ``www.epa.gov/oms/'' click on ``What's New.'' 
Addresses for submitting proposals can be found in Section X. below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Bullard, Director of Outreach 
and Communication, USEPA Office of Mobile Sources, 401 M Street SW, 
Washington, 20460 (mail code 6401). Telephone (202) 260-2614; Fax (202) 
260-6011. Or email ``[email protected]''

Contents by Section

I. Overview and Deadlines
II. Eligible Organizations
III. Funding Issues
IV. Program Emphasis
V. Selection Criteria
VI. Evaluation and Selection
VII. Proposals
VIII. Current OMS/Section 105 Funded Outreach Projects
IX. Other Items of Interest
X. How to Apply
XI. Program Contact

    Deadline for informal Intent to Apply-January 7, 1999.
    Deadline for Final Proposal--Friday, February 19, 1999.
    This proposal can also be found on the Office of Mobile Sources Web 
Page: ``www.epa.gov/oms/'' click on ``What's New?''

[[Page 71118]]

FY 99 MOBILE SOURCE OUTREACH ASSISTANCE AGREEMENTS

Request for Proposals

Section I. Overview and Deadlines

    A. Overview: Over the past two years, OMS has entered into 
agreements and established partnerships with a number of organizations 
to (1) provide national support for community-based mobile source 
public education efforts and, (2) encourage responsible choices for 
organizational and individual actions through public education. Current 
outreach projects funded through OMS (listed in Section VIII(U) below) 
emphasize transportation choices; education of vehicle owners and 
drivers of the future; car care and the role of the automotive 
technician; and, related projects such as ozone mapping and small 
engines. EPA's Office of Mobile Sources has set aside funds from the 
State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) account to provide support to 
community-based mobile source-related projects. This notice solicits 
proposals for public education and outreach projects which directly 
support state and local air management organizations in their efforts 
to improve air quality from mobile sources. Proposals will be accepted 
from state, local, tribal and multi-state air management agencies which 
are identified as such under Section 302(b) of the Clean Air Act.
    Interested persons can also obtain copies of this solicitation at 
no charge by accessing ``What's New?'' on the OMS Website, ``http://
www.epa.gov/oms.''
    B. What are the deadlines for this competition?
    In order to efficiently manage the selection process, the Office of 
Mobile Sources requests that an informal ``Intent to Apply'' be 
submitted by January 7, 1999 (Please provide email address if 
available). An ``Intent to Apply'' simply states in the form of e-mail, 
phone, or fax that your organization intends to submit a proposal to be 
received by the deadline. Including the name or subject of the project 
would also be helpful. Submitting an Intent to Apply does not commit an 
organization to submit a final proposal. Those not submitting an Intent 
to Apply may still apply by the deadline.
    The deadline for submitting completed final proposals (original and 
six copies) is February 19, 1999. The Office of Mobile Sources expects 
to complete the Evaluation/Selection process in early April, 1999.

Section II. Eligible Organizations

    C. Who is eligible to submit proposals? According to funding 
policies associated with the State and Tribal Assistance Grants 
regulations (STAG funds), proposals can be accepted only from air 
pollution control agencies as defined under Section 302(b) of the Clean 
Air Act, (for projects to be undertaken will have replicability to 
other communities nationally), as well as multi-state organizations 
supporting Section 302(b) agencies. OMS has no discretion over this 
requirement. Interested air management or related organizations which 
are not air pollution control agencies as defined under Section 302(b) 
of the Clean Air Act are encouraged to create partnerships with 
eligible organizations.
    In that situation, the eligible organization would be required to 
submit the final proposal and serve as the funding recipient if 
selected.

