Applying for a Technical Assistance Grant (TAG)

A Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) can help your community participate in Superfund cleanup decision-making. An initial grant of up to $50,000 is available to qualified community groups. This funding enables community groups to hire their own technical advisor to interpret and explain technical reports, site conditions, and EPA’s proposed actions. TAG technical advisors also can help you comment on a range of cleanup issues and activities, including redevelopment and reuse, public health concerns, and site five-year reviews. Such independent technical assistance helps the community voice its concerns and preferences on site issues and participate more substantively in site decisions.

If you are interested in applying for a TAG, the first step is to contact your Regional TAG Coordinator to determine if the site is currently eligible for a TAG or if there is already a TAG awarded before spending time completing the required paperwork. To be eligible, the site must be either listed on the National Priorities Site List (NPL) or proposed for the NPL with a response action underway. There can only be one TAG awarded at a time at a site. Your Regional TAG Coordinator and this application guide will help you determine if your group is eligible.

Once you’ve contacted your Regional TAG Coordinator, determined your group is eligible, and decided to apply for a TAG, you can use this guide to help you prepare your TAG application.

This guide provides tips and information for completing a TAG Application. EPA’s documents Applying for a Technical Assistance Grant (TAG): Steps and Tips for Completing an Application (PDF) and separate Woodtown TAG Sample Application Package (PDF) also provide detailed information and an example of a completed TAG application.

It is advisable to read this guide for tips and information on the application process before you begin your application for a TAG. It can help you prepare a TAG application that includes all the information EPA needs to evaluate your group’s eligibility, ability, and plans to manage a TAG.

This guide includes:

  • A description of key steps for developing and submitting an application.
  • A description of the sections in the TAG application.
  • A description of required standard forms.
  • Tips for preparing the project and budget narratives in your TAG application.

Below are the key steps in the TAG application process. These steps should be completed (in order) BEFORE submitting your TAG application.

Click the steps in the infographic below to learn more. 

TAG Application ProcessBefore You ApplyStep 1Step 2Step 3Before Drafting Your ApplicationStep 4Obtain an EINRegister with sam.govRegister with grants.govDrafting Your ApplicationStep 5Step 6Step 7Submit Your ApplicationStep 8

Get to know the Regional TAG Coordinator for your Superfund site. Your TAG Coordinator can help you through the application process.

Before You Apply

Step 1 - Contact your Regional TAG Coordinator

Contact the Regional TAG Coordinator for the EPA Region where the Superfund site is located. Your TAG Coordinator can answer questions and act as a guide throughout the application process. To find your TAG Coordinator, visit the “contact us” section on the TAG website.

The application process takes a lot of time. Make sure your group is eligible before starting.

Step 2 - Make sure that your group is eligible to receive a TAG

Consult the Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Program: Factsheet and EPA’s TAG website for information about who is eligible to receive a TAG. Also, talk with your Regional TAG Coordinator to determine your group’s eligibility. EPA’s TAG regulations at 40 CFR 35.4020 provide eligibility information. The full TAG regulations can be found at 40 CFR Part 35, Subpart M.

Step 3 – Prepare and submit a letter of intent to your EPA Regional Office

You must first submit a Letter of Intent to start the TAG application process.

Before you prepare and submit your application, your group must email or mail a letter of intent (LOI) to your EPA Regional Office stating your intent to apply. EPA will not review a TAG application unless the applicant group has submitted an LOI. Include the following information:

  • Name of your group.
  • Contact person for your group with address, daytime telephone number, and email address.
  • Name of the Superfund site for which you are seeking a TAG.

Ask your TAG Regional Coordinator for the proper email or physical address for sending your LOI. See the fictional Woodtown TAG Sample Application Package (PDF) example for a sample application and LOI.

Before Drafting Your Application

Step 4 - Get registered well in advance of submitting your TAG application

Registration takes time. You CANNOT register in Grants.gov until you have registered in SAM.gov and have been assigned a Unique Entity ID (UEI). SAM.gov can take 10 days to process and Grants.gov can take a week.

You will need to register in the systems and websites below before you can apply for a TAG. Register in the order below since each site will need information from the previous registration.

  1. Internal Revenue Service Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  2. System for Award Management (SAM.gov)
  3. Grants.gov

Your group will need to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Once you have obtained a TIN or EIN, you will need to complete an entity registration with the federal government’s System for Award Management (SAM) at SAM.gov. You will not be able to register with SAM without a TIN or EIN. When you are completing your entity registration in SAM.gov, you will be assigned a Unique Entity ID (UEI). You will not be able to submit your application in Grants.gov without a Unique Entity ID (UEI) and SAM.gov entity registration.

4.1 Obtain an EIN/TIN

From the EIN page on the IRS website: An EIN “is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, and is used to identify a business entity. Generally, businesses need an EIN. You may apply for an EIN in various ways, and now you may apply online. This is a free service offered by the Internal Revenue Service and you can get your EIN immediately.”

4.2 Register with SAM.gov

Registration is free and will take 7 to 10 days to process. You will need to designate an authorized representative for your group, who will complete the registration with SAM and Grants.gov. SAM also requires a notarized letter naming your group’s administrator. The letter is required within 60 days after registration activation. Visit SAM.gov to register. When your group is registering with SAM, you will be assigned a Unique Entity ID (UEI). Please keep your original records on how you registered your group. SAM requires your group registration information match exactly with how your entity is registered with the IRS.

