[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 21, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11021-11028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4268]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6945-5]


Clean Air Transportation Communities: Innovative Projects to 
Improve Air Quality and Reduce Greenhouse Gases: Solicitation Notice

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Today's Notice announces the availability of funds and 
solicits proposals from state, local, multi-state, and tribal agencies 
involved with climate change and transportation/air quality issues, for 
pilot projects that have a high potential to spur innovations in the 
reduction of transportation-related emissions and

[[Page 11022]]

vehicle miles traveled (VMT), at the local level and throughout the 
United States. EPA is particularly interested in projects that 
incorporate at least one of the following: smart growth efforts that 
reduce transportation-related emissions, commuter choice, and cleaner 
vehicles/green fleets (as described elsewhere in this solicitation). To 
this purpose, EPA will make available financial assistance ranging from 
$50,000 up to $300,000 to each recipient, in the form of cooperative 
agreements. EPA hopes to make at least one award to a qualifying tribal 
agency, and at least one more award to a qualifying multi-state agency, 
depending upon the merits of the proposals received.
    EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) is committed 
to reducing emissions from the transportation sector through voluntary 
efforts to slow the growth of VMT--including encouragement of smart 
growth in land use policies (that is, in short, development patterns 
designed to minimize VMT)--and promoting the use of cleaner vehicles 
and clean, renewable fuels. Many states and localities that are dealing 
with the problems associated with increased transportation-related 
emissions and VMT (such as congestion and emissions of greenhouse gases 
(GHG), criteria pollutants, and airborne toxics) are seeking 
nonregulatory federal assistance. Voluntary efforts that improve the 
efficiency of the transportation system within the United States, 
promote development patterns that reduce the growth in VMT, and expand 
the availability of environmentally-sensitive transportation 
alternatives play a critical role in helping communities protect the 
natural environment, human health, economic vitality, and quality of 
life.
    EPA wishes to provide assistance to tribal, state, local, and 
multi-state agencies that develop innovative proposals for 
demonstration projects that will yield measurable reductions in VMT, 
GHG, and/or criteria air pollutants in a coordinated fashion at the 
community level. To qualify for funding, the applicant must be a 
tribal, state, local, and multi-state agency that proposes a 
demonstration project involving new or experimental methods, 
technologies, or approaches. So that this competition eventually 
generates even greater benefits among numerous other stakeholders, EPA 
also requires that such projects be readily replicable in other states 
and in local and tribal communities. The cooperative agreements will be 
allocated by OTAQ through the competitive process described in this 
notice.

DATES: The deadline for submitting Final Proposals is Tuesday, April 
24, 2001 (that is, they must be postmarked by that date). To allow for 
efficient management of the competitive process, OTAQ is requesting 
organizations to submit an informal Intent to Apply by Wednesday, March 
14, 2001. (Instructions for submitting Intents to Apply and final 
proposals are found in Section IX. below.) Submission of an Intent to 
Apply is optional; it is a process management tool that will allow OTAQ 
to better anticipate the total staff time required for efficient 
review, evaluation, and selection of submitted proposals.
    To ensure that every agency interested in participation has an 
opportunity to gain any needed additional information useful to the 
application process, OTAQ has scheduled two sets of conference calls. 
The first pair of calls is primarily intended to help agencies decide 
whether this competition is appropriate for them prior to the deadline 
for submitting an Intent to Apply. The second pair of calls is intended 
to assist agencies with questions about the proper completion and 
submission of their proposals. The content of the calls is entirely 
dependent upon the questions asked. The dates and times of these calls, 
with the call-in phone numbers and access codes, are:
    Tues., March 6, from 3--5 p.m., EST (202-260-2025; access code 
6898#)
    Weds., March 7, from 2:30--4:30 p.m., EST (202-260-2025; access 
code 6898#)
    Tues., March 27, from 3--5 p.m., EST (202-260-2025; access code 
6898#)
    Thurs., March 29, from 2--4 p.m., EST (202-260-8330; access code 
7731#)
    Questions and answers from the conference calls will be summarized 
and posted as soon as possible on the OTAQ website; the precise web 
location of the summaries will be announced at ``www.epa.gov/otaq/whatsnew.htm''.
    In order to ensure that all applicants have access to the same 
information, the only forums for posing substantive questions on the 
competition are these conference calls. Except for responses to 
procedural questions (e.g. due dates, proposal formats), EPA will not 
provide other assistance prior to final submission of applications.

