The FY 2019 National Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program Solicitation Notice is now available at https://www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork/fiscal-year-2019-national-environmental-information-exchange-network-grant. Applications are due to EPA by 11:59 PM Eastern Time, April 1, 2019. Information on stakeholder webinars will be provided shortly.

The primary outcome expected from Exchange Network (EN) assistance agreements is improved access to, and exchange of, high-quality environmental data from public and private sector sources. With this outcome in mind, applications should demonstrate support for and results toward EN program priorities.

In FY 2019, EPA expects to award over $7 million for 20-30 assistance agreements for ENprojects. Most awards will be in the $50,000 to $300,000 range. Awards for an individual assistance agreement cannot exceed $200,000. EPA may make a limited number of awards to collaborative, partnership assistance agreements. Budgets for these projects cannot exceed $400,000. The exact number of assistance agreements will depend on the final amount of EPA’s appropriation for the EN grant program, the number of applications submitted to EPA by the application deadline, the amounts of proposed budgets, and the outcome of application reviews.

EPA only accepts project proposals for EN assistance agreements submitted electronically through Grants.gov, unless applicants have a waiver. EPA anticipates that it will announce selection decisions in or around August 2019, and tentatively plans to issue awards by September 30, 2019.

For more information, please contact:

Edward Mixon

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

P: 202-566-2142

E: mixon.edward [at] epa.gov

U.S. EPA’s Toxic Release Program has updated the XML schema and other documentation used for the TRI data exchange. These updates were a result of the Information Collection Requests (ICRs) approved for reporting year 2019. The new TRI schema version 6.1 is now available on the Exchange Network website at http://www.exchangenetwork.net/data-exchange/toxics-release-inventory-tri/

On December 6 at 12:30-2 p.m. Eastern, E-Enterprise will host a webinar to spotlight the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)’s development and deployment of a scalable e-permitting platform using standard components and workflows.

The platform currently offers over 90 permits across three agencies: MassDEP, the Department of Agricultural Resources, and the Department of Conservation and Recreation. It was developed as part of a comprehensive information redesign called the Energy and Environmental Information and Public Access System (EIPAS).

EIPAS has also released two public-facing online portals. The ePlace Public Access Portalallows citizens to view and comment on pending permit applications and permit decisions. The Energy & Environmental Affairs Data Portal contains 20 years of MassDEP’s permit, inspection, facility, and enforcement data.

To register for the webinar, click here. For more information, please contact Beth Graves Beth Graves of ECOS and Sarah Abramowitz of Ross Strategic.

U.S. EPA Seeks Candidates for e-Manifest Advisory Board

U.S. EPA is soliciting nominations for a three-year appointment on the Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Advisory Board.  The Board provides practical and independent advice to EPA on the activities of the e-Manifest system. Ideal candidates would be able to serve in one of the following roles: an expert in information technology (IT); an industry representative with experience in using the manifest system; and a state representative member responsible for processing manifests. Nominations should be received on or before November 16, 2018. For more information please visit the followingFederal Register Notice link or contact:

Fred Jenkins, Jr., PhD

Designated Federal Officer (DFO) 

U.S. EPA E-Manifest Advisory Board

E: jenkins.fred@epa.gov 

P: 703-308-7049.

Public e-Manifest data Now Available on RCRAInfo Web

Per the Final Rule for the Modification of the Hazardous Waste Manifest System, Electronic Manifests (One Year Rule) EPA releases manifest data 90 days after receipt at the receiving facility. Manifest data available via RCRAInfo Web includes the manifest tracking number, id and name for all sites reported on the manifest, number and type of containers, waste codes, management methods, and quantity (in tons). 

Please note: this website also excludes the manifest’s shipped and received dates for manifests containing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Chemicals of Interest (COI). These exclusions should be taken into account when using this data. 

Learn more at:

RCRAInfo Web: https://rcrapublic.epa.gov/rcrainfoweb/action/main-menu/view

e-Manifest Public Data: https://rcrapublic.epa.gov/rcrainfoweb/action/modules/em/emoverview

e-Manifest homepage: https://www.epa.gov/e-manifest

1) Conference Call on Draft FY19 Exchange Network Grant Solicitation Notice

As a reminder, EPA will hold a conference call with the EN community on October 10 to provide an overview of the Draft FY 2019 EN Grant Solicitation Notice (SN), listen to feedback and answer questions on the SN. The draft SN is available for review prior to the conference call at: https://www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork/fiscal-year-2019-national-environmental-information-exchange-network-grant.