Section III. Funding Issues

    D: What is the amount of available funding? Approximately $550K.
    E. How will funds be allocated? The competition process will be 
managed by OMS and selected cooperative agreements will be awarded by 
EPA's Regional offices and funded through either Section 103 (for 
multi-state organizations as defined by law only) or Section 105 
authority (state and local air pollution control agencies.) OMS has no 
discretion over this requirement.
    F. How many agreements will be awarded? Approximately six 
agreements will be awarded, none to exceed $100,000. The total dollar 
amount of the final awards must be within available funding.
    G. Are matching funds required? Possibly. Clean Air Act Section 105 
mandates that eligible agencies provide matching funds of at least 40%. 
Therefore, if an air pollution control agency submits a proposal for 
which they do not already have sufficient matching funds, they must 
include a statement in their proposal indicating that the match could 
be met if their proposal is selected. Organizations unable to meet a 
required match must be considered ineligible. (This requirement does 
not apply to multi state organizations.) Organizations which are 
unclear as to their matching status are recommended to contact their 
EPA Regional Grant Coordinator.
    H. Can funding be used to acquire services or fund partnerships?
    Yes--subgrants and other procurement services are allowed. Because 
the method used to fund subgrants is not a federal matter, procedures 
governing your organization's procurement practices must be followed. 
Please indicate any intent to enter into such agreements in the 
proposal.

Section IV. Program Emphasis

I. Program Emphasis
--Voluntary Measures
--Commuter Choice initiatives
--Transportation choices
--Car care (testing, repair, maintenance)
--Environmental education for future drivers and consumers
--Other mobile source issues (including but not limited to: on-board 
diagnostics, diesel, particulate matter, heavy duty engines; nonroad 
engines; ozone mapping/forecasting, and alternative fuels)

Section V. Selection Criteria

J. Primary Criteria
--Addresses environmental goals of improved air quality from mobile 
sources
--Presents a strong public health message
--Demonstrates national or regional applicability
--Provides for at least minimal replication for use by other 
organizations in the budget
--Demonstrates effectiveness of delivery mechanism to reach targeted 
audience
--Exhibits clearly-stated and appropriate levels of funding Includes 
effective measurement/evaluation methods
--Reflects the potential for sustainability
K. Other Factors to be Considered
--Innovation in public awareness
--Effectiveness of collaborative activities and partnerships with other 
stakeholders needed to effectively develop or implement the project
--Integration with existing programs
--Willingness to coordinate with other OMS-funded outreach activities
L. Presentation Criteria
--Completeness
--Action-oriented
--Clearly-stated objectives
--Reasonable time frames

Section VI. Evaluation and Selection

    M. The Evaluation Team is chosen to address a full range of mobile 
source and EPA program expertise. In addition, each EPA Regional office 
is given the opportunity to review those proposals generated by 
eligible organizations within that Region. The Evaluation Team will 
base its evaluation on the criteria referenced in this Request for

[[Page 71119]]

Proposal. Completed evaluations will be referred to a Selection 
Committee representing OMS senior managers and Regional representatives 
who are responsible for further consideration and final selection. To 
ensure equity and objectivity throughout the process, the OMS Program 
Contact (listed below) and staff who facilitate the process and 
participate in pre-application assistance, do not serve as members of 
either the Evaluation Team or the Selection Committee.

