Federal Register: April 4, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 65)
DOCID: FR Doc 03-8153
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Treasury Department
CFR Citation: 40 CFR Parts 9 and 46
RIN ID: RIN 2030-AA77
FRL ID: [FRL-7476-2]
NOTICE: Part VI
DOCUMENT ACTION: Interim final rule.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Fellowships
DATES: This regulation is effective May 5, 2003, and applies to fellowship agreements awarded after May 5, 2003. Comments on this interim final rule must be submitted by June 3, 2003.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
This rule revises EPA's current fellowship regulation to provide greater flexibility and clarify requirements in order to aid in the administration and monitoring of the EPA fellowships. EPA's fellowship programs provide financial assistance to individuals to further their education in environmental fields, such as environmental engineering and science. EPA is also amending certain approved information collection requirements.
SUMMARY:
Environmental Protection Agency,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
I. Regulated Entities
Entities eligible to receive the environmental fellowships listed
in 40 CFR part 46 are regulated by this rule. Regulated categories and entities include:
Category Regulated entities Persons................................... Individuals.
Institutions of Higher Education.......... Colleges and Universities.
Only individuals may apply for fellowships under this regulation. If you have questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
II. Comments and Record
The record of this interim final rule includes a copy of the previous version of this rule. It is available for inspection from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (eastern time), Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays, by contacting the person listed in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments on this interim final rule must be submitted by June 3, 2003, to the person listed in the ADDRESSES section.
III. Background
EPA last updated its fellowship regulation (40 CFR part 46) on
October 18, 1984. Since that time, EPA's legal authorities, practices
and policies have changed, and, as a result, the regulation is out of
date. Also, the General Accounting Office reviewed the EPA fellowship
program and found that, in order to award fellowships in compliance
with the regulation, the agency was relying on approved exceptions from
the regulation. For these reasons, EPA is revising the regulation to update and clarify requirements. In particular, we have:
[sbull] Generally eliminated references to EPA's Uniform
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions
of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other NonProfit Organizations
regulation (40 CFR part 30). Fellowships are awards made to individuals
and that regulation applies to organizations (see 40 CFR 30.1).
[sbull] Added new provisions based on part 30 to assure the
regulation addresses all appropriate requirements, including: Sec.
46.125 which authorizes EPA to approve exceptions from this regulation,
where necessary; Sec. 46.130 which makes clear that fellows are
subject to the governmentwide suspension and debarment program; Sec.
46.145 which requires fellows to fly on American Carriers when involved
in foreign travel under fellowships; Sec. 46.210 and Sec. 46.215
which provide termination and enforcement provisions; and Sec. 46.220
which establishes a dispute process for fellowships. We also added
Sec. 46.205 which establishes requirements for handling intangible
property such as documents and computer software developed under a
fellowship. It incorporates the intangible property provisions of part
30 (40 CFR 30.36) rather than repeating them. That rule is complex and
its form would not change if it were included in this rule, so there was no reason to repeat it.
[sbull] Eliminated monetary limits on the amount EPA can award for
benefits. The amounts that will be awarded for various purposes under
fellowships will be determined by the EPA program offices making the awards.
[sbull] Revised the list of EPA's statutes (Sec. 46.105) under which EPA awards fellowships to bring it up to date.
[sbull] Deleted the definitions of full time fellow and part time
fellow. We will rely on the policy of the institution involved to make that determination.
[sbull] Added a requirement that fellows annually submit copies of
transcripts and publications (Sec. 46.175(b)), when required by the fellowship agreement.
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, EPA is also
amending 40 CFR part 9 to add the list of currently approved
information collection request numbers related to information collected under the Fellowships regulation (40 CFR part 46).
Statutory and Regulatory Reviews
Regulatory Flexibility Act
This interim final rule is not subject to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), which generally requires an agency to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis for any rule that will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The RFA applies only to rules for which notice and comment rulemaking is required under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) or any another statute. Grant award and administration matters, such as this rule, are explicitly exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the APA (5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1)). Nor is this rule required to undergo notice and comment rulemaking under any other statute.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public Law 1044, 2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq., 109 Stat. 48 (1995), establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the effects of their regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal governments and the private sector. Under section 202 of the UMRA, EPA generally must prepare a written statement, including a costbenefit analysis, for proposed and final rules with ``Federal mandates'' that may result in expenditures by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year. This regulation contains no Federal mandates (under the regulatory provisions of title II of the UMRA) for State, local, or tribal governments or the private sector. The UMRA excludes from the definitions of ``Federal intergovernmental mandate'' and ``Federal private sector mandates'' duties that arise from conditions of Federal assistance.
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
Under section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act (NTTAA), EPA is required to use voluntary consensus standards in its
[[Page 16709]]
regulatory activities unless to do so would be inconsistent with
applicable law or otherwise impracticable. Voluntary consensus
standards are technical standards (e.g., materials specifications, test
methods, sampling procedures, business practices, etc.) that are
developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies. Where
available and potentially applicable voluntary consensus standards are
not used, the Act requires EPA to provide Congress, through the Office
of Management and Budget, an explanation of the reasons for not using such standards.
This rule does not involve any technical standards. Therefore, EPA did not consider the use of any voluntary consensus standards. Executive Order 13045Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks
Executive Order 13045 applies to any rule that is determined to be: (1) ``economically significant'' as defined under Executive Order 12866, and (2) concerns an environmental health or safety risk that EPA has reason to believe may have a disproportionate effect on children. If the regulatory action meets both criteria, EPA must evaluate the environmental health or safety effects of the planned rule on children; and explain why the planned regulation is preferable to other potentially effective and reasonably feasible alternatives considered by the Agency.
EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those regulatory actions that are based on health or safety risks, such that the analysis required under section 5501 of the Order has the potential to influence the regulation. This rule is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it does not establish an environmental standard intended to mitigate health or safety risks.
Executive Order 12866
Under Executive Order 12866, (58 FR 51735 (October 4, 1993)) a
significant regulatory action is subject to OMB review and the
requirements of the Executive Order. The Order defines ``significant
regulatory action'' as one that is likely to result in a rule that may:
(1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or
adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the
economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public
health or safety, or state, local, or Tribal governments or communities;
(2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency;
(3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants,
user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or
(4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in the Executive Order.
It has been determined that this rule is not a ``significant
regulatory action'' under the terms of Executive Order 12866 because
the fellowship award authority does not meet any of the criteria. As
such, this action will not require submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review.
Executive Order 13211 (Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use)
Because this rule has been exempted from review under Executive Order 12866 due to its lack of significance, this rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations that Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use.
Paperwork Reduction Act
In keeping with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act
(PRA), as amended, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., the information collection
requirements contained in this rule have been approved by OMB under
information collection request number 0938.06 (OMB Control Number 2030
0020) and Quality Assurance Specifications and Requirements information
request number 0866.05 (OMB Control Number 20800033). This rule does
not contain any collection of information requirements beyond those
already approved. Since this action imposes no new or additional
information collection, reporting or recordkeeping requirements subject
to the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., no information
request has been or will be submitted to the Office of Management and
Budget for review. We are revising 40 CFR part 9 to reflect these requirements.
Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments)
Executive Order 13175, entitled ``Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 67249, November 6, 2000), requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input by tribal officials in the development of regulatory policies that have tribal implications.'' ``Policies that have tribal implications'' is defined in the Executive Order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal government and the Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal government and Indian tribes.''
This interim final rule does not have tribal implications. It will not have substantial direct effects on tribal governments, on the relationship between the Federal government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal government and Indian tribes, as specified in Executive Order 13175. This rule applies to individuals and any individual may apply for an EPA fellowship. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this rule.
Executive Order 13132Federalism
Executive Order 13132, entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999), requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input by state and local officials in the development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications.'' ``Policies that have federalism implications'' is defined in the Executive Order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship between the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.''
Under section 6 of Executive Order 13132, EPA may not issue a regulation that has federalism implications, that imposes substantial direct compliance costs, and that is not required by statute, unless the Federal government provides the funds necessary to pay the direct compliance costs incurred by State and local governments, or EPA consults with State and local officials early in the process of developing the proposed regulation. EPA also may not issue a regulation that has federalism implications and that preempts State law, unless the Agency consults with State and local officials early in the process of developing the proposed regulation.
This interim final rule does not have federalism implications. It
will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of
government, as specified in Executive Order 13132. Thus, the [[Page 16710]]
requirements of section 6 of the Executive Order do not apply to this
rule. Further, because this rule regulates the use of Federal financial
assistance, it will not impose substantial direct compliance costs on States.
