Mobile Source Outreach Assistance Competition Fiscal Year 1999: Solicitation Notice

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6208-2]

Mobile Source Outreach Assistance Competition Fiscal Year 1999:

Solicitation Notice

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

solicits proposals from state, local, multi-state and tribal air

pollution control agencies for mobile sources-related public education

and 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 Friday, February

19, 1999. To allow for efficient management of the competitive process,

OMS is requesting agencies to submit an informal Intent to Apply by

January 7, 1999. (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/oms/'' 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, USEPA Office of Mobile Sources, 401 M Street SW,

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

260-6011. Or email ``[email protected]''

Contents by Section

I. Overview and Deadlines

II. Eligible Organizations

III. Funding Issues

IV. Program Emphasis

V. Selection Criteria

VI. Evaluation and Selection

VII. Proposals

VIII. Current OMS/Section 105 Funded Outreach Projects

IX. Other Items of Interest

X. How to Apply

XI. Program Contact

Deadline for informal Intent to Apply-January 7, 1999.

Deadline for Final Proposal--Friday, February 19, 1999.

This proposal can also be found on the Office of Mobile Sources Web

Page: ``www.epa.gov/oms/'' click on ``What's New?''

[[Page 71118]]

FY 99 MOBILE SOURCE OUTREACH ASSISTANCE AGREEMENTS

Request for Proposals

Section I. Overview and Deadlines

A. Overview: Over the past two years, 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) account to provide support to

community-based mobile source-related projects. This notice solicits

proposals for public education and 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 as such under Section 302(b) of the Clean Air Act.

Interested persons can also obtain copies of this solicitation at

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

www.epa.gov/oms.''

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 January 7, 1999 (Please provide email address if

available). 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. Including the name or subject of the project

would also be helpful. Submitting an Intent to Apply does not commit an

organization to submit a final proposal. Those not submitting an Intent

to Apply may still apply by the deadline.

The deadline for submitting completed final proposals (original and

six copies) is February 19, 1999. The Office of Mobile Sources expects

to complete the Evaluation/Selection process in early April, 1999.

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. OMS has no discretion over this

requirement. Interested air management or related 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 $550K.

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 (for

multi-state organizations as defined by law only) or Section 105

authority (state and local air pollution control agencies.) OMS has no

discretion over this requirement.

F. How many agreements will be awarded? Approximately six

agreements will be awarded, none to exceed $100,000. 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

--Commuter Choice initiatives

--Transportation choices

--Car care (testing, repair, maintenance)

--Environmental education for future drivers and consumers

--Other mobile source issues (including but not limited to: on-board

diagnostics, diesel, particulate matter, heavy duty engines; nonroad

engines; ozone mapping/forecasting, and alternative fuels)

Section V. Selection 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

--Provides for at least minimal replication for use by other

organizations in the budget

--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

[[Page 71119]]

Proposal. Completed evaluations will be referred to a Selection

Committee representing OMS senior managers and Regional representatives

who are responsible for further consideration and 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 (please do not include binders) 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).

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

previously submitted to the Mobile Source Outreach Assistance

Competition, but was not selected? Yes. The proposals received by OMS

in both 1997 and 1998 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 99? No. The statute

states that State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) for environmental

programs remain available until expended (``no-year money'').

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/Section 105 Funded Outreach Projects

U. The following offers a brief sketch of projects currently funded

through the Office of Mobile Sources, either with Section 105 funding

or OMS program funding.

Transportation Choices

``Reusable City''

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 ``Reusable

City''--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.

--Ribbon-cutting, June 24, 1998.

``Screen Seen''

Maine Department of Environmental Protection

Ron Severance, 207/287-2437

The project includes:

--Full screen cinema commercials for captive audience of

moviegoers.

--20 minute rotation of 3 messages (visual images, trivia

questions--OBD, PM, heavy duty, health message).

--Posting of all slides on WWW; Maine will assist states in

adapting.

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

Through Voluntary Citizen Behavior Change of 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.

