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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
Cooperative Agreement
GRANT NUMBER (FAIN): 97T56901
MODIFICATION NUMBER: 0
PROGRAM CODE: 4J
DATE OF AWARD
07/09/2026
TYPE OF ACTION:
New
MAILING DATE
07/14/2026
PAYMENT METHOD:
ASAP
ACH#
90251
RECIPIENT TYPE:
Municipal
Send Payment Request to:
Contact EPA RTPFC at: [email protected]
RECIPIENT:
RICHMOND, CITY OF
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804-1630
EIN: 94-6000403
PAYEE:
RICHMOND, CITY OF
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804-1630
PROJECT MANAGER
Gilbert Pete
330 25th Street
Richmond, CA 94804
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 510-307-8018
EPA PROJECT OFFICER
Daniel Moher
75 Hawthorne Street, LND-2-1
San Francisco, CA 94105
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 415-972-3210
EPA GRANT SPECIALIST
Eric Tovar
Grants Branch, MSD-6
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 415-972-3396
PROJECT TITLE AND DESCRIPTION
Brownfields Job Training Cooperative Agreement - BIL
See Attachment 1 for project description.
BUDGET PERIOD
07/01/2026 - 06/30/2031
PROJECT PERIOD
07/01/2026 - 06/30/2031
TOTAL BUDGET PERIOD COST
$ 500,000.00
TOTAL PROJECT PERIOD COST
$ 500,000.00
NOTICE OF AWARD
Based on your Application dated 09/26/2025 including all modifications and amendments, the United States acting by and through the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hereby awards $ 500,000.00. EPA agrees to cost-share 100.00% of all approved budget period costs incurred, up to and not exceeding total federal funding of $ 500,000.00. Recipient's signature is not required on this agreement. The recipient demonstrates its commitment to carry out this award by either: 1) drawing down funds within 21 days after the EPA award or amendment mailing date; or 2) not filing a notice of disagreement with the award terms and conditions within 21 days after the EPA award or amendment mailing date. If the recipient disagrees with the terms and conditions specified in this award, the authorized representative of the recipient must furnish a notice of disagreement to the EPA Award Official within 21 days after the EPA award or amendment mailing date. In case of disagreement, and until the disagreement is resolved, the recipient should not draw down on the funds provided by this award/amendment, and any costs incurred by the recipient are at its own risk. This agreement is subject to applicable EPA regulatory and statutory provisions, all terms and conditions of this agreement and any attachments.
ISSUING OFFICE (GRANTS MANAGEMENT OFFICE)
ORGANIZATION / ADDRESS
U.S. EPA, Region 9, U.S. EPA, Region 9 Grants Branch, MSD-6 75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
AWARD APPROVAL OFFICE
ORGANIZATION / ADDRESS
U.S. EPA, Region 9, Land, Chemicals and Redevelopment, LND-1 R9 - Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco , CA 94105
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Digital signature applied by EPA Award Official Morgan Capilla - Grants Management Officer DATE 07/09/2026
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EPA Funding Information
FUNDS FORMER AWARD THIS ACTION AMENDED TOTAL
EPA Amount This Action $ 0 $ 500,000 $ 500,000
EPA In-Kind Amount $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Unexpended Prior Year Balance $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Other Federal Funds $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Recipient Contribution $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
State Contribution $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Local Contribution $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Other Contribution $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Allowable Project Cost $ 0 $ 500,000 $ 500,000
Assistance Program
66.815 - Brownfields Job Training Cooperative
Agreements
Statutory Authority
CERCLA: Secs. 104(k)(7) & 104(k)(5)(E) &
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (PL
117-58)
Regulatory Authority
2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 1500 and 40 CFR 33
Fiscal
Site Name Req No FY Approp.
Code
Budget
Organization PRC ObjectClass Site/Project CostOrganization Obligation /
Deobligation
- 2609QE0031 25 E4SD 0900BG7 000D79X89 4115 - - $ 500,000 $ 500,000
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Budget Summary Page
Table A - Object Class Category
(Non-Construction)
Total Approved Allowable
Budget Period Cost
1. Personnel $ 134,324
2. Fringe Benefits $ 107,364
3. Travel $ 812
4. Equipment $ 0
5. Supplies $ 45,000
6. Contractual $ 37,500
7. Construction $ 0
8. Other $ 150,000
9. Total Direct Charges $ 475,000
10. Indirect Costs: 0.00 % Base : see General T/C $ 25,000
11. Total (Share: Recipient ______ % Federal ______ %) 0.00 100.00 $ 500,000
12. Total Approved Assistance Amount $ 500,000
13. Program Income $ 0
14. Total EPA Amount Awarded This Action $ 500,000
15. Total EPA Amount Awarded To Date $ 500,000
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Attachment 1 - Project Description
This cooperative agreement provides funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (PL 117-58) for City of Richmond to conduct eligible technical assistance-related activities as authorized by Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) 104(k)(7). The recipient will recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed residents of Richmond in environmental careers with skills needed to safely conduct remediation work at solid and hazardous waste-contaminated sites, as well as appropriate training in health and safety, lead and asbestos abatement, mold remediation, and CPR/First Aid. The proposed project will benefit the environment by increasing the number of local workers trained to participate in brownfield cleanup, hazardous materials handling, site safety, stormwater and low-impact development improvements, remediation-related construction, and redevelopment of contaminated or underused properties. By training local residents for this work, the program will expand the region’s environmental remediation capacity while reducing barriers to local hire.