ADDRESSES: This Notice can also be accessed on the Office of 
Transportation and Air Quality Web Page at: ``www.epa.gov/otaq/''. 
Click on ``What's New'' or go directly to ``www.epa.gov/otaq/whatsnew.htm''. Addresses for submitting informal Intents to Apply and 
for submitting final proposals can be found in Section IX., below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Walsh, USEPA Office of 
Transportation and Air Quality, Transportation and Regional Programs 
Division, 2000 Traverwood Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Telephone (734) 
214-4205; Fax (734) 214-4052; or email [email protected]--or--Joann 
Jackson Stephens, USEPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality, 
Transportation and Regional Programs Division, 2000 Traverwood Dr., Ann 
Arbor, MI 48105. Telephone (734) 214-4276; Fax (734) 214-4052; or email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Eligible Entities: State, local, multi-
state, and tribal agencies actively involved with transportation, air 
quality, and/or climate change issues. Such entities must be interested 
in undertaking a project with the purpose of reducing transportation 
sector emissions through voluntary efforts to decrease VMT and/or 
transportation-related emissions. Eligible entities must already be 
engaged in some form of partnership with other entities in the 
community (e.g., non-governmental organizations, departments of 
transportation, departments of energy, other state organizations, 
metropolitan planning organizations, councils of government, planning 
departments, private companies and business associations, public 
transit agencies, universities, public health organizations, state-wide 
or community-based non-profit organizations, and so forth) related to 
transportation and air quality/climate change issues or some aspect of 
transportation and/or air quality planning. EPA would like to emphasize 
that it is very interested in receiving applications from tribal 
governments, which have historically not have had high representation 
among the recipients of OTAQ grants. In addition, EPA particularly 
desires that multi-state organizations apply, in the expectation that 
their proposals would have a high potential for replication among the 
members of such organizations.
    Title: ``Clean Air Transportation Communities: Innovative Projects 
to Improve Air Quality and Reduce Greenhouse Gases: Solicitation 
Notice''
    Background: EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) 
recognizes that achieving future reductions in transportation-related 
emissions will require more attention to limiting VMT, through such 
means as enhancing transportation system efficiency and the 
availability of transportation alternatives, promoting smart growth 
initiatives and brownfield/infill redevelopment, and addressing travel 
behavior. It is worth mentioning that efforts to reduce VMT also yield 
an

[[Page 11023]]