``It All Adds Up To Cleaner Air'': Transportation/Air Quality Public

Information Initiative

Contacts:

Kathy Daniel (DOT/FHWA), 202/366-6276

Patrice Thornton (EPA/OMS), 734/214-4329

Abbe Marner (DOT/FTA), 202/366-0096

This DOT/EPA collaborative effort is:

--Community-based with support from federal agencies to increase

public awareness of impact of travel behavior on air quality, and

increase driving public's awareness of alternative modes of

transportation and importance of travel choices on traffic congestion

and air quality.

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

Milwaukee, WI; and San Francisco, CA.

--Designed to include coalition-building, environmental education

for youth, production of informational materials for public and media,

and evaluation of changes in public awareness and actions.

--Nationally available to as many as 12 Demonstration Communities

in 1999.

[[Page 71120]]

--TV spots being aired began Clean Air Week, '98.

--Initial meeting of national coalition stakeholders late summer

'98.

``Let Kid Lead: Youth VMT Initiative'' [Creating Community-Based

Solutions to Community-Defined Problems'']

Academy for Educational Development (AED)

Contacts: Bill Smith, 202/884-8750; Rick Bossi, 202/884-8898

The purpose of this youth-based program, which has entered into

partnership with Kansas City, Tampa and Boston as its pilot sites 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 growth of VMT.

``Public Outreach on Congestion Relief Pricing and Cash-Out Parking''

NY Department of Environmental Conservation/Tri-State Transportation

Campaign

Dave Shaw (NYDEC), 518/457-7231

Janine Bauer (Tri-State), 212/777-8181

The project will:.

--Research, produce and disseminate educational materials about

market based pricing mechanisms to reduce auto travel.

--Build on work with cash-out parking demo projects and Pricing

Project Implementation on I-287/Tappan Zee Corridor.

--Send clear public health message.

``Air World''--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 early 1999.

Educating Future Drivers and Consumers

``Smog City: Interactive Air Pollution Simulation for Use on Air Agency

Internet Web Site''

Sacramento Air Quality Management District

Kerry Shearer, 916/386-6180

``Smog City'' will be:

--Designed for users to manipulate multiple on-screen controls with

their mouse to control variables within Smog City, and the simulation

will be able to respond to that input based information.

--Colorful, challenging, completely interactive, instantly

applicable in the classroom.

``Cleaner Cars Module: An Initiative to Encourage Responsible Car

Maintenance and Driving Habits Among Future Drivers''

Environmental Health Center (National Safety Council).

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

Networking and coordinating with other similar projects across the

country, this effort has:

--Developed a driver education curriculum module for new drivers

linking benefits of responsible maintenance to responsible driving for

use in 1500+ public and private driver education programs nationwide.

--Products including teacher plans, exercises, information wheel,

interactive CD ROM, overheads.

--Available now!

Driver Education Pilot

NESCAUM

Contact: Ginger Lawrence, 617/367-8540

This effort:

--Piloted the driver education curriculum module developed by the

Environmental Health Center (see above) in several cities in the

northeast.

``I.D.L.E. in Dade''

Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management

Contact: Kristin Buch, 305/372-6895

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.

``Easy Breathers''

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Sara Burr, 608/266-2621

The project will be designed to:

--As a national educational effort focusing on the science of

mobiles sources.

--Raise awareness and understanding high schools, technical and

community colleges and business communities.

--Be integrated/coordinated with Partners for Clean Air (involved

in pilot activities for transportation/air quality initiative) and EHC

driver education curriculum.

--Represent a multimedia approach (interactive CD, poster, research

materials, link to websites).

Teacher Workshops--NESEA Tour de Sol

Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA)

Contact: Nancy Hazard, 413/774-6051

Designed as a teacher training course, this project:

--Brought issues of transportation and the environment into middle

school classrooms along the route of the 1998 Tour de Sol.

--6 workshops delivered--May, 98.

