Mobile Source Outreach Assistance Competition; Fiscal Year 1998: Solicitation Notice

SUMMARY: Today's notice announces the availability of funding and

solicits proposals from state, local and tribal air pollution control

agencies for mobile source-related outreach projects. The funding will

be allocated by EPA's Office of Mobile Sources through the competitive

process described in this notice.

DATES: The deadline for submitting final proposals is March 26, 1998.

In addition, to allow for efficient management of the competitive

process, OMS is requesting that agencies submit an Intent to Apply by

February 20, 1998. (Instructions for submitting final proposals and

Intents to Apply are found in Section X. below).

ADDRESSES: This proposal can also be found on the Office of Mobile

Sources Web Page: ``www.epa.gov/omswww/'' click on ``What's New?''

Addresses for submitting proposals can be found in Section X. below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Bullard, Director of Outreach

and Communication, US EPA Office of Mobile Sources, 401 M. Street SW,

(mail code 6401), Washington, DC 20460. Telephone (202) 260-2614; Fax

(202) 260-6011; or email ``[email protected]''.

Contents by Section

Section I. Overview and Deadlines

Section II. Eligible Organizations

Section III. Funding Issues

Section IV. Program Emphasis

Section V. Criteria

Section VI. Evaluation and Selection

Section VII. Proposals

Section VIII. Current OMS-Funded Outreach Projects

Section IX. Other Items of Interest

Section X. How to Apply

Section XI. OMS Program Contact

Section I. Overview and Deadlines

A. Overview

Over the past year, OMS has entered into agreements and established

partnerships with a number of organizations to (1) provide national

support for community-based mobile source public education efforts and,

(2) encourage responsible choices for organizational and individual

actions through public education. Current outreach projects funded

through OMS (listed in Section VIII(U) below) emphasize transportation

choices; education of vehicle owners and drivers of the future; car

care and the role of the automotive technician; and, related projects

such as ozone mapping and small engines. EPA's Office of Mobile Sources

has set aside funds from the State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG)

funds to provide support to community-based mobile source-related

outreach projects. This notice solicits proposals for outreach projects

which directly support state and local air management organizations in

their efforts to improve air quality from mobile sources. Proposals

will be accepted from state, local, tribal and multi-state air

management agencies which are identified under Section 302(b) of the

Clean Air Act.

Interested persons call also obtain copies of this solicitation at

no charge by accessing ``What's New?'' on the OMS Website, ``http://

www.epa.gov/omswww.''.

B. What Are the Deadlines for This Competition?

In order to efficiently manage the selection process, the Office of

Mobile Sources requests that an informal ``Intent to Apply'' be

submitted by February 20, 1998. An ``Intent to Apply'' simply states in

the form of e-mail, phone, or fax that your organization intends to

submit a proposal to be received by the deadline. The deadline for

submitting completed proposals (original and six copies) is March 26,

1998.

Section II. Eligible Organizations

C. Who Is Eligible To Submit Proposals?

According to funding policies associated with the State and Tribal

Assistance Grants regulations (STAG funds), proposals can be accepted

only from air pollution control agencies as defined under Section

302(b) of the Clean Air Act (for projects to be undertaken will have

replicability to other communities nationally), as well as multi-state

organizations supporting Section 302(b) agencies and collaborations of

air pollution control agencies.

Interested air management organizations which are not air pollution

control agencies as defined under Section 302(b) of the Clean Air Act

are encouraged to create partnerships with eligible organizations. In

that situation, the eligible organization would be required to submit

the final proposal and serve as the funding recipient if selected.

Section III. Funding Issues

D. What Is the Amount of Available Funding?

Approximately $575K

E. How Will Funds Be Allocated?

The competition process will be managed by OMS and selected

cooperative agreements will be awarded by EPA's Regional offices and

funded through either Section 103 (multi-state organizations) or

Section 105 authority (state and local air pollution control agencies.)

F. How Many Agreements Will Be Awarded?

Approximately six agreements will be awarded, none to exceed

$150,000. The total dollar amount of the final awards must be within

available funding.

G. Are Matching Funds Required?

Possibly. Clean Air Act Section 105 mandates that eligible agencies

provide matching funds of at least 40%. Therefore, if an air pollution

control agency submits a proposal for which they do not already have

sufficient matching funds, they must include a statement in their

proposal indicating that the match could be met if their proposal is

selected. Organizations unable to meet a required match must be

considered ineligible. (This requirement does not apply to multi state

organizations.) Organizations which are unclear as to their matching

status are recommended to contact their EPA Regional Grant Coordinator.

H. Can Funding Be Used To Acquire Services or Fund Partnerships?

Yes--subgrants and other procurement services are allowed. Because

the method used to fund subgrants is not a federal matter, procedures

governing your organization's procurement practices must be followed.

