(a) Subject to the provisions of this subpart, claims for the costs of response actions may be asserted against the Fund by any person other than the United States Government, States, and political subdivisions thereof, except to the extent the claimant is otherwise compensated for the loss. States and political subdivisions may assert such claims if they are potentially responsible parties subject to an agreement reached pursuant to section 122(b)(1) of CERCLA.

(b) Claims presented by an individual must be signed by that individual. If, because of death, disability, or other reasons satisfactory to EPA, the foregoing requirement cannot be fulfilled, the claim may be filed by a duly authorized agent, executor, administrator, or other legal representative. A claim presented by an entity or an authorized agent, executor, administrator, or other legal representative must be presented in the name of the claimant. The claim must be signed by the authorized agent, executor, administrator, or other legal representative (including the title or legal capacity of the person signing) and be accompanied by evidence of the authority to present a claim on behalf of the claimant as authorized agent, executor, administrator, or other legal representative.

(c) A claim for response costs as to which any release from liability was executed between the claimant and a potentially responsible party may be presented against the Fund to the extent that the claimant obtained EPA's approval prior to executing such release and provided that the other requirements of this part are met.

(d) A foreign claimant may present a response claim to the Fund, to the same extent that a United States claimant may assert a claim, if:

(1) The requirements of § 307.21 and § 307.22 are met; and

(2) The release of a hazardous substance occurred in the navigable waters of the United States, including the territorial sea, or in or on the territorial sea or adjacent shoreline of a foreign country of which the claimant is a resident; and

(3) The claimant is not otherwise compensated for the loss; and

(4) The hazardous substance was released from a facility or from a vessel located adjacent to or within the navigable waters or was discharged in connection with activities conducted under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.), or the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.); and

(5) Recovery is authorized by a treaty or an executive agreement between the United States and the foreign country involved, or if the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Attorney General and other appropriate officials, certifies that such country provides a comparable remedy for United States claimants.

(a) Claims may be asserted against the Fund for necessary costs incurred for response actions due to a release or substantial threat of release of a hazardous substance into the environment; a release or substantial threat of release of pollutants or contaminants into the environment that may present an imminent or substantial danger to public health or welfare; or actions taken by a potentially responsible party subject to an agreement reached pursuant to section 122(b)(1) of CERCLA. Claims must be filed in accordance with § 307.22. Claims may be asserted for the costs of removal actions, remedial planning activities, and remedial actions.

(b) Costs will be considered to be eligible under this section if:

(1) The response action is preauthorized by EPA pursuant to § 307.22;

(2) The costs are incurred for activities within the scope of EPA's preauthorization;

(3) The response action is conducted in a manner consistent with the NCP; and

(4) The costs incurred are necessary costs pursuant to § 307.11 of this part.

(c) Money in the Fund may be used for paying any claim under this section for expenses incurred for the payment of contractor claims either through settlement of such claims or an award by a third party to the extent EPA determines that:

(1) The contractor claim arose from work within the scope of the contract at issue and the contract was for preauthorized response activities;

(2) The contractor claim is meritorious;

(3) The contractor claim was not caused by the mismanagement of the claimant;

(4) The contractor claim was not caused by the claimant's vicarious liability for the improper actions of others;

(5) The claimed amount is reasonable and necessary;

(6) The claim for such costs is filed by the claimant within 5 years of completion of the preauthorized response action; and

(7) Payment of such a claim will not result in total payments from the Fund in excess of the maximum amount for which claims were preauthorized.

(d) An award by a third party on a contractor claim under paragraph (c) of this section should include:

(1) Findings of fact;

(2) Conclusions of law;

(3) Allocation of responsibility for each issue;

(4) Basis for the amount of award; and

(5) The rationale for the decision.

(e) Money in the Fund may not be used for paying any claim under this section for expenses incurred for procurement transactions that were not conducted in a manner that provided to the maximum extent practicable, open and free competition; unduly restricted or eliminated competition; and did not provide where applicable for the award of contracts to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder where the selection was made principally on the basis of price.

(f) Money in the Fund may not be used for paying any claim under this section for expenses incurred by a person operating pursuant to a procurement contract or assistance agreement with the United States.

(g) Money in the Fund may not be used for paying any claim under this section for expenses incurred for the payment of persons who are on the “List of Parties Excluded From Federal Procurement or Non-Procurement” at the time the contract is awarded, unless EPA approval is obtained in advance.