Section VII. Proposals

    N. What must be included in the proposal? Proposals should be 
approximately 5-7 pages in length (please do not include binders) and 
must include:
    (1) A brief statement that candidate organization is defined as an 
air pollution control agency under Section 302(b) of the Clean Air Act.
    (2) A statement that any required match could be met.
    (3) A concise statement of project background/objectives 
highlighting relationship to improving air quality from mobile sources.
    (4) A detailed project summary--description of specific actions to 
be undertaken, including estimated time line for each task.
    (5) Associated work products to be developed.
    (6) Explanation of project benefits.
    (7) Detailed explanation of how project outcomes will be designed 
for replication in other communities.
    (8) A detailed budget estimate (clearly explain how funds will be 
used, including estimated cost for each task).
    (9) Projected time frame for project from initiation through 
completion.
    (10) Project contact(s) (provide name, organization, phone, fax, 
and e-mail where available).
    O. Will 2-year proposals be considered? Yes. If a proposal with a 
2-year project period is submitted, OMS requires that the budget and 
cost estimate be designed to indicate what will be accomplished in each 
of the first and second years.
    P. May an eligible organization submit more than one proposal? An 
organization may submit more than one proposal only if the proposals 
are for different projects.
    Q. May an eligible organization resubmit a proposal which was 
previously submitted to the Mobile Source Outreach Assistance 
Competition, but was not selected? Yes. The proposals received by OMS 
in both 1997 and 1998 were generally of very high quality. Clearly, all 
proposals of merit could not be selected due to finite resources 
available.
    R. May an eligible organization submit a proposal for this fiscal 
year, even if it was awarded funding under this program in its first 
year? Yes. Applicants awarded funding in last year's competition may 
submit new proposals to fund a different project. This program is 
designed to provide seed money to initiate new projects or advance 
existing projects that are new in some way (e.g. new audiences, new 
locations, new approaches.)
    S. Does this funding expire at the end of FY 99? No. The statute 
states that State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) for environmental 
programs remain available until expended (``no-year money'').
    T. Ineligible proposals. Proposals will be determined to be 
ineligible if: (1) The candidate organization is not currently defined 
as an air pollution control agency under Section 302(b) of the Clean 
Air Act; (2) a required match cannot be met; (3) the proposal is 
incomplete; or (4) the proposal is postmarked after the deadline.

Section VIII. Current OMS/Section 105 Funded Outreach Projects

    U. The following offers a brief sketch of projects currently funded 
through the Office of Mobile Sources, either with Section 105 funding 
or OMS program funding.

Transportation Choices

``Reusable City''
Illinois EPA and the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry
Contact: Betsy Tracey, 217/782-0408

    The project is designed to:
    --enhance the air quality and mobile source component of ``Reusable 
City''--a permanent environmental science exhibit at the Chicago Museum 
of Science and Industry.
    --Present basic science, describe health effects, explain citizen 
role in contributing to mobile source emissions, explain ``calls to 
action'' such as Ozone Action Days,'' foster critical problem-solving 
and decision-making skills.
    --Create ``real'' meteorological station measuring actual ambient 
conditions outside the Museum, an interactive learning device (computer 
with CD Rom) and supporting materials to illustrate the relationship 
between meteorology and ozone. The user can become an ozone forecaster.
    --Ribbon-cutting, June 24, 1998.
``Screen Seen''
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Ron Severance, 207/287-2437

    The project includes:
    --Full screen cinema commercials for captive audience of 
moviegoers.
    --20 minute rotation of 3 messages (visual images, trivia 
questions--OBD, PM, heavy duty, health message).
    --Posting of all slides on WWW; Maine will assist states in 
adapting.
``Chattanooga Lifestyle Campaign: Improving Chattanooga's Air Quality 
Through Voluntary Citizen Behavior Change of Transportation Choices''
Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Board
Contact: Angela Turner, 423/867-4321

    Working with the Global Action Plan (GAP), the project goal will be 
to enhance the mobile source component of Chattanooga's Household 
EcoTeam Project. The project includes:
    --4-month tracking of specific actions to reduce auto emissions 
through transportation choices in 50 households.
    --Peer support and handbook to support family involvement.
    --Follow up research to determine sustainability of new 
transportation practices.
    --Two-part national technology transfer--invitational conference 
for local, state and federal air quality managers after demonstration 
period; broad-based outreach through presentations at meetings and 
conferences.
``It All Adds Up To Cleaner Air'': Transportation/Air Quality Public 
Information Initiative
Contacts:
    Kathy Daniel (DOT/FHWA), 202/366-6276
    Patrice Thornton (EPA/OMS), 734/214-4329
    Abbe Marner (DOT/FTA), 202/366-0096

    This DOT/EPA collaborative effort is:
    --Community-based with support from federal agencies to increase 
public awareness of impact of travel behavior on air quality, and 
increase driving public's awareness of alternative modes of 
transportation and importance of travel choices on traffic congestion 
and air quality.
    --Built on results from 3 pilot community sites--Dover, DE; 
Milwaukee, WI; and San Francisco, CA.
    --Designed to include coalition-building, environmental education 
for youth, production of informational materials for public and media, 
and evaluation of changes in public awareness and actions.
    --Nationally available to as many as 12 Demonstration Communities 
in 1999.

[[Page 71120]]

    --TV spots being aired began Clean Air Week, '98.
    --Initial meeting of national coalition stakeholders late summer 
'98.
``Let Kid Lead: Youth VMT Initiative'' [Creating Community-Based 
Solutions to Community-Defined Problems'']
Academy for Educational Development (AED)
Contacts: Bill Smith, 202/884-8750; Rick Bossi, 202/884-8898

    The purpose of this youth-based program, which has entered into 
partnership with Kansas City, Tampa and Boston as its pilot sites is 
to:
    --Create a replicable and sustainable program for involving youth 
and families in reducing growth in vehicle miles traveled (VMT).
    --Enable youth to communicate about travel choices, solve problems 
and make sound travel decisions to minimize VMT.
    --Share successful practices, lessons learned and tools developed 
in the pilot sites with other communities.
    --Serve as a blueprint for communities interested in including a 
youth component in efforts to reduce growth of VMT.
``Public Outreach on Congestion Relief Pricing and Cash-Out Parking''
NY Department of Environmental Conservation/Tri-State Transportation 
Campaign
Dave Shaw (NYDEC), 518/457-7231
Janine Bauer (Tri-State), 212/777-8181

    The project will:.
    --Research, produce and disseminate educational materials about 
market based pricing mechanisms to reduce auto travel.
    --Build on work with cash-out parking demo projects and Pricing 
Project Implementation on I-287/Tappan Zee Corridor.
    --Send clear public health message.
``Air World''--Interactive Information Kiosk
Ventura County Air Pollution Control Board
Contact: Barbara Page, 805/645-1415

    This initiative will:
    --Develop a stand-alone bilingual interactive information kiosk for 
the public focusing on transportation-related air quality issues with 
content which reflects national, state and local issues.
    --Produce products including a prototype kiosk (providing other air 
quality management agencies with 60-70% of actual programming needed to 
produce a similar kiosk for their citizens--video, graphics, animation) 
and an instructional handbook.
    --Be delivered in early 1999.

Educating Future Drivers and Consumers

``Smog City: Interactive Air Pollution Simulation for Use on Air Agency 
Internet Web Site''
Sacramento Air Quality Management District
Kerry Shearer, 916/386-6180

    ``Smog City'' will be:
    --Designed for users to manipulate multiple on-screen controls with 
their mouse to control variables within Smog City, and the simulation 
will be able to respond to that input based information.
    --Colorful, challenging, completely interactive, instantly 
applicable in the classroom.
``Cleaner Cars Module: An Initiative to Encourage Responsible Car 
Maintenance and Driving Habits Among Future Drivers''
Environmental Health Center (National Safety Council).
Contact: Nyki Brandon-Palermo, 202/974-2484

    Networking and coordinating with other similar projects across the 
country, this effort has:
    --Developed a driver education curriculum module for new drivers 
linking benefits of responsible maintenance to responsible driving for 
use in 1500+ public and private driver education programs nationwide.
    --Products including teacher plans, exercises, information wheel, 
interactive CD ROM, overheads.
    --Available now!
Driver Education Pilot
NESCAUM
Contact: Ginger Lawrence, 617/367-8540

    This effort:
    --Piloted the driver education curriculum module developed by the 
Environmental Health Center (see above) in several cities in the 
northeast.
``I.D.L.E. in Dade''
Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management
    Contact: Kristin Buch, 305/372-6895

    The program will:
    --Educate new drivers on the air quality impacts of driving, use of 
alternative fuels and transportation choices.
    --Encourage responsible maintenance and driving practices.
    --Teach critical-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making 
skills through educational videos, informational handouts, creative 
hands-on demonstrations and design contests.
``Easy Breathers''
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Sara Burr, 608/266-2621

