dEPA
             United Stsws
             Environmental Protection
             Agency
           Office of
           Solid Waste and
           Emergency Response
DIRECTIVE NUMBER: 9275.1-01
TITLE: Removal Financial Management Instructions

APPROVAL DATE:  July 31, 1984
EFFECTIVE DATE:  July 31, 1984
ORIGINATING OFFICE: cms/om
B FINAL
D DRAFT
 STATUS:

REFERENCE (other documents}:
  OSWER     OSWER     OSWER
VE   DIRECTIVE   DIRECTIVE   D

-------
          UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

                      WASHINGTON. D.C. T'0460
                           JUL 3 I  1934
MEMORANDUM
                                              SULlO WASTE AND CM6 H(if NC? HtSPf.\SE

                                            OGWER Directive 9275.1-1
SUBJECT:  Removal-) Financial Management Instructions

FROM:     tee 'w. Thomas
          Assistant Administrator

TO:       Regional Administrators
          Regions I - X


     Attached are the Removal Financial Management Instructions.
These instructions were developed  in order to ensure a smooth
transition in implementing the April 16, 1984, Superfund
delegations.  The package was prepared in .close cooperation
with your program and management division staff.  Comments
received from Regions were incorporated as shown  in the
attached comment matrix.

     The Removal Financial Management Instructions provide a
planning structure for you to identify and assign Regional
financial responsibility.  Since each Region is organized
differently, the document does not specify the organizational
location of the responsibility.  Instead, it provides guidelines
and standards for what must be done.  It is up to you to establish
organizational responsibility for your new financial management.
functions.

     On June 1, 1984, you wore issued an allowance by the Office
of the Comptroller to be used to fund removal actions.
These allowances were based on your Site Stabilization Accom-
plishment Plans.  We must keep careful track of obligations
against these allowances because we have to submit monthly
reports to Congress and because, as we approach the end of the
year, we must make sure each Region's legitimate  response
needs are met.

     Consequently, you are being asked to send Headquarters,
within six working days of the end of each month, a list of
your open commitments and obligations (see page 10 of the
instructions).  Your first report  is due to Becky Kennedy of
OERR's Funds Control Center (WH-548D) by August 8, 1984, and

-------
                             -2-
                                      OSWER Directive 9275.1-1

should cover both June and July.  This is an extremely important
responsibility and I ask your cooperation in establishing a
mechanism within your Region that will ensure this deadline
is met each month.  We are investigating alternative means
of obtaining this financial information in order to reduce the
reporting burden on the Regions.

     Bruce Engelbert, at FTS 382-2441, can answer any questions
you or your staff may have.
Attachment

cc:  Edward V. Fitzpatrick
     Louis F. Gitto
     Herbert Barrack
     William L. Librizzi
     Stephen R. Wassersug
     Alvin Morris
     Howard D. Zeller
     Thomas W. Devine
     William H. Sanders, III
     Robert Springer
     John S. Fleeter
     Delores J. Platt
     Oscar Ramirez
     John Wickland
     Jack W. Hoffbuhr
     Irwin Dickstein
     Charles Murray
     Nora McGee
     Harry Seraydarian
     Gary O'Neal
Region
Region
Region
Region
Region
Region
Region
Region
Region
Region
Region
Reg ion
Region
Region
Region
Region
Region
Region
Reg ion
Reg ion
I
I
II
II
III
III
IV
IV
V
V
VI
VI
VI
VII
VIII
VIII
IX
X
IX
X
Morgan Kinghorn
Brian Polly
Gordon Takeshita
Harvey Pippen
Dave Ryan
Dave O'Connor
Stan Fredericks
Bruce Engelbert
Donald Kraft
Becky Kennedy
Billie Perry
Jack Stanton
Hans Crump
Thad Juszczak

-------
                              OSWER Directive 9275.1-1
            SUPERFUND  REMOVAL  PROGRAM
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY, RESPONSIBILITIES
                 AND PROCEDURES
              U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
              Office of Emergency and Remedial
                Response
              July 11, 1984

-------
                                   OSWER Directive 9275.1-1
                 SUPERFUND REMOVAL PROGRAM
     FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY,  RESPONSIBILITIES
                      AND PROCEDURES
    Under  the approved Superfund delegations,  the  Regional
Offices have additional authority and responsibilities  for
significant portions of the removal program.   This
includes both programmatic authority, described  in detail
in  the Superfund Removal Guidance, and  financial authority
described  in this document.

    Regional financial authority consists of three
distinct,  but interrelated, parts:  approval,  funding and
obligation  (award).  Authority to approve removals is
contained  in the Superfund delegations  package.  In
general, Regional approval authority under  the removal
program will include all direct response activities
costing less than $1 million per site/spill as contained
in  the Superfund delegations.

    Funding authority will be contained in  the Regions'
allowances, and will provide extramural funding
(commitment authority)  for the following removal
mechanisms:

         Emergency Response Cleanup Services (ERCS)
         Delivery Orders

         Orders for Services, Notices to Proceed and
         Letter Contracts

         Cooperative Agreements (CA)

         Designated Interagency Agreements  (IAG)

              FEMA allocation transfer  lAGs for temporary
              relocation

              Coast Guard lAGs for assisting in EPA
              removals (Coast Guard intramural costs)

              Other agencies as appropriate (site-specific
              only) .

    Contract obligation authority is delegated by  the
Procurement and Contracts Management Division  (PCMD).
Regions have authority to obligate the  Government  for
amounts up to $250,000 under ERCS Delivery Orders, up to
$2,500 under Orders for Services,  up to $10,000 under
Notices to Proceed and up to $50,000 under Letter
Contracts with state and local governments.  Obligations
for increments in excess of these amounts must be made  in
                            -1-

-------
                                    OSWER  Directive 9275.1-1


accordance with Federal acquisition regulations by
PCMD-Headquarters, with the exception of Orders for
Services, which may never exceed $2,500 nor be modified to
change the amount of the original award.  Superfund
Cooperative Agreement obligation authority is delegated in
the Superfund delegations package (delegation 14-1-B); IAG
award authority has been delegated in delegation 1-11.
The upper obligation limit under Cooperative Agreements
and lAGs is the amount approved for the removal action.
The upper obligation limit under Orders for Services is
$2,500.  FEMA allocation transfer lAGs, referred to
throughout this document as transfer lAGs, must be
processed through the Office of the Comptroller as
described in Section VI.

