Superfund Technical Assistance Grants (TAG) for Community Groups at National Priority List (NPL) Sites

 

The statutory authority for this project is CERCLA 117(e) as amended by 42 USC 9617(e); it authorizes Technical Assistance Grants to be awarded to groups of individuals affected by or threatened by a release at a Superfund site so that they can obtain independent technical assistance to interpret site-related documents and share this information to the rest of the community. The objective of each TAG is to procure an independent technical advisor(s) to review and inform the community on EPA documents related to cleaning up the Superfund site that is affecting them. The goal of each TAG is that the technical advisor's information aids the community in the preparation of public comments which assists the community to more meaningfully participate in the cleanup decision-making process. Funding Priorities - Fiscal Year 2023: Only one grant is available per site, at any time. EPA does not prioritize among eligible sites. All TAG applications are given equal priority as long as the site and group are eligible. The applicant group must meet minimum administrative and management capability requirements by demonstrating they have or will have reliable procedures for record keeping and financial accountability related to TAG management. In addition, all applications must address the following: plans for using a technical advisor's services, plans and ability to inform other members of the community, and the group's membership (representative of the different individuals/groups affected by the site). Funding must be used to obtain technical assistance so that the community better understand technical issues related to the cleanup of the Superfund site affecting them and to provide comments on technical and decisions throughout the cleanup process. Groups may obtain a technical advisor to help them understand site-related documents and information, such as: the nature of the environmental and public health hazards at the site; the various stages of health and environmental investigations; cleanup and operation and maintenance activities for a site; exposure investigation and health studies; site monitoring plans and reports; the remedial investigation feasibility study, record of decision, remedial design documents; site reuse options and considerations; selection and construction of remedial action; removal activities; and operation and maintenance.

Active 66.806 Environmental Protection Agency B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 Since the program began on March 24, 1988, through September 30, 2016, 343 TAG awards have been issued by EPA, totaling almost $31,000,000 (including new awards, additional funds, waivers and deviations). In most cases, EPA receives only one application for a site and in most cases an award is made. EPA did not receive any Letters of Intent (LOIs) from eligible community groups in FY 2016. Therefore, no new TAG awards were made in FY 2016. However, eight supplemental funding awards were made to existing grantees, totaling $240,000. The grant includes an outreach component wherein the grantee helps to educate the broader community on issues related to the site cleanup. Under this grant, grantees have developed community newsletters, developed web sites, conducted community meetings to help other community members better understand technical information related to the site cleanup and to better respond to site-related technical documents during public comment periods. Technical comments provided to EPA under this grant assist EPA in meeting Superfund strategic targets of identifying and controlling unacceptable human exposures from site contamination; monitoring and controlling migration of contaminated ground water; and identifying a final remedy suitable for stated reuse (under Goal 3.2.2 of EPA's Strategic Plan). Since the program began on March 24, 1988, through September 30, 2016, 343 TAG awards have been issued by EPA, totaling almost $30,800,000 (including new awards, additional funds, waivers and deviations). In most cases, EPA receives only one application for a site and in most cases an award is made. EPA did not receive any Letters of Intent (LOIs) from eligible community groups in FY 2016. Therefore, no new TAG awards were made in FY 2016. However, ten supplemental funding awards were made to existing grantees, totaling $305,000. The grant includes an outreach component wherein the grantee helps to educate the broader community on issues related to the site cleanup. Under this grant, grantees have developed community newsletters, developed web sites, conducted community meetings to help other community members better understand technical information related to the site cleanup and to better respond to site-related technical documents during public comment periods. Technical comments provided to EPA under this grant assist EPA in meeting Superfund strategic targets of identifying and controlling unacceptable human exposures from site contamination; monitoring and controlling migration of contaminated ground water; and identifying a final remedy suitable for stated reuse (under Goal 3.2.2 of EPA's Strategic Plan).
Fiscal Year 2017 Since the program began on March 24, 1988, through September 30, 2016, 343 TAG awards have been issued by EPA, totaling more than $31,000,000 (including new awards, additional funds, waivers and deviations). In most cases, EPA receives only one application for a site and in most cases an award is made. EPA did not award any new TAGs in FY 2016. However, seven supplemental funding awards were made to existing grantees, totaling $287,000. The grant includes an outreach component wherein the grantee helps to educate the broader community on issues related to the site cleanup. Under this grant, grantees have developed community newsletters, developed web sites, conducted community meetings to help other community members better understand technical information related to the site cleanup and to better respond to site-related technical documents during public comment periods. Technical comments provided to EPA under this grant assist EPA in meeting Superfund strategic targets of identifying and controlling unacceptable human exposures from site contamination; monitoring and controlling migration of contaminated ground water; and identifying a final remedy suitable for stated reuse (under Goal 3.2.2 of EPA's Strategic Plan).
