Exchange Network Grant Information: 2004-2005

Exchange Network Grant Information: 2004-2005

Stephen Goranson Office of Information Services

USEPA Region 5

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Briefing OutlineBriefing Outline

• Introduction to the Exchange Network

• Status of the Network Grant Program

• Status of Region 5 State Network Activities

• Examples of Current Challenge Grants

• Purpose of the Challenge Grants

• Format for Challenge Grant Proposal

• Possible Timeline for 2005 Grant Process

• Questions and Discussion

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Web Sites of Interest

• Exchange Network:

http://www.exchangenetwork.net/

• EPA Exchange Network Grant Program:

http://www.epa.gov/neengprg/

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Purpose & Goals of the NetworkPurpose & Goals of the Network

• Network Goals:– Enhance electronic

reporting capabilities

– Reduce information collection and reporting burdens

– Integrate data from different sources

– Provide timely access to environmental data

– Improve data quality

Network Purpose:

An Internet and standards based method for exchanging environmental information between partners

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Major Business Drivers for Creating Major Business Drivers for Creating the Networkthe Network

• Decreasing program budgets available for IT investments

• Need to improve data timeliness, quality and security

• Homeland Security• Need for integrated information to manage

environmental programs• Need to respond to the President’s

management agenda, e-Gov initiative, OMB and EA mandates.

• Reduce Burden• Need for information not currently reported to

EPA

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Benefits of Creating the Network

• Internet, standards based exchange – – Implements e-Gov exchanges– Increases data quality and timeliness– Reduces issues arising from changes made to EPA

and/or partner databases saving time and money

• Helps move EPA towards it’s EA and comply with OMB requirements – – by identifying common data elements as a result

of mapping information flows, data elements suitable for integration are identified

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Design of the NetworkDesign of the Network

..Network

AdministrationTechnical

Infrastructure

Data ExchangeTemplates

Trading PartnerAgreement

MemberInfrastructure

DataStandards

Registration, process support, communication

Uses standard Internet tools

Common way to define shared terms

Common way to package shared

data

Capacity to participate

How information flows between

partners

Network Components

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Organizational RelationshipsOrganizational Relationships

Key

Reports to

Coordinates with

Participates in

States(through ECOS)

State/EPA InformationManagement Workgroup

(IMWG)

EPAFuture

NetworkPartners

Network SteeringBoard (NSB)

NodeGroup

IntegratedProject

Teams (IPTs)

Environmental Data Standards Council (EDSC)

Other ActionTeamsStandards

Development Teams

TechnicalResources

Group (TRG)

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EPA’s Central Data Exchange (CDX)EPA’s Central Data Exchange (CDX)

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• EPA’s node on the Network

• Authenticates partners

• Accepts and requests data from

information

partner nodes

• Could be the data repository for EPA

• Potential access to integrated data

CDXCDX

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General Steps to Implementing General Steps to Implementing Network FlowsNetwork Flows

IPT created Group consisting of EPA and information partner representatives to work on flows.

Flow elements defined IPT identifies what data will be transmitted for a particular flow (e.g., RCRA-Info)

Data Standards Created Description of the format/structure of a particular data element (e.g., facility name)

DETs and Schemas created

Template for exchanging the information with XML tags

TPA template created General scope and conditions for Network transfer of data.

Schema mapped to partner database

Each partner maps their database to the approved schema.

Schema mapped to EPA database

Mapping between EPA’s database and the approved schema (potentially to a CDX repository at some point in the future).

Partner node functional An information partner’s exchange portal operational (web presence)

EPA node functional CDX operational and ready to exchange information

*Flow successful RCRA-Info information flowing between EPA and a partner)

*EPA will also be counting flat file transfers as successful flows.

StepStep Result Result

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• IPT Created to work on flow• Flow elements defined

• Standards created• DET / Schema created• TPA template created

• Schema mapped to partner database(s)• Schema mapped to EPA databases

(or potentially to a repository)• Partner node functional

• CDX functional• Flow successful

General Overview of the Network General Overview of the Network Development ProcessDevelopment Process

CDX Partner Node

DET /Schema

DET /Schema

EPA’sInformation Systems

Partner’sInformation Systems

InternetInternet

Information Partner

DET /Schema

DET /Schema

DET /Schema

DET /Schema

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“In Production” via CDX What is Flowing? Who is Flowing? When Did Flow Begin?

