I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION
A. Background and Summary
This funding opportunity solicits applications from eligible entities to provide continuous and
comprehensive air quality training, technical support, and outreach programs for the EPA’s
tribal partners and American Indian students considering pursuing environmental careers in the
field of air quality. This training and outreach program is best administered as a comprehensive
activity with multiple tasks, delivered by a single grant recipient. This approach allows for
efficient delivery of programs through effective use of staff and management resources and
expertise.
The purpose of the American Indian Air Quality Training Program is to provide continuous and
comprehensive air quality training, technical support for Tribal environmental professionals,
and outreach programs for the EPA’s Tribal partner governments and American Indian students
considering pursuing environmental careers in the field of air quality. The program includes five
essential components:
(1) The American Indian Air Quality Training Program, which provides in-person, workshopstyle training for Tribal environmental professionalsthat is timely, relevant, high-quality,
and culturally sensitive;
(2) The Tribal Air Monitoring Support Center, which provides comprehensive, hands-on
training and technical support for Tribal monitoring and related activities;
(3) The Professional Assistance element supports Tasks 1 and 2 by providing additional
technical resources that enhance and supplement the other tasksto support Tribal
environmental professionals;
(4) The Tribal Environmental Education, Outreach, and Support Program, which provides
environmental outreach, education, and associated support to Tribal educatorsthat will
encourage Tribal students to develop interest, understanding, and abilities to pursue
careers in the field of air quality management; and
(5) The Internship Program, which provides practical environmental work experience as a
complement to course work that will provide exposure to and perspective on the broad
range of career opportunities available in air quality management.
American Indian Air Quality Training Program (AIAQTP)
The AIAQTP provides Tribal governments interested in air quality with training and support that
would facilitate their interaction with the EPA and air quality programs. The mission of AIAQTP
is to assist in building Tribal capacity to manage air quality through in-person, workshop-style
training for Tribal environmental professionals that is timely, relevant, high-quality, and
culturally sensitive. OAR has supports this activity through grant funding and by providing
expertise and technical resources to support AIAQTP and Tribes have made meaningful gains in
air quality management as a result.
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The AIAQTP hosts up to 20 workshops annually. The scheduling and content of the workshops
are based on a combination of air quality expertise and experience, coupled with feedback from
participants and instructors and ongoing contact between the recipient and the Tribal
environmental community. Close interactions with Tribal governments nationwide, as well as
with the EPA, ensure courses are developed and offered to meet current ongoing needs of
Tribal governments and their communities on an ongoing basis. In addition to the workshop
courses, AIAQTP provides Tribal Environmental Resource Center and Professional Assistance
program elements to ensure training activities are fully supported. These components ,
described later in this NOFO, include support activities that together form the comprehensive
program by providing activities such as professional internships, programmatic meetings,
supporting technical resources, and outreach.
Tribal Air Monitoring Support (TAMS) Center
The TAMS Center is physically housed within the EPA’s National Center for Radiation Field
Operations (NCRFO) facility, located in Las Vegas, NV. NCRFO is a part of the EPA under the
Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (ORIA) within the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR). The
TAMS Center provides unique scientific and technical support services related to indoor air,
ambient air, and radon monitoring. The EPA manages the Center as well as an equipment loan
program available to Tribes.
The TAMS Center is a model partnership between Tribes and the EPA. Its mission is to develop
Tribal capacity to assess, understand air quality and prevent environmental impacts that
adversely affect health, cultural, and natural resources through the provision of culturally
specific training and technical support. It is the first technical learning center designed to
specifically meet the needs of Tribes involved in air quality management in Indian country. The
TAMS Center provides a centralized location where Tribal environmental professionals can
obtain both hands-on air monitoring training and arrange for technical support from Tribal and
other environmental professionals as well as the EPA. The TAMS Center also serves as a base
for air quality outreach to Indian country. This NOFO includes requirements that address the
recipient’s staffing, co-management, and operation of TAMS Center activities in close
cooperation with EPA staff and management.
Tribal Environmental Education, Outreach, and Support Program
OAR provides assistance to ensure Tribes receive appropriate support as they work to develop
and implement air quality management programs. The Tribal Environmental Education
Outreach and Support Program continues this support to ensure American Indian students,
educators, and communities are properly informed and are provided with opportunities to
participate and pursue environmental careers, particularly in the field of air quality
management.
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B. Program Goals and Objectives
The EPA is seeking applications from eligible entities to provide comprehensive training,
technical support, and outreach to federally recognized Indian Tribesrelated to air quality
management. The Tribal Training and Outreach Support for the AIAQTP is designed to build the
capacity of interested Tribes to successfully implement effective and efficient air quality
programs that address or operate under:
(1) Tribal sovereign authority;
(2) Tribal authority under 301(d) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Tribal Authority Rule (40
CFR Parts 9, 35, 49, 50, and 81), which describe how the EPA delegates authority to
authorized Tribes; and,
(3) The EPA’s policies, rules, and executive orders as well as the unique aspects of Tribal
sovereignty and federal Indian law under the CAA.
For additional information, visit the Tribal Air and Climate Resources EPA website.
Applicants must address in their applications how they will perform training, technical support,
and outreach services as outlined in the five tasks described below.
Applicants must address each task individually, including a discussion of how much time will be
devoted to each task. Clear and efficient use of resources to address all tasks is encouraged. In
general, Tasks 1, 2, and 3 are expected to constitute a larger portion of the program than Tasks
4 and 5.
Applications must also describe how they will provide environmental outreach, education, and
support to Tribes that will encourage Tribal students to develop interest, understanding, and
abilities to pursue careers in the field of air quality management as described in Task 4.
Applicants may include in their applications additional tasks to those listed below; however,
they must at a minimum address the five tasks in this announcement. While applicants must
address each of the five listed tasks in their application, they have discretion in how to carry out
the tasks based on the descriptions of each task below. These tasks are more fully described in
Section IV.C.
Task 1: AIAQTP Workshops
Task 2: TAMS Center
2.A – Specialized and Individualized Training
2.B – Outreach
2.C – Logistical Support
2.D – Support for Participant Training Attendance
Task 3: Professional Assistance
3.A – Website
3.B – Information and Technical Assistance
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3.C – Mentoring
3.D – Reference Documents Library
3.E – National Meetings
Task 4: Tribal Environmental Education, Outreach, and Support Program
4.A – Outreach to Tribal Schools, Students, and Communities
4.B – Mentoring Programs
4.C – Professional Assistance and Support
4.D – Environmental Education Program Website
Task 5: Environmental Education Internship Programs