    This document describes removal approval, funding and
document processing in detail.  The attachment to this
document spells out all acronyms used in the document.

I.  DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY

    The following highlights the delegations of financial
management authority in the removal program, subject to
the general restrictions noted below:

         RAs will approve the initiation of removal
         actions costing up to $1 million in obligations
         per site/spill (including all extramural costs
         and Headquarters and Regional intramural costs,
         but excluding all enforcement costs) , regardless
         of duration (RAs will approve extensions beyond
         the 6-month limit)  (14-1-A)

         AASWER will approve the initiation of removal
         actions costing over $1 million,  and will approve
         waiver of statutory $1 million limit (14-2)

         RAs may enter into Superfund State Contracts
         (which are not procurement contracts)  and award
         Cooperative Agreements with States to perform
         removal actions (14-1-B)

         RAs may award lAGs (1-11)

         On-Scene Coordinators (OSC)  have limited
         authority to obligate funds for removal actions
         (up to $2,500 for Orders for Services,  up to
         $10,000 for Notices to Proceed and up to $50,000
         for Letter Contracts with state and local
         governments)  that have been approved by the
         appropriate official; ERCS Ordering Officers can
         obligate Delivery Orders for up to $250,000 for
         approved actions
                            -2-

-------
                                   OSWER Directive 9275.1-1
         RAs may redelegate authority to the OSCs to
         approve the  initiation of removal actions up to
         $50,000 (within the RA's $1 million ceiling); the
         $1 million approval authority may be redelegated
         to Regional  Division Directors, but only where an
         action is expected to last six months or. less
         (14-1-A)

         RAs may redelegate award authority for CAs and
         lAGs to Regional Management Divisions; may also
         redelegate to Management Divisions authority for
         funds certification (commitment) (14-1-B).

    The following restrictions will apply to the Regional
approval of removal actions:

         Obligations  from the fund in excess of $1 million
         per site/spill will require written waiver by
         AASWER

         RAs must be  granted a waiver by AASWER to exceed
         the $1 million limit before approving removal
         actions which would result in total extramural
         obligations  at any one site of more than $900,000

         Regions must comply with directives issued by
         AASWER

         Contract obligation authority is subject to
         Federal acquisition regulations and contracting
         officer warrants issued by PCMD.

II. REGIONAL OFFICE ALLOWANCES

    Each Regional Office will be issued an allowance by
the Office of the Comptroller to be used to fund removal
actions.  The Regions will request annual removal funding
in the Site Stabilization Accomplishments Plan (SSAP),
which will be broken  out by quarter.   The approved SSAP
will determine the amount of the annual allowance, and the
quarterly allocations of that allowance.  The allowance
will be issued as follows:

         October 1 for first and second quarters
         March 1 for  third quarter
         June 1 for fourth quarter.

End of fiscal year adjustments may be necessary to
accommodate unforeseen events.   In addition, Headquarters
will maintain a contingency reserve to fund emergency
actions.
                            -3-

-------
                                    OSWER  Directive  9275.1-1
    Regions must manage and control their allowances in
accordance with Agency directives, e.g., Accounting
Manual.  Headquarters will provide assistance and
oversight as required.

    If a Region believes their current allowance is
insufficient to last the rest of theiquarter, the.Program
Division should submit a request to Jack Stanton,
Director, ERD/ detailing the following:

         Actual obligations (year-to-date)
         Open commitments
         Additional allowance needed
         Justification for additional funds.

This request should be submitted to ERD by the twelfth day
of the month preceeding the month for which the additional
funds will be needed.  When approved, the additional funds
will be transferred by the Office of the Comptroller into
the Region's allowance on the first day of the following
month.

III. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

    The following EPA organizational units have financial
management responsibilities for the Superfund removal
program.  These responsibilities are detailed in
Exhibit 1.  , Since Regions may be organized differently and
internally may assign responsibilities as best meets their
needs, these descriptions are intended to serve as
guidelines to assist Regions to carry out their functions.

    (1)  Regions

         Regions will in general be responsible for
    approving, funding, obligating and implementing the
    primary removal response activities within the
    limitation of the delegations.  The Regional
    Administrator has authority to approve and fund
    removal activities, to award Cooperative Agreements
    and lAGs,  and to enter into non-procurement Superfund
    State Contracts.  Some of this authority may be
    redelegated, in whole or in part, to Regional Division
    Directors or OSCs.   The Management Division, e.g.,
    Administrative Services Division, Office of Policy and
    Management, etc., will be responsible for the
    management and control of the Region's allowance and
    financial processes, and the Cooperative Agreement and
    IAG award processes.  The Program Division, e.g.,
    Waste Management Division, Office of Emergency and
    Remedial Response,  Environmental Services Division,
    etc., will initiate and direct all removal response
    activities in the Region.
                            -4-

-------
                                   OSWER Directive 9275.1-1
     (2)  Headquarters

         The Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response,
     as the national program manager, is generally
     responsible for maintaining program consistency,
     providing necessary guidance and directives, and
     reporting on national program activities and
     accomplishments.

         The Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste and
     Emergency Response (AASWER) is delegated the primary
     authority for these Headquarters functions, but may
     redelegate selected authority to OERR managers.  The
     non-response (non-site-specific)  portions of the
     removal program will be funded and coordinated in
     Headquarters.  The Office of Administration and
     Resources Management (OARM), through the Procurement
     and Contracts Management Division (PCMD), will carry
     out its contract award and management
     responsibilities.  The Financial Management Division
     (FMD) of OARM (Office of the Comptroller) will provide
     accounting systems, policies and procedures, billing
     and collections functions, support to cost recovery
     and. other financial functions.  The Grants
    Administration Division (GAD)  of OARM will provide
     national guidance on the processing and award of
    Cooperative Agreements and lAGs.   The Budget Division
     of OARM, (Office of the Comptroller)  will issue,
     reprogram and transfer allowances.

