(a) Objective. The objectives of the financial assistance programs described in this subchapter are to promote good municipal solid waste management practices within the State of Texas. Through the procedures contained in this subchapter, the commission intends that funding be provided for applied research, demonstration and pilot projects, feasibility studies, technical assistance, public education and awareness, information exchange, and local government programs designed to enhance solid waste management and litter abatement enforcement.
(b) Scope. The sections contained in this subchapter identify various kinds of solid waste management assistance grants available, in addition to those described in Subchapter O of this chapter (relating to Regional and Local Solid Waste Management Planning and Financial Assistance General Provisions); describe procedures utilized by the commission in advertising and awarding such grants; and contain pertinent application instructions for prospective recipients.
(c) Definitions of terms and abbreviations. The following words, terms, and abbreviations, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
  (1) Local government--A county, incorporated city or town, or any political subdivision of the state that has jurisdiction over two or more counties or parts of two or more counties and has been granted the power by the legislature to regulate solid waste handling or disposal practices or activities within its jurisdiction.
  (2) Public agency--A city, county, or a district or authority created and operating under the Texas Constitution, Article III, §52(b)(1) or (2), or Article XVI, §59, or a combination of two or more of these governmental entities acting under an interlocal agreement and having authority under state law to own and operate a solid waste management system.
  (3) Research--Studious inquiry or examination and usually critical and exhaustive investigation or experimentation having for its aim the discovery of new facts and their correct interpretation; the revision of accepted conclusions, theories, or laws in the light of newly discovered facts; or the practical application of such new or revised conclusions.
  (4) State fiscal year--A period of time that begins September 1 of a given year and ends August 31 of the following year.
  (5) UGCMS--Uniform Grant and Contract Management Standards, consisting of a set of rules set forth in 1 TAC Part 1, Chapter 5, Subchapter A, promulgated under Texas Government Code, Chapter 783, Uniform Grant and Contract Management Act.
(d) Authority. The commission's authority to conduct and manage the activities described in this subchapter is derived from Texas Health and Safety Code, Solid Waste Disposal Act, Chapter 361; Comprehensive Municipal Solid Waste Management, Resource Recovery, and Conservation Act, Chapter 363; and Texas Litter Abatement Act, Chapter 365.
(e) Eligible recipients. Entities eligible to apply for the various assistance grants described in this subchapter, except as provided for under §330.895 of this title (relating to Information Exchange Program) and §330.897 of this title (relating to Supplemental Funding for the Enforcement of the Solid Waste Disposal Act and the Litter Abatement Act) may include:
  (1) local governments;
  (2) public agencies;
  (3) schools and universities;
  (4) research institutions;
  (5) scientists, professors, and researchers associated with accredited universities or research institutions;
  (6) environmental protection groups and/or nonprofit service organizations having a record of active involvement in municipal solid waste management or public health enhancement activities within the State of Texas; and
  (7) in certain instances, businesses and/or corporations having a record of active involvement in municipal solid waste management.
(f) Public notice. The agency's notice of funding availability for the grant programs identified in this subchapter, except as provided for under §330.895 of this title shall be in the form of published requests for proposals (RFP) in the Texas Register. The executive director may also advertise funding availability and specific RFPs by other means. The published RFPs will outline the work to be performed, establish appropriate deadlines, identify recipient qualifications, matching-fund requirements, and funding limitations. Submitted proposals shall be reviewed only if they satisfy the criteria as set forth in the appropriate RFP.
(g) Application forms and submittal procedures. Applications shall be submitted on forms provided by the executive director. All forms submitted for funding consideration, except as provided for under §330.895 of this title, must be in response to an RFP issued by the executive director. Unless indicated otherwise on the forms or accompanying instruction sheets, applicants shall submit five copies of the appropriate application forms and all supplementary application materials.
(h) Preapplication conferences. Except in those cases where the published RFP does not specify or recommend participation in a preapplication conference, prospective applicants shall, prior to submitting the required application forms, contact the staff of the executive director and either make arrangements to participate in a preapplication conference, or explain why it is impractical to attend such a conference. While participation in an RFP recommended preapplication conference is not mandatory, such participation is strongly recommended. Such conferences provide a means to:
  (1) determine eligibility of potential recipient organizations;
  (2) confirm the availability of funds;
  (3) examine proposed activities to ensure conformance, where applicable, with regional and/or local solid waste management plans;
  (4) examine proposed activities to ensure conformance with current RFPs issued by the executive director;
  (5) identify topics or projects that the commission views as a priority when applicable;
  (6) determine any special procedures likely to be required with respect to a particular type of grant; and
  (7) otherwise assist and advise potential recipients.
(i) Review and selection procedures.
  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, all applications for solid waste management assistance grants to be awarded under this subchapter shall be processed as follows.
    (A) Within 45 days of receipt, all original, corrected, and revised applications shall be reviewed for completeness and compliance with the requirements of this subchapter, and the applicant shall be advised in writing concerning any determined deficiencies.
    (B) Correspondence advising applicants of deficiencies in submitted applications may establish deadlines for the receipt of a complete and compliant application. Failure to comply with such deadlines may result in the executive director rejecting the application.
    (C) Once an application is determined to be complete and in compliance with all application submittal requirements, the applicant shall be notified in writing and advised concerning the time schedule that the executive director intends to follow in reaching a final decision regarding issuance or denial of an assistance grant.
  (2) Applications for funding of information exchange activities, as described in §330.895 of this title, shall be evaluated within 30 days of receipt and the applicant advised either by telephone or in writing as to the status of the request. A final decision concerning all such requests shall be transmitted to the applicant by letter.
  (3) Applicants denied an award shall be notified of the denial and the reason(s) for the denial in writing.
  (4) The commission shall not be liable for any expense incurred by an applicant if funding for the proposed project is denied.
(j) Selection criteria. Criteria utilized in the selection process for solid waste management assistance grants may include, but are not limited to, the:
  (1) availability of state funds and, where required by the RFP, sources of matching funds;
  (2) degree to which the proposal is responsive to the purpose and funding criteria identified in the appropriate RFP issued by the executive director;
  (3) compliance or compatibility with approved or potential regional and local solid waste management plans;
  (4) qualifications and experience of project staff members;
  (5) quality of previous work submitted to the executive director by the applicant, if any;
  (6) reasonableness of the proposed budget and time schedules;
  (7) project organization and management, including project monitoring procedures;
  (8) technical, economic, and environmental merit of the proposal; and
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