In FY 07 OIA received an estimated 8 applications and awarded 3 new grants. In FY 08 it's anticipated that OIA will receive about 16 applications and award 6 new grants.Some examples of OIA accomplishments: OIA funded several international cooperative/grant projects during FY 07 and FY 08, for the protection of human health and the environment with the the following titles and objectives: (1) "Mobile Source Air Pollution" - By 2011, eliminate the use of lead in gasoline in the remaining countries benefiting over 700 million people in developing countries and economies in transition. (2) "Global Persistent Organic Pollutants" - By 2011, place into safe storage 4,600 tons of obsolete and prohibited pesticides stockpiles and prohibited PCB-containing liquids impacting the Arctic. (3) "Arctic Contaminants Action Program" - "Indigenous Peoples Community Action Initiative" - Estimated up to 6 Million drums with toxic and hazardous waste scattered throughout tundra and coastal line - The objective is to train local populations to collect the drums, destroy the contents and recycle the drums. Training has been completed for 40 resident-volunteers. (4) "Global Mercury" - By 2011, reduce mercury consumption and releases by 30.5 tons from chlor-alkali plants, artisanal gold mining, and coal combustion at pilot demonstration sites in China, Brazil, India, Mexico, Russia and West Africa.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Discretionary funds are available for the awards under this program.

Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' allowable direct cost expenditures incident to approved project plus allocable portions of allowable indirect costs of the institution, in accordance with established EPA policy, 40 CFR parts 30 and 31.

Funding awarded for international research under these projects does not include research within the purview of EPA's Office of Research and Development.

Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information.

Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: http://geodata.epa.gov.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Assistance under this program is generally available to States and local governments, territories and possessions, foreign governments, international organizations, Indian Tribes, and possessions of the U.S., including the District of Columbia, public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, other public or private nonprofit institutions, which submit applications proposing projects with significant technical merit and relevance to EPA's Office of International Affairs' mission.For certain competitive funding opportunities under this CFDA description, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.

Beneficiary Eligibility

States and local governments, territories, foreign governments, international organizations, Indian Tribes, and possessions of the U.S., including the District of Columbia, public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, laboratories, other public or private nonprofit institutions.

Credentials/Documentation

Office of International Affairs (OIA) may require applicants to submit documentation of non-profit status. OIA may request applicants to demonstrate they have appropriate background, academic training, experience in the field, and necessary equipment to carry out projects. OIA may also ask applicants or principal investigators to provide curriculum vitae and relevant publications.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.

12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Regarding pre-application/pre-proposal assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this program description, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application/pre-proposal assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement.

For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts" or see Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Application Procedures

The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 and A-110 must be used for this program. EPA requires final applications to be made on Standard Form 424. Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA. Under EPA Order No. 5700.5, Policy for Competition in Assistance Agreements (9/12/02), Assistance awards to Foreign Governments and to United Nations agencies and similar International Organizations, such as the Organization of American States and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) may be exempted from competition at the discretion of OIA. For competitive awards, Requests for Initial Proposals or Requests for Applications will specify application procedures.

Award Procedures

For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements. For non-competitive awards, OIA will conduct an administrative evaluation to determine the adequacy of the application in relation to grant regulations and to technical and program evaluation to determine the merit and relevance of the project. The Agency will then advise the applicant if funding is being considered. A final work plan will then be negotiated with the applicant.

Deadlines

For competitive awards, deadlines will be specified in Request for Applications or Request for Initial Proposals.

Authorization

Clean Water Act, Section 104, as amended; Public Law 95-217,33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.; Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended, Section 8001; Clean Air Act, Section 103, as amended; Public Law 95-95; 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.; Toxic Substances Control Act, Section 10, as amended; Public Law 94-469; 15 U.S. C. 2601 et seq.; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Section 20, as amended; Public Laws 92-516; Public Laws 94-140 and 95-396, 7; U.S.C. 136 et seq.; Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442(a) and (c), as amended; Public Law 93-523; National Environmental Policy Act, Section 102 (f); and Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, Section 203.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 180 days.

Appeals

Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts." Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable.

Renewals

None. A standard grant application should be prepared and submitted as a new grant, which will be reviewed in the same manner as the original application and will compete for available funds. Generally, EPA incrementally funds grants and cooperative agreements. Approval of subsequent funding increments is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the project to OIA's priorities, and availability of funds.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

EPA normally funds grants and cooperative agreements on a 12-month basis. However, EPA can negotiate the project period with each applicant based on project requirements. EPA limits project periods to 5 years. Payments will be on an advance letter of credit or reimbursement basis; recipient must request the initial advance payment on SF 270, Request for Advance or Reimbursement.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Reporting requirements are identified at 40 CFR Parts 30 and 31.

EPA may include additional information regarding the content and frequency of reporting requirements in the terms and conditions of the agreements.

Audits

Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," non-federal entities that expend $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-federal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.

Records

The record retention requirements of 40 CFR Part 30 (non-profits and universities) or 40 CFR Part 31 (governmental units) are applicable depending upon the identity of the recipient. Financial records, including all documents to support entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes to each grant must be kept available to personnel authorized to examine EPA grant accounts. All records must be maintained until expiration of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report. If questions still remain, such as those raised as a result of audit, related records must be retained until the matter is completely resolved.

Financial Information

Account Identification

68-0108-0-1-304.

Obigations

(Grants and Cooperative Agreements) FY 07 $4,300,000; FY 08 est. $3,700,000 and FY 09 est. $3,700,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Range: $15,000 - $325,000; Average: FY 2007 $45,000 and FY 2008 $50,000 est.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

These grants and cooperative agreements are subject to EPA's General Grant Regulations (40 CFR Part 30 and 40 CFR Part 31). Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular 110. A-87 for State and local governments and Indian Tribes, OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions, and OMB Circular No. A-122 for nonprofit institutions.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Not applicable.

Headquarters Office

1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20460. For information on grant applications and procedures, contact: Environmental Protection Agency, Grants and Interagency Agreements Management Division, 3903R, Washington, DC 20460. For program information contact: Office of International Affairs at this web site address: http://www.epa.gov/oia/ or contact by E-mail, Iris Zeigler, zeigler.iris@epa.gov; Telephone: (202) 564-6614; Fax: (202) 565-2408; Teresa Ruppe, ruppe.teresa@epa.gov; Telephone: (202) 564-6619; Fax: (202) 565-2408; and Cherie Barry, barry.cherie@epa.gov; Telephone: (202) 564-1139; Fax: (202) 565-2408.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement.