[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 83 (Monday, May 2, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10419]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: May 2, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
Environmental Scholarships/Fellowships and Grants Program
AGENCY: Department of Defense, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of
Defense for Environmental Security (DUSD(ES)).
ACTION: Notice of funding availability for the Department of Defense
Environmental Scholarships/Fellowships, and Grants Program to
institutions of higher education heading a consortium.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Defense announces the competition for the
Defense Environmental Scholarships/Fellowships and Grants Program,
authorized by Section 4451 of The National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 1993 and section 1333 of The National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994. The program has two purposes:
(1) For Section 4451 to provide scholarships and fellowships to enable
individuals to qualify for employment in the field of environmental
restoration or in other environmental programs in the Department of
Defense; and (2) for Section 1333 to provide demonstration grants to
assist institutions of higher education in providing expertise,
training and education in environmental restoration, hazardous
materials and waste management, and other environmental fields
applicable to Department of Defense and Department of Energy defense
facilities. The program will be executed by an institution of higher
education heading a consortium. A consortium must consist of the
institution of higher education and one or more of each of the
following:
1. Appropriate State and local agencies.
2. Private industry councils (as described in Section 102 of the
Job Training Partnership Act (29 U.S.C. 1512)).
3. Community-based organizations (as defined in Section 4(5) of
such Act (29 U.S.C. 1503 (5)).
4. Businesses.
5. Organized labor.
6. Other appropriate educational institutions.
At least five percent of each award will be available to
Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions.
Each award will be composed of two agreements, each with its own
budget and funds:
1. An agreement to nominate scholarship and fellowship recipients,
forward nominations to the Department of Defense for approval, then
provide selectees with education leading to degrees relevant for
subsequent DoD employment, subject to the needs of the Department of
Defense (Section 4451).
2. An agreement to provide expertise, training, and education in
hazardous materials and waste management and other environmental fields
applicable to defense manufacturing sites and Department of Defense and
Department of Energy defense facilities (Section 1333).
A total of $20.382 million will be available initially for this
program to be distributed as follows:
(a) $7 million for Section 4451 purposes, and
(b) An initial $13.382 million for Section 1333 purposes.
The $20.382 million will be divided into sixteen awards of
$1,273,875 each, made to applicants from the four Census Regions--four
per region--based on a merit selection process.
Each award will provide $437,500 for scholarships/fellowships
(Section 4451 purposes) and $836,375 for the demonstration grant
(Section 1333 purposes). An award made to a consortium under Section
4451 may be used for a period of from one to five years. Demonstration
grant monies awarded under Section 1333 must be expended within one
year. Funds for Section 1333 purposes may later be made available for a
second and a third year, subject to the approval of the Secretary of
Defense and to the availability of appropriations for each year.
The DoD Environmental Security Program
The DoD multi-disciplinary approach to environmental security is
embodied in a five-pronged strategy:
Cleanup; Compliance; Conservation; Pollution Prevention; and
Technology represented by:
C cubed, P squared, plus T.
The DoD program is creating environmental partnerships, matching
environmental and economic opportunities, expediting cleanup at DoD
sites, improving compliance with environmental laws and regulations,
preventing pollution, and targeting technology to meet environmental
needs. To develop and exploit technology and innovative ideas which
lead to rapid, economical, safe solutions to environmental problems,
the Department of Defense requires education and training programs
which will produce qualified individuals in career fields which relate
to the five programs of environmental security. These five areas will
be given priority in the evaluation of applications and are defined as
follows:
Cleanup--Restoring DoD Facilities
The Department of Defense is dealing with a legacy of environmental
contamination resulting from decades of military operations.
Environmental problems continue to grow as the United States and Russia
denuclearize and demilitarize their chemical weapons.
Currently, the Department of Defense is engaged in cleanup at 1,800
military locations in the United States and at 1,700 locations
overseas. Ninety-three of the stateside locations are listed on the
Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund National Priorities List.
Compliance--Complying With Environmental Laws in Day-to-Day Operations
The Department of Defense, like private industry, is concerned with
a myriad of environmental laws and regulations. Common compliance
issues include:
Obtaining thousands of air emission permits and hundreds
of permits for water discharges such as sewage, industrial, and water
treatment plants;
Managing 300 to 400 permits to treat, store, or dispose of
hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA);
Managing 30,000 regulated underground fuel storage tanks;
Preparing spill prevention and response plans at every
base; and
Obtaining storm water permits at every base.
Conservation--Conserving Natural Resources
The Department of Defense consumes approximately two percent of the
Nation's total energy supply, uses over 200 billion gallons of fresh
water each year, and is the steward for 25 million acres of public
lands containing valuable ecosystems, natural, cultural, and historic
resources.