     (3)  Servicing Finance Offices

         The field organizations that play a role in
     financial management of the removal program are FMD's
    Servicing Finance Offices  (SFO).   The SFOs provide
    accounting services and entry into the Financial
    Management System (FMS)  for contracts (SFO-Research
    Triangle Park)  and reimbursable lAGs (SFO-Cincinnati);
    services for Superfund Cooperative Agreements will be
    provided by Regional Offices.

IV.  SUPERFUND ACCOUNT NUMBERS

    The ten-digit Superfund account number structure is
essentially the same as that used throughout the Agency,
with the addition of identifiers to track costs by
site/spill and activity.   The Superfund account number
identifies the year in which money was authorized; the
appropriation, program element, allowance holder,
responsibility center and activity to which the spending
action will be charged; and, for site-specific actions,
the site/spill identifier and site-specific activity code
for which funds will be used.   All Regional extramural
                            -5-

-------
                                   OSWER Directive 9275.1-1
 removal  funding must be charged  site-specifically.   This
 requires  the  following structure  for the  last  three  fields
 of  the account number:  8th  field--site-specific  activity
 code; 9th  and 10th  fields--site/spill  identifier.  The
 account  number is assigned to the Procurement  Request  (PR)
 or  Commitment Notice  (CN) at the  time  a removal is
 funded.   If a removal is  initiated during non-working
 hours, the OSC should use the pre-assigned emergency
 site/spill identifier that the Regional Management
 Division  has given  to each Program Division, or follow
 alternative procedures established by  the Region.  On the
 next working day, the OSC must notify  the Management
 Division  that the emergency  identifier was used,  and
 report the site name and state and the response activity
 code.  The Management Division must set up the account
 number in FMS on that same day.

    When assigning  Superfund account numbers,  the
Management Division needs to determine if the  incident  is
 at  a new or existing site/spill.  This process is
complicated by the  fact that:

         The removal,  remedial and enforcement programs
         will all be requesting account numbers

         They may be funding work at the same  sites/spills

         The same site/spill may have  several  different
         names (aliases).

    If the account number is for an existing site/spill,
the appropriate assigned identifier should be  used.  If it
 is  for a new site/spill,  the next sequential identifier
should be issued and recorded.   For new account numbers,
the Management Division will set up the account number  in
FMS.  At the same time, each Regional Management Division
will provide the Financial Management Division-
Headquarters, Financial Reports and Analysis Branch, with
the new sites added to the identifier  list to  assist in
their accounting control process and for special  reporting
requirements.  For the balance of FY 1984, the OERR FCC
will assign site/spill identifiers; additional guidance
will follow.

V.  DOCUMENT CONTROL NUMBER

    The Document Control Number  (DCN)  is a unique
six-digit number assigned by the Region that identifies
each individual financial transaction.   The DCN is
assigned to the PR or CN at the time a removal is funded.
If a removal is initiated during non-working hours, the
OSC should use the pre-assigned DCN which has  been given
to each Program Division, or follow alternative procedures
established by the Region.

                            -6-

-------
                                   OSWER Directive 9275.1-1
    One DCN should be used  for each commitment at a site.
The DCN is entered on the PR or CN prepared and  signed  in
the Region.  The corresponding obligating document, e.g.,
ERGS Delivery Order, must have the same DCN and  accounting
data as the PR.  DCNs are not needed for transfer lAGs
with FEMA.

VI. FINANCIAL DOCUMENT PROCESSING

    There are three basic types of financial documents
needed to undertake a removal action.  Although  these
documents should generally  be prepared and processed
sequentially, the nature of the removal program  is such
that the documents often are processed simultaneously or
out of order.  FEMA IAG transfer allocations are processed
using different documents,  as described at the end of this
section; there is no Commitment Notice for these actions.
Since each Region may establish its own responsibilities
and redelegations under Superfund, the following
description is intended to  guide, not mandate, the
Region's internal processing of documents.

    The first type of document is used to approve the
removal action.  There is one document of this type, the
Action Memorandum (formerly 10-point document).  For
removals expected to cost less than $1 million,  the
Regional Administrator, or  other Regional staff  if
redelegated, signs the Action Memo.  Regions must send  a
copy of the signed Action Memo to the Response Operations
Branch of ERD-Headquarters within five days of signature.
These documents are needed  for tracking and Congressional
response purposes.  For removals greater than $1 million,
the AASWER must sign and approve the Action Memo.  See
Exhibit 2 for an outline of this process.

    The second type of document is used to commit funds
for a removal action.  There are two types of commitment
documents:  The Procurement Request (EPA Form 1900-8)  and
the Commitment Notice (EPA Form 2550-9).  The PR is used
to commit funds for contracts; the CN to commit  funds for
Cooperative Agreements (CAs) and reimbursable Interagency
Agreements (lAGs); transfer lAGs are not committed and
therefore do not require a CN, a DCN or an account
number.  The Program Division will prepare the PR or CN
and obtain all necessary program approvals and signatures,
and will send the document  to the Management Division for
addition of accounting information (account number,
appropriation and DCN).  The Management Division will also
check that the action has been approved.  The RA as
Allowance Holder,  or designee, will certify the
availability of funds and set aside the required funds  on
the allowance1s Document Control Register.  The  approved
PR or CN is entered as a commitment into FMS, directly  by
                            -7-

-------
                                   OSWER Directive 9275.1-1
the Region for Cooperative Agreements and by the SFO/RTP
for contracts or SFO/Cincinnati for  reimbursable lAGs.
Disposition of the documents after commitment shall be  as
* _ ^ ^ 	-_.•_
follows:
         PRs for ERCS -- if within Regional Ordering
         Officer's ordering authority,  i.e., for  amounts
         up to $250,000, return PR to Program Division to
         obligate funds and retain copy of  PR in  Regional
         contract file, with original sent  to
         PCMD-Headquarters for  official contract  file.   If
         greater than $250,000, prepare PR  for the total
         cost;  obligate Delivery Order  for  $250,000;  and
         send originals of PR and obligated Regional
         Delivery Order to PCMD in Headquarters for
         obligation of increment over $250,000.  Finance
         copy of PR is sent to  SFO-RTP  for  entry  of
         commitment in FMS.

