[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 126 (Monday, July 1, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39283-39284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15753]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9829-9]


Forum on Environmental Measurements Announcement of Competency 
Policy for Assistance Agreements--Implementation Extension

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice. Announcement of Implementation Extension for Competency 
Policy for Assistance Agreements.

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SUMMARY: As published in the Federal Register on April 29, 2013, the 
Environmental Protection Agency's Forum on Environmental Measurements 
(FEM) is implementing a policy requiring organizations generating or 
using environmental data under certain Agency-funded assistance 
agreements to submit documentation of their competency prior to award 
of the agreement, or if that is not practicable, prior to beginning any 
work involving the generation or use of environmental data under the 
agreement. The Policy was originally approved on December 12, 2012 by 
the Science Technology Policy Council (STPC). Because implementation 
tools are currently being developed by the Agency based on outreach 
with internal and external stakeholders, EPA is delaying the required 
effective date of the Policy to October 1, 2013. Webinars and materials 
to aid with implementation are available on the FEM Web site (http://www.epa.gov/fem/lab_comp.htm). Accordingly, this revision means that 
the policy will apply to:
     Awards made under competitive solicitations issued on or 
after October

[[Page 39284]]

1, 2013* that are expected to exceed $200,000 (in federal funding) in 
maximum value and involve the use or generation of environmental data; 
and
     Non-competitive assistance agreements awarded on or after 
October 1, 2013* that are expected to exceed $200,000 (in federal 
funding) in total maximum value and involve the use or generation of 
environmental data.
    *While the effective date of this policy is being changed to 
October 1, 2013, EPA offices may apply this policy prior to that date 
at their discretion.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments or questions should be sent 
to Ms. Lara P. Phelps, US EPA (E243-05), 109 T. W. Alexander Drive, 
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709; emailed to 
[email protected]; or call (919) 541-5544.

    Dated: June 20, 2013.
Glenn Paulson,
Science Advisor.
[FR Doc. 2013-15753 Filed 6-28-13; 8:45 am]
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