Interagency Hazardous Materials Public Sector Training and Planning Grants
Hazardous Materials Awareness, Technician and Specialist training, LEPC planning preparation, hazards analyses studies, commodity flow studies, and needs assessment for regional response teams and number of response personnel needing to be trained.
The Department of Transportation's mission is to ensure fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation that meets vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.
Program Accomplishments
Since the beginning of the grant program, all States and territories and 41 Indian tribes have received over $72 million in assistance. The HMEP program has set aside 3 percent of planning and training funds to support Federally recognized Native American tribes.
Uses and Use Restrictions
The grant program will be used to increase the emphasis on transportation in ongoing efforts and to improve the capability of communities to plan for and respond to the full range of potential risks posed by accidents and incidents involving hazardous materials.
The grants have two principal uses: First, to assist States, Territories and Native American Tribes in developing, improving and implementing emergency response plans under EPCRA; including the determination of flow patterns of hazardous materials within a State, between States and Native American lands; determining the need for regional hazardous materials response teams.
Second, to stimulate support for training of Public Sector employees to respond to accidents and incidents involving hazardous materials.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
States, U.
S.
Territories and Federally recognized Native American Tribes may apply for either or both planning and training grants.
The Governor or Official of each eligible applicant has been asked to designate an agency responsible for managing the program.
DOT will work with the designated organization.
Beneficiary Eligibility
All segments of the U.S. including Territories and Native American tribal populations that are involved with management of or possible exposure to hazardous materials are benefited. Specifically Federal, State, and local responsibilities are assisted through the HMTA grant program. Students and trainees in emergency response and local emergency planning activities are program beneficiaries since grant funds will be used to benefit local programs.
Credentials/Documentation
Applicants must certify that they meet or exceed a nonfederal maintenance of effort level equivalent to the average of aggregate nonfederal applicant expenditures for the preceding 2 years. They must also certify that the State, Territory or Native American Tribe is complying with sections 301 and 303 of EPCRA. Those States, Territories or Native American Tribes must agree to make at least 75 percent of the Federal planning funds awarded available to Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) for developing, improving, or implementing emergency plans, and 75 percent of the benefit of training funds available to local emergency responders.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact his or her, State, Territory or Native American Tribe for more information on the process required to follow in applying for assistance.
Application Procedures
Applicants are to complete and submit an original and 1 copy of Standard Form 424. The application must follow guidance provided in the HMEP Application Kit that was transmitted to the Governor's designated agency in each State, Territory or Native American Tribe. The kit may be obtained from the HMEP Grants Manager. Completed applications are to be sent to HMEP Grants Manager, Research and Special Programs Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., DHM-64, Washington, DC 20590. Funded applications will be subject to the Public Sector Planning and Training Grants Program regulation 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), part 110, and 49 CFR, part 18, the A-102 based regulation, which governs all DOT grant programs.
Award Procedures
The decision to fund will be made by the HMEP Grants Manager after considering internal review.
Deadlines
The deadline for submitting applications is July 1 for States, Territories, and Native American Tribes. Grant awards will be made in September.
Authorization
Federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. 5105 et seq.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 30 to 90 days.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
The statement of work will normally call for 6 years of project activities within shorter budget periods (usually 1 year). Each budget period after the first award will be funded subject to availability of funds and satisfactory progress as determined by review of continuation application proposals.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula for distribution of funds among applicants. However, nonfederal cost sharing of at least 20 percent of total project costs is required under provisions of HMEP, Section 117A(d). This program has maintenance of effort requirements; see funding agency for further details.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The length of project periods may extend from time of initial award through fiscal year 2010; however phased accomplishments or budget periods will limit the time frame for the funds awarded. Payments will generally be reimbursable, paid based on submission of a Request For Advance or Reimbursement Form 270 using DOT automated clearinghouse electronic transfer procedures.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Requirements are specifically indicated in the award document and may vary from project to project.
All applications for continuation grants must be supported by progress reports.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133.
Records
Records of technical and financial accomplishments must be maintained for 3 years after submission of an acceptable final Financial Status Report, or until any unresolved audit issues are resolved.
Financial Information
Account Identification
69-5282-0-2-407.
Obigations
FY 07 $12,800,000; FY 08 est $26,800,000; and FY 09 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
From $4,000 to $968,000. Average: $180,281.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
49 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 110, Hazardous Materials Public Sector Training and Planning Grants; 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 18, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments and Indian tribes. A grant application kit is available from DOT that includes all guidance, regulatory and administrative requirements.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Charles Rogoff, HMEP Grants Manager, Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Harardous Materials Administration, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., PMH-64, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-0001.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable for grants to States and Territories. Grants made from the set aside for Native American Tribes will be in accordance with the following selection criteria: (1) Potential Benefit (30 points); (2) Priority Need (40 points); (3) Number of Public Sector Employees Trained (20 points); (4) Long Term Benefit to Tribe (10 points); (5) Past Performance (10 points).
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