    The project will be designed to:
    --As a national educational effort focusing on the science of 
mobiles sources.
    --Raise awareness and understanding high schools, technical and 
community colleges and business communities.
    --Be integrated/coordinated with Partners for Clean Air (involved 
in pilot activities for transportation/air quality initiative) and EHC 
driver education curriculum.
    --Represent a multimedia approach (interactive CD, poster, research 
materials, link to websites).
Teacher Workshops--NESEA Tour de Sol
Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA)
Contact: Nancy Hazard, 413/774-6051

    Designed as a teacher training course, this project:
    --Brought issues of transportation and the environment into middle 
school classrooms along the route of the 1998 Tour de Sol.
    --6 workshops delivered--May, 98.

Dealing with In-Use Emissions

``Workshop Series on OBDII''
Utah Department of Air Quality/Division of Air Quality
Bill Colbert (Utah DAQ), 801/536-4423
Joe Thomas (Weber State University), 801/536-4175

    The national OBDII Trainer the Trainer Workshop Series will be:
    --Designed to on 2 tracks to support state I/M regulators and 
technical and communication staff (Technical Track and Public Awareness 
Track).
``OBD Training Course for Technicians''
Service Technicians Society (STS)
Contact: 412/772-7166

    STS is:
    --Developing a training course on-board diagnostic systems for 
technicians.
    --Course delivered, 1998.
``Motivating Timely Repair of Vehicles not subject to I/M through 
Remote Sensing, Public Outreach, and Repair Community Incentives''
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Nina DeConcini (Oregon DEQ), 503/229-6788
Ken Mays (Central Oregon Community College), 541/383-7753

    This project will:

[[Page 71121]]

    --Raise awareness of highly polluting vehicles and their impact on 
public health.
    --Motivate community actions to encourage repair of high emitting 
vehicles NOT subject to I/M.
    --Mobilize the repair industry to offer repair incentives for 
vehicles identified as high emitters.
    --Stimulate communities to use resources to promote and evaluate 
effectiveness of the program.
``Car Care for Clean Air''
Contacts: Mia Zmud, Weber State University, Bill Colbert, Utah DAQ
801/536-4423

    This pilot project is designed to:
    --Raise public awareness of ways in which automotive service 
affects air quality.
    --Create coalitions to identify ways to improve vehicle maintenance 
practices--elevating the number, skill sets, performance and image of 
vehicle maintenance technicians.
    --Encourage environmentally-sound transportation choices in 
anticipation of 2002 Olympics and beyond.
``The Air Repair Communications Project''
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Contact: Kerry Cordray, 573-751-4817

    A bi-state effort in partnership with the American Lung Association 
of Eastern Missouri, the ``Air Repair Communications Project'' will:
    --Focus on enhanced inspection and maintenance.
    --Create replicable materials including media kits, psas, exhibits, 
articles for newsletters, brochure to educate on enhanced I/M, theater 
screen slides, video to be distributed through Blockbuster;
    --Undertake activities including car care clinics, community 
presentations, training and materials development for transportation 
management associations, participation at commuter fairs, open houses 
for public information exchange; make I/M program information available 
through posting on the WWW and other outreach tools.
    --Market research underway--tools production temporarily on hold.

Heavy Duty

``Heavy Duty Vehicle Emission Reduction Outreach Program''
San Joaquin Valley United Air Pollution Control District
Dave Mitchell/Janis Parker, 209/497-1075

    This comprehensive marketing program will:
    --Target owners/operators of heavy duty on-road and non-road 
engines.
    --Demonstrate operating advantages.
    --Inform potential participants of all available local, state, and 
federal incentives for using clean technology.
    --Involve participation in annual Tulare Farm and Equipment Show 
(display/product show and breakout session).