         PRs for Letter Contracts,  Notices  to Proceed and
         Orders for Services — if within Regional OSC's
         contracting authority, i.e., amounts up  to
         $50,000,  $10,000  and $2,500, respectively, return
         PR to  Program Division to obligate funds and
         retain copy of PR in Regional  contract file, with
         original sent to  PCMD-Headquarters for official
         contract file;  if greater  than Region's
         contracting authority, prepare PR  for the total
         cost and obligate up to the  limit  of Regional
         authority (except for  Orders for Services, which
         may never exceed  $2,500);  send original  of PR and
         original signed Regional contract  to PCMD in
         Headquarters for  obligation  of increment in
         excess of Regional authority.   Finance copy  of PR
         is sent to SFO-RTP for entry of commitment in  FMS.

         CNs for Cooperative Agreements and reimbursable
         lAGs -- send with remainder  of funding package
         (CA application,  Assistance  Funding Order and
         Special Conditions for Cooperative Agreements;
         transmittal memo  and EPA Form  1610-1 for lAGs) to
         Regional Grants office.   For transfer lAGs,
         prepare EPA Form  1610-1 and  a  transmittal memo;
         the transmittal memo should  include a funds
         certification and reservation  statement, such
         as:   "I certify that funds are available for this
         project,  and have reserved funds in the  amount of
         $	 for this purpose;" once  signed, send
         these  documents to the Regional Grants Office.
         CNs for reimbursable lAGs  are  sent to
         SFO-Cincinnati for entry of  commitment in FMS.
         Commitments for Cooperative  Agreements are
         entered in FMS in the  Regions.
                           -8-

-------
                                   OSWER  Directive 9275.1-1
See Exhibit 3 for an outline of this process.

    The third type of document is the obligating
document.  Six documents of this type are used in the
removal program.  They are:

         ERCS Delivery Order, which .is obligated-by a
         Regional Ordering Officer for amounts up to
         $250,000; PCMD in Headquarters will modify Orders
         to obligate amounts over the Regions' $250,000
         authority, and will award all modifications to
         change the original amount

         Letter Contract with state and local governments,
         which can be obligated by a Regional OSC for
         amounts up to $50,000; PCMD in Headquarters will
         obligate amounts over the Regions' $50,000
         authority and will award all modifications to
         change the original amount

         Notice to Proceed, which can be obligated by a
         Regional OSC for amounts up to $10,000; PCMD in
         Headquarters will modify Notices to obligate
         amounts over the Regions' $10,000 authority and  .
         will award all modifications to change the amount

         Order for Services, which can be obligated by a
         Regional OSC for amounts up to $2,500; an Order
         for Services may never exceed $2,500

         Cooperative Agreement, which is awarded by the
         Regional Administrator;  the limit on award amount
         is the amount approved for the removal action

         IAG, which is signed by the RA, but is not
         obligated until executed by the other Federal
         agency.

Note that Superfund State Contracts, which outline state
and EPA responsibilities and provide required state
assurances under CERCLA, are not obligating documents.
They are negotiated and signed in the Regions.

    Obligating documents must be processed in accordance
with guidance-issued by PCMD, GAD and FMD.  Regions will
make obligations/awards as noted above.  For CAs, Regions
are responsible for entering obligations into their
Document Control Register and into FMS.  For reimbursable
lAGs, copies of executed obligating documents must be sent
to SFO-Cincinnati for entry into FMS.  Transfer lAGs with
FEMA must be coordinated with the Office of the
Comptroller.  For contracts awarded by Regions under
Ordering Officer or emergency contracting authority,
copies of obligating documents must be sent to the SFO-RTP

                            -9-

-------
                                  OSWER Directive 9275.1-1

 for  entry  into  FMS and  to PCMD  for definitization and
 filing"in  the official  contract file.  For contracts
 awarded by PCMD,  they will be responsible  for making
 distribution to the Region and  to SFO-RTP.  Modifications
 to all  contract awards, whether originally made by the
 Region  or  PCMD, will be made by PCMD; the procedures for
 PCMD contract awards should be  followed.  See Exhibit 4
 for  an  outline  of the obligation process.

     For FEMA lAGs, which are allocation transfers, funds
 are  transferred to FEMA via SF-1151, Non-expenditure
 Transfer Authorization.  This transfer is processed by the
 Office of  the Comptroller — the Budget Division for the
 required change request and FMD-Headquarters, Financial
 Reports and Analysis Branch, for the SF-1151.  Regions
 must obtain from FEMA a quarterly outlay plan with each
 signed  transfer IAG, and must forward one signed copy of
 the  IAG, a signed change request for transfer of funds and
 an outlay plan  to both:

         FMD, Financial Reports and Analysis Branch,
         attention:  Ivery Jacobs

         Office of the Comptroller, Budget Division,
         attention:  Liz Milstead.

VII.   CONTRACTOR INVOICES

    Contractors will include, on the Program Division's
 copy of the invoice or voucher for payment, a
 certification statement to be signed by the OSC or
 Ordering Officer.   The statement will indicate that the
 services for which the contractor is billing have been
 provided.   A typical certification statement to be used
 is:  "I certify to the best of my knowledge and belief
 that the services shown on the invoice have been performed
 and are accepted."  The OSC or Ordering Officer must sign
 the certification and, within 5 days, forward the
 certified copy of the invoice or voucher to SFO/RTP.
Additional guidelines and procedures on processing
contractor invoices are included in the "Emergency
Ordering and Acquisition Procedures" and "ERCS Users
Manual."

VIII. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

    The OERR Funds Control Center (OERR/FCC)  is
responsible for preparing periodic and ad hoc financial
 status reports  on the removal program.  For these reports
 to be both timely and comprehensive, FCC needs to get from
 the Regions information on extramural obligations.  This
 information will be obtained by running an FMS report on
                           -10-

-------
                                  OSWER Directive 9275.1-1

the fifth working day of each month for the Regions'
obligations.  Since not all Since not all  obligations will
be in FMS at that time, a Region must submit a
supplemental report including those extramural obligations
that have not been entered into FMS.   To be included in
the previous month's status report,  this Regional report
must be received by FCC no later than the  sixth working
day of the month and must contain,  for each obligation:

         Document Control Number
         Account Number
         Site/spill name
         Amount of open commitments
         Amount of obligation
         Date of obligation.

