CVP Fish Information Needs NOFO_Final.pdf

U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Interior Region 10 California Great Basin September 2024

Notice of Funding Opportunity No. R24AS00329

Central Valley Project Fish Information Needs

For Fiscal Year 2025 and Fiscal Year 2026 ii

Mission Statements The U.S. Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated Island Communities.

The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

Cover photograph – O. mykiss in the Stanislaus River – 2023 by J. Hannon, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation iii

Synopsis

Federal Agency Name: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Interior Region 10, California Great Basin

Funding Opportunity Title: Central Valley Project Fish Information Needs

Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Funding Opportunity Number: R24AS00329

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number:

USBR Assistance Listing Number: 15.512 USFWS Assistance Listing Number: 15.648

Dates:

(See NOFO Section D.4)

This NOFO covers two application submittal periods – Fiscal Year 2025 and Fiscal Year 2026

Application Submittal Period 1 – Applications due Monday, December 23, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time

Application Submittal Period 2 – Applications due Thursday, October 16, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (Subject to Change)

Funding for applications submitted within a given application submittal period is contingent on available appropriations.

Eligible Applicants:

(See NOFO Section C.1)

The State of California or an agency or subdivision thereof1, an Indian tribe, or a non-profit2 entity concerned with restoration, protection, or enhancement of fish, wildlife, habitat, or environmental values.

Recipient Cost Share: Cost share not required.

Federal Funding Amount:

(See NOFO Section B. )

The total Federal funds awarded may not exceed $5,000,000 in each fiscal year.

Estimated Number of Agreements to be Awarded:

(See NOFO Section B. )

An estimated number of 1 – 10 applications will be awarded per application submittal period, contingent on available funding.

Intergovernmental Review:

(See NOFO Section D.5)

This NOFO is subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” A list of states that have elected to participate in the intergovernmental review process can be found here:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf.

1 Includes state funded universities.

2 Does NOT have to be a 501(c3) to qualify as a ‘non-profit’.

iv

Application Checklist The following table contains a summary of the required application information.

ü Mandatory Application Items: Required content Page

Mandatory Federal Forms:

SF-424: Application for Federal Assistance

SF-424A: Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs

SF-424B: Assurances for Non-Construction Programs

SF-LLL: Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable)

See Section D.2.2.1 14

Technical Proposal:

Title Page

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Project Location

Project Statement

Background

Technical Project Description

Research Work Plan and Schedule

Peer Review Plan

Project Feasibility

Project Closeout

Evaluation criteria

See Section D.2.2.2 15

Project Budget:

Funding Plan and Letter of Commitment (if applicable)

Budget Proposal

Budget Narrative

Cash Flow Schedule

See Section D.2.2.3 19 ü Additional Application Items: Required content Page

Environmental and Cultural Resources Compliance See Section D.2.2.5 21

Required Permits or Approvals See Section D.2.2.6 22

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement See Section D.2.2.7 22

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement See Section D.2.2.8 22

Uniform Audit Reporting Statement See Section D.2.2.9 23

Letters of Support See Section D.2.2.10 23

Official Resolution See Section D.2.2.11 24

Statement of Qualifications See Section D.2.2.12 24

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) & System for Award Management (SAM) See Section D.3 25 v

Acronyms and Abbreviations ASAP Automated Standard Application for Payments ARC Application Review Committee BIL Bipartisan Infrastructure Law CE Categorical Exclusion CEC Categorical Exclusion Checklist CFDA Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance CFR Code of Federal Regulations CSAMP Collaborative Science and Adaptive Management Program CWA Clean Water Act CWMP Cooperative Watershed Management Program D&B Dun & Bradstreet DCG Delta Coordination Group DSM Decision Support Model Department U.S. Department of the Interior EA Environmental Assessment EIN Employer Identification Number EIS Environmental Impact Statement E.O. Executive Order EPA Environmental Protection Agency ESA Endangered Species Act FAPIIS Federal Award Performance Integrity Information System FOIA Freedom of Information Act FONSI Finding of No Significant Impact FY Fiscal Year IBC Interior Business Center IBMR Individual Based Model in R NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NHPA National Historic Preservation Act NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOFO Notice of Funding Opportunity NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service OMB Office of Management and Budget P.L. Public Law PSC Product Service Code Reclamation Bureau of Reclamation SAM System for Award Management SIT Science Integration Team SF Standard Form SFHA Summer Fall Habitat Action SOQ Statement of Qualifications SPOC Single Point of Contact UEI Unique Entity Identifier U.S.C. United States Code USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service vi

