Common use of Workplan requirements Clause in Contracts

Workplan requirements. Performance Partnership Grant work plans are subject to the same requirements as any other grant work plan, which can be found at 40 CFR 35.107. An approvable work plan must specify: The work plan components to be funded under the grant; The estimated work years and the estimated funding amounts for each work plan component; The work plan commitments for each work plan component and a time frame for their accomplishment; A performance evaluation process and reporting schedule in accordance with 40 CFR 35.115; and The roles and responsibilities of the recipient and EPA in carrying out the work plan commitments. The regulation at 40 CFR 35.107(c) states: An applicant may use a Performance Partnership Agreement or a portion of a Performance Partnership Agreement as the work plan for an environmental program grant if the portions of the Performance Partnership Agreement that serve as all or part of the grant work plan: (1) are clearly identified and distinguished from other portions of the Performance Partnership Agreement; and (2) meet the requirements in §35.107(b). A PPG work plan should be the product of joint planning, priority setting and mutual agreement between the state and EPA. The PPG grant work plan is the result of negotiations between EPA and state program managers and staff. Successful PPG work plan negotiations rely on a predictable process that fosters prompt resolution of issues, including elevation of issues to senior management levels if necessary. In successful work plan negotiations EPA and the state will reach a mutual understanding and agreement about what will be accomplished under the agreement. Work plans must also be consistent with applicable federal statutes, regulations, circulars, executive orders, and EPA delegations, approvals, or authorizations. The PPA or portion thereof that serves as a grant work plan must meet the same work plan requirements as for any state program grant. The portion(s) of a PPA that serve as a work plan must be clearly identified and distinguished from the rest of the PPA. States are also required to submit nonpoint source management workplans in accordance with EPA’s 2014 “Nonpoint Source Program and Grants Guidelines for States and Territories.” EPA program offices must ensure that the work plan contains well-defined outputs and outcomes by EPA Order 5700.7. The term “output” in EPA Order 5700.7 means an environmental activity, effort, and/or associated work product related to an environmental goal or objective that will be produced or provided over a period of time or by a specified date. Outputs may be quantitative or qualitative but must be measurable during an assistance agreement funding period. The term “outcome” means the result, effect or consequence that will occur from carrying out an environmental program or activity that is related to an environmental or programmatic goal or objective. Outcomes may be environmental, behavioral, health-related or programmatic in nature, must be quantitative, and may not necessarily be achievable within an assistance agreement funding period. For state assistance agreements under 40 CFR 35, State and Local Assistance, Subpart A, Environmental Program Grants, program offices may satisfy this requirement by ensuring compliance with 40 CFR 35.107 (summarized above). Prior to approving an assistance agreement work plan, EPA program offices must ensure that the work plan is linked to EPA’s Strategic Plan architecture. Grant Policy Issuance (GPI) 12-06, Timely Obligation, Award, and Expenditure of EPA Grant Funds provides in section 7.0 (in part): Estimating Budgets: Consistent with applicable NPM Guidance, EPA should request States to develop and/or submit their work plans and applications based on the previous year’s award amount or the amount derived from the President’s budget, whichever is higher. If amounts based on the President’s budget are not known, negotiations should be based on the previous year’s award amount. (Section 7.1.b.) Focus Negotiations on New Priorities: Assuming that the level of funding is not significantly different from the previous year’s grant amount, the primary focus of work plan negotiations should be on new priorities consistent with applicable NPM guidance. Less emphasis should be placed on negotiating recurring activities/commitments where there is a satisfactory record of grant performance. (Section 7.1.b.)