Budget/Project Schedule Considerations. In developing a Proposal, applicants should consider that they must provide a Non-Federal Match of at least 5% of the total project cost, which may be provided in cash or in-kind. Applicants should also consider the Federal requirement that projects involving data collection require an approved Quality Assurance Project Plan prior to commencing environmental data collection - extra funds and extra time may be needed for its development.

Clarification/Revisions. Applicants may be contacted for clarification and for the purpose of negotiating changes in project terms and amounts.

Confidentiality. Applicants should clearly mark information they consider confidential, and EPA will make final confidentiality decisions in accordance with Agency regulations at 40 CFR. Part 2, Subpart B. However, we discourage submission of any confidential material. Note that under Public Law No. 105-277, data produced under an award is subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

Cost Principles, Administrative and Audit Requirements. The successful applicant will be required to adhere to the Federal grants requirements, particularly those found in applicable OMB circulars on Cost Principles (A-21, A-87, or A-122), Administrative Requirements (A-102 or 110), and Audit Requirements (A-133) available from http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/.

Dispute Resolution Process. If necessary, a dispute resolution process in accordance with 40 CFR 30.63 and Part 31, subpart F will be implemented.

Eligibility. Assistance (through grants, cooperative agreements, and interagency agreements) is available pursuant to Clean Water Act §104(b)(3) for activities in the Great Lakes Basin and in support of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance identifies this assistance as: 66.469, Great Lakes Program. State pollution control agencies, interstate agencies, other public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, and organizations are eligible; "for-profit" organizations are not. Only State, Tribal, and interstate or intertribal agencies are eligible under RFP 2B (a portion of the RAP/LaMP solicitation). Preference is given to US organizations over foreign organizations; however, Proposals for coordinated, binational projects are encouraged.

Existing Projects. Applicants seeking more funding under existing awards should apply through this Proposal process.

Grants Servicing Intermediary. Following Proposal selection, Ecological Protection and Restoration and other grants may be issued through an "intermediary" organization which would make and administer grant sub-awards. See RFP 4 for additional information.

Ineligible Activities. Under this solicitation, USEPA will not fund: "construction grant" projects; basic research; land acquisition; or general operating support. Education/outreach or conferences are only eligible activities when integrated within a larger project or as specifically requested in RFP 1B (Pollution Prevention and Reduction) and RFP 3 (Conferences and Printing).