Congressional Review Act
The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule,
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other
required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). This rule will be effective May 5, 2003.
List of Subjects
40 CFR Part 9
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
40 CFR Part 46
Environmental protection, Grant programseducation, Grant programs
environmental protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Scholarships and fellowships.
Dated: March 27, 2003.
Christine Todd Whitman,
Administrator.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 40 CFR part 9 is amended as follows:
PART 9OMB APPROVALS UNDER THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT
1. The authority citation for part 9 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 135 et seq., 136136y; 15 U.S.C. 2001, 2003,
2005, 2006, 26012671; 21 U.S.C. 331j, 346a, 348; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 33
U.S.C. 1251 et seq., 1311, 1313d, 1314, 1318, 1321, 1326, 1330,
1342, 1344, 1345(d) and (e), 1361; E.O. 11735, 38 FR 21243, 3 CFR,
19711975 Comp. p. 973; 42 U.S.C. 241, 242b, 243, 246, 300f, 300g, 300g1, 300g2, 300g3, 300g4, 300g5, 300g6, 300j1, 300j2,
300j3, 300j4, 300j9, 1857 et seq., 69016992k, 74017671q, 7542, 96019657, 11023, 11048.
2. In Sec. 9.1 the table is amended by adding a new heading and new entries in numerical order to read as follows:
Sec. 9.1 OMB approvals under the Paperwork Reduction Act. * * * * *
OMB control
40 CFR citation no. * * * * *
Fellowships
46.155.................................................. 20300004
46.170(a)............................................... 20300020
46.185(a)............................................... 20300020
46.190(a) and (b)....................................... 20300020
46.200(a)............................................... 20300020
46.230(a)............................................... 20300020 * * * * *
3. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 40 CFR part 46 is revised to read as follows:
PART 46FELLOWSHIPS
Sec.
Subpart AGeneral
46.100 Purpose.
46.105 Authority.
46.110 Objectives.
46.115 Types of fellowships.
46.120 Definition.
46.125 Exceptions.
46.130 Debarment and suspension.
Subpart BApplying for Fellowships
46.135 Eligibility.
46.140 Benefits.
46.145 International travel and work.
46.150 Request for applications.
46.155 Submission of applications.
46.160 Evaluation of applications.
46.165 Notification.
Subpart CAward
46.170 Fellowship agreement.
46.175 Terms and conditions.
46.180 Acceptance of fellowship award.
Subpart DDuring the Fellowship
46.185 Activation notice.
46.190 Fellowship agreement amendments.
46.195 Project period.
46.200 Payment.
46.205 Intangible property.
46.210 Termination.
46.215 Enforcement.
46.220 Disputes.
Subpart EAfter the Fellowship
46.225 Equipment.
46.230 Closeout procedures.
Authority: Section 103(b)(5) of the Clean Air Act, as amended
(42 U.S.C. 7403(b)(5)); sections 104(b)(5) and (g)(3)(B) of the
Clean Water Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1254(b)(5) and (g)(3)(B));
section 1442 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (42 U.S.C.
300j1); section 8001 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended
(42 U.S.C. 6981); section 10 of the Toxic Substances Control Act, as
amended (15 U.S.C. 2609); section 20 of the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 136r); sections
104(k)(6)and 311 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(k)(6) and 42 U.S.C. 9660).
PART 46FELLOWSHIPS
Subpart AGeneral
Sec. 46.100 Purpose.
This part establishes the requirements for all Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fellowship awards.
Sec. 46.105 Authority.
EPA is authorized to award fellowships under the statutes listed in
this section. EPA is not required to award fellowships under all of the listed authorities, but does so at its discretion.
(a) Section 103(b)(5) of the Clean Air Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7403(b)(5));
(b) Section 104(b)(5) and (g)(3)(B) of the Clean Water Act, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1254(b)(5) and (g)(3)(B));
(c) Section 1442 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 300j1);
(d) Section 8001 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 6981);
(e) Section 10 of the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 2609);
(f) Section 20 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 136r); and
(g) Sections 104(k)(6) and 311 of the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9604(k)(6) and 42 U.S.C. 9660).
Sec. 46.110 Objectives.