Air Quality System (AQS, File Transfer) Web forms, Flat files States, Tribes, Locals June 2003

eBeaches Web forms, flat files, XML files

States August 2003Node May 2004

E-Discharge Monitoring Report E-DMR XML Files States January 2004

Facility Registry System (FRS) XML files States September 2003

Institutional Controls (ICTS) Web forms Regions April 2004

National Emission Inventory Web forms, flat files, XML files

State and Local organizations

April 2002Node May 2004

Permit Compliance System-Interim Data Exchange Format (PCS IDEF, Pass-Through)

XML files States April 2002

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Information System (RCRAInfo, File Transfer)

Web forms, flat files States August 2003

RMP Emergency Contact Update Web forms Industry May 2004

Safe Drinking Water Access and Review System/Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Regulation (SDWARS/UCMR)

Web forms, flat files, XML files

Labs, Public Water System, and States

October 2001

Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)

Flat files States February 2004

Stormwater Electronic Notice of Intent (eNOI)/Electronic Notices of Termination (eNOT)

Web forms Industry September 2003

Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Flat files Industry April 2001

Toxic Substances Control Act Health and Safety Data

Web forms, flat files Industry October 2002

Data Flows in CDXData Flows in CDX

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Data Flows “in Development” via CDX

Requirements Began

“Production” Date

What will Flow?

Who will Exchange?

AQS XML for Node Exchanges

November 2003

June 2004 (web-based)

XML files States, Tribes, Locals

Institutional Controls (ICTS) XML for Node Exchanges

October 2003 July 2004 XML files Regions, States, Industry

Lead Notifications July 2002 August 2004 Web form Industry

PCS IDEF Middleware (Interim Data Exchange Format)

September 2002

July 2004 XML files States

Radionuclide NESHAPS (National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Pollutant)

November 2002

June 2004 Web forms and documents

Industry

RCRAInfo XML for Node Exchanges

October 2003 October 2004

XML files States, Regions

RCRA Part A Permit Applications

October 2003 TBD Web forms Industry

RCRA Site ID October 2002 TBD Web forms Industry

SDWIS XML Schema January 2004 September 2004

XML files States

Data Flows in CDXData Flows in CDX

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Upcoming Data FlowsUpcoming Data Flows

• Lead Notifications– Notification of Regulated Lead Abatement Activities – Certification of Abatement Firms

• Confidential Business Information Reporting Projects – Certification and Fuel Economy Inventory System– Reformulated Gas Reporting

• AQS Web Services (Portal)– Developing real time standardized reports– Providing additional front-end quality assurance

• AirNow E-Alerts (Portal)– Mass notifications to the public on local air quality – Providing local governments with ability to deliver E-

Alerts• Water Contaminants Information Tool• Grants.gov• Additional program node exchanges:

– RCRA, ICTS, AQS, TRI

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Exchange Network Grant ProgramExchange Network Grant Program

Administration Priorities & Funding

• Supporting the Administration’s Priorities:– Technology: utilizing advanced technologies to accomplish our

shared environmental and human health missions more effectively

– Collaboration: implementing collaborative, innovative uses of the Exchange Network

– Results: enhancing programmatic effectiveness and environmental decision-making by making it easier to exchange, analyze, integrate, and utilize environmental data

• State and Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG) Funding: – FY 2002: $25M

– FY 2003: $19.9M

– FY 2004: $20M

– FY 2005 President’s Budget Request: $25M

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FY 2004 Grant Program Priorities

• Enhance basic IM/IT capabilities• Develop Exchange Network nodes• Develop Exchange Network data flows

– Air Quality System (AQS)– Facility Registry System (FRS)– National Emissions Inventory (NEI)– Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

Information System (RCRAInfo)– Safe Drinking Water Information System

(SDWIS)– Toxics Release Inventory System (TRIS)

• Implement collaborative, innovative projects that demonstrate the value of the Exchange Network

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FY 2004 Grant Categories

• Readiness Grants– Purpose: to develop basic IM/IT capabilities to participate in the

Exchange Network– Funding: up to $75K for tribes; up to $150K for states/territories

• Implementation Grants– Purpose: to develop Exchange Network connections, nodes, and

data flows – Funding: up to $150K for tribes; up to $300K for

states/territories

• Challenge Grants– Purpose: to pursue collaborative, innovative projects that

demonstrate the value of the Exchange Network• Funding: up to $300K for tribes; up to $750K for

states/territories

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Exchange Network Grant Exchange Network Grant ProgramProgram

Eligible Pre-Proposals Submitted to EPA

• Tribes– 23 eligible pre-proposals submitted by 21 tribes– 20 pre-proposals from 19 tribes received a

favorable review

• Territories– 4 eligible pre-proposals submitted by 3 territories (Guam,

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico)

– 3 pre-proposals from 3 territories received a favorable review

• States– 56 eligible pre-proposals submitted by 34 states– 45 pre-proposals from 33 states received a favorable

review

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• Tribes– Readiness: 9 for a total of $655,000 – Implementation: 8 for a total of $1,093,099 – Challenge: 3 for a total of $866,771– Total: 20 for a total of $2,614,870

