Based on the information presented in each assistance application, 

 EPA approves or disapproves each application on the following 

 criteria: 



• Are the work, schedule, and budget consistent with the 

 Annual Work Plan? 



• Has the proposed work been adequately reviewed by the 

 Management Conference, Conference committees, EPA, 

 and if appropriate, other peer reviewers? 



• Is the effort proposed consistent with the products to be 

 obtained? 



• In the case of cooperative agreements, is there substantial 

 federal involvement in the project? 



• Is the organization performing the work qualified? 



• Is the 25 percent non-federal cost share requirement of 

 Section 320(g)(3) being demonstrated? 



• Are schedules, progress reports, products and deliverables, 

 and requirements for submitting project data adequate, in 

 Ocean Data Evaluation System (ODES) format, and in 

 machine-readable form? 



• Will products contribute to the development of a CCMP? 



In addition to grants issued to support the development of CCMPs 

 for individual estuaries, EPA issues grants to support the broader 

 attainment of National Estuary Program goals and objectives. 

 These grants are national in scope. They are reviewed and ap- 

 proved by OMEP at EPA headquarters. 



Concurrence by the EPA Office of Research and Development 

 (ORD) will be required at the regional level for all projects involving 

 laboratory and field studies. Concurrence should be secured by the 

 ORD representative, or designee, on the scientific and technical 

 advisory committee. An ORD concurrence form is available from 

 the EPA regional office. The ORD representative will; 



• Make certain the project does not duplicate current 

 EPA/ORD research projects or activities; 



• Evaluate whether the quality of science in the proposal is 

 adequate; and 



• Determine whether the research protocols in the proposal are 

 consistent with those ORD and EPA have established. 



Headquarters Program 

 Grants 



Office of Researcfi and 

 Development Concurrence 



A7 