Fiscal Year 2018 Since the program began on March 24, 1988, through FY 2017, 343 TAG awards have been issued by EPA, totaling almost 11 supplemental funding awards were made to existing grantees, totaling $387,000. The grant includes an outreach component wherein the grantee helps to educate the broader community on issues related to the site cleanup. Under this grant, grantees have developed community newsletters, developed web sites, conducted community meetings to help other community members better understand technical information related to the site cleanup and to better respond to site-related technical documents during public comment periods. Technical comments provided to EPA under this grant assist EPA in meeting Superfund strategic targets of identifying and controlling unacceptable human exposures from site contamination; monitoring and controlling migration of contaminated ground water; and identifying a final remedy suitable for stated reuse (under Goal 3.2.2 of EPA's Strategic Plan). In FY 2018 EPA awarded three new TAGs, totaling $100,000 and six supplemental funding awards totaling $210,000 were made to existing grantees.
Fiscal Year 2022 In FY 2022 EPA awarded seven supplemental funding awards totaling $250,000 to existing grantees. No new TAGs were awarded.
Fiscal Year 2023 In FY 2023 EPA estimates awarding five supplemental funding awards totaling $125,000 to existing grantees, and two new TAG awards totaling $100,000.
Fiscal Year 2024 In FY 2024 EPA estimates awarding four supplemental funding awards totaling $150,000 to existing grantees, and one new TAG awards totaling $50,000. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Section 117(e) as amended by 42 USC 9617, Statute , A technical assistance grant (TAG) is available to any qualified group of individuals which: may be "affected" by a release or threatened release at any facility listed on the NPL or proposed for listing under the NCP where a "response action" under CERCLA has begun; meets minimum administrative and management capability requirements found in 2 CFR 200 by demonstrating they have or will have reliable procedures for record keeping and financial accountability related to TAG management; and incorporates as a nonprofit for the specific purpose of representing "affected" individuals at the site. "Affected" means subject to an actual or potential health, economic or environmental threat. A group is ineligible if: (a) The group is a "potentially responsible party" (PRP), receives money or services from a PRP, or represents a PRP; (b) The group is affiliated with a national organization; (c) The group is an academic institution; (d) The group is a political subdivision; (e) The group was established or is presently sustained by any of the ineligible entities listed above; or (f) The group is not incorporated as a nonprofit organization for the specific purpose of representing affected people except as provided in 40 CFR 35.4045. 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. This program benefits groups of individuals affected by Superfund hazardous waste sites. Groups should be representative of the community affected by the Superfund site, which may include homeowners, land/property owners, local businesses, as well as any other individuals in the general public who live near a site. At the time of the award, a recipient must either be incorporated or demonstrate that they have taken all necessary and appropriate actions to do so. Recipients must show proof of incorporation no later than the time of the group's first request for reimbursement for costs incurred. Preapplication coordination is required. Preapplication coordination is strongly encouraged. Groups wishing to apply for a TAG must first submit to EPA a letter of intent (LOI). Regional TAG coordinator are available to assist applicants in understanding what types of information are required in the application and answer questions about the application process. Groups interested in applying for a TAG are encouraged can find their regional TAG coordinator on EPA's webpage at: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/technical-assistance-grant-tag-program. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. In addition, applicants must follow TAG regulatory requirements under 40 CFR Part 35. An applicant for a TAG must submit the following materials in accordance with 40 CFR 35.4125 of the Final Rule: 1) An original EPA Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance. The application must have the original signature of the project manager. 2) A budget showing the proposed expenditure of funds, how the funds and other resources, including the required 20 percent match, will be used to complete the project, and how the budget figures were derived. 3) A scope of work which states how the group will organize, use procured personnel, and share and disseminate information to the larger affected community. In addition, the scope of work must explain project milestones and how the group's board of directors, technical advisors(s) and "project manager" will interact with each other. 4) Assurances, certifications and other preaward paperwork as required by 2 CFR 200 and 1500, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through Grants.gov. 1) A TAG review team in the EPA Regional Office to which the application is submitted reviews the application and sends a letter containing written comments telling the applicant what, if any, changes need to be made to the application to make it complete. 