[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 5 (Monday, January 8, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1338-1342]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-419]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6927-8]


Financial Assistance for an Environmental Professional Intern 
Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) announces 
the availability of Federal Assistance to conduct an intern program to 
provide on the job training for students interested in careers in 
environmental protection. The need for wise stewardship of the nation's 
environmental resources is increasing and with it a need to enlarge the 
pool of skilled environmental professionals and at the same time 
increase the diversity of this pool. EPA recognizes that there is a 
shortage of skilled environmental professionals. The programmatic 
objective of this intern program is to provide unique opportunities for 
cooperative study, research, and development that would increase the 
number and diversity of skilled engineers, scientists, policy makers, 
legal professionals, and managers in the environmental arena by 
affording ``on the job training'' opportunities for students interested 
in public or private sector careers in environmental protection.
    This solicitation is to find a qualified non-profit organization to 
carry out this student intern program. The student interns will be 
considered employees of the cooperative partner rather than EPA during 
their training period. All student interns must be enrolled in an 
undergraduate or graduate program, or accepted into an undergraduate or 
graduate program that will commence within nine months of selection as 
a student intern. This partner would be responsible for locating 
candidate interns, selecting the interns and administering the funding 
to the Interns/Associates. USEPA would identify the intern/associate 
opportunities at EPA or EPA stakeholder facilities, provide advice to 
the cooperative partner in the selection of the candidate interns and 
provide space, technical guidance and training to the Interns/
associates during their period of internship at either an EPA facility 
or an EPA stakeholder facility. This program will start on or about 
April 1, 2001 and continue for a three year period.

DATES: Applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern 
Time, February 23, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Applicants must submit one signed original plus two (2) 
copies of the application including all information required by the 
application kit. Applications must be mailed to: Linda K. Smith, EPA 
Intern Program, US EPA (2201A), Washington, DC 20460. If delivered by 
courier service, the address is: Linda K. Smith, Associate Director for 
Resources Management, Office of Environmental Justice, US EPA, Room 
2224 Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 
20004, Telephone: 202-564-2602.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda K. Smith, US EPA, Phone: 202-
564-2602, E-mail: [email protected], or by Fax: 202-501-1162.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The environmental protection student internship program is designed 
to provide undergraduate and graduate students from accredited 
universities and colleges with opportunities for environmental training 
experiences at EPA and other venues in which the student intern can 
receive a meaningful learning experience. The Program will be managed 
by the Office of Environmental Justice. EPA managers at Headquarters, 
Regional Offices, and Laboratories will develop and sponsor new 
training or research projects that will further the student interns' 
understanding of environmental and health protection issues and 
abatement techniques. The projects are sufficiently narrow in scope to 
allow the student to complete the project in a 3-6 month period by 
working full-time during the summer and/or part-time during the school 
year. Students selected to receive an internship are awarded a stipend 
based on their level of education and length of the project period.
    EPA is expanding its institutional commitment to Environmental 
Stewardship and Health Protection. The Agency has identified several 
areas in which student interns would benefit by practical, on the job 
training experiences. These areas include but are not limited to:
     Environmental Policy, Regulation, & Law--Training in this 
area includes participation in the review and evaluation of existing 
policies and regulations, as well as the development of new policies. 
Training relating to compliance with policies and regulations is 
included.
     Environmental Management & Administration--This area 
focuses on providing training in how to implement and improve 
management goals; how to develop cooperative environmental management 
strategies.
     Environmental Science--This area focuses in training on 
field studies and laboratory research.
     Public Relations and Communications--This broad category 
provides the Intern with the opportunity to receive training relating 
to how public opinion affects environmental issues. Internet surveys, 
tools for

[[Page 1339]]

