[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 71 (Thursday, April 13, 1995)] [Notices] [Pages 18813-18814] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-9164] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [OPPTS-00167; FRL-4946-4] Training Grants for Lead-Based Paint Abatement Workers AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of request for preproposals. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The safety issues surrounding the activities of lead-based paint abatement workers are a major concern of EPA. Appropriate worker safety training is essential if lead-based paint abatement activities are to be done in a manner that assures the safety of building occupants, the public, the environment, and abatement workers. To ensure that the number of well-trained lead-based paint abatement workers increases at an acceptable rate, EPA has received 1995 congressional add-on funds to provide training grants to nonprofit organizations engaged in lead-based paint abatement worker training and education activities. This year, the Agency is particularly interested in funding nonprofit environmental equity-based organizations that offer worker lead abatement training opportunities for minorities and low income community residents. This grass roots initiative will provide opportunities for communities to develop local-based lead abatement businesses that will employ area residents. Only nonprofit organizations with demonstrated experience in the implementation and operation of health and safety training for lead-based paint abatement workers will be considered for funding. This notice describes the eligibility requirements and the selection criteria for the grants. DATES: All preproposals must be submitted to EPA no later than May 15, 1995. ADDRESSES: Preproposals should be sent to the following address: Tim Torma, Chemical Management Division (7404), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Torma at (202) 260-4595 or write to the EPA Lead Abatement Program at the address listed under the ADDRESSES unit. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this notice is to announce the availability of funds to form cooperative agreements for the purpose of providing support to organizations demonstrating experience in lead-based paint training activities with particular interest in funding nonprofit environmental equity-based organizations. Any nonprofit organization with such experience is eligible to apply. For the purposes of this notice, lead-based paint abatement activities mean activities engaged in by workers that include the removal, disposal, handling, and transportation of lead-based paint and materials containing lead-based paint from public and private dwellings, public and commercial buildings, and bridges and other structures or superstructures where lead-based paint presents or may present an unreasonable risk to health or the environment. I. Administrative Requirements This program is subject to matching share requirements. Awards shall be given only to applicants who can fund at least 5 percent of their programs from non-Federal sources, excluding in-kind contributions. (In-kind contributions are defined as the value of a non-cash contribution to meet a recipient's cost-sharing requirements. An in-kind contribution may consist of charges for real property and equipment, or the value of goods and services directly [[Page 18814]] benefiting the EPA-funded project.) The recipient's matching share may exceed 5 percent. II. Evaluation Criteria Preproposals submitted in response to this notice will be evaluated on a competitive basis by an EPA review panel. The following factors, which are weighted by percentage as to their relative importance, will be considered in evaluating the preproposals: 1. Program Experience (25 percent) a. Experience in the development of adult education courses, with emphasis on training individuals with limited education. b. Experience in the delivery of health and safety course materials to individuals with limited or no English language skills. c. Demonstrated ability to target the worker population. 2. Lead-Based Paint Abatement Worker Course Experience (30 percent) a. Experience in the delivery of courses, including hands-on training, to lead-based paint abatement workers. b. Experience in providing community-based training to lead-based paint abatement workers. c. Demonstrated experience in the implementation and operation of health and safety training for lead-based paint abatement workers. d. Qualifications of key personnel. e. The number of students expected to be trained during the project period. 3. Project Management (25 percent) a. Applicant's ability to provide appropriate program staff to the project. b. Applicant's ability to provide space, equipment, staff time, and other resources required to carry out project responsibilities. c. Extent to which the applicant has considered a management plan for the project, including the designation of a qualified program administrator. 4. Budget (20 percent) Preproposals should include a detailed budget that specifies the amount of money to be used in all aspects of the proposed worker training, as well as the amount that is to be the non-Federal share (at least 5 percent of the total budget, excluding in-kind contributions). All budgets must include funding for a trip to EPA in Washington, DC to attend an information-sharing meeting for all award recipients. The ability of the applicant to derive a budget estimate that is appropriate to the scope of the project will be considered in the evaluation process. The proposed budget should be clearly justified and consistent with the intended use of the funds set forth in this notice. III. Application Procedures The following materials must be provided by all applicants: 1. Documentation that proves the nonprofit status of the applicant. 2. Copies of any lead-related course material already being used by the applicant to teach the course. In addition, any applicants who have received EPA funds for lead worker training in any previous year's program must include in their preproposal a description of how those funds were used. IV. Acceptable Expenditures Funds awarded must be spent on activities that directly result in increased numbers of well-trained lead-based paint abatement workers. Since EPA has funded the development of a model course curriculum for workers, the Agency does not wish to fund the development of new courses through this program. The following lists provide examples of activities that will and will not be considered for funding. The list of acceptable activities is for guidance only; projects may be funded for acceptable activities other than those on the list. Award recipients may use the monies for the following: a. Delivery of lead-based paint abatement worker courses. b. Delivery of train-the-trainer courses. c. Enhancement of hands-on training programs. d. Monitoring and evaluating courses. e. Limited purchasing of supplies. f. Speakers' fees (expenses and travel). g. Slide duplication. h. Rental of facilities. i. Limited purchase of audio/visual equipment. j. Workers' tuition. k. Limited printing and reproduction of materials and manuals. l. Transporting workers to training sites. m. Innovative training systems (i.e., community-based training). Monies may not be used for the following: a. Development of new training course curricula for workers. b. Stipends to students for room, board, and salaries. V. Notification of Selection Preproposals are due no later than May 15, 1995. Preproposals shall be no more than five pages in length. Each applicant is requested to provide seven copies of the preproposal to EPA. EPA plans to award a total of $1.55 million through cooperative agreements to eligible nonprofit organizations. EPA will not allot all of the available award money to any one group or necessarily fund all of the groups. Dated: April 6, 1995. Lynn R. Goldman, Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. [FR Doc. 95-9164 Filed 4-12-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-F