Announcement of a Request for Pre-Proposals From Minority Academic Institutions To Conduct Hazardous Substance Research, Technology Transfer and Training in Cooperation With EPA's Hazardous Substance Research Centers

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5063-1]

Announcement of a Request for Pre-Proposals From Minority

Academic Institutions To Conduct Hazardous Substance Research,

Technology Transfer and Training in Cooperation With EPA's Hazardous

Substance Research Centers

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Publication of a request for pre-proposals and correction of

deadline for receipt of pre-proposals.

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SUMMARY: On August 31, 1994 (59 FR 44985), EPA published a notice,

signed by the acting Assistant Administrator for Research and

Development, announcing the availability of a document requesting pre-

proposals from Minority Academic Institutions (MAIs) for participation

in the Hazardous Substance Research Centers (HSRCs) Program. EPA has

corrected the deadline for submissions of pre-proposals from October 15

to October 21. For the convenience of the public, EPA is publishing the

full text of the document in this notice. EPA will also continue to

make the document available separately.

The purpose of the request for pre-proposal is to set forth the

eligibility and submission requirements, evaluation criteria and

schedule for establishing hazardous substance research, technology

transfer and training activities at MAIs, in cooperation with the five

HSRCs, as authorized by section 311(d) of Superfund, and as amended by

section 209 of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of

1988. These activities will be competitively awarded.

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes that

minority academic institutions (MAIs) are underrepresented in research

and other activities relating to hazardous substance management. To

improve this situation, EPA is making funds available to enhance the

ability of MAIs to participate in research, technology transfer,

training, and academic development activities in collaboration with

EPA's five HSRCs. The program rationale and design, areas of interest,

eligibility requirements, and other important information are described

in the document, which is published in full under SUPPLEMENTARY

INFORMATION.

DATES: All pre-proposals must be received by October 21, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Send pre-proposals to the appropriate contact points listed

in Table 1 under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Dale Manty, Director, Hazardous

Substance Research Centers Program, Office of Exploratory Research

(8703), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street SW.,

Washington, DC 20460 (202-260-7454).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Program Announcement and Solicitation for Minority Academic Institution

(MAI) Participation in Hazardous Substance Research Centers (HSRC)

Program; Pre-proposal for MAI Participation in the HSRC Program

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is concerned that

minority academic institutions (MAIs) are underrepresented in research

and other activities relating to hazardous substance management. To

improve this situation, EPA announces the availability of funds to

enhance the ability of MAIs to participate in research, technology

transfer, training, and academic development activities in

collaboration with EPA's five University Hazardous Substance Research

Centers (HSRCs). The program rationale and design, areas of interest,

eligibility requirements, and other important information are described

below.

The process begins with submission of an original and eight copies

of pre-proposals from MAIs to one of the five EPA HSRCs. An

administrative review will be made by the Center Director, in

consultation with the EPA National HSRC Program Director. Eligible

applications will then be reviewed for relevance and quality by each

Center's Director, Science Advisory Committee, and Technology Transfer

and Training Advisory Committees. Successful applicants will be invited

to submit full proposals.

Hazardous Substance Problems

One of the important environmental issues facing our civilization

is the management of hazardous substances from manufacture to treatment

and disposal. Since 1980, over 40,000 hazardous waste sites have been

discovered, more than 1,000,000 underground storage tanks are estimated

to be leaking, and more than 250,000 industrial and waste storage or

treatment facilities are subject to permit requirements of the Resource

Conservation and Recovery Act. A National Priorities List for cleanup

of the worst of these sites has been established by EPA. This list,

plus similar state lists, total more than 5,000 sites. Such sites are

causing contamination of air, soil, and ground and surface water. There

is a growing recognition of the risks such contamination inflicts upon

ecological communities. Conventional methods of determining, cleaning

up, and managing these problems are proving inadequate to achieve

desired levels of clean-up. The HSRC Program is fueled by a strong

desire to develop better, cheaper, faster, and safer methods to assess

and clean up these sites. EPA priorities for addressing these problems

include development of new methods to assess and remediate sites,

decrease the production and use of hazardous substances, and train a

new generation of hazardous substance managers.

General Description

Under Section 311(d) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,

Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), as amended, 42 U.S.C.

9660(d), EPA has established five Hazardous Substance Research Centers.

In 1994, Congress provided EPA with funds to encourage MAIs to

participate in the HSRCs' research and training and technology transfer

activities. These funds will be provided through a Federal Assistance

Agreement with each HSRC, which in turn will establish sub-contracts

with MAIs. If additional funds become available, additional qualified

applicants may be funded. The MAI is expected to contribute a 20% match

of non-federal resources. These resources may come from State, local,

foundation, individual, or private sector contributions and may include

in-kind contributions. No Federal funds provided for this program may

be used to purchase, build, or renovate any buildings or to purchase

land. Up to 15% of the funds will be available to encourage HSRC

researchers to collaborate in joint projects with MAI researchers.

Hazardous Substance Research Center Program

EPA has competitively established five Hazardous Substance Research

Centers to provide:

Short- and long-term research on the manufacture,

disposal, clean-up, and management of hazardous substances;

Dissemination of research information and findings; and

Training, technology transfer, and technical outreach and

support to benefit organizations, communities, and individuals involved

with hazardous substances.

Research supported by the HSRCs covers all relevant scientific and

technological subjects except human health effects research

(toxicology, dose-response epidemiology, etc.). Each HSRC is headed by

a Center Director who is responsible for managing each Center. The

Director is the intellectual leader and guide for the Center. A

Technology Transfer and Training Director oversees training and

commercial application of Center projects. Each of the five HSRCs

serves the States within two adjoining pairs of Federal Regions. All

five collaborate to form a National Hazardous Substance Research

Centers Program. Each center has its own Science Advisory Committee and

Technology Transfer and Training Advisory Committee which regularly

review the progress of ongoing work and recommend funding of new

proposals.

Availability of Funds

$3.5 million will be available for award under the terms described

below.

Submission and Eligibility Requirements

U.S. MAIs in good standing with the Federal government may submit

pre-proposals. Applications must include a written certification that

the applicant is a minority academic institution. The applicant's

eligibility as an MAI will be confirmed on the basis of enrollment data

in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Fall

Enrollment Survey, provided by postsecondary institutions, through the

National Center for Education Statistics, to the Office for Civil

Rights, U.S. Department of Education. The terms ``accredited,''

``minority,'' and ``minority institution'' are set forth in 34 CFR

637.4(b).

To be considered for an award, an original pre-proposal and eight

copies must be submitted to the most appropriate HSRC, as provided in

the table. The pre-proposals are due at these contact points no later

than 4:00 p.m. local time on Friday, October 21, 1994. Applicants are

encouraged to submit their pre-proposal as soon as possible to provide

for maximum opportunities to coordinate with appropriate HSRC staff and

researchers. Receipt of pre-proposals will be acknowledged for those

applicants providing a mailing address label. Each pre-proposal must

include the information requested in the sample format at the end of

this announcement. The proposed activity shall be described in up to

two pages addressing the evaluation criteria. A summary budget for up

to an 18 month period shall be included. HSRC research projects range

from approximately $25,000-$75,000 per year. Each Center, upon

reviewing the pre-proposals, shall invite submission of full proposals.

All applicants will be notified of the review results.

Table 1.--HSRC Points of Contact

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Center Address Director/MAI Coordinator Phone

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Send an Original and Eight Copies of the Pre-Proposal to Any of the Following Centers:

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Northeast.............. New Jersey Institute of Technology, Dick Magee, Director, Mary (201) 596-5883

323 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Jane Pohero, Coordinator.

Newark, NJ 07102.

Great Lakes/Mid- Dept. of Civil and Environmental Walt Weber, Director, Pat (517) 353-9718

Atlantic. Engineering, 2340 C G Brown Building, Miller, Coordinator.

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

48109-2125.

Great Plains/Rocky Kansas State University, Ward Hall, Larry Erickson, Director, (913) 532-4313

Mountains. Manhattan, KS 66506-2502. Stan Grant, Coordinator.

South and Southwest.... 3418 CEBA Bldg., Louisiana State Louis Thibodeaux, Director, (504) 388-6770

University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803- David Constant,

5083. Coordinator.

Western Region......... Department of Civil Engineering, Perry McCarty, Director, (415) 723-8574

Stanford University, Stanford, CA Jim Leckie, Coordinator.

94305-4020.

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Program Orientation and Training

All MAI program participants and administrative officials will meet

initially with the EPA National Program Director, Center Directors, and

other Center and EPA personnel to initiate the program. Requirements

for record keeping, laboratory and site safety, quality assurance,

etc., will be presented to program participants. All MAI research and

faculty participants will meet with Center Directors and other

appropriate personnel in the latter part of their first year to review

the progress of the program. Requests for funds to support

participation in these meetings shall be included in each minority

participation project.

Pre-Proposal Evaluation

The first step in the review and selection process is an

administrative review to determine eligibility and appropriateness. For

each Center, the following evaluation criteria will be used to evaluate

pre-proposals:

Short- and long-term benefits to the Minority Academic

Institution;

Benefits to principal investigator professional

development;

Benefits to student academic development;

Level of participation by minority individuals;

Compatibility with HSRC interests;

Leverage of resources;

Quality of work proposed; and

Potential impact of proposed activity.

Areas of Interest

Pre-proposals are encouraged in one or more of the following areas

but will be considered in other areas as well. It is recognized that

some pre-proposals will incorporate elements from several areas of

interest, such as a cooperative research program that includes faculty

and/or student enhancement. These pre-proposals are also encouraged and

will be evaluated on the strength of the consolidated pre-proposal.

Cooperative Research Programs

It is expected that most of the funds distributed under this

solicitation will support cooperative research projects which pair MAI

investigators with HSRC investigators. The goals of a cooperative

research project are to enhance the research capabilities of the

minority institution, promote significant interaction among the Center

and MAIs, and lead to a continuing collaboration among the

investigators. Given the time constraints of the program, preference

will be given to projects that build on existing Center projects. New

projects developed in collaboration with Center investigators, however,

can be proposed. A potential investigator is strongly encouraged to

review the current projects and activities of the Centers and contact

Center personnel prior to submission of a pre-proposal. Examples of

project collaboration include periodic exchanges of researcher-in-

residence at an MAI or HSRC facility, co-investigation of a research

topic, and joint supervision of research students. The specific nature

of the collaboration will be defined by the investigators. Necessary

travel funds to provide for this collaboration shall be built into the

project pre-proposal. Pre-proposals are encouraged in the following

broad HSRC research themes:

Thermal treatment/incineration;

Bioremediation;

Contaminated sediment and dredge material;

Mine wastes and contaminated soils; and

Remediation of contaminated groundwater.

It is suggested that interested proponents review the Abstracts of HSRC

Research Activities (following) and contact the most appropriate HSRC

from Table 1 for further information about specific personnel and

research opportunities.

Faculty Enhancement

The goal of the faculty enhancement component is to provide

hazardous substance research opportunities to promote professional

growth of MAI faculty. A companion goal is to strengthen the hazardous

substance research programs at their home institutions. Specifically,

the program is intended to:

Enhance research expertise and abilities;

Expand the knowledge-base in hazardous substance

management research;

Provide hands-on experience with modern equipment and

instrumentation; and

Help faculty develop linkages for future collaborative

research.

Activities to be supported include:

Academic-year sabbaticals (1-2 semesters);

Summer research visits (minimum of 10 weeks); and

Short-term faculty interactions (1-2 weeks).

Faculty must be tenured or in a tenure-track position at an MAI to

maximize potential benefits to the home institution. For institutions

without formal tenure systems, faculty holding a long-term or permanent

position shall be eligible.

Student Enhancement

MAIs are encouraged to develop pre-proposals which will provide

internship programs for undergraduate and graduate students. The goal

of the student enhancement component is to motivate students toward

advanced study and careers in hazardous substance management by

providing research and training opportunities at HSRC universities.

Proposed projects should provide undergraduates with an experience that

fosters interest in pursuing graduate education and research. Projects

for graduate students should promote a greater understanding of the

role of science and engineering in providing solutions to hazardous

substance related problems. The following selection criteria apply:

Undergraduate students should have completed one or more

years of an academic program in a discipline with an environmental

focus. Graduate students should be pursuing a Masters or Ph.D. in an

environmental discipline.

Pre-proposals should demonstrate a plan for guiding

students to the timely completion of research projects.

MAIs should describe a student selection process that

examines student academic records and recommendations and also includes

the potential student impact of selection into the program (e.g., high

potential ``underachievers'', etc.).

The Center Director will assist in placing students into appropriate

projects. Selections will be based on the strengths of the proposed

program and its ability to impact participants rather than the merits

of individual students.

Technology Transfer and Training

There are a number of opportunities for MAIs to participate in the

technology transfer and training activities of the HSRCs. These

opportunities may take a variety of forms, for example: cooperative

ventures with existing HSRC programs; development of new programs to

assist in the development and commercialization of research

technologies to better manage hazardous substances; and training or

education to communities, governmental decision makers, industry,

faculty, and students.

Pre-proposals are solicited in the following areas:

Training to provide working knowledge of new technologies;

Train-the-trainer courses for managing hazardous substance

problems in minority and other communities;

Training and assistance to MAIs to provide technical

outreach and education to communities affected by hazardous substances;

and unique environmental circumstances including environmental justice,

risk assessment and communication, hazardous substance information, and

education;

Practitioner-in-Residence Program, bringing a technical

expert to assist faculty and students at MAIs to identify opportunities

and develop programs, etc.

All technology transfer and training pre-proposals shall define target

audience, beneficiaries, and the nature of the training activities.

Abstracts of HSRC Research

Northeast Hazardous Substance Research Center (NHSRC)

The NHSRC serves EPA Regions 1 and 2. New Jersey Institute of

Technology (NJIT) is the lead institution in a seven member consortium

formed to establish the Center. Members include Massachusetts Institute

of Technology, Princeton University, Rutgers University, Stevens

Institute of Technology, Tufts University and the University of

Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

The Center's research programs focus on development and

demonstration of treatment and remediation technologies in three broad

areas: incineration/thermal methods; in-situ methods; and biological/

chemical/physical methods. The Center also conducts a companion

technology transfer and training program. Active research areas

include:

Incineration/Thermal Treatment.

--Combustion modeling

--Chlorocarbon destruction kinetics

--Catalytic oxidation

--Flue gas scrubbing

--Two-stage combustion

--Microwave treatment and low-energy plasma

Characterization and Monitoring.

--Fiber optic sensors

--Continuous emissions monitoring (CEM) of stack gases

--GC-IC/MS for field applications

--CEM for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in groundwater

--Micro-sensors for metals

--Laser-based monitors

In-situ Remediation.

--Anaerobic/aerobic bioremediation

--Electro-osmosis processes

--Pneumatically enhanced soil vapor extraction

--Soil flushing and in-situ vitrification

Ex-situ Treatment Processes.

--Separation processes

--Hollow fiber liquid membranes

--Biotreatment and reactor design

--Solidification/stabilization

--Biofilters

Technology Transfer and Training.

--Environmental risk communication

--Pollution prevention

--Environmental justice

--Public education concerning risks

--Technology demonstrations

Great Lakes/Mid-Atlantic Center (GLMAC)

The Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic Center for Hazardous Substance

Research has responsibility for coordinating the hazardous substance

research and technology transfer activities within EPA Regions 3 and 5.

The University of Michigan is the lead institution of the Center.

Michigan State University and Howard University are the other

consortium members. Center research focuses on problems associated with

environmental contamination by organic chemicals. It addresses such

problems by attempting to define and refine remediation technologies

that are effective, environmentally compatible and cost-effective.

Current projects address in-situ remediation schemes which integrate

biological processes with chemical and physicochemical technologies in

the following focus areas:

Bioremediation of PCB contaminated soils.

--Development of genetically engineered organisms

--Design of engineered systems for field applications

Bioremediation of carbon tetrachloride contaminated

groundwater and soil.

--Introduction of and maintenance of a population of carbon

tetrachloride degrading organisms in the field

Bioventing for remediation of vadoze zone soils.

--Delineation of underlying fundamental processes

--Identification of rate controlling mechanisms

Introduction of surfactants for groundwater remediation.

--Principles controlling the dissolution and mobilization of non-

aqueous phase liquids

Site characterization and sample analysis.

--Improved methods for sample collection and analysis

--Improved methods of field characterization

In addition to research, the Center has a training and technology

transfer program that is designed to complement Center research.

Activities include publication of synergos, a periodical research

report; production of educational videotapes; organization of

conferences and seminars; and providing assistance to communities

affected by hazardous waste sites.

South/Southwest Hazardous Substance Research Center

The South and Southwest Hazardous Substance Research Center is a

consortium led by Louisiana State University and includes Georgia

Institute of Technology and Rice University. The overall research

mission of the Center is to provide short and long-term investigations

into the management of hazardous substance problems associated with the

Center's focus area-contaminated sediments and dredged materials-as

well as problems unique to EPA Regions 4 and 6. The Center is also

responsible for training and technology transfer activities including:

community outreach programs; one-day regulatory update conferences; a

quarterly newsletter and technical briefs; an annual symposium and

report; and demonstration and transfer of technologies developed from

Center activities.

Most of the Center research activities are focused on problems with

contaminated sediment (CS) and dredged material (DM). The CS and DM of

concern contain organics, metals and conventional pollutants as

environmental contaminants both in the water column and on the bottom

of rivers, bayous, lakes, harbors, estuaries, freshwater wetlands and

adjoining regions of the continental shelf. Projects in the CS/DM focus

examine source characterization, contaminant transport and

transformation processes, ecological effects and human exposure to

chemicals in contaminated sediments and dredged materials. Specific

research projects are currently supported in the areas of:

Mobility of radium sediments;

Contaminant migration from sediment disposal facilities;

Contaminant exchange between sediments and the overlying

water via biological and physicochemical processes;

Biotransformation of contaminated sediments;

Plant enzyme mediated remediation of TNT contaminated

soils;

In-situ monitoring of volatile hydrocarbons; and

Dynamics of pollutant-sediment reactions.

Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Center

Kansas State University leads the twelve institution consortium

representing EPA Regions 7 and 8. Participating universities are

Montana State University, South Dakota State University, Utah State

University, Haskell Indian Nations University, Lincoln University and

the Universities of Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Utah and

Wyoming. The Center was established in 1989 to conduct research in

identification, treatment and reduction of hazardous substances

resulting from agriculture, forestry, mineral and mining processing and

other concerns of regional interest.

The two regions have diverse interests resulting from the grouping

of mineral-rich states with those whose principal industries are

agricultural, both crop land and animal husbandry. The Center's mission

is focused on contaminated soils and mining wastes.

The diversity of interests and the large geographic area are

further reflected in the Center's training and technology program. Much

of the Center's efforts support activities which reach large audiences

with minimum resources. The Center provides a repository for printed,

visual, audial and photographic materials related to hazardous

substance research. The quarterly newsletter, HazTech Transfer, is

disseminated nationally to more than 5000 addresses. The Community

Technical Outreach program serves clients across the region pair where

hazardous substances have become a special concern. A special program

to provide public environmental information and education related

hazardous substances is also underway. The Center is developing a

special environmental seminar program to serve the consortium campuses

and the general public in the ten states of EPA Regions 7 and 8.