Reports should be sent to:

    Becky Kennedy
    OERR Funds Control Center
    WH-548D

    FCC will not verify the Regional  information, but will
compile various reports using the data in  FMS supplemented
by that submitted by the Regions.  Additional guidance on
reporting requirements will follow.
                           -11-

-------
                                                                    OSWER Directive
                                        Exhibit  1
                          Financial  Management Responsibilities
                                    (Removal  Program)
REGION

Regional
Administrator
Management
Division
Authority to approve removal actions up to
$1 million, regardless of duration (also approves exemption
beyond 6-month limit)
Authority to award Cooperative Agreements and lAGs
Authority to enter into Superfund State Contracts
(non-procurement)
May redelegate selected authorities to Division
Directors/OSCs
Assigns account numbers and DCNs to all Regional commitment
and obligation documents
Issues site/spill identifiers for Region effective
October 1, 1984
Processes all commitment documents for Regional contracts
and reimbursable lAGs; sends copy of PR or CN to SFO/RTP or
SFO/Cincinnati for entry into FMS
Enters Cooperative Agreement commitments, obligations  and
drawdowns into FMS
Processes Cooperative Agreements and designated lAGs,
including assigning CA and IAG identification numbers; may
award agreements if authority redelegated
Maintains files of financial documents
Prepares required financial reports
Sets up account numbers (new obligational authority only)
in FMS
Controls allowance, maintains DCR and reconciles
transactions
Maintains fiscal oversight of Cooperative Agreements

-------
                                                                       OSW1JK Directive 9275.1-1
                                       Exhibit  1  (cont'd)
                             Financial Management Responsibilities
                                       (Removal Program)
   Program
   Division
Obligates ERCS Delivery Orders up to $250,000
Obligates Orders for Services up to $2,500, Notices to
Proceed up to $10,000 and Letter Contracts up to $50,000
Initiates removal actions; prepares PRs/CNs and
work statements
Reviews and certifies invoices
Initiates and approves TDDs under TAT contract
Prepares Action Memos and forwards to ERD
Drafts SSAPs
Works with states to develop Superfund State Contracts and
Cooperative Agreements
   HEADQUARTERS
   AASWER
to
I
Formally issues removal guidance and directives
Approves removal actions expected to cost or actually
costing over $1 million
Approves waiver of statutory $1 million limit
Approves SSAPs
May redelegate selected authorities to OERR
   OERR/FCC
Prepares various Superfund financial reports
Prepares Superfund-specific guidance and directives
Implements and oversees compliance with Agency financial
management policies and procedures
Processes and commits funds for TAT and ERCS management and
award (TAT) or incentive (ERCS) fee

-------
                                                                   OSWfcR  Directive  9275.
                                   Exhibit 1 (cont'd)
                          Financial Management  Responsibilities
                                   (Removal  Program)
OERR/ERD
Provides guidance and coordination for ERGS contracts
Coordinates ERGS performance incentive process
Initiates TAT funding and rebid; coordinates and manages
TAT performance evaluation; shifts TAT resources as
necessary
Coordinates SSAP approvals and amendments
Drafts removal guidance and directives and coordinates
agency review
PCMD
Awards, administers and modifies ERGS and TAT contracts
Definitizes all ERCS Delivery Orders and Regional emergency
contracts (Order for Services, Notice to Proceed and Letter
Contract)
Obligates ERCS Delivery Orders for amounts in excess of the
Regions' $250,000 authority
Modifies Notices to Proceed and Letter Contracts to
obligate amounts in excess of the Regions' $10,000 and
$50,000 obligating authority
Awards all contract and Delivery Order modifications
Maintains official contract files
FMD
Promulgates Agency-wide accounting policies and procedures
Maintains and implements the official Agency-wide
accounting systems
Assists in assembling financial cost recovery documents
and FMS print-outs
Bills and monitors payments for state cost shares under
Superfund State Contracts
Sets up carry-over account numbers in FMS

-------
                                                                       OSWEk  Directive 9275.1-1
                                      Exhibit 1 (cont'd)
                             Financial Management  Responsibilities
                                       (Removal  Program)
   GAD
Transfers official CA and IAG files to Regions
Issues guidance for the processing and award of CAs and lAGs
   SFO' S
   SFO/RTP
Enters commitments for ERCS and other contracts into FMS
Enters obligations and payment information into FMS for
ERCS and other contracts
Processes invoices for ERCS and other contracts
   SFO/Las Vegas
Transfers official files and responsibilities for CAs to
Regions
   SFO/Cincinnati
Ul
i
Processes invoices for lAGs; enters commitments,
obligations and payments for reimbursable lAGs into FMS

-------
                                   OSWER Directive  9275.1-1
                         Exhibit  2
              Financial  Document  Processing  -
                 Removal Action Memorandum
1.  Regional Program Division drafts Action Memo (formerly
    10-point document).

2.  If removal expected  to cost no more than $1 million,
    forwards Action Memo to Regional Administrator; if
    expected to cost more than $1 million,  forwards Action
    Memo to AASWER.

3.  RA or AASWER approves Action Memo.

4.  Copy of Action Memo  sent to ERD/Response Operations
    Branch within 5 days of signature.

5.  Original Action Memo returned to Regional Management
    Division for filing; copy to Regional Program Division.
                           -16-

-------
                                   OSWER Oirective  9275.1-1

                         Exhibit  3
              Financial  Document  Processing  -
               Removal Commitment Documents

1.  Regional Program Division prepares funding package:

         Contracts -- PR plus statement of work

         Cooperative Agreements -- CN, Assistance Funding
         Order, Special Conditions plus Application

         Reimbursable lAGs — CN, transmittal memo plus
         EPA Form 1610-1

         Transfer lAGs -- Transmittal memo (with
         certification and reservation statement) plus EPA
         Form 1610-1.

2.  Commitment document and remainder of funding package
    undergoes Regional legal and administrative review.

3.  Regional Management Division adds accounting
    information (account number,  appropriation and DCN)
    and certifies availability of funds; enters commitment
    in OCR and directly into FMS for Cooperative
    Agreements, sends document to SFO/RTP for contracts or
    SFO/Cincinnati for reimbursable lAGs for entry of
    commitment into FMS.  For transfer lAGs,  funds are
    reserved from the Regional allowance but are not
    committed in OCR or FMS.

