1. BWR.RFR.FFY2024.25.604B.GRANT 8.19.2026.docx

SECTION 604(b) - WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM

FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts executive office of energy & environmental Affairs department of environmental protection

100 Cambridge Street Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

Document Title:

Federal Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Section 604(b) Water Quality Management Planning Grant Program

Agency Document Number:

BWR-RFP-FY2024-2025-604B GRANT-WPP07

COMMBUYS Bid #: BD-27-1045-BWR00-BWR01-132526

August 19, 2026

ATTACHMENT A - APPLICATION

604b - WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM

FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Grant Introduction A. Overview and Goals of Grant The Nonpoint Source (“NPS”) Management Section in the Watershed Planning Program (“WPP”), Bureau of Water Resources (“BWR”), Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (“MassDEP”), is pleased to issue this Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for Section 604(b) Water Quality Management Planning Program Grants. MassDEP is seeking grant proposals from Eligible Entities that identify NPS water quality issues, determine the most effective solutions, and provide preliminary designs for Best Management Practices (“BMPs”) to address the identified issues.

B. Scope and Description Section 604(b) of the federal Clean Water Act (“CWA”) authorizes the awarding of funds through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) to states for water quality management planning grants. States are mandated to allocate at least 40% of each award to providing water quality management planning assistance to local communities. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“IIJA”) provides supplemental funds under Section 604(b) for Award Years (AY) 2022 through 2026.

MassDEP expects to have approximately $1,800,000 in federal CWA funds for AY 2024 and 2025 for new projects under this RFP. Projects can only be funded from a single federal funding source, which may result in some partially funded projects.

Consistent with the MassDEP NPS 2025-2029 Massachusetts Nonpoint Source Management Plan (NPS Plan), MassDEP will prioritize Section 604(b) grant funds under this RFP for the development of nine element (9e)- Watershed-Based Plans (“WBP”) to restore impaired waters (as listed in the Massachusetts 2022 Integrated List of Waters), alternative (a)‑ WBPs to guide watershed protection and management activities for healthy waters, and 9e-WBPs for other waters without a listed impairment. In addition, and/or conjunction with WBP development, projects that focus on one of the following will be prioritized:

· Work within a Massachusetts National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) watershed.

· A regional or state-wide NPS Coordinator

· Work within a Nitrogen Impacted Coastal Water This RFP contains eligibility requirements, funding priorities, selection criteria, and the estimated calendar for the grant application and program. Proposals that are not complete or that are not submitted according to the guidelines set forth in this RFP will be disqualified and will not be considered for funding. Qualified proposals will be selected on a competitive basis. All applicants are cautioned that funding for this program is subject to both Commonwealth Terms and Conditions as well as the Terms and Conditions of the AY 2024 and 2025 CWA s.604(b) federal grant awards from the EPA to MassDEP. Terms and Conditions and supplementary RFP documents can be found on the MassDEP Grants & Financial Assistance: Watersheds & Water Quality website.

Please note: After the August 19, 2026 RFP release date, MassDEP staff and all Commonwealth employees will only respond to administrative questions and provide copies of reference documents. Applicants may contact the contact person for this RFP in the event this RFP is incomplete, the Applicant is having trouble obtaining any required attachments, and/or having difficulty with the electronic submission. Staff are prohibited from assisting potential applicants in developing specific Section 604(b) proposals.

This RFP has been announced electronically using the Commonwealth’s electronic procurement system, (COMMBUYS). The RFP and any additional information can be found on the MassDEP Grants and Financial Assistance: Watersheds & Water Quality page.

C. Estimated Calendar for Grant Application and Award Applications are due by Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Applicants must submit completed applications that include all required supporting materials, agree to the program conditions, and meet the eligibility requirements by the deadline stated above to be considered for a reimbursable grant award. Completed proposals must be emailed to: meghan.selby@mass.gov.

Applicants will be notified on or about January 2027 as to the results of MassDEP’s project review and selection process. MassDEP will then enter contract negotiations with the selected applicants. MassDEP reserves the right to fund a portion of a project, revise the project scope, and/or add or delete tasks to any project proposal that is recommended to the EPA. Applicants will have the option to reject the Section 604(b) award if a project, as revised, does not meet their capacity or the goals of their organization.

July 23, 2026

9:30 AM

August 19, 2026

August 26, 2026

5:00 PM

September 2, 2026

October 7, 2026

5:00 PM

Announcement of RFP Grant selection results (posted on MassDEP website and COMMBUYS) January 2027 (estimated)

D. Written Questions Any applicant wishing to submit written questions must do so by email to the 604(b) Grant Coordinator, Meghan Selby, at meghan.selby@mass.gov by the deadline of Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. MassDEP anticipates that its official answers to all questions will be posted on the MassDEP Website by Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

Eligibility A. Eligible Applicants Pursuant to Section 604(b) of the CWA, eligible grant applicants include: regional planning agencies, council of governments, counties, conservation districts, cities and towns, interstate organizations, federally recognized tribes and organizations with state-wide agricultural capacity building experience.

· Subcontracting: Applicants may propose a subcontractor or team of subcontractors as part of their application and proposal. Subcontractors working for the applicant are subject to the same terms and conditions as the applicant, as defined in this RFP. Pursuant to Article 9 of the Commonwealth Terms and Conditions, MassDEP reserves the right to review and approve all 604(b) subcontracts.

· Multiple applications: An Eligible Applicant may submit more than one (1) proposal for distinct water quality projects.

· MBTA Communities Act: The receipt of grant funds is contingent upon the grantee being able to certify that it will comply with the Massachusetts General Laws, including G.L. c. 40A, § 3A, the MBTA Communities Act. Compliance with the MBTA Communities Act is determined by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

B. Eligible & Priority Projects The goal of this grant opportunity is to develop WBPs throughout the state where MassDEP-approved WBPs do not currently exist. A WBP is a document that provides a holistic framework for watershed management, detailing water quality concerns and identifying actions to address those concerns.

A 9e-WBP incorporates specific elements mandated by EPA that identify water quality impairments and pollutant sources and provides a framework to address those sources and evaluate plan effectiveness. Please note that draft WBPs must be submitted to MassDEP for review and comment at least 6 months prior to the end of the contract period, unless other terms are negotiated during contracting. This will allow for revisions to the draft to ensure that the final deliverable is a MassDEP-approved WBP. The nine elements, as described and required by EPA, are as follows (please see EPA’s Quick Guide for more information and Attachment H):

A. The identification of the causes and sources of point and nonpoint pollution.

B. An estimate of pollutant loading into the watershed and expected load reductions (water quality goals) needed to meet the Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards (MASWQS; 314 CMR 4.00) for each pollutant. Healthy waters that do not need a pollutant load reduction would result in an alternative (a)-WBP instead of a 9e-WBP.

C. A description of management measures that will need to be implemented to achieve the load reductions estimated under Element B and identification (using a map or a description) of the critical areas in which those measures will be needed to implement the plan.

D. An estimate of the amounts of technical and financial assistance needed, associated costs, and/or the sources and authorities that will be relied upon, to implement the plan.

E. An information/education component that will be used to enhance public understanding of the project and encourage their early and continued participation in selecting, designing, and implementing management measures to restore and/or protect waters.

F. A schedule for implementing the management measures identified in the plan that is reasonably expeditious.

G. A description of interim, measurable milestones for determining whether the management measures or other control actions are being implemented.

H. A set of criteria that can be used to determine whether loading reductions are being achieved over time and substantial progress is being made towards attaining water quality standards and, if not, the criteria for determining whether the plan needs to be revised.

I. A monitoring component to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation efforts over time, measured against the criteria established under Element H.

Activities that support the development of MassDEP-approved WBPs include, but are not limited to:

· Data Gap Analysis

· Data Gathering – The determination of the nature, extent, and causes of water quality problems and determination of pollutant load reductions necessary to meet the MASWQS.

· Water Quality Monitoring

· Sediment Monitoring

· Assessment – Watershed-wide BMP siting prioritization exercise (which results in definitive list of BMPs)

· Modelling - hydrologic and hydraulic, pollutant load reductions

· BMP Design Development – Implementation plans can range from conceptual designs to final plans (applicants are encouraged to have a handful of concept and at least one final design) and engineering studies that will lead to remediation of water quality impairments and restoration of beneficial uses.