Please indicate any intent to enter into such agreements in the

proposal.

Section IV. Program Emphasis

I. Program Emphasis

--Voluntary Measures

--Transportation choices

--Car care (testing, repair, maintenance)

--Environmental education for youth. Other mobile source issues

(including but not limited to: on-board diagnostics, diesel,

particulate matter, heavy duty engines; nonroad engines; ozone mapping/

forecasting )

[[Page 6835]]

Section V. Criteria

J. Primary Criteria

--Addresses environmental goals of improved air quality from mobile

sources

--Presents a strong public health message

--Demonstrates national or regional applicability

--Demonstrates effectiveness of delivery mechanism to reach targeted

audience

--Exhibits clearly--stated and appropriate levels of funding

--Includes effective measurement/evaluation methods

--Reflects the potential for sustainability

K. Other Factors To Be Considered

Innovation in public awareness

Effectiveness of collaborative activities and partnerships

with other stakeholders needed to effectively develop or implement the

project

Integration with existing programs

Willingness to coordinate with other OMS-funded outreach

activities

L. Presentation Criteria

--Completeness

--Action-oriented

--Clearly-stated objectives

--Reasonable time frames

Section VI. Evaluation and Selection

M. The Evaluation Team Is Chosen to Address a Full Range of Mobile

Source and EPA Program Expertise.

In addition, each EPA Regional office is given the opportunity to

review those proposals generated by eligible organizations within that

Region. The Evaluation Team will base its evaluation on the criteria

referenced in this Request for Proposal. Completed evaluations will be

referred to a Selection Committee representing OMS senior managers and

Regional representatives who are responsible for final selection. To

ensure equity and objectivity throughout the process, the OMS Program

Contact (listed below) and staff who facilitate the process and

participate in pre-application assistance, do not serve as members of

either the Evaluation Team or the Selection Committee.

Section VII. Proposals

N. What Must Be Included in the Proposal?

Proposals should be approximately 5-7 pages in length and must

include:

(1) A brief statement that candidate organization is defined as an

air pollution control agency under Section 302(b) of the Clean Air Act

(2) A statement that any required match could be met

(3) A concise statement of project background/objectives

highlighting relationship to improving air quality from mobile sources

(4) A detailed project summary--description of specific actions to

be undertaken, including estimated time line for each task

(5) Associated work products to be developed

(6) Explanation of project benefits

(7) Detailed explanation of how project outcomes will be designed

for replication in other communities

(8) A detailed budget estimate (clearly explain how funds will be

used, including estimated cost for each task)

(9) Projected time frame for project from initiation through

completion

(10) Project contact(s) (provide name, organization, phone, fax,

and e-mail where available)

(11) Other relevant information to assist in the selection process

O. Will 2-Year Proposals Be Considered?

Yes. If a proposal with a 2-year project period is submitted, OMS

requires that the budget and cost estimate be designed to indicate what

will be accomplished in each of the first and second years.

P. May an Eligible Organization Submit More Than One Proposal?

An organization may submit more than one proposal only if the

proposals are for different projects.

Q. May an Eligible Organization Resubmit a Proposal Which Was Submitted

to the Mobile Source Outreach Assistance Competition in 1997, but Was

Not Selected?

Yes. The proposals received by OMS in 1997 were generally of very

high quality. Clearly, all proposals of merit could not be selected due

to finite resources available.

R. May an Eligible Organization Submit a Proposal for This Fiscal Year,

Even if It Was Awarded Funding Under This Program in Its First Year?

Yes. Applicants awarded funding in last year's competition may

submit new proposals to fund a different project. This program is

designed to provide seed money to initiate new projects or advance

existing projects that are new in some way (e.g. new audiences, new

locations, new approaches.)

S. Does This Funding Expire at the End of FY 98?

No. The statute states that State and Tribal Assistance Grants

(STAG) for environmental programs remain available until expended.

T. Ineligible Proposals

Proposals will be determined to be ineligible if: (1) The candidate

organization is not currently defined as an air pollution control

agency under Section 302(b) of the Clean Air Act; (2) a required match

cannot be met; (3) the proposal is incomplete; or (4) the proposal is

postmarked after the deadline.

Section VIII. Current OMS-Funded Outreach Projects

U. OMS/Section 105-Funded Mobile Source Outreach Projects Currently

Underway

To minimize the possibility for duplication of effort, leverage

resources and maximize the possibility for networking as proposals are

developed, the following provides brief sketches of mobile source-

related outreach projects currently funded through the Office of Mobile

Sources.