4.  For removal actions expected to cost no more than SI
    million, RA approves action;  for actions expected to
    cost more than $1 million, AASWER approves action.

5.  Distribution of commitment document/funding package
    depends on type of funding mechanism:

         ERCS Delivery Order not more than $250,000; Order
         for Services, Notice to Proceed or Letter
         Contract not more than $2,500, $10,000 and
         $50,000,  respectively — return to Regional
         Program Division for obligation

         ERCS Delivery Order greater than $250,000; Notice
         to Proceed or Letter Contract greater than
         $10,000 and $50,000, respectively -- return to
         Program Division for obligation of amount within
         Regional authority; send to PCMD-Headquarters for
         modification of Delivery Order or contract to add
         increment in excess of Regional obligating
         authority (also to be used for modifications to
         all contracts)
                           -17-

-------
                                   OSWER Directive  9275.1-1
                    Exhibit 3 (cont'd)


         Cooperative Agreement or IAG -- send to Regional
         Grants office for award.

6.   Originals of all PRs must be sent to PCMD-Headquarters
    to be included in official contract file.
                            -18-

-------
                                   OSWER Directive 9275.1-1
                         Exhibit 4
              Financial Document Processing -
               Removal Obligating Documents
1.  Award Official depends on type of funding mechanism:

    a.   ERGS Delivery Order not more than $250,000 --
         Regional Ordering Officer

    b.   Order for Services, Notice to Proceed or Letter
         Contract within Regions' obligating authority,
         i.e., for amounts not more than $2,500, $10,000
         and $50,000, respectively — OSC

    c.   Modifications to ERCS Delivery Orders, Notice to
         Proceed and Letter Contracts to obligate amounts
         in excess of Regions'obligating authority of
         $250,000, $10,000 and $50,000, respectively, and
         modifications to change all original obligation
         amounts -- PCMD Headquarters

    d.   Cooperative Agreements -- RA

    e.   lAGs -- RA

2.  For items "a" and "b" above, distribution after
    signature is:

         PCMD -- for definitization and filing in official
         contract file (original)
         ERD - Removal Operations Branch -- for
         information purposes
         SFO-RTP — for entry into FMS and filing in
         official file
         Regional Management Division -- For entry into
         OCR and filing in Regional file.

3.  For item "c" above, distribution after signature is:

         PCMD — for filing in official file (original)
         ERD - Removal Operations Branch -- for
         information purposes
         SFO-RTP -- for entry into FMS and filing in
         official file
         Regional Management Division -- for entry into
         OCR and filing in Regional file.
                           -19-

-------
                                  OSWER Directive 9275.1-1
                    Exhibit 4 (cont'd)


4.  For item "d" above,  distribution after signature is:

         ERD - Removal Operations Branch — for
         information purposes
         Regional Management Division — for entry into
         OCR and FMS and filing  in pfficial file.
         (original).

5.  For item "e" above,  distribution after signature is to
    the recipient Federal agency.  After signature by the
    Federal agency,  distribution is:

         ERD - Removal Operations Branch -- for
         information purposes
         Regional Management Division — for entry into
         DCR and filing  in official file
         SFO/Cincinnati  — for  entry into FMS and filing
         in official file (original).

    FEMA lAGs (original)  with quarterly outlay plans and  a
    change  request to transfer  funds must be forwarded to
    the Office of the Comptroller, Budget Division, with  a
    copy to FMD-Headquarters, Financial Reports and
    Analysis Branch, to  transfer funds  by SF-1151 to FEMA.
                           -20-

-------
                                   OSWER Directive 9275.1-1
                        ATTACHMENT

            Acronyms Used in Removal Financial
                   Management  Procedures
AASWER   -  Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste and
            Emergency Response

CERCLA   -  Comprehensive Environmental Response,
            Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980
            (Superfund)

CA       -  Cooperative Agreement

CN       -  Commitment Notice

DCN      -  Document Control Number

OCR      -  Document Control Register

ERCS     -  Emergency Response Cleanup Services

ERD      -  Emergency Response Division

FEMA     -  Federal Emergency Management Agency

FMD      - , Financial Management Division (Headquarters)

GAD      -  Grants Administration Division (Headquarters)

IAG      -  Intergency Agreement

OARM     -  Office of Administration and Resources
            Management (Headquarters)

OERR     -  Office of Emergency and Remedial Response
            (Headquarters)

OERR/FCC -  Funds Control Center of the Office of
            Emergency and Remedial Response (Headquarters)

OERR/ERD -  Emergency Response Division of the Office of
            Emergency and Remedial Response (Headquarters)

OSC      -  On-Scene Coordinator

PCMD     -  Procurement and Contracts Management Division

PR       -  Procurement Request
                           -21-

-------
                                  OSWER Directive 9275.1-1
RA       -  Regional Administrator
RTF      -  Research Triangle Park
SFO      -  Servicing Finance Office
SSAP     -  Site Stabilization Accomplishments Plan
TAT      -  Technical Assistance Team
TDD      -  Technical Directive Document
                            -22-

-------
                                                                         OSWER  Directive 9275.1-1
                                             COMMENTS MATRIX
                                  REMOVAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES
   COMMENTOR

C. Morgan Kinghorn
Comptroller
Brian K. Polly
Director, PCMD
   SUBJECT

Delegations - 6-month
extension (p.2)
                           FMD Responsibilities
                           (Exhibit 1)
                           Financial Document
                           Processing-Removal Obliga-
                           ing Documents (Exhibit 4)

                           Financial Document
                           Processing (page 9)
ERCS Delivery Order
Obligations (pages 1,
8 and Exhibits 1 and
                           Orders for Service
3,7
4)
                           ERCS Funding
                           Authority (page 1)
                           Financial Management
                           Responsibilities -
                           OERR/FCC and ERD
                           (Exhibit 1)
             COMMENT

       Wording misleading;  sounds
       like extension is for 6-
       months.
                           'Important to state FMD's
                            role in Agency-wide
                            system.
                            Important to reiterate
                            PCMD's award role in item 3
Add "Budget Division"
to processing of Transfer
lAGs.

OSC awards action up to
limit of authority; PCMD
modifies document to add
additional funding.

Orders for Services can
never exceed $2,500 and
should never be modified
to change the amount.

Regional ERCS funding for
Delivery Orders only; OERR
funds contract management.

ERCS incentive mechanism
should be called "perfor-
mance incentive process".
   RESPONSE

Comment accepted.
Wording now reads
"extension beyond the
6-month limit".

Comment accepted.  Ad
"Maintains and imple-
ments the official
Agency-wide account in
system."

Comment not accepted.
Item 3 discusses dis-
tribution after award

Comment accepted and
change made.
Comment accepted;
changes made
where necessary.
                                                          Comment accepted;
                                                          changes made
                                                          where necessary.
                                                          Comment  accepted;
                                                          changes  made  to
                                                          clarify  this  point

                                                          Comment  accepted;
                                                          changes  made  to re
                                                          flect  proper ^Le
                                                          ology.
                                                    -1-

-------
                                                                         OSWER Directive 9275.1-1
                                             COMMENTS MATRIX
                                 REMOVAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES
   COMMENTOR

Brian K. Polly
(continued)
Region I

W. Librizzi, Director
OERR and H. Barrack,
ARA for Policy and
Management, Region II
   SUBJECT

Financial Management
Respons ibi1it ies-PCMD
(Exhibit 1)
                           Contractor Invoices
                           (page 9)
No comments received

Financial Management
Respons ibi1i t i es—Manage-
ment Division (Exhibit 1)
                           Delegations of Authority
                           (page 2)
                           Financial Management
                           Responsibilities (page 4)
      COMMENT

Proper terminology is
"awards all contract and
Delivery Order modifi-
cations . "

"Interim Emergenecy Pro-
curement Procedures"
are being replaced by
"Emergency Ordering and
Acquistion Procedures"
     RESPONSE

Comment accepted;
this suggested word-
ing has been substi-
tuted.

Comment accepted;
the replacement document
title will be used.
 "Audits Cooperative Agree-  Comment accepted.  The
 ments" needs clarification, wording has been clari-
 probably to "coordinates    fied to "maintains
 audits of..."               fiscal oversight of..."
                                                                                   Comment accepted.  '
                                                                                   has been eliminated,
                                                                            All1
 "Maintains files of all
 financial documents" needs
 clarification... some
 documents, such as time-
 sheets, are maintained in
 the Program Division.

 Regions need procedures to  Comment noted.  OERR
 enable tracking of removal  will provide Regions
 costs against  the $1 mil-   with procedures for cost
 lion ceiling.               tracking, but in a
                            document other than
                            this financial
                            procedures document.

 Recommends that "funding"   Comment noted.  "Funding
 be replaced by              is more inclusive than
'"committing".               "committing", encom-
                            passing both committing
                                                     -2-

-------
                                                                         OSWER Directive 9275.1-1
                                             COMMENTS MATRIX
                                  REMOVAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES
   COMMENTOR

W. Librizzi/H. Barrack
(continued)
Alvin Morris, Assis-
tant RA for Policy
and Management,
Region III

Region IV

Robert Springer,
Director, Planning and
Management Division,
Region V
   SUBJECT
Concur, no comment




No comments received

General
                           Financial Document
                           Processing  (page 7)
      COMMENT
     RESPONSE

and actually providing
funds.  In this circum-
stance, "funding" is
the more appropriate
term.
Recommends that instruc-
tions of this type be pre-
reviewed by HQ Office of
the Comptroller and FMD
to assure compliance with
accounting, fund control
and financial operations
requirements.
                            The instructions state that
                            commitments for contracts
                            and lAGs are entered into
                            FMS by the SFOs in RTP
                            and Cincinnati; believes
                            that Regions should enter
                            commitments to reflect an
                            early reservation of funds.
Comment noted.  FMD
staff did review and
comment on the removal
procedures at several
points in the develop-
ment process.  Region
V also reviewed the
document prior to
formal transmittal
throughout the Agency.

Comment noted.  Regions
cannot directly enter
commitments  for
transactions obligated
in  RTP or Cincinnati
because of the differen
SFO numbers.  Both FMD
and one Region stated
that the Regions do not
have First-Up capabil-
ities to enter commit-
ments against other
SFO's obligations.  if •
                                                     -3-

-------
                                                                        OSWER  Directive 9275.^1
                                             COMMENTS MATRIX
                                 REMOVAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES
   COMMENTOR

Robert Springer
(continued)
Region VI

Susan Gordon,
Assistant RA for
Policy and Management
Region VII
Dave Wagner,
Director, Air and Waste
Mangement Division
Region VII
   SUBJECT
                                                             COMMENT
No comments received
Cost Recovery
Cost recovery responsibil-
ities need expansion.
Issuing Site/Spill
Identifiers
Although this guidance
assigns responsibility for
issuing identifiers to
Management Divisions,  the
Program Divisions are  more
appropriate since they are
familiar with site aliases
and need identifiers
first.
                                 RESPONSE

                            Region V or any other
                            Region does have  First-
                            Up,  they should use it
                            in accordance with FMD
                            procedures.
Comment noted.
Cost recovery indeed
needs clarification,
but this directive is
not the appropriate
mechanism for doing so.

Comment noted.  As
the directive states
(page 3), the indicated
responsibilities are
intended to guide, not
dictate to, the Regions
Since some Regions have
remedial and removal
programs separated
organizationally, and
since the issuance of
identifiers needs to be
coordinated between the
two (and enforcement),
the Management Division
may often be the logi-
cal issuer of identi-
fiers.  As long as the
process is adequately
controlled and managed,
                                                    -4-

-------
                                                                         OSWER  Directive 9275.1-1
                                             COMMENTS MATRIX
                                 REMOVAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES
   COMMENTOR

Dave Wagner
(continued)
SUBJECT
                           Maintenance of Files
                           Audits of Cooperative
                           Agreements (Exhibit  1)
                                                             COMMENT
                                                       It  is  unclear  from  the
                                                      ^guidance  how HQ  will ob-
                                                       tain  identifiers.   Recom
                                                       mend  that they contact
                                                       the Region.
                         Because of Regional  space
                         limitations,  recommends
                         microfiching  and archiving
                         original documents.
                         What types of  audits
                         will Management  Division
                         be doing?
                                                       Who requests  audits  from
                                                       the IG  when required?
     RESPONSE

Regions may assign it
where it makes most
sense.

Comment noted.  The
exact mechanism for
managing identifiers has
not been determined.
While it is clear that
Regions will assign
identifiers, it may be
possible for HQ to ac-
cess those identifiers
through some sort of
system.  Additional
guidance will follow.

Comment noted.  For cost
recovery purposes, ori-
ginal source documents
should be maintained in
the Regional files.

None.  The wording in
Exhibit 1 has been cor-
rected to "Maintains
fiscal oversight of"
rather than "Audits".

Anyone can, or the IG
can audit on a random
or scheduled basis.
                                                       What  defines  the difference They are the same--see
                                                       between  these two typer of  above.
                                                       audits.
                                                    -5-

-------
                                                                         OSWER Directive 9275.1
                                             COMMENTS MATRIX
                                 REMOVAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES
   COMMENTOR

Dave Wagner
(continued)
   SUBJECT

Cost Recovery (Exhibit 1)
                           Reporting Requirements
                           (page 9)
      COMMENT

From Exhibit 1,  Reg.  VII
assumes OERR/FCC maintains
overall coordination  for
cost recovery.
                            Please clarify reporting
                            requirements.   How useful
                            can a report be if it con-
                            tains unverified data?
                            This is one of the
                            problems with PTS.
Jack Hoffbuhr,
Acting Regional
Administrator, Office
of Policy and Management,
Region VIII
Acronyms
The document is difficult
to read because of the
"excessive" use of
acronyms.  The full name
should be used the first
time each appears
on a page.
     RESPONSE

Comment noted.
OWPE provides overall
coordination; Regions,
FCC and FMD provide
support for financial
documentat ion.

Comment noted.  Each
Region, as Allowance
Holder, is responsible
for verifying their re-
ported data.  Although
FCC may check data that
appears unusual, it
will provide no regular
reconciliation or veri-
fication of data.  Com-
plete HQ data require-
ments are not yet de-
termined; once this
occurs, supplemental
guidance will be sent
to the Regions.

Comment partially
accepted.   Regions
need to become
familiar with Super-
fund acconyms.  To
help in following
this document, an at-
tachment has been added
containing all acronyms
used in the document,
in alphabetical order.
                                                    -6-

-------
                                                                        OSWER Directive 9275.1-1
                                             COMMENTS MATRIX
                                 REMOVAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES
   COMMENTOR

Jack Hoffbuhr
(continued)
   SUBJECT
Letter Contracts
      COMMENT

 The  document should expand
 on the definition of Let-
 ter  Contracts.  The dele-
 gations  limitations state
 the  authority does not ex-
• tend to  procurement con-
 tracts.  What is the ef-
 fect of  a  Letter Contract
 on Super fund money?
                           ERCS Contracts
                           (page 1)
                            Is there  more  than one
                            ERCS contract?  If so, how
                            does the  OSC know which
                            one to use?
     RESPONSE

As described on page 1,
financial authotity
comes from three sour-
ces.  The authority to
enter into contracts
'with states, delegated
in 14-1-B, is to provic
required CERCLA assur-
ances and to lay out
roles and responsibili-
ties for planned re-
moval actions.  These
contracts, commonly
called Superfund State
Contracts, do not obli-
gate any funds.  The
authority to -award Let-
ter Contracts with sta
and local governments
isigranted by PCMD for
amounts up to $50,000.
These two authorities
come from two entirely
different sources and
are not related.  Let-
ter Contracts for re-
moval actions are de-
scribed in more detail
in the Removal Guidanc.
soon to be issued by
ERD.

Yes, there are four ERc
zone contracts, but eat
Region has only one coi
tract under which it
can order world
                                                    -7-

-------
                                                                           OSWER Directive 9275.1-1
                                             COMMENTS MATRIX
                                 REMOVAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES
   COMMENTOR

Jack Hoffbuhr
(continued)
   SUBJECT

Other Emergency
Contracts
(page 1)
                           Ordering Officer's
                           Contracting Authority
                           (page 7)
                           Letter Contracts
                           (page 8)
                           Responsibilities  -
                           Management Division
                           (Exhibit 1)
       COMMENT

 "Notice to Proceed" and
 "Orders for Services"
 would indicate  that con-
 tracting has already been
 completed  nor the contract
-obligated.   Are these two
 actions handled the same
 as  "Delivery Orders"?
                            Is the term contracting
                            authority correct,  or
                            should the term be  ob-
                            ligating authority?
                            What is the difference,
                            if any, between Letter
                            Contracts and Superfund
                            State contracts?

                            Audit of Cooperative
                            Agreements is a function
                            of ,the IG, not the Manage-
                            ment Division.
     RESPONSE
   I  	
No, Notices to Proceed
and Orders for Services
are handled differently
than ERCS Delivery
Orders.  Contracting has
not been completed and
the contract obligated
as in the case with
ERCS; each Notice and
Order is a new obliga-
tion.  More details on
these contract types
are contained in the
Removal Guidance to be
issued by ERD; or can
be obtained from PCMD.

Comment accepted.  The
Ordering Officer has
been delegated authority
by PCMD in the ERCS con-
tracts to "place orders"
against the contract.
"Contracting" has been
changed to "ordering".

See Letter Contracts
above.
                            Comment accepted.
                            "Audits" has been
                            changed to "Maintains
                            fiscal oversight of."
                                                    -8-

-------
                                                                          OSWER Directive 9275.1-1
                                             COMMENTS MATRIX
                                 REMOVAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES
   COMMENTOR

Jack Hoffbuhr
(continued)
   SUBJECT

Acronyms
(Exhibit 1)
      COMMENT

Undefined acronyms are
included in Exhibit 1.
   I  RESPONSE

Comment accepted..  A
complete list and spell-
ing out of all acronyms
used in the document has
been added as an Attach-
ment.
Region IX

Region X

Billie Perry
OERR
No comments received

Deferred comments

Transfer IAGs
Transfer IAGs are pro-
cessed differently than
reimbursable IAGs.
Comment accepted.
Throughout the document,
the distinction between
transfer and reimburs-
able IAGs has been made.
                                                    -q-

-------