Conference Call Details:

October 10, 2018, 2:00-3:00PM ET

Audio: 202-991-0477; Conference Code: 955-2496

Webinar: https://epawebconferencing.acms.com/sn-feedback/

If you would like to provide feedback, EPA will accept comments on the Draft SN until COB on October 12, 2018. Comments should be emailed to ENGrantProgram@epa.gov.

EPA plans to issue the final FY 2019 Exchange Network Grant Solicitation Notice in November 2018.

2) Reminder to Review and Submit Feedback on Draft Version 5.7 of the RCRAInfo data flow

This is a reminder that U.S. EPA has made a draft of version 5.7 of the RCRAInfo data flow available for review  on the Exchange Network website. This forthcoming version will support the outbound flow of hazardous waste manifest information from RCRAInfo. Partners that are interested in using this new version should review the schemas and the data service definitions in the Flow Configuration Document to ensure that they will provide the data that your agency needs. Please send comments and input on the draft resources to Jimmy Yin at yin.jianchu [at] epa.gov. 

Please note that these resources are still in draft and are subject to change so do not begin implementing this version until further notice. 

In preparation for the FY 2019 Exchange Network (EN) grant application process, EPA will hold a conference call with the EN community to provide an overview of the Draft FY 2019 EN Grant Solicitation Notice (SN), listen to feedback and answer questions on the SN. The draft SN is available for review prior to the conference call at: https://www.epa.gov/exchangenetwork/fiscal-year-2019-national-environmental-information-exchange-network-grant. Please note the following sections that have changed significantly from the FY 2018 SN:

• Section I.E – Program Priorities: This section covers the priorities of the EN Grant Program for FY 2019, all grant proposals should align with at least one of these priorities.
• Section V.A – Evaluation Criteria: This section lays out the criteria by which proposals will be reviewed.
• Appendix A – Programmatic Data Exchange Opportunities: This section contains information from EPA Program Offices about EN data exchange opportunities offered by their program.
• Appendix B – Foundational EN Shared Services: This section provides additional information on opportunities for partners to integrate core EN shared services into their systems/programs.
• Appendix D – Promoting Reuse of EN Partner Products: This revised section offers two tools to assist applicants in identifying reusable products that could be appropriate for their projects: Reusable Component Services and the E-Enterprise Community Inventory Platform.
• Section III – Eligibility Information: Applicants may not have more than three active EN assistance agreements, reduced from four.

Call Details:

October 10, 2018, 2:00-3:00PM ET

Audio: 202-991-0477; Conference Code: 955-2496

Webinar: https://epawebconferencing.acms.com/sn-feedback/

If you would like to provide feedback, EPA will accept comments on the Draft SN until COB on October 12, 2018. Comments should be emailed to ENGrantProgram@epa.gov.

EPA plans to issue the final FY 2019 Exchange Network Grant Solicitation Notice in November 2018.

A DRAFT of version 5.7 of the RCRAInfo data flow is now available for review  on the Exchange Network website. This forthcoming version will support the outbound flow of hazardous waste manifest information from RCRAInfo. Partners that are interested in using this new version should review the schemas and the data service definitions in the Flow Configuration Document to ensure that they will provide the data that your agency needs. Please send comments and input on the draft resources to Jimmy Yin at yin.jianchu [at] epa.gov. 

Please note that these resources are still in draft and are subject to change so do not begin implementing this version until further notice. 

Are you trying to find other States/Tribes that may have already encountered a problem you are having and may have some advice? Are you working on a project that might be of interest to others? In either case, the E-Enterprise Community Inventory Platform (EECIP) is a tool you should check out.

The EECIP is an online community and living project database for State, Tribal and local environmental agencies across the US. The platform currently contains 2,000 projects and enterprise services from more than 40 states and tribes, spanning a broad range of topics including IT, process improvement, advanced monitoring, and Exchange Network grant project information.

EECIP users can:

• View partner agencies’ projects, enterprise services and other information.
• Find potential collaborators for Exchange Network Partnership and other grant programs.
• Get ideas for shared services and find example RFPs, position descriptions, and other types of documents.
• Build community by participating in discussion threads to get answers and connect with peers.
• Customize content displays based on their interests.

