[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 27 (Monday, February 10, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6739-6744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3238]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7449-6]


Financial Assistance for an Environmental Professional Intern 
Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The programmatic objective of this Environmental Professional 
Intern Program is to provide unique research training opportunities in 
cooperative study, applied research, research techniques, and 
developmental activities that would be of major benefit in advancing 
the number and diversity of environmental professionals in the 
workforce.
    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces the 
availability of Federal Assistance to conduct an Environmental 
Professional Intern Program (Intern Program) to provide-on-the-job 
training for graduate and undergraduate students interested in careers 
in the environmental area. 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 while, at the 
same time, increasing the diversity of this pool. The 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, policymakers, legal professionals, and managers in the 
environmental area.
    This solicitation is to find a recipient organization to carry out 
this Intern Program. The student interns will be considered employees 
of the recipient organization rather than of the 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 recipient organization would be responsible for 
locating candidate interns, selecting the interns and administering the 
funding to the interns.
    The EPA would identify the intern's opportunities at the Agency or 
at an EPA stakeholder facility, provide advice to the organization in 
the selection of the candidate interns, and provide space, technical 
guidance and training to the interns during their internship period at 
either an EPA facility or an EPA stakeholder facility. All projects 
awarded under this agreement must be of a research nature. They must 
relate to the detection, assessment, and evaluation of the effects on 
and risks to human health from hazardous substances and the detection 
of hazardous substances in the environment. The internships must be to 
conduct a survey or to research,

[[Page 6740]]

collect, or analyze data which will be used to expand scientific 
knowledge or understanding of the subject studied. An example of an 
acceptable project would be to have the intern conduct an analysis of 
several communities using existing data from available databases and 
geographical information systems to determine demographics of the 
populations; numbers of facilities in the determined study area; types 
of emissions; quantities of specific chemicals; and other relevant 
data. The findings would be reported by the intern to his/her project 
advisor.
    This program will start on or about June 17, 2003, for one year and 
may be renewed for two additional years.

DATES: Applications must be postmarked by U.S. Postal Service or date 
stamped by commercial courier service on or before 11:59 p.m., Eastern 
Time, April 17, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Applicants must submit one signed original plus two (2) 
copies of the application including all information required by the 
application kit.
    By U.S. Postal Service: Linda K. Smith, EPA Intern Program, Office 
of Environmental Justice, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mail 
Code--2201A, Washington, DC 20460.
    By Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express or other courier service: 
Linda K. Smith, EPA Intern Program, Office of Environmental Justice, 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Room 2232 Ariel Rios Building--
South, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20004, Telephone: 
202-564-2602.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    The Environmental Professional Intern Program (Intern 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 Intern 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 protection and health-related 
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.
    The 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 
research-type training experiences. These areas include but are not 
limited to:
    [sbull] Environmental Policy, Regulation, & Law--Training in this 
area includes participation in the research to develop background to 
review and evaluate existing policies and regulations, as well as to 
develop new policies.
    [sbull] Environmental Management & Administration--This area 
focuses on the use of research techniques in how to implement and 
improve management goals or how to develop cooperative environmental 
management strategies.
    [sbull] Environmental Science--This area focuses on the conduct of 
field studies and laboratory research.
    [sbull] Public Relations and Communications--This broad category 
provides the intern with the opportunity to receive training in 
researching how public opinion affects environmental issues. The 
conduct of Internet surveys, developing tools for presentations, and 
presenting the findings in pamphlets to inform the public about 
environmental protection could be part of a training opportunity.
    [sbull] Computer Programming and Development--The intern could 
research methods and develop computer programs for reaching different 
stakeholders.
    A primary objective of the Intern Program is to support active 
stewardship of the environment, protection of the public health, and to 
sustain communities. The transfer of the EPA's technologies, 
techniques, and methods to the next generation of environmental 
professionals is to both increases their capability and to increase 
their diversity. This Intern Program offers unique opportunities to 
develop skills that can be transferred to interns through the 
establishment of this Internship Program. The award of this cooperative 
agreement will promote these objectives. All projects awarded under 
this agreement must relate to the detection, assessment, and evaluation 
of the effects on and risks to human health from hazardous substances 
and the detection of hazardous substances in the environment. The 
Internships awarded under this agreement must be of a research nature, 
i.e., survey, research, collecting and analyzing data which will be 
used to expand scientific knowledge or understanding of the subject 
studied. The statutes under which the U.S. EPA will conduct this Intern 
Program include:
    1. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability 
Act; Section 311: CERCLA, Section 311(c) authorizes the EPA to fund 
research grants.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    6. Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10(a): Conduct research, 
development, and monitoring activities on toxic substances.
    7. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 
20(a): Conduct research on pesticides.
    8. 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.

B. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)

    This EPA Intern Program is listed in the Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance as No. 66.607 Training and Fellowships for the 
Environmental Protection Agency.

[[Page 6741]]

C. Program Description

    The objective of the program is to provide research training 
opportunities to students interested in pursuing environmental careers. 
The proposed cooperative program will be administered by a single 
recipient in response to EPA-approved and funded intern opportunities 
at EPA locations, or at other EPA-approved locations of other Federal 
organizations or non-Federal organizations where the opportunity exists 
for students to participate in research training in environmental 
protection.
    In cooperation with the 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 the 
EPA. Interns are not EPA employees but are employed by the recipient. 
The recipient, in cooperation with the EPA, will develop an orientation 
program that will explain the intern's roles, responsibilities, and 
limitations. The 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. There is no specific course requirement for an 
intern but some preferred study areas include 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 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 
research training plan with the technical guidance of a technical 
advisor from the EPA or other EPA-approved 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 sectors. Final details for individual 
training plans will be developed by the recipient in consultation with 
the individual technical advisor in accordance with the ``Statement of 
Substantial Involvement between EPA and the Recipient'' described 
below.
    The maximum period that an intern may participate in the Intern 
Program on a full or part time basis with funding from the EPA is six 
months. The EPA may fund one additional three-month extension of an 
internship to enable the intern to complete a project.
    The recipient, under other funding agreements, may establish other 
environmental protection internship opportunities with organizations 
other than the EPA. The EPA may choose to fund and sponsor these other 
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 nonprofit organizations, general fund-
raising costs are not allowable.
    There is no fixed number of internships per year under this 
program. The actual number will depend on opportunities and funding 
identified by offices within the EPA.
    Internships may be located at the EPA or at facilities of other 
organizations with missions relating to environmental protection. If 
interns are required to relocate to either location for any portion of 
the internship, the EPA will provide financial assistance to the 
recipient in an amount up to $500 to offset the intern's relocation 
expenses. The finding of local housing and payment of housing costs is 
the responsibility of the intern. Interns will be provided individual 
project assignments for each internship.
    Under this Cooperative Agreement, the Recipient will make extra 
effort in advertising and promoting the availability of internships at 
Minority Serving Institutions, emphasizing Native Americans, Hispanic 
Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and women.

D. Definitions

    1. Student Intern--Individual trainee who will be provided with and 
perform internships under this cooperative agreement.
    2. Project Officer--The EPA Project Officer is that individual 
specifically named by the EPA to manage this program.
    3. Technical Advisor--The EPA employee responsible for providing 
technical guidance on the specific project(s) assigned to the intern 
and for monitoring the intern's individual development and progress. 
Because the student interns will be employees of the recipient 
organization, EPA technical advisors do not provide day-to-day 
supervision of student interns but they do oversee the work.
    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 EPA programs 
and ongoing projects and will be performed at the site of an EPA 
facility. In some cases, the assignment may involve a project at 
locations other than an EPA facility such as a community organization 
facility; a nonprofit organization facility; or a local government, 
state government, or tribal government facility.
    5. Travel Expenses of Interns--All travel expense must be paid by 
the recipient. No EPA travel funds can be used. 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 to the cooperative agreement. The EPA will provide travel and 
transportation for any intern assigned to EPA projects requiring field 
work as documented in the description of the Intern Opportunity and the 
Intern's training plan. Interns will complete Recipient's travel 
approval form prior to each trip, complete a travel reimbursement form 
at the conclusion of each trip, and a travel results report at the 
conclusion of each trip for the Recipient. The U.S. EPA Technical 
Advisor will sign all forms to acknowledge the trip is consistent with 
the intern's training plan prior to any action by the Recipient. Travel 
advances for interns will be available from the Recipient as needed. 
All travel and transportation required for field work will be paid by 
the Recipient out of funds included in the intern's amendment to the 
agreement.
    6. Training Expenses of Interns--All training expense must be paid 
by the recipient. No EPA training funds can be used. 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 to the cooperative agreement. The EPA will provide training 
for any intern when it is decided by the Technical Advisor that 
training is appropriate. The need for the training must be requested by 
the intern, approved by the Technical Advisor, prior to requesting the 
recipient to pay for the training expense. Interns will complete 
Recipient's training approval form prior to registration. When 
possible, the Recipient will pay for the training rather than requiring 
the intern to pay. When necessary, the intern may be asked to pay and 
then to complete a training reimbursement form at the conclusion, and a 
training results report at the conclusion of the event for the 
Recipient. The U.S. EPA Technical Advisor will sign all forms to 
acknowledge the training is consistent with the intern's training plan 
prior to

