To increase State, local, territorial and Native
American tribal effectiveness to safely and efficiently handle hazardous
materials accidents and incidents; enhance implementation of the Emergency
Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA); and encourage a
comprehensive approach to emergency planning and training by incorporating
response to transportation standards.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
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.
Pre-application 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 Procedure:
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 Procedure: 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.
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 1999; 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 24, 1997),
"Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations,"
nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in
Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for
that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in
Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year,
except as noted in 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.
Obligations: (Grants) FY 01
$12,800,000; FY 02 est $12,800,000; and FY 03 est $12,800,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance:
From $4,000 to $968,000. Average: $180,281.
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.
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, Research
and Special Programs Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., DHM-64,
Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-0001.
Web Site Address: http://www.rspa.dot.gov
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
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.
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).