· Implementation plans must include estimations of pollutant load reductions, construction costs, and future Operations and Maintenance (O&M) costs.

Please note: A MassDEP- and EPA- Approved Quality Assurance Project Plan (“QAPP”) is required if a project includes the collection, evaluation, use, or management of environmental data; the use of environmental models; or the design, construction, or operation of environmental technology. Additional information on QAPPs can be found at the MassDEP webpage and in Attachment A.

Regional Coordinator Program – This initiative seeks Regional Planning Agencies (RPA) and organizations with state-wide agricultural capacity building experience to actively engage with and/or form partnerships to benefit Massachusetts communities and build capacity for water quality management planning and WBP development. This NPS Regional Coordinator Program supersedes the previously offered regional NPS-focused programs (EJ NPS Coordinators, Regional NPS Coordinators, Regional Agricultural NPS Coordinators, Regional Scale Watershed Planning for Nitrogen Impacted Coastal Waters).

Water quality management planning tasks that are required under the RC program include:

1. Monthly NPS RC check-in meetings with MassDEP and other RCs throughout the duration of the contract.

2. NPS Management Grant Proposal Development

· Develop, write, and submit at least three grant proposals for 604(b) projects and/or 319 implementation projects during the contract period.

3. Development of MassDEP-approved WBPs. Please note that draft WBPs must be submitted to MassDEP for review and comment at least 6 months prior to the end of the contract period, unless other terms are negotiated during contracting. Tasks that support this effort include, but are not limited to:

· identification of pollution sources,

· development of project QAPPs (must be approved by MassDEP and EPA prior to start of work),

· provide training to community members to monitor water quality,

· ambient water quality sampling,

· monitoring data analysis and formatting for submission to MassDEP and EPA,

· modeling of pollutant reduction scenarios,

· development of Comprehensive Watershed Management Plans (CWMP) that incorporates the EPA required nine elements of a WBP,

· development of Targeted Watershed Management Plans (TWMP) that incorporated the EPA required nine elements of a WBP,

· updating existing CWMPs or TWMPs to include the EPA required nine-elements of a WBP,

· development of pollutant remediation solutions

· watershed-wide BMP siting prioritization exercise (which results in a definitive list of BMPs)

· conceptual designs for the top locations

· one 80-100% design for a top BMP

· provide and/or support an outreach and education initiative

Water quality management planning in an NWQI watershed. As USDA’s premiere water quality initiative, the NWQI provides a way to accelerate voluntary, on-farm conservation investments and focused water quality monitoring and assessment resources where they can deliver the greatest benefits for clean water. Current NWQI watersheds include Westport River, Noquochoke Lake, Unkety Brook/James Brook (Nashua River watershed), Manhan River, and South River (in the Deerfield River Watershed).

Active and Comprehensive Community Engagement is a required component for eligible projects. Initiatives that enhance and facilitate the participation of community members in the stewardship of local natural resources will be prioritized. Community engagement activities should be scalable and transferable and include a deliverable that can be made available in print and electronic form. Note that electronic documents must comply with Americans with Disabilities Act Title II (ADA Title II) digital accessibility requirements. Click here to view Commonwealth Digital Accessibility Standards and Requirements.

Examples of initiatives to promote active and comprehensive community engagement include:

· Incorporation of NPS projects into school curricular and/or extracurricular activities such as environmental clubs, science exhibitions, and/or field trips.

· Activities that engage community youth.

· Partnerships with local organizations.

· Neighborhood/watershed clean-ups associated with the grant project.

· Other community events associated with the grant project that will result in meaningful and impactful outcomes such as increased stakeholder knowledge and understanding and participation in planning.

· Community engagement via programs such as Photo-Voice.

· Information sharing through stakeholders’ meetings or community workshops.

· Site tours with community members.

C. Ineligible Projects The following projects and/or scopes of work are ineligible for funding under the Section 604(b) Grant Program:

· Projects that would be undertaken to comply with local, State, or Federal governmental enforcement actions, such as Administrative Orders or Consent Orders.

· Comprehensive municipal wastewater planning projects.