Dealing with In-Use Emissions

``Workshop Series on OBDII''

Utah Department of Air Quality/Division of Air Quality

Bill Colbert (Utah DAQ), 801/536-4423

Joe Thomas (Weber State University), 801/536-4175

The national OBDII Trainer the Trainer Workshop Series will be:

--Designed to on 2 tracks to support state I/M regulators and

technical and communication staff (Technical Track and Public Awareness

Track).

``OBD Training Course for Technicians''

Service Technicians Society (STS)

Contact: 412/772-7166

STS is:

--Developing a training course on-board diagnostic systems for

technicians.

--Course delivered, 1998.

``Motivating Timely Repair of Vehicles not subject to I/M through

Remote Sensing, Public Outreach, and Repair Community Incentives''

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

Nina DeConcini (Oregon DEQ), 503/229-6788

Ken Mays (Central Oregon Community College), 541/383-7753

This project will:

[[Page 71121]]

--Raise awareness of highly polluting vehicles and their impact on

public health.

--Motivate community actions to encourage repair of high emitting

vehicles NOT subject to I/M.

--Mobilize the repair industry to offer repair incentives for

vehicles identified as high emitters.

--Stimulate communities to use resources to promote and evaluate

effectiveness of the program.

``Car Care for Clean Air''

Contacts: Mia Zmud, Weber State University, Bill Colbert, Utah DAQ

801/536-4423

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.

``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.

--Market research underway--tools production temporarily on hold.

Heavy Duty

``Heavy Duty Vehicle Emission Reduction Outreach Program''

San Joaquin Valley United Air Pollution Control District

Dave Mitchell/Janis Parker, 209/497-1075

This comprehensive marketing program will:

--Target owners/operators of heavy duty on-road and non-road

engines.

--Demonstrate operating advantages.

--Inform potential participants of all available local, state, and

federal incentives for using clean technology.

--Involve participation in annual Tulare Farm and Equipment Show

(display/product show and breakout session).

Small Engines

``Cash for Clippers''

Maryland Department of the Environment

Contact: Jessica Ritter, 410/631-3229

This program:

--Educated consumers about pollution prevention, ground-level

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

equipment.

--Offered rebates toward purchase of non-gasoline powered lawn

mowers.

--Developed economic incentives to prevent pollution, foster

creativity and innovation within the private and public sectors.

Projects in Support of NAAQS

``Air Pollution, Motor Vehicles and Public Health''

American Lung Association (ALA)

Contact: Katherine Pruitt, 202/785-3355

Mini-grants provided to 15 local lung associations (through ALA

competitive process) for public education efforts which address a wide

range of mobile source issues.

Projects were designed to:

--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 implemented in ozone season `98.

``Integrate the Televised Ozone Map with Mobile Source Outreach

Initiatives''

NESCAUM/MARAMA/OTC Collaboration

Contact: Ginger Lawrence, NESCAUM, 617/367-8540

This project:

--Expanded the scope of the animated ozone map to 14 states+

represented by NESCAUM, MARAMA and OTC.

--Encourages 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.

--Provides 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 Graves, 202/624-7864

STAPPA/ALAPCO is developing 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:

--Produced and distributed an informational video on PM 2.5--

``Small Town Saves World'' to every state and local air agency. The

video is designed to educate important constituents including state and

local elected officials, civic and business groups and high school and

college students.

--Will 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

Section IX. Other Items of Interest

V. Is there other information I should have before applying? Yes.

--Submission of an Intent to Apply or a final 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

W. How do I apply?

Intents to Apply may take the form of email, letter or phone call

to the Program Contact listed below. Please Submit Informal Intents To

Apply by January 7, 1999.

Completed proposals must be postmarked or received on or before

Friday, February 19, 1999 (original + 6--no binders please) and 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 by Friday,

February 19, to the following address: Susan Bullard, Director of

Outreach and Communication, US EPA Office of

[[Page 71122]]

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 Completed Final Proposals, Friday, February 19, 1999.

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: December 17, 1998.

Margo T. Oge,

Program Official.

[FR Doc. 98-34047 Filed 12-22-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-U