Contents Page

Section A. Funding Opportunity Description A.1. Authority A.2. Background and Program Requirements A.3. Notice of Funding Opportunity Purpose and Objective A.4. Program Requirements

Section B. Federal Award Information B.1. Total Funding B.2. Expected Award Amount and Number of Awards B.3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates B.4. Type of Award B.5. Technical Assistance

Section C. Eligibility Information C.1. Eligible Applicants C.2. Cost Sharing or Matching C.3. Excluded Parties C.4. Eligible Projects C.5. Ineligible Projects C.6. Duration of Projects C.7. Data Guidance for CVPIA Funded or Authorized Work

Section D. Application and Submission Information D.1. Address to Request Application Package D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) D.4. Submission Date and Time D.5. Intergovernmental Review D.6. Funding Restrictions

Section E. Application Review Information E.1. Technical Proposal: Evaluation Criteria E.2. Review and Selection Process E.3. Federal Award Performance Integrity

Section F. Federal Award Administration Information F.1. Federal Award Notices F.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements F.3. Reporting Requirements and Distribution F.4. Disclosures F.5. Data Availability (2 CFR §1402.315)

Section G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts(s) G.1. Reclamation Financial Assistance Contact G.2. Reclamation Program Coordinator Contacts G.3. Service Program Coordinator Contact

Section H. Other Information H.1. Environmental and Cultural Resource Considerations H.2. Endangered Species Act

Section I. References

Section A. Funding Opportunity Description A.1. Authority This NOFO is issued under the authority of Public Law (P.L.) 102-575, Title XXXIV – Central Valley Project Improvement Act, Section 3406(b)(1), 3406(b)(15), 3406(g), and 3407(e).

A.2. Background and Program Requirements This NOFO provides funding to collect information on Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus mykiss (O. mykiss), Green and White sturgeon, and Delta smelt. For further information on the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, see https://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/.

A.3. Notice of Funding Opportunity Purpose and Objective The objective of this NOFO is to reduce key uncertainties in the decision support models (DSMs) by collecting priority information in directed studies for Chinook Salmon, O. mykiss, Green and White sturgeon (collectively, “sturgeon”), and Delta smelt. Chinook salmon, O.

mykiss, and sturgeon information needs are described in the Near-Term Restoration Strategy (USBR and USFWS, 2020)1. Reducing key uncertainties will improve the performance of each DSM and strengthen the predictive capabilities for developing fish restoration strategies in the Central Valley.

Delta smelt key uncertainties are prescribed in the Delta smelt Individual Based Model in R (IBMR) (Rose, Kimmerer, et al. 2013)2 (Smith and Nobriga 2023), which is currently being used in both the Collaborative Science and Adaptive Management Program (CSAMP) and Delta Coordination Group (DCG) Delta smelt-focused Structured Decision-Making efforts.

Information collected pertaining to Delta smelt and their environmental (habitat and prey) conditions will be used to improve the model’s ability to predict the effects of different action alternatives on habitat and food quality and quantity and, subsequently, Delta smelt individual growth and recruitment and population growth rate. Reducing uncertainty in the Delta smelt environmental and bioenergetic parameters within the model will also strengthen Reclamation’s capability to develop and implement population recovery strategies for the species.

A.4. Program Requirements The Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA), Title 34 of Public Law 102-575 authorizes the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the Service) to take actions aimed at increasing anadromous fish production in the

1 Near-term Restoration Strategy for the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (2020)

2 Full article: Individual-Based Modeling of Delta Smelt Population Dynamics in the Upper San Francisco Estuary:

I. Model Description and Baseline Results (tandfonline.com)

Central Valley of California. In response, Reclamation and the Service adopted a Structured Decision Making (SDM) process as a collaborative approach with agencies (State, Federal, and Local) and stakeholders (non-government organizations, Federal and State Water Contractors, etc.).

Reclamation and the Service (the Program) established the Science Integration Team (SIT) to use the SDM process as a science-based framework to identify restoration strategies for increasing production of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), O. mykiss, and Green and White sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris and Acipenser transmontanus, respectively). The SIT is a self-selected technical group of agency staff and stakeholders that follow the SDM collaborative and transparent process. The SIT uses the Structured Decision-Making process to identify, compile, and provide access to relevant data; develop decision support models; and provide input to the agencies’ development of priorities for fishery restoration actions and information needs.