(h) Unless EPA waives this requirement prior to the award of a construction contract, money in the Fund may not be used for paying any claim under this section for expenses incurred under such a construction contract that does not contain a “differing site conditions” clause equivalent to the following:

(1) The contractor shall promptly, and before such conditions are disturbed, notify the claimant in writing of:

(i) Subsurface or latent physical conditions at the site differing materially from those listed in this contract, or

(ii) Unknown physical conditions at the site, of an unusual nature, differing materially from those ordinarily encountered and generally recognized as inherent in work of the character provided for in this contract.

(2) Upon notification by the construction contractor, the claimant shall promptly investigate the conditions. If the claimant finds that conditions materially differ and will cause an increase or decrease in the contractor's cost or the time required to perform any part of the work under its contract, whether or not changed as a result of such conditions, the claimant shall make an equitable adjustment and modify the contract in writing.

(3) No claim of the contractor under the differing site conditions clause shall be allowed unless the contractor has given the notice required in paragraph (h)(1) of this section. However, the claimant may extend the time prescribed in paragraph (h)(1) of this section.

(4) No claim by the contractor for an equitable adjustment shall be allowed if asserted after final payment under this contract.

(i) Where money in the Fund has been used to pay for any response costs under this section, no other claim may be paid out of the Fund for the same costs.

(a) No person may submit a claim to the Fund for a response action unless that person notifies the Administrator of EPA or his designee prior to taking such response action and receives preauthorization by EPA. In order to obtain preauthorization, any person intending to submit a claim to the Fund must fulfill the following requirements before commencing a response action:

(1) Notify the lead agency through the National Response Center (as described in 40 CFR 300.125), if there is acute threat of fire, explosion, or direct human contact with hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants or other emergency situation, to determine if there is sufficient time to submit an application for preauthorization;

(2) Submit an application for preauthorization (EPA Form 2075-3, found at appendix A of this part) to the Administrator or his designee; and

(3) Obtain the approval of the Administrator or his designee before initiating the response action.

(b) All applications for preauthorization must include, where available;

(1) A description of the location and nature of the release or threatened release of a hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant (e.g., type and location of vessel or facility, population at risk, routes of exposure);

(2) A description of the nature and quantity of the hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant which has been or may be released, including whether the substance is on the list of hazardous substances set forth pursuant to section 102 of CERCLA;

(3) The identity of any potentially responsible parties known to the applicant (including the applicant), and any contact with such parties, including, but not limited to, any correspondence, agreements, or litigation with such parties;

(4) Evidence of the applicant's eligibility to file a claim pursuant to § 307.20;

(5) An explanation of why the proposed response action is necessary, and how the proposed action is consistent with 40 CFR 300.700(d)(4)(ii);

(6) A description of the applicant's capability (including financial and technical capability) to implement the proposed response action;

(7) Proposed schedule of activities;

(8) Projected costs of response activities, with the basis for those projections (projections shall be based on actual anticipated costs without a contingency for unanticipated conditions);

(9) Proposed schedule for the submission of claims;

(10) The proposed contracting procedures;

(11) Proposed procedures for project management, EPA oversight, and reporting of progress of the project; and

(12) The assurances of timely initiation and completion.

(c) Applications for preauthorization to undertake a removal action shall, in addition to the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section, include:

(1) A summary or copy of the preliminary assessment; and

(2) A description of the proposed removal action for which the claim will be made, which environmental requirements are applicable or relevant and appropriate, and how the removal will comply with such requirements.

(d) Applications for preauthorization to undertake a remedial investigation and feasibility study shall, in addition to the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section, include:

(1) The scope of the proposed study;

(2) A proposed site sampling plan and quality assurance procedures;

(3) The plan for the development of alternatives;

(4) Approaches to consideration of alternatives to land disposal;

(5) Plans for initial screening of alternatives;

(6) Proposed procedures for the detailed analysis of alternatives; and

(7) Proposed considerations in selection of the remedy.

