United States EPA -600-R-94-172 Environmental Protection August 1994 Agency Research and Development (8703) &ERA Solicitation For Minority Academic Institution Participation In Hazardous Substance Research Centers Program ------- AGENCY: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT OF A REQUEST FOR PRE-PROPOSALS FROM MINORITY ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS TO CONDUCT HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND TRAINING IN COOPERATION WITH EPA'S HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE RESEARCH CENTERS ACTION: NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY. SUMMARY: A Request for Pre-proposal Applications is available. The purpose of the request is to set forth the eligibility and submission requirements, evaluation criteria and schedule for establishing hazardous substance research, technology transfer and training activities at Minority Academic Institutions (MAIs), in cooperation with the five Hazardous Substance Research Centers (HSRCs), as authorized by section 311(d) of Superfund, and as amended by section 209 of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1988. These activities will be competitively awarded. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes that minority academic institutions (MAIs) are underrepresented in research and other activities relating to hazardous substance management. To improve this situation, EPA is making funds available to enhance the ability of MAIs to participate in research, technology transfer, training, and academic development activities in collaboration with EPA's five HSRCs. The program rationale and design, areas of interest, eligibility requirements, and other important information are described in the solicitation. DATE: All pre-proposals must be received at the contact points by October 21, 1994. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Dale Manty, Director, Hazardous Substance Research Centers Program, Office of Exploratory Research (8703), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street SW Washington DC 20460 (202-260-7454) Supplementary Information: HSRC POINTS OF CONTACT CENTER ADDRESS DIRECTOR/ MAI COORDINATOR PHONE SEND AN ORIGINAL AND EIGHT COPIES OF THE PRE-PROPOSAL TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CENTERS: Northeast New Jersey Institute of Technology 323 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Newark, NJ 07102 Dick Magee, Director Mary Jane Pobero, Coordinator (201) 596-5883 Great Lakes/Mid-Atlantic Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering 2340 C G Brown Building University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Ml 48109-2125 Walt Weber, Director Pat Miller, Coordinator (517) 353-9718 Great Plaina/Rocky Mountains Kansas State University Ward Hall Manhattan, KS 66506-2502 Larry Erickson, Director Stan Grant, Coordinator (913) 532-4313 South and Southwest 3418 CEBA Bldg. Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA 70803-5083 Louis Thibodeaux, Director David Constant, Coordinator (504) 388-6770 Western Region Department of Civil Engineering Stanford University Stanford, CA 94305-4020 Perry McCarty, Director Jim Leckie, Coordinator (415) 723-8574 Gaiy Foley Acting Assistant Administrator for Research and Development August 15, 1994 Printed with Soy/Canola Ink on papor that contain* at laatl 50% recycled fiber ------- INTRODUCTION The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is concerned that minority academic institutions (MAIs) are underrepresented in research and other activities relating to hazardous substance management. To improve this situation, EPA announces the availability of funds to enhance the ability of MAIs to participate in research, technology transfer, training, and academic development activities in collaboration with EPA's five University Hazardous Substance Research Centers (HSRCs). The program rationale and design, areas of interest, eligibility requirements, and other important information are described below. The process begins with submission of an original and eight copies of pre-proposals from MAIs to one of the five EPA HSRCs. An administrative review will be made by the Center Director, in consultation with the EPA National HSRC Program Director. Eligible applications will then be reviewed for relevance and quality by each Center's Director, Science Advisory Committee, and Technology Transfer and Training Advisory Committees. Successful applicants will be invited to submit full proposals. Hazardous Substance Problems One of the important environmental issues facing our civilization is the management of hazardous substances from manufacture to treatment and disposal. Since 1980, over 40,000 hazardous waste sites have been discovered, more than 1,000,000 underground storage tanks are estimated to be leaking, and more than 250,000 industrial and waste storage or treatment facilities are subject to permit requirements of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. A National Priorities List for cleanup of the worst of these sites has been established by EPA. This list, plus similar state lists, total more than 5,000 sites. Such sites are causing contamination of air, soil, and ground and surface water. There is a growing recognition of the risks such contamination inflicts upon ecological communities. Conventional methods of determining, cleaning up, and managing these problems are proving inadequate to achieve desired levels of clean-up. The HSRC Program is fueled by a strong desire to develop better, cheaper, faster, and safer methods to assess and clean up these sites. EPA priorities for addressing these problems include development of new methods to assess and remediate sites, decrease the production and use of hazardous substances, and train a new generation of hazardous substance managers. GENERAL DESCRIPTION Under Section 311(d) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 9660(d), EPA has established five