The Ozone Transport Commission provides policy guidance to its member states and the District of Columbia on actions needed to reduce ozone pollution within the ozone transport region. They provide air pollution assessment, technical support and forums through which their member states can harmonize their pollution reduction strategies. This is accomplished through the development of multi-state agreements such as the NOx emissions reductions, the Clean Energy Initiative, education and outreach efforts and similar activities. OTC also participates in national forums such as the Clean Air Act advisory Committee and the Air Quality Management workgroup representing its member states. This CFDA issues one grant annually in response to the Clean Air Act Amendments to establish an Ozone Transport Commission which perform the activities stated herein annually. In FY 2007, one grant was awarded for $639,000 and one grant in FY 2008 was awarded for $635,000.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Assistance funds may be used for costs specifically incurred in the conduct of interstate pollution projects in accordance with the purposes enumerated in the approved application.

Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information.

Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: http://geodata.epa.gov.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

An agency or commission designated by the Governors of the affected States, which is capable of recommending to those Governors' plans for implementation of national primary and secondary ambient air quality standards and which includes representation form the States and the appropriate political subdivisions within the affected air quality control region.

For certain competitive funding opportunities under this CFDA description, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Municipalities, intermunicipalities, States, interstate agencies or commissions, and Federally recognized Indian tribes.

Credentials/Documentation

The application must supply evidence of legal authority for air pollution control; evidence of the availability of nonfederal matching funds, evidence that the Governor or his designated State agency has been given the opportunity to comment on the relationship of the program to be funded to the State plan and a workable program officially adopted for the agency. Principles for determining allowable costs are set forth in applicable Federal management circulars described in the general grant regulations and procedures 40 CFR Part 30 of the Federal Regulations. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and Local governments.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Discussions of informal meetings with the Headquarters Program Office concerning program preparation are advisable.

The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal Agency and required by OMB Circular No.

A-102 must be used for this program.

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 in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Regarding pre-application/pre-proposal assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this program description, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application/pre-proposal assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement.

For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts" or see Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Application Procedures

Requests for application forms and completed applications should be submitted to the appropriate EPA Office (See Appendix IV of the Catalog). Applicants may be able to use http://www.grants.gov to electronically apply for certain grant opportunities under this CFDA.

Award Procedures

Each application shall be subjected to administrative coordination to determine adequacy in relation to grant regulations, and to technical and program evaluation to determine merit and relevancy of the project. For competitive awards, EPA will review and evaluate applications, proposals, and/or submissions in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements.

Deadlines

Applications are due 60 days prior to the beginning of the budget period.

Authorization

Clean Air Act of 1990, Sections 106 and 111, as amended; Public Law 101-549, 42 U.S.C. 1406.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 60 days.

Appeals

Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be requested by contacting the individual(s) listed as "Information Contacts." Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 40 CFR 30.63 or 40 CFR 31.70, as applicable.

Renewals

Applicant must reapply.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Upon initial designation by the Governors of the affected States, pursuant to Sections 106 or 111 of the Clean Air Act of 1990, the Administrator is authorized to pay for up to 2 years, and up to 100 percent of the air quality planning program costs of an designated commission or interstate agency. After the initial 2-year period, the Administrator is authorized to make grants to such agency or such commission in amounts up to 3/5 of its air quality management plan costs. This program has no statutory formula.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The terms of the grant shall be determined at the time of grant award.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

EPA includes reporting requirements for grants and cooperative agreements in the terms and conditions of the agreements.

Agreements may require quarterly, interim and final progress reports, and financial and equipment reports.

Reporting requirements are also identified in the Grant Regulations Part 30 and Part 31.

Audits

Grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspections and audits by the Comptroller General of the United States, the EPA Office of Inspector General, other EPA staff, or any authorized representative of the Federal government. Reviews by the EPA Project Officer and the Grants Specialist may occur each year. 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 $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall 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

Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries in accounting records and to substantiate changes in grants available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipient grants and cooperative agreements records. Recipients must maintain all records until 3 years from the date of submission of the final expenditure reports. If questions, such as those raised as a result of an audit remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved.

Financial Information

Account Identification

68-0200-0-1-304.

Obigations

FY 07 $639,000; FY 08 $635,000; and FY 09 est $635,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

There is only one cooperative agreement awarded under this program. The cooperative agreement will range from $600,00 to $650,000/fiscal year with an average award of $635,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

EPA Uniform Administration Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments (40 CFR Part 31).

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

EPA encourages potential applicants to communicate with the appropriate EPA Regional Office listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog, and the Headquarters program contacts listed below.

Headquarters Office

Office of Air and Radiation, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Mail Code 6102A, Washington, DC 20460. Program Contact: Pat Childers at childers.pat@epa.gov, Telephone: (202) 564-1082, Fax: (202) 564-1352.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this CFDA description will be described in the competitive announcement.