[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 91 (Monday, May 12, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25368-25371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-11756]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[RCRA-2003-0011; FRL-7496-6]


Development and Implementation of a Mercury Lamp Recycling 
Outreach Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Request for Applications (RFA)--Cooperative Agreements.

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SUMMARY: In FY 2002 Congress appropriated funds to the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) for the development and implementation of a 
lamp (light bulb) recycling outreach program to increase awareness of 
proper disposal methods among commercial and industrial users of 
mercury-containing lamps, in compliance with the Universal Waste Rule.
    Mercury is a naturally occurring element commonly used by lamp 
manufacturers to increase the energy efficiency of the lamps they 
produce. Examples of these mercury-containing lamps include familiar 
varieties such as the fluorescent lamps commonly found in office 
buildings, high intensity discharge (HID) lamps, and mercury vapor 
lamps. While mercury is an essential component allowing lamps to 
operate more efficiently, it is also hazardous to humans and the 
environment, thus EPA categorizes spent mercury-containing lamps as 
hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 
(RCRA).
    On July 6, 1999, (see 64 FR 36466) mercury-containing lamps were 
added to EPA's Universal Waste program. This program, created in 1995, 
(see 60 FR 25492, May 11, 1995) eases the regulatory burden on 
facilities that manage certain widely generated hazardous wastes, known 
as universal waste. The program was designed to promote the collection 
and recycling of these wastes. It is important that mercury-containing 
wastes are properly managed since incorrect disposal of these wastes 
can seriously threaten the health of citizens, the environment, and 
wildlife. Repeated exposure to large amounts of mercury can cause 
kidney, and nerve damage in adults and children, and neurological 
damage in developing fetuses. Unfortunately, many members of the 
industrial and commercial community do not realize that the lamps in 
their buildings pose such a threat, and they are unaware of acceptable 
methods for disposing of their lamps. As a result, illegal dumping of 
this hazardous waste is common. To address this issue, EPA's Lamp

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Recycling Outreach Program was given funds to award to organizations 
creating and implementing outreach programs that educate the commercial 
community about the nature of mercury-containing lamps and their proper 
disposal.
    At the end of FY 2002, EPA awarded approximately half of the 
available funds in cooperative agreements for the development of 
outreach materials and developing an outreach plan. Today we are 
requesting applications for funding of the second phase of the program, 
the implementation of outreach, utilizing the tools and materials 
developed under the first phase.
    Specific materials which are to be developed in the first phase, 
and which will be available for use during the second phase are as 
follows:
    1. Printed collateral materials for use by government and business 
organizations about lamp recycling.
    2. A searchable database of relevant state agency contacts involved 
with lamp recycling.
    3. A ``Frequently Asked Questions'' sheet on mercury lamp 
management.
    4. A CD-ROM with Power Point training presentations patterned after 
the training module produced for, with trainer notes regarding lamp 
recycling. With a booklet version of training module.
    5. Electronic version of the DOE Rebuild America training that is 
interactive with state links.
    6. A Business Lamp Recycling Program Implementation Guide that 
includes educational materials, handouts, and textual components for 
setting up a mercury lamp recycling program.
    7. Presentation for a Business Lamp Recycling Program 
Implementation Workshop.
    8. Mailers and stickers (or POS materials) for use by local 
franchise agencies, SW companies, contractors and utilities.
    9. Public service announcements targeted at local areas and 
advertising copy for target media.
    10. An advertisement to promote recycling and increase awareness of 
the lamprecycle.org web site.
    11. A ``Business Lamp Recycling Implementation Program'' Web Page.

DATES: Please submit applications on or before July 11, 2003.

ADDRESSES: U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20460 (mailing addresses); Crystal Station (7th Floor); 2800 Crystal 
Drive, Arlington, VA 22202 (building address).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Tschursin with EPA's Office of 
Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Office of Solid Waste: (703) 308-
8805 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Proposal Submission and Selection Schedule

    (See: www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/how_to_apply.htm.) EPA has 
established an official public docket for this action under Docket ID 
No. RCRA-2003-0011. The official public docket is the collection of 
materials that is available for public viewing at the OSWER Docket in 
the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution 
Ave, NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is 
open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding 
legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is 
(202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OSWER Docket is (202) 
566-0270. Copies cost $0.15 per page.
    An electronic version of the public docket is available through 
EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may 
use EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to view public comments, 
access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, 
and access those documents in the public docket that are available 
electronically. Although not all docket materials may be available 
electronically, you may still access any of the publicly available 
docket materials through the EPA Docket Center. Once in the system, 
select ``search'' then key in the appropriate docket ID number.
    EPA will accept proposals post-marked or sent to EPA via registered 
or tracked mail by July 11, 2003. Copies of the Standard Form 424 (SF 
424) Application for Federal Assistance may be obtained by following 
the links to SF forms on the following Web site: www.gsa.gov/forms.
    Applicants should send one (1) original (clearly labeled as such) 
and three (3) copies of their proposal to the individual and address 
shown below:

Anna Tschursin, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Avenue, NW. (5303W), Washington, DC 20460.