The Seven Projects Selected Through the FY 97 Mobile Source Outreach

Assistance Competition Are Indicated With (* * *)

Other projects listed are funded from the Office of Mobile Sources

program funds. Contacts are provided for further information. Projects

are categorized as for clarity.

Transportation Choices

``A Tour of the Urban Environment'' (* * *). Illinois EPA and the

Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, Contact: Betsy Tracey, 217/782-

0408

The project is designed to:

--enhance the air quality and mobile source component of ``A Tour of

the Urban Environment''--a permanent environmental science exhibit at

the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry

--present basic science, describe health effects, explain citizen role

in contributing to mobile source emissions, explain ``calls to action''

such as ``Ozone Action Days,'' foster critical problem-solving and

decision-making skills

--create ``real'' meteorological station measuring actual ambient

conditions outside the Museum, an interactive learning device (computer

with CD Rom) and supporting materials to illustrate the relationship

between meteorology and ozone. The user can become an ozone forecaster

--projected to open on Earth Day, 1998

[[Page 6836]]

``Chattanooga Lifestyle Campaign: Improving Chattanooga's Air Quality

Through Voluntary Citizen Transportation Choices''(* * *). Chattanooga-

Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Board, Contact: Angela Turner,

423/867-4321

Working with the Global Action Plan (GAP), the project goal will be

to enhance the mobile source component of Chattanooga's Household

EcoTeam Project. The project includes:

--4-month tracking of specific actions to reduce auto emissions through

transportation choices in 50 households

--peer support and handbook to support family involvement

--follow up research to determine sustainability of new transportation

practices

--two-part national technology transfer--invitational conference for

local, state and federal air quality managers after demonstration

period; broad-based outreach through presentations at meetings and

conferences

EPA/DOT Transportation/Air Quality Initiative. Contacts: Kathy Daniel

(DOT/FHWA), 202/366-6276, Joann Jackson-Stephens (EPA/OMS), 734/668-

4276, Abbe Marner (DOT/FTA), 202/366-4317

This collaborative effort is:

--community-based with support from federal agencies to increase public

awareness of impact of travel behavior on air quality, encourage the

public to make informed transportation choices, and increase the

driving public's awareness of alternative modes of transportation

--building on results from 3 pilot community sites--Dover, DE;

Milwaukee, WI; and San Francisco, CA

--designed to include coalition-building at the national and local

levels, environmental education for youth, production of consistent,

effective informational materials for public and media, and evaluation

of changes in public awareness and actions

--nationally available to additional sites nationally in Spring, 1999

``Youth VMT Initiative: Community-Based Solutions to Community-Defined

Problems''. Academy for Educational Development (AED), Contacts: Rick

Bossi, 202/884-8898

The purpose of this youth-based program, which begins with 3 pilot

sites in Kansas City, Boston, and Tampa is to:

--create a replicable and sustainable program for involving youth and

families in reducing growth in vehicle miles traveled (VMT)

--enable youth to communicate about travel choices, solve problems and

make sound travel decisions to minimize VMT

--share successful practices, lessons learned and tools developed in

the pilot sites with other communities

--serve as a blueprint for communities interested in including a youth

component in efforts to reduce emissions from mobile sources

``Interactive Information Kiosk'' (* * *). Ventura County Air Pollution

Control Board, Contact: Barbara Page, 805/645-1415

This initiative will:

--develop a stand-alone bilingual interactive information kiosk for the

public focusing on transportation-related air quality issues with

content which reflects national, state and local issues

--produce products including a prototype kiosk (providing other air

quality management agencies with 60-70% of actual programming needed to

produce a similar kiosk for their citizens--video, graphics, animation)

and an instructional handbook

--be delivered in Summer, 1998

Youth Education

``I.D.L.E. in Dade'' (* * *). Dade County Department of Environmental

Resources Management, Contact: Jenny May, 305/372-6495

The program will:

--educate new drivers on the air quality impacts of driving, use of

alternative fuels and transportation choices

--encourage responsible maintenance and driving practices

--teach critical-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

through educational videos, informational handouts, creative hands-on

demonstrations and design contests

``Public Education and Outreach on Mobile Source Emissions and Driving

Smart''. Environmental Health Center of the National Safety Council,

Contact: Nyki Brandon-Palermo, 202/974-2484

Networking and coordinating with other similar projects across the

country, this effort will:

--develop a driver education curriculum module for new drivers linking

benefits of responsible maintenance to responsible driving for use in

15,000+ public and private driver education programs nationwide

Driver Education Pilot. NESCAUM, Contact: Natoschia Scruggs, 617/367-

8540

This effort will:

--pilot the driver education curriculum module (developed by the

Environmental Health Center--see above) in several locations in the

northeast

Car Care and the Role of the Auto Technician

``Car Care for Clean Air'' Contacts: Mia Zmud, Weber State University,

801/536-4095

This pilot project is designed to:

--raise public awareness of ways in which automotive service affects

air quality

--create coalitions to identify ways to improve vehicle maintenance

practices--elevating the number, skill sets, performance and image of

vehicle maintenance technicians

--encourage environmentally-sound transportation choices in

anticipation of 2002 Olympics and beyond

``Air Pollution, Motor Vehicles and Public Health.'' American Lung

Association (ALA), Contact: Katherine Pruitt, 202/785-3355

Mini-grants, provided to 17 local lung associations (through ALA

competitive process) for public education efforts, will:

--send a strong public health message focused on children and asthma

designed to raise public awareness of air quality and the impact of

mobile sources

--be in place for ozone season, 1998

``The Air Repair Communications Project'' (* * *). Missouri Department

of Natural Resources, Contact: Kerry Cordray, 573-751-4817

A bi-state effort in partnership with the American Lung Association

of Eastern Missouri, the ``Air Repair Communications Project'' will:

--focus on enhanced inspection and maintenance

--create replicable materials including media kits, psas, exhibits,

articles for newsletters, brochure to educate on enhanced I/M, theater

screen slides, video to be distributed through Blockbuster;

--undertake activities including car care clinics, community

presentations, training and materials development for transportation

management associations, participation at commuter fairs, open houses

for public information exchange; make I/M program information available

through posting on the WWW and other outreach tools.

[[Page 6837]]

Related Projects

``Integrate the Televised Ozone Map with Mobile Source Outreach

Initiatives'' (* * *). NESCAUM/MARAMA/OTC Collaboration, Contact:

Natoschia Scruggs, NESCAUM, 617/367-8540

This project will:

--expand the scope of the animated ozone map to 14 states represented

by the NESCAUM, MARAMA, and the OTC

--encourage region-wide distribution and use of the map, conduct public

outreach to inform and motivate voluntary mobile source ozone abatement

actions, and development of outreach materials for meteorologists and

the public

--provide technical assistance to other regions of the country

interested in the benefits of ozone mapping and forecasting, through

creation of a web site and other outreach activities

Ozone and Particulate Matter Outreach. STAPPA/ALAPCO, Contact: Gail

Lewkowitz, 202/624-7864

STAPPA/ALAPCO will develop dynamic education and outreach materials

to help state and local air agencies communicate the ozone and PM

decisions and potential implications to elected officials, the media

and the public. The project will:

--produce an informational video on PM 2.5 and disseminate to every

state and local air agency. The video will be designed to educate

important constituents including state and local elected officials,

civic and business groups and high school and college students--

available in January 1998

--develop a modular PM implementation tool kit providing a variety of

materials including communication tools to assist state and local

agencies in explaining how the new PMfine standard will be implemented

as well as potential implications

``Cash for Clippers'' (* * *). Maryland Department of the Environment,

Contact: Anna Nardolillo, 410/631-3240

This program will:

--educate consumers about pollution prevention, ground-level ozone,

MDE's forecasting program, and the impact of lawn and garden equipment

--offer rebates toward purchase of non-gasoline powered lawn mowers

--develop economic incentives to prevent pollution, foster creativity

and innovation within the private and public sectors

Section IX. Other Items of Interest

V. Is There Other Information I Should Have?

Yes.

--Submission of a proposal does not guarantee funding.

--Only those organizations selected will be required to submit a

complete ``Application for Federal Assistance and Budget Information

(SF 424 and SF 424A) to the appropriate EPA Regional Office.''

Section X. How to Apply

X. How Do I Apply?

Completed proposals (original + 6) should be sent via regular mail

to:

Susan Bullard, Director of Outreach and Communication, US EPA Office of

Mobile Sources, Mail Code 6401, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC 20460

Note: Proposals may be faxed, but must be followed by a hard

copy original and 6 copies.

Proposals to be sent through express mail must be sent to the

following address:

Susan Bullard, Director of Outreach and Communication, US EPA Office of

Mobile Sources, Room W737, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC. 20460,

(202) 260-2614, (202) 260-7645 (backup number for expressed proposals

only)

Deadline for Submitting Final Proposals--March 26, 1998.

Section XI. OMS Program Contact

Susan Bullard, Director of Outreach and Communication, EPA Office of

Mobile Sources, 401 M Street, SW (Mail Code 6401), Washington, DC

20460, (Phone) 202/260-2614, (Fax) 202/260-6011,

``[email protected]''

Dated: January 27, 1998.

Richard D. Wilson,

Program Official.

[FR Doc. 98-3317 Filed 2-9-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-U