2) An applicant group has 90 days from the date of the EPA letter to make the changes to their application and resubmit it to EPA. If the changes are not submitted within the 90-day period, the application will be returned unprocessed. 3) EPA determines the applicant's eligibility under 40 CFR 35.4020 and considers whether and how successfully the group meets three equally weighted criteria in 40 CFR 35.4155 (see 180, "criteria for selecting proposals," below). When multiple groups apply, EPA will rank each applicant relative to other applicants using the three equally weighted criteria. 4) If an applicant is not going to be awarded a TAG, the EPA will send a letter of rejection to the applicant. 5) If an application is approved for an award, a grant agreement document (EPA Form 5700-20A) is signed by the EPA award official. This document becomes an offer from EPA to the applicant. Award offers are mailed to the recipient five working days after the award official signs the agreement. 6) The applicant must sign and return the agreement to EPA within three weeks of the date the agreement is postmarked or request an extension. EPA will review applications in accordance with terms, conditions and criteria in the TAG regulations and EPA's policy for competing assistance agreements. Groups interested in applying for a TAG are encouraged to contact their regional TAG coordinator(s) for application deadlines. (See TAG Coordinator list at: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/technical-assistance-grant-tag-program.) Groups wishing to apply for a TAG must first submit to EPA a letter of intent (LOI). If an initial LOI for a site is received and site work is already underway or scheduled to begin, EPA will publish a notice in the local newspaper. The notice encourages other interested groups to consolidate and submit a joint application together or submit their own separate application. Groups may request an extension to the period. EPA will only consider applications of groups submitting an LOI within the required timeframe in the newspaper announcement. Generally from 5 to 9 weeks after application is considered complete. Disputes will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable. Additional funding awards and time extensions are allowable under the TAG regulations, subject to EPA approval. Grant waiver requests are made at the end of the budget period and are based on the requirements of 40 CFR ?35.4065, which lists criteria which must be met. Project periods are negotiated and to a large degree based on site activities and milestones. The evaluation and selection criteria for awards under this assistance listing are described in the programmatic regulations (40 CFR Part 35) as follows. In selecting a proposal: 1) EPA will determine if a group meets the following eligibility criteria: (a) The community group is a group of people who may be "affected" by a release or a threatened release at any facility listed on the NPL or proposed for listing under the NCP where a response action is underway; and (b) The group meets the minimum administrative and management capability requirements found in 2 CFR 200 by demonstrating they have or will have reliable procedures for record keeping and financial accountability related to managing the TAG. 2) EPA will also determine if there are factors which make the group ineligible. A group is ineligible if: (a) The group is a "potentially responsible party" (PRP), receives money or services from a PRP, or represents a PRP; (b) The group is "affiliated" with a national organization; (c) The group is an academic institution; (d) The group is a political subdivision; (e) The group was established or is presently sustained by any of the ineligible entities listed above; or (f) The group is not incorporated as a nonprofit organization for the specific purpose of representing affected people except as provided in 40 CFR 35.4045. 3) Once EPA determines if eligibility requirements have been met, the Agency considers whether and how successfully a group meets the following, equally weighted, criteria: (a) Representation of groups and individuals affected by the site; (b) The group's plans to use the services of a technical advisor throughout the Superfund response action; and (c) The group's ability and plan to inform others in the community of the information provided by the technical advisor. 4) Additionally, a group must incorporate as a nonprofit for the purpose of participating in decision making at the Superfund site for which the TAG was granted (for exception see 40 CFR 35.4045). Applicant groups should consult with the Regional TAG Coordinator for details on applying for a TAG. The assistance must be used for reviewing Superfund site cleanup documents, data and decisions. All or most of the Federal funds must be used at sites listed on the National Priorities List (NPL) or proposed for listing under the National Contingency Plan (NCP), where a response action has begun under CERCLA to procure a technical advisor(s) to help in understanding the nature of the environmental and public health hazards at the site, or the various stages of health and environmental investigations and activities, cleanup, and operation and maintenance of a site, including exposure investigation, health study, surveillance program, health promotion activities (for example, medical monitoring and pediatric health units), remedial investigation, and feasibility study, record of decision, remedial design, selection and construction of remedial action, operation and maintenance, and removal. Not applicable. 