The Energy Policy Act of 1992 requires that the Department of
Defense identify and implement all energy and water conservation
measures that pay back in ten years or less, and establish the goal to
reduce consumption by 20 percent by the year 2000. Funding for energy
conservation is expected to be over $300 million in fiscal year 1996.
Good stewardship requires that the Department of Defense conserve
and protect valuable resources, such as the 300 threatened and
endangered species that reside on DoD lands, and the numerous DoD
facilities on the National Historic Register.
Pollution Prevention--Preventing Pollution
The newest strategy in environmental protection, pollution
prevention, reduces the amount of pollution at the source. The
Department of Defense's new pollution prevention goals reflect the
Pollution Prevention Act of 1990. The program is build on minimizing
pollution and emphasizes reduction, recycling, treatment, and disposal.
Pollution prevention will ease skyrocketing disposal costs and reduce
dependence on disappearing municipal solid waste landfills.
On August 3, 1993, President Clinton signed Executive Order 12856,
``Federal Compliance with Right-to-Know Laws and Pollution Prevention
Requirements.'' This executive order was designed to bring federal
facilities in line with requirements of the Emergency Planning and
Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) by requiring federal authorities to
notify local emergency planning committees of all toxic chemicals
stored or used at federal facilities. Federal agencies will be required
to develop a written strategy to eliminate or minimize acquisition of
hazardous or toxic chemicals and to develop a strategy to meet a
voluntary goal of 50 percent reduction by December 1999.
The Clean Air Act, Energy Policy Act, Executive Order 12579
(``Federal Energy Management''), and Executive Order 12844 (``Federal
Use of Alternative Fueled Vehicles'') require that DoD facilities use
equipment that substantially reduces pollutants at their source.
Technology--Environmental Security Technology Certification Program
(ESTCP)
Technology contributes to advancing the objectives of each of the
C3P2 thrust areas within the Environmental Security Program.
The objective of ESTCP is to executive the most promising environmental
technology demonstration projects that target the Department of
Defense's most urgent environmental needs and have a paycheck in the
short term with regard to cost savings and improved efficiencies.
Environmental Concerns
Expansion and further development of the existing core of DoD
professionals whose collective disciplines are applicable across the
spectrum of issues embraced by the five programs are crucial to ensure
restoration, protection, and conservation of the Nation's natural and
cultural resources under the stewardship of the Department of Defense.
The Defense Environmental Scholarships/Fellowships and Grants Program
will serve the upcoming generation of environmental professionals and
the emerging technologies they will apply to solve the challenges
facing the environment.
The Department of Defense has numerous environmental program areas,
each defined by a major topic of environmental regulation, a particular
environment-related task or mission. These include, but are not limited
to: environmental restoration, compliance, program planning and
management, air pollution abatement, hazardous waste management, spill
planning and response, solid waste management/recycling, natural
resource management, pollution prevention, asbestos management, radon
reduction, environmental analysis and documentation, hazardous
materials, underground storage tank management, research and
development, technology, historic preservation, archaeological resource
protection, noise abatement, water resources, and pesticides and
integrated pest management.
Section 4451 mandates that scholarship or fellowship recipients
pursue and academic program leading to a degree in ``engineering,
biology, chemistry, or another qualifying field.'' Other degree areas
related to DoD environmental positions include, but are not limited to:
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Environmental Program Management
Environmental Technology
Natural Resource Management
Earth Sciences
Environmental Engineering
Environmental Sciences
Geotechnology
Geology
Cultural Resource Management
Hydrology
Oceanography
Industrial Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Forestry
Toxicology
Entomology
Eligibility
Award applicants mut be institutions of higher education as defined
by section 1201(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1141(a)) that have or will create a consortium headed by that
institution of higher education. They must develop proposals that
address the requirements of both Section 4451 of The National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 and Section 1333 of The National
Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 1994.
At least five percent of each award must be made available to
Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions.
Section 4451 requires scholarship/fellowships students nominated
for selection to meet the following criteria:
(1) Be accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled as a full-time
student at a selected institution of higher education.
(2) Be pursuing a degree in an environmental career field.
(3) Agree to serve as a full-time civilian employee in an
environmental position with the Department of Defense upon graduation,
if such employment is available and offered. (Period of employment will
be 12 months for each school year students are provided a scholarship
in an undergraduate program, or 24 months for each school year students
are provided a fellowship in a graduate program.)
(4) Be a citizen or national of the United States, or an alien
lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence.
Section 1333 requires that an institution receiving a grant under
this section must use the grant to establish a consortium for the
purpose of establishing and conducting a program to provide training
and education in environmental restoration, hazardous materials and
waste management and other environmental fields applicable to
Department of Defense and Department of Energy defense facilities to:
(1) Individuals who have been terminated or laid off from
employment (or have been notified of impending termination or lay off)
as a result of reductions in defense spending, the cancellation,
termination, or completion of a defense contract, or a base closure or
realignment; or
(2) Individuals who are at least 16 but not yet 25.
