[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 4, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46273-46276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-22126]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7047-6]


Community Based In-Home Asthma Environmental Education and 
Management

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Request for grant proposals.

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SUMMARY: Request for Proposals for Community Based In-Home Asthma 
Environmental Education and Management. This is an announcement of the 
availability of FY 2001 grant funds for the Environmental Protection 
Agency's (EPA) Indoor Environments Division/Office of Radiation and 
Indoor Air. Section 103(a)(1) of the Clean Air Act authorizes the 
Administrator to conduct and promote the coordination and acceleration 
of research, investigations, experiments, demonstrations, surveys and 
studies relating to the causes, effects (including health and welfare 
effects), extent, prevention, and control of air pollution by [(b)(3)] 
making grants to air pollution control agencies, to other public or 
nonprofit private agencies, institutions, and organizations, and to 
individuals, for purposes stated in 103(a)(1). The intended use of 
these funds is to support pilot studies of asthma education, including 
asthma management and indoor asthma trigger identification/mitigation, 
in existing community-based in-home environmental management or 
education programs. EPA is awarding these grants to support the 
recipients to conduct pilot studies of in-home asthma education and 
assess the effectiveness of their in-home approaches to educating 
children with asthma, their parents and/or primary care givers, and 
other people with asthma, including how to identify the indoor triggers 
to which the asthmatic(s) in the household may be sensitive, and how to 
mitigate them. EPA plans to award two grants of up to $150,000.00 each, 
to two qualified

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organizations, however the final number of awards and award amounts may 
vary depending on proposal quality and resource availability.

DATES: Letter of Intent Deadline: Postmarked no later than September 
18, 2001. Pre-application Assistance Conference Call date is: September 
25, 2001, 12 noon until 2pm Eastern Daylight Time. Application 
Deadline: Postmarked no later than October 23, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send Letter of Intent and Applications to the attention of 
John Guevin, Environmental Protection Agency, Ariel Rios Building 
(6609J), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Guevin (202) 564-9370.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The focus for funding is to: (a) Reduce the 
impact of in-home environmental asthma triggers on children and adults 
with asthma; (b) strengthen the capacity of individual households to 
control in-home environmental asthma triggers; and (c) assess the 
effectiveness and sustainability of strategies for in-home 
environmental asthma trigger management and education within 
communities.
    Completed applications, including work plans and detailed budgets, 
are due to the Indoor Environments Division no later than October 23, 
2001. If you intend to apply, you must send a letter of intent 
postmarked no later than September 18, 2001 to Attention: John Guevin, 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ariel Rios Building (6609J), 1200 
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460, or an e-mail to 
[email protected] by no later than 3 pm (EDT) on September 18, 2001, 
indicating the name of your organization, the name and phone number of 
a contact person in the organization, and if you would like to 
participate in the pre-award technical assistance conference call on 
September 25, 2001.


    Note: The target population of focus is children with asthma and 
their parents and/or care-givers. Adults with asthma may be included 
in the in-home asthma education program; however, children with 
asthma should be given preference. Community-based in-home asthma 
environmental education and management program(s) may occur inside 
or outside the home through clinical visits or community forums.

Eligibility Criteria

    To be eligible for funding, an applicant must:
    (1) Meet the standards for eligibility as identified in Section 103 
(b)(3) of the Clean Air Act (page 1, paragraph 1);
    (2) Demonstrate the ability to implement and track the results of 
an asthma education program which includes: in-home identification and 
assessment of potential indoor environmental asthma triggers for 
diagnosed asthmatics; and direct one-on-one education on asthma, asthma 
management, and mitigation of indoor environmental triggers in the home 
to which children and other household members with asthma may be 
sensitive;
    (3) Request no more than $150,000.00 to accomplish pilot project 
objectives. Demonstrate that the project goals and objectives can be 
achieved given the amount of the grant;
    (4) Properly complete and submit standard form SF-424 and a 
proposal no greater than nine pages (including supplemental 
biographical information) in length (in no smaller than 12 point type) 
by the established due date;
    (5) Commit to complete the proposed pilot project activities within 
18-24 months of grant award.