This assistance agreement provides full Federal funding in the amount of $500,000. Preaward costs are approved back to 7/1/2026. Refer to Terms and Conditions. This project will train graduates to earn skills and certifications necessary to enter into environmental careers. Activities to be performed during under this project are training and certifications in HAZWOPER 40, OSHA 30, Confined Space Entry, Lead Abatement, Asbestos Worker, Mold Remediation, First Aid, CPR/First Aid, Traffic Control & Flagging.
Also, the recipient will report on interim progress and final accomplishments by completing and submitting relevant portions of the Property Profile Form using EPA’s Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES). This project will provide training to unemployed and underemployed adults in Richmond, California.
This project will provide training to unemployed and underemployed adults in Richmond, California.
The anticipated deliverables are:
150 of individuals recruited, trained, certified, and placed in environmental careers in communities impacted by solid and hazardous waste sites and facilities. 8 classroom style trainings, practical trainings, and curricula modules. 3 of appropriate certifications in environmental sampling and site cleanup methods. 125 of individuals that receive certifications in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.120 40-hour HAZWOPER training.
Expected outcomes from this project include:
-Help residents of communities take advantage of jobs created by the assessment and cleanup of brownfields and the assessment, cleanup, and management of solid and hazardous waste sites and facilities while addressing sustainable community revitalization concerns. -Provide training that leads to sustainable employment in the environmental field. -Improve community involvement and stimulate the development of constructive partnerships. 4J - 97T56901 - 0 Page 5
-Reduce exposures to hazardous substances and other contaminants and improve the health of workers, occupants, and residents.
-Foster self-sufficiency and enhance the skills and availability of labor for environmental remediation in particularly impacted communities, including those that are impacted by a variety of waste facilities, blighted properties, contaminated sites, and other environmental issues. -Enable residents to participate in the promotion of environmental health and occupational safety, both on the job and in their communities. No subawards are included in this assistance agreement. 4J - 97T56901 - 0 Page 6
Administrative Conditions
General Terms and Conditions
The recipient agrees to comply with the current EPA general terms and conditions available at: https:
//www.epa.gov/grants/epa-general-terms-and-conditions-effective-october-1-2025-or-later These terms and conditions are in addition to the assurances and certifications made as a part of the award and the terms, conditions, or restrictions cited throughout the award.
The EPA repository for the general terms and conditions by year can be found at: https://www.epa. gov/grants/grant-terms-and-conditions#general
A. Federal Financial Reporting (FFR)
For awards with cumulative project and budget periods greater than 12 months, the recipient will submit an annual FFR (SF 425) covering the period from "project/budget period start date" to June 30 of each calendar year to the EPA Finance Center in Research Triangle Park, NC. The annual FFR will be submitted electronically to [email protected] no later than September 30 of the same calendar year. Find additional information at https://www.epa.gov/financial/grants. (Per 2 CFR § 200.344(b), the recipient must submit the Final FFR to [email protected] within 120 days after the end of the project period.)
B. Procurement
The recipient will ensure all procurement transactions will be conducted in a manner providing full and open competition consistent with 2 CFR § 200.319. In accordance with 2 CFR § 200.324, the recipient and subawardee(s) must perform a cost or price analysis in connection with applicable procurement actions, including contract modifications. State and Tribal government entities must follow procurement standards as outlined in 2 CFR § 200.317. 4J - 97T56901 - 0 Page 7
Programmatic Conditions
FY26 Brownfields Job Training IIJA (4J) Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions I. General Cooperative Agreement Administrative Requirements A.] Terms of the Agreement
1.The term of this agreement is five (5) years from the date of award, unless otherwise extended by EPA at the cooperative agreement recipient's (CAR) request.
2. If after one (1) year from the date of award, EPA determines that the CAR has not made sufficient progress in implementing the cooperative agreement, EPA's Award Official or Grants Management Officer may terminate this agreement under 2 CFR § 200.340.
3. The term “sufficient progress” means the CAR has: 1) established a job training program and begun marketing the program; 2) hired all key personnel; and 3) has completed the first round of training.
4. Unless approved with the award of this cooperative agreement, the CAR must receive written approval by EPA's Award Official or Grants Management Officer of a final workplan within 60 calendar days following the date of the award. The CAR must receive documentation of written EPA approval of the final workplan from EPA's Project Officer prior to the expenditure of Federal funds under this cooperative agreement. Unless the EPA Award Official or Grants Management Officer grants a waiver, no funds may be drawn down without an EPA approved final workplan. If the CAR fails to obtain EPA approval of the final workplan within 60 days of award, EPA may terminate this agreement under 2 CFR § 200.340.
B.] Cybersecurity Grant Condition for CARs, Including Intertribal Consortia
1. The CAR agrees that when collecting and managing environmental data under this assistance agreement, it will protect the data by following all applicable State or Tribal Law cybersecurity requirements.
2. EPA must ensure that any connections between the CAR's network or information system and EPA networks used by the CAR to transfer data under this agreement, are secure. For purposes of this Section, a connection is defined as a dedicated persistent interface between an Agency Information Technology (IT) system and an external IT system for the purpose of transferring information. Transitory, user-controlled connections such as website browsing are excluded from this definition.