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any action by the Recipient. All training will be paid by the Recipient 
out of funds included in the individual intern's amendment to the 
original agreement.

E. Maximum EPA Financial Participation in Stipends (Per Week) and 
General Background Requirements of Internships

    1. $450 ($11.25/hr): 1-4 full years of academic study.
    2. $550 ($13.75/hr): Undergraduate degree and acceptance in 
graduate school
    3. $650 ($16.25/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. $750 ($18.75/hr): Completed 60 hrs Graduate level or completed 
Masters or law degree and accepted into PhD or L.L.M. program.
    Overtime pay is not allowed. In the event that overtime is 
required, the duration of the internship will be reduced or additional 
funds will be obligated or compensatory time will be given in lieu of 
overtime pay to compensate for it.
    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 will 
make every effort to select another intern and, if not practicable, 
advises the EPA to de-obligate the remaining funds committed for the 
internship.

F. Funding Availability

    The EPA funding for this Program will be a minimum of $500,000 
during the first year. The amount of funding for the second and third 
years is indefinite but can be as much as $2 million each year. Each 
internship or group of internships, beyond the first, will 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, 
depending on the EPA's programmatic decisions.
    Matching Requirements--Cost sharing is not required for the 
internship program.
    Type of Funding Instrument--The Environmental Protection Intern 
Program will be awarded as a Cooperative Agreement since the EPA 
anticipates that there will be substantial involvement between the EPA, 
the Recipient, and the Interns (after their selection).

G. Statements of Substantial Involvement Between U.S. EPA and the 
Recipient

    In carrying out the work program set forth in the project 
description, EPA and the Recipient agree to meet the programmatic 
objective of this agreement: The programmatic objective of this intern 
program is to provide unique research training opportunities in 
cooperative study, applied research, research techniques, and 
developmental activities that would be of major benefit in advancing 
the number and diversity of environmental professionals. EPA 
involvement will consist of the following activities:
    1. The 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 project available under the internship opportunity. 
However, EPA personnel will not select or make offers to prospective 
interns.
    3. After considering the EPA's advice, and making its own 
assessment of the fit between a prospective intern's 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 the EPA will collaboratively develop the 
student intern's training plan. The EPA will provide a technical 
advisor to interact with each student intern as the intern carries out 
his or her training plan. The technical advisor shall provide technical 
guidance and support to the intern in developing the skills necessary 
to perform the work in the chosen environmental area and monitor the 
intern's progress towards completing his or her training plan. However, 
the EPA's technical advisor will not supervise the intern.
    5. The EPA will provide liaison to interact with the Recipient and 
Senior Management on the progress of meeting the programmatic 
objectives of this Cooperative Agreement.

H. Eligibility Criteria

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

I. Award Period

    The initial Master Agreement will be for a period of up to three 
(3) years. The EPA will consider continued funding for the project 
beyond the first year upon: (a) Satisfactory progress toward the stated 
agreement goals, and the determination by the EPA that the continuation 
of the program would be in the best interest of the Government; and (b) 
availability of funds. This submission in no way obligates the 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.
    Multiple awards may be made from this announcement.