Ranking Criteria

    Applications will be ranked on the basis of the criteria listed 
below. Ranking for each criterion is based on a scale of 1 (does not 
meet the requirement) to 5 (exceeds the requirement).
    (1) Applicant is currently performing community-based environmental 
health or public health education and demonstrates that it is achieving 
public health outcomes and results. (1-5 points)
    (2) Applicant demonstrates the ability to implement an asthma 
education program (face-to-face instruction which can occur inside or 
outside the home, e.g., in a clinic or other community setting) which 
integrates indoor environmental trigger identification and mitigation 
approaches in the home into a comprehensive asthma management education 
program (i.e., medical management and the socio-economics of the target 
population are addressed). (1-5 points)
    (3) Applicant proposal has goals and objectives which are clearly 
stated and will reduce the incidence and severity of asthma episodes in 
the target population, and create behavioral changes in the home as a 
result of its educational outreach activities. The grant budget is 
appropriate to accomplish the scope of the work (i.e., number of 
children with asthma, their parents and/or care-givers that will be 
reached). (1-5 points)
    (4) Applicant proposed work targets low-income, urban and/or 
disproportionately impacted (with respect to asthma severity or 
incidence) populations, with an emphasis on children. (1-5 points)
    (5) Applicant demonstrates the effectiveness of education 
strategies to varied populations and geographic locations in the United 
States, and contributes to an improved understanding of how to conduct 
asthma education programs that address asthma triggers in homes. 
Education materials and assessment tools selected for the pilot project 
reflect current standards for conducting environmental health or public 
health education and outreach activities, particularly with respect to 
motivating behavioral changes in low-literacy, low-income, and 
disproportionately impacted populations. (1-5 points)
    (6) Applicant outlines educational materials and mitigation methods 
for environmental (secondhand) tobacco smoke, house dust mites, 
cockroaches, molds, and animal dander which are compatible with the 
guidance contained in EPA's asthma brochure, ``Clear Your Home Of 
Asthma Triggers: Your Children Will Breathe Easier'' (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/asthma.html) and the findings and recommendations 
contained in the January, 2000 National Academy of Sciences report on 
asthma, ``Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposures'' (http://books.nap.edu/catalog/9610.html). (1-5 points)
    (7) Applicant staff have the knowledge and experience to 
successfully perform the proposed work. (1-5 points)
    (8) Applicant describes methods that will be used to ensure 
sustained participant involvement throughout the life of the project. 
Applicant adequately describes mechanisms for obtaining feedback about 
program effectiveness from participants after the in-home education 
assessment visits. (1-5 points)
    (9) Applicant describes a clear in-home asthma education and 
assessment of asthma triggers evaluation component, e.g., on-site, in-
home visits or patient/family self-reporting, which is practical, 
reasonable, and sound. Assessment methods address established indoor 
environmental triggers of asthma including: environmental (secondhand) 
tobacco smoke, house dust mites, cockroaches, molds, and animal dander. 
Whichever assessment method is used, applicant must, at a minimum, 
report the number of homes visited, the number of children and adults 
with asthma educated, the number of homes in

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which indoor environmental triggers have been identified, and the 
number of households in which mitigation actions have been taken. 
Applicant agrees to provide quarterly performance reports to EPA which 
shall include, at a minimum, information about the above. (1-5 points)
    (10) Applicant addresses the potential beyond the life of the EPA 
grant and the ability of this project to be replicated in other areas 
and with other populations. (1-5 points)