array of other potential benefits, including congestion mitigation, 
more liveable communities, reduced demand for additional construction 
of roadways (with the associated social, economic, and environmental 
consequences), reduced water pollution, waste reduction, and improved 
quality of life as a result of spending less time (and money) on 
travel.
    Historically, OTAQ (formerly the Office of Mobile Sources) has 
encouraged the adoption of technological means of reducing criteria 
pollutants and toxic emissions from vehicles, with great success. Per-
mile emissions of gaseous criteria pollutants from new vehicles are 
already reduced over 90% compared to their predecessors before the era 
of emission controls. However, as of 1999, 62 million people in the 
United States still lived in areas that do not meet the health-based 
National Ambient Air Quality Standards for at least one of six major 
air pollutants. And Americans are, on average, driving more miles every 
year.
    Moreover, with the growing interest in achieving reductions in GHG 
emissions, the issue of reducing all types of pollutant emissions is 
even more problematic. The technological measures that have lead to 
reductions in a vehicle's tailpipe emissions in the past have done 
little to reduce GHG emissions. The trend toward decreasing average 
fuel economy in recent years translates directly into increasing GHG 
emissions on a per-mile basis. Combined with the steady growth in VMT, 
this means that, while most criteria pollutant emissions have trended 
downwards in recent years, GHG emissions have been rising steadily.
    EPA, its state counterparts, and local governments are increasingly 
examining travel choice and smart growth strategies as they affect VMT 
and transportation-related emissions. In this context, OTAQ is 
committed to encouraging voluntary efforts as an important part of its 
approach. Voluntary efforts to improve the efficiency of the U.S. 
transportation system and expand the availability of environmentally-
sensitive transportation alternatives are essential elements in helping 
communities balance their charges to protect the natural environment, 
human health, economic vitality, and quality of life. This solicitation 
advances OTAQ's support of such voluntary efforts.
    EPA also recognizes that, despite huge gains in vehicle-related 
emission reductions over the past two decades, there is still the 
potential to especially reduce GHG emissions with technology that would 
improve the fuel economy of vehicles, and perhaps further reduce GHG 
emissions through the use of alternative fuels.
    However, consumers have in the past typically ranked fuel economy 
relatively low, when compared to other attributes they look for when 
acquiring a vehicle. Consequently, automobile manufacturers have 
applied recent technological advances to increased vehicle size, power, 
and luxury, rather than to improved fuel economy. In order to encourage 
the market penetration of cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles and 
cleaner renewable fuels, EPA desires to help stakeholders promote and 
expand the use of advanced vehicle and fuel technologies, as they 
become available. A comprehensive program which combines improved 
vehicle choices, reduced emissions, and reduced VMT can provide the 
information and resources that the pu blic needs to make more informed 
transportation choices.
    EPA recognizes that innovations in reducing VMT and encouraging the 
use of cleaner vehicles and cleaner, renewable fuels have been 
implemented across the United States in recent years. It is 
increasingly clear that the most successful of these have not been one-
time, stand-alone efforts, but rather have been conceived to fit into a 
larger, coordinated strategy for transportation-related emissions 
reduction over a multi-year scheme. Such programs have typically been 
those most successful in productively capitalizing on partnerships 
among different types of organizations sharing a common interest in VMT 
and/or emission reduction, and in leveraging resources through these 
partnerships and other funding sources. Therefore, EPA desires to help 
meet its stakeholders' need for seed money and technical assistance to 
help them implement more multifaceted approaches to VMT reduction and 
the promotion of cleaner vehicles and fuels that have a higher 
potential for long-term success.
    Therefore, OTAQ seeks to support up to ten pilot projects through 
seed funding, ranging from $50,000 to $300,000 per award (depending 
upon the project), and other assistance. OTAQ intends that the 
assistance award will help communities identify and launch suites of 
innovative and practical transportation solutions that both reduce 
impacts on the environment and enhance mobility and access. Through 
this Notice, OTAQ seeks proposals for pilot projects in support of 
voluntary, consensus-supported activities to improve community designs, 
spur transportation innovations, develop and implement incentives, make 
more efficient use of transportation systems, promote use of cleaner 
fuels and vehicles, create effective partnerships, support the 
measurement of results, and recognize exemplary projects. OTAQ 
encourages applicants to explore comprehensive approaches that combine 
VMT reduction, smart growth, cleaner vehicles, and clean renewable 
fuels, thereby providing enhanced opportunities for emissions 
reductions. In order to encourage the most successful approaches to 
accomplish these objectives, OTAQ is seeking proposals that represent 
strong transportation/air quality partnerships among a broad range of 
perspectives.
    Because this sort of funding is made available from EPA under the 
authority of section 103(b)(3) of the Clean Air Act, the Agency must 
assure that a project selected for funding meet two ``threshold 
determinations'' for funding; in this context:
     It must address the causes, effects, extent, prevention, 
reduction, and elimination of air pollution--in short, it will act to 
control pollution.
     It must consist of such activities as research, 
investigations, experiments, demonstrations, and similar activities 
that are within the scope of Section 103(b)(3) of the Clean Air Act. 
Therefore, the proposals should focus on the learning opportunities 
they present for future pollution control efforts, rather than on 
simply addressing pollution problems through well-established methods.
    Examples of activities that OTAQ is interested in funding are 
outlined in Section IV., ``Program Emphasis.''

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. Other Items of Interest
IX. How to Apply
Clean Air Transportation Communities: Innovative Projects to Improve 
Air Quality and Reduce Greenhouse Gases: Solicitation Notice

Section I. Overview and Deadlines

A. Overview

    In today's notice, OTAQ is soliciting proposals to encourage 
innovations in improving air quality (with regard to both criteria 
pollutants and GHG) in the U.S., by reducing VMT, promoting smart 
growth, and encouraging the use of cleaner vehicles and cleaner, 
renewable fuels. There are serious

[[Page 11024]]