    Applicants must clearly mark information they consider 
confidential, and that EPA will make final confidentiality decisions in 
accordance with Agency regulations at 40 CFR part 2, subpart B. EPA 
will offer pre-application assistance by receiving and responding to 
questions via e-mail. EPA will work with the successful applicant to 
comply with the Intergovernmental review requirements of Executive 
Order 12372 and 40 CFR part 29.

Authority

    Solid Waste Disposal Act, section 8001 (a) authorizes EPA to render 
financial and other assistance to appropriate public (whether Federal, 
State, interstate, or local) authorities, agencies, and institutions, 
private agencies and institutions, and individuals in the conduct of, 
and promote the coordination of, research, investigations, experiments, 
training, demonstrations, surveys, public education programs, and 
studies. The overall objective of the Lamp Recycling Outreach Program 
is to increase public awareness and access to resource information by 
the development of educational material and a mechanism for 
disseminating this information through a highly visible outreach 
campaign. The objective of this cooperative agreement directly relates 
to the coordination of public education programs and training aspect of 
this statutory authority.

Award Information

    Anticipated Type of Award(s): Cooperative Agreement.
    Anticipated Total Available Funding Amount: $725,417.
    Project Period: September 2003-Sept 2008.

Eligibility for Funding

    The term ``non-profit'' is defined in OMB Circular A-122 and 
``educational institution'' refers to colleges and universities subject 
to OMB Circular A-21. Groups of two or more eligible applicants may 
choose to form a coalition and submit a single application for this 
cooperative agreement. However, one applicant will be accountable to 
EPA for proper expenditure of funds and any financial transactions 
between coalition members must comply with 40 CFR part 30.
    Per Sec.  501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, non-profit 
organizations that engage in lobbying activities--as defined in section 
3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995--are not eligible to apply or 
be part of a coalition.

Matching or Cost Sharing Requirements

    There are no cost sharing requirements.

Applicable Regulations

    The recipient will be subject to EPA regulations applicable to non-
profit organizations and institutions of higher education, 40 CFR part 
30 and OMB Cost Principles, A-122 or A-21,

[[Page 25370]]

respectively. The dispute resolution process will be followed in 
accordance with 40 CFR 30.63. Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental 
Review of Federal Programs is applicable.

Evaluation of Proposals

    EPA will conduct the competition consistent with EPA Order 5700.5, 
Policy on Competition for Assistance Agreements (9/12/02). EPA will 
assemble a review panel consisting of members familiar with issues 
related to public outreach, mercury-containing lamps, and the Universal 
Waste Rule. The review panel will use a point system to rank 
applications and make recommendations to the Director, Permits and 
State Programs Division, Office of Solid Waste, Office of Solid Waste 
and Emergency Response. The Director will make the final selection.
    Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of their 
award status in writing. EPA anticipates awarding the cooperative 
agreement within 45 days of the application deadline.
    EPA reserves the right to reject all applications and make no 
awards.

Proposal Contents

    Proposals must be clear and decisive, strictly follow the criteria, 
and provide sufficient detail for the panel to compare the merits of 
each and decide which proposal best supports the intent of the project. 
Vague descriptions and unnecessary redundancy may reduce the chance of 
a favorable rating. Proposals providing the best evidence of a quality 
project and appropriate use of funds will have the best chance of being 
recommended by the panel. Each proposal must include the following 
sections, all of which are described in detail further below:
    Cover Page (1 page).
    Overview (\1/2\ page).
    Budget (1 page).
    Responses to Threshold Criteria (up to 4 pages):
    Experience with public outreach on waste related issues; Experience 
with management of Federal cooperative agreements (or ability to secure 
such experience).
    Responses to Evaluation Criteria (up to 10 pages):
    Project Description;
    Sustainable, Comprehensive Integrated Outreach Program;
    Qualifications and Experience;
    Project Partners/Institutionalization;
    Use of Existing Materials;
    Measurability of Project Results;
    Transferability.
    To ensure fair and equitable evaluation of the proposals, please do 
not exceed the single-sided page limitations referenced above. There is 
no guarantee that pages submitted beyond the limitations will be 
reviewed by the evaluation panel and doing so could reduce your chances 
of a favorable rating. In addition, all materials included in the 
proposal (including attachments) must be printed on letter-sized paper 
with font sizes no smaller than 12 points. Furthermore, all materials 
must be printed double-sided on paper with a minimum recycled content 
of at least 35%.
    Cover Page: This page is intended to introduce the applicant and 
identify a primary point of contact for communication with EPA. The 
cover page should be on a single page and include the following data 
elements in the format of your choice:
    [sbull] Applicant identification--the name of the main implementor 
of the project.
    [sbull] Contact--the name of the person who is responsible for the 
proposal.
    [sbull] Mailing address/Telephone and Fax numbers/e-mail address of 
the point of contact for the proposal.
    [sbull] Submittal Date.

