To support activities that promote the prevention, compliance, and identification of underground storage tanks, and to support activities that promote corrective action, enforcement and management of releases from underground storage tank systems.

Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2008: High priority

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tasks include: (1) Training Support: Provide State and tribal underground storage tanks (UST) and leaking underground storage tanks (LUST) programs and the regulated community mechanisms by which state and federal communication, assistance and training on UST/LUST program implementation can occur on both a regional and national scale; (2) Electronic Newsletter: Provide state and tribal regulators, the general public and the regulated community with technical information on underground storage tank (UST) systems; and (3) State/Federal Partnerships: Provide technical assistance and forums for information exchange to assist States in developing their program capabilities to manage their UST/LUST programs in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

Funding Priority - Fiscal Year 2009: High priority tasks include: (1) Training Support: Provide State and tribal underground storage tanks (UST) and leaking underground storage tanks (LUST) programs and the regulated community mechanisms by which state and federal communication, assistance and training on UST/LUST program implementation can occur on both a regional and national scale; (2) Electronic Newsletter: Provide state and tribal regulators, the general public and the regulated community with technical information on underground storage tank (UST) systems; and (3) State/Federal Partnerships: Provide technical assistance and forums for information exchange to assist States in developing their program capabilities to manage their UST/LUST programs in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

For the two non-competitive FY 07 assistance agreements awarded, program outcomes included assisting the states in ensuring fewer confirmed UST releases and completing LUST cleanups. For the three FY 08 assistance agreements already awarded, two of which were awarded competitively, one was awarded non-competitively, and two non-competitive assistance agreements yet to be awarded, program outcomes will include assisting the states in ensuring fewer confirmed UST releases and completing LUST cleanups.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' eligible and allowable direct costs incurred under an approved work plan plus allowable indirect costs, in accordance with established EPA policies and regulations.

Use Restrictions are that funds awarded under Section 8001(a) and (b) of RCRA must be used for projects that may include the following types of activities: educational materials, surveys, training, studies, demonstrations, investigations, special projects and the development or use of methods to improve UST systems management and performance to reduce the actual and potential risks to human health and the environment.

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

These assistance agreements are only available to public authorities (State, interstate, intrastate, agencies designated by States or Territorial Governors to receive UST notifications, federally-recognized Tribes and Intertribal Consortia, and local), public agencies and institutions; private non-profit organizations and agencies that meet the requirements of Section 8001(a) and (b) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act.

Profit-making organizations and the general public are not eligible.

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

State and local governments, territories and possessions, interstate agencies, Tribes, Intertribal Consortia, members of the regulated community and residents in areas impacted by federally regulated underground storage tanks.

Credentials/Documentation

EPA may request that applicants document their nonprofit status.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

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.

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.

Application Procedures

Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA.

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.

Deadlines

Non-competitive proposals generally must be received prior to May 15 for funding in applicable fiscal year. For competitive awards, deadlines will be specified in the Requests for Initial Proposals or the Requests for Applications.

Authorization

Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1976, Section 8001(a) and (b) as amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (Public Law 98-616); the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1986 (Public Law 99-339); and the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-499), 42 U.S.C. 6991; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976.

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. EPA may incrementally fund grants and cooperative agreements under this program. Approval of subsequent funding increments is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the project to EPA's priorities, and availability of funds.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

The program has no statutory formula. Cost sharing is not required, unless noted in request for applications or initial proposals. Unsolicited applications for research funding may require cost sharing under the general provisions of EPA's Appropriations legislation.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The length and time phasing of the assistance agreement shall be determined prior to the award. Assistance agreements are awarded either as non-competitive or competitive, subject to EPA Order 5700.5A1. Assistance agreements are awarded on a single-year basis, three-year basis, or five-year basis. The funding is released to the recipient according to the recipient's accounting requests, e.g., quarterly, monthly, etc.

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 Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal 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. Nonfederal 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 (nonprofits 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 should be retained until the matter is completely resolved.

Financial Information

Account Identification

EPM 68-0108-0-1-304; LUST 20-8153-0-7-304.

Obigations

EPM: FY 07 $267,794; FY 08 est. $746,000; and FY 09 est. $750,000; LUST: FY 07 $600,000; FY 08 est. $947,000; and FY 09 est. $700,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

FY 07 Range $268,000 - $600,000/year; Average $434,000/year. FY 08 Estimated Range $200,000 - $750,000/year; Average $475,000/year. FY 09 Estimated Range $200,000 - $750,000/year; Average $475,000/year.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

General Grant Regulations and Procedures (40 CFR Part 30, 31, and 34); "EPA Assistance Administration Manual," available from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA, on a subscription basis. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions, OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments and Indian Tribes, and OMB Circular No. A-122 for nonprofit institutions.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

For state-specific opportunities, EPA encourages potential applications to communicate with the appropriate EPA Regional Underground Storage Tanks Regional Program Managers, see http://www.epa.gov/OUST/regions/index.htm.

Headquarters Office

Lynn DePont, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Mail Code 5401P, Washington, DC 20460, Telephone: (703) 603-7148, Fax: (703) 603-0175; E-mail: depont.lynn@epa.gov.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

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