Current projects include:

Soil and water contamination by heavy metals associated

with mining wastes and other industrial activities;

Soil and groundwater contamination by organic chemicals

from various industrial sources;

Improved technologies and methods for characterization and

analysis of contaminated soil;

Innovative treatment technologies for remediation of

contaminated soil and groundwater; and

Waste minimization and pollution prevention methods and

technologies.

Western Region Center

The Western Region Hazardous Substance Research Center is a

cooperative activity between Stanford University and Oregon State

University to address critical hazardous substance problems in EPA

Regions 9 and 10. The objective of the Center is to promote--through

fundamental and applied research--the development of alternative and

advanced physical, chemical and biological processes for treatment of

hazardous substances in the surface and subsurface environments.

Groundwater cleanup and site remediation, with a strong emphasis on

biological approaches, represent the major focus of Center activities.

The Center's personnel collectively represent an integrated

research team representing four different schools (engineering, earth

sciences, medicine and veterinary medicine) and various disciplines

(microbiology, chemistry, hydrogeology, hydrology, chemical

engineering, civil engineering and medicine).

The technology transfer program is focused upon field remediation

of innovative technology. Training in field sampling and

instrumentation are available. A program of providing technical

assistance to communities affected by hazardous waste sites is being

conducted. Topics of interest include:

Bioremediation.

--Co-metabolism of chlorinated aliphatic compounds

--Anaerobic degradation of aromatic compounds

--Aerobic degradation of anaerobic metabolic products

Fate and Transport.

--Sorption

--Physical movement

--Volatilization

--Abiotic transformation

Treatment Technologies.

--In-situ bioremediation

--In-situ recirculation

--Air sparging

Site Characterization and Transport Modeling.

--Geological sampling

--Hydrogeology

--Geostatistics

Heavy Metal Remediation.

--Lead

--Chromium

--In-situ leaching

HSRC Minority Academic Institution Program Pre-Proposal Submission

Format

Applicant Information

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Name of Institution

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Department

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Name and Telephone of Contract Person on Matters Involving This

Submission

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HSRC to Which Submitting

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Date

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Address (city, county state & zip code)

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Address (if different than above)

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HSRC Collaborator(s)

Areas of Proposed Participation (Please Indicate All That Apply)

Cooperative Research Program

Thermal/incineration research

Bioremediation

Contaminated sediment, soils or groundwater

Other (specify)____________________

Student Enhancement

Undergraduate Internship

Graduate/Doctoral Internship

Other (specify)____________________

Faculty Enhancement

Academic-year Sabbatical

Summer research visit

Short-term faculty interations

Other (specify)____________________

Technology Transfer and Training

New technology training

Minority populations education project(s) expansion/

training

Train-the-trainers: hazardous substance management

Practitioner-in-Residence Program

Other (specify)____________________

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Project Title

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Amount Requested

$----------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Information

In order to be considered for the HSRC Minority Academic

Institution Program, applicants must submit the following

documentation:

1. Proof of Minority Academic Institution status on the basis of

enrollment data in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data

System (IPEDS) Fall Enrollment Survey, provided by postsecondary

institutions, through the National Center for Education Statistics,

to the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education as set

forth in 34 C.F.R. Sec. 637.4(b) (7-1-93 Ed.).

2. A maximum two-page description of Proposed Activity

incorporating the following criteria:

Short- and long-term benefits to minority academic

institution

Benefits to Principal Investigator's professional

development

Compatibility with HSRC interests

Leverage of resources

Quality and potential impact of proposed activity

3. A statement from an Authorized Representative of the minority

institution stating that, to the best of their knowledge and belief,

all data in the submission are true and correct, the document(s)

have been duly authorized by the governing body of the applicant and

the applicant will comply with necessary assurances if the pre-

proposal results in an award. The name, title and phone number for

this Representative should be provided.

Dr. Dale Manty,

Director, Hazardous Substance Research Centers Program.

[FR Doc. 94-23148 Filed 9-19-94; 8:45 am]

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