environmental implications in relying solely upon the ``conventional'' 
approach to transportation--typically, a single driver, in a vehicle 
that often is not highly fuel-efficient. Clearly, the very limited 
penetration of traditional alternatives to driving alone (transit, 
carpooling, and non-motorized modes) into American's travel choices 
suggests that more integrated and flexible alternatives need to be 
developed. Ultra-clean, highly fuel-efficient vehicles are beginning to 
become more available; their use needs to be encouraged. The impact of 
community design and location on livability and environmental concerns 
is receiving enhanced visibility with the rise of smart growth 
initiatives. OTAQ is especially interested in proposals that implement 
pilot projects allowing the replication of promising practices, 
methodologies, technologies, incentives, and applications pertinent to 
these areas. It is looking for the creative, groundbreaking approaches 
that stakeholders are generating, and wants to see how they actually 
perform for the lessons that can be gained for future efforts.
    Moreover, OTAQ has especially committed in this competition to 
support community-level efforts that employ a suite of tools for 
achieving reductions in transportation-related emissions and VMT, to 
stimulate and reward planning that incorporates individual projects 
into a coordinated, broader-focus strategy. An example might be a 
program that integrates a Commuter Choice strategy with the 
construction of bicycle commuter centers (secure parking, rental, and 
repair) at transit hubs; or a ``Green Fleets''-type program that makes 
low-emission vehicles and/or vehicles with high fuel economy ratings 
available for car-sharing, perhaps focusing upon institutions that have 
a ``campus'' layout; or a brownfields/infill project that incorporates 
transit-oriented development programs and practices. Proposals that 
make an effort to logically integrate various VMT- and emission-
reduction program components (both proposed and existing), rather than 
presenting a piecemeal approach, will receive higher priority.
    An important aspect of the evaluation of proposals will be an 
assessment of their potential effectiveness in bringing these 
innovations into significant, replicable pilot projects relative to the 
dollar amount of the grant. Also important in the evaluation will be 
the degree of innovation, estimated amount of environmental benefit, 
and apparent resources, capability, and commitment to succeed. 
Effective leveraging of other sources of available funding will count 
favorably in the evaluation process. Examples of relevant sources of 
potential leveraging funds include the Congestion Mitigation and Air 
Quality (CMAQ) program, the Transportation and Community and Systems 
Preservation (TCSP) program, the Federal Transit Administration's ``New 
Starts'' program (which supports mass transit projects), the U.S. 
Department of Energy's ``Clean Cities'' program (which promotes 
alternative fuel vehicles; see their website at www.ccities.doe.gov), 
the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives' ``Green 
Fleets'' program (see their website at www.greenfleets.org), or other 
state and local funding sources (e.g., HOV lane programs). Special 
attention should be provided to the details of pilot implementation and 
the mechanisms proposed to enable broad-scale replication. OTAQ also 
places a high priority on proposals that indicate clearly how they will 
estimate and count the tons of emissions reduced as a result of their 
project.
    Interested persons can obtain copies of this solicitation at no 
charge by accessing ``What's New?'' on the OTAQ Website at 
``www.epa.gov/otaq'' or ``www.epa.gov/otaq/whatsnew.htm''.

B. What Are the Deadlines for This Competition?

    In order to efficiently manage the selection process, the Office of 
Transportation and Air Quality requests that an informal ``Intent to 
Apply'' within 30 days of the publication of this notice. (Please 
provide project title or subject and email address). 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. Submitting an ``Intent to Apply'' does not commit an 
organization to submit a final proposal. The ``Intent to Apply'' is an 
optional submission; those not submitting an ``Intent to Apply'' may 
still apply by the deadline.
    The deadline for submitting completed final proposals (original and 
six copies, plus one fully-completed Application for Federal 
Assistance, forms SF 424 and 424A) is Tuesday, April 24. The Office of 
Transportation and Air Quality expects to complete the Evaluation/
Selection process in May, 2001.

Section II. Eligible Organizations

C. Who Is Eligible To Submit Proposals?

    While cooperative agreements with federal agencies are available to 
a range of governmental and non-profit organizations, for the purposes 
of this solicitation, proposals may only be accepted from state, local, 
multi-state, or tribal agencies. EPA strongly encourages applicants to 
incorporate partnerships with a broad range of agencies and 
organizations. It will give priority to proposals from agencies 
actively partnering with organizations showing a diversity of 
perspectives (e.g., environmental justice, community development, land 
use/smart growth, etc.).
    EPA encourages private sector, not-for profit, and public health 
organizations that provide leadership in meeting national environmental 
objectives by effecting substantial reductions in vehicle emissions and 
VMT to enter into a partnership with an eligible entity. To illustrate, 
some examples of private sector organizations that might seek 
partnerships with qualifying agencies to make a proposal include (but 
are not limited to) local homebuilders' associations pursuing smart 
growth strategies, car insurance companies offering pay-as-you-drive 
insurance, car rental companies offering low-emission and/or car 
sharing products, automobile manufacturing companies and dealers 
offering per-mile car leases or special incentives for cleaner cars and 
those using clean renewable fuels, and companies with innovative ideas 
for reducing commuting via the single-occupant vehicle and encouraging 
infill and mixed-use development. Likewise, eligible agencies are 
encouraged to seek out partnerships with these sorts of organizations. 
Note that applicants must ensure that any financial transactions with 
project partners comply with applicable EPA assistance regulations 
relating to procurement contracts, subgrants, and allowable costs 
contained in 40 CFR Part 31 (in the case of state or local agencies and 
tribes) and 40 CFR Part 30 (in the case of nonprofit multi state 
organizations).

D. Why Are Tribal and Multi-State Organizations Particularly 
Encouraged?

    OTAQ wishes to particularly encourage the participation of tribal 
agencies because it desires to improve its communication and 
coordination with tribal agencies. It would like to increase awareness 
of opportunities for tribal agencies to access EPA assistance in 
achieving their air quality goals. Likewise, through substantial 
involvement in the assisted activity, OTAQ will have an opportunity to 
gain better understanding of tribal air management issues and 
strategies, and their context.

