Brownfields Training, Research, and Technical Assistance Grants and Cooperative Agreements

 

CERCLA 104(k)(7) provides EPA with authority for a financial assistance program of training, research, and technical assistance to individuals and organizations to facilitate the inventory of brownfield properties, assessments, cleanup of brownfield properties, community involvement, or site preparation. Brownfield sites are real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Funding Priorities - Fiscal Year 2023 and 2024: EPA intends to incrementally fund existing cooperative agreements with satisfactory project progress selected in previous 104(k)(7) training, research, and technical assistance competitions. Additionally, using a competitive grants process, EPA may select applications and award cooperative agreements for technical assistance to support specific sector needs (e.g., revolving loan fund, Tribal governments) to help communities increase their understanding of brownfields issues and advance their brownfields assessment, cleanup and reuse goals.

Active 66.814 Environmental Protection Agency B - Project Grants Not applicable. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Section 104(k)(7) & 104(k)(5)(E) Under CERCLA 104(k)(7), EPA may provide financial assistance to eligible entities and other nonprofit organizations. CERCLA 104(k)(1) defines eligible entities as: a general purpose unit of local government; a land clearance authority or other quasi-governmental entity that operates under the supervision and control of, or as an agent of, a general purpose unit of local government; a government entity created by a State legislature; a regional council or group of general purpose units of local government; a redevelopment agency that is chartered or otherwise sanctioned by a State; a State (note CERCLA 107(27) defines term "State" to include territories or possessions over which the United States has jurisdiction); a Federally recognized Indian Tribe other than in Alaska; an Alaska Native Regional Corporation, Alaska Native Village Corporation and the Metlakatla Indian Community, nonprofit organizations exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, Limited liability corporation in which all managing members are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or limited liability corporations whose sole members are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, Limited liability partnership in which all general partners are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or limited liability corporations whose sole members are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and qualified community development entities as defined in section 45D(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Other nonprofit organizations that do not have 501(c)(3) tax exempt status are also eligible for training, research, and technical assistance grants. For the purposes of the Brownfields Grant Program, the term "other nonprofit organization" consistent with 2 CFR 200.1 means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization that is operated mainly for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purpose in the public interest and is not organized primarily for profit; and uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operation of the organization. The term includes nonprofit institutions of higher education. However, nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible to apply. For profit organizations are not eligible to apply. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy. Cooperative agreement-funded activities will benefit the community members and local stakeholders who are proximate to brownfield sites (whether in an urban, suburban or rural setting) including local governments, non-profit organizations, quasi public nonprofits, residents, local business owners, community groups, universities and colleges, industry, other public and private institutions, individuals, states and tribes. EPA may request that applicants document their non-profit status. The Agency may also request that applicants demonstrate they have appropriate background, academic training, and experience in the field to carry out projects. EPA may ask applicants for research projects to provide curriculum vitae and relevant publications. Preapplication coordination is required. 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. EPA financial assistance programs and activities subject to intergovernmental review that are subject to review under State single point of contact procedures are identified at https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-financial-assistance-programs-subject-executive-order-12372-and-section-204. Applicants for programs or activities subject to Intergovernmental Review that are not subject to State single point of contact review must provide directly affected State, areawide, regional, and local entities at least 60 days to review their application following notification by EPA that the application has been selected for funding as provided by 40 CFR 29.8(a) and (c). Regarding pre-application assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this program description, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement. For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed in the competitive announcement. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. This is a competitive grant program. Requests for Applications (competitive announcement) will specify application procedures. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through Grants.gov. EPA is required by statute to conduct this assistance program competitively. For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications 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 competitive awards, deadlines will be specified in the competitive announcement. Approximately 180 days. 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). The funded grants and cooperative agreements are not eligible for renewal. 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. Incremental funding is subject to review and approval by the Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization, Office of Land and Emergency Management. The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this assistance listing will be described in the competitive announcement. Funds awarded under Section 104(k)(7) of CERCLA must be used for training, research, and technical assistance to individuals and organizations, to facilitate the inventory of brownfields properties, site assessments, cleanup of brownfields properties, community involvement, or site preparation. Grants and cooperative agreements are available to support recipients' eligible and allowable direct costs incurred under an approved workplan plus allowable programmatic costs, in accordance with established EPA policies and regulations. Performance Reports: Requirements and frequency will be determined at the time of award. 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. Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes in grants available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipients grants and cooperative agreements records. Recipients must maintain all records until 3 years from the date of submission of final expenditure reports as required by 2 CFR 200.334. If questions, such as those raised because of audits remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is voluntary_rating. For training, research and technical assistance grants, EPA will not require that applicants include a match or cost share unless required by the terms of a competitive announcement. Even if EPA decides not to require matching funds, a statutory factor in ranking applications under Section 104(k)(7) is the extent to which EPA financial assistance will stimulate the availability of other funds for environmental assessment or remediation, and subsequent reuse of Brownfields sites. Applicants may be encouraged to provide information regarding resources (cash/in-kind services) that they, or a project partner, would commit to efforts receiving EPA financial assistance.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. EPA generally funds grants and cooperative agreements incrementally on a 12-month basis. However, EPA may fully fund any cooperative agreement at the time of award. EPA will negotiate the project period with each applicant based on project requirements. The project period can range anywhere from two to five years. The anticipated period of performance for the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) cooperative agreements is five years. The anticipated period of performance for other technical assistance, research or training grants is usually up to five years, but may be fewer than five years, or up to seven years, depending on the specific terms of the cooperative agreement. EPA generally funds the research, training, and technical assistance grants and cooperative agreements incrementally on a 12-month basis. However, EPA can negotiate the assistance award with each applicant based on satisfactory performance and project requirements. None/Not specified. Jerry Minor-Gordon