Application Process

    Applicants must complete standard form 424 (http://www.epa.gov/ogd/how_to_apply.htm) and submit a work plan no greater than nine pages in 
length, including any supplementary biographical information (in 12 
point type). The work plan must include: (1) A aummary of specific 
objectives, expected outcomes, and deliverables; and (2) a discussion 
of the budget and how the budget relates to the objectives, outcomes, 
and deliverables in the work plan. The project work plan submitted with 
the completed application SF-424 should conform to the following 
outline:
    (1) Title.
    (2) Description of the applicant organization, experience in 
community-based environmental or public health education (especially 
with children and adults with asthma), results of existing in-home 
education efforts and/or existing indoor air quality/asthma activities, 
and the organization's infrastructure as it relates to its ability to 
do in-home asthma assessments and/or education programs.
    (3) Project purpose.
    (4) Description of basic structure of the in-home asthma education 
and assessment pilot project proposed, how many families will be 
reached, curricula and assessment tools to be used, and resource lists 
including references. Describe why the curricula and protocols were 
selected or created; what other materials you may have considered 
(including reasons for not selecting them); and, if possible, a 
discussion of how the asthma education approaches you wish to 
demonstrate compare or contrast to other known approaches.
    (5) Project Period--beginning and ending dates. Budget. Indicate 
funds used for salaries, materials, equipment, contracted activities, 
travel, overhead, and other pertinent information.
    (6) Description of target audiences, community, and any special 
asthma-related demographics of areas targeted for this work.
    (7) Description of staffing and funding resources needed to 
implement proposed work plans, including number of staff and 
qualifications.
    (8) Description of mechanisms for question resolution and follow-up 
with asthmatics and their families and/or primary care givers following 
in-home visit(s). Reasons for selecting or creating these mechanisms 
and, if possible, a discussion of how the selected mechanisms compare 
to other available mechanisms.
    (9) Description of any types of follow-up materials or training 
that may be given to the households such as community resource lists, 
household repair and maintenance training, lessons on how to obtain 
services in the community, etc.
    (10) Definition of success for the project and how success will be 
measured. Describe mechanisms for tracking program outputs (e.g., how 
many households were educated, how many homes were assessed, in how 
many homes actions were taken), and evaluating program outcomes (i.e., 
the effectiveness of the education and mitigation methods, the level of 
increased awareness).
    (11) Description of experience implementing evaluation and tracking 
procedures and managing grants (e.g., submitting reports, budgets, 
etc.).
    (12) Schedule--indicate tasks, quarterly report submission and 
final report submission dates.
    (13) Identification of other localities, regions, or states that 
might benefit from the lessons you expect to learn as a result of your 
pilot project.
    If you would like to apply for assistance under the Community Based 
In-Home Asthma Environmental Education and Management program, 
application materials are available at the web addresses listed below 
or by calling EPA's Indoor Environments Division at (202) 564-9370. The 
application kit contains the following information:

--Application for Federal Assistance
--Instructions for completing the application
--Assurances/certifications

    An original application and two copies must be received at the 
following address no later than close of business on Tuesday, October 
23, 2001:
    Mailing Address: Attn: John Guevin, In-Home Education Program, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Ariel Rios Building (6609J), 1200 
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460.
    Courier Address: Attn: John Guevin, U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, In-Home Education Program (6th floor), 501 3rd Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20001.
    A pre-application assistance conference call has been scheduled for 
Tuesday, September 25, 2001 from 12 noon until 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight 
Time to help prospective applicants. All applicants must submit a 
letter of intent by September 18, 2001. Those indicating a desire to 
participate in the pre-award assistance conference call will be mailed 
instructions for participating in the conference call.
    In addition, prospective applicants may obtain a copy of the Code 
of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 40, Part 30 (and for State and local 
agencies, also see Part 31). This portion of the CFR includes 
regulations applicable to your assistance agreement. Copies of the CFR 
are available at your local U.S. Government Bookstore, the U.S. 
Government Printing Office or on the internet at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/how_to_apply.htm. Once at this site, select ``Administrative 
Regulations and Policies/Subchapter B-Grants and Other Federal 
Assistance'' and select Part 30 or Part 31.
    Selected projects will be announced on or around December 30, 2001. 
If you have any questions regarding this grant notice, please contact 
John Guevin (202) 564-9370.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401-7626; Pub. L. 159, 69 Stat. 322

Answers to Questions You May Have

    Question 1: The RFP states that grant awards will be for no more 
than $150,000. Is this per year for multiple years, or a one time 
grant?
    Answer: This is a one time grant of up to $150,000.00.
    Question 2: How many awards are anticipated and to how many 
organizations?
    Answer: We anticipate awarding a total of two grants, i.e., one 
grant to each of two qualified organizations.
    Question 3: If my organization has indirect costs, are they to be 
included within the $150,000?
    Answer: Yes, all indirect costs are included within the $150,000.
    Question 4: What is an indirect cost, and what if we don't have an 
indirect cost rate established?
    Answer: Indirect costs are explained in the grant application 
forms, SF-424, found at this website (www.epa.gov/iaq/asthma). If your 
organization has an indirect cost rate established, include it where 
appropriate in your budget submittal. If your organization does not 
have an established indirect cost rate, you may submit your proposal 
with an estimated indirect cost rate. If this is the case, please state 
in your transmittal letter that you do not currently have an 
established rate, but that you will