[[Page 11025]]

    Regarding multi-state organizations, OTAQ believes that such 
entities, which may represent state, local, regional, or tribal 
organizations themselves, have unique opportunities for the placement, 
replication, and dissemination of promising approaches to pollution 
control. OTAQ wishes to encourage such organizations to step up to the 
challenge of developing and promoting innovative pilot projects for the 
control of air pollution through cleaner vehicles and fuels and the 
reduction of VMT.

Section III. Funding Issues

E. What Is the Amount of Available Funding?

    Approximately $750,000 is anticipated to be available in fiscal 
2001 for this competition.

F. How Many Agreements Will EPA Award in This Competition?

    Subject to the availability of funds, EPA plans to fund as many 
high-quality projects as possible. The Agency may exercise its 
discretion to fund a mix of large and small projects.

G. Are Matching Funds Required?

    No. However, the Agency will consider voluntary financial or in 
kind commitments of resources as an evaluation factor which maximizes 
the effective use of EPA seed money.

H. Can Funding Be Used To Acquire Services or Fund Partnerships?

    Yes, provided the recipient follows applicable procurement and 
subgrant procedures. Please note that EPA will not be a party to these 
transactions and approval of a funding proposal does not relieve 
recipients of their obligations to compete for service contracts, 
conduct cost and price analyses, and use subgrants only for financial 
assistance purposes in accordance with Section .210 of OMB Circular A-
133.

Section IV. Program Emphasis

    This program is designed to provide seed money for transportation 
and air quality projects specifically to spur innovations in 
transportation to reduce VMT and vehicular emissions, and thereby 
positively impact air quality and/or climate change. EPA is 
particularly interested in proposals designed to implement pilot 
projects which yield measurable reductions in VMT, CO2, and/
or criteria air pollutants and other GHG, and that promote the 
replication of promising practices, methodologies, technologies, 
incentives, and applications. EPA considers that the element of 
innovation lies not solely in the program components proposed, but in 
how they fit into a comprehensive strategy.
    Innovative approaches of particular interest to OTAQ encourage 
community design that promotes alternatives to the single-occupant 
vehicle mode of travel, reduce the need to travel, increase use of 
higher occupancy modes of travel, and promote low- or non-polluting 
means of travel. As mentioned above, proposals should show how the 
project will be part of a coordinated plan for VMT and/or 
transportation-related emissions reduction. Elements that EPA is 
especially interested in seeing in proposals include the following 
(although strong proposals that contain elements other than these will 
certainly be considered):
     Smart Growth/Development Patterns That Minimize VMT--
support state, local, multi-state, and tribal efforts to define best 
practices, implement effective incentives, and design livable 
communities that would provide better access to jobs, entertainment, 
and services while reducing miles driven. (To learn more about EPA's 
land use guidance and policy, access the web page at www.epa.gov/otaq/traq/traqsusd.htm).
     ``Green Fleets''--type program--support adoption of energy 
conservation and VMT reduction strategies for light-duty fleets and 
freight distribution systems; e.g., fleets comprised of cleaner (low-
emission) vehicles and/or vehicles with higher fuel economy or that 
utilize cleaner, renewable fuels. (To learn more about the Green Fleets 
program developed by the International Council for Local Environmental 
Initiatives, see their website at www.greenfleets.org; ``Green Your 
Fleet'' is a downloadable document that gives a basic overview of their 
program.)
     Commuter Choice--support implementation of employer 
provided benefits for increased parking cashout, telework, compressed 
work schedule, carpooling, transit, bus and vanpool ridership, 
bicycling and pedestrian commuting. (To be considered a Commuter Choice 
program for the purposes of this solicitation, a project must meet 
EPA's six conditions for ``leaders'' described in the Commuter Choice 
program announcement on its website at: www.epa.gov/otaq/traq/comchoic/ccweb.htm; select the document ``Commuter Choice Leadership 
Initiative.'' EPA's commitments to its partners are also described 
therein.)
     Clean Vehicles--incentives for the purchase by individuals 
of vehicles designed to emit lower lifetime emissions of GHG and 
criteria pollutants. (Applicants may wish to review EPA within-class 
vehicle rankings developed to assist consumers with choosing the 
cleanest and most fuel efficient vehicle that meets individual needs 
at: www.epa.gov/autoemissions.)
    In addition to the examples of possible program elements mentioned 
above, an applicant might want to consider such elements as:
     Improvements to ``connecting'' activities at campus 
institutions (e.g., hospitals and universities)--initiatives focused 
upon reducing VMT and/or emissions at organizations having various 
buildings or facilities located over a limited geographic distance that 
require transportation, teleconferencing, video conferencing, 
telecommuting or other ``connecting'' activities as a major component 
of conducting business (may address movement within the campus area, 
movement on/off the campus area, or both). This is a high-priority area 
for innovation.
     Youth demonstration projects to mobilize the 
implementation of youth-oriented tools. Examples of previously funded 
projects that engage youth, especially pre-drivers, in transportation/
air quality/climate issues include Let Kids Lead Starter Guide (see the 
website www.letkidslead.org), Going Places, Making Choices Curriculum 
(see the website www.fourhcouncil.edu/ycc/gpmc), the Cleaner Cars 
Module for driver's education, and projects funded through the Mobile 
Sources Outreach Assistance Competition.
     Real time casual carpool ride matching.
     Pay-as-you-drive car leases.
     Pay-as-you-drive automobile insurance.
     Automobile insurance incentives for driving cleaner 
vehicles and/or vehicles having higher fuel economy or that utilize 
cleaner, renewable fuels.
     HOV-lane access for ultra-clean vehicles and/or those 
having high fuel economy or that utilize cleaner, renewable fuels.