EPA awards fellowships to help individuals participate in academic and professional educational opportunities in fields related to pollution control and environmental protection. Fellowships provide support for undergraduate and graduate students, including staff of state, local or Tribal agencies responsible for environmental pollution control and environmental protection.
Sec. 46.115 Types of fellowships.
In general, EPA may award you one of two kinds of fellowships.
(a) The first are fellowships to students who are selected on the
basis of EPA requests for applications and program announcements. These
fellowships may assist you with the costs of academic and professional
career studies in pollution control and environmental protection in
fields such as science, engineering, technology, social science, and
specialty areas supporting environmental protection efforts. [[Page 16711]]
(b) The second are fellowships awarded to current or prospective
employees of state, local and Tribal environmental pollution control or
regulatory agencies who are nominated to receive fellowships by their
agency. These fellowships may assist you with the costs of academic and
professional career studies in pollution control and environmental
protection in fields such as science, engineering, technology, social
science, and specialty areas supporting environmental protection efforts.
Sec. 46.120 Definition.
Fellow: You are a fellow if you receive an EPA fellowship award. Sec. 46.125 Exceptions.
The Director, Grants Administration Division, may approve exceptions from this part on a casebycase or class basis.
Sec. 46.130 Debarment and suspension.
EPA will not award you a fellowship if you are debarred, suspended or otherwise excluded from participation in federal programs. Names of individuals who are excluded are included on the List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and Nonprocurement Programs maintained and distributed by the General Services Administration. Subpart BApplying for Fellowships
Sec. 46.135 Eligibility.
If you wish to apply for an EPA fellowship, you must be:
(a) A citizen of the United States, its territories, or
possessions, or lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence;
(b) Accepted by or an applicant to an accredited educational
institution for academic credit in an educational program directly
related to pollution control or environmental protection; and
(c) If you are applying for a fellowship offered specifically to
employees or prospective employees of state, local and Tribal
organizations, you must be nominated by the head of the state, local or
Tribal agency, or designee, based on the need for academic and
professional career study to enhance your skills related to the needs of the organization.
Sec. 46.140 Benefits.
EPA fellowships may include funds to help you pay such things as:
(a) A part, or all, of your tuition and fees, as determined appropriate by EPA.
(b) An expense allowance for books, supplies, and equipment
(equipment is an item with a unit acquisition cost of more than $5,000)
as determined appropriate by EPA. You may use this allowance for
expenses that are necessary for your education, such as the cost of
health insurance, supplies, and travel to conduct research and attend
technical meetings relating to the fellowship. You may acquire
equipment only with EPA's written approval and there will be very few
instances where the purchase of equipment is authorized (see Sec. 46.225.)
(c) A stipend determined by the EPA program office based on EPA's resources and your course load.
Sec. 46.145 International travel and work.
(a) You may use fellowship funds for travel to or work in a foreign
country only if the travel or work is approved by the EPA Office of
International Activities (OIA). You will be notified of OIA approval in
the fellowship award or in a letter from the EPA project officer or the award official.
(b) If you travel to or from a foreign country and the travel cost
is paid under the fellowship agreement, you must comply with the Fly
America Act. In accordance with that Act, you must travel on U.S. air
carriers certificated under 49 U.S.C. 1371, to the extent that such
carriers provide service, even if the foreign air carrier costs less than the American air carrier.
Sec. 46.150 Request for applications.
EPA generally requests fellowship applications through electronic and printed announcements or other means designed to inform potential applicants.
Sec. 46.155 Submission of applications.
The request for applications or program announcement will advise you how to file an application and what information you must include. You must submit applications for fellowships on EPA's ``Fellowship Application'' (EPA Form 57702) or in any other form EPA designates. EPA will provide instructions for completing the application. You must submit the original and two copies of the application unless the instructions require otherwise. Alternatively, EPA may allow you to submit applications electronically. It is also likely that EPA will require you to submit undergraduate and graduate transcripts to the office identified in the request for applications or program announcement.
Sec. 46.160 Evaluation of applications.
EPA will evaluate your application based on criteria identified in
the request for applications or program announcement. Evaluation criteria may include:
(a) The relevance of your proposed studies to EPA's mission.
(b) Your potential for success, as reflected by your academic
record, letters of reference, and any other available information. (c) The availability of EPA funds.