As a part of the SDM process, members of the SIT developed Decision Support Models (DSMs) for each of the fish species listed above. For a given fish species, the decision support model simulates the population’s life cycle (i.e., migration, spawning, rearing, growth, mortality, etc.)

and provides results such as the number juveniles and the available spawning population. The geographic scope of the Chinook salmon, O. mykiss, and sturgeon DSMs includes the entire Central Valley. For more information about the scope, functionality, and uses of these models, please visit the SIT website.

Another species of interest is the Delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus), a typically annual fish species that is endemic to the San Francisco Estuary in California. Delta smelt were listed as threated in 1993 (USFWS 1993), with critical habitat designated for the species in 1994 (USFWS 1994). The species is one of eight fish species included in the Recovery Plan for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Native Fishes; objectives in the Recovery Plan include increasing Delta inflows to improve habitat within the Delta and providing transport inflows and outflows for larval and juvenile dispersal from the Sacramento River, among others (USFWS 1996).

The CSAMP Delta Smelt Structured Decision-Making Project was established to provide opportunities for analysis and dialogue on Delta smelt management and science actions that could advance the CSAMP management goal of reversing the declining trajectory of the Delta smelt population. As part of the Long-term operations of the CVP and SWP, the Delta Smelt Summer Fall Habitat Action (SFHA) is intended to improve growth, survival, and recruitment of critically endangered Delta smelt by enhancing habitat and food availability through coordinated habitat and water management actions. Planning, recommendations for implementation, and reporting of the SFHA are coordinated through the DCG, consisting of state and federal agencies and CVP and SWP water contractors. The DCG engages in structured decision-making to develop a recommended action plan for the water year.

Moreover, the Program seeks to implement the Biden-Harris administration’s priorities through the following Executive Orders:

Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad – Directs the Department and other Federal agencies to prioritize efforts to support land conservation and biodiversity efforts.

Executive Order 13985 – Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities through the Federal Government – Federally recognized tribes are eligible to apply under this

NOFO.

Executive Order 14005 – Ensuring the Future is Made in All of America by All of America’s Workers – This NOFO relies on US-based non-profits, tribes, and California state agencies.

Through this action Reclamation and the Service will also ensure that Tribes and Tribal organizations are eligible to participate, consistent with underlying law (P.L. 102-575, Title XXXIV – Central Valley Project Improvement Act, Section 3407(e)), and receive appropriate technical assistance if required.

Section B. Federal Award Information B.1. Total Funding An estimated amount of $5 million is available for this NOFO, subject to appropriations, with per-project limits as described in Section B.2 Expected Award Amount and Number of Awards.

Reclamation will determine the final amount of Federal funding available for award under this NOFO once final fiscal year (FY) 2025 appropriations have been made. This NOFO may be canceled if appropriations are insufficient to support new awards. Applications submitted under this NOFO may also be considered if other Federal funding becomes available in or after FY 2026.

An estimated amount of $5 million will be available in FY 2026, subject to appropriations, with per-project limits as described in Section B.2 Expected Award Amount and Number of Awards.

Reclamation will determine the final amount of Federal funding available for award under this NOFO once final FY 2026 appropriations have been made. This NOFO may be canceled if appropriations are insufficient to support new awards. Applications submitted under this NOFO may also be considered if other Federal funding becomes available in or after FY 2026.

Through this NOFO, Reclamation plans to award funds to eligible groups. See Section C.1 Eligible Applicants for additional information on applicant eligibility.

B.2. Expected Award Amount and Number of Awards Up to $5,000,000 in Federal funds is available in both FY 2025 and FY 2026, subject to appropriations. Applications will be solicited in each of the two fiscal years. An estimated number of 1 to 10 applications are expected to be awarded per fiscal year, depending on the amount requested by the applicants and the amount of available funding. No single application estimated to cost more than $5,000,000 in Federal funds will be funded in any FY. Federal funds are limited to eligible applicants. See Section C. Eligibility Information for more information on eligibility.

