The goal of the Environmental Monitoring and Remediation Technology Assessment Initiative (EMRATI or Initiative) is to assess, demonstrate or test the performance of environmental monitoring and remediation technologies that can identify and recover critical minerals from legacy hard rock mining sites or metal processing (smelting, refining, etc.) sites. The EMRTAI will help stimulate the monitoring and remediation technology sector, and support technology assessment and performance testing of technologies to advance EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment. The Initiative will also assist public entities such as non-profit organizations, industries, businesses, states, individuals, and communities in making better informed decisions when selecting new or existing environmental technologies for use at contaminated sites. The successful applicant (i.e., recipient of the proposed cooperative agreement) will conduct technology assessments, demonstration or performance testing of monitoring and remediation technologies related to legacy hard rock mining or metal processing sites for up to 3 years under a financial assistance agreement from EPA. The recipient will design and operate the Initiative by carrying out its work consistent with an EPA reviewed and approved quality management plan (QMP) and conducting assessments, demonstrations or performance testing of environmental monitoring and remediation technologies for use at said sites. As a result, this Initiative will provide the public and stakeholders with objective, qualityassured technology assessment and performance testing data for developed technologies in the field of monitoring and site remediation. Examples of technology areas to be performance tested include but are not limited to: water monitoring and remediation; and solid media (soil and sediment) monitoring and remediation (metals recovery).
EPA is soliciting applications from qualified entities that have an interest and experience in the scope of this Initiative, that is conducting assessments or tests of new or existing environmental monitoring and remediation technologies for identifying and recovering critical minerals (CMs) at contaminated legacy mining sites. Applicants must have the ability and knowledge to conduct assessment, testing and quality assurance support for new (SBIR Phase 2 and 3) and commercial environmental monitoring and remediation technologies. Ability and knowledge can be illustrated in a number of ways, including but not limited to having conducted the same or similar activities in the past as those described here. Familiarity with Federal cooperative agreement or grant operation and management would also be helpful for applicants to highlight. Displaying and describing productivity under these or other Federal agreements would also benefit in the solicitation process.
Deadline: July 31, 2023
In accordance with Assistance Listing 66.511, applications will be accepted from: • U.S. Territories and possessions (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals), • State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals), • Local (includes State-designated Indian Tribes, excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals), • Public nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals), • Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, • Private nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals).
The total estimated funding for this competitive opportunity is approximately $3,000,000. Requests for amounts in excess of a total of $3 million in EPA funds, including direct and indirect costs, will not be considered. EPA anticipates award of one cooperative agreement resulting from this announcement. The award will be funded incrementally, on an annual basis over 3 years in amounts ranging from $50,000-$1,000,000 per award year.