Overview

    Briefly summarize the overall goal of the project and how the 
achievement of that goal can be measured after completion of the 
project.

Budget

    Provide a proposed budget for the project. A clear and concise 
budget is a critical element of the package. The following budget 
categories may be useful when presenting your budget in the proposal: 
personnel, travel, equipment, supplies, contractual, other. EPA defines 
equipment as items which cost $5,000 or more. Items less than $5,000 
are considered supplies. Allowable expenses include direct costs 
related to organizing and implementing the project and indirect costs 
authorized under the applicable OMB Circular.

Threshold Criteria

    In order to be considered for award of this cooperative agreement, 
the applicant must meet the threshold criteria described below:
    1. Eligibility: Applicants must demonstrate that it is an eligible 
non-profit organization or an eligible educational institution.
    2. Experience with management of Federal cooperative agreements (or 
ability to secure such experience).

Evaluation Criteria

    An applicant's response to each of the following criteria will be 
the primary basis on which EPA selects or rejects your proposal for the 
project. The evaluation panel will review the proposals carefully and 
assess each response based on how well it addresses each criterion. A 
point system will be used to evaluate the proposals. Next to the title 
of each evaluation criterion below is the maximum number of points that 
can be awarded for that criterion (with a total possible score of 100). 
If a particular criterion is not relevant to your proposal, please 
acknowledge and explain why it does not apply.

1. Project Description (15 Points)

    Provides a complete and clear statement of project goals, 
activities, budget, and detailed work plan. Budgets should include: how 
funds will be used, estimated cost of each task, equipment supplies, 
travel, etc.
    Work plans should include: the projected time-frame for the 
outreach program from initiation through completion, as well as a time 
line of significant milestones and work products to be developed.

2. Sustainable, Comprehensive Integrated Outreach Program (30 Points)

    Demonstrates how program will promote lamp recycling by commercial 
and industrial users of mercury-containing lamps, in compliance with 
Federal and State Universal Waste Rule provisions. Justifies the work 
products to be developed. Describes how each product or activity meets 
the program goals. Describes how your program will deliver long-term 
national benefit, including how you anticipate assisting the attainment 
of a national lamp recycling goal of 40% by 2005 and 80% by 2009.

3. Qualifications and Experience (20 Points)

    Explains qualifications you have which can be applied to developing 
this outreach program. Details your interest in recycling. Demonstrates 
the availability of properly trained staff, facilities, or 
infrastructure to conduct the program. Demonstrates an understanding of 
the key audiences that need to be reached. Demonstrates an ability to 
develop accurate and compelling information for a wide audience. 
Demonstrates a history of successfully working with the private sector, 
State, and local government and recycling groups (business and 
environmental groups). Justifies that you have the capability to 
develop an outreach program that can continue to encourage long-term 
improved recycling rates even after your direct involvement is 
complete.

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4. Project Partners/Institutionalization (10 Points)

    Demonstrates an awareness of existing programs. Describes efforts 
to leverage resources from other project partners, including other 
cooperative agreement awardees (from phase one and phase two of the 
program), surrounding communities, non-profits, businesses, State and 
Federal agencies. Describes the possible role of EPA within the 
program. Describes how you will collaborate with other stakeholders.

(10 bonus Points)

    Identifies partnering organization(s) and documents the 
relationship with the applicant. This can be done, for example, through 
a letter of support, a joint statement, or principles of agreement 
signed by other parties.

5. Use of existing materials (10 Points)

    Explains how existing materials (including those developed in phase 
one of the program) will be utilized.

6. Measurability of Project Results (5 Points)

    Demonstrates the ability to quantitatively measure and document the 
effectiveness of your program. Explains approach to tracking and 
reporting results. At the end of the cooperative agreement period, 
should be able to provide a description of project outcomes--i.e., 
What, if any was the impact on the recycling rate of your target 
audience?

7. Transferability (10 Points)

    Explains how the information and lessons learned during the project 
will be transferred to others in order to continue to encourage long-
term improved recycling rates even after your direct involvement is 
complete.

Pre-application Assistance

    EPA will provide pre-application assistance by responding to all 
questions which are submitted by e-mail to [email protected].

Terms and Reporting

    Grants will include programmatic and administrative terms and 
conditions. These terms and conditions will describe what is expected 
from the grant recipient.
    The grantee will be required to submit quarterly progress reports. 
The grantee should only report on activities funded (in whole or in 
part) via the grant. The narrative should include descriptions of all 
action items resulting from meetings, site visits, and other 
activities, as well as milestones achieved and any challenges 
encountered. The reports should include lists of action items and 
corresponding milestone dates. In addition, all quarterly reports must 
be internally reviewed and approved for quality assurance purposes 
prior to submission. Costs incurred in complying with reporting 
requirements are an eligible expense under the Solid Waste Disposal 
Act, section 8001(a).

    Dated: April 29, 2003.
Robert Springer,
Director, Office of Solid Waste.
[FR Doc. 03-11756 Filed 5-9-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P