Sec. 46.165 Notification.
If EPA does not select you to receive a fellowship, we generally
will notify you within 60 days after final selections are made. If you
are a successful applicant, EPA will send you a fellowship agreement in accordance with Sec. 46.170.
Subpart CAward
Sec. 46.170 Fellowship agreement.
(a) The ``Fellowship Agreement'' (EPA Form 57708) is the written
agreement, including amendments, between EPA and you. The fellowship
agreement will state the amount of Federal funds awarded and the terms and conditions governing the fellowship.
(b) The EPA award official may approve any preaward costs you
incurred, if determined appropriate by the award official. You incur preaward costs at your own risk (see also Sec. 46.195).
Sec. 46.175 Terms and conditions.
(a) If EPA awards you a fellowship on the basis of a nomination by
your current or prospective state, local or Tribal government employer,
by accepting the fellowship agreement you agree to remain in the
employment of the state, local, or Tribal employer for twice the period
of the fellowship. If you fail to meet this obligation, EPA may, after
consultation with your employer or prospective employer, require you to repay the amount of the fellowship.
(b) You must submit a copy of your transcript to the EPA project
officer after the completion of each year of the fellowship, if
required by the fellowship agreement. You must also submit copies of
any publications and other products from the research, if required.
(c) EPA may require you to provide various performance reports
under your fellowship, but we will not require reports more frequently
than quarterly. At the end of the fellowship, you must submit a final
report and other documentation, if required in the fellowship agreement.
Sec. 46.180 Acceptance of fellowship award.
You must accept your fellowship by signing and returning the EPA
award form (EPA Form 57708) to the EPA award official within three
weeks after receipt, or within an extension of time approved by the
award official. If you do not sign and return the Fellowship [[Page 16712]]
agreement to the award official or request an extension of the
acceptance time within three calendar weeks after receiving the
agreement, the award official may void the agreement. EPA will not pay for costs incurred under voided agreements.
Subpart DDuring the Fellowship
Sec. 46.185 Activation notice.
(a) Each fellowship includes a ``Fellowship Activation Notice''
(EPA Form 57707). You must complete, sign, and obtain other
appropriate signatures on the Activation Notice when the program
supported by the fellowship agreement begins. In certain instances,
e.g., if your program of study is at an EPA facility, the EPA project
officer may sign as sponsor on the Activation Notice. You must submit the Activation Notice to the award official.
(b) If you do not submit the Activation Notice (EPA Form 57707)
within 90 days after the date of the award, the award official may
initiate action to terminate the fellowship agreement in accordance with Sec. 46.210.
Sec. 46.190 Fellowship agreement amendments.
(a) If you need to make any of the changes listed in paragraphs
(a)(1) thorough (3) of this section, you must notify the project
officer and receive a formal amendment (EPA Form 57708) approving the
changes. You must sign and return one copy of each amendment to the
award official. If you make the change before you receive the
amendment, you do so at your own risk. Changes that require formal amendments are:
(1) A change in the amount of the fellowship;
(2) A change in the academic institution you attend; or (3) A change in the duration of your fellowship.
(b) You must obtain the EPA project officer's written approval of
changes in the field of study or approved research project.
(c) You do not need EPA approval of minor changes that are
consistent with the objective of the fellowship agreement. Minor
changes do not, however, obligate EPA to provide additional funds for
any costs you incur in excess of the fellowship agreement amount. Sec. 46.195 Project period.
Based on the ``Date Fellow Will Enter on Duty'' which you enter on the Activation Notice (see Sec. 46.185(a)), EPA will establish the project period for the fellowship. If you incur costs before the date of the fellowship award, the date on the Activation Notice must reflect that fact (see also Sec. 46.170(b)).
Sec. 46.200 Payment.
EPA will not make payments under a fellowship agreement until the
award official receives the signed ``Fellowship Activation Notice''
(EPA Form 57707) as required by Sec. 46.185. Unless the fellowship
provides another payment process, EPA makes payments as follows:
(a) EPA pays tuition and fees directly to the educational institution.
(b) EPA pays any stipend directly to you on a monthly or other
basis approved by the project officer and included in the fellowship agreement.
