**OMB Control Number 2040-0272 Approval Expires 06/30/2013**  

# Partnership Agreement: 

# Certification Providers

**Section I: EPA WaterSense ®**  

## Program Goals The WaterSense program aims to use water resources more efficiently to preserve them for future generations and to reduce water and wastewater infrastructure costs by reducing unnecessary water consumption. Through WaterSense,EPA provides reliable information on high-performing, water-efficient new homes, raises awareness about the importance of water efficiency, helps consumers identify new homes that use less water, promotes innovation in residential construction, and supports state and local water-efficiency efforts. 

## Section II: Partnership Pledge As a WaterSense program partner, _________________________________ (name of organization) shares EPA’s goals as outlined above and is proud to commit to the following activities to further these goals: 1. Meet the responsibilities outlined in the WaterSense new home certification system, including, but not limited to, c ertification of new homes and oversight of water-efficiency home inspectors in the United States. 2. Adhere to all policies and procedures contained in the Program Guidelines. 3. Sign and issue the WaterSense label certificate sticker to builders of certified new homes and supply the builder par tner with guidance on proper use of the label and advertisement of WaterSense labeled new homes. 4. Notify EPA quarterly of any new homes that have been certified and labeled using a form provided by WaterSense. 5. Help EPA maintain program integrity by alerting EPA of possible misrepresentation(s) of the certification or program marks. Adhere to WaterSense program mark guidelines and ensure that authorized representatives, such as advertising agencies or subcontractors, also comply. 6. Grant WaterSense permission to include partner’s name, including contact information, on a list of participating par tners on the WaterSense website, program materials, and announcements. Partners understand that from time to time, EPA will be interested in profiling partner accomplishments in case studies and articles. If selected for such promotion, partners will have the opportunity to provide input and review the final print or web document beforeEPA releases it to the public. Further, the partner understands that EPA might refer media contacts interested in publicizing WaterSense to partners for information about certified new homes and accomplishments. 

## Section III: EPA WaterSense Program’s Commitments to Partners 1. Develop national specifications for water-efficient homes, products, and programs through an open, public pr ocess. Supply materials related to the inspection and certification of new homes. 2. Increase awareness of the WaterSense brand by distributing key messages on the benefits of labeled new homes, as w ell as the importance of water efficiency. 3. Provide current WaterSense program news, information, and reference documents (via the program website, Helpline , e-mail, or other means), including training materials, inspection checklists, and guidance. 4. Provide WaterSense partners with public recognition for their involvement in the program and role in protecting the en vironment through an online listing of partners, special awards, and other efforts. 5. Respond swiftly to partner requests for information or clarification on WaterSense program policies. 6. Provide materials, templates, and program marks for promotional use, consistent with WaterSense program guidelines

. 7. Provide guidelines on appropriate use of the WaterSense label and advertisement of WaterSense labeled new homes

. 8. Review pre-press promotional items, draft websites, or other materials that use WaterSense program marks, upon r equest.

EPA Form Number 6100-20__________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

## Section IV: General Terms and Disclaimers 1. The partner will not construe, claim, or imply that its participation in the WaterSense program constitutes federal go vernment (EPA) approval, acceptance, or endorsement of anything other than the partner’s commitment to the program. 2. Nothing in this agreement, in and of itself, obligates the EPA to expend appropriations or to enter into any contrac t, assistance agreement, interagency agreemen t, or incur other financial obligations that would be inconsistent with Agency budget priorities. The partner agrees not to submit a claim for compensation for services rendered to EPA or any Federal Agency in connection with any activities it carries out in furtherance of this agreement. 3. The partner and WaterSense will assume good faith as a general principle for resolving conflict and will seek to r esolve all matters informally, so as to preserve maximum public confidence in the program. 4. Failure to comply with any of the terms of this partnership agreement can result in its termination and cessation of ac cess to the benefits of the program, including use of the program marks. 5. WaterSense will actively pursue resolution of noncompliance related to the use of the program marks. 6. Both parties concur that this agreement is wholly voluntary and may be terminated by either party at any time, and f or any reason, with no penalty. Termination will begin effective immediately upon written notice to or from the WaterSense program. Upon the termination of this agreement, partners agree to remove program marks in a timely manner, consistent with the WaterSense program mark guidelines.
To be completed by partner Authorized Partner Representative 1 (printed name): ______________________________________________________ By signing this agreement, I certify that I have been approved by an EPA-approved program administrator and that at least one quality assurance designee within my organization has attended the required training for certification providers about W aterSense. Title: __________________________________________ E-mail: ______________________________________________ Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: ______________________________________ Organization Name:_______________________________________ Website: ____________________________________ Program Administrator:

________________________________________________ Approval Date: ____________________ Primary Contact: Dr./Mr./Mrs./Ms._________________________________________________ Suffix:

________________ Title:_____________________________________________ Dept.: ________________________________________________ E-mail: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________ City/State/ZIP:__________________________________ Telephone: __________________________________ Alternate Telephone: ____________________________________ Quality Assurance Designee:

______________________________________________________________________________ Telephone: __________________________________ E-mail: ________________________________________________ How did you find out about this program? � Website � Referral, Name: ____________________________________ � Periodical: __________________________ � Workshop, Sponsor: ________________________________________ � Mailing: __________________________ � EPA Region: ________________ � Other:________________________ Please identify wher e you provide services by county, metro area, or state. ____________________________________

To be completed by EPA Sheila E. Frace Authorized EPA Representative (printed name): __________________________________________________________ Title: __________________________________________________ Director, Municipal Support Division E-mail:______________________________________ watersense@epa.gov Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: ______________________________________

1 The authorized partner representative should be a person in the company with signing authority (e.g., vice president). EPA Form Number 6100-20

## Submit the Partnership Agreement (rewriteable PDF) to WaterSense via:
Fax: (703) 841-1440 Mail: WaterSense, c/o ERG, 2300 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 350, Arlington, VA 22201 Electronically: If you have Adobe Acrobat, you can complete the form electronically and e-mail it to: watersense@epa.gov. Please contact the WaterSense Helpline at (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) if you have any questions about eligibility, partnership, or for general program inquiries. After signing, EPA will send partners an executed copy of this agreement.

The public reporting and record keeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average eight hours per response. Send comments on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent b urden, including through the use of automated collection techniques to the Director, Collection Strategies Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2822T), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20460. Include the OMB control number in any correspondence. Do not send the completed partnership agreement to this address.

EPA Form Number 6100-20