• Territories– Readiness: 2 for a total of $300,000 – Implementation: 1 for $300,000– Challenge: 0– Total: 3 for a total of $600,000

Pre-Proposals That Received a Favorable EPA Review

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• States– Readiness: 4 for a total of $540,900– Implementation: 30 for a total of $8,539,356 – Challenge: 11 for a total of $7,106,271– Total: 45 for a total of $16,186,527

• Network Support Services– Anticipate 1 award for $1,000,000

• Total – 69 for a total of $20,401,397

Pre-Proposals That Received a Favorable EPA Review

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Overview of Favorably Reviewed Pre-Proposal Activities

• Exchange Network node development or implementation: – 7 tribal, 1 territorial, 18 state

• Exchange Network data flow development:– AQS: 22 (5 tribal, 1 territorial, 16 state)– FRS: 21 (1 tribal, 3 territorial, 17 state)– NEI: 17 (2 tribal, 1 territorial, 14 state)– RCRAInfo: 12 (state)– SDWIS: 18 (3 tribal, 1 territorial, 14 state)– TRIS: 2 (state)

• Geospatial activities: 8 tribal, 2 territorial, 6 state

• Health-related activities: 2 tribal, 3 state

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FY 2004 Grant Process & Schedule

• Feb. 3, 2004: Pre-proposal deadline

• March - April 2004: EPA review of pre-proposals

• April - May 2004: Notification of applicants and invitation to final candidates to submit the final application package

• June 15, 2004: Final application deadline

• June – August 2004: EPA processing of applications and issuance of grant awards, in the order received, to the extent practical

• October 2004: Publication of Federal Register notice for the FY 2005 grant program

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FY 2005 Grant Program – Eligibility

• Eligible Applicants– States and the District of Columbia and their

agencies/departments– U.S. territories and their agencies/departments– Federally Recognized Indian Tribes and their

agencies/departments– Tribal consortia

• Ineligible Applicants– State, territorial, and tribal universities– City, town, county, or regional government

agencies/departments– Nonprofit organizations

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FY 2005 Grant Program – Application Process

• Partnerships: – EPA will encourage eligible applicants to work with

other organizations that can contribute to the development and use of the Exchange Network.

• Application Deadlines:– Readiness & Implementation: full applications will be

due within the initial 75-day application period. – Challenge: initial proposals will be due within the first

75-day application period; full applications for favorably reviewed initial proposals will be due within a subsequent 45-day application period.

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FY 2005 Grant Program – Ideas to Consider

Ideas considered for the FY 2005 guidance:

• Allow more non-regulatory data flows (e.g., lead in paint, pollution prevention, environmental justice, mining wastes)

• Provide funding for data standards development, as part of XML schema development

• Require Challenge Grant lead states to participate in a Network Steering Board-sponsored workgroup or Integrated Project Team

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Possible Timeline for 2005 Grant ProcessPossible Timeline for 2005 Grant Process

• October 2004: Publication of Federal Register notice for the FY 2005 grant program

• January 15, 2005: Pre-proposal deadline

• February - March 2005 EPA review of pre-proposals

• March - April 2005: Notification of applicants and invitation to final candidates to submit the final application package

• May 31, 2005: Final application deadline

• June – July 2005: EPA processing of applications and issuance of grant awards, in the order received, to the extent practical

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FY 2005 Grant Program – Next Steps

• Consult with EPA programs/regions about potential Exchange Network data flow activities

• Invite input from states, territories, tribes

• Publish solicitation notice in the Federal Register – Oct. 2004

• Initial application deadline – 75 days afterthe FR notice is published

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Region 5 Points of Contact:

Noel Kohl Network Grants Project OfficerOffice of Information ServicesResources Management

BranchU.S. EPA Region 5(312) [email protected]

Stephen GoransonOffice of Information ServicesResources Management

BranchU.S. EPA Region 5(312) [email protected]

National Points of Contact:

Rebecca MoserExchange Network Grant Program

ManagerOffice of Information CollectionOffice of Environmental InformationU.S. Environmental Protection

Agency(202) [email protected]

Terry ForrestProject OfficerOffice of Information CollectionOffice of Environmental InformationU.S. Environmental Protection

Agency(202) [email protected]

MORE ON CHALLENGE MORE ON CHALLENGE GRANTSGRANTS

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Purpose of Challenge Grants

“To propose innovative projects that involve collaboration (e.g., State-EPA, intrastate, or interstate) to develop the Exchange Network and demonstrate its value in sharing environmental, natural resources, or human health data and/or related administrative data”

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Grant, Cooperative Agreement, In-Kind

Assistance• Accepted applicants may request assistance in the form of a grant or

cooperative agreement.