3. If the CAR's connections as defined above do not go through the Environmental Information Exchange Network or EPA's Central Data Exchange, the CAR agrees to contact the EPA Project Officer no later than 90 days after the date of this award and work with the designated Regional/ Headquarters Information Security Officer to ensure that the connections meet EPA security requirements, including entering into Interconnection Service Agreements as appropriate. This condition does not apply to manual entry of data by the CAR into systems operated and used by EPA's regulatory programs for the submission of reporting and/or compliance data.
4. The CAR agrees that any subawards it makes under this agreement will require the subrecipient to comply with the requirements in I.B.2 if the subrecipient's network or information system is connected to EPA networks to transfer data to the Agency using systems other than the Environmental Information 4J - 97T56901 - 0 Page 8
Exchange Network or EPA's Central Data Exchange. The CAR will be in compliance with this condition:
by including this requirement in subaward agreements; and during subrecipient monitoring deemed necessary by the CAR under 2 CFR § 200.332(e), by inquiring whether the subrecipient has contacted the EPA Project Officer. Nothing in this condition requires the CAR to contact the EPA Project Officer on behalf of a subrecipient or to be involved in the negotiation of an Interconnection Service Agreement between the subrecipient and EPA.
5. All geospatial data created must be consistent with Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) endorsed standards. Information on these standards may be found at www.fgdc.gov.
C.] Substantial Involvement
1. Cooperative agreements require substantial involvement between the EPA Project Officer and the CAR in the performance of the work supported. Substantial EPA involvement for this cooperative agreement may include:
a. Close monitoring of the CAR's performance to verify the results proposed by the applicant. b. Participation in periodic telephone conference calls to share ideas, project successes and challenges, etc., with EPA.
c. Review and approval of changes to the workplan and/or budget to the extent provided for in EPA's General Term and Condition “Transfer of Funds.”
d. Collaboration during performance of the scope of work. e. Reviewing proposed procurements in accordance with 2 CFR § 200.325, as well as the substantive terms of proposed contracts or subawards as appropriate. This may include reviewing requests for proposals, invitations for bids, scopes of work, and/or plans and specifications for contracts over the simplified acquisition threshold as defined in 2 CFR § 200.1 prior to advertising for bids. f. Approving qualifications of key personnel (EPA will not select employees or contractors employed by the award CAR).
g. Reviewing and commenting on quarterly and annual reports prepared under the cooperative agreement (the final decision on the content of reports rests with the recipient or subrecipient(s) receiving pass-through award(s)).
h. Review and comment on financial reports, monitoring all reporting, record-keeping procedures, and other program requirements.
D.] Cooperative Agreement Recipient Roles and Responsibilities
1. The CAR is responsible for ensuring that all training is protective of human health and the environment and complies with all applicable state and Federal laws. The CAR is also responsible for maintaining proper documentation of graduates' certifications. The CAR must ensure instructors delivering training, including training for certification programs, are certified by their states. EPA does not provide information on trainer certification and does not endorse specific instructors or training organizations. The CAR must comply with proper procurement standards in acquiring a contractor, if 4J - 97T56901 - 0 Page 9
applicable.
2. The CAR is responsible for ensuring that contractors and subaward recipients comply with the terms of their agreements with the CAR, and that agreements between the CAR and subrecipient(s) and contractor(s) are consistent with the terms and conditions of this agreement.
3. Funding may be used to acquire services or fund partnerships, provided the CAR follows procurement and subaward procedures, including under 2 CFR Parts 200 and 1500 as applicable and EPA's Subaward Policy. CARs must compete contracts for services and products, and conduct cost and price analyses to the extent required by these regulations. The regulations and EPA's General Terms and Conditions also contain limitations on consultant compensation. The fact that a CAR named a specific contractor or consultant in the application EPA approved for a JT cooperative agreement, does not relieve the CAR of its obligations to comply with competitive procurement requirements.
CARs, other than state or Tribal entities, that procure a contractor(s) (including consultants) where the contract will be more than the micro-purchase threshold in 2 CFR § 200.320(a)(1) must select the contractor(s) in compliance with the competitive procurement standards in 2 CFR Part 200 (including the requirements for full and open competition). Additionally, all CARs (including State and Tribal entities), regardless of the contract amount, must comply with EPA's regulations at 40 CFR Part 33 as applicable.
For additional information on these requirements, see Recipient/Applicant Information Notice (RAIN) 2025-G02 available at https://www.epa.gov/grants/rain-2025-g02 and the “Utilization of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises” General Term and Condition of this agreement. These requirements also apply to procurement processes that were completed before the award of this cooperative agreement if the CAR intends to submit payment requests for pre-award costs. Additional guidance on procurement is available in EPA's Best Practice Guide for Procuring Services, Supplies, and Equipment Under EPA Assistance Agreements and the Brownfields Grants: Guidance on Competitively Procuring a Contractor.
4. The CAR must make clear in any solicitation for private or public funding that the CAR's organization, and not EPA, is seeking funding. The CAR may not imply that EPA endorses any fundraising activities in connection with its cooperative agreement.