presentations, creation of pamphlets for informing about environmental 
protection could be part of a training opportunity.
     Computer Programming and Development--The student intern 
would receive training relating to developing computer programs for 
reaching different stakeholders. A project of this type could easily be 
a training opportunity at a community or grassroots organization 
facility.
    A primary objective of the EPA is to plan and support active 
stewardship of the environment, of the public health, and to sustain 
communities at a time of increased pressures on these resources and 
decreasing funds for programs. Part of the strategy is to transfer US 
EPA's technologies, techniques, and methods to the community-at-large, 
especially the next generation of environmental professionals is to 
both increase their capability and to increase their diversity. EPA's 
programs and activities offer unique training opportunities to develop 
skills that can be transferred to the non-Federal community. An 
effective mechanism to affect this transfer is through the 
establishment of a student internship program. This cooperative 
agreement between US EPA and the recipient will promote these 
objectives The statutes under which the US EPA will conduct this intern 
program include:
    a. Clean Water Act, Section 104(b)(3): conduct and promote the 
coordination of research, investigations, experiments, training, 
demonstration, surveys, and studies relating to the causes, extent, 
prevention, reduction, and elimination of water pollution.
    b. Safe Drinking Water Act, Sections 1442(b)(3): develop, expand, 
or carry out a program (that may combine training, education, and 
employment) for occupations relating to the public health aspects of 
providing safe drinking water.
    c. Solid Waste Disposal Act, Section 8001(a): conduct and promote 
the coordination of research, investigations, experiments, training, 
demonstrations, surveys, public education programs, and studies 
relating to solid waste management and hazardous waste management.
    d. Clean Air Act, Section 103(b)(3): conduct and promote the 
coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, 
demonstrations, surveys, and studies related to the causes, effects 
(including health and welfare effects), extent, prevention, and control 
of air pollution.
    e. Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10(a): conduct research, 
development, and monitoring activities on toxic substances.
    f. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 
20(a): conduct research on pesticides.
    g. Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, Section 203: 
conduct research, investigations, experiments, training, 
demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the minimizing or 
ending of ocean dumping of hazardous materials and the development of 
alternatives to ocean dumping.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)

    This EPA Intern Program is listed in the Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance under 66.607 Training and Fellowships for the 
Environmental Protection Agency.

Program Description

    The objective of the program is to provide training opportunities 
to students interested in pursuing environmental careers. The proposed 
cooperative program will be administered by the Recipient in response 
to intern opportunities available at US EPA or other Federal or non-
Federal organizations which offer opportunities for training in 
environmental protection.
    In cooperation with EPA, the recipient will select and employ 
student interns to work on individual projects in response to 
internship opportunities established by the program offices within US 
EPA. Student interns are not EPA employees and the recipient, and 
cooperation with EPA, will develop an orientation program that will 
explain the intern's roles, responsibilities, and limitations. The 
student interns must be undergraduate students, graduate students, or 
college graduates who have been accepted into graduate programs and 
will begin their studies within 9 months of accepting an internship 
position. Student interns may be studying areas such as environmental 
science, earth science, environmental engineering, geodesy, chemistry, 
physics, oceanography, biology, fishery science, geography, resource 
economics, risk assessment, policy analysis, computer science, and law. 
The EPA Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR part 45.135(a), states that 
``Trainees must be citizens of the United States, its territories, or 
possessions, or lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent 
residence.''
    All internship projects will be carried out under a written 
training plan with the technical guidance of a mentor or Technical 
advisor from EPA or another sponsoring organization. These projects 
must be designed to provide learning experiences for the Interns that 
will make them competitive for employment opportunities in both the 
public and private sector. Final details for individual training plans 
shall be developed by the recipient in consultation with the Project 
Officer or the individual Technical Advisor in accordance with the 
``Statement of Substantial Involvement between US EPA and the 
Recipient'' described below.
    The maximum period that a student intern may participate in the 
program on a full or part time basis with funding from EPA is six 
months. The Agency may fund one additional three month extension of an 
internship to enable the student to complete a project.
    The recipient may establish environmental protection internship 
opportunities with organizations other than EPA. EPA may choose to fund 
and sponsor these internships or the recipient can obtain sponsorship 
or funding from non-EPA sources. Please note that under OMB Circular A-
122 applicable to assistance agreements with non profit organizations, 
general fund-raising costs are not allowable.
    There is not a fixed number of Internships per year under this 
program. The actual number will depend on opportunities and funding 
identified by offices within US EPA. Internships may be located at US 
EPA or at facilities of other organizations with missions relating to 
environmental protection. If interns are required to relocate to such 
locations for the duration of the internship, EPA will provide 
financial assistance to the recipient in an amount up to $500 to offset 
the interns relocation expenses. Interns will be provided individual 
project assignments for each internship.
    Under this Cooperative Agreement, the Recipient shall make an 
effort to advertise and promote the availability of these internships 
to Native Americans, Hispanic, African, Asian and other minorities 
(including women) at all levels so as to provide opportunities for a 
diverse group of students to participate in this program.

Definitions

    1. Student Intern--Individual trainee who will be provided with and 
perform internships under this cooperative agreement.
    2. Project Officer--The US EPA Project Officer is that individual 
specifically named by US EPA to manage this program.
    3. Technical Advisor--The US EPA employee responsible for providing 
technical guidance on the specific

[[Page 1340]]

project(s) assigned to the Intern and for the Intern's individual 
development and progress. Because the student interns will be employees 
of the recipient organization rather than the Agency, EPA technical 
advisors do not provide day to day supervision of student interns.
    4. Intern Opportunity/Project--An opportunity for an internship 
which is documented and has funds obligated for its costs. In general, 
these opportunities will be assignments within existing US EPA programs 
and ongoing projects and will be performed at the site of the project 
an EPA facility. In some cases, the assignment may involve an intern 
training at locations other than an EPA facility such as a community 
organization facility; a non-profit organization facility; or a local 
government, state government, or tribal government facility.