If you have a .gov email address, registration is a breeze. Most tribal email extensions have also been added into the platform, and new ones are being added as we become aware of them. Just visit https://www.eecip.net. Users from all agencies are encouraged to review existing projects and add new information to the EECIP; the more this happens, the more valuable the tool becomes. Some planning activities for the October E-Enterprise 2018 national meeting will be conducted on the platform, and prizes will be awarded at the meeting to the most active EECIP participants!

If you have any questions or need technical help, please email Owen McAleer at omcaleer (at) ecos.org, 202-266-4920, or use the support email, support (at) eecip.net.

The E-Enterprise National Meeting (EE2018) is coming and you can help make it a success! The chairs of the meeting are looking for motivated volunteers to serve on the EE2018 Program Committee.

The Program Committee plays a critical role in shaping the meeting’s content and creating a program that is responsive to the needs of the E-Enterprise and Exchange Network community. Committee members will:

• Review and grade EE2018 presentation proposals;
• Provide focused input on the development of the meeting program; and
• Coordinate speakers and moderate one or more sessions at EE2018.

To volunteer, please complete the EE2018 Program Committee Volunteer Form before Friday, May 4, 2018. The meeting chairs will review submissions and notify volunteers before the end of May 2018.

What time commitment can I expect?
You should expect to spend time during the first two weeks of June reviewing and grading presentation proposals. The exact number will depend on the number of submissions received. You can also expect to attend between 4-6 highly focused, 1-2 hour conference calls between June and October. As the meeting draws near, Committee members will connect with speakers to coordinate the development of presentation materials and logistics.  
 
I’d like to help, but my schedule is already pretty jam packed.
Fear not! As a member of the EE2018 Program Committee, you’ll be well supported by a staff that understands that your time is precious. Our calls will be focused and no longer than they need to be. Staff will also be available to help you engage and coordinate with your speakers.
 
You’ve piqued my interest, but I don’t have much experience with E-Enterprise or the Exchange Network.
Perfect! EE2018 is an excellent opportunity to grow the E-Enterprise and Exchange Network community. Volunteers with diverse perspectives and levels of experience will help the Program Committee build a meeting that is broadly useful and valuable to the meeting attendees.
 
Reminder: Call for Meeting Content Now Open!
Don’t forget that the EE2018 Call for Meeting Content is also open through May 25th. To learn how to submit a presentation proposal or suggest a topic, view our submission guidelines.  

More information on EE2018 
EE2018 continues the longstanding series of national meetings held by the National Environmental Information Exchange Network. We’ve changed the name of the meeting to better reflect the deep connection between E-Enterprise and the Exchange Network, but you can still expect an engaging program that showcases modern approaches to environmental management.

EE2018 brings together a broad community of attendees from state, tribal, and local environmental agencies, U.S. EPA, vendors, and other stakeholders with an interest in improving the productivity and responsiveness of the environmental protection enterprise. The meeting integrates content on information technology, process improvement, and program modernization.

Stay tuned for information on meeting registration, lodging, and travel expense reimbursement. You can get the latest updates via EN Email Alerts, E-Enterprise Alerts, Twitter, and our meeting website. 

The call for content is now open for the E-Enterprise National Meeting (EE2018)!

 The EE2018 Program Committee is seeking content for the meeting that aligns with the following topics of interest:

• Advances in data access and data management
• Innovative Exchange Network data flows and projects
• Enhancing productivity through digital transformation and online services
• Driving efficiency through shared services
• Business process improvement and program modernization

EE2018 is an opportunity to connect with other members of the E-Enterprise and Exchange Network community, share your successes and challenges, and learn about best practices in environmental regulation. We need your help to craft a program that is engaging, informative, and relevant to the important work you do. Please consider suggesting content for EE2018 and sharing this call broadly with your colleagues.    

 Submission Guidelines

To contribute to the EE2018 call for content, please visit https://goo.gl/forms/Smw75TV9urHUd14S2. You may contribute in one of two ways:

1. Submit a proposal to lead a presentation, workshop, or training session
2. Suggest a topic for the Program Committee to consider including in the program. This may be a presentation, discussion, or training that you would like to attend, but not necessarily lead.

Please be clear and concise in describing your proposal and include information about any anticipated benefits for meeting attendees. The call for content will remain open through May 25, 2018.