Section V. Selection Criteria

    Each eligible proposal (section VIII.R., below, summarizes basic 
requirements for eligibility) will be evaluated according the criteria 
set forth below. Proposals which are best able to directly and 
explicitly address the primary criteria will have a greater likelihood 
of being selected for award in this assistance competition. Each 
proposal will be rated according to how well it addresses the criteria. 
Please note that projects that do not meet the threshold legal criteria 
for funding under Section 103(b)(3) of the Clean Air Act cannot be 
considered at all.

[[Page 11026]]

I. Primary Criteria

     Problem: States clearly the air quality, climate change, 
and/or transportation problem the proposal is trying to address in 
terms of the purpose/focus of this solicitation. Be sure to identify 
what specific types of emissions reductions are needed, and/or the need 
to reduce VMT.
     Approach: Demonstrates an innovative strategy to address 
environmental goals of improved air quality and/or reduced GHG 
production from the transportation sector through VMT reduction and use 
of cleaner vehicles and fuels, coordinated as part of a broad context 
of efforts to achieve these goals; providing a sound basis for 
encouraging positive transportation behavior change.
     Measurement/Effectiveness: Includes measure of program 
results; i.e., shows how the project will be evaluated by the applicant 
in terms of quantifiable reductions in CO2 emissions, and 
(if targeted in the problem statement) other pollutant emissions and/or 
VMT, whether by measurement or modeling, and indicates a significant 
reduction in tons of CO2 (and, if targeted, tons of other 
emissions and/or reductions in VMT). Note: Regardless of what other 
benefits are identified, all qualifying proposals must indicate that 
CO2 emissions will be reduced through implementation of the 
proposal, and must estimate tons reduced.
     Cost Effectiveness: Demonstrates that proposed 
transportation/air quality/climate change innovation is cost effective 
(i.e., indicates a relatively high amount of emissions reduction as 
compared to amount of the grant), including a prediction of emissions 
reduction from the pilot in a reasonable scenario.
     Partnering: Demonstrates how it will make use of an 
existing coalition or collaborative established to address 
transportation and air quality/climate change issues (indicate partners 
in this coalition), and describes how the partner(s) can provide a 
diversity of perspectives--each applicant must delineate how it and its 
partner(s) will allocate responsibility for the various aspects of the 
program to be funded. Applicants should make it clear that they--and 
their partners--have the skills, resources, previous performance, 
capability, and commitment to make the proposed project fully 
successful. Applicants must also demonstrate that any transfers of 
funding to project partners comply with EPA financial assistance 
regulations.
     Replicability: Demonstrates national or regional 
applicability (i.e., is designed to have a high potential for being 
adapted for use elsewhere, and to serve as a resource that will assist 
others planning similar endeavors; including lessons learned, 
productive types of contacts/collaborations to make, ``roadmap'' of the 
process, etc.).