Instructions for Submitting an Application A. Application Transmittal Instructions Applications are due by Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. (EDT). Applications must comply with the requirements outlined in Section 3.B., including application format and mandatory materials. Applications that exceed the 12-page limit requirements (excluding required supporting materials), or submissions that are unreadable, will not be reviewed by the GRT.

Please note that only electronic submissions will be accepted for this RFP. Therefore, Applicants must ensure that the materials transmitted through email can be viewed. Large-scale plans are discouraged, but if these plans are essential to the Applicant’s proposal, please contact the 604(b) Grant Coordinator for submittal instructions.

All submissions shall include both:

a) a Word (.docx) version of the proposal narrative and application form (Attachment A), and

b) a (.pdf) version of the complete proposal, including all forms, attachments, match commitments, and support letters.

Electronic application copies, limited to 10MB, shall be emailed by the deadline [in both (.docx) and (.pdf) formats] by Wednesday October 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. to:

Meghan Selby, 604(b) Grant Coordinator Submit applications to meghan.selby@mass.gov with “AY2024/2025 604(b) Grant Application” in the subject line.

Applications received after the deadline will be automatically rejected. MassDEP reserves the right to reject any and all proposals or request additional information if needed.

B. Requirements for Application Structure and Content

Complete proposals will consist of a concise application and all supporting materials in accordance with the following requirements. Applications that are incomplete and/or non-compliant with the requirements stated in this RFP are subject to rejection by the GRT.

· Applicants must use the application template provided as part of this RFP, identified as Attachment A, and Applications shall not exceed 12 pages, exclusive of the required and recommended supporting materials identified below. Proposals should reflect all the Evaluation Criteria listed in Section 4.

· Required Supporting Materials (not counted towards 12-page application limit)

· Locus map of the project area, and a detailed map of the project area.

· If a cash or in-kind match will be provided by an entity outside the Applicant’s organization, a letter from the authorized agent of the match provider must be submitted by the Grant Application due date, stating a commitment to provide the match.

· Letters of support from all organizations identified in the project proposal as participating in the project or providing a portion of the matching funds for the project. These letters must: be written on the organization’s letterhead, be signed by the organization’s authorized signatory, and detail the services or match to be provided by the organization. Letters of support from participating entities should be included with the proposal submission and must be received by the October 7, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (EDT) deadline.

· Recommended Additional Supporting Materials (not counted towards 12-page application limit):

· Resumes for key project staff.

· Maps, resource/classification information, and a summary of water quality data pertinent to the project.

Please note that all responses and information submitted in response to this Grant RFP are subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c. 66, & 10, and to c. 4, & 7, cl. 26. Any statements in submitted responses that are inconsistent with these statutes, including marking of information as confidential, shall be disregarded. Please do not submit any information that the applicant may not wish to disclose publicly, such as home addresses or personal telephone numbers, social security numbers, or other similar information. MassDEP reserves the right to reject any and all proposals or request additional information if needed.

Additional Forms: If selected for a grant award, the Applicant will be required to submit the following forms to complete the contracting process:

· Commonwealth Standard Contract Form

· Commonwealth Terms and Conditions (these Terms and Conditions are incorporated by reference into the Standard Contract Form, and do not need to be executed separately)

· Commonwealth W‐9 tax information form

· Completed Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing Form https://www.macomptroller.org/wp-content/uploads/form_contractor-authorized-signatory-listing-for-contractors.pdf

· Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form https://www.mass.gov/doc/electronic-funds-transfer-form-2/download

Applicants are encouraged to review these forms prior to submission of an application. The Commonwealth Forms are located on the Massachusetts Comptroller’s website.

Additional Requirement for Grantees: In order to comply with new regulations all successful grantees receiving federal funds from state agencies must submit a new W-9 which must include your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), which recently replaced the Dunn & Bradstreet Unique Numbering System (DUNs). If your organization does not have a UEI number it is highly recommended to obtain one as soon as possible to prevent avoidable delays in contracting, if chosen for grant award. Here is a link to a website for applying for a UEI number.