 Anyone may submit a proposal or suggestion; however, the Program Committee strongly encourages presentations and sessions that are primarily driven by representatives of state, tribal, federal, and local governments.  

 The EE2018 Program Committee expects to notify submitters of the status of their proposals by June 22, 2018. Notifications will be sent via email.

 Should you have questions regarding the call for content or need assistance with your submission, please contact Kurt Rakouskas at krakouskas [at] ecos.org. 

More information on EE2018

EE2018 continues the longstanding series of national meetings held by the National Environmental Information Exchange Network. We’ve changed the name of the meeting to better reflect the deep connection between E-Enterprise and the Exchange Network, but you can still expect an engaging program that showcases modern approaches to environmental management.

 EE2018 brings together a broad community of attendees from state, tribal, and local environmental agencies, U.S. EPA, vendors, and other stakeholders with an interest in improving the productivity and responsiveness of the environmental protection enterprise. The meeting integrates content on information technology, process improvement, and program modernization.

 Stay tuned for information on meeting registration, lodging, and travel expense reimbursement. You can get the latest updates via EN Email Alerts, E-Enterprise Alerts,Twitter, and our meeting website: http://www.exchangenetwork.net/meetings/. 

Have you received an EN Grant since 2011 and completed all the work? EPA is hosting a webinar on April 11 to help EN grantees meet their responsibility of registering IT resources developed from EN Grant projects in RCS—EPA’s catalog of reusable IT tools/resources/services. To ensure resources developed from EN Grants can benefit EN partners widely across the Network, registration of new IT resources developed from EN Grants has been a term and condition of EN Grant awards since 2011.

Reusability is a key premise for achieving the streamlining and efficiency goals of the EN and E-Enterprise (EE) partnerships, and the reason the RCS-related terms and conditions were developed. The 2018 EN Grant Solicitation Notice advises grant applicants that their past performance on previously received grants, impacts the scoring of their FY 2018 grant proposals^[1]. EPA encourages your organization to take this opportunity to register in RCS, any tools, IT resources, services, and/or data flows created by EN grant(s) received since 2011.

Webinar Information

Date: April 11, 2018

Time: 1:00 PM Eastern Time

Webinar: http://epawebconferencing.acms.com/enrcs/

Conference Line: (202) 991-0477

Conference Code: 669-3499

Contact engrantprogram [at] epa.gov with questions.

U.S. EPA will host two webinars on the e-Manifest system on January 31, 2018. Both of these webinars may be of interest to Exchange Network partners seeking information on plans for getting access to manifest data.

Webinar #1: 11:00 AM (EST) Technical Webinar Session

On January 31, 2018, at 11:00 AM (EST), the EPA e-Manifest Team will host a technically focused webinar presentation update on the e-Manifest’s Application Interface (API) Services. This API presentation will be of particular interest to hazardous waste information technology (IT) experts that are interested in learning more about how manifest data will be made available to partner agencies in states, tribes, and territories.

To access this live Technical Webinar Session, please visit: https://epawebconferencing.acms.com/apiworkshop/

Webinar #2: 2:00 PM (EST) General Webinar Session

At 2:00 PM (EST) on January 31, 2018, the EPA e-Manifest Team will present a live demonstration of the e-Manifest system. The live demonstration will provide an opportunity to become familiar with the system and to learn about latest developments including the newly issued “Release 2” of e-Manifest.

Release 2 of the e-Manifest system incorporates input from extensive and early user testing of the system and includes key functionalities, such as the ability for generators to sign manifests electronically; for states to access data; and for users to correct manifests. Release 2 also provides an opportunity to participate in user testing.  

You may access the live General Webinar Session by visiting: https://epawebconferencing.acms.com/r3x3041s4xd/

You can find the latest information about e-Manifest webinars at https://www.epa.gov/e-manifest/monthly-webinars-about-hazardous-waste-electronic-manifest-e-manifest

Please join us for an Open Call on Agile Development on Monday, January 22, from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.Eastern. The call will feature a case study of how Agile project management helped a team in Washington State develop a mobile application to display state radon data and the risk geology map. The state is also using the same platform for posting additional environmental health data like fish advisories. The case study will review the teams successes, challenges, and offer lessons learned which may help you more productively participate in your next Agile project.

To join the call, please call in using the numbers below and then join the webinar using the link.