E.] Trainee Recruitment, Placement, and Monitoring
1. The CAR must recruit trainees from the target area specified in the workplan that are unemployed or under-employed individuals, including individuals from communities that are impacted by a variety of waste facilities, blighted properties, contaminated sites, and other environmental issues such as brownfield sites, Superfund sites, landfills, oil spills, recent disaster areas, or solid/hazardous waste facilities are located. The intention is to link local residents who have completed the training with local remediation and environmental companies in their respective communities, providing an opportunity for them to benefit from employment. The CAR shall demonstrate its progress in meeting this term and condition in the quarterly performance report and final project report as stated below. a. The CAR may, with written permission from the EPA Project Officer, extend recruitment outside of the target area, but priority shall be given to unemployed and underemployed residents living in the target area.
b. While the cooperative agreement funds may be used to train dislocated workers or provide refresher training, in HAZWOPER for example, the core training program must focus on those who have little or no advanced education, work experience, or who have various barriers to 4J - 97T56901 - 0 Page 10
employment, and are unemployed or underemployed.
c. Applicants who are providing dislocated workers refresher training or single environmental certifications must ensure these workers have adequate health and safety training.
2. The CAR is required to monitor and track all trainees for a minimum of one (1) year following the completion of the training program and must report the results of this monitoring in their quarterly and final performance reports. The CAR is responsible for ensuring that funding is allotted to cover this task in its budget and that accomplishments are reported in the Assessment, Cleanup, and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES), EPA's system for tracking Brownfields cooperative agreement accomplishments.
3. The CAR is required to complete all training cycles at least six (6) months before the cooperative agreement's expiration to assist with reporting results into ACRES before the close of the cooperative agreement award. The final year of the cooperative agreement is intended for the CAR to focus on final job placement for those not yet placed in employment or who have not retained sustainable employment, tracking graduates, and reporting accomplishments to EPA electronically through ACRES.
F.] Quarterly Performance Reports
1. In accordance with the regulations at 2 CFR Parts 200 and 1500 (specifically, 2 CFR § 200.329, Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance), the CAR agrees to submit quarterly performance reports to the EPA Project Officer within thirty (30) days after each reporting period. Initially, quarterly performance reports will be submitted via email or via the optional Quarterly Reporting function tool within ACRES. The EPA Project Officer will notify the CAR when use of the Quarterly Reporting tool within ACRES is required. Once the EPA Project Officer notifies the CAR of required use, the CAR agrees to use this tool to input quarterly performance reports directly into ACRES within 30 days after each reporting period. Quarterly reports are due according to the schedule outlined below. If a due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the report will be due on the next business day.
October 1 – December 31 Reporting Period: report due date is January 30 January 1 – March 31 Reporting Period: report due date is April 30 April 1 – June 30 Reporting Period: report due date is July 30 July 1 – September 30 Reporting Period: report due date is October 30 These reports shall cover work status, work progress, difficulties encountered, preliminary data results, and a statement of activity anticipated during the subsequent reporting period, including a description of equipment, techniques, and materials to be used or evaluated. A discussion of expenditures and financial status for each workplan task, along with a comparison of the percentage of the project completed to the project schedule and an explanation of significant discrepancies shall be included in the report. The report shall also include any changes of key personnel concerned with the project that was approved by the EPA Grants Management Officer or Award Official. (Note, as provided at 2 CFR § 200.308, Revision of budget and program plans, the CAR must seek prior approval from the EPA Grants Management Officer or Award Official for a change in a key personnel (including employees and contractors) that are identified by name or position in the workplan. The CAR requests this approval through the EPA Project Officer. Prior approval means the written approval obtained in advance of a recipient taking an action by an authorized official of a Federal agency or pass-through entity of certain costs or programmatic decisions.)
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Note: ACRES reporting requirements may change over time, based on expansion of EPA's information collection authority, and the CAR is responsible for complying with the latest ACRES reporting requirements at the time of each quarterly performance report. The EPA Project Officer will notify the CAR when ACRES reporting requirements specific to Brownfields Job Training change.
2. Quarterly performance reports must clearly differentiate which activities were completed with EPA funds provided under the JT cooperative agreement, versus any other funding source used to help accomplish activities.
3. In accordance with 2 CFR § 200.329(e), the CAR agrees that it will notify the EPA Project Officer of problems, delays, or adverse conditions which materially impair the CAR's ability to meet the outputs/outcomes specified in the assistance agreement workplan. In addition, the report must include brief information on each of the following areas:
a. Documentation of progress in meeting the outputs/outcomes listed in the final workplan, deliverables completed to date as cited in the CAR's project narrative, and an explanation of any slippage in meeting these deliverables.
b. An update on meeting project milestones and progress in meeting project deadlines/timeline. c. A summary of the number of individuals entering training, number of veterans entering training, number of individuals completing training, the number of individuals obtaining employment, number of individuals that did not obtain employment, number of individuals that did not obtain employment but are pursuing further education, the average hourly starting wage of those who have obtained employment, leveraged funds to date, and beginning and end dates of each cohort trained.
d. Information regarding the location from where trainees were recruited and information regarding placement of graduates (i.e., job titles, starting salaries, and names of organizations where graduates were placed).
e. A summary of the training completed to date, including courses that were held and certifications provided.
f. A detailed budget summary with a table showing the approved budget for each task by budget category, including the funds used to date for each task, the funds remaining for each task, and explanation notes, if applicable. Examples of common/recommended (but not required) budget table column headings include: Current Approved Budget, Costs Incurred this Quarter, Costs Incurred to Date, and Total Remaining Funds.
The CAR shall include an explanation of any discrepancies in the budget from the EPA-approved workplan, cost overruns or high unit costs, and other pertinent information. If significant developments occur that negatively impact the Federal Award, the CAR shall include information on their plan for corrective action and any assistance needed to resolve the situation. The CAR shall include a statement on funding transfers among direct budget categories or programs, functions and activities that occurred during the quarter and cumulatively during the period of performance. Per EPA's “Transfer of Funds” General Term and Condition, the CAR must obtain prior approval from the EPA Grants Management Officer or Award Official for cumulative transfers of funds in excess of 10% of the total budget. 4J - 97T56901 - 0 Page 12
G.] Final Cooperative Agreement Performance Report with Environmental Results
1. In accordance with the regulations at 2 CFR Parts 200 and 1500 (specifically, 2 CFR § 200.329 and 2 CFR § 200.344(b), Closeout), the CAR agrees to submit to the EPA Project Officer within 120 calendar days after the termination or expiration of the approved project period a final performance report on the cooperative agreement via email; unless the EPA Project Officer agrees to accept a paper copy of the report. This report must clearly address the following items:
a. An overview of the project in terms of its overall process and outputs/outcomes completed. b. A summary of the results of the training program including the total number of persons recruited, the total number of persons entering and completing training, and the total number of persons placed in fulltime employment. Additionally, information regarding those trainees pursuing further education, and the number of persons entering the environmental field must be provided. c. A description of how the trainees were recruited from communities that are impacted by a variety of waste facilities, blighted properties, contaminated sites, and other environmental issues, such as brownfield sites, Superfund sites, landfills, oil spills, recent disaster areas, or solid/hazardous waste facilities.
d. A summary of the post-tracking and follow-up activities that the CAR conducted for each trainee. e. A summary of the cost per trainee and a description of the training provided. f. A description of how EPA involvement was referenced in outreach materials, if applicable. g. Problems encountered which prohibited the completion of the project goals or objectives, if applicable. h. Other pertinent information, including, when appropriate, analysis and explanation of cost overruns or high unit costs.
i. Future plans for continuation of the program following the expiration of the EPA cooperative agreement.
After review of the final report, the EPA Project Officer may request additional information from the CAR.
In addition to the final report, as provided in the General Term and Condition “Copyrighted Material and Data,” the Project Officer may direct the CAR to provide a copy of all tangible and intangible products that were created for the purpose of the funded project (i.e., videos, research findings, curriculum, presentations). If an exhibit or slide show was created or an item too large and/or expensive to duplicate, photos or transcripts of the product may be
substituted.
H.] Conflict of Interest
The CAR is also subject to the requirements in EPA's General Term and Condition “Disclosing Conflicts of Interests.”
I.] Public Awareness
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1. The CAR agrees to clearly reference EPA investments during all phases of the project outlined in the EPA-approved workplan which may include the development of post-project summary or success materials that highlight achievements to which this project contributed. a. If any documents, fact sheets, and/or web materials are developed as part of this cooperative agreement, then they shall comply with the Acknowledgement Requirements for Non-ORD Assistance Agreements in the General Terms and Conditions of this agreement. b. If a sign is developed as part of a project funded by this cooperative agreement, then the sign shall include either a statement (e.g., this project has been funded, wholly or in part, by EPA) and/or EPA's logo acknowledging that EPA is a source of funding for the project. The EPA logo may be used on project signage when the sign can be placed in a visible location with a direct linkage to site activities.
Use of the EPA logo must follow the sign specifications available at https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/usingepa-seal-and-logo. To obtain the appropriate EPA logo or seal graphic file, the CAR should send a request directly to the EPA Office of External Affairs (OEA) and include the EPA Project Officer in the communication. Instructions for contacting OEA are available at https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/usingepa-seal-and-logo. c. EPA Logo: If the EPA logo is displayed along with logos from other participating entities on websites, outreach materials, or reports, it must not be prominently displayed to imply that any of the recipient's or subrecipient's activities are being conducted by the EPA. Instead, the EPA logo must be accompanied with a statement indicating that the City of Richmond received Federal financial assistance from EPA for the project. The recipient will ensure compliance with the sign specifications provided by the OEA available at https://www.epa.gov/stylebook/using-epa-seal-and-logo. As provided in the sign specifications from OEA, the EPA logo is the preferred identifier for assistance agreement projects and use of the EPA seal requires prior approval from the EPA. d. Procuring Signs: Consistent with section 6002 of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6962, and 2 CFR 200.323, recipients are encouraged to use recycled or recovered materials when procuring signs. Signage costs are considered an allowable cost under this assistance agreement provided that the costs associated with signage are reasonable.
2. The CAR agrees to notify the EPA Project Officer listed in this award document of public or media events publicizing the accomplishment of the Job Training program as a result of this agreement and provide the opportunity for attendance and participation by Federal representatives with at least ten (10) business days' notice.
3. To increase public awareness of projects serving communities where English is not the predominant language, CARs are encouraged to include in their outreach strategies communication in non-English languages. This includes translating the language on signs (excluding the EPA logo or seal) into the appropriate non-English language(s). Translation costs for this purpose are allowable, provided the costs are reasonable.
4. All public awareness activities conducted with EPA funding are subject to the provisions in the General Terms and Conditions on compliance with section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
II. FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
A.] Eligible Uses of Funds for the Cooperative Agreement Recipient 4J - 97T56901 - 0 Page 14
The only required training for all students in the training program is OSHA 29 CFR § 1910.120 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) which includes an in-person personal protective equipment (PPE) component. Applicants proposing an online OSHA 29 CFR § 1910.120 40-hour HAZWOPER course are responsible for making sure their computer-based training course meets all OSHA requirements and is supplemented with the required in-person training. Beyond this, the CAR should design a curriculum of eligible courses that meets the training needs identified by a local labor market assessment and/or employer survey.
1. Eligible use of grant funds under this agreement, depending on the training identified in the CAR's EPA-approved scope of work, may include, but are not limited to:
Personnel or contract costs for instructors to conduct training, fringe benefits, and/or personnel costs for tasks associated with programmatic reporting requirements.
Personnel and data infrastructure costs to support the performance-management and program evaluation.
Costs for recruiting, screening, and placement of individuals in the training program.
Personnel costs for caseworkers or other specialists who work with participants to identify barriers they face to employment, connect them to resources, and support their success in the program and employment for up to one year following the training program.
Costs for training materials and work gear associated with the training curriculum.
Development and refinement of existing curricula for training.
Personnel costs for employer engagement activities, including building new employer relationships, working with employers to inform curriculum, involving employers in the training program, securing hiring commitments for graduates, and supporting trainee success in employment following the program.
On-the-job training insurance for trainees.
Mentorship associated with on-the-job training, such as peer mentors where an experienced employee is paired with a new trainee.
Costs associated with health exams (e.g., pulmonary function tests), drug testing, or licensing fees directly related to the training and/or the placement of graduates in environmental work.
Costs used to cover rental fees associated with training facilities that may include minor alteration (such as seating modifications, signage changes, storage solutions, or room reconfiguration) of existing facilities. (Construction costs are not allowable.) Training in the assessment, inventory, analysis, and remediation of sites or facilities at which hazardous substances, pollutants, contaminants, and petroleum are located, transported, or disposed, including training for jobs in environmental sampling, demolition, underground storage tank removal, groundwater extraction, and site remediation associated with brownfields.
Training in sustainable deconstruction in preparation of a brownfield site cleanup or redevelopment.
Training participants in the use of techniques and methods for cleanup of hazardous substances, petroleum, and pollutants, such as asbestos abatement; lead abatement; lead renovation, repair, and painting (RRP); mold remediation; and cleaning up sites contaminated by the manufacturing of illegal drugs (e.g., methamphetamine labs), abandoned gas stations, or mine-scarred lands.
Training in confined space entry.
Training in first-aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and blood-borne pathogens. 4J - 97T56901 - 0 Page 15
Training in chemistry, toxicology, and geology to the extent necessary to inventory, assess, remediate, and clean up contaminated sites.
Training in the requirements and implementation of the All Appropriate Inquiries Final Rule, as required in CERCLA § 101(35)(B) and 40 CFR Part 312, and due diligence. Due diligence is the process for evaluating a property for the potential presence of environmental contamination, and for assessing potential liability for any contamination present at the property.
Training in radiation safety and the cleanup of uranium mine tailings.
Training in HAZMAT, commercial driver's license (CDL) (Commercial Driver's License must be incidental to an overall training course related to hazardous waste transportation. It may not be required or used for any other purpose), forklift, and machine operations associated with the transportation of hazardous waste.
Training in freon removal or the removal of hazardous substances from white goods such as refrigerators and freezers located on a brownfield site.
Training in the use of compost and soil amendments and associated sampling, testing, and design considerations, and management techniques to support the assessment, cleanup, and preparation of sites for urban agriculture and horticulture.
Training participants in planning and conducting ecological restoration of contaminated land, including general botanical classes or introductory horticultural classes related to land and stream restoration or indigenous species and native plant re-vegetation; landscaping; and soil science related to preparing sites for reuse and redevelopment.
Awareness training in Environmental Stewardship and sustainable community revitalization to promote community involvement in assessment, cleanup and reuse of brownfield sites.
Training in strategies for environmental mitigation, adaption and resiliency as they relate to preparing brownfield sites for cleanup and subsequent reuse.
Training in Green Infrastructure and Stormwater Management; and Erosion and Sediment Control for site remediation and preparation for reuse and redevelopment.
Training in building trades related to constructing beams, caps, synthetic barriers, pumping facilities, and similar structures to remediate contamination and site preparation.
Training in national historic preservation and tribal historic preservation regulations associated with cleanup projects.
Training in vapor intrusion testing and mitigation.
Training in site surveying, mapping, blueprint reading, computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), and geographic information systems (GIS).
Training in release detection methods, techniques, and practices at underground storage tank (UST) facilities where hazardous substances and/or petroleum products are or were located, in order to assess whether the tanks have leaked or may be leaking. This includes training for jobs that conduct activities such as tank or piping tightness testing; testing of spill prevention equipment and containment sumps; inspections of overfill prevention equipment; testing of release detection equipment; and walkthrough inspections.
Training in green remediation, such as phytoremediation, bioremediation, or soil amendments; advanced sampling instrument operator training; or training in the reuse of biosolids and other industry residuals.
Training in stormwater management, as it relates to the assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites; green infrastructure installation, management, and maintenance; or low impact 4J - 97T56901 - 0 Page 16
development (LID) training for the purpose of preparing a brownfield site for sustainable reuse.
Emergency planning, preparedness, and response training for emergencies leading to contamination on brownfields sites, such as organizing and implementing exercises; outreach to the public; spill response and cleanup, including industrial and environmental (e.g., oil spills, natural disasters, etc.); first responder, disaster site worker certification, and National Incident Management System (NIMS) training; Disaster Recovery.
Enhanced environmental health and safety training related to site remediation, such as promoting chemical (substance, mixture, or article) safety awareness and stewardship; safe work practices (including an overview of the content of material safety datasheets (MSDS), information on exposure guideline limits (Occupational Exposure Limits and Recommended Exposure Limits), information contained within the NIOSH pocket guide to chemical hazards, or the OSHA/EPA Occupational Chemical Database); isolation of work areas; safe storage and handling of chemicals; prevention of spills; and training that providesan overview of any existing chemicalspecific worker training and certification programs, including but not limited to: lead abatement; RRP; asbestos; diisocyanates (auto-refinishing and spray polyurethane foam); pesticide worker protection standards; PFCs; PBDEs/HBCD; and others.
Energy efficiency, and alternative energy technologies, such as training in retrofitting technologies, in order to prepare brownfield sites for renewable energy installation for reusing and redeveloping former brownfield sites.
2. If authorized in the EPA-approved scope of work and budget narrative, the CAR may use a portion of the grant funds for eligible participant support costs. Eligible participant support costs may include reasonable stipends to compensate program beneficiaries' time and travel costs for participating in technical assistance workshops and in-person events. Stipends must not duplicate support provided through other Federal, state, tribal, or local programs.
A CAR that uses participant support costs must follow the process described in their EPA-approved workplan (or in a separate process post-award that is approved by the EPA Grants Management Officer or Award Official) for determining the amounts of allowable stipend(s), procedures for accounting for participant support cost payments (including receipts), and documenting that the costs are allowable and do not duplicate other support for the individual(s). Additional information on these requirements for the use of participant support costs is available in EPA's Guidance on Participant Support Costs.
Costs associated with eligible participant support costs, including for:
Transportation for trainees for site visits during training or to transport trainees to and from class in the form of stipends or other allowable direct costs (e.g., transportation vouchers or vehicle rental).
Reasonable stipends to compensate trainees for participating in training. Note that stipends may only be paid for actual time spent in training classes or on-the-job training activities and must not duplicate training support provided through other Federal, state, tribal, or local programs.
Reasonable child-care subsidies. Note that child-care subsidies must not duplicate child-care support provided through other Federal, state, tribal, or local programs.
Reasonable cap and gown rental expenses or purchases not to exceed a total of $10,000.
Total amount of eligible participant support costs may not exceed 40% of the total award. 4J - 97T56901 - 0 Page 17
3. Under CERCLA § 104(k)(5)(E), CARs and subrecipients may use up to 5% of the amount of Federal funding for this cooperative agreement for administrative costs, including indirect costs under 2 CFR § 200.414. The limit on administrative costs for this agreement is $25,000. The total amount of indirect costs and any direct costs for cooperative agreement administration by the CAR or subaward administration by subrecipients paid for by EPA under the cooperative agreement may not exceed this amount. As required by 2 CFR § 200.403(d) and 200.412, the CAR and subrecipients must classify administrative costs as direct or indirect consistently and shall not classify the same types of costs in both categories. Eligible cooperative agreement and subaward administrative costs subject to the 5% limitation include direct costs for:
a. Costs incurred to comply with the following provisions of the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 CFR Parts 200 and 1500 other than those identified as programmatic.
i. Record-keeping associated with equipment purchases required under 2 CFR § 200.313; ii. Preparing revisions and changes in the budgets, scopes of work, program plans, and other activities required under 2 CFR § 200.308;
iii. Maintaining and operating financial management systems required under 2 CFR § 200.302; iv. Preparing payment requests and handling payments under 2 CFR § 200.305; v. Financial reporting under 2 CFR § 200.328;
vi. Non-Federal audits required under 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F; and vii. Closeout under 2 CFR § 200.344 with the exception of preparing the recipient's final performance report. Costs for preparing this report are programmatic and are not subject to the 5% limitation on direct administrative costs.
4. The EPA has determined that the administrative cost limitation does not apply to “programmatic” costs, (i.e., costs for activities that are integral to achieving the purpose of the grant), even if the Agency considered the costs to be “administrative” under the prior Brownfields Program. a. The limitation does not apply to direct costs of training. For example, costs for instructor salaries, program management salaries (to the extent that such costs are included in the scope of work for Brownfields Job Training grants), materials (e.g., textbooks, equipment, and classroom supplies), necessary travel and transportation expenses, and medical tests required to qualify for hazardous substances related work are programmatic, not administrative. b. Costs for performance reporting required under 2 CFR Parts 200 and 1500 and the terms and conditions of this agreement are eligible programmatic costs as long as these costs are not included in the CAR's indirect cost pool.
c. Clerical costs may be eligible as programmatic costs if supported by time records demonstrating that clerical personnel performed programmatic functions (e.g., student registration, copying course materials for use by trainees) under the cooperative agreement and these costs are not included in the CAR's indirect cost pool.
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B.] Ineligible Uses of Funds for the Cooperative Agreement Recipient
1. Funds awarded under CERCLA § 104(k)(7) are intended for job training activities and may not be used for:
Training in general construction skills and trades (e.g., carpentry, plumbing, electricity, etc. relating to constructing buildings).
Training in equipment repairs.
Training in natural resource extraction or related processes, such as hydraulic fracturing, oil refinery, or mining operations.
Training that seeks to test a product or is intended to expand a business, including training that seeks to expand construction and demolition debris recycling businesses for example, or training that is intended to only serve staff of an existing business who are employed with that business.
