SPENDING PLAN RULES FOR PROJECT QUEUING: Pollution Control Standards Compliance Projects

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE PROGRAM

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Office of Procurement, Grants, and Administrative Support Construction Staff

April 3, 1997

RULES FOR PROJECT QUEUING (Pollution Control Standards Compliance Projects)

1. EPA "factors to consider when prioritizing A-106 projects" are to be used for assigning the local priority numerical score. NOAA's Environmental Compliance Program scores are stated under tab "M"of Framework - 2 in a document called "Internal NOAA Program Policy: Pollution Control Standards Compliance Project Prioritization Scheme" of April 3, 1997.

2. The oldest projects will be funded first within a priority numerical score. The oldest project has the lowest project number. This means that the initial project queuing within a numerical score is to be done by project number.

3. Flexibility within a numerical score will be available through "trumping factors". Trumping factors can jump ahead in queuing over older projects within a numerical score. Trumping factors include things as: notices of violation, notices of non- compliance, compliance orders.

4. Site project consolidation can occur at a site where it makes sense to combine projects so that there will be a cost savings to the Government. Site consolidated projects are assigned the numerical score of the most significant factor of any of the projects at a site.

5. Equity among Line Offices and the Office of NOAA Corps Operations (ONCO) will be available through "conditional trumping factors". Conditional trumping factors can only be used when certain conditions are met. If the Environmental Compliance Program allocation is equal to or exceeds $3.75 million for a fiscal year, then each Line Office and ONCO will be allowed a minimum of $40,000 to be used only toward funding "construction or equipment" items on the project list.