Maximum EPA Financial Participation in Stipends (per Week) and 
General Background Requirements of Internships

    1. $400 ($10.00/hr) 1-4 full years of academic study.
    2. $500 ($12.50/hr) Undergraduate degree and acceptance in graduate 
school.
    3. $600 ($15.00/hr) Undergraduate Degree and superior academic 
standard (top 1/3, 2.9/4 GPA overall, & 3.5/4 GPA in Major) and 
accepted into graduate school.
    4. $700 ($17.50/hr) Completed 60 hrs Graduate level or completed 
Masters or law degree and accepted into PhD or L.L.M. program.
    Unless included in the Intern opportunity description, overtime is 
not anticipated. In the event that overtime is required, the duration 
of the internship shall be reduced or additional funds shall be 
obligated or Compensatory time shall be given in lieu of overtime to 
pay for it.
    5. In the event that an Intern voluntarily terminates or is 
terminated by the recipient for cause (e.g. failing to carry out his or 
her training plan or engaging in disruptive behavior), the Recipient 
shall make every effort to select another intern and, if not 
practicable, advise EPA to de-obligate the remaining funds committed to 
the internship.

Funding Availability

    US EPA funding for this Program will be a minimum of $500,000 from 
FY01 funds during the first year. Each internship or group of 
internships, beyond the first, shall be funded as a separate amendment 
to the master agreement. There is no set timetable for announcement of 
Internships and they may occur throughout the year.

Matching Requirements

    Cost sharing is not required for the internship program.

Type of Funding Instrument

    The US EPA Intern Program shall be awarded as a Cooperative 
Agreement since EPA anticipates that there will be substantial 
involvement between the EPA, the Recipient, and the Interns (after 
their selection).

Statement of Substantial Involvement between US EPA and the Recipient

    In carrying out the work program set forth in the project 
description, US EPA and the Recipient agree to meet the programmatic 
objective of this agreement as stated.* US EPA involvement will consist 
of the following activities:
    1. US EPA will provide descriptions of available student intern 
opportunities including academic background and prior work experience 
that would make the internship experience meaningful to the student.
    2. EPA personnel will discuss internship opportunities with 
prospective interns and provide advice to the recipient relating to the 
``fit'' between a prospective intern's academic background and work 
experience and the training available under the internship opportunity. 
However, EPA personnel will not select or make offers to prospective 
intern.
    3. After considering EPA's advice, and making its own assessment of 
the fit between prospective interns' qualifications and interests and 
the internship opportunity, the Recipient is responsible for selecting 
the intern, making the offer of the internship, and arranging an 
orientation program and start date.
    4. The recipient and EPA will collaboratively develop the student 
interns training plan. EPA will provide a technical advisor to interact 
with each student intern as the intern carries out his or her training 
plan. The technical monitor shall provide technical guidance and 
support to the Intern in developing the skills necessary to perform the 
work in the chosen environmental arena. However, EPA's technical 
advisor will not supervise the intern on a day to day basis. The 
Recipient must manage time and attendance and monitor the interns' 
progress towards completing his or her training plan.
    5. EPA shall provide liaison to interact with the Recipient and 
Senior Management on the progress of meeting the programmatic 
objectives of this Cooperative Agreement.
    *Summary Section: The programmatic objective of this intern program 
is to provide unique training opportunities for cooperative study, 
research, and development that would be of major benefit in advancing 
the number and diversity of environmental professionals.

Eligibility Criteria

    Any non profit organization as described in OMB Circular A-122 may 
submit a proposal. Please note that there are restrictions on the 
extent to which EPA can award financial assistance to organizations 
described by Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code who engage 
in lobbying.

Award Period

    The initial Master Agreement shall be for a period of three (3) 
years. US EPA shall consider continued funding for the project upon: 
(a) Satisfactory progress toward the stated agreement goals, and the 
determination by US EPA that the continuation of the program would be 
in the best interest of the Government; and (b) availability of funds. 
The awards must have scopes of work that can easily be separated into 
annual increments of meaningful work which represent solid 
accomplishments if prospective funding is not made available to the 
applicant. This submission in no way obligates US EPA to extend this 
agreement, nor is this paragraph to be interpreted as a promise that 
future funds will be available. Stipend levels, and benefits may be 
adjusted for Cost of Living Allowances for each continuation year.