J. Administrative Costs

    Funds to support the environmental professional intern program will 
be given directly to the Recipient. Administrative costs will be 
negotiated as part of the Master Agreement award and will 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.

K. 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 or 100 percent of the total 
proposed direct costs dollar amount in the application, whichever is 
less.

L. Application Requirements

    Each Prospective Recipient will submit a package containing 
completed:
    1. SF-424 (including SF-424A & SF-424B),
    2. A budget with necessary supporting details. This budget should 
be based on a hypothetical intern opportunity at a stipend level of 
$550 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 from 12 weeks (3 month

[[Page 6743]]

summer intern) to 26 weeks (6 months), to 38 weeks (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. Proof of Status for First Time Eligible Non-Profit Applicants.
    9. EPA Form 4700-4 ``Preaward Compliance Review report for All 
Applicants. * * * ''
    10. A narrative description of the applicant's proposed plan for 
carrying out its environmental professional internship program. This 
narrative will 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 G. Statements of Substantial 
Involvement between U.S. EPA and the Recipient 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.

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/index.htm

Project Funding Priorities

    The 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 will be 
considered in the evaluation process.

M. Evaluation Criteria

    The proposals from applicants will be evaluated according to these 
evaluation factors. Your application must be complete to be considered.
    [sbull] Description of the intern program, alternatives and 
variations with regard to timeliness of receiving a request for, and 
the placement of, an intern. (20)
    [sbull] Proposed method of advertising for and pre-screening 
candidate interns, supervising interns as they carry out their training 
plans. (15)
    [sbull] Proposed benefits (health insurance, workman's 
compensation, etc.) to interns. (15)
    [sbull] Experience of applicant in managing a national program 
where students are recruited from various universities and colleges 
throughout the U.S. Past history of the recipient in carrying out 
similar programs, and how carrying out the internship program will 
further the recipient's mission. (40)
    [sbull] Ability to use the internet for all aspects of the intern 
program. (10)

N. 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 EPA Federal Program Officer, will review, evaluate, and rank all 
applications based on the criteria stated above. The final decision on 
an award will be based upon the panel's overall ranking of the 
applications and a determination by the EPA Selecting Official that the 
Recipient's application meets the Project Funding Priorities.

O. Other Requirements

1. Federal Policies and Procedures

    Recipients are subject to all Federal laws and Federal and EPA 
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 EPA to cover 
preaward 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 EPA 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 EPA.

5. Delinquent Federal Debts

    No award of Federal funds will 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 the EPA are made.

6. Name Check Review

    All nonprofit applicants are subject to a name check review 
process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any key individuals 
associated 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, Sec.  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, 
Sec.  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;

[[Page 6744]]

    iii. Anti-Lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, Sec.  
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.''

10. Paperwork Reduction

    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to nor will a person be subject to a penalty for failure to 
comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a current valid OMB control number.

11. Dispute Resolution Process

    Any disputes concerning the award of this agreement will be handled 
in accordance with 40 CFR 30.63 and part 31, subpart F.

12. Confidential Business Information

    Applicants should clearly mark information considered confidential, 
and the EPA will make final confidentiality decisions in accordance 
with Agency regulations at 40 CFR part 2, subpart B.

P. Restrictions

    Short-Term Training--This is a short term training program for 
students. Interns will not be used to replace 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 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 the EPA to obtain 
personal services. This would circumvent the civil service laws and 
reflect negatively on EPA staff using this participant in this manner. 
The relationship between the Recipient and Interns is that of Employer 
and Employees. 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 will be deemed to create 
an employer-employee relationship between the EPA and an Intern. All 
interns must qualify as students to participate in the program.
    Former EPA Employee Restrictions--Former EPA employees are not 
eligible for this program within two years of employment at the EPA. 
Former EPA employees must qualify as students to participate in the 
program.

    Dated: February 4, 2003.
Barry E. Hill,
Director, Office of Environmental Justice.
[FR Doc. 03-3238 Filed 2-7-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P