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization, Office of Land and Emergency Management, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (Mail Code: 5105T)
Washington, DC 20460 US
minor-gordon.jerry@epa.gov
Phone: 202-566-1817 https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-technical-assistance-and-research 68-0103-0-1-304 (Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 22$11,000,000.00; FY 23 est $0.00; FY 24 est $4,000,000.00; FY 21$11,000,000.00; FY 20$1,400,000.00; FY 19$1,400,000.00; FY 18$5,000,000.00; FY 17$8,500,000.00; FY 16$4,400,000.00; - (Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 22$0.00; FY 23 est $55,000,000.00; FY 24 est $3,000,000.00; - IIJA Fund Estimates Historically, the Brownfields Training, Research, and Technical Assistance cooperative agreements have ranged anywhere from $200,000 to $2,000,000 over the entire cooperative agreement, depending on the specific focus area of solicitation and the project period of the award (typical project period is 5 years). New awards made for other research, training and technical assistance grants usually range between $200,000 and $2 million and usually incrementally funded over the project period if the award is above $200,000. 2 CFR 200 and 1500 (EPA Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards); 40 CFR Part 33 (Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in United States Environmental Protection Agency Programs); 40 CFR 45 (EPA Training Assistance). Fiscal Year 2016 EPA expects to award cooperative agreements for regional Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) providers. TAB providers will be available to brownfields communities to assist them with understanding how to address brownfield sites and advance local efforts around brownfields assessment, cleanup and reuse. EPA expects to provide incremental funding to previously awarded cooperative agreement recipients if they make satisfactory progress. These EPA funds will be used for research, training and technical assistance projects related to technical assistance to environmental workforce development and job training (EWDJT) grantees; technical assistance on the integration of environmental justice and equitable development for brownfields-impacted communities; research on the benefits of brownfields redevelopment; technical assistance on brownfields financing and economic development strategies to brownfields-impacted communities; organize a national brownfields conference in 2017; state support on brownfields issues and tribal support on brownfields issues. EPA expects to award cooperative agreements for regional Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) providers. TAB providers will be available to brownfields communities to assist them with understanding how to address brownfield sites and advance local efforts around brownfields assessment, cleanup and reuse. EPA expects to provide incremental funding to previously awarded cooperative agreement recipients if they make satisfactory progress. These EPA funds will be used for research, training and technical assistance projects related to technical assistance to environmental workforce development and job training (EWDJT) grantees; technical assistance on the integration of environmental justice and equitable development for brownfields-impacted communities; research on the benefits of brownfields redevelopment; technical assistance on brownfields financing and economic development strategies to brownfields-impacted communities; organize a national brownfields conference in 2017; state support on brownfields issues and tribal support on brownfields issues.
Fiscal Year 2017 EPA continues to incrementally fund cooperative agreements for regional Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) providers. TAB providers will be available to brownfields communities to assist them with understanding how to address brownfield sites and advance local efforts around brownfields assessment, cleanup and reuse. EPA incrementally funded six other previously awarded cooperative agreement recipients making satisfactory progress. These EPA funds are used for research, training and technical assistance projects related to technical assistance to environmental workforce development and job training (EWDJT) on the integration of environmental justice and equitable development for brownfields-impacted communities; research on the benefits of brownfields redevelopment; technical assistance on brownfields financing and economic development strategies to brownfields-impacted communities; state support on brownfields issues and tribal support on brownfields issues.
Fiscal Year 2018 EPA continues to incrementally fund cooperative agreements for regional Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) providers. TAB providers will be available to brownfields communities to assist them with understanding how to address brownfield sites and advance local efforts around brownfields assessment, cleanup and reuse. EPA incrementally funded six other previously awarded cooperative agreement recipients making satisfactory progress. These EPA funds are used for research, training and technical assistance projects related to technical assistance to environmental workforce development and job training (EWDJT) on the integration of environmental justice and equitable development for brownfields-impacted communities; research on the benefits of brownfields redevelopment; technical assistance on brownfields financing and economic development strategies to brownfields-impacted communities; state support on brownfields issues and tribal support on brownfields issues.
Fiscal Year 2023 The Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) Program provides technical assistance to communities and stakeholders to help address their brownfield sites, and to increase their understanding and involvement in brownfields cleanup, revitalization and reuse. TAB grant recipients (also known as TAB providers) serve as an independent resource and can provide expert technical assistance and guidance to help communities, among other things, understand: 1) acquiring, assessing, cleaning up and redeveloping brownfield properties; 2) the health impacts of brownfield sites; 3) how science and technology are used for site assessment, remediation, redevelopment and reuse; and 4) how to comply with voluntary cleanup requirements. For more information on the types of projects funded under this assistance listing, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-technical-assistance-training-and-research#TAB. Examples of other Brownfields Technical Assistance include: 1) Technical assistance to nonprofits seeking to reuse brownfields. The goal is to help nonprofits develop expertise and experience to lead brownfield revitalization projects in local communities. This includes building brownfields leadership capacity amongst nonprofits that are mission-focused (e.g., faith-based or those focused on health, affordable housing, small business support, land conservation, the arts, history, sports, recreation, etc.) and nonprofit community development organizations. 2) Conduct research, technical assistance, and related outreach on minimizing displacement resulting from brownfields assessment, cleanup, and reuse. The goal is to help communities build practical knowledge, prepare for and direct the changes sparked by brownfields assessment and cleanup activities to minimize displacement, maximize benefits to existing or indigenous community members, and provide other environmental and public health benefits to the existing community. 3) Conduct research, technical assistance, and related outreach on land bank approaches for brownfields revitalization. The goal is to introduce communities to various brownfields and land banking approaches and expand community use of land banks as a tool for brownfields revitalization.