Selection Criteria
The intent of this section is to help applicants understand how the
selection criteria are applied to training and education proposals
during the review process. The review process, to identify the best
proposals and to provide the best wide-range support of the program,
will compare each application to all others in each region.
Proposals for the Defense Environmental Scholarships/Fellowships
and Grants Program will be evaluated and rank-ordered by a peer review
panel selected by the National Research Council from among recognized
experts in various environment-related fields. Rank-ordered proposals
for each region will be presented to the Deputy Under Secretary of
Defense for Environmental Security for final selection.
At least five percent of each award will be available to
Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions.
The final judgment of an application will be based on an overall
assessment of the extent to which the application satisfactorily
addresses the following selection criteria:
(1) The proposal is submitted by an institution of higher
education. An application will be submitted by an institution of higher
education that will agree to form and head a consortium, as mandated by
section 1333, that will consist of at least one of each of the
following:
(i) Appropriate state and local agencies.
(ii) Private industry councils as described in 29 U.S.C. 1512.
(iii) Community-based organizations as defined in 29 U.S.C.
1503(5).
(iv) Businesses.
(v) Organized labor.
(vi) Other appropriate educational institutions.
(2) The proposal addresses education and training in an area of the
Department of Defense's Environmental Security Program. Describe the
area addressed and its applicational setting--from installation level
to Command Headquarters. The Department of Defense's Environmental
Security Program identifies specific areas (i.e., cleanup, compliance,
conservation, pollution prevention, and technology), but an applicant
may choose to focus and provide specific applications on an
environmental subject not specifically mentioned in these areas or to
address more than one topic in a single project.
(3) The proposal represents an improvement upon existing practice.
Since improvements over existing practice are important, reviewers will
appreciate any evidence included to illustrate how this project differs
from and improves upon previous efforts.
(4) The proposal achieves a far-reaching impact that will be useful
in a variety of ways and in a variety of settings. The Department of
Defense seeks to make the most of its limited funds by supporting
projects which have broad, multiple application and that can become
models for the nation's environment program.
(5) The proposal represents an appropriate response to an
environmental area. Not only should a proposal demonstrate
understanding of an environmental area, but strategies should be
carefully designed to address those areas and reach specific endpoints.
(6) The applicant is capable of carrying out the proposal as
evidenced by, for example:
(i) The applicant's understanding of the environmental area or
need. The applicant should demonstrate understanding of the area
through analysis of it and through the thoughtfulness and specificity
of the proposed response.
(ii) The quality of the proposed design, including objectives,
approaches, and planning. The proposal should reflect careful attention
to the question of who will do what, when, where, why and how.
(iii) The adequacy of resources including money, personnel,
facilities, equipment, and supplies. It should be clear that the
applicant has carefully allocated appropriate resources and personnel
for the tasks and activities proposed in the proposal. The detailed
budget justification attached to the proposal should itemize the
support requested from the Department of Defense.
(iv) The qualifications of key personnel who would execute the
proposal. The qualifications of key personnel should be briefly
outlined and attached to the proposal. Please note that a standard
curriculum vitae is usually not appropriate for this purpose. Be sure
to indicate in the biographical sketch how each individual's background
and experience relate to the specific project described in the
proposal.
(v) The applicant's relevant experience. It is helpful for the
readers to know what other projects of a similar nature the applicant
has conducted. With regard to the specific proposal, it is equally
helpful to know what steps have already been initiated.
(vi) The applicant's prior work in the area. It is helpful to know
the extent to which the applicant has successfully completed prior work
on similar or related projects.
(7) The proposal includes an assurance that demonstration grant
funds awarded under Section 1333 will supplement and not supplant non-
Federal funds that would otherwise be available for education and
training activities funded by the grant.
(8) The proposal demonstrates that an education and training
program to be established under Section 1333:
(i) Provides a work-based learning system in environmental
restoration. Such a system may include basic educational courses, on-
site basic skills training, and mentor assistance to participants and
may lead to award of a certificate or degree at the institution of
higher education.
(ii) Includes out-reach and recruitment efforts to encourage
participation by eligible individuals. To the extent practicable in the
selection of young adults, priority must be given to those who have not
attended and are otherwise unlikely to attend an institution of higher
education or have a total family income that does not exceed the higher
of the official poverty line or 70% of the lower living standard income
level.
(iii) Utilizes, to the extent practicable, instructors selected
from institutions of higher education, appropriate community programs,
industry and labor.