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. Per TAG regulations (40 CFR 35.4180): 1) Each recipient shall keep complete financial records accurately showing how the Federal funds were used and the match, whether it is in the form of cash or in-kind assistance. 2) Each recipient shall comply with any reporting and record keeping requirements of 2 CFR 200 and EPA's implementing regulations at 2 CFR 1500. 3) Each recipient must keep TAG financial records for ten years from the date of the final Financial Status Report, or until any audit, litigation, cost recovery, and/or disputes initiated before the end of the ten-year retention period are settled, whichever is longer. At the ten-year mark, the TAG financial records may be disposed of after first getting written approval to do so from the EPA. Alternately, a recipient may choose to submit financial records to the EPA for safekeeping when the final Financial Status Report is submitted. 4) Each recipient must send to EPA a copy of each final written product prepared by their technical advisor as part of the TAG. EPA will send the final written products to the local Superfund site information repository(ies) where all site-related documents are available to the public. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is mandatory. 20%. As directed by statute (Section 117(e) of CERCLA, as amended by 42 USC 9617(e)) there may be only one grant per site, there is a $50,000 award limit unless waived, and recipient must contribute a 20 percent match (including in-kind contributions). Matching requirements are mandatory unless waived by the Agency if the grant recipient demonstrates financial need and such waiver is necessary to facilitate public participation in the selection of remedial action at the facility.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. A grant may be available from the time a site is proposed for listing under the National Contingency Plan (NCP) and a response action has begun, until the site is delisted from the National Priorities List (NPL). This time span varies based on the complexity of the site cleanup. A group may submit a Letter of Intent to apply for a TAG at any eligible site at any point in the site cleanup. For each award, the grant period is determined by the time needed to complete the scope of work stated in the grant application and through negotiations with EPA (this is generally a period of three years or greater). Grants under this assistance listing are reimbursement-based; a grantee may draw down funds to cover grant-related expenses they have already incurred (such as a technical advisor's invoice for services/expenses). Assistance is awarded as a lump sum, however, the funds are released on a reimbursement basis (recipients draw down funds as costs are incurred). Requests for Reimbursement or Federal Cash Transactions Reports: Depending on the method of payment, each recipient shall submit periodic requests for reimbursement as funds are needed or shall submit to EPA a federal cash transaction report semiannually, within 15 working days following the end of the semiannual period which ends June 30 and December 31 of each year. These reports shall include the amount of funds advanced to the TAG recipient or electronically transferred to the TAG recipient's bank account, and a description of how the funds were spent. All TAG paperwork should be submitted directly to the EPA Regional Office. TAGs are awarded by Regional EPA Offices. For questions related to TAGs for a specific site or for application assistance, contact the EPA TAG Coordinator for your region, as follows: Serving: ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT and Tribal Nations; Robert Shewack, EPA Region 1 (MC: SPCA01-5), 5 Post Office Square Suite 100, Boston, MA 02109-3912. Phone: (617) 918-1428. Email: shewack.robert@epa.gov Serving: NY, NJ, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Trial Nations; Shereen Kandil, EPA Region 2, 290 Broadway, 26th floor, New York, NY 10007-1866. Phone: (212) 637-4333. Email: kandil.shereen@epa.gov Serving: PA, DE, DC, MD, VA and WV; Gina Soscia, EPA Region 3, 1650 Arch Street(3HS52), Philadelphia, PA 19103. Phone:(215) 814-5538. Email: soscia.gina@epa.gov Serving: KY, TN, NC, SC, MS, AL, GA, FL and Tribal Nations: Jackie Dendy, EPA Region 4,61 Forsyth Street S.W., 11TH FL, Atlanta, GA 30303. Phone: (404) 562-8876. Email: dendy.jackie@epa.gov Serving: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI and Tribal Nations; Adrian Palomeque, EPA Region 5 (SI-7J), 25063 Center Ridge Road, Westlake, OH 44145.Phone: (440) 250-1715. Email: palomeque.adrian@epa.gov Serving: NM, TX, OK, AR, LA and Tribal Nations; Janetta Coats, EPA Region 6, 1201 Elm Street, Suite 500 (ORAXO), Dallas, Texas 75270-2102.Phone: (214) 665-7308. Email: coats.janetta@epa.gov Serving: NE, KS, IA, MO and Tribal Nations; Pamela Houston, EPA Region 7, 11201 Renner Blvd, Lenexa, KS 66219. Phone: (913) 551-7699. Email: houston.pamela@epa.gov Serving: MT, ND, WY, SD, UT, CO and Tribal Nations; Sisay Ashenafi, EPA Region 8, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80202. Phone: (303) 312-6138. Email: ashenafi.sisay@epa.gov Serving: CA, NV, AZ, HI, U.S. Pacific Territories and Tribal Nations; Jackie Lane, EPA Region 9, 75 Hawthorne Street (OPA-2), San Francisco, CA 94105-3901. Phones: (415) 972-3226. Email: lane.jackie@epa.gov Serving: WA, OR, ID, AK and Tribal Nations; Julie Congdon, EPA Region 10, 1200 6th Ave (Ste. 900), Seattle, WA 98101. Phone: (206) 553-2752. Email: congdon.julie@epa.gov. Questions may also be directed to the EPA Regional Office supporting a particular Superfund site. A list of the Regions and their States, plus the name(s) and telephone number(s) for the Regional TAG contact can be found by clicking the "Contact Us" tab on EPA's TAG web page, https://www.epa.gov/superfund/technical-assistance-grant-tag-program. Freya Margand