4.3 Register with Grants.gov

Once you have registered with SAM.gov and have your assigned UEI, your group’s authorized representative must complete a one-time Grants.gov registration process. The registration is free. Visit the Grants.gov registration page for more information on how to register.

Remember: The Grants.gov registration process can take up to one week to complete, so you must register well before you plan to prepare and submit your final TAG application.

Requesting an exception to the Grants.gov submission requirement

If your group does not have any or has limited access to the internet, you may request an exception to the requirement to submit your application through Grants.gov. The process for requesting an exception can be found at on the EPA Grants website. Talk to your TAG Coordinator if you are unable to access the website or if you need help after reviewing the exception information in the link.

Please note, requests for an exception from filing applications through Grants.gov must be received by EPA at least 15 calendar days before the application due date. This deadline would be 45 days after the date of EPA's newspaper notice requesting TAG letters of intent.

Warning!

Don’t be fooled by look-alike registration sites that ask for payments. SAM.gov and Grants.gov are FREE. Contact your Regional TAG Coordinator if you are uncertain about any sites.

Drafting Your Application

Step 5 – Get the TAG Funding Opportunity Number

When you are ready to begin writing and submitting your TAG application, contact your Regional TAG Coordinator for:

  • The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for the TAG.
  • The title of the Funding Opportunity.
  • Assistance with locating the application package associated with the FON in Grants.gov.

You need this information to submit your application in Grants.gov.

Step 6 – Complete your TAG Application

See the Woodtown TAG Sample Application Package (PDF) for examples on how to prepare a project narrative and budget information.

The TAG application has two parts:

  • Project Narrative with budget information.
  • Required Standard Forms

Tips for Preparing a Project Narrative

The project narrative is your work plan. It is a critical part of your TAG application. Your project narrative describes your group and demonstrates how you will responsibly manage TAG funds.

Your project narrative helps EPA determine if your group:

  • is eligible,
  • will use the TAG funds correctly, and
  • will share information with the rest of your community.

The project narrative includes:

You will need to upload your completed project narrative file under the Mandatory Project Narrative File field on the Project Narrative File Form.

Check with the site Remedial Project Manager to obtain projected list of site documents and activities. Your plan must reflect upcoming site work and documents.

Tips for Preparing Budget Information

Although the Superfund cleanup process can last for many years, your initial grant project period covers a shorter period of time negotiated between your group and EPA. Your project narrative and detailed budget must show estimated costs only for your planned project period and within the $50,000 federal share limit. Give careful thought to the budget because changing it later may require written approval from EPA and a modification to your grant.

You must provide a budget outline in the SF-424A form. You will need to provide a summary of your budget costs by type of activity and note which costs will be covered by TAG award funds (federal) or the group’s matching contribution (See 40 CFR 35.4130). If you need advance funds, you will need to state this in your budget and specify estimated expenses (See 40 CFR 35.4090).

For a sample budget, see the Woodtown TAG Sample Application Package (PDF). The format shown is only a suggestion. You may develop a different format, as long as all the required information is included.

IMPORTANT: Does your group need advance funds?

You may be able to obtain a one-time advance of up to $5,000 to cover some costs associated with TAG startup, such as funds to establish a bank account, purchase supplies, or pay office rent. If needed, you MUST include advance funds information in your initial application budget. This funding is not available until the award is made and your group provides proof of incorporation as a nonprofit organization. Let your Regional TAG Coordinator know if you think your group will need advance funds.

Step 7 – Complete required federal standard forms

Reminder: Get your Funding Opportunity Number (FON) from your TAG Coordinator. You will find the required forms on Grants.gov

The standard forms you need to include in your TAG application package are available at Grants.gov under the TAG Funding Opportunity Number (FON) (Step 6, above). You will need to fill out the following forms and information for your TAG application on Grants.gov under the Funding Opportunity.

  1. Standard Form (SF) 424 – Application for Federal Assistance
  2. Project Narrative Attachment Form (this is where you attach your Project Narrative and Detailed Budget)
  3. SF 424A – Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs
  4. EPA Form 4700-4 – Pre-award Compliance Review Report for Applicants Requesting Federal Financial Assistance
  5. EPA Form 5700-54 – Key Contacts Form

Instructions are included in the forms.

Prior to submission in grants.gov, please reach out to your regional TAG Coordinator to see if they would like to review a final draft of the TAG application but note that intergovernmental review is not required.

Submit Your Application

Step 8 – Complete and submit your TAG application through Grants.gov

If you have any questions throughout the TAG process, reach out to your TAG Coordinator.

When you’ve completed all parts of your application, you are ready to submit it to EPA. Unless your group received an exemption, TAG applications must be submitted electronically through the Grants.gov website (See Step 4.2 for information regarding exemptions). The Grants.gov website provides instructions for completing the application and uploading all required documents and forms.

Grants.gov forwards your application to EPA. Grants.gov will send confirmation emails and it may be beneficial to forward these emails to your regional TAG coordinator to assist in tracking the TAG application.

Note: As of August 27, 2021, the intergovernmental review requirement in the TAG regulations is no longer in effect because the TAG program was granted a class exception from the TAG regulations.

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Last updated on September 10, 2024