Dial-in: 1-866-299-3188
Access Code: 202 566 0248#
Webinar Link: https://epawebconferencing.acms.com/exchangenetwork-agile/

In support of the FY 2018 Exchange Network Grant cycle, U.S. EPA has made available resources to help interested EN Grant applicants at epa.gov/exchangenetwork/exchange-network-grant-program.

 Available resources include:

• FY 2018 Exchange Network Grant Solicitation Notice
• FY 2018 EN Grant Solicitation Notice Webinar PowerPoint Presentation
• Recording of the December 12, 2017 Webinar
• RCS Help for EN Grant Applicants
• Questions and Answers from Webinars

 EPA will host one more webinar to assist interested applicants at 1:00PM ET on January 10, 2018.

Webinar Details:
January 10, 2018, 1:00 – 2:00PM ET
Audio: 1-866-299-3188; Conference Code: 202-566-0466#
Webinar Link: http://epawebconferencing.acms.com/sn-webinar/

EN Grant applications are due to EPA by January 26, 2018.

Salena Reynolds
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202.566.0466
E: reynolds.salena [at] epa.gov

On behalf of the E-Enterprise for the Environment and Exchange Network Management Board and E-Enterprise for the Environment and Exchange Network Interoperability and Operations Team, the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) is seeking an experienced, highly motivated, self-employed, contract professional with strong collaboration skills to serve as the E-Enterprise and Exchange Network Coordinator. Proposals are due January 5, 2018 at 5pm EST. See ECOS’ RFP EN-ENC-17 for details.

Please join us for an Open Call on Agile Development on Monday, December 18, from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Eastern. The call will feature a case study of how Agile project management helped a small team of complete strangers from Pennsylvania DEP and the private sector rapidly develop a prototype mobile application that helps the public learn more about the local environment. The case study will review the teams successes, challenges, and offer lessons learned which may help you more productively participate in your next Agile project.   

To join the call, please call in using the numbers below and then join the webinar using the link.

1-866-299-3188
Access Code: 202 566 0248#
Webinar Link: https://epawebconferencing.acms.com/exchangenetwork-agile/

In support of the FY 2018 Exchange Network (EN) Grant cycle, EPA will host three webinars to assist interested applicants. The webinars will be held at 1:00PM ET on December 6, December 12, and January 10. Topics will include a summary of the FY 2018 EN Grant program, new and modified solicitation notice content, administrative procedures for submitting applications, tips on writing a high-quality application, and a question and answer session for potential applicants.   

Webinar Details:

December 6, 2017, 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET
December 12, 2017, 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET
January 10, 2018, 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET
Audio: 1-866-299-3188; Conference Code: 202-566-0466#
Webinar Link: http://epawebconferencing.acms.com/sn-webinar/ 

An Adobe Connect account is not required to enter the webinar, simply log in as ‘Guest.’

Salena Reynolds
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P: 202.566.0466
E: reynolds.salena [at] epa.gov

Beginning January 1, 2018  all grant applicants must use Workspace to submit applications through Grants.gov. EPA’s Office of Grants and Debarment is hosting a Grants.gov-led webinar session that will provide training and a demonstration on Workspace. No registration is required.   EPA will be recording the sessions for those who cannot attend and will post them on the training website listed below.   

See https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-grantsgov-workspace-training-grant-applicants-and-recipients  for additional details about the webinar and for the latest information.

How to Register:

You do not need to register. If you wish to attend, just go to the following link a few minutes before the webinar starts:  Grants.gov Workspace Training and Demo. There is no call in number – audio will be broadcast through your computer speakers or headphones.

 Webinar Details:

For all grant applicants:
Date: Monday December 4, 2017
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 PM EST

For tribal applicants:
Date Monday December 11, 2017
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 PM EST

Elizabeth January
Grants Competition Advocate’s Office
Office of Grants and Debarment
january.elizabeth@epa.gov

ECOS is accepting applications for a Project Manager to support the work of E-Enterprise for the Environment (EE) and the National Environmental Information Exchange Network (EN). The Project Manager works with senior staff at state environmental agencies, U.S. EPA, and tribes to support the operation of the EN, and to facilitate its deeply connected and formative role in EE.

To apply for this position, send a resume and cover letter to ecos[at]ecos.org byNovember 30 with subject “Application for Project Manager.”

See more information here.

Carolyn Hanson
Deputy Director
Environmental Council of the States
(202) 266-4920