B.3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates B.3.1. Application Submittal Period 1 For proposals submitted under the first application submittal period, Reclamation expects to contact potential award recipients and unsuccessful applicants in summer 2025 (or later if necessary), subject to the timing of final FY 2025 appropriations. See Section D.4 Submission Date and Time for application due dates. The anticipated award and completion dates for the first application submittal period are as follows:

Anticipated Award Date: 09/06/2025

Anticipated Project Completion Date: 09/06/2030

B.3.2. Application Submittal Period 2 For proposals submitted under the second application submittal period, Reclamation expects to contact potential award recipients and unsuccessful applicants in summer 2026 (or later if necessary), subject to the timing of final FY 2026 appropriations. See Section D.4 Submission Date and Time for application due dates. The anticipated award and completion dates for the second application submittal period are as follows:

Anticipated Award Date: 9/15/2026

Anticipated Project Completion Date: 09/30/2031

B.4. Type of Award Project awards will be made through either a grant or cooperative agreement.

Under cooperative agreements, the successful applicant should expect Reclamation and/or the Service to have substantial involvement in the project. Substantial involvement may include but is not limited to:

Collaboration and participation with the successful applicant in the management of the project and close oversight of the successful applicant’s activities to ensure that the program objectives are being achieved.

Oversight may include review, input, and approval at key interim stages of the project.

B.5. Technical Assistance At your request, Reclamation and/or the Service can provide technical assistance after award of the project. If you receive assistance from Reclamation and/or the Service, you must account for these costs in your budget. To discuss available assistance and these costs, contact the program coordinator identified in Section G. Agency Contacts.

Section C. Eligibility Information C.1. Eligible Applicants In accordance with P.L. 102-575, Title XXXIV, Section 3407(e), applicants eligible to receive an award under this NOFO include the State of California or an agency or subdivision thereof,1 Tribes, irrigation districts or water districts, or a non-profit entity concerned with restoration, protection, or enhancement of fish, wildlife, habitat, or environmental values.

C.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost sharing is not required in this NOFO but is permitted. See Section D.2.2.3 Project Budget for information on reporting cost share funding in your application, as applicable. All cost-share contributions must meet the applicable administrative and cost principles criteria established in 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200.

C.3. Excluded Parties Reclamation conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award and ineligibility condition apply to this Federal program. If entities or key project personnel are identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, Reclamation cannot award funds to them.

C.4. Eligible Projects The following sections describe projects that are eligible for funding under this NOFO. An eligible project consists of a priority information need measured for an eligible fish type at an eligible location in the Central Valley, as appropriate. Eligible fish types include Chinook salmon, O. mykiss, Green and White sturgeon, and Delta smelt.

Applications aimed at Chinook salmon, O. mykiss, or sturgeon must seek to reduce decision support model uncertainty by collecting the priority information needs as defined in this section of this NOFO. The priority information needs listed for Chinook salmon, O. mykiss, and sturgeon were derived from the Information Priorities listed in Tables 9, 10, and 11 and associated descriptive text regarding Information Needs of the NTRS (2020) 2. Eligible projects must directly address one or more of the information needs listed in Section C.4.1, C.4.2, and/or C.4.3.

Alternatively, applications aimed at Delta smelt must seek to collect priority information needs that have been identified through CSAMP and the DCG Summer-Fall Habitat Action SDM for the food web processes and Delta smelt IBMR, especially as they relate to actions described in the long-term operation of the CVP and SWP Proposed Action (USBR 2019) and Biological

1 Including State funded universities.

2 Near-term Restoration Strategy for the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (2020)

Opinion (USFWS 2019). The smelt information requested in this section will be used to update decision support tools to improve their evaluation of the effects of potential management actions for Delta smelt described in the Recovery Plan (USFWS 1996) and the Delta Smelt Resiliency Strategy (CNRA 2016). Eligible projects must meet one or more of the information needs listed in section C.4.4.

C.4.1. Chinook Salmon Information Needs Table 1 lists the CVPIA Chinook salmon information priorities for the Central Valley of California, as identified in the NTRS (2020, Table 9). The information needs are inclusive of spring-run, fall-run, late fall-run, and winter-run Chinook salmon.

Table 1. Chinook salmon information priorities adapted from Table 9 of the Near-Term Restoration Strategy (2020). 1

Chinook Salmon Information Needs

Information Need A: Juvenile Chinook salmon survival: tributaries, mainstem, and Delta, and the effect of habitat on survival.

Information Need B: Juvenile Chinook salmon growth: tributaries, mainstem, and Delta, and the effect of habitat on growth.

Information Need C: Juvenile Chinook salmon movement: site fidelity and effect of habitat type, the effect of temperature and flows on movement.

Information Need D: Juvenile Chinook salmon territory size: site fidelity and effect of habitat type and other conditions.

The geographic scope of the Chinook salmon decision support model includes the four (4) Central Valley watersheds—the Sacramento River, American River, Stanislaus River, and San Joaquin River—and the Delta. Table 2 lists locations in the model domain where the Chinook salmon information priorities, as identified in Table 1, are needed. These locations include mainstem sub-reaches within each watershed, adjoining tributaries, and multiple locations within the Delta. For more information about the geographic scope of the model, please visit the SIT website (DSM Geographic Scope).

To reduce model uncertainty, projects must seek to collect a priority information need (from Table 1) on either a mainstem reach (or sub-reach), tributary, or the Delta (see Table 2 for locations), as appropriate. Studies should focus on wild origin Chinook salmon in accordance with the NTRS (2020) recommendations. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider Chinook salmon life stages and migration timing in order to make an informed choice about the best study location for a given information need. Applicants are also encouraged to consider a study location that may be representative of other study locations in the Central Valley. Projects may collect a priority information need on more than one reach and/or more than one tributary.

Similarly, projects may collect data to address more than one information need.

1 Table 9. USBR and USFWS 2020. Near-term Restoration Strategy for the Central Valley Project Improvement Act Fish Resource Area FY2021–FY2025. Prepared for the Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Sacramento, California. 100 pages.

Applicants are encouraged to work with the SIT’s DSM modelers to ensure that projects reduce key uncertainties in the decision support models. Applicants are also encouraged to participate in SIT subgroup meetings to ensure that study will refine existing information and/or provide new data.

Table 2. Watersheds, mainstem sub-reaches, and related tributaries in the four (4) CVPIA watersheds and the Delta.

Watershed Mainstem Sub-reach Tributaries Adjacent to Mainstem Reach

Sacramento River

Upper Sacramento River (Keswick to Red Bluff Diversion Dam, River Mile 302- 244)

Battle Creek Bear Creek Clear Creek Cottonwood Creek Cow Creek Paynes Creek

Upper-mid Sacramento River (Red Bluff Diversion Dam to Wilkins Slough, River Mile 244-118)

Antelope Creek Big Chico Creek Butte Creek Deer Creek Elder Creek Mill Creek Stony Creek Thomes Creek

Lower-mid Sacramento River (Wilkins Slough to American River Confluence, River Mile 118-61)

Sutter Bypass Bear River Feather River Yuba River

Lower Sacramento River (American River Confluence to Freeport, River Mile 61-46) Yolo Bypass

American River

Nimbus Dam to Confluence with the Sacramento River

Stanislaus River

Goodwin Dam to Confluence with the San Joaquin River

San Joaquin River

Mendota Pool to Vernalis

Calaveras River Cosumnes River Mokelumne River Merced River Tuolumne River

Delta Thirteen (13) eligible subregions as described in Figure 1 of Peterson and Duarte (2020).

The model segments listed in Table 2 are the only eligible locations for Chinook salmon field investigations under this NOFO. Other locations will not be considered.

C.4.2. O. Mykiss Information Needs Table 3 lists CVPIA O. mykiss information priorities for the Central Valley of California. The priorities have been updated from Table 10 of the NTRS to reflect a more current understanding of the information needs/priorities identified by the SIT Steelhead Subgroup.

Table 3. O. mykiss information priorities adapted from Table 10 of the Near-Term Restoration Strategy1 (2020).

O. Mykiss Information Needs Information Need E: Juvenile O. mykiss survival in tributaries, mainstem, and the Delta, with comparison of survival in tributaries with different environmental conditions.

Information Need F: Juvenile O. mykiss age and growth in tributaries and the mainstem with comparison of growth in tributaries with different environmental conditions.

Information Need G: Empirical estimates of spawning population size (proportion of resident and anadromous fish) and juvenile out-migration abundance, with measures of uncertainty and methodology efficiency.

To further refine the focus of study efforts, the O. mykiss information listed in Table 3 is needed in three (3) of the four (4) watersheds in the Central Valley. These watersheds include the Sacramento River, American River, and San Joaquin River. The information listed in Table 3 is also needed at various locations in the Delta. All locations correspond to the data input locations within the geographic scope of the O. mykiss decision support model. Table 4 summarizes these locations.

To reduce model uncertainty, projects must seek to collect a priority information need (from Table 3) on a either a mainstem reach (or sub-reach), tributary, or the Delta (see Table 4 for locations), as appropriate. Studies should focus on wild O. mykiss in accordance with the NTRS (2020) recommendations. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider O. mykiss life stages and migration timing in order to make an informed choice about the best study location for a given information need. Applicants are also encouraged to consider a study location that may be representative of other study locations in the Central Valley. Projects may collect a priority information need on more than one reach and/or more than one tributary. Similarly, projects may collect data to address more than one information need.

Further, projects may seek to collect information needs from multiple locations (Table 4) or from the same location over multiple years to ensure the information needs are collected under a

1 Table 10. Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2020. Near-term Restoration Strategy for the Central Valley Project Improvement Act Fish Resource Area FY2021–FY2025. Prepared for the Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Sacramento, California. 100 pages.

diverse range of environmental conditions (e.g., flow and temperature variation). In doing so, projects may increase the likelihood that information needs, and conclusions about the effects of factors like flow and temperature on those information needs, are robust to future environmental conditions.

Table 4. Watersheds, mainstem sub-reaches, and related tributaries the three (3) CVPIA watersheds and the Delta.

Watershed Mainstem Sub-reach Tributaries Adjacent to Mainstem Reach

Sacramento River

Upper Sacramento River (Keswick to Red Bluff Diversion Dam, River Mile 302-244)

Battle Creek Bear Creek Clear Creek Cottonwood Creek Cow Creek Paynes Creek

Upper-mid Sacramento River (Red Bluff Diversion Dam to Wilkins Slough, River Mile 244- 118)

Antelope Creek Big Chico Creek Butte Creek Deer Creek Elder Creek Mill Creek Stony Creek Thomes Creek

Lower-mid Sacramento River (Wilkins Slough to American River Confluence, River Mile 118-61)

Sutter Bypass Bear River Feather River Yuba River

Lower Sacramento River (American River Confluence to Freeport, River Mile 61-46)

Yolo Bypass

American River

Nimbus Dam to Confluence with the Sacramento River

San Joaquin River

Mendota Pool to Vernalis

Calaveras River Cosumnes River Mokelumne River Merced River Tuolumne River

Thirteen (13) eligible subregions as described in Figure 1 of Peterson and Duarte (2020).

The model segments listed in Table 4 are the only eligible locations for O. mykiss field investigations under this NOFO. Other locations will not be considered.

Applicants are encouraged to work with the SIT’s DSM modelers to ensure that projects reduce key uncertainties in the decision support models. Applicants are also encouraged to participate in SIT subgroup meetings to ensure that study will refine existing information and/or provide new data.

C.4.3. Sturgeon Information Needs Table 5 contains CVPIA Green and White sturgeon information priorities for the Central Valley of California. The original priorities were identified in the NTRS (2020, Table 11). Since that time, the SIT Sturgeon Subgroup has refined the needs based on the production of a new sturgeon lifecycle model (DSM) for the CVPIA structured decision-making process. As part of the new sturgeon DSM, a literature search of sturgeon habitat suitability criteria (HSC) was completed, and a set of sturgeon HSC was recommended for use in the Central Valley by CVPIA. Moreover, the critical gaps in DSM inputs were derived from the original priorities listed in NTRS Table 11 and restated in Table 5.

Table 5. Sturgeon information priorities adapted from Table 11 of the Near-Term Restoration Strategy1 (2020).

Sturgeon Information Needs

Information Need H: Field validation and refinement of literature-based sturgeon habitat suitability criteria.

Information Need I: Estimate of juvenile sturgeon abundance and distribution.

Information Need J: Estimate of adult sturgeon abundance and distribution.

The priority locations for the information needs listed in Table 5 include the following:

Sacramento River o Upper Sacramento River (Keswick to Red Bluff Diversion Dam, River Mile 302-

244) o Upper-mid Sacramento River (Red Bluff Diversion Dam to Wilkins Slough, River Mile 244-118) o Lower-mid Sacramento River (Wilkins Slough to American River Confluence, River Mile 118-61) o Lower Sacramento River (American River Confluence to Freeport, River Mile

61-46) Feather River Yuba River Bear River American River Stanislaus River San Joaquin River below Mendota Pool

1 Table 11. Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2020. Near-term Restoration Strategy for the Central Valley Project Improvement Act Fish Resource Area FY2021–FY2025. Prepared for the Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Sacramento, California. 100 pages.

Applicants are encouraged to work with the SIT’s DSM modelers to ensure that projects reduce key uncertainties in the decision support models. Applicants are also encