[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 115 (Thursday, June 15, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34606-34615]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-9362]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8184-2]


Gulf of Mexico Program Office Funding Opportunity

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice; announcement of funding opportunity.

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SUMMARY: An estimated amount of $3,000,000 for ten to fifty cooperative 
agreements may be awarded under this announcement to eligible 
applicants for projects that improve the health of the Gulf of Mexico 
by addressing improved water quality and public health, priority 
coastal habitat protection/recovery, more effective coastal 
environmental education, improved habitat identification/
characterization data and decision support systems, and strategic 
nutrient reductions. Projects must involve stakeholders and focus on 
support and implementation of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Governors' 
Action Plan for Healthy and Resilient Coasts.

DATES: Deadline for Submissions is 6 p.m., Central Time, July 11, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Submissions should be sent electronically to 
[email protected] or through with the http://www.grants.gov. 
Electronic messages must use the subject line: GMP Proposal Submission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Esther Coblentz, Gulf of Mexico 
Program Office, at (228) 688-1281 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Overview Information

    Federal Agency Name: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf of 
Mexico Program Office.
    Funding Opportunity Title: Gulf of Mexico Alliance Regional 
Partnership Projects.
    Announcement Type: Initial Announcement.
    Funding Opportunity Number: EPA-GM-2006-1.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 66.475--Gulf 
of Mexico Program http://www.cfda.gov.
    Dates: The deadline for submissions is July 11, 2006, 6 p.m. CST. 
Proposals must be submitted by electronic mail. For those applicants 
who lack the technical capability to apply either by e-mail to 
[email protected] or through http://www.grants.gov, please contact 
Esther Coblentz at (228-688-1281) and/or [email protected] for 
alternative submission methods. All Proposals must be received by EPA 
or through grants.gov by the closing date and will not be accepted 
after that date. For further information, see Section IV.
    Funding Opportunity Description: An estimated amount of up to 
$3,000,000 for between approximately ten to fifty cooperative 
agreements may be awarded under this announcement to eligible 
applicants for projects that improve the health of the Gulf of Mexico 
by addressing improved water quality and public health, priority 
coastal habitat protection/recovery, more effective coastal 
environmental education, improved habitat identification/
characterization data and decision support systems, and strategic 
nutrient reductions. Projects must actively involve stakeholders and 
focus on support and implementation of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance 
Governors' Action Plan for Healthy and Resilient Coasts.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

Background

    The EPA Gulf of Mexico Program's (GMP) mission is to protect, 
restore, and enhance the coastal and marine waters of the Gulf and its 
natural habitats; to sustain living resources; to protect human health 
and the food supply; and to ensure the long-term use of the Gulf 
shores, beaches, and waters. To carry out the GMP mission, we must 
continue to develop and maintain a partnership of State and Federal 
agencies, local governments, academia, regional business and industry, 
agricultural and environmental organizations, and individual citizens 
and communities that effectively addresses the complex ecological 
problems that cross State, Federal, and international jurisdictions and 
boundaries.

Project Summary

    EPA is issuing this Request for Proposals to strengthen and support 
the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Regional Partnership. The President's U.S. 
Ocean Action Plan released in December 2004 highlighted the Gulf of 
Mexico Alliance, a partnership formed by the five Gulf State Governors. 
The President called for increased integration of resources, knowledge 
and expertise to make the collaboration of the Gulf Alliance a success. 
See http://www.gulfofmexicoalliance.org. Thirteen Federal agencies 
formed a Federal Workgroup, with EPA and the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as co-leads, committed to supporting 
the Alliance. The Gulf of Mexico Program is the lead for EPA.
    The Alliance released the Governors' Action Plan for Healthy and 
Resilient Coasts on March 28, 2006. This Action Plan is intended to be 
a dynamic starting point for effective regional collaboration and 
addresses specific issues and projects which will result in a healthier 
Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and economy with a vision toward healthy and 
resilient coasts and communities in the Gulf of Mexico.
    The Plan sets out a strategy with eleven actions addressing 
specific projects/activities that will deliver significant on-the-
ground results to achieve the environmental outcomes of improved water 
quality for healthy beaches and shellfish beds; restored/protected 
coastal habitats; increased awareness/stewardship of the Gulf of 
Mexico; improved management of Gulf habitats; and reduced nutrient 
inputs to sustain productive Gulf aquatic ecosystems. These eleven 
actions are listed in this announcement under the following topic 
areas: Water Quality, Wetland and Coastal Restoration, Environmental 
Education, Identification and Characterization of Gulf Habitats, and 
Reducing Nutrient Inputs. The Gulf of Mexico Program is announcing the 
availability of funding to address the activities in the Action Plan. 
For more information on the Governors' Action Plan go to http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gulf/plan.htm.
    Each of the Actions listed below includes a description of some of 
the expected outputs of projects addressing that Action and projects/
activities for that Action. Applicant proposals must address one or 
more of the Actions listed under the topics below. Proposals may 
address actions under different topic areas, and more than one action 
may be addressed in the same proposal.
Water Quality
    Action 1 (Harmful Algal Blooms): Establish a cooperative binational 
coastal observing and decision support system in the Gulf of Mexico for 
the advanced detection and forecasting of red tide (K. brevis) and for 
notifying public health managers. Educate the public to help reduce the 
human health, natural resource and economic impacts of bloom events.
    Activities:
     Conduct an investigation of advanced technologies for 
rapid field screening and enhanced real-time

[[Page 34607]]

remote sensing, platform sensing, and autonomous sensing of HABs.
     Conduct a study to evaluate and compare the multiple 
methods of HAB detection technologies under development for K. brevis 
against microscopic identification methods.
     Conduct studies, in collaboration with state and Federal 
partners throughout the region, to assess the public health, natural 
resources, and socioeconomic risks and impacts from HABs.
     Collaborate with existing Gulf State and Gulf Alliance 
programs to develop a strategic outreach plan to inform and educate the 
public about HABs and management actions taken to protect public health 
and to expand educational and outreach methods used to inform the 
public about HABs and their impacts.
     Serve as Project Manager to facilitate actions to support 
the expansion of Harmful Algal Blooms Observing System (HABSOS) to 
Veracruz, Mexico; to initiate and coordinate two workshops with local, 
state, and Federal expert scientists to implement a curriculum and 
training program for personnel in HAB field sampling and microscopic 
identification methods and to demonstrate toxin-detection methods; to 
provide training to Mexican personnel in sampling, identification, and 
enumeration and guide and assist Mexican personnel in establishing a 
sampling program for detection of K. brevis and other HAB species; and 
to provide status reports and accomplishments.
     Coordinate with Gulf partners and GCOOS (Gulf Coast Ocean 
Observing System) http://ocean.tamu.edu/GCOOS/gcoos.htm to support the 
expansion and pilot of the Harmful Algal Blooms Observing System to 
Veracruz, Mexico, with the operation of 2 meteorological stations off 
the coast of Veracruz, Mexico, and to integrate and standardize the 
efforts with those in SW Texas and South Florida. (See http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/habpage.html).
    Outputs:
     Improve the current Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) forecasting 
system off the Southwest Florida coast to better identify the onset of 
blooms and better predict the transport of blooms.
     Develop a satellite detection, forecasting, and internet-
based notification capability for K. brevis off the southern coast of 
Texas.
     Develop a satellite detection and internet-based 
notification capability for K. brevis off the coast of the Mexican Gulf 
State of Veracruz.
    Outcome:
     The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of 
the above activities is to improve water quality to achieve healthy 
beaches and shellfish beds.
    Action 2 (Bacterial Source Tracking): Ensure safe bathing beaches 
by advancing a practical, field-ready standardized bacterial source 
tracking method(s) to determine coastal waters with public health 
impairment and to identify the priority sources of bacterial pollution 
to remediate.
    Activities:
     Conduct a ``State of the Gulf'' workshop on pathogen 
indicators in recreational marine waters, epidemiological correlations, 
and bacterial source tracking research, with an endpoint of selecting 
the site and designing the study and the parameters for evaluation.
     Conduct a comprehensive field evaluation of current 
bacterial source tracking capabilities.
     Conduct a workshop to evaluate the field evaluation 
results and select two methods for use in the pilot studies; select the 
pilot study areas.
     Pilot test the two preferred bacterial source tracking 
methodologies in five Gulf estuaries (with varying environmental 
conditions). Evaluate bacterial sources responsible for the 
contamination of shellfish growing waters in each of the five pilots.
     Conduct a final workshop to evaluate the results of pilot 
studies and prepare a final report.
     Train state and local personnel in specific bacterial 
source tracking methods. Assist the states in preparing and supporting 
strategies for the effective implementation of these effects Gulf-wide.
    Outputs:
     Conduct a peer-reviewed field evaluation of current 
bacterial source tracking capabilities in an estuarine recreational 
area, and select two methodologies for intensive field testing/
validation.
     Implement pilot testing of these two methods in five Gulf 
of Mexico estuaries with varying environmental conditions (preferably 
one location in each Gulf state).
    Outcome:
     The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of 
the above activities is to improve water quality to achieve healthy 
beaches and shellfish beds.
    Action 3 (Data Collection): Maximize the efficiency and utility of 
water quality monitoring efforts for local managers by coordinating and 
standardizing state and federal water quality data collection 
activities in the Gulf region.
    Activities:
     Host an annual Gulf of Mexico Forum for Environmental 
Monitoring to promote coordination of water quality monitoring by 
state, local, and federal agencies as proposed by the Governors' Action 
Plan.
     Develop accountability tools and accreditation standards 
for laboratories performing analyses included in Gulf-wide monitoring 
databases.
     Facilitate the selection of a pilot parameter for 
monitoring coordination and standardization by state and federal water 
quality agencies and GCOOS (leverage possible linkage to National Water 
Quality Monitoring Council regional pilot activities).
    Outputs:
     Implement a regional pilot effort to coordinate and 
standardize state and federal water quality data collection activities 
in the Gulf region for one or more nutrient parameter(s) and/or one or 
more pathogens.
    Outcome:
     The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of 
the above activities is to improve water quality to achieve healthy 
beaches and shellfish beds.
Wetland and Coastal and Restoration
    Action 1 (Restoration Coordination): Convene a Gulf of Mexico 
Alliance Regional Restoration Coordination Team, where Gulf States, 
federal agencies and other private sector partners can work together to 
identify regional priority sites for conservation and restoration and 
more successfully conserve and restore vital coastal habitat and 
wetlands.
    Activities:
     Host workshops of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Regional 
Restoration Coordination Team to determine Gulf-wide issues, inventory 
current restoration successes, and identify priority sites for 
restoration.
     Host a Gulf of Mexico interstate workshop on the 
importance of freshwater inflows to maintaining estuarine health 
including wetlands.
     Using the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Regional Restoration 
Coordination Team, propose possible resolutions for Federal/state 
environmental compliance issues that affect habitat restoration and 
conservation efforts, such as essential fish habitat (EFH), Endangered 
Species Act requirements, and Clean Water Act (e.g., Total Maximum 
Daily Loads).
     Devise a strategy to streamline certain Federal permitting 
requirements for wetland restoration.
     Identify administrative and legal processes in granting 
agencies that may

[[Page 34608]]

either facilitate or impede wetland restoration and conservation 
project planning and implementation.
     Further develop public-private partnerships, such as the 
Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership, in all five Gulf States and 
incentives that support landowner conservation to increase funding 
opportunities for restoration. Ensure state and local governments are 
well-informed about partnership and incentive programs.
     Develop a Gulf Regional Sediment Management Master Plan to 
enable more effective use of dredged material, such as sand, to protect 
and restore important and vulnerable resources and habitats. Involve 
state, local, and Federal representatives in the planning process.
    Outputs:
     Establish a Gulf of Mexico Alliance Regional Restoration 
Coordination Team.
     Through the Restoration Coordination Team, hold a series 
of meetings between Federal agencies and Gulf States to review existing 
regulatory, funding, and policy frameworks, and identify mechanisms 
that help facilitate or impede wetland conservation and restoration 
efforts.
     Hold a workshop on importance of freshwater inflows.
     Expand the Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership
     Develop a Gulf Regional Sediment Management Master Plan to 
enable more effective use of dredged material.
    Outcome:
     The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of 
the above activities is to restore/protect coastal habitats and 
increase wetlands.
    Action 2 (Increase Scientific Understanding): Increase the Gulf 
States' scientific understanding of the implications and risks of 
localized sea level rise, storm surge and subsidence through 
development of tools that integrate these processes, such as integrated 
models.
    Activities:
     Enhance the coast-wide network of elevation benchmarks, 
including the Continuously Operating Reference System (CORS), to 
deliver subsidence rates accurate to 1 millimeter per year.
     Obtain information on projected relative sea level rise, 
subsidence, and storm vulnerability to help prioritize conservation 
projects, including restoration, enhancement, and acquisition.
     Develop and apply aquatic ecosystem models to forecast the 
habitat structure and succession following hurricane disturbance and 
changes in ecological functions and services that impact vital 
socioeconomic aspects of coastal systems.
    Outputs:
     Develop a prototype decision-support tool that allows Gulf 
resource managers to integrate storm surge, sea level rise, and 
subsidence information for at least one pilot area on the Gulf Coast 
and the use of the tool in determining water quality impacts.
     Develop a pilot Community Resiliency Index for Gulf 
coastal communities.
    Outcome:
     The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of 
the above activities is to restore/protect coastal habitats and 
increase wetlands.
Environmental Education
    Action 1 (Awareness and Stewardship): Build awareness and 
stewardship ethics among Gulf citizens by coordinating education and 
outreach activities across the Gulf States to increase access to 
materials and programs that address Gulf of Mexico Alliance priority 
issues. Translate, communicate and disseminate relevant scientific data 
and information to the public, including students, educators, resource 
managers, local decision-makers and the business community.
    Activities:
     Serve as a Gulf of Mexico Alliance Network Coordinator for 
a term of at least 3 years, who will serve as staff to the Network, 
facilitate Alliance communications, and coordinate regional education 
and outreach activities.
     Coordinate a planning workshop of the newly established 
Network at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR), 
Naples, Florida, (http://www.rookerybay.org) to review priority goals, 
actions and funding needs in Gulf coast education and outreach, and 
build an effective communications strategy for the Alliance. The 
workshop will culminate in the formulation of a strategic plan that 
will guide the initial activities of the Network.
    Establish a Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center (CELC) in each of the 
five Gulf States and in one Mexican State that borders the Gulf. http://www.coastalamerica.gov.
     Develop and host a pilot program to engage 
underrepresented and underserved communities in Gulf stewardship 
activities related to the Gulf of Mexico Alliance strategic priorities.
     Design and host a Web site to support education and 
outreach efforts of the Network, including a electronic clearinghouse 
to disseminate effective Gulf coast related educational information and 
materials via the Internet.
    Outputs:
     Convene a binational Gulf of Mexico Alliance Environmental 
Education and Outreach Network, with dedicated staff, to (1) coordinate 
educational and outreach activities that address Alliance priority 
issues, and (2) establish effective methods to disseminate materials 
and programs throughout Gulf coastal communities.
     Coordinate with the existing Coastal Ecosystem Learning 
Center networks as they are expanded to each of the five U.S. Gulf 
States and the Mexican Gulf State of Veracruz. See http://www.coastalamerica.gov.
     Develop an environmental education pilot program targeted 
towards under-represented and under-served communities in the Gulf 
region.
    Outcome:
     The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of 
the above activities is to increase awareness/stewardship among Gulf 
residents to establish the link between the health of the Gulf and 
quality of life of residents.
    Action 2 (Environmental Awareness): Promote an environmentally 
literate citizenry who understands the relevance of the Gulf of Mexico 
watersheds and coasts to the quality of their everyday lives and to the 
economic vitality of the region and the nation. Increase environmental 
stewardship in the practices and activities of Gulf coast local 
governments and businesses.
    Activities:
     Design and conduct a strategic public awareness campaign 
that will encourage Gulf stewardship and coastal hazard identification 
and prevention.
     Coordinate funding sources to sustain the public awareness 
campaign in the short-term (within 36 months) and long-term (after 36 
months).
    Outputs:
     Develop and implement a comprehensive, 36-month (minimum) 
public awareness campaign to promote stewardship messages associated 
with the other four Alliance priority issues and community hurricane 
preparedness.
    Outcome:
     The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of 
the above activities is to increase awareness/stewardship among Gulf 
residents to establish the link between the health of the Gulf and 
quality of life of residents.
Identification and Characterization of Gulf Aquatic Habitats
    Action 1 (Identify and Assess Gulf Habitats): Identify and assess 
the location, extent, variation and condition of priority coastal, 
estuarine, nearshore

[[Page 34609]]

and offshore Gulf habitats and establish a baseline information and 
mapping system. The system will provide comprehensive access to 
uniform, quality-assured coastal habitat observations in the Gulf 
region by developing an Internet-accessible, geospatial database of 
local, state, and Federal data sources.
    Activities:
     Coordinate Federal and state collection of information and 
complete an inventory of existing habitat data and initiate a gap 
analysis. This inventory will identify available data and associated 
metadata. The inventory will have both a regional and local scope and 
will focus on mapping and restoration projects. Products will include: 
(a) User Needs Assessment; (b) Inventory of Gulf of Mexico Habitat 
Data; and (c) Assessment of Priority Gulf of Mexico Habitat Data Needs.
     Establish the Federal Data Management Group (FDMG), a team 
to work with state, local, and Federal entities to identify specific 
requirements for a regional data management platform and portal.
     Establish a standard metadata format to streamline 
metadata development and maintenance at the state, local, and Federal 
level.
     Establish a data management platform and portal that will 
provide access and delivery of existing state, local, and Federal data.
     Provide training on data management equipment to Gulf 
state agencies.
     Provide GIS and metadata training to state and local 
resource managers in the five Gulf States.
    Output:
     Produce a prototype Web portal to provide public access to 
and delivery of current and historic state, Federal, and local Gulf of 
Mexico habitat data, with the initial focus on sea grass beds. Users 
will be able to search a digital library for habitat information by 
keyword or geographic location, preview geospatial data, and download 
selected data products. The portal will also demonstrate the 
feasibility of building a distributed system that will enable users to 
request and retrieve data directly from the agencies holding the 
original data.
    Outcome:
     The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of 
the above activities is to sustain the quality of Gulf habitats.
Reducing Nutrient Inputs
    Action 1 (Nutrient Criteria): Establish a regional coordination 
venue to coordinate knowledge, resources and tools for the development 
of nutrient criteria in Gulf coastal ecosystems.
    Activities:
     Convene the Coordination Team and a technical conference 
to synthesize the state of knowledge regarding nutrient levels and 
develop a plan for regional coordination.
     Use information gained from the Northern Gulf Estuarine 
Pilot Project to identify one or more estuaries to apply the methods 
and lessons learned from the Northern Gulf Estuarine Pilot Project. 
Establish and implement a regional communications plan. At the 
direction of the State lead(s), facilitate the identification of at 
least three targeted estuaries (one in each of the northern Gulf 
States) for trial application of the lessons learned through the course 
of this study.
     Identify and coordinate federal, state, and local 
monitoring efforts and data management systems to support development 
of nutrient criteria.
     Present a comprehensive assessment of Gulf nutrient 
monitoring program needs to the National Water Quality Design Team.
     Inventory modeling needs to deal with nutrient issues 
under permitting, TMDL development, and nutrient criteria development.
     Develop a library/database of marine and estuarine species 
for site specific D.O. criteria development.
    Output:
     Establish a Gulf of Mexico Alliance Nutrient Criteria 
Coordination Team of state and federal representatives to meet the 
needs of the Gulf States through improved coordination among existing 
local, state, regional, and national nutrient reduction programs.
    Outcome:
     The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of 
the above activities is to reduce nutrients in Gulf waters to achieve 
healthy and resilient coastal ecosystems.
    Action 2 (Nutrient Prevention and Reduction): During recovery and 
rebuilding efforts in the Gulf region, apply innovative practices and 
technologies to restore fishing and recreational uses in key coastal 
watersheds impaired by excessive nutrient inputs.
    Activities:
     Identify key coastal watersheds with significant nutrient 
impacts, sensitive waters, and a high likelihood of successful 
restoration of fishing and recreational uses.
     Identify communities conducting infrastructure rebuilding 
activities where nutrient reduction can be achieved through improved 
infrastructure planning and design.
     Identify and prioritize implementation and coordination 
opportunities for existing Federal, state, and local programs in key 
coastal watersheds and communities conducting infrastructure rebuilding 
activities.
     Provide technical assistance to interested local 
governments to improve infrastructure planning and design.
     Evaluate the effectiveness of nutrient reduction 
activities in key coastal watersheds and rebuilding communities and 
develop techniques to improve effectiveness.
     Map communities served by advanced wastewater treatment 
systems to help develop strategies for remediation activities.
    Output:
     Perform a study on nutrient prevention and reduction 
activities in Gulf communities improving or rebuilding infrastructure.
    Outcome:
     The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of 
the above activities is to reduce nutrients in Gulf waters to achieve 
healthy and resilient coastal ecosystems.
    Action 3 (Hypoxia): Coordinate among the Gulf States to develop a 
unified position shared by all Gulf States to advocate actions--by all 
31 states in the Mississippi River Watershed--to reduce Gulf hypoxia.
    Activities:
     Assist in the completion of a comprehensive assessment of 
the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan.
     Provide Gulf States information on point and non-point 
source pollution in the Mississippi River Basin and the ecological and 
economic impacts of the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Zone on natural 
resources such as fish and shellfish.
     Establish effective Mississippi River Basin-wide 
agricultural partnerships to better facilitate strategic voluntary 
nutrient reductions.
    Output:
     Develop and represent a consistent five Gulf State 
position on the need to reduce Gulf hypoxia, in venues such as the 
Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force.
    Outcome:
     The environmental outcome to be accomplished from each of 
the above activities is to reduce nutrients in Gulf waters to achieve 
healthy and resilient coastal ecosystems and reduce the size of the 
hypoxic zone.

Alignment to EPA's Strategic Plan

    Successful proposals must have clear and measurable environmental 
results directly related to EPA's Strategic Plan. Awards resulting from 
this

[[Page 34610]]

announcement must relate to Goal 4: Healthy Communities and 
Ecosystems--Protect, sustain or restore the health of people, 
communities, and ecosystems using integrated and comprehensive 
approaches and partnerships; Objective 4.3: Ecosystems--Protect, 
sustain, and restore the health of critical natural habitats and 
ecosystems; and Subobjective 4.3.5: Improve the Health of the Gulf of 
Mexico. For more information on EPA's Strategic Plan go to: http://epa.gov/ocfopage/plan/plan.htm.

Measuring Environmental Results

    Pursuant to EPA Order 5700.7, ``Environmental Results under EPA 
Assistance Agreements,'' EPA requires that all grant recipients 
adequately address environmental outputs and outcomes. Outputs and 
outcomes differ both in their nature and in how they are measured. 
Applicants must discuss environmental outputs and outcomes in their 
proposed workplan.
    1. Outputs: The term ``output'' means an environmental activity, 
effort, and/or associated work products related to an environmental 
goal and objective, that will be produced or provided over a period of 
time or by a specified date. Outputs may be quantitative or qualitative 
but must be measurable during an assistance agreement funding period.
    Expected outputs from the projects funded under this announcement 
are listed with each of the Actions identified above.
    2. Outcomes: The term ``outcome'' means the result, effect or 
consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program 
or activity that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or 
objective. Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health-related or 
programmatic in nature, but must be quantitative. They may not 
necessarily be achievable within an assistance agreement funding 
period.

Statutory Authority

    All proposals submitted will be reviewed for eligibility under 
section 104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act. Assistance Agreements are 
authorized under this statutory authority to conduct and promote the 
coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, 
training, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the causes, 
effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution. 
The term ``pollution'' means the man-made or man-induced alteration of 
the chemical, physical, biological, and radiological integrity of 
water.

II. Award Information

Funding Amounts and Number of Awards

    Under this funding opportunity, EPA expects to award an estimated 
$3,000,000 depending on availability of funds and the evaluation and 
quality of proposals. An estimated ten to fifty projects are expected 
to be awarded.
    EPA reserves the right to make no awards under this announcement or 
make fewer than anticipated. EPA also reserves the right to offer 
partial funding of a proposal by funding discrete activities, portions, 
or phases of the proposed project. If EPA decides to partially fund the 
proposed project, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice any 
applicants or affect the basis upon which the proposed project, or 
portion thereof, was evaluated and selected, and that maintains the 
integrity of the competition and the selection/evaluation process.
    EPA reserves the right to make additional awards under this 
announcement consistent with Agency policy, if additional funding 
becomes available. Any additional selections for awards will be made no 
later than 4 months after the original selection decisions.
    The period of performance for awards under this announcement is 
from 0.5 years to three years.

Type of Award

    Successful applicants will be issued a cooperative agreement. 
Cooperative agreements require substantial EPA involvement with the 
recipient in the form of programmatic oversight and review and comment 
on all agreement activities and products. When a cooperative agreement 
is awarded, EPA's involvement in carrying out the work with the 
applicant will be described in a selection letter and identified in the 
terms and conditions of the award document. In general, cooperative 
agreements awarded will be one-time awards and recipients should use 
the funds within the period of performance (from 0.5 years to three 
years).

III. Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants

    State and local governments, interstate agencies, tribes, colleges 
and universities, individuals, and other public or nonprofit 
organizations. EPA will require nonprofit organizations selected for 
funding to provide verification of their nonprofit status prior to the 
grant award.

Threshold Eligibility Criteria

    Applicant proposals must meet all of the following threshold 
eligibility criteria by the time of proposal submission. Proposals that 
fail to meet all of these criteria will not be considered for funding. 
Applicants deemed ineligible for funding consideration as a result of 
the threshold eligibility review will be notified within 15 calendar 
days of the ineligibility determination.
    1. Proposed projects must be consistent with the Clean Water Act 
section 104(b)(3) authority. All proposals submitted will be reviewed 
for eligibility under section 104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). 
Water Quality Cooperative Agreements are authorized under this 
statutory authority to conduct and promote the coordination and 
acceleration of research, investigations, experiments, training, 
demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the causes, effects, 
extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution. The term 
``pollution'' means the man-made or man-induced alteration of the 
chemical, physical, biological, and radiological integrity of water. 
Projects that implement ``Best Management Practices'' or any type of 
construction activities must qualify as a demonstration project under 
CWA section 104(b)(3). A demonstration project must involve new or 
experimental technologies, methods, or approaches, where the results of 
the project will be disseminated so that others can benefit from the 
knowledge gained in the demonstration project. A project that is 
accomplished through the performance of routine, traditional, or 
established practices, or a project that is simply intended to carry 
out a task rather than transfer information or advance the state of 
knowledge is not a demonstration.
    2. Ineligible Activities: Applicants must adhere closely to the 
types of projects authorized for funding under CWA Sec.  104(b)(3) in 
developing proposals. Unauthorized project types will be disqualified. 
Types of projects that are ineligible for funding are routine 
construction projects, except to a limited degree to demonstrate 
innovation, prevention, or removal of pollution; land acquisition; or 
projects that are largely general education/outreach or conferences 
unless they meet a clear need to accomplish a public purpose and are 
not for the direct benefit of EPA.

[[Page 34611]]

    3. Proposals must address one or more of the Actions identified in 
Section I or they will be rejected. Proposals may address actions under 
different topic areas, and more than one action may be addressed in the 
same proposal.
    4. Proposals must substantially comply with the proposal submission 
instructions and requirements set forth in Section IV of this 
announcement or they will be rejected.
    In addition, proposals must be received by EPA or through http://www.grants.gov on or before the solicitation closing date published in 
Section IV of this announcement. Proposals received after the published 
closing date will be returned to the sender without further 
consideration.

Matching Requirements

    There is no matching requirement; however, the extent of 
partnerships and leveraged funding will be considered by reviewers 
during the evaluation process. (See Section V).
    Matching funds are considered to be cooperative agreement funds and 
may be used for reasonable and necessary expenses of carrying out the 
project described in the Final Project Workplan. Any restrictions on 
the use of grant funds, including project budget periods, also apply to 
the use of matching funds. All project expenditures, including both the 
Federal and nonfederal share, are subject to Federal regulations 
governing the use of Federal funds. Other Federal money cannot be used 
as match unless authorized by the statute governing the award of the 
other Federal funds. Reductions to the amount of the match after a 
proposal is selected for funding may result in loss of funding.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Content and Format of Project Proposals

     Follow the proposal format and instructions provided 
below.
     Use only Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat for electronic 
submissions.
     Use only one method to submit your proposal.
    Examples from Previous Years.
    When developing project submissions, you may look at types of 
successful projects from previous years, available at http://www.epa.gov/gmpo.

B. Submission Dates and Times

     Regardless of mode of submission, proposal packages must 
be received by EPA at [email protected] or through http://www.grants.gov by July 11, 2006, 6 p.m. CST. Proposals received after 
this time will be disqualified.
     Use an e-mail return receipt for verification of receipt 
if you want to confirm delivery.

C. Proposal Submission Instructions

    Applicants are encouraged to apply electronically via e-mail or 
online using the Grants.gov Web site with an electronic signature--
please only use one method. For those applicants who lack the technical 
capability to apply either by e-mail or through Grants.gov, please 
contact Esther Coblentz (228-688-1281) and/or [email protected] 
for alternative submission methods.
1. Instructions for E-Mail Submissions
    Proposals must be e-mailed to [email protected]. The title of 
the e-mail should read ``GMP Proposal Submission''. The proposal should 
be one attached file prepared as described in Section IV.E. Please do 
not zip the attached file--it will not be accepted. If you do not 
receive an email confirmation within five business days, please call 
Esther Coblentz at 228-688-1281.
2. Instructions for Submissions Using Grants.Gov
    With Grants.Gov, you will be able to submit your entire proposal 
package on line with no hard copy or computer disks. Please be sure to 
view the additional instructions that are available for download on 
Grants.gov for this announcement and which are included below. If you 
have any technical difficulties while applying electronically, please 
refer to http://www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport or call the toll free 
Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 or Esther Coblentz at 228-688-1281 or 
[email protected].
    If you wish to apply electronically via Grants.gov, the electronic 
submission of your proposal package must be made by an official 
representative of your institution who is registered with Grants.gov 
and authorized to sign applications for Federal assistance. For more 
information, go to http://www.grants.gov and click on ``Get Started,'' 
and then click on ``For AORs'' (Authorized Organization Representative) 
on the left side of the page.
    Note that the registration process may take a week or longer to 
complete. If your organization is not currently registered with 
Grants.gov, please encourage your office to designate an AOR and ask 
that individual to begin the registration process as soon as possible.
    To begin the application process, go to http://www.Grants.Gov and 
click on ``Apply for Grants.'' Following the online instructions, 
download PureEdge Viewer software and enter the Funding Opportunity 
Number, EPA--GM-2006-1, in the space provided to retrieve the 
application package. Then complete and submit the application package 
as indicated. You may also be able to access the application package by 
clicking on the button ``How To Apply'' at the top right of the 
synopsis page for this announcement on http://www.grants.gov (to find 
the synopsis page go to http://www.grants.gov and click on the ``Find 
Grant Opportunities'' button on the top of the page and then to go EPA 
opportunities).
    Be sure to download and read the instructions and the application 
package at the Grants.Gov Web site.
    Proposal Submission Deadline: Your organization's AOR must submit 
your complete proposal electronically to EPA through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) no later than (insert date).
    Proposal Materials.
    The following forms and documents are required to be submitted by 
applicants using grants.gov under this announcement:
    I. Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal Assistance. 
Complete the form. There are no attachments. Please be sure to include 
organization fax number and email address in Block 5 of the Standard 
Form SF 424.
    Please note that the organizational Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data 
Universal Number System (DUNS) number must be included on the SF-424. 
Organizations may obtain a DUNS number at no cost by calling the toll-
free DUNS number request line at 1-866-705-5711.
    II. Proposal Workplan.
    Prepare as described in Section IV. E. of this announcement.
    The proposal workplan must be readable in PDF or MS Word for 
Windows and consolidated into a single file.

Submission Instructions

    Documents I and II listed under Proposal Materials above should 
appear in the ``Mandatory Documents'' box on the Grants.gov Grant 
Application Package page. For document I, click on the appropriate form 
and then click ``Open Form'' below the box. The fields that must be 
completed will be highlighted in yellow. Optional fields and completed 
fields will be displayed in white. If you enter an invalid response or 
incomplete information in a

[[Page 34612]]

field, you will receive an error message. When you have finished 
filling out each form, click ``Save.'' When you return to the 
electronic Grant Application Package page, click on the form you just 
completed, and then click on the box that says, ``Move Form to 
Submission List.'' This action will move the document over to the box 
that says, ``Mandatory Completed Documents for Submission.''
    For document II, you will need to attach electronic files. Prepare 
your proposal workplan as described in Section IV.E. of the 
announcement and save the document to your computer as an MS Word or 
PDF file. When you are ready to attach your proposal workplan to the 
application package, click on ``Project Narrative Attachment Form,'' 
and open the form. Click ``Add Mandatory Project Narrative File,'' and 
then attach it (previously saved to your computer) using the browse 
window that appears. You may then click ``View Mandatory Project 
Narrative File'' to view it. Enter a brief descriptive title of your 
project in the space beside ``Mandatory Project Narrative File 
Filename;'' the filename should be no more than 40 characters long. If 
there are other attachments that you would like to submit to accompany 
your proposal, you may click ``Add Optional Project Narrative File'' 
and proceed as before. When you have finished attaching the necessary 
documents, click ``Close Form.'' When you return to the ``Grant 
Application Package'' page, select the ``Project Narrative Attachment 
Form'' and click ``Move Form to Submission List.'' The form should now 
appear in the box that says, ``Mandatory Completed Documents for 
Submission.''
    Once you have finished filling out all of the forms/attachments and 
they appear in one of the ``Completed Documents for Submission'' boxes, 
click the ``Save'' button that appears at the top of the Web page. It 
is suggested that you save the document a second time, using a 
different name, since this will make it easier to submit an amended 
package later if necessary. Please use the following format when saving 
your file: ``Applicant Name--FY 06--Assoc Prog Supp--1st Submission'' 
or ``Applicant Name--FY 06 Assoc Prog Supp--Back-up Submission.'' If it 
becomes necessary to submit an amended package at a later date, then 
the name of the 2nd submission should be changed to ``Applicant Name--
FY 06 Assoc Prog Supp--2nd Submission.''
    Once your application package has been completed and saved, send it 
to your AOR for submission to U.S. EPA through Grants.gov. Please 
advise your AOR to close all other software programs before attempting 
to submit the application package through Grants.gov.
    In the ``Application Filing Name'' box, your AOR should enter your 
organization's name (abbreviate where possible), the fiscal year (e.g., 
FY 06), and the grant category (e.g., Assoc Prog Supp). The filing name 
should not exceed 40 characters. From the ``Grant Application Package'' 
page, your AOR may submit the application package by clicking the 
``Submit'' button that appears at the top of the page. The AOR will 
then be asked to verify the agency and funding opportunity number for 
which the application package is being submitted. If problems are 
encountered during the submission process, the AOR should reboot his/
her computer before trying to submit the application package again. [It 
may be necessary to turn off the computer (not just restart it) before 
attempting to submit the package again.] If the AOR continues to 
experience submission problems, he/she may contact Grants.gov for 
assistance by phone at 1-800-518-4726 or e-mail at grants.gov">support@grants.gov 
or contact Esther Coblentz at (228) 688-1281 and/or e-mail at 
[email protected].
    Application packages submitted thru grants.gov will be time/date 
stamped electronically. If you have not received a confirmation of 
receipt from EPA (not from [email protected]) within 30 days of the 
application deadline, please send an e-mail to [email protected]. 
Failure to do so may result in your application not being reviewed.
    If you have never used Grants.Gov before, here are some tips. Most 
organizations have found Grants.Gov to be a user friendly system. The 
most frequent concern has occurred when an organization has delayed 
obtaining the unique electronic signature to the last minute.
    Register for your electronic signature early! An electronic 
signature requires three levels of authorization before you can submit 
on line. You need to decide who will be the AOR, the caretaker of the 
electronic signature for your organization. At a university the Chief 
Grant Official generally signs all of the electronic grants for the 
entire institution. If all goes well, this process takes about a week, 
but some organizations have encountered internal and external delays; 
therefore the registration process can take longer.
    Remember, you cannot submit your application online until your 
organization has e-authentication credentials. Here are the basic 
steps:
    1. Obtain a Certified DUNS Number. You must first have a certified, 
unique Dun and Bradstreet Universal Data Numbering System (DUNS) 
number. Some organizations may have more than one DUNS number 
registered. Only one can be certified. This can lead to unanticipated 
delays.
    2. Central Contractor Registry and Credential Provider 
Registration. Once you have your unique, approved DUNS number, you need 
to register with the Central Contractor Registry.
    3. Grants.Gov Electronic Signature Authorization. Once steps A and 
B are complete, you will then need to contact Grants.Gov. The 
Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) will be assigned a 
password that will enable him or her to sign the Grants.Gov 
applications electronically. The AOR must be an individual who is able 
to make legally binding commitments for the applicant organization. 
Organizations may designate more than one AOR.
    Be sure to download and read the instructions and the application 
at the Grants.Gov Web site.

D. DUNS Number

    All applicants applying for funding, including renewal funding, 
must have a Dun and Bradstreet Universal Data Numbering System (DUNS) 
number. Applicants who do not already have a DUNS number may find 
instructions for obtaining one at the following Web site: http://www.Grants.Gov/GetStarted. A DUNS number may also be obtained by 
calling 1-866-705-5711.
Confidentiality
    In accordance with 40 CFR 2.203, applicants may claim all or a 
portion of their application/proposal as confidential business 
information. EPA will evaluate confidentiality claims in accordance 
with 40 CFR part 2. Applicants must clearly mark applications/proposals 
or portions of applications/proposals they claim as confidential. If no 
claim of confidentiality is made, EPA is not required to make the 
inquiry to the applicant otherwise required by 40 CFR 2.204(c)(2) prior 
to disclosure.
Other Considerations
    The funds associated with this announcement require Executive Order 
(E.O.) 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, review. 
E.O. 12372 structures the Federal government's system of consultation 
with states and local governments on its decisions involving grants, 
other forms of financial assistance, and direct development. Under E.O. 
12372, states, in consultation with their local governments, design 
their own review process and select the Federal financial

[[Page 34613]]

assistance and direct development activities they wish to review. If 
selected for funding, the recipient of the Federal assistance agreement 
will be required to send a copy of their application and proposal to 
the appropriate State Clearinghouse Office for an intergovernmental 
review, if applicable. (See: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html).

E. Proposal/Workplan Format

    The proposal/workplan should include the following information:
Applicant Information
    Applicant Information: Business Mailing and Contact information, 
including email address. DUNS number if Applicant Organization has one.
    Type of Organization: State or local government, interstate agency, 
tribe, college or university, individual, or other public or nonprofit 
organizations.
Project Summary Information
    Project Title.
    Project Manager: Identify who will serve as the principal party 
responsible for accomplishing the activities.
    Topic: Identify the Actions/Activities described in Section I of 
the announcement that the proposed project will address.
    Brief Project Description: Summarize the project. Do not use 
acronyms.
    Total Project Cost: Specify total amount requested from EPA, as 
well as any resources or funding from any other sources that are 
contributing support.
    Duration: Specify project period of performance, from 0.5 years up 
to 3 years.
Geographic Applicability
    Applicable Geographic Location: If applicable, geographic locations 
which would be most impacted by this project, include the Hydrologic 
Unit Code (HUC) for the Project location. HUCs can be found on EPA's 
Surf Your Watershed Web site at http://www.epa.gov/surf/locate/index.cfm.
    Project Location: As applicable, enter City, County, and State(s).
Problem, Work, Results
    Problem Statement: Describe the issue that will be addressed and 
its relevance to the Gulf of Mexico, particularly to the needs and 
priorities in the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Governors' Action Plan and 
EPA's Strategic Plan, Sub-objective 4.3.5 (Improve the Health of the 
Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem). Describe how the project will address one or 
more of the activities that are listed under the 11 Actions under the 
priority topic categories: Water Quality, Wetland and Coastal 
Restoration, Environmental Education, Identification and 
Characterization of Gulf Habitats, and Reducing Nutrient Inputs. These 
projects/activities will be considered for funding. Projects must 
actively involve stakeholders and focus on long-term partnership goals, 
integration of resources, knowledge and expertise.
    Proposed Work: Describe what will be done and how. Many of the 
criteria in Section V should be addressed here.
    Environmental Results: Describe anticipated environmental outputs 
and outcomes and their linkages to the problem statement. (See 
Outcomes/Outputs described in Section 1 and Environmental Results Order 
5700.7 at: http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/award/5700.7.pdf). Specify 
affected pollutants, industry sectors, economic impacts, habitats, and/
or species as applicable for the topic, and proposed progress toward 
delisting, toward restoration of beneficial use impairments, toward 
reducing nitrogen loading, etc.
    Environmental Results Past Performance: Submit a list of federally 
funded assistance agreements that your organization performed within 
the last three years (no more than 5, and preferably EPA agreements) 
and describe how you documented and/or reported on whether you were 
making progress towards achieving the expected results (e.g., outputs 
and outcomes) under those agreements. If you were not making progress, 
please indicate whether, and how, you documented why not. In evaluating 
applicants under this factor in Section V, EPA will consider the 
information provided b y the applicant and may also consider other 
relevant information from other sources, including information from EPA 
files and from current and prior Federal agency grantors (e.g., to 
verify and/or supplement the information provided by the applicant). If 
you have no relevant or available past performance reporting history, 
please indicate this in the proposal, and you will receive a neutral 
score for this factor under Section V.
    Programmatic Capability: Submit a list of federally funded 
assistance agreements similar in size, scope and relevance to the 
proposed project that your organization performed within the last three 
years (no more than 5, and preferably EPA agreements) and describe (i) 
whether, and how, you were able to successfully complete and manage 
those agreements and (ii) your history of meeting the reporting 
requirements under those agreements including submitting acceptable 
final technical reports. In evaluating applicants under these factors 
in Section V, EPA will consider the information provided by the 
applicant and may also consider relevant information from other 
sources, including information from EPA files and from current and 
prior Federal agency grantors (e.g., to verify and/or supplement the 
information provided by the applicant). If you do not have any relevant 
or available past performance or reporting information, please indicate 
this in the proposal and you will receive a neutral score for these 
factors under Section V.
    In addition, provide information on your organizational experience 
and plan for timely and successfully achieving the objectives of the 
proposed project, and your staff expertise/qualifications, staff 
knowledge, and resources or the ability to obtain them, to successfully 
achieve the goals of the proposed project.
    Tracking and Measuring Environmental Results: Describe your plan 
for tracking, measuring, and reporting progress toward achieving the 
expected project outputs and outcomes, including those identified in 
Section I. The applicant must describe the ability to specify and 
measure the expected environmental outcomes/outputs and performance 
measures to be accomplished as a result of the project. See 
Environmental Results Order 5700.7 at http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/award/5700.7.pdf.
Project Milestones
    Milestones: Specify milestones and/or final products and projected 
due dates, including Project Start and End.
Education
    Education/Outreach Component: Identify whether project includes an 
education/outreach component. If applicable, describe the target 
audience and how that group would be impacted by the project.
Collaboration
    Collaboration/Partnerships: Describe plans and status of 
collaboration and partnerships amongst the public, private, and 
independent sectors.
Project Budget
    Budget: Specify how the total of EPA funds and Applicant funds will 
be used for the following: personnel/salaries, fringe benefits, travel, 
equipment, supplies, contract costs, and other costs. Include narrative 
descriptions for costs you identify as ``contract'' or ``other''. You 
may include a separate line for indirect costs if your organization has 
in place (or will negotiate) an ``indirect

[[Page 34614]]

cost rate.'' Budget should represent the project total and the total 
which would be requested from EPA for the project's duration. Funding 
is not assured for subsequent years for any project.
Leveraging Funding
    Other Funding: If others are expected to contribute funds to your 
Project, list Name(s) of providers, amount provided, and commitments 
made by each. Describe how the applicant will obtain the leveraged 
resources and what role EPA funding will play in the overall project.
Other Information
    To the extent not otherwise addressed above, include information 
addressing the threshold eligibility criteria in Section III and 
ranking criteria in Section V.

V. Application Review Information

Criteria

    Each eligible proposal that meets all of the threshold eligibility 
criteria in Section III will be evaluated according to the criteria set 
forth below. Applicants should directly and explicitly address these 
criteria as part of their proposal submittal. Each proposal will be 
rated under a points system with a total of 100 points possible.
1. Relevance/Rationale: (15 points)
    a. Importance and/or relevance and applicability of the proposed 
approach to the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Governors' Action Plan and the 
level of support for long-term goals and implementation actions. (5 
points).
    b. Whether there is intrinsic value in the proposed work and/or 
relevance to the Governors' Action Plan and activities. (5 points).
    c. Likelihood that the approach proposed will make substantial 
progress toward strategies leading to improving the health of the Gulf 
of Mexico and achieving one or more of the environmental outcomes as 
identified in the announcement. (5 points).
2. Scientific/Professional Merit: (15 points)
    Extent to which the proposed approach is technically sound and/or 
innovative; whether the proposed methods, approaches, and concepts are 
appropriate and; whether there are clear goals and objectives.
3. Programmatic Capability: (15 points)
    Under this criterion, applicants will be evaluated based on their 
ability to successfully complete and manage the proposed project taking 
into account the following factors: (i) Its past performance in 
successfully completing and managing federally funded assistance 
agreements similar in size, scope, and relevance to the proposed 
project performed within the last 3 years, (ii) its history of meeting 
reporting requirements under federally funded assistance agreements 
similar in size, scope, and relevance to the proposed project performed 
within the last 3 years and submitting acceptable final technical 
reports under those agreements, (iii) its organizational experience and 
plan for timely and successfully achieving the objectives of the 
proposed project, and (iv) its staff expertise/qualifications, staff 
knowledge, and resources or the ability to obtain them, to successfully 
achieve the goals of the proposed project.


    Note: In evaluating applicants under this criterion, the Agency 
will consider the information provided by the applicant and may also 
consider relevant information from other sources including agency 
files and prior/current grantors (e.g., to verify and/or supplement 
the information supplied by the applicant). Applicants with no 
relevant or available past performance or reporting history (items i 
and ii above), will receive a neutral score for those elements of 
this criterion.

4. Environmental Results Past Performance: (10 points)
    Applicants will be evaluated based on the extent and quality to 
which they adequately documented and/or reported on their progress 
towards achieving the expected results (e.g., outcomes and outputs) 
under Federal agency assistance agreements performed within the last 
three years, and if such progress was not being made whether the 
applicant adequately documented and/or reported why not.


    Note: In evaluating applicants under this factor, EPA will 
consider the information provided by the applicant and may also 
consider relevant information from other sources including agency 
files and prior/current grantors (e.g., to verify and/or supplement 
the information supplied by the applicant). Applicants with no 
relevant or available past performance reporting history will 
receive a neutral score for this factor.

5. Environmental Results--Measurable or Quantifiable Outputs and 
Outcomes: (10 points)
    Includes the degree to which the applicant has provided an 
evaluative component to the project as requested in Section I, 
Measuring Environmental Results, in addition to how the applicant's 
progress and success in achieving the project outputs and outcomes 
including those identified in Section I will be measured and tracked.
6. Budget (10 points)
    The reasonableness and appropriateness of the proposed budget for 
the level of work proposed and with the expected benefits to be 
achieved.
7. Collaboration/Partnerships: (15 points)
    The quality of proposed partnerships, including the degree of broad 
participation within the network of Gulf of Mexico programs, 
organizations, State and Federal agencies and workgroups, etc., and 
demonstration of significant partnering that results in outreach and 
education. Applications will also be evaluated on whether they provide 
a partnership with a focused and effective education and outreach 
strategy regarding the long-term commitment to the proposed objectives 
of the Action Plan.
8. Leveraged Resources: (10 points)
    Under this criteria, applicants will be evaluated based on the 
extent they demonstrate (i) how they will coordinate the use of EPA 
funding with other Federal and/or non Federal sources of funds to 
leverage additional resources to carry out the proposed project(s) and/
or (ii) that EPA funding will compliment activities relevant to the 
proposed project(s) carried out by the applicant with other sources of 
funds or resources. Applicants may use their own funds or other 
resources for a voluntary match or cost share if the standards at 40 
CFR 30.23 or 40 CFR 31.24, as applicable, are met. Only eligible and 
allowable costs may be used for matches or cost shares. Other Federal 
grants may not be used as matches or cost shares without specific 
statutory authority (e.g. HUD's Community Development Block Grants).

Review and Selection Process

    The evaluation and selection process will include the following 
steps:

Steps

    1. Screening for threshold eligibility by the Gulf of Mexico 
Program Office.
    2. Review and score eligible proposals against the Section V 
criteria (Reviewers/Panel)
    3. Panel to rank all eligible proposals according to total score.
    4. Panel identifies proposals for funding consideration based on 
the review.
    5. The Approval Official makes the final funding recommendations 
based on the review panel rankings and may also consider project 
diversity and

[[Page 34615]]

programmatic balance/priorities in making the recommendations.
    6. Announce selections.
    7. Contact selected applicants and request a completed grant 
application and final workplan.
    8. Final Applications/Workplans reviewed and submitted for Funding 
Award.
    EPA employees as well as GMP reviewers and/or panel members who 
intend to serve as reviewers and score project proposals will be 
required to sign a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form and will not be 
able to serve as a reviewer if they have a personal, familial, or 
financial or any other type of conflict of interest with any applicant 
that cannot be mitigated. If an individual has a conflict of interest 
with respect to a proposal, then they cannot review any proposals under 
this competition.
    The Director of the Gulf of Mexico Program is the Approval Official 
who will make the final selection recommendations.

Anticipated Announcement Date

    GMPO will post a list of all proposals selected for funding on or 
about August 31, 2006. The list will be posted at the following site: 
http://www.epa.gov/gmpo. All applicants, including those who are not 
selected for funding will be notified within 15 days by e-mail and 
postal mail.

VI. Award Administration Information

Award Notices

    EPA has 60 days to issue an award following receipt of the 
complete, fundable Application Package. Final funding decisions are 
based upon the Application Packages.

Pre-award Review for Administrative Capability

    Non-profit applicants that are recommended for funding will be 
subject to pre-award administrative capability reviews consistent with 
paragraphs 8.b, 8.c, and 9.d of EPA Order 5700.8 http://www.epa.gov/ogd/grants/award/5700_8.pdf and may be required to fill out an 
``Administrative Capability'' form.
    In accordance with Executive Order 12579, organizations that have 
been debarred or suspended from a program by any federal agency will 
not be eligible to receive an award or subaward through this 
solicitation.

Administrative and Reporting Requirements

    The successful applicant will be required to adhere to the Federal 
grants requirements, particularly those found in applicable OMB 
circulars on Cost Principles (A-21, A-87, or A-122), Administrative 
Requirements (A-102 or 110), and Audit Requirements (A-133) available 
from http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/. This includes government-
wide requirements pertaining to accounting standards, lobbying, 
minority or woman business enterprise, publication, meetings, 
construction, and disposition of property. EPA regulations governing 
assistance programs and recipients are codified in Title 40 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations. Those requirements, GMPO-specific requirements 
currently in effect, and the application materials that will be needed 
by applicants ultimately selected in this process can be found at 
http://www.epa.gov/gmpo. The successful Federal applicant will be 
required to comply with the OMB Circular and appropriate sections of 
Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations determined applicable by 
GMPO. This determination will be embodied in the terms and conditions 
of an interagency agreement.

Dispute Resolution Process

    Assistance agreement competition-related disputes involving any 
applicant, including Federal applicants, will be resolved in accordance 
with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal 
Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005) which can be found at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-1371.htm. Copies of these procedures may also be requested by 
contacting [email protected].

Other Requirements

    Please note that this is not a complete list of all regulations and 
policies that govern these funds. Our Grants Management Office Web site 
at http://www.epa.gov/region4/grants/regulations.html identifies other 
grant regulations that apply.

VII. Agency Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Esther Coblentz, 
[email protected], Phone: 228-688-1281.
    In accordance with EPA's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy 
(EPA Order 5700.5A1), EPA staff will not meet with individual 
applicants to discuss draft proposals, provide informal comments on 
draft proposals, or provide advice to applicants on how to respond to 
ranking criteria. Applicants are responsible for the contents of their 
applications/proposals. However, EPA will respond to questions in 
writing from individual applicants regarding threshold eligibility 
criteria, administrative issues related to the submission of the 
proposal, and requests for clarification about the announcement.

VIII. Other information

    Funding amounts are estimates of the maximum amount expected to be 
available for FY 2006-2007, based on our best available information. 
These amounts are subject to change without further notification, based 
on the amount of federal funds actually appropriated and allocated for 
these programs.
    Although an Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424 
and attachments) is not required when the proposal is submitted, we 
encourage you to review our grant application package at http://www.epa.gov/gmpo to become familiar with the information and 
certifications that will be required if your proposal is selected for 
funding.

    Dated: June 8, 2006.
Gloria D. Car,
Deputy Director, Gulf of Mexico Program Office.
 [FR Doc. E6-9362 Filed 6-14-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P