[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 167 (Monday, August 28, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52111-52114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-21919]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6858-9]


U.S./Mexico Border Program; Request for Proposals

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Solicitation notice; Building Environmental Education Capacity 
Along the US/Mexico Border--in Region VI.

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SUMMARY: This document solicits proposals from education institutions, 
environmental and educational public agencies, and not-for-profit 
organizations to assist the U.S. EPA Region VI in the implementation of 
the draft Border XXI Environmental Education (EE) Plan for the US/
Mexico Border in the Lower Rio Grande Valley Region (Brownsville-
Matamoros, McAllen-Reynosa, Laredo-Nuevo Laredo and surrounding 
communities). This solicitation notice contains all the information 
necessary to prepare a proposal. Federal forms are available on line, 
please see III, A. for web-site information. This solicitation notice 
is also available on line at: http://www.epa.gov/usmexicoborder/. If 
your proposal is selected as a finalist after the evaluation process is 
concluded, EPA will provide you with the additional Federal forms 
needed to process your proposal. This cooperative agreement will be 
awarded in the amount of $100,000 and the recipient will be required to 
provide a 5% match ($5,000). Please see section III., C. for additional 
information on matching funds.
    A cooperative agreement was selected as the funding mechanism for 
this project since various EPA offices will be involved in project 
planning, implementation, and evaluation. Environmental Education 
programming activities in the border region are authorized under 
various sections of the following acts: Clean Water Act, section 
104(b)(3); Safe Drinking Water Act, section 1442(b)(3); Solid Waste 
Disposal Act sections 6981 and 8001; Clean Air Act sections 103 and 
7403; Toxic Substances Control Act, section 10(a); and Comprehensive 
Environmental Response and Sanctuaries Act, section 311(a).

DATES: An original proposal signed by an authorized representative plus 
one copy, must be mailed to EPA postmarked no later than November 21, 
2000. Proposals postmarked after that date will not be considered for 
funding. EPA expects to make the award in early January 2001. 
Applicants should anticipate project start dates for January, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Applicants may submit proposals via regular U.S. mail, or 
express mail to the following address: Amadee Madril (6WQ-CO), U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Region VI, 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 
1200, Dallas, TX 75202, Telephone (214) 664-2767.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amadee Madril, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, Region VI, Telephone (214) 664-2767 or E-Mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Section I: Overview, Background, and Deadlines

A. Environmental Education Versus Environmental Information

    Environmental Education increases public awareness and knowledge 
about environmental issues and provides the skills to make informed 
decisions and take responsible actions. It does not advocate a 
particular viewpoint or course of action. It teaches individuals how to 
weigh various sides of an issue through critical thinking and it 
enhances their own problem-solving skills. Simply providing or 
``distributing'' environmental information such as scientific facts or 
opinions about environmental issues or problems, is not considered to 
be environmental education. Although information is an essential 
element of any educational effort, environmental information is not, by 
itself, environmental education.

B. Background of the Border XXI EE Plan

    The Border XXI EE Plan is based on a program development model 
known as TEEM (Training and Environmental Education Materials) which 
was created through a collaborative effort led by the North American 
Association for Environmental Education and the U.S. Peace Corps with 
funding from EPA's Office of Environmental Education and the U.S. 
Agency for International Development. The TEEM model has a proven track 
record in building local capacity and empowering communities to play 
integral roles in protecting their environment and conserving natural 
resources. The TEEM model is locally driven and based on needs 
identified by educators who have a first-hand understanding of the 
issues relevant to their individual communities. Ultimately, our aim is 
to establish a network that links U.S. and Mexican EE providers that 
will be responsible for improving access to EE materials/information, 
and developing and implementing professional/organizational development 
activities. The network will build stability and develop synergy 
through partnerships by coordinating activities, leveraging resources, 
capitalizing on the relative expertise of partners, and, in general, 
working together to achieve common goals.
    The plan is designed to overlap with work already being conducted 
by local EE provider agencies and organizations along the entire 
border. Indeed TEEM efforts are currently underway in Arizona, 
California, Sonora, Chihuahua, and Baja California. Participants in 
this regional TEEM effort will be asked to take responsibility for 
identifying their own EE training needs, and then designing, 
implementing and evaluating the strategies that will meet those needs. 
This effort will incorporate the experiences already gained in other 
areas of the border.

[[Page 52112]]

C. Implementing the TEEM Model in Region VI

    In order to achieve the overarching goal of building EE capacity in 
the border region, the following general objectives and tasks have 
already been identified through a collaborative process with government 
agencies and non profit EE providers from the border region. Note: when 
reviewing the objectives and tasks please recognize that the TEEM model 
is locally driven. The following tasks and objectives do not offer 
extensive detail so that the unfolding of the process can occur with 
maximum input and flexibility from participants in the region.
Objectives
     Identify priority regional environmental issues and 
environmental literacy needs;
     Assess EE Provider needs for program improvement;
     Plan strategies, programs, or projects to meet these 
needs;
     Form support networks to help implement those strategies, 
programs or projects; create a broad base of support that will help 
monitor program progress, evaluate impacts of programs and make proper 
adjustments for future sustainability.
Tasks
    Form a Core Planning Team: Through EPA Region VI's efforts in the 
development of a ``Border EE Resource Guide,'' an idea has emerged as 
to ``who'' the EE providers are in the region. The next step will be to 
identify and form a core planning team of two or three of the area's 
leading EE providers. Additionally, this team should also include 
representatives with experience in the implementation of the TEEM model 
from other areas of the border. The Core Planning Team will then 
develop a mission statement which will serve as the driving force to 
allocate funding, invite extended participation, and publicize the TEEM 
effort. The core planning team will also take responsibility to begin 
identifying a baseline of available resources and begin to classify 
regional EE needs to better assemble a local organizing committee. 
Products resulting from the completion of this task might include: 
mission statement and initial needs assessment with priorities for 
action.
    Convene a Local Organizing Committee: The next step of the Core 
Planning Team will be to analyze the EE providers from the region and 
convene a local organizing committee. Key criteria for selecting 
organizations should include: ability to commit resources (financial 
and human), geographic area of coverage, audiences targeted, 
environmental issues addressed, technical preparation (both science and 
education), quality of work completed, willingness to collaborate, and 
geographic location. Products resulting from the completion of this 
task might include: Clarification of selection criteria for Organizing 
Committee membership, analysis and report on existing EE program 
providers, invitations for participation tendered.
    Identify the Needs of the Region: The Local Organizing Committee 
will identify the needs of the EE providers in the region. Simply put, 
what do EE providers need to do their jobs better? This information may 
be sought using interviews, questionnaires, focus groups or other 
means. Involving the groups themselves in the needs assessment process 
will be key to this task. Products resulting from the completion of 
this task should include, but are not limited to: Needs Assessment 
Report on EE in the region.
    Develop Strategies, Programs and Project Options: Based on the 
results from the needs assessment, the Local Organizing Committee will 
be ready to design a strategy, program or project to meet the needs of 
the EE practitioners in the region. Examples of projects might include: 
training workshops (train-the-trainers, project planning and 
evaluation, curriculum development, non-formal strategies), 
organizational development (budgeting, leadership and communication 
skills, strategic planning), access to networks, information, or 
quality materials, etc.
    Important to this phase of the process is to develop a monitoring 
and evaluation system for the project to measure progress, assess 
impact, and make changes to the project for the future based on past 
performance.
    Products resulting from the completion of this task might include: 
Action Plan for the region, prioritized list of strategies to reach EE 
practitioners.
    Select a Project(s)/Target Audience(s) for Implementation: The 
Organizing Committee will need to prioritize project options for 
reaching EE practitioners in the region. It will be essential therefore 
to select participants in the program who will either impact large 
numbers of people or be involved in the support of other organizations 
that provide those EE services to the population. The focus at this 
level is on the EE provider, the organizing committee should not be 
looking directly at providing EE services to the population. Products 
resulting from the completion of this task might include: Project(s) 
implementation, production of newsletter/report on projects.
    Build in Follow-up Support for the Long Run: Careful consideration 
by the Local Organizing Committee needs to be given on how the process 
will continue into the future. Some strategic questions to consider 
include: how will the EE practitioners meet their needs in the long 
run, and where will the funding come from? By developing a broad base 
of support at the Local Organizing Committee level with representatives 
from a variety of organizations, Region VI will be better equipped to 
handle and plan for some of these difficult long-term issues.

Section II: Eligibility

    Any local education agency, state education or environmental 
agency, college or university, not-for-profit organization as described 
in section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or noncommercial 
educational broadcasting entity may submit proposal. Applicant 
organizations must be located in border region the United States and 
the majority of the educational activities must take place in the 
United States. A teacher's school district, an educator's nonprofit 
organization, or a faculty member's college or university may apply, 
but an individual teacher, educator, or faculty member may not.
    Additionally: The recipient of this award must have experience with 
environmental education in the Border area, and the capability to 
provide training in both English and Spanish. The recipient will have a 
proven record of developing partnerships with key EE providers in the 
border region, and be recognized as a regional leader. EPA emphasizes 
the importance of working with and developing partners and partnerships 
as a key to the selection of the recipient.

Section III: Requirements for Proposals and Matching Funds

    The proposal must contain two standard federal forms, a work plan 
with budget, and appendices, as described below. Please follow 
instructions and do not submit additional items.

A. Federal Forms

    Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) and Budget Information 
(SF-424A): The SF-424 and SF-424A are required for all federal 
cooperative agreements and must be submitted as part of your proposal. 
These two forms are available on-line as follows:
    OMB SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance (PDF 10.1 kb) http:/
/

[[Page 52113]]

www.whitehouse.gov/media/pdf/sf424.pdf OMB SF-424A, Budget 
Information--Nonconstruction Programs (PDF 15.4 kb) http://www.whitehouse.gov/media/pdf/sf424a.pdf.
    Forms are also available in hard copy via fax or mail by calling 
(214) 665-2767. Only finalists will be asked to submit additional 
federal forms needed to process their proposal. EPA will make copies of 
your proposal for use by reviewers. Unnecessary forms create a 
paperwork burden for the reviewers.

B. Work Plan and Appendices

    Since general objectives and tasks are already laid out for the 
Border XXI Plan, the work plan required for this solicitation will 
focus more on how an organization proposes to achieve them. The 
following sections must be included in the proposal. (Page numbers in 
parenthesis are MAXIMUMS, please do not exceed them).
1. Project Summary (One Page)
    Organization: describe your organization (include goals/objectives/
mission statements, etc) and the partners you plan to involve.
    Project Summary: Summarize how you will accomplish the proposed 
objectives and tasks, and why your organization is qualified for doing 
so.
    Costs: List the types of activities for which the EPA portion of 
the funds will be spent. The project summary will be scored on how well 
you provide an overview of your entire proposal using the topics stated 
above.
2. Project Implementation Description (Four Pages)
    How. Describe in detail HOW you plan to accomplish each of the 
tasks listed above. Please be as specific as possible. Include 
partners, and other sources of information and resources that will 
assist you in completing the tasks. Also, please identify additional 
tasks that you feel would be necessary to complete to achieve the 
overall plan's objectives.
    Why. Please describe in detail WHY your organization is 
particularly qualified to for the project. Include a project history, 
educational products your organization has completed, and list partner 
organizations that have helped you accomplish your mission.
3. Project Evaluation (One Page)
    Describe how you will ensure you are accomplishing the objectives 
of the TEEM process as set forth above. Evaluation plans may be 
quantitative and/or qualitative and may include, for example, 
evaluation tools, observation, or outside consultation. The project 
evaluation will be scored on how well your plan will measure project 
effectiveness and apply evaluation data during the project to 
strengthen it.
4. Budget (One Page)
    Clarify how EPA funds and non-federal matching funds will be used 
for specific items or activities, such as personnel/salaries, fringe 
benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contract costs, and indirect 
costs. Include a table which lists each major proposed activity, and 
the amount of EPA funds and/or matching funds that will be spent on 
each activity. Budget periods cannot exceed two-years.
    Please Note the following funding restrictions:
     Indirect costs may be requested only if your organization 
has already prepared an indirect cost rate proposal and has it on file, 
subject to audit.
     Funds for salaries and fringe benefits may be requested 
only for those personnel who are directly involved in implementing the 
proposed project and whose salaries and fringe benefits are directly 
related to specific products or outcomes of the proposed project. EPA 
strongly encourages applicants to request reasonable amounts of funding 
for salaries and fringe benefits to ensure that your proposal is 
competitive.
     EPA will not fund the acquisition of real property 
(including buildings) or the construction or modification of any 
building.
    The budget section will be scored on how well the budget 
information clearly and accurately shows how funds will be used; and 
whether the funding request is reasonable given the activities 
proposed.
5. Appendices
    Please include the following:
    Time line. The time line should link the activities to a clear 
project schedule and indicate at what point over the months of your 
budget period each action, event, product, etc. occurs;
    Key Personnel. Attach a one page resume for the key personnel 
conducting the project (Maximum of three resumes please).
    Letters of Commitment. Include one page letters of commitment from 
partners explaining their role in the proposed project. Do not include 
letters of endorsement or recommendation or have them mailed in later; 
they will not be considered in evaluating proposals. Please do not 
submit other appendices or attachments such as video tapes or sample 
curricula. The appendices section will be scored based upon: (1) 
Whether the time line clarifies the work plan and allows reviewers to 
determine that the project is well thought out and feasible as planned; 
(2) whether the key personnel are qualified to implement the proposed 
project; and (3) whether letters of commitment are included and the 
extent to which a firm commitment is made.

C. Matching Funds Requirement

    Non-federal matching funds of at least $5,000 (5% of the $100,000 
award) are required. EPA encourages matches of more than 5%. The 5% 
match may be provided by the applicant alone, or, preferably in 
combination with partner organizations. The match may be provided in 
cash or by in-kind contributions and other non-cash support. In-kind 
contributions often include salaries or other verifiable costs and this 
value must be carefully documented. In the case of salaries, applicants 
may use either minimum wage or fair market value.
    Other Federal Funds: You may use other Federal funds in addition to 
those provided by this program, but not for activities that EPA is 
funding. You may not use any federal funds to meet any part of the 
required 5% match described above, unless it is specifically authorized 
by statute. If you have already been awarded federal funds for a 
project for which you are seeking additional support from this 
solicitation, you must indicate those funds in the budget section of 
the work plan. You must also identify the project officer, agency, 
office, address, phone number, and the amount of the federal funds.

D. Submission Requirements and Copies

    The applicant must submit one original and one copy of the proposal 
(a signed SF-424, an SF-424A, a work plan, a budget, and the appendices 
listed above). Do not include other attachments such as cover letters, 
tables of contents, additional Federal forms or appendices other than 
those listed above. Reviewers may lower scores on proposals for failure 
to follow instructions. The SF-424 should be the first page of your 
proposal and must be signed by a person authorized to receive funds. 
Blue ink for signatures is preferred. Proposals must be reproducible; 
they should not be bound. They should be stapled or clipped once in the 
upper left hand corner, on white paper, and with page numbers. Mailing 
addresses for submission of proposals are listed in Section I, 
subparagraph F of this document.

[[Page 52114]]

Section IV: Review and Selection Process

A. Proposal Review

    Proposals submitted to EPA will be evaluated using the criteria 
defined in section III and IV of this solicitation. Proposals will be 
reviewed in two phases--the screening phase and the evaluation phase. 
During the screening phase, proposals will be reviewed to determine 
whether they meet the basic requirements of the solicitation. Only 
those proposals which meet all of the basic requirements will enter the 
full evaluation phase of the review process. During the evaluation 
phase, proposals will be evaluated based upon the quality of their work 
plans. At the conclusion of the evaluation phase, the reviewers will 
score work plans on a scale from 0-100 as follows: Project Summary--10 
Points; Project Implementation Description--40 Points (up to 10 points 
for partnerships); Project Evaluation--10 Points; Budget--15 Points; 
Appendices--15 Points; Bonus Points--10 Points (reviewers grant these 
for outstanding proposals, or special circumstances).

B. Final Selections

    After individual proposals are evaluated and scored by reviewers, 
as described under section III and IV, EPA officials in Region VI and 
at Headquarters will select a diverse range of finalists from the 
highest ranking proposals. In making the final selections, EPA will 
take into account the following:
     Effectiveness of collaborative activities and 
partnerships, as needed to successfully develop or implement the 
project;
     Demonstrated leadership in the field of environmental 
education in the US/Mexico Border Region;
     Cost effectiveness of the proposal; and
     Organizational and administrative capacity to manage 
federal funds

C. Notification to Applicants

    Applicants will receive a confirmation that EPA has received their 
proposal. EPA will notify applicants about the outcome of their 
proposal when the award is made in September, 2000.

Section VI: Award Recipient Responsibilities

A. Responsible Officials

    The project must be performed by the applicant or by a person 
satisfactory to the applicant and EPA. The proposal must identify any 
person other than the applicant who will assist in carrying out the 
project. These individuals are responsible for receiving the 
cooperative agreement award agreement from EPA and ensuring that all 
cooperative agreement conditions are satisfied.

B. Incurring Costs

    The recipient may begin incurring costs on the start date 
identified in the EPA award agreement. Activities must be completed and 
funds spent within the time frames specified in the agreement.

C. Reports and Work Products

    Specific reporting requirements will be identified in the EPA award 
agreement. The recipient will be required to submit formal semi-annual 
progress reports as well as a final report and copies of all work 
products within 90 days after the expiration of the budget period. This 
report will be accepted as the final report unless the EPA project 
officer notifies you that changes must be made.

    Dated: August 15, 2000.
Gregg A. Cooke,
Regional Administrator, Region VI.
[FR Doc. 00-21919 Filed 8-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P