Grant Guidelines

FY2018 Brownfield Grants - DEADLINE November 16, 2017

Office of Brownfields & Land Revitalization

  • FY 2018 Guidelines for Brownfields Assessment Grants
    EPA-OLEM-OBLR-17-07 - Closing Date: November 16, 2017
    The Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act (“Brownfields Law,” P.L. 107-118) requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish guidance to assist applicants in preparing proposals for grants to assess and clean up brownfield sites. EPA’s Brownfields Program provides funds to empower states, communities, tribes, and nonprofits to prevent, inventory, assess, clean up, and reuse brownfield sites. EPA provides brownfields funding for three types of grants: Brownfields Assessment Grants, Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grants, and Brownfields Cleanup Grants.  Under this RFP, EPA is seeking proposals for Assessment Grants, only, to provide funds to inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct planning (including cleanup planning) and community involvement related to brownfield sites.
  • FY 2018 Guidelines for Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Grants
    EPA-OLEM-OBLR-17-08 - Closing Date: November 16, 2017
    The Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act (“Brownfields Law,” P.L. 107-118) requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish guidance to assist applicants in preparing proposals for grants to assess and clean up brownfield sites. EPA’s Brownfields Program provides funds to empower states, communities, tribes, and nonprofits to prevent, inventory, assess, clean up, and reuse brownfield sites. EPA provides brownfields funding for three types of grants: Brownfields Assessment Grants, Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grants, and Brownfields Cleanup Grants.  Under this RFP, EPA is seeking proposals for RLF Grants, only, to provide funds to capitalize a revolving fund and to make loans and provide subgrants to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites.
  • FY 2018 Guidelines for Brownfields Cleanup Grants
    EPA-OLEM-OBLR-17-09 - Closing Date: November 16, 2017
    The Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act (“Brownfields Law,” P.L. 107-118) requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish guidance to assist applicants in preparing proposals for grants to assess and clean up brownfield sites. EPA’s Brownfields Program provides funds to empower states, communities, tribes, and nonprofits to prevent, inventory, assess, clean up, and reuse brownfield sites. EPA provides brownfields funding for three types of grants: Brownfields Assessment Grants, Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grants, and Brownfields Cleanup Grants. Under this RFP, EPA is seeking proposals for Cleanup Grants, only, to provide funds to carry out cleanup activities at a specific brownfield site owned by the applicant.
--------------PAST YEAR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS-------------------

FY2017 Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Grant Guidelines - Request for Proposals

Due: December 22, 2016

These brownfields grants may be used to address sites contaminated by petroleum and hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants (including hazardous substances co-mingled with petroleum). Opportunities for funding are as follows: Brownfields Assessment Grants (each funded up to $200,000 over three years; Assessment Coalitions are funded up to $600,000 over three years), and Brownfields Cleanup Grants (each funded up to $200,000 over three years). The proposal submission deadline is December 22, 2016.

FY2017 Brownfields Assessment Grant Guidelines
FY2017 Brownfields Cleanup Grant Guidelines
FY2017 Summary of Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Guideline Changes
FY2017 Assessment Guideline Checklist
FY2017 Cleanup Guideline Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
Grants.gov Tip Sheet for Applicants

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FY2016 Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup Grant Guidelines - Request for Proposals

Due: December 18, 2015

These brownfields grants may be used to address sites contaminated by petroleum and hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants (including hazardous substances co-mingled with petroleum). Opportunities for funding are as follows: Brownfields Assessment Grants (each funded up to $200,000 over three years; Assessment Coalitions are funded up to $600,000 over three years), Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund Grants (each funded up to $1,000,000 over five years), and Brownfields Cleanup Grants (each funded up to $200,000 over three years). The proposal submission deadline is December 18, 2015.

FY2016 Brownfields Assessment Grant Guidelines
FY2016 Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Grant Guidelines
FY2016 Brownfields Cleanup Grant Guidelines
FY2016 Summary of Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Guideline Changes
FY2016 Assessment Guideline Checklist
FY2016 Cleanup Guideline Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
Grants.gov Tip Sheet for Applicants

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FY2014 Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup Grant Guidelines - Request for Proposals

Due: January 22, 2014

FY14 Guidelines for Brownfields Assessment Grants
RFP# EPA-OSWER-OBLR-13-05 - Closing Date: January 22, 2014.
The Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act ("Brownfields Law," P.L. 107-118) requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish guidance to assist applicants in preparing proposals for grants to assess and clean up Brownfields sites. EPA's Brownfields Program provides funds to empower states, communities, tribes, and non profits to prevent, inventory, assess, clean up, and reuse Brownfields sites. EPA provides Brownfields funding for three types of grants: Brownfields Assessment Grants, Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grants, and Brownfields Cleanup Grants. Under this RFP, EPA is seeking proposals for Assessment Grants, only, to provide funds to inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct planning (including cleanup planning) and community involvement related to Brownfields sites.
FY14 Guidelines for Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grants
RFP# EPA-OSWER-OBLR-13-06 - Closing Date: January 22, 2014.
The Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act ("Brownfields Law," P.L. 107-118) requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish guidance to assist applicants in preparing proposals for grants to assess and clean up Brownfields sites. EPA's Brownfields Program provides funds to empower states, communities, tribes, and non profits to prevent, inventory, assess, clean up, and reuse Brownfields sites. EPA provides Broomfield funding for three types of grants: Brownfields Assessment Grants, Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grants, and Brownfields Cleanup Grants. Under this RFP, EPA is seeking proposals for RLF Grants, only, to provide funds to capitalize a revolving fund and to make loans and provide subgrants to carry out cleanup activities at Brownfields sites.
FY14 Guidelines for Brownfields Cleanup Grants
RFP# EPA-OSWER-OBLR-13-07 - Closing Date: January 22, 2014.
The Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act ("Brownfields Law," P.L. 107-118) requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish guidance to assist applicants in preparing proposals for grants to assess and clean up Brownfields sites. EPA's Brownfields Program provides funds to empower states, communities, tribes, and non profits to prevent, inventory, assess, clean up, and reuse Brownfields sites. EPA provides brown fields funding for three types of grants: Brownfields Assessment Grants, Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grants, and Brownfields Cleanup Grants. Under this RFP, EPA is seeking proposals for Cleanup Grants, only, to provide funds to carry out cleanup activities at a specific Brownfields site owned by the applicant.

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FY2013 Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup Grant Guidelines - Request for Proposals 

Due: November 19, 2012

These grants may be used to address sites contaminated by petroleum and hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants (including hazardous substances co-mingled with petroleum). Opportunities for funding are as follows: Brownfield Assessment Grants (each funded up to $200,000 over three years; coalitions are funded up to $600,000 over three years), Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grants (each funded up to $1,000,000 over five years) and Brownfield Cleanup Grants (each funded up to $200,000 over three years). The proposal deadline is November 19, 2012.

Summary of Changes to FY 13 ARC Guidelines


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FY2012 Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup Grant Guidelines - Request for Proposals 

Due: November 28, 2011

These grants may be used to address sites contaminated by petroleum and hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants (including hazardous substances co-mingled with petroleum). Opportunities for funding are as follows: Brownfields Assessment Grants (each funded up to $200,000 over three years; coalitions are funded up to $1,000,000 over three years), Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grants (each funded up to $1,000,000 over five years) and Brownfields Cleanup Grants (each funded up to $200,000 over three years). The proposal deadline is November 28, 2011.

 

Summary of FY12 Brownfields ARC Grant Guidelines Changes

Area
FY11 ARC Guidelines
FY12 ARC Guidelines
All Proposals
 
Page Limit
Attachments
18 page limit – This included the responses to both threshold and ranking criteria.
15 page limit – Information addressing threshold criteria is now submitted as part of the attachments and does not count against the page limit requirement. This change does not penalize those proposals that are site specific and have extensive site information required as part of the threshold information.
Identified a list of acceptable attachments, however, the list did not include information on leveraging.
Did not require applicants to “self-identify” which “other factors/special considerations” applied to them or their proposed project.
Require applicants to attach documentation regarding leveraged funding that is committed to the project.
Applicants are required to complete checklist in Appendix 3 and submit with their proposal.
Proposal Ranking and Selection
Select highest ranking proposals using a single list.
Select highest ranking proposals using two lists – one list of new applicants that have never received a post-law Brownfields grant and a second list of “existing” brownfields grantees.
Will also select additional proposals from a second tier list of very good proposals based on highest ranked proposals in the second tier that meet “Other Factors.”
Revised the list of “Other Factors” to include regional priorities and Assistant Administrator’s priorities of moving sites to cleanup and redevelopment.
General Award Information
All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI)
For Assessment Grant Guidelines, a section was added with information about AAI report requirements.
Sufficient Progress
Applicants are advised on the sufficient progress terms and conditions should they be selected for a grant award.
Protection of Nearby Sensitive Populations
Applicants are advised regarding their obligation to protect nearby sensitive populations as they conduct the work, should they be selected for award.
General Grant Information
General Description
Highlighted Brownfields Program link to environmental justice and commitment to helping communities revitalize brownfields properties.
All ARC Grants – Threshold and Ranking Criteria
Project Benefits
While the criteria included information on equitable development issues, it did not specifically use the term “equitable development.”
Applicants must describe how the proposed project will impact/address Equitable Development issues such as affordable housing, public transit, and urban greening.
Community Need - Health, Welfare and Environment
Applicants were required to provide information regarding the effects of brownfields and how this has resulted in a disproportionate impact on their community.
Applicants must provide information on the “cumulative environmental impacts” and how these issues have also contributed to a disproportionate impact on the community (not just brownfields related).
Applicants must also describe how major economic disruptions (e.g., plant closures) have caused economic distress in the community.
Community Need –
Financial Data
Applicants were required to provide demographic information supporting financial need in a variety of ways.  Often key information or demographic data was not provided in a consistent or uniform manner.
Applicants can use a table format to submit the demographic information about their community.  Applicants are more likely to submit key information/data and in a uniform manner by using this table which will have the National data pre-populated for them.
Community Engagement  & Partnership
Applicants were required to provide information on partnerships with other relevant state, tribal or local agencies they are working with to ensure the success of the project.
In addition to requiring a description of key roles the state/local/fed partners will play in the project, applicants are also required to identify how they would facilitate hiring from local job training programs as part of their assessment, cleanup and redevelopment activities.
No language regarding EPA verifying community based support letters.
Added language that EPA may conduct reference checks with the partner organizations identified to confirm their involvement and support in the project.
No examples of how the community could be engaged.
Added language providing examples of how the applicant can satisfy the on-going community engagement requirements, including public meetings, webinars, use of media and internet forums. “Applicants must demonstrate how they will engage the targeted community in meaningful ways to ensure success of the proposed project.”
Project Description and Feasibility of Success –
Leveraging
Applicants were required to describe any planned or actual leveraged resources.
Applicants must demonstrate how they will leverage funds beyond the grant resources, and describe the amount and type of resources leveraged.
Applicants are also required to attach documentation of committed leveraged resources to their proposal.
Programmatic Capability/ Past Performance
Applicants who had previous bf grants were required to describe how they managed the grant.
Applicants now required to also identify the planned outputs/outcomes from their past brownfields grants and if those outputs/outcomes were successfully achieved. If not, explain why not.
Assessment Grants - Threshold and Ranking Criteria
Community Need
Strengthened the language for Assessment Coalition applicants regarding how they are serving their coalition partners and communities that would otherwise not have access to resources to address Brownfields.
Project Description
Applicants were asked to describe their plan for area-wide planning or site assessment activities.
All language related to AWP was deleted.
Project Description
Applicants were asked to tie the proposed project back to their “vision” but not “master plan”
New language tells applicants that communities w/ existing “master plans” will be evaluated more favorably.
Further, under the criterion, applicants must describe how the project fits in w/ the community’s plan, as well as how they are using “products or outputs from recent community planning processes” to inform the project.
Community Engagement & Partnership
Added language about assessment coalitions tailoring their community engagement specifically to the needs of their target communities.
Project Benefits
Applicants were required to describe environmental, social and public health benefits.
In addition to describing environmental, social and public health benefits, applicants must also demonstrate how the planning activities or site assessments will lead to cleanups and redevelopment to support the community’s plan.
Point Distribution
Community Need - 20%
Project Description and
       Feasibility Success - 40%
Community Engagement - 20%, Project Benefits - 20%
Community Need - 20%
Project Description and
       Feasibility of Success - 50%
Community Engagement - 15%
Project Benefits - 15%
RLF Grants –Ranking Criteria
Program Description
No note about evaluating program description with the programmatic capability response.
Applicants will be evaluated on their responses to criteria, in conjunction w/ their descriptions of staff under programmatic capability criterion.
No criterion on “reasonable & prudent lending practices.”
Applicants are required to describe how they will use “reasonable and prudent lending practices” to ensure redevelopment of sites.
No criterion on market research
Applicants must explain how they have determined there is a target market and who that target market is.
No direct criterion about the project team.
Applicants must describe their entire team and specifically describe how their project/program manager, QEP and financial manager will work together.
Point Distribution
Community Need - 15%
Project Description and
       Feasibility of Success - 45%
Community Engagement - 20% Project Benefits - 20%
Community Need - 15%
Project Description and
       Feasibility of Success - 55%
Community Engagement - 15%
Project Benefits - 15%
Cleanup Grants - Threshold and Ranking Criteria
Threshold
Applicants were required to make the proposal available for public review and comment and hold a public meeting prior to submission of the proposal.
In addition to making the proposal available for public review and comment and holding a public meeting, the applicant is also required to make a copy of the Draft Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA) available for public review and comment at the same time.
Applicants should use ABCA template in Appendix 4.  This is meant to be a BRIEF document.
Project Description
Applicants were required to describe their cleanup plan.
Revised to require applicants to provide more specific information about their cleanup plans including the conditions of the existing property, the proposed/projected redevelopment, any previous activities to prepare the site for cleanup, and any institutional controls or engineering controls, if applicable.
Point Distribution
Community Need - 15%
Project Description and
       Feasibility of Success - 40%
Community Engagement - 15% Project Benefits - 30%
Community Need - 15%
Project Description and
       Feasibility of Success - 50%, Community Engagement - 15%
Project Benefits - 20%

 

FY2011 EPA Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup Grant Guidelines

Due October 15, 2010

These grants may be used to address sites contaminated by petroleum and hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants (including hazardous substances co-mingled with petroleum). Opportunities for funding are as follows: Brownfields Assessment Grants (each funded up to $200,000 over three years; coalitions are funded up to $1,000,000 over three years), Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grants (each funded up to $1,000,000 over five years) and Brownfields Cleanup Grants (each funded up to $200,000 over three years). The proposal deadline is October 15, 2010.
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