Administrative Costs

    Funds to support the environmental professional intern program 
shall be given directly to the Recipient. Administrative costs shall be 
negotiated as part of the Master Agreement award and shall be based on 
and paid on a per Internship basis. These costs may be fixed, time 
dependent, Intern stipend dependent, or a combination as proposed by 
the Recipient.

Indirect Costs

    The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an 
application under this program must not exceed the indirect cost rate 
negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the 
proposed effective date of the award.

Application Requirements

    Each Prospective Recipient shall submit a package containing 
completed:

[[Page 1341]]

    1. SF-424 (including SF-424A & SF-424B). (Available on the Internet 
at http://www.whitehouse.gov/OMB/grants/#forms).
    2. A budget with necessary supporting details. This budget should 
be based on a hypothetical intern opportunity at a stipend level of 
$500 per week, with an allowance for required field trip travel of 
$2,000, and a relocation allowance of $500. Because it is anticipated 
that this agreement will be extended to include additional internships 
beyond the first, supporting information should be included to 
determine the full cost to the government of additional internships 
which may have any of the suggested stipend levels, have durations 
ranging 6 to 9 months, and be with or without relocation or travel 
allowances. This information should also contain details on what 
services and benefits are included (i.e. sick leave, tax withholding, 
insurance, etc.) and their estimated cost to interns; as well as, what, 
if any, allowances are made for vacation leave and/or sick leave. 
Holidays observed by the office hosting the intern will be considered 
paid holidays.
    3. Curriculum Vitae for each individual and critical senior staff 
assigned to the program,
    4. Copy of a current approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate 
Agreement,
    5. SF-LLL ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities''
    6. ``Certifications Regarding Lobbying Activities''
    7. EPA Form 5700-49 ``Certification Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters''
    8. A narrative description of the applicant's proposed plan for 
carrying out its environmental professional internship program. This 
narrative shall include:

(a) A description of the Intern Program, how they would implement it 
and conduct its operation. Alternatives and variations with regard to 
the timing of items 4 and 5 within the ``Description of the Intended 
Operation of the Intern Program for each Internship'' detailed above 
may be proposed.
(b) Proposed method of advertising for and pre-screening candidate 
Interns and supervising interns as they carry out their training plans.
(c) Proposed benefits offered to Interns (e.g. tax withholding, health 
insurance, liability insurance, workman's compensation, etc.) as 
employees of the applicant.
(d) Past history of the prospective Recipient in carrying out similar 
programs, and how carrying out the environmental professional 
internship program will further the applicant's mission.
(e) Ability to use the Internet for all aspects of the intern program.

    9. Proof of Status For First Time Eligible Non-Profit Applicants.
    10. EPA Form 5700-48 ``Procurement System Certification''
    11. EPA Form 4700-4 ``Pre-award Compliance Review report for All 
Applicants * * *.''

Application Forms and Kit

    The Grant Application Kit can be obtained by calling 202-564-5310. 
It is also available in PDF format at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/appkit.htm.
    You can also visit your local public library and copy the forms 
from the Federal Register in which this document is published; many 
federal offices use the forms and have copies available. A tutorial for 
grant applicants is available at: http://www.epa.gov/seahome/grants/src/grant.htm where the forms can be printed.

Project Funding Priorities

    Responsiveness of the application to the programmatic objectives of 
the Intern program as noted in the Summary section and restated in the 
Type of Funding Instrument section above.

Evaluation Criteria

    The proposals from applicants will be evaluated and ranked on a 
``high, medium or low'' basis. High rankings are the most desirable. 
These rankings will be considered by EPA management in deciding which 
proposal, on balance, will provide the best value to both the 
Government and prospective interns. The evaluation factors that will be 
considered include:
    1. Costs for operating the proposed Intern Program.
    2. The applicant's proposed approach to carrying out the program 
and proposed time lines for filling internships.
    3. Services and benefits available to the Interns relative to their 
cost to EPA, the applicant and the student interns
    4. Proposed method for advertising for and pre-screening candidate 
Interns.
    5. Past history of the prospective Recipient in operating similar 
programs.
    6. Qualifications of proposed senior staff.

Selection Procedures

    Each application will receive an independent, objective review by a 
panel qualified to evaluate the applications submitted. The Independent 
Review Panel, consisting of at least three individuals in addition to 
the Selecting Official US EPA Federal Program Officer, will review, 
evaluate, and rank all applications based on the criteria stated above. 
The final decision on award will be based upon the panel's overall 
ranking of the application and a determination by the Selecting 
Official that the Recipient's application meets the Project Funding 
Priorities.