Evaluation Criteria Applicants must submit a completed application that includes all the required supporting materials, agree to the program conditions, and meet the eligibility requirements in order to be considered for a grant award. The GRT will evaluate proposed projects based upon the criteria listed below. The review committee reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. The GRT will evaluate and score the grant applications from Eligible Applicants (as defined previously in this Grant Opportunity) based upon the following criteria:

4.1 Alignment with Program Goals (20 pts)

· Does the proposal adequately describe how the activities align with the goals and objectives of the 604(b) Grant?

· Does the project address concerns in a National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) watershed?

· Is the project a Regional NPS or Agricultural Coordinator Initiative?

· Does the project address issues within Nitrogen Impacted Coastal Waters?

4.2 Watershed-Based Plan (10 pts)

· Will the project result in the development or update to a MassDEP approved 9-element WBP?

4.3 Problem Definition (10 pts)

· Does the proposal present or cite adequate data or evidence to support the description of the problem?

· Is an impaired waterbody identified, with a description of the specific impairment?

· Does the proposal adequately describe the need for proposed solutions?

· Are the goals of the project clearly stated, detailed, and measurable?

4.4 Approach (15 pts)

· Does the proposal contain a reasonable technical approach?

· Does the project plan present a logical, coordinated approach to the problem(s)?

· Are the deliverables clearly stated and described?

· Is the approach appropriate or suitable to address the problem and meet the project goals?

· Do all the activities meet eligibility criteria?

· Are QAPPs provided, as required (QAPPs are required if a project includes the collection, evaluation, use, or management of environmental data; the use of environmental models; or the design, construction, or operation of environmental technology.)?

4.5 Project Benefit (20 pts)

· Does the project build on other related grant projects, programs, or regional efforts?

· Does the project enhance regional NPS capacity building?

· Does the project promote collaboration and information sharing among multiple communities and stakeholders?

· Are the deliverables structured to facilitate a future Section 319 project(s)?

· Is there a strong level of commitment from project partners and community members?

· Does the project consider the impacts of natural hazards, such as long-term weather patterns and severe weather?

4.6 Active and Comprehensive Community Engagement (15 pts)

· Does the proposal include a plan to involve the community through active and comprehensive engagement? For example:

· Incorporating NPS projects into school curricular and/or extracurricular activities such as environmental clubs, science exhibitions, and/or field trips.

· Activities that engage community youth.

· Partnerships with local organizations.

· Neighborhood/watershed clean-ups associated with the Section 604(b) grant project.

· Other community events associated with the Section 604(b) grant project that will result in meaningful and impactful outcomes such as increased stakeholder knowledge and understanding and neighborhood-scale adoption of BMPs.

· Community engagement via programs such as Photo-Voice.

· Information sharing through stakeholders’ meetings or community workshops.

· Site tours with community members.

· Does the proposal illustrate how this project would facilitate the participation of all community members? For example:

· Does the proposal include a plan to translate project materials and signage into the community’s relevant languages?

· Does the proposal include a plan(s) to have language interpreters at meetings?

· Does the proposal include a plan(s) to provide accommodation for community members with disabilities?

4.7 Qualifications of Organization and Project Manager (5 pts)

· Is the applicant qualified to manage the project?

· Are there any current or prior performance issues with this applicant and/or their subcontractor(s)?

· Does the proposal identify qualified staff and appropriate subcontractors (as applicable)?

4.8 Quality and Responsiveness of the Proposal (10 pts)

· Is the application complete and properly formatted?

· Is the proposed workplan well organized and concise?

· Are the total cost and distribution of costs by budget categories reasonable for the work proposed? (e.g., offers good value)

· Are the project goals proportional to the allotted resources?

· If included, does cost sharing enhance the proposal?

· How well does the applicant describe the timeline for the proposed work?

· Is the project timeline reasonable?

Supplemental Materials The following supplemental materials can be found on the MassDEP Grants & Financial Assistance: Watersheds & Water Quality website:

Attachment A: Application Attachment B: Procurement and Grant Contract Information Attachment C: Terms and Conditions of Grant Contract Award Attachment D: Supplemental Terms and Conditions Attachment E: Federal Terms and Conditions Attachment F: Good Faith Efforts Attachment G: Additional Resources and FAQs Attachment H: WBP Development Guidance image1.png image2.png image2.jpeg