Hazardous Substance Research Centers. In 1994, Congress provided EPA with funds to encourage MAIs to participate in the HSRCs* research and training and technology transfer activities. These funds will be provided through a Federal Assistance Agreement with each HSRC, which in turn will establish sub-contracts with MAIs. If additional funds become available, additional qualified applicants may be funded. The MAI is expected to contribute a 20% match of non-federal resources. These resources may come from State, local, foundation, individual, or private sector contributions and may include in-kind contributions. No Federal funds provided for this program may be used to purchase, build, or renovate any buildings or to pur- chase land. Up to 15% of the funds will be available to encourage HSRC researchers to collaborate in joint projects with MAI researchers. Hazardous Substance Research Center Program EPA has competitively established five Hazardous Substance Research Centers to provide: Short- and long-term research on the manufacture, disposal, clean-up, and management of hazardous substances Dissemination of research information and findings Training, technology transfer, and technical outreach and support to benefit organizations, communities, and individuals involved with hazardous substances Research supported by the HSRCs covers all relevant scientific and technological subjects except human health effects research (toxicology, dose-response epidemiology, etc.) Each HSRC is headed by a Center Director who is responsible for managing each Center. The Director is the intellectual leader and guide for the Center. A Technology Transfer and Training Director ------- -2- oversees training and commercial application of Center projects. Each of the five HSRCs serves the States within two adjoining pairs of Federal Regions. All five collaborate to form a National Hazardous Substance Research Centers Program. Each center has its own Science Advisory Committee and Technology Transfer and Training Advisory Committee which regularly review the progress of ongoing work and recommend funding of new proposals. Availability of Funds $3.5 million will be available for award under the terms described below. Submission and Eligibility Requirements U.S. MAIs in good standing with the Federal government may submit pre-proposals. Applications must include a written certification that the applicant is a minority academic institution. The applicant's eligibility as an MAI will be confirmed on the basis of enrollment data in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Fall Enrollment Survey, provided by postsecondary institutions, through the National Center for Education Statistics, to the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education. The terms "accredited,1 "minority," and minority institution" are set forth in 34 C.F.R. § 637.4(b) (7-1-93 Ed.). To be considered for an award, an original pre- proposal and eight copies must be submitted to the most appropriate HSRC, as provided in Table 1. The pre-proposals are due at these contact points no later than 4:00 p.m. local time on Friday, October 21, 1994. Applicants are encouraged to submit their pre- proposal as soon as possible to provide for maximum opportunities to coordinate with appropriate HSRC staff and researchers. Receipt of pre-proposals will be acknowledged for those applicants providing a mailing address label. Each pre-proposal must include the information requested in the sample format at the end of this announcement. The proposed activity shall be described in up to two pages addressing the evaluation criteria. A summary budget for up to an 18 month period shall be included. HSRC research projects range from approximately $25,000 - $75,000 per year. Each Center, upon reviewing the pre- proposals, shall invite submission of full proposals. All applicants will be notified of the review results. TARI F 1. HSRC POINTS OF CONTACT Northeast Groat Lakes/Mid-AtiarrtJc Now Jersey Institute of Technology 323 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Newark, NJ 07102 Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering 2340 C 0 Brown Building University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Ml 48109-2125 Dick Magee, Director Mary Jane Pohero, Coordinator Walt Weber, Director Pat Miller, Coordinator (201) 596-5883 (517) 353-9718 Great Plains/Rocky Mountains South and Southwest Kansas State University Ward Hall Manhattan, KS 66506-2502 3418 CEBA Bldg. Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA 70803-5083 Western Region Department of Civil Engineering Stanford University Stanford, CA 94305-4020 Larry Erlckson, Director Stan Grant, Coordinator Louis Thibodeaux, Director David Constant, Coordinator (913) 532-4313 (504) 388-6770 Perry McCarty, Director Jim Leckie, Coordinator (415) 723-8574 ------- -3- Program Orientation and Training All MAI program participants and administrative officials will meet initially with the EPA National Program Director, Center Directors, and other Center and EPA personnel to initiate the program. Requirements for record keeping, laboratory and site safety, quality assurance, etc., will be presented to program participants. All MAI research and faculty participants will meet with Center Directors and other appropri- ate personnel in the latter part of their first year to review the progress of the program. Requests for funds to support participation in these meetings shall be included in each minority participation project. Pre-proposal Evaluation The first step in the review and selection process is an administrative review to determine eligibility and appropriateness. For each Center, the following evaluation criteria will be used to evaluate pre-proposals: Short- and long-term benefits to the Minority Academic Institution Benefits to principal investigator professional development Benefits to student academic development Level of participation by minority individuals Compatibility