Other Requirements

Travel Expenses of selected Interns

    EPA may provide additional financial support for travel and 
transportation for student interns assigned to EPA projects requiring 
field work as documented in the description of the Intern Opportunity 
and the Intern's training plan. The funds will be included as part of 
the original funding to the Recipient at the time the internship 
project is initiated or at a later date by way of an amendment. Student 
interns shall complete Recipient's travel approval form prior to each 
trip, complete a travel reimbursement form at the conclusion of each 
trip, and a travel experience report at the conclusion of each trip for 
the Recipient. The US EPA Technical Advisor shall sign the form to 
acknowledge the trip is consistent with the intern's training plan 
prior to any action by the Recipient. Travel advances for Interns shall 
be available from the Recipient as needed. All travel and 
transportation required for field work shall be paid by the Recipient 
out of funds included in the agreement.

Restrictions

    This is a short term training program for students. Interns will 
not be used to replace US EPA employees formerly employed under the 
Office of Personnel Management student appointing authorities, to 
replace temporary or term appointments, or to replace or fill-in for 
full or part-time US EPA positions vacated by the Voluntary Separation 
Program or Reduction in Force. Participants will not be selected or 
used to perform personal services. The Recipient and the Agency shall 
avoid any actions that create the appearance that the intern is a 
Federal employee or is being used by EPA to obtain personal services. 
The relationship between the Recipient and Interns is that of Employer 
and Employee. The Recipient must provide a health benefits option, must 
deduct applicable state and federal taxes, and is responsible for 
payment, discipline, leave approval, termination, etc. for each Intern. 
Nothing in this agreement or its supplements shall be deemed to create 
an employer-employee relationship between the US EPA and

[[Page 1342]]

an Intern. Former US EPA employees are not eligible for this program 
within two years of employment at US EPA. Former EPA employees must 
qualify as students to participate in the program.
    (1) Federal Policies and Procedures. Recipients are subject to all 
Federal laws and Federal and USEPA policies, regulations, and 
procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.
    (2) Past Performance. Unsatisfactory performance under prior 
Federal awards will be considered in evaluating an applicant's 
proposal.
    (3) Preaward Activities. If applicants incur any costs prior to an 
award being made, they do so solely at their own risk of not being 
reimbursed by the Government. Notwithstanding any verbal or written 
assurance that may have been received, there is no obligation on the 
part of the USEPA to cover pre-award costs except to the extent 
authorized at 40 CFR 30.25(f).
    (4) No Obligation for Future Funding. If an application is selected 
for funding, the USEPA has no obligation to provide any additional 
future funding in connection with the award. Renewal of an award to 
increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the total 
discretion of the USEPA.
    (5) Delinquent Federal Debts. No award of Federal funds shall be 
made to an applicant who has an outstanding delinquent Federal debt 
until either:

i. The delinquent account is paid in full,
ii. A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one 
payment is received, or
iii. Other arrangements satisfactory to USEPA are made.

    (6) Name Check Review. All non-profit applicants are subject to a 
name check review process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any 
key individuals Interned with the applicant have been convicted of or 
are presently facing criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury, or 
other matters which significantly reflect on the applicant's management 
honesty or financial integrity. Key individuals cannot be currently 
suspended, debarred, or otherwise ineligible from participating in 
Federal financial assistance.
    (7) Primary Applicant Certifications. All primary applicants must 
submit a completed form CD-511, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, 
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-free Workplace 
Requirements and Lobbying,'' and the following explanations are hereby 
provided:

i. Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension. Prospective participants 
(as defined at 15 CFR part 26, section 105) are subject to 15 CFR part 
26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the related section 
of the certification form prescribed above applies;
ii. Drug-Free Workplace. Recipients (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, 
section 605) are subject to 15 CFR part 26, subpart F, ``Government 
requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and related section of 
the certification form prescribed above applies;
iii. Anti-Lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, section 105) 
are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, ``Limitations 
on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracting 
and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of the 
certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids for 
grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than $100,000 * 
* *.''
iv. Anti-Lobbying Disclosures. Any applicant that has paid or will pay 
for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of 
Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR part 28, Appendix B.

    (8) False Statements. A False statement on an application is 
grounds for denial or termination of funds and grounds for possible 
punishment by a fine or imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
    (9) Intergovernmental Review. Applications under this program are 
not subject to executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of 
Federal Programs.''

    Approved for Publication:

    Dated: December 22, 2000.
Barry E. Hill,
Director, Office of Environmental Justice, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency.
[FR Doc. 01-419 Filed 1-5-01; 8:45 am]
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