Superfund Technical Assistance Grants (TAG) for Community Groups at National Priority List (NPL) Sites

The statutory authority for this project is CERCLA 117(e) as amended by 42 USC 9617(e); it authorizes Technical Assistance Grants (TAGs) to be awarded to groups of individuals affected by or threatened by a release at a Superfund site so that they can obtain independent technical assistance to interpret site-related documents and share this information to the rest of the community. The objective of each TAG is to procure an independent technical advisor(s) to review and inform the community on EPA documents related to cleaning up the Superfund site that is affecting them. The technical advisor's information aids the community in their preparation of public comments which assists them to more meaningfully participate in the cleanup decision-making process. Only one grant is available per site, at any given time; subsequent grants may be awarded once the prior grant period has ended. EPA does not prioritize among eligible sites. All TAG applications are given equal priority as long as the site and group are eligible. The applicant group must meet eligibility requirements, and minimum administrative and management capability requirements by demonstrating they have or will have reliable procedures for record keeping and financial accountability related to TAG management. All applications must address the following: plans for using a technical advisor's services, plans and ability to inform other members of the community, and the group's membership (representative of the different individuals/groups affected by the site). Funding must be used to obtain technical assistance that the community can better understand technical issues related to the cleanup of the Superfund site affecting them, and also to help them provide comments on technical issues and decisions throughout the cleanup process. Groups may obtain a technical advisor to help them understand site-related documents and information, such as technical reports, site conditions, EPA’s proposed cleanups and decisions, etc.

Applicant eligibility is addressed under the TAG regulations, 40 CFR 4020. A group is eligible if: 1. The group is made up of people who may be "affected" by a release or threatened release at any facility listed on the National Priorities List (NPL) or proposed for listing under the National Contingency Plan where a "response action" under CERCLA has begun; 2. The group meets minimum administrative and management capability requirements found in 2 CFR 200 by demonstrating they have or will have reliable procedures for record keeping and financial accountability related to TAG management; and 3. The group incorporates as a state nonprofit for the specific purpose of representing "affected" individuals at the site. "Affected" means subject to an actual or potential health, economic or environmental threat. A group is ineligible if: (a) The group is a "potentially responsible party" (PRP), receives money or services from a PRP, or represents a PRP; (b) The group is affiliated with a national organization; (c) The group is an academic institution; (d) The group is a political subdivision; (e) The group was established or is presently sustained by any of the ineligible entities listed above; or (f) The group is not incorporated as a nonprofit organization for the specific purpose of representing affected people except as provided in 40 CFR 35.4045.

Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through Grants.gov.

Applicants should coordinate with the Regional TAG Coordinator and/or TAG Project Officer to obtain the Funding Opportunity Number that has been set up for the site-specific TAG. Standard forms and instructions will be under the funding opportunity number. Applicants are encouraged to work with their Regional TAG Coordinator and/or TAG Project Officer throughout the application process. The information required in the application reflects the requirements under 40 CFR Part 35. An applicant for a TAG must submit the following materials as part of their application:

• A budget showing the proposed expenditure of funds, how the funds and other resources, including the required 20 percent match, will be used to complete the project, and how the budget figures were derived.
• A document addressing the group’s eligibility based on 40 CFR 35.4020 (see Applicant Eligibility section of this Assistance Listing) and 40 CFR 35.4155(a) - how the applicant group is representative of groups and individuals affected by the Superfund site.
• A scope of work showing how the group intends to use their procured technical advisor and how the group intends to share and disseminate the technical advisor’s information to the larger affected community.

For more information on the TAG application process see https://www.epa.gov/superfund/applying-technical-assistance-grant-tag.

1) A TAG review team in the EPA Regional Office reviews the application and sends a letter containing written comments telling the applicant what, if any, information is needed to make the application complete.
2) An applicant group has 90 days from the date of the EPA letter to make changes to their application and resubmit it to EPA. If the changes are not submitted within the 90-day period, the application will be returned unprocessed.
3) EPA determines the applicant's eligibility under 40 CFR 35.4020 and considers whether and how successfully the group meets three equally weighted criteria in 40 CFR 35.4155 (See Assistance Listing section "Criteria for Selecting Proposals"). When multiple groups apply, EPA will rank each applicant relative to other applicants using the three equally weighted criteria.
4) If an applicant is not going to be awarded a TAG, EPA will send a letter of rejection to the applicant.
5) If an application is approved for an award, a grant agreement document (EPA Form 5700-20A) is signed by the EPA award official. This document becomes an offer from EPA to the applicant. Award offers are mailed to the recipient five working days after the award official signs the agreement.

Generally from 5 to 9 weeks after an application is considered complete.