(c) EPA pays any book or other expense allowance to you or to the
educational institution, as specified in the fellowship agreement. If
EPA pays your expense allowance to the educational institution, the
institution may deduct not more than two percent of the expense allowance as a handling fee.
Sec. 46.205 Intangible property.
In general, if you develop intangible property under a fellowship
agreement (e.g., copyrighted software), EPA reserves a royaltyfree,
nonexclusive and irrevocable right to reproduce, publish, or otherwise
use the work for Federal purposes, and to authorize others to do so.
EPA's requirements for dealing with such intangible property are found
at 40 CFR 30.36 of EPA's Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants
and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other NonProfit Organizations.
Sec. 46.210 Termination.
(a) EPA may terminate your fellowship agreement in whole or in part in accordance with the following:
(1) If you fail to submit the ``Fellowship Activation Notice'' as required by Sec. 46.185.
(2) If you fail to comply with the terms and conditions of the fellowship agreement.
(b) You may voluntarily terminate your fellowship by sending the
award official written notification setting forth the reasons for
termination and the effective date. In that case, the EPA project
officer may discuss the terms of the termination with you, and EPA may
send you a letter or other document which states any termination conditions.
(c) Costs resulting from obligations you incur after termination of
an award are not allowable unless EPA expressly authorizes them in the
notice of termination or subsequently approves them. Costs after
termination which are necessary and not reasonably avoidable are allowable if:
(1) The cost results from obligations which you properly incurred
before the effective date of termination, were not in anticipation of the termination, and are noncancellable; and
(2) The cost would be allowable if the award expired normally. Sec. 46.215 Enforcement.
(a) You must use fellowship funds for the purposes stated in the
fellowship agreement. If you fail to comply with the terms and
conditions of an award, EPA may take one or more of the following actions, as appropriate:
(1) Temporarily withhold or suspend payments pending your
correction of the deficiency or pending other enforcement by EPA;
(2) Disallow all or part of the cost of the activity or action not in compliance;
(3) Wholly or partly terminate the fellowship agreement in accordance with Sec. 46.210(a);
(4) Withhold the award of additional funds under the fellowship; or (5) Take other remedies that may be legally available.
(b) In taking an enforcement action, EPA will provide you an
opportunity for hearing, appeal, or other administrative proceeding to
which you are entitled under any statute or regulation applicable to the action involved, including Sec. 46.220.
(c) The enforcement remedies identified in this section, including
withholding of payment and termination, do not preclude debarment and
suspension action under Executive Orders 12549 and 12689 and EPA's implementing regulations (40 CFR part 32).
Sec. 46.220 Disputes.
(a) If you and the EPA award official or project officer have a
disagreement, you should make reasonable efforts to resolve it at that level.
(b) If you cannot reach agreement, an EPA disputes decision
official will provide a written final decision. The EPA disputes
decision official is the individual designated by the award official to
resolve disputes concerning assistance agreements. The dispute
procedures outlined at 40 CFR part 31, subpart F, will apply. Subpart EAfter the Fellowship
Sec. 46.225 Equipment.
(a) If EPA authorizes you to purchase equipment (see Sec.
46.140(b)) and the equipment retains a fair market value of [[Page 16713]]
more than $5,000, you must request disposition instructions from the
EPA project officer when you no longer need it for the work under the fellowship.
(b) If you purchase an item with an acquisition cost of $5,000 or less, the item belongs to you.
Sec. 46.230 Closeout procedures.
(a) You must submit the ``EPA Fellowship Completion of Studies
Notice'' (EPA Form 57709) signed by your sponsor or department head of
the educational institution when the project period ends. In certain
instances, e.g., your program of study is at an EPA facility, the EPA
project officer may sign as sponsor on the Completion of Studies
Notice. You may request an extension to submit the form if you need it.
(b) You must retain all records related to your fellowship
agreement for three years after the completion date you insert on the ``Completion of Studies Notice'' (EPA Form 57709).
(c) EPA, the Inspector General, Comptroller General of the United
States, or any of their duly authorized representatives, has the right
of timely and unrestricted access to your documents, papers, or other
records related to your fellowship, in order to make audits,
examinations, excerpts, transcripts and copies of such documents. The
rights of access in this paragraph are not limited to the required
retention period, but shall last as long as records are retained. [FR Doc. 038153 Filed 4303; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 656050P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
W. Scott McMoran at (202) 564-5376.