• Grant for proposed activities not principally for the direct benefit or use of the

Federal Government and no substantial involvement is anticipated between

EPA and the recipient during the program period.

• Cooperative agreement for proposed activities are not principally for the

direct benefit or use of the Federal Government and substantial involvement

is anticipated between EPA and the recipient during the program period.

• All or part of a grant or cooperative agreement may be provided in the form of

in-kind assistance (in lieu of funding) if it would be more efficient in

terms of cost or time for EPA to purchase services or equipment on a

recipient's behalf (e.g., through an EPA-approved contractor).

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Format for Challenge Grant Proposal

• Project Information– State/Tribe/Territory Agency or Department– Title of Project– Focus Area (i.e., Readiness, Implementation, or Challenge)– Total Funds Requested from EPA– Total Project Cost (including State/Tribal cash contributions, if

applicable)– Contact Person (name, title, address, phone, fax, and e-mail)

• Overview – Purpose, Goals, Objectives– Nature and Expected Outcomes of the Project– If applicable, how project will build on previous work supported by

the Exchange Network Grant Program

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Format for Challenge Grant Proposal

• Summary Work Plan– What project will achieve & who will benefit from the project– Each aspect of project in enough detail to allow reviewers to

understand and evaluate it– Proposed Activities (and how they relate to criteria!)– Project Milestones (estimated dates of completion) – Performance Measures (describe how success will be

measured)– Sharing Results (commitment to share with other Network

participants)

• Subject to potential public release under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

• Applicant must claim CBI information when the pre-proposal or application is submitted to EPA [40 CFR 2.203(a)]

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Criterion #1(a)Maximum of 90 points for one or more of

the following activities (1(a) – (f)):

(1) (a) Implement one or more of the following data flows using the Exchange Network (45 points each):

- Air Quality System (AQS)- Facility Registry System (FRS)- National Emissions Inventory (NEI)- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

Information System (RCRAInfo)- Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)- Toxics Release Inventory System (TRIS)

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Criterion #1(b)

(b) Implement any other type of data flow (regulatory or voluntary, State-to-EPA, facility-to-State, State-to-State, etc.) using the Exchange Network

(30 points each).

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Criterion #1(c)

c) Conduct multi-party planning activities to develop new data flows, explaining how the new data would be used and shared via the Network

(up to 90 points each)

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Criterion #1(d)

(d) Use Network to integrate and use information for environmental decision-making and public access, including geospatial data (such as locational data) (up to 90 points)

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Criterion #1(e)

(e)Use Network to share data that have not previously been available for environmental and human health protection purposes (e.g., environmentally related health data, regional environmental data, data needed to fill current data gaps, etc.)(up to 90 points)

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Criterion #1(f)

(f) Enhance the utilization of the Exchange Network by developing tools/ applications that use data made available through Web services (e.g., watershed analysis tools using EPA and other partner/stakeholder data published through Web services).(up to 90 points)

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Criterion (2)

(2) Identify Expected Benefits of the Project (10 points): • More frequent and/or efficient exchanges• Better data quality through the use of data

standards and validation and error-detection mechanisms

• Greater ability to share and integrate data through the use of data standards, XML schema, and Exchange Network Web services;

• Ability to exchange a variety of data with a number of partners

• Ability to provide access to new kinds of data using the Exchange Network; and/or

• Ability to use common Exchange Network infrastructure capabilities (e.g. XML schema, common security controls, etc.).

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Supplementary Information on Challenge

Grants…1. Projects must be collaborative efforts.2. Pre-proposal must identify a single lead agency or

department that will be responsible for administering the assistance agreement, if awarded.

3. In addition to implementing 1 or more data flows, applicants must make a commitment to share information about their projects with other partners via the Exchange Network Web site at http://www.exchangenetwork.net

4. If an applicant has received funding through a previous Exchange Network assistance agreement, the applicant must identify activities that build on, but do not duplicate, previously funded activities.

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Supplementary Information on Challenge

Grants…5. EPA may elect to fund complementary pre-

proposals from different partners that address related work areas (e.g., XML schema development)

6. EPA will seek to leverage and coordinate all of the complementary pre-proposals before reaching final funding decisions.

7. EPA will examine past performance of those who have received previous Exchange Network assistance agreements (e.g., timely and complete semi-annual reports, achievement of performance goals/milestones, etc.).

8. If two proposals have been scored equally, the one with the best previous track record may be ranked higher. If an applicant has not received a prior Exchange Network assistance agreement, that applicant will not be penalized.

Exchange Network Grant Information: 2004-2005

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