J. Other Factors to be Considered

     Integration/leveraging of funding: Maximizes the effective 
use of EPA's limited funding through integration with existing 
programs: this may include coordination with other OTAQ-funded efforts 
and activities, linkages with other funding programs, such as those 
mentioned in Section I.A. (``Overview''), or financial or in-kind 
contributions from non-federal sources.
     Budget: Exhibits clearly-stated and appropriate levels of 
funding; indicating where funds are allocated to provide for interested 
parties to get information on the project, including costs for 
materials reproduction.
     Action-orientation. Must be capable of generating 
reductions in CO, and, if targeted, other pollutants and/or VMT, as a 
direct result of the pilot program.
     Reasonable time frames. Timetables must reflect a 
realistic appreciation of the time required to properly conduct the 
indicated activity.
     Past Performance. The applicant's experience with 
effectively administering Federal financial assistance and successfully 
carrying out projects supported by EPA and other Federal agencies will 
be carefully considered. This may include the results of audits 
conducted by EPA's Office of Inspector General, other Federal agencies, 
or State, local or tribal oversight entities. Applicants are strongly 
encouraged to discuss their performance history and to provide the 
names of contacts for EPA to obtain additional information.

    Note: OTAQ places a high priority on proposals that clearly show 
how they will count the tons of emissions saved as a result of their 
implementation, and on those involving partnerships with entities 
that provide wide range of perspectives on the issue, contributing a 
broader vision and wider skill mix to the effort. Applicants should 
show clearly how the approach to reducing VMT and tons of emissions 
addresses the problem identified without posing other emissions 
concerns. For example, a vehicle type being promoted for low 
CO2 emissions in the context of GHG reduction should not 
result in even more significant increases in emissions of methane, 
an even more potent GHG.

    Moreover, every applicant should understand that EPA will consider 
the ramifications that the proposal may generate, and it wishes to 
ascertain whether each proposal shows consistency with EPA's broader 
mission beyond the realm of transportation-related emissions. That is, 
the proposed project should, for example, present no cross-media 
concerns, and should respect environmental justice considerations.

Section VI. Evaluation and Selection

K. How does the evaluation process work?

    The EPA Evaluation Team will be chosen in such a way that it can 
address a full range of transportation/air quality/climate change 
matters. Each EPA Regional office will be given the opportunity to 
review those proposals generated by eligible organizations within that 
Region. The Evaluation Team will base its evaluation solely on the 
criteria referenced in this Notice. Completed evaluations will be 
referred to a Selection Committee representing OTAQ staff and senior 
managers and Regional representatives who are responsible for further 
consideration and final selection. Selected proposals will be submitted 
to EPA's grants office for final approval for award. Applicants will be 
notified promptly after this process concerning their proposal's 
status.

Section VII. Proposals

L. What must be included in the proposal?

    The proposal must contain a narrative, letters of commitment from 
partners, and EPA's federal assistance application forms (``Application 
for Federal Assistance and Budget Information,'' SF 424 and SF 424A). 
(Please do not use binders or spiral binding for your submission.) The 
narrative, which should be approximately 7-8 pages in length, must 
explicitly address how the proposal meets each of the evaluation 
criteria. Again, in the course of describing how it meets the criteria, 
the narrative must include:
    (1) A concise statement of the nature of the problem, project 
background, and objectives;
    (2) A detailed project summary--description of specific actions to 
be undertaken, and the responsible organizations, including estimated 
time line for each task;
    (3) The associated work products to be developed;
    (4) An explanation of project benefits;
    (5) An explanation of how project outcomes will be designed for 
replication in other communities;

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    (6) A detailed budget--clearly explain how funds will be used, 
including estimated cost for each task, and funds set aside for 
resources to promote replication;
    (7) A detailed explanation of how the project shall be evaluated;
    (8) The projected time frame for project from initiation through 
completion;
    (9) Project contact(s) (must provide name, organization, phone, 
fax, and e-mail), and;
    (10) A description of the roles of the applicant and partners.
    Special attention should be provided to the details of pilot 
implementation and the mechanisms proposed to enable broad-scale 
replication of its innovations. This includes access to tools and 
information for interested parties seeking to replicate as appropriate 
and build upon the project's outcomes. This includes materials 
generated through the project, contact information, keys/barriers to 
success, a narrative or ``roadmap'' of the process, etc.
    In addition to the narrative, the proposal should include a letter 
of commitment from each partner organization that briefly summarizes 
its roles and goals in the partnership. Again, please keep in mind that 
any contracts or subgrants awarded to partner organizations must comply 
with applicable regulations.
    EPA financial assistance procedures require that the official and 
complete federal assistance application forms (``Application for 
Federal Assistance and Budget Information,'' SF 424 and SF 424A) be 
submitted by all applicants with their proposals. For those in need of 
guidance in filling out these forms, an Application Kit for Federal 
Assistance (which includes the forms) can be obtained from EPA's Grants 
Administration Division at (202) 564-5305. These forms can also be 
downloaded from the following website: www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/#forms.