Training in leak prevention methods, techniques, and practices at underground storage tank (UST) facilities where hazardous substances and/or petroleum products are or were located.
Conducting actual site assessments or cleanups, except within the context of OJT.
Conducting response activities often associated with actual cleanups (e.g., landscaping, demolition, and groundwater extraction), except within the context of OJT assignments.
Assessment, cleanup, and associated activity costs must be funded through other means.
General or life skills, education activities, such as remedial classes in math and reading; job readiness training, such as developing resumes and acquiring interview skills; GED costs; website development; vehicle or medical insurance.
Scholarship funds to support students' enrollment in college courses.
Membership fees, such as fees required to join placement service organizations or environmental organizations.
Notwithstanding EPA's General Term and Condition “Light Refreshments and/or Meals,” providing food or light refreshments to employees, instructors, and trainees - except at graduation ceremonies - is not an allowable cost under this cooperative agreement.
Costs that are unallowable (e.g., lobbying, fundraising, alcoholic beverages) under 2 CFR Parts 200 and 1500, as applicable.
Costs for training individuals who are not citizens of the United States, the territories, or U.S. possessions or lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residency (i.e., Green Card holders) are unallowable in the Brownfields Job Training Program.
Matching or cost sharing for any other Federal funds (unless there is specific statutory authority for the match/cost share). Note, the statutory authority for the Brownfields Job Training Program at CERCLA 104(k)(7) does not provide the requisite authority. Cooperative agreement funds may be used to match state or local funds, if authorized by the relevant state statute or local ordinance.
Construction or substantial rehabilitation of buildings or other facilities to house training.
Foreign travel.
Application preparation costs. (Application preparation costs may be included in the CAR's indirect cost pool as provided by 2 CFR § 200.460.)
Administrative costs, including all indirect costs and direct costs for grant administration in excess of five (5) percent of the total amount of EPA grant funding, with the exception of financial and performance reporting costs (which are considered allowable programmatic costs and not subject 4J - 97T56901 - 0 Page 19
to the 5% limitation).
C.] Interest-Bearing Accounts and Program Income
1. The CAR must deposit advances of cooperative agreement funds and program income (i.e., fees charged to trainees or funds raised with EPA financial support) in an interest-bearing account. a. For interest earned on advances, CARs (as well as any subrecipients) are subject to the provisions of 2 CFR § 200.305(b)(12).
b. Any program income (e.g., fees charged to students) earned by the CAR will be added to the funds EPA has committed to this agreement and can only be used for eligible and allowable costs under the agreement as provided in 2 CFR § 200.307 and 2 CFR § 1500.8, as applicable. c. Interest earned on program income is considered additional program income. d. The CAR must disburse program income (including interest earned on program income) before requesting additional payments from EPA as required by 2 CFR § 200.305(b)(5).
2. As required by 2 CFR § 200.302, the CAR must maintain accounting records documenting the receipt and disbursement of program income.
3. The recipient must provide as part of its quarterly performance report and final technical report a description of how program income is being used. Further, a report on the amount of program income earned during the award period must be submitted with the quarterly performance report, final technical report, and Federal Financial Report (Standard Form 425).
III. LEVERAGING
A.] Leveraging
1. The CAR agrees to provide the proposed leveraged funding that is described in their application dated 9/26/2025. If the proposed leveraging does not materialize during the period of award performance, and the CAR does not provide a satisfactory explanation, EPA may consider this factor in evaluating future applications from the CAR. In addition, if the proposed leveraging does not materialize during the period of award performance, then EPA may reconsider the legitimacy of the award. If EPA determines that the CAR knowingly or recklessly provided inaccurate information regarding the leveraged funding the CAR described in its application dated 9/26/2025, EPA may take action as authorized by CERCLA 104(k)(8) (C), 2 CFR Parts 200 and 1500 and/or 2 CFR Part 180 as applicable.
IV. PAYMENT AND CLOSEOUT
For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions, the following definitions apply: “payment” is EPA's transfer of funds to the CAR; “closeout” refers to the process EPA follows to ensure that all administrative actions and work required under the cooperative agreement have been completed.
A.] Payment and Closeout
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1. The CAR may request advance payment from EPA pursuant to 2 CFR § 200.305(b)(1) and the prompt disbursement requirements of the General Terms and Conditions of this agreement. The CAR must pay subrecipients in advance provided the subrecipient complies with the requirements of 2 CFR § 200.305 (b)(1).
This requirement does not apply to States which are subject to 2 CFR § 200.305(a).
B.] Schedule for Closeout
1. Closeout will be conducted in accordance with 2 CFR § 200.344. EPA will close out the award when it determines that all applicable administrative actions and all required work under the cooperative agreement have been completed.
2. The CAR, within 120 days after the expiration or termination of the cooperative agreement, must submit all financial, performance, and other reports required as a condition of the cooperative agreement.
a. The CAR must submit the following documentation:
i. The Final Cooperative Agreement Performance Report as described in Section III.F. of these Terms and Conditions.
ii. Administrative and Financial Reports as described in the General Terms and Conditions of this agreement.
b. The CAR must ensure that all appropriate data have been entered into ACRES or all hardcopy Property Profile Forms are submitted to the EPA Project Officer. c. As required by 2 CFR § 200.344, the CAR must immediately refund to EPA any balance of unobligated (unencumbered) advanced cash or accrued program income that is not authorized to be retained for use on other cooperative agreements.
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