Small Engines

``Cash for Clippers''
Maryland Department of the Environment
Contact: Jessica Ritter, 410/631-3229

    This program:
    --Educated consumers about pollution prevention, ground-level 
ozone, MDE's forecasting program, and the impact of lawn and garden 
equipment.
    --Offered rebates toward purchase of non-gasoline powered lawn 
mowers.
    --Developed economic incentives to prevent pollution, foster 
creativity and innovation within the private and public sectors.

Projects in Support of NAAQS

``Air Pollution, Motor Vehicles and Public Health''
American Lung Association (ALA)
Contact: Katherine Pruitt, 202/785-3355

    Mini-grants provided to 15 local lung associations (through ALA 
competitive process) for public education efforts which address a wide 
range of mobile source issues.
    Projects were designed to:
    --Send a strong public health message focused on children and 
asthma designed to raise public awareness of air quality and the impact 
of mobile sources.
    --Be implemented in ozone season `98.
``Integrate the Televised Ozone Map with Mobile Source Outreach 
Initiatives''
NESCAUM/MARAMA/OTC Collaboration
Contact: Ginger Lawrence, NESCAUM, 617/367-8540

    This project:
    --Expanded the scope of the animated ozone map to 14 states+ 
represented by NESCAUM, MARAMA and OTC.
    --Encourages region-wide distribution and use of the map, conduct 
public outreach to inform and motivate voluntary mobile source ozone 
abatement actions, and development of outreach materials for 
meteorologists and the public.
    --Provides technical assistance to other regions of the country 
interested in the benefits of ozone mapping and forecasting, through 
creation of a web site and other outreach activities.
Ozone and Particulate Matter Outreach
STAPPA/ALAPCO
Contact: Gail Graves, 202/624-7864

    STAPPA/ALAPCO is developing dynamic education and outreach 
materials to help state and local air agencies communicate the ozone 
and PM decisions and potential implications to elected officials, the 
media and the public. The project:
    --Produced and distributed an informational video on PM 2.5--
``Small Town Saves World'' to every state and local air agency. The 
video is designed to educate important constituents including state and 
local elected officials, civic and business groups and high school and 
college students.
    --Will develop a modular PM implementation tool kit providing a 
variety of materials including communication tools to assist state and 
local agencies in explaining how the new PMfine standard will be 
implemented as well as potential implications

Section IX. Other Items of Interest

V. Is there other information I should have before applying? Yes.
    --Submission of an Intent to Apply or a final proposal does not 
guarantee funding.
    --Only those organizations selected will be required to submit a 
complete ``Application for Federal Assistance and Budget Information 
(SF 424 and SF 424A) to the appropriate EPA Regional Office.''

Section X. How to Apply

    W. How do I apply?
    Intents to Apply may take the form of email, letter or phone call 
to the Program Contact listed below. Please Submit Informal Intents To 
Apply by January 7, 1999.
    Completed proposals must be postmarked or received on or before 
Friday, February 19, 1999 (original + 6--no binders please) and should 
be sent via regular mail to: Susan Bullard, Director of Outreach and 
Communication, US EPA Office of Mobile Sources, Mail Code 6401, 401 M 
Street SW, Washington, DC 20460.

[Note: Proposals may be faxed, but must be followed by a hard copy 
original and 6 copies.]

    Proposals to be sent through express mail must be sent by Friday, 
February 19, to the following address: Susan Bullard, Director of 
Outreach and Communication, US EPA Office of

[[Page 71122]]

Mobile Sources, Room W737, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC. 20460, 
(202) 260-2614, (202) 260-7645 (backup number for expressed proposals 
only).
Deadline for Completed Final Proposals, Friday, February 19, 1999.

Section XI. OMS Program Contact

    Susan Bullard, Director of Outreach and Communication, EPA Office 
of Mobile Sources, 401 M Street SW (Mail Code 6401), Washington, DC 
20460, (Phone) 202/260-2614 (Fax) 202/260-6011, 
``[email protected]''

    Dated: December 17, 1998.
Margo T. Oge,
Program Official.
[FR Doc. 98-34047 Filed 12-22-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U