(iv) Includes provisions for consultation, to the extent
practicable, with appropriate Federal, state, and local agencies
carrying out environmental restoration programs. The purpose of such
consultation is to ensure the Section 1333 program is fully coordinated
with similar government programs.
(9) For Section 4451 requirements the proposal demonstrates ability
to recruit students, provide education leading to degrees qualifying
students for DoD environmental positions, and manage a scholarship and
fellowship program. Applicants must make potential scholarship/
fellowship recipients aware that acceptance of financial assistance
under this program requires a commitment to employment at any DoD
facility or site where an environmental position may be offered.
(10) Scholarship and fellowship nomination preference under Section
4451 is given to current and former members of the US Armed Forces and
to individuals who are or have been employed by the Department of
Defense, or its contractors and sub-contractors. The Department of
Defense will retain final approval authority for all individual
scholarship and fellowship awards.
Application Procedures
Applications for participation in the Department of Defense
Environmental Scholarships/Fellowships and Grants Program will follow
the format prescribed in parts of the U.S. Public Health Service
(USPHS) Application Form PHS 398.
Applications must include two implementation plans, one for
scholarships/fellowships (Public Law 102-484 Section 4451) and one for
demonstration grants (Public Law 103-160 Section 1333), each with its
own budget proposal. At least five percent of each award must be made
available to Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority
Institutions.
Plans for scholarships and fellowships programs (not to
exceed five years) meeting Section 4451 requirements will include
detailed descriptions of the education program, program facility,
scholarship and fellowship candidate populations, methods of recruiting
individuals, tuition costs and administration procedures. Stipends for
fellowship recipients will not exceed $16,000 per year. Tuition, fees
and stipends will not be included in calculations of indirect costs.
Scholarship/fellowship plans will not exceed 10 pages.
Plans for demonstration grants (not to exceed three years)
meeting the provisions of Section 1333 will include, in 10 pages or
less, a detailed description of the specific aims of the education and
training program to be supported, background and significance of the
proposed program, and its application to the DoD Environmental Program.
A complete Defense Environmental Scholarships/Fellowships and
Grants Program application must be submitted to qualify for
consideration. A complete application will consist of three sections:
1. General Information--PHS 398 Form AA (Face Page).
2. Scholarships and Fellowships Section--PHS 398 Forms BB, NN, OO,
FF, HH, II, and JJ and Implementation Plan.
3. Environmental Grants Section--PHS 398 Forms BB, DD, EE, FF, HH,
II, and JJ and Implementation Plan.
It is essential that applications be complete and accurate at the
time of submission. Incomplete applications will not be considered. One
copy of an incomplete or incorrect application will be returned by
mail.
Additional PHS 398 forms and application instructions are available
by writing the Defense Environmental Scholarships/Fellowships and
Grants Program, P.O. Box R, Woodbridge, VA 22194 (telephone 703-643-
2952; FAX 703-497-2095).
Grant recipients will also be required to comply with provisions of
Office of Management and Budget Circulars A-21, ``Cost Principles for
Educational Institutions,'' A-110, ``Uniform Administrative
Requirements for Grants and Agreements With Institutions of Higher
Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations,'' and A-133,
``Audits of Institutions of Higher Education and Other Nonprofit
Institutions.''
Proposal must be submitted in 6 copies (original + 5).
DEADLINE: Deadline for complete proposals to be received at the Defense
Environmental Scholarships/Fellowships and Grants Program, P.O. Box R,
Woodbridge, VA 22194, is 4:00 p.m. (EDT), June 21, 1994. Proposals
received after that time and date will not be considered.
LATE APPLICATIONS: Applications which do not meet the criteria under
``Deadline,'' above, are considered late applications. Late
applications will not be considered.
Mailing Address for Application Package. Department of Defense,
Environmental Scholarships/Fellowships and Grants Program, P.O. Box R,
Woodbridge, Virginia 22194.
Shipping (FedEx, UPT, etc.) Address for Application Package.
Department of Defense, Environmental Scholarships/ Fellowships and
Grants Program, 1635-2 Woodside Drive, Woodbridge, Virginia 22191,
Phone: 703-643-2952.
DATES: Application packages and detailed instructions will be available
April 30, 1994. Deadline for completed applications to be received by
the Department of Defense will be 4:00 p.m. (EDT), June 21, 1994.
Grants will be issued by September 30, 1994.
ADDRESSES: For additional information or to receive application
packages and detailed instructions, contact Dave Fletcher, Department
of Defense Environmental Grants Program, P.O. Box R, Woodbridge, VA
22194, phone 703-643-2952 or FAX 703-497-2905.
Dated: April 26, 1994.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 94-10419 Filed 4-26-94; 3:00 pm]
BILLING CODE 5000-04-M