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (Mail Code: 5204T )
Washington, DC 20460 US
margand.freya@epa.gov
Phone: (202) 566-1033 https://www.epa.gov/superfund/technical-assistance-grant-tag-program 68-8145-0-1-304 (Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$250,000.00; FY 23 est $225,000.00; FY 24 est $200,000.00; FY 21$331,526.00; FY 20$200,000.00; FY 19$364,305.00; FY 18$200,000.00; FY 17 est $300,000.00; FY 16$305,000.00; - Initial awards for assistance agreements awarded under this assistance listing will not exceed $50,000. After the initial award, additional funding may be awarded based on the criteria detailed under 40 CFR 35.4065, and subject to the availability of funds. The average additional award is $35,000 (per agreement). Since 1988, 351 TAGs have been awarded. Of these, 207 grantees were awarded $50,000 or less; 94 grantees have received awards with a cumulative value between $51,000 and $150,000; 32 grantees have received awards with a cumulative value ranging between $151,000 and $250,000; and 18 grantees have received awards whose cumulative value totals of more than $250,000. The cumulative award value includes the initial award and any supplemental funding awards over the life of the agreement. 2 CFR 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 Part 35, Subpart M (Grants for Technical Assistance); and TAG Program Guidance Documents. (See EPA TAG webpage at: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/technical-assistance-grant-tag-program). Fiscal Year 2016 The TAG allows a group to procure independent technical advisors to help in interpreting and commenting on site-related information and decisions. Examples of how a technical advisor can help a group include, but are not limited to: (a) Reviewing preliminary site assessment/site investigation data; (b) Participating in public meetings to help interpret information about site conditions, proposed remedies, and the implementation of a remedy; (c) Visiting the site vicinity periodically during cleanup, if possible, to observe progress and provide technical updates to the group; (d) Interpreting information related to redevelopment; and (e) Evaluating future land use options based on land use assumptions found in the remedial investigation/feasibility study
Fiscal Year 2017 The TAG allows a group to procure independent technical advisors to help in interpreting and commenting on site-related information and decisions. Examples of how a technical advisor can help a group include, but are not limited to: (a) Reviewing preliminary site assessment/site investigation data; (b) Participating in public meetings to help interpret information about site conditions, proposed remedies, and the implementation of a remedy; (c) Visiting the site vicinity periodically during cleanup, if possible, to observe progress and provide technical updates to the group; (d) Interpreting information related to redevelopment; and (e) Evaluating future land use options based on land use assumptions found in the remedial investigation/feasibility study.
Fiscal Year 2018 Only one grant is available per site, at any time. EPA does not prioritize among eligible sites. All TAG applications are given equal priority as long as the site and group are eligible. The applicant group must meet minimum administrative and management capability requirements by demonstrating they have or will have reliable procedures for record keeping and financial accountability related to TAG management. In addition, all applications must address: plans for using a technical advisor's services, plans and ability to inform other members of the community, and the group's membership (representative of the different individuals/groups affected by the site). Funding must be used to obtain technical assistance so that the community better understand technical issues related to the cleanup of the Superfund site affecting them and to provide comments on technical and decisions throughout the cleanup process. Groups may obtain a technical advisor to help them understand site-related documents and information, such as: the nature of the environmental and public health hazards at the site; the various stages of health and environmental investigations; cleanup and operation and maintenance activities for a site; exposure investigation and health studies; site monitoring plans and reports; the remedial investigation feasibility study, record of decision, remedial design documents; site reuse options and considerations; selection and construction of remedial action; removal activities; and operation and maintenance.
Fiscal Year 2023 Groups have been awarded Superfund Technical Assistance Grants to obtain a technical advisor to help them understand site-related documents and information, such as: the nature of the environmental and public health hazards at the site; the various stages of health and environmental investigations; cleanup and operation and maintenance activities for a site; exposure investigation and health studies; site monitoring plans and reports; the remedial investigation feasibility study, record of decision, remedial design documents; site reuse options and considerations; selection and construction of remedial action; removal activities; and operation and maintenance.