SUMMARY

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) is requesting Proposals for up to $4,827,000 for projects furthering protection and clean up of the Great Lakes ecosystem. This Funding Guidance is different from Funding Guidances issued by GLNPO during the last 10 years. It consolidates the annual USEPA GLNPO competitive solicitation (the "General Request") with funds previously managed by USEPA Water programs in Regions 2 and 5 for projects for development and implementation of Lakewide Management Plans and Remedial Action Plans (the Specific LaMP/RAP Request). The Specific LaMP/RAP Request is much more specific than the General Request. Also included in this Funding Guidance are new solicitations for Conferences and Publications and for a Grants Servicing Intermediary. Although a common Proposal format will be used for all but the Grants Servicing Intermediary, applicants are advised to consider differences regarding eligibility, the evaluation process, and due dates. The initial deadline for all Proposals is 8:00 AM Central time, Monday morning, March 31, 2003. Part of RFP 3 has a separate rolling monthly deadline ending when funds are exhausted. Summaries of the Requests for Proposals follow.

The General Request for Proposals (RFP 1) totals $2,720,000 to be awarded in the summer and fall of FY 2003 for Great Lakes projects pertaining to Contaminated Sediments; Pollution Prevention and Reduction (Binational Toxics Strategy); Ecological (Habitat) Protection and Restoration; Invasive Species; and Strategic or Emerging Issues. Work would generally be done during FY 2004. Evaluations can include State, Tribal, and Federal representatives.

The LaMP/RAP Specific Request for Proposals (RFP 2) totals $1,752,000 to be awarded in the summer and fall of 2003. RFP2 includes 29 descriptions of specific projects furthering the Lakewide Management Plans and Remedial Action Plans. Work would generally be done during FY2004. General eligibility provisions apply to apply for the projects described in RFP2A. Only States, Tribes, and Interstate and Intertribal Agencies are eligible to apply for RFP2B. Evaluations are done only by USEPA.

The Conferences and Publication Request for Proposals (RFP 3) totals $275,000 to be awarded starting in Spring of 2003. Work would generally be done during 2003 and 2004. Funding requests in three general areas will be reviewed by GLNPO on a monthly basis throughout the year and as long as money is available; however, Proposals for a State of Lake Michigan Basin Conference and for Basin-wide RAP Priorities are due on March 31, 2003. Evaluations are done only by USEPA.

The Grants Servicing Intermediary Request for Proposals (RFP 4) totals $60,000 to $100,000 to be awarded during Spring, 2003 for management of sub-grants. An "intermediary" organization would make and administer grant sub-awards for habitat and possibly other areas. Applicants should contact GLNPO to request an application package. DO NOT use the PSS2003 electronic submittal program for RFP4. Evaluations are done only by USEPA.

Sections I through V of this Funding Guidance include information on Process and Schedule, Application Instructions, "Line-by-Line" Instructions and Examples from Previous Years, a listing of key USEPA Contacts, and General Criteria applicable to all Proposals. These Sections are followed by the four Requests for Proposals.

I. BACKGROUND , PROCESS, AND SCHEDULE

Development of this Request for Proposals. Work done in development of the 2002 Great Lakes Strategy informed criteria revisions for this Request for Proposals. The Strategy was developed cooperatively by the Federal, State, and Tribal members of the U.S. Policy Committee, with the consultation of the Great Lakes public. It describes objectives, measures, and activities by State, Tribal, and Federal partners working together to protect and restore the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem. See: http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/gls/index.html "LaMPs 2002" informed Lake-specific goals in both the Strategy and this Request for Proposals. Specific project priorities of the LaMPs are included in this Request for Proposals. General funding priorities and targets were derived from the USEPA' budget submitted to Congress for approval, but not yet finalized. Development of that budget began in 2001.

Process and Review Provisions applicable to all Proposals. USEPA’s Great Lakes program is broadly soliciting Proposals through an Internet announcement and posting, with supplemental announcements being done through mailings and the Federal Register. GLNPO will screen Proposals upon receipt to ensure they conform to the solicitation and that they are placed in the proper categories. GLNPO may contact an Applicant to discuss changing categories. Proposals will be evaluated for conformity with the Proposal Requests, applying the General Criteria and any identified Specific Criteria. At least three reviewers will evaluate each Proposal before recommendations are made to management. USEPA will invite only Applicants whose Proposals are selected to submit detailed final Proposals along with the SF-424 and attendant documentation for Federal assistance (Application Packages). USEPA reserves the right to negotiate changes in Proposals before making final decisions and awards and reserves the right to reject all Proposals or applications and make no awards. USEPA has 60 days to issue an award following receipt of the complete, finable Application Package. Final funding decisions are based upon the Application Packages. When GLNPO is aware of appropriate funding opportunities in other USEPA offices, Proposals will be forwarded to those offices for their consideration.

Review of Proposals in the General Request (RFP 1). Proposals in the General Request will be evaluated by USEPA reviewers and by reviewers from other Federal organizations, States, and Tribes. Evaluations take into account an Applicant's ranking of its Proposals and do not penalize Applicants for submitting multiple Proposals. Evaluations will take into account recommendations on specific needs and priorities of geographic areas within the Great Lakes, particularly those of Lakewide Management Plans or Initiatives for each of the Great Lakes and their included geographic initiatives such as the Remedial Action Plans for Areas of Concern. Pre-application assistance is encouraged; to obtain additional information about those needs and priorities, applicants are encouraged to consult with applicable USEPA staff identified in Section IV. In making award decisions, USEPA will consider the geographic distribution of projects and funds, selecting technically sound projects across the basin at both a geographic and institutional level to achieve a reasonable balance of funding by Lake, applicant type, and the State of project location.

Review of Proposals in the Specific Request (RFP 2). Proposals in the Specific Request will be evaluated only by USEPA staff and management. Geographic distribution and the need to maintain State and Tribal participation in the LaMPs and RAPs will be considered in evaluations and recommendations. The schedule for Proposals in the Specific Request will be consistent with the schedule above.

Review of Proposals in the Request for Conferences and Printing (RFP 3) and the Grants Servicing Intermediary (RFP 4). Proposals will be evaluated only by USEPA staff and management. Deadlines and schedules vary. See RFPs 3 and 4 for additional information.