(e) Applications for preauthorization to undertake a remedial alternative other than that selected by EPA, or where EPA has not selected a remedy, shall, in addition to the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section, include a discussion of how the proposed remedy:

(1) Differs from the one selected by EPA, if applicable;

(2) Achieves protection of public health and welfare and the environment and complies with legally applicable or otherwise relevant and appropriate Federal, State, and local requirements pursuant to 40 CFR 300.400(g) or waivers to those requirements in 40 CFR 300.430(f)(1)(ii)(C). The application shall also include a discussion of pertinent Federal and State guidance, advisories, and criteria;

(3) Will be cost-effective as set out in section 121(a) of CERCLA and 40 CFR 300.430(f)(1)(ii)(D);

(4) Mitigates and minimizes future risks;

(5) Improves the reliability of the remedy;

(6) Utilizes new or innovative technology, if appropriate;

(7) Employs treatment that reduces the volume, toxicity or mobility of the hazardous substances;

(8) Impacts projected costs; and

(9) Takes into account appendix D of 40 CFR part 300.

(f) Applications for preauthorization to undertake a remedial action, including those described in paragraph (e) of this section, shall in addition to the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section, include:

(1) A description of the proposed remedial action for which the claim will be made;

(2) A proposed site sampling plan and quality assurance procedures;

(3) Documentation of reasonable effort to obtain the cooperation of the State or Indian Tribe;

(4) A bond or other financial assurance to cover the costs of necessary long-term operation and maintenance of the response action or written assurance from the State to provide such long-term operation and maintenance;

(5) Proposed procedures using sealed bidding to select the construction contractor, or an explanation of why the applicant intends to use any other method; and

(6) Documentation showing that the response will be carried out in accordance with applicable or relevant and appropriate environmental requirements. Documentation should include the potential impacts on any environmentally sensitive areas.

(g) Claims of business confidentiality may be asserted for information submitted to EPA under this subpart. Information claimed confidential will be disclosed by EPA only to the extent permitted by CERCLA, this subpart, and part 2, subpart B, of this chapter.

(1) Any claim of business confidentiality must accompany the information when it is submitted to EPA. Claims must be asserted as prescribed on the forms. Items claimed confidential on the forms and attachments to the forms must be clearly marked by circling or bracketing them.

(2) The applicant or response claimant must provide EPA with two copies of its submittal if any information is claimed confidential.

(i) One copy of the submittal must be complete, with items claimed confidential clearly marked in accordance with paragraph (g)(1) of this section.

(ii) The second copy must be complete except that all information claimed as confidential in the first copy must be deleted. EPA may make this second copy available to the public.

(iii) If the applicant does not provide a redacted copy, the application for preauthorization is incomplete. If the claimant does not provide a redacted copy, the claim against the Fund will not be perfected by EPA. EPA will not process such submittals until it receives the redacted copy.

(3) If a submitter of a response claim or an application for preauthorization does not assert a claim of business confidentiality for information at the time the information is submitted to EPA, the Agency may make the information public without further notice to the submitter.

(h) In addition to the foregoing, an application for preauthorization filed by a potentially responsible party for partial reimbursement of response costs shall include:

(1) A copy of the settlement agreement, or the most recent draft of any pending agreement, reached between such parties and the Federal Government; and

(2) If the application is to undertake a remedial investigation and feasibility study, an affirmation that the applicant will not directly or indirectly benefit from the preauthorization as a response action contractor, or as a person hired or retained by such a contractor with respect to the site at issue and an agreement to reimburse the Fund for any costs incurred under, or in connection with, the oversight contract or arrangement for the remedial investigation and feasibility study.

(i) If it is subsequently determined that the preauthorized response actions require modification or if it appears that project costs will exceed approved costs, a revised application for preauthorization must be approved by EPA before different, or additional, actions can be undertaken, if such actions are to be eligible for compensation from the Fund.

(j) Unless otherwise specified and agreed to by EPA, the terms, provisions, or requirements of a court judgment, Consent Decree, administrative order (whether unilateral or on consent), or any other consensual agreement with EPA requiring a response action do not constitute preauthorization to present a claim to the Fund.

(a) EPA shall review each preauthorization application and will notify the applicant of the decision to grant or deny preauthorization. Decisions to grant preauthorization will be memorialized in a PDD.

(b) Each application for preauthorization must include information sufficient for EPA to determine whether the response will be consistent with 40 CFR 300.700(d). EPA will evaluate applications based on the following non-exclusive list of criteria, as appropriate:

(1) Whether the release is within the scope of CERCLA;

(2) The seriousness of the problem or importance of the response activity when compared with competing demands on the Fund;

(3) Whether there is sufficient time to process the request for preauthorization (e.g., if a removal action is proposed);

(4) Whether the party liable for the release or threat of release of the hazardous substance is unknown, or if known, has been notified of the application for preauthorization and is unwilling or incapable of performing the response in a reasonable period of time;

(5) Whether the State, a political subdivision, or an Indian Tribe is willing to undertake the response action through a contract or a cooperative agreement;

(6) The cost and effectiveness of the proposed response actions when compared with other alternatives;

(7) Whether proposed response can be carried out in accordance with the NCP and other environmental requirements;

(8) The applicant's eligibility to file a claim; his capabilities, experience, and technical expertise; and his knowledge and familiarity with the NCP and relevant guidance;

(9) Whether the party is proposing to conduct a cleanup through an administrative order or a Consent Decree with the Government regarding the site for which the request is made (if the applicant is a potentially responsible party);

(10) Whether the applicant, if he is a potentially responsible party seeking to undertake a remedial investigation and feasibility study, has affirmed that he will not directly or indirectly benefit from the preauthorization as a response action contractor, or as a person hired or retained by such a contract with respect to the site at issue, and agrees to reimburse the Fund for any cost incurred under, or in connection with, the oversight contract or arrangement for the remedial investigation and feasibility study;

(11) Whether the proposed costs are eligible and the applicant has proposed appropriate procurement, contract management, project management, financial management and documentation procedures;

(12) Whether the applicant has met the necessary assurances, financial responsibilities, and other requirements;

(13) Provisions for long-term operation and maintenance of the site, if appropriate;

(14) Whether the applicant has consulted with the State or Indian Tribe on the proposed response action;

(15) The applicant's proposed procedures for oversight and the reporting of project issues and progress;

(16) Cooperation of the applicant at any earlier stage of response activity; and

(17) Whether the proposed schedule for filing a claim(s) is based upon the completion of the project, an operable unit, or a discrete phase of the response work.

(c) The Administrator may grant preauthorization for all or part of a proposed response action, but not less than a stage of an operable unit or of a response action.

(1) The Administrator may set a limit on the amount that may be claimed as reimbursement from the Fund for any response action.

(2) The Administrator may condition the preauthorization on such inspection, monitoring, reporting, safety, and long-term operation and maintenance requirements as he deems necessary. The costs of such requirements may not necessarily be reimbursed from the Fund.

(3) The Administrator may condition the preauthorization on such time period for starting and completing the response action as he may deem necessary.

(4) The Administrator may condition the preauthorization on such financial or other assurance from the claimant or other entity as he may deem necessary to ensure completion of work at the site.

(5) The Administrator will not subject potentially responsible parties who may wish to undertake a remedial investigation and feasibility study to a lesser standard of liability nor will he give such parties preferential treatment in EPA's review of applications for preauthorization.

(d) If EPA denies a preauthorization because of an insufficient balance in the Fund or the low priority assigned to the response action when weighed against other applications or uses of the Fund, the applicant may resubmit the application in another fiscal year. If preauthorization is denied because of the inability of the applicant to demonstrate his experience and capabilities, the applicant may resubmit the application form only after correcting the deficiencies, or by proposing an alternative approach.

(e) If EPA grants preauthorization, the applicant may begin the approved response action subject to the terms and conditions contained in the PDD. The applicant, as a condition of preauthorization, shall assure that the lead agency shall have such site access as may be necessary for oversight and monitoring.

(f) If the applicant is unable to initiate or complete the preauthorized response action, the applicant shall immediately notify EPA in writing.

(g) EPA will not grant preauthorization for any response actions where:

(1) The proposed action is not a response action authorized under CERCLA;

(2) There is a significant threat to the public health or the environment caused by acute threat of fire, explosion, direct human contact with a hazardous substance, or other similar hazardous situations requiring immediate action, and there is insufficient time to process an application for preauthorization;

(3) The proposed response is a remedial action and the site is not on the NPL; or

(4) The action is to be performed by a State, political subdivision, Indian Tribe through an assistance agreement with the United States, or a person operating pursuant to a contract with the United States.

(h) EPA will deny preauthorization to a person whom the Agency believes is a liable party under section 107 of CERCLA unless negotiations are underway aimed at reaching a judicial or administrative settlement. Such parties may be preauthorized under this paragraph to submit claims to the Fund for response costs up to the maximum amount specified in the PDD.