VIII. Other Items of Interest

M. Does this funding expire at the end of Fiscal Year 2001? Will two-
year projects be considered?

    Funding does not expire at the end of Fiscal Year 2001. If a 
proposal with a two-year project period is submitted, OTAQ simply 
requires that the budget and cost estimate be designed to indicate what 
will be accomplished in each of the first and second years. However, 
the total amount of the grant does not change if the project period 
extends to two years.

N. May an eligible organization submit more than one proposal?

    Yes. However, more than one proposal may be submitted only if the 
proposals are for different projects.

O. May an eligible organization submit a proposal for this fiscal year, 
even if the organization were previously awarded funding under another 
program?

    Yes. Applicants awarded funding in previous competitions may submit 
new proposals to fund a different project. As mentioned previously, 
this program is designed to provide seed money to initiate new 
projects, or to add new dimensions to existing projects (e.g., new 
focus on youth, additional locations, innovative approaches, different 
constituencies). Awards will not be given to extend or supplement an 
ongoing program if the proposal adds nothing that is new in some 
significant way.

P. May an eligible organization resubmit a proposal which was 
previously submitted to another competition for funding, but was not 
selected?

    Yes. However, those proposals will be measured against the 
evaluation criteria described above.

Q. What is the difference between this solicitation and the Mobile 
Source Outreach Assistance Competition? Can I apply to both?

    These are two distinct competitions, though offered in fiscal year 
2001 at approximately the same time. While they may share some goals, 
such as providing assistance to stakeholders wishing to implement 
innovative programs that reduce mobile source related emissions, they 
differ in important ways. While the Mobile Source Outreach Assistance 
Competition was originated with the expressed purpose of promoting 
outreach in the mobile source emissions arena, the scope of eligible 
projects is broader under this solicitation. However, this solicitation 
limits eligible applicants to state, local, tribal, and multi-state 
agencies involved with transportation, air quality, and/or climate 
change issues. Moreover, this competition requires that the applicant 
demonstrate how CO2 and, depending upon the problem 
identified, other emissions and/or VMT will be reduced, and an estimate 
of those reductions in VMT/tons of emissions through implementation. 
The demonstration and estimate are not required for the Mobile Source 
Outreach Assistance Competition.
    Applicants to this competition may submit a proposal that includes 
a component that was submitted to the Mobile Source Outreach Assistance 
Competition. However, due to the differing nature of the requirements, 
it is unlikely that an exact duplication of a proposal submitted to one 
would be suitable to be submitted to the other.

R. What will cause a proposal to be considered ineligible or non-
responsive to this solicitation?

    A proposal will be determined to be ineligible if :
     It is not submitted by a state, local, tribal, or multi-
state agency involved with transportation, air quality, or climate 
change issues, or;
     It does not satisfy the requirements for funding 
authorized under section 103 of the Clean Air Act (described in the 
``Background'' section, above).
    A proposal will be considered non responsive if:
     It does not address each criterion and each component 
outlined in Section VII.L., above, or;
     It lacks the completed forms ``Application for Federal 
Assistance and Budget Information,'' SF 424 and SF 424A, or;
     If hard copies of the proposal are received or postmarked 
by the U.S. Postal Service after the deadline.

S. Will Letters of Recommendation or Commendation Help a Proposal 
During its Evaluation?

    No. Letters of recommendation or commendation will not be 
considered. However, letters from partners expressing their commitment 
to the proposed project will strengthen an application's standing; 
those documenting successful performance on Federal assistance projects 
will be given greater weight than letters which express only general 
support for the applicant.

Section IX. How To Apply

T. How Does One Apply?

    Intents to Apply may take the form of email, fax or phone call to 
the Program Contact, Mary E. Walsh (address listed below; phone: (734) 
214-4205; fax: (734) 214-4052; e-mail: [email protected]. Include 
organization, contact, phone number, and project title/subject. Please 
submit informal Intents to Apply by Wednesday, March 14, 2001. 
(Remember, the Intent to Apply is not required and will have no bearing 
on the judging process, but we do request it for the benefit of our 
planning process.) Submission of an Intent to Apply or a final proposal 
does not guarantee funding.

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    Completed application packages must be postmarked or received via 
regular mail or express mail on or before midnight, Tuesday, April 24, 
2001 (please provide original proposal + six copies--no binders or 
spiral binding, please!--plus one completed set of forms SF 424 and SF 
424A, ``Application for Federal Assistance and Budget Information''), 
addressed to: Mary E. Walsh (TRPD), US EPA Office Transportation and 
Air Quality, 2000 Traverwood Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48105.

Deadline For Completed Final Proposals

    Proposals must be received or postmarked no later than midnight on 
April 24, 2001.

    Dated: February 9, 2001.
Margo Tsirigotis Oge,
Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Environmental 
Protection Agency.
[FR Doc. 01-4268 Filed 2-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U