with HSRC interests Leverage of resources Quality of work proposed Potential impact of proposed activity AREAS OF INTEREST Pre-proposals are encouraged in one or more of the following areas but will be considered in other areas as well. It is recognized that some pre-proposals will incorporate elements from several areas of interest, such as a cooperative research program that includes faculty and/or student enhancement. These pre-proposals are also encouraged and will be evaluated on the strength of the consolidated pre-proposal. Cooperative Research Programs It is expected that most of the funds distributed under this solicitation will support cooperative research projects which pair MAI investigators with HSRC investigators. The goals of a cooperative research project are to enhance the research capabilities of the minority institution, promote significant interaction among the Center and MAIs, and lead to a continuing collaboration among the investigators. Given the time constraints of the program, preference will be given to projects that build on existing Center projects. New projects developed in collaboration with Center investigators, however, can be proposed. A potential investigator is strongly encouraged to review the current projects and activities of the Centers and contact Center personnel prior to submission of a pre- proposal. Examples of project collaboration include periodic exchanges of researcher-in-residence at an MAI or HSRC facility, co-investigation of a research topic, and joint supervision of research students. The specific nature of the collaboration will be defined by the investigators. Necessary travel funds to provide for this collaboration shall be built into the project pre- proposal. Pre-proposals are encouraged in the following broad HSRC research themes: Thermal treatment/incineration Bioremediation Contaminated sediment and dredge material Mine wastes and contaminated soils Remediation of contaminated groundwater It is suggested that interested proponents review the Abstracts of HSRC Research Activities (following) and contact the most appropriate HSRC from Table 1 for further information about specific personnel and research opportunities. Faculty Enhancement The goal of the faculty enhancement component is to provide hazardous substance research opportunities to promote professional growth of MAI faculty. A companion goal is to strengthen the hazardous substance research programs at their home institutions. Specifically, the program is intended to: Enhance research expertise and abilities Expand the knowledge-base in hazardous substance management research Provide hands-on experience with modern equipment and instrumentation Help faculty develop linkages for future collaborative research ------- -4- Activities to be supported include: Academic-year sabbaticals (1-2 semesters) Summer research visits (minimum of 10 weeks) Short-term faculty interactions (1-2 weeks) Faculty must be tenured or in a tenure-track position at an MAI to maximize potential benefits to the home institution. For institutions without formal tenure systems, faculty holding a long-term or permanent position shall be eligible. Student Enhancement MAIs are encouraged to develop pre-proposals which will provide internship programs for undergraduate and graduate students. The goal of the student enhancement component is to motivate students toward advanced study and careers in hazardous substance management by providing research and training opportunities at HSRC universities. Proposed projects should provide undergraduates with an experience that fosters interest in pursuing graduate education and research. Projects for graduate students should promote a greater understanding of the role of science and engineering in providing solutions to hazardous substance related problems. The following selection criteria apply: Undergraduate students should have completed one or more years of an academic program in a discipline with an environmental focus. Graduate students should be pursuing a Masters or Ph.D. in an environmental discipline. Pre-proposals should demonstrate a plan for guiding students to the timely completion of research projects. MAIs should describe a student selection process that examines student academic records and recommendations and also includes the potential student impact of selection into the program (e.g., high potential 'underachieves', etc.) The Center Director will assist in placing students into appropriate projects. Selections will be based on the strengths of the proposed program and its ability to impact participants rather than the merits of individual students. Technology Transfer and Training There are a number of opportunities for MAIs to participate in the technology transfer and training activities of the HSRCs. These opportunities may take a variety of forms, for example: cooperative ventures with existing HSRC programs; development of new programs to assist in the development and commercialization of research technologies to better manage hazardous substances; and training or education to communities, governmental decision makers, industry, faculty, and students. Pre-proposals are solicited in the following areas: Training to provide working knowledge of new technologies Train-the-trainer courses for managing hazardous substance problems in minority and other communities Training and assistance to MAIs to provide technical outreach and education to communities affected by hazardous substances and unique environmental circum- stances including environmental justice, risk assessment and communication, hazardous substance information, and education Practitioner-in-Residence Program, bringing a technical expert to assist faculty and students at MAIs to identify opportunities and develop programs, etc. All technology transfer and training pre-proposals shall define target audience, beneficiaries, and the nature of the training activities. ------- -5- ABSTRACTS OF HSRC RESEARCH NORTHEAST HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE RESEARCH CENTER (NHSRC) The NHSRC serves EPA Regions 1 and 2. New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is the lead institution in a seven member consortium formed to establish the Center. Members include Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University, Rutgers University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Tufts University and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. The Center's research programs focus on development and demonstration of treatment and remediation technologies in three broad areas: incineration/thermal methods; in-situ methods; and biological/chemical/physical methods. The Center also conducts a companion technology transfer and training program. Active research areas include: Incineration/Thermal Treatment - Combustion modeling - Chlorocarbon destruction kinetics - Catalytic oxidation - Flue gas scrubbing - Two-stage combustion - Microwave treatment and low-energy plasma Characterization and Monitoring - Fiber optic sensors - Continuous emissions monitoring (CEM) of stack gases - GC-IC/MS for field applications - CEM for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in groundwater - Micro-sensors for metals - Laser-based monitors In-situ Remediation - Anaerobic/aerobic bioremediation - Electro-osmosis processes - Pneumatically enhanced soil vapor extraction - Soil flushing and in-situ vitrification Ex-situ Treatment Processes - Separation processes - Hollow fiber liquid membranes - Biotreatment and reactor design - Solidification/stabilization - Biofilters Technology Transfer and Training - Environmental risk communication - Pollution prevention - Environmental justice - Public education concerning risks - Technology demonstrations GREAT LAKES/MID-ATLANTIC CENTER (GLMAC) The Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic Center for Hazardous Substance Research has responsibility for coordinating the hazardous substance research and technology transfer activities within EPA Regions 3 and 5. The University of Michigan is the lead institution of the Center. Michigan State University and Howard University are the other consortium members. Center research focuses on problems associated with environmental contamination by organic chemicals. It addresses such problems by attempting to define and refine remediation technologies that are effective, environmentally compatible and cost-effective. Current projects address in-situ remediation schemes which integrate biological processes with chemical and physicochemical technologies in the following focus areas: Bioremediation of PCB contaminated soils - Development of genetically engineered organisms - Design of engineered systems for field applications Bioremediation of carbon tetrachloride contaminated groundwater and soil - Introduction of and maintenance of a population of carbon tetrachloride degrading organisms in the field Bioventing for remediation of vadoze zone soils - Delineation of underlying fundamental processes - Identification of rate controlling mechanisms Introduction of surfactants for groundwater remediation - Principles controlling the dissolution and mobilization of non-aqueous phase liquids Site characterization and sample analysis - Improved methods for sample collection and analysis - Improved methods of field characterization In addition to research, the Center has a training and technology transfer program that is designed to complement Center research. Activities include publication of svneraos. a periodical research report; production of educational videotapes; organization of conferences and seminars; and provid- ing assistance to communities affected by hazardous waste sites. ------- -6- SOUTH/SOUTHWEST HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE RESEARCH CENTER The South and Southwest Hazardous Substance Research Center is a consortium led by Louisiana State University and includes Georgia Institute of Technology and Rice University. The overall research mission of the Center is to provide short and long-term investigations into the management of hazardous substance problems associated with the Center's focus area - contaminated sediments and dredged materials - as well as problems unique to EPA Regions 4 and 6. The Center is also responsible for training and technology transfer activities including: community outreach programs; one-day regulatory update conferences; a quarterly newsletter and technical briefs; an annual sym- posium and report; and demonstration and transfer of technologies developed from Center activities. Most of the Center research activities are focused on problems with contaminated sediment (CS) and dredged material (DM). The CS and DM of concern contain organics, metals and conventional pollutants as environmental contaminants both in the water column and on the bottom of rivers, bayous, lakes, harbors, estuaries, freshwater wetlands and adjoining regions of the continental shelf. Projects in the CS/DM focus examine source characterization, contaminant transport and transformation processes, ecological effects and human exposure to chemicals in contaminated sediments and dredged materials. Specific research projects are currently supported in the areas of: Mobility of radium sediments Contaminant migration from sediment disposal facilities Contaminant exchanae between sediments and the overlying water via biological and physicochemical pro- cesses Biotransformation of contaminated sediments Plant enzyme mediated remediation of TNT contaminated soils In-situ monitoring of volatile hydrocarbons Dynamics of pollutant-sediment reactions GREAT PLAINS/ROCKY MOUNTAIN CENTER Kansas State University leads the twelve institution consortium representing EPA Regions 7 and 8. Participating universities are Montana State University, South Dakota State University, Utah State University, Haskell Indian Nations University, Lincoln University