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establish one by submitting the proper forms within 30 days of award. 
Include the name, phone number and fax number for your financial 
officer, and our Grants Administration Division will work with that 
individual to provide the necessary information.
    Question 5: If we need help figuring out how to fill in the budget 
forms, is there someplace we can go to understand cost principles for a 
Federal grant?
    Answer: Yes, go to www.epa.gov/ogd/how_to_apply/htm.
    Question 6: Is there a cost-share requirement? Will proposals that 
include cost-sharing be reviewed more favorably?
    Answer: No, cost-sharing is not required, and including a cost-
share will not cause your proposal to be viewed more favorably.
    Question 7: Where can I find the standard form 424 mentioned in 
eligibility criterion number (4), and can we submit a proposal greater 
than nine pages in length?
    Answer: The EPA application for grant assistance, SF-424 can be 
found on our website www.epa.gov/iaq/asthma along with all of the 
required forms.
    The work plan narrative must be no more than nine pages in length, 
including a detailed, itemized budget, and any supplementary 
biographical information you wish to provide. In particular, attention 
should be paid to the qualifications and experience of key personnel. 
There is no requirement that the information be double-spaced, only 
that it be no smaller than 12 point type.
    Question 8: On SF-424, block 10, is a space for ``Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance Number.'' What number should we use?
    Answer: The correct number is 66-606.
    Question 9: On SF-424, in block 16, it asks ``Is application 
subject to review by State Executive Order 12372 process?'
    Answer: To determine whether your state requires review prior to 
receiving a Federal grant award, and a point of contact if it does, 
check the Office of Management and Budget website, www.whitehouse.gov/OMB/grants/spoc.html.
    Question 10: What start date should we use on the form?
    Answer: Use January 1, 2002, as the start date, although the actual 
award date may vary. No pre-award costs will be approved for this pilot 
project, so please do not incur any costs unless and until you receive 
an assistance agreement from EPA.
    Question 11: Are we required to include a quality assurance 
narrative statement?
    Answer: If you are making environmental measurements or collecting 
data, your proposal should include a statement about the quality 
assurance practices you will put in place to ensure the accuracy of 
your data. If there is a need for additional information, our Grants 
Administration Division will contact you prior to award.
    Question 12: What rules will govern our grant?
    Answer: Familiarize yourself with Code of Regulations 40 part 30 if 
you are a non-profit or higher education group, and in addition, with 
Part 31 if you are a State or local government entity. These rules can 
be found at www.epa.gov/epacfr40/chapt-l.info/chi.toc.htm. At that 
location, look under SUBCHAPTER B--GRANTS AND OTHER FEDERAL ASSISTANCE 
(parts 30-49).'' Please note that no cost share is required.
    Question 13: Is the due date of October 23, 2001 flexible?
    Answer: No. Mailed applications must bear an envelope postmark (or 
carrier such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL equivalent) of October 23, 2001 or 
be hand-delivered by messenger not later than close of business (5pm 
EDT) Tuesday, October 23, 2001 as directed in the Request for 
Proposals. Please note that our mailing address and direct delivery 
address are different.
    Question 14: Can I include letters of recommendation, past project 
reports, etc. along with my proposal?
    Answer: All elements of your submission should address the 
eligibility and ranking criteria outlined in the Request for Proposals. 
Your submission must be no more than nine pages in length (in no 
smaller than 12 point type), including the work plan, detailed budget 
and biographical information.
    Question 15: Can grant funds be used to mitigate homes?
    Answer: The Clean Air Act authority under which this project is 
being conducted provides for studies and demonstrations, not 
implementation. Mitigation is acceptable under this grant only to the 
extent that it is done as a way to teach occupants how to clean-up and/
or prevent indoor environmental triggers of asthma in their home.
    Question 16: Will our grant proposals be considered confidential?
    Answer: While grant proposals are generally handled in a 
confidential manner, they may be disclosed under the Freedom of 
Information Act unless they are marked ``restricted'' or 
``confidential.'' If there is any information you wish to ensure 
remains confidential, please be sure to stamp ``confidential'' or 
``restricted'' on each page on which such information occurs.
    Question 17: Are we permitted to enter into contracts as part of 
the project we are proposing?
    Answer: Yes, as long as the costs are allowable as defined under 
the Code of Federal Regulations 40 Part 30 and Part 31, which can be 
found at www.epa.gov/ogd/grants.htm.

    Dated: August 24, 2001.
Jeffrey R. Holmstead,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 01-22126 Filed 8-31-01; 8:45 am]
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