and the Universities of Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Utah and Wyoming. The Center was established in 1989 to conduct research in identification, treatment and reduction of hazardous substances resulting from agriculture, forestry, mineral and mining processing and other concerns of regional interest. The two regions have diverse interests resulting from the grouping of mineral-rich states with those whose principal industries are agricultural, both crop land and animal husbandry. The Center's mission is focused on contaminated soils and mining wastes. The diversity of interests and the large geographic area are further reflected in the Center s training and technology program. Much of the Center's efforts support activities which reach large audiences with minimum resources. The Center provides a repository for printed, visual, audial and photographic materials related to hazardous substance research. The quarterly newsletter, HazTech Transfer, is disseminated nationally to more than 5000 addresses. The Community Technical Outreach program serves clients across the region pair where hazardous substances have become a special concern. A special program to provide public environmental information and education related hazardous substances is also underway. The Center is developing a special environmental seminar program to serve the consortium campuses and the general public in the ten states of EPA Regions 7 and 8. Current projects include: Soil and water contamination by heavy metals associated with mining wastes and other industrial activities Soil and groundwater contamination by organic chemicals from various industrial sources Improved technologies and methods for characterization and analysis of contaminated soil Innovative treatment technologies for remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater Waste minimization and pollution prevention methods and technologies ------- -7- WESTERN REGION CENTER The Western Region Hazardous Substance Research Center is a cooperative activity between Stanford University and Oregon State University to address critical hazardous substance problems in EPA Regions 9 and 10. The objective of the Center is to promote - through fundamental and applied research - the development of alternative and advanced physical, chemical and biological processes for treatment of hazardous substances in the surface and subsurface environments. Groundwater cleanup and site remediation, with a strong emphasis on biological approaches, represent the major focus of Center activities. The Center's personnel collectively represent an integrated research team representing four different schools (engineering, earth sciences, medicine and veterinary medicine) and various disciplines (microbiology, chemistry, hydrogeology, hydrology, chemical engineering, civil engineering and medicine). The technology transfer program is focused upon field remediation of innovative technology. Training in field sampling and instrumentation are available. A program of providing technical assistance to communities affected by hazardous waste sites is being conducted. Topics of interest include: Bioremediation - Co-metabolism of chlorinated aliphatic compounds - Anaerobic degradation of aromatic compounds - Aerobic degradation of anaerobic metabolic products Fate and Transport - Sorption - Physical movement - Volatilization - Abiotic transformation Treatment Technologies - In-situ bioremediation - In-situ recirculation - Air sparging Site Characterization and Transport Modeling - Geological sampling - Hydrogeology - Geostatistics Heavy Metal Remediation - Lead - Chromium - In-situ leaching ------- -8- HSRC MINORITY ACADEMIC INSTITUTION PROGRAM PRE-PROPOSAL SUBMISSION FORMAT APPLICANT INFORMATION ~ATE NAME OF NSlramON ADORESS (city, county state & zip code) DEPARTMENT NAME AND TELEPHONE OF CONTACT PERSON ON MATTERS INVOLVING THIS SUBMISSION ADORESS <* different than abova) H9HC TD WHICH 80BMITnNQ HSRC COOABORATORH AREAS OF PROPOSED PARTICIPATION (please indicate all that apply) Cooperative Research Program Thermal/incineration research Bioremediation Contaminated sediment, soils or groundwater Other (specify) Faculty Enhancement Academic-year Sabbatical Summer research visit Short-term faculty interactions Other (specify) Student Enhancement Undergraduate Internship Graduate/Doctoral Intenship Other (specify) Technology Transfer and Training New technology training Minority populations education project(s) expansion/training Train-the-trainers: hazardous substance management Practitioner-in-Residence Program Other (specify) PROJECT TITLE AMOUNT REQUESTED $ .00 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION In order to be considered for the HSRC Minority Academic Institution Program, applicants must submit the following documentation: 1. Proof of Minority Academic Institution status on the basis of enrollment data in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Fall Enrollment Survey, provided by postsecondary institutions, through the National Center for Education Statistics, to the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education as set forth in 34 C.F.R. § 637.4(b) (7-1- 93 Ed.). 2. A maximum two-page description of Proposed Activity incorporating the following criteria: Short- and long-term benefits to minority academic institution Benefits to Principal Investigator's professional development Compatibility with HSRC interests Leverage of resources Quality and potential impact of proposed activity 3. A statement from an Authorized Representative of the minority institution stating that, to the best of their knowledge and belief, all data in the submission are true and correct, the document(s) have been duly authorized by the governing body of the applicant and the applicant will comply with necessary assurances if the pre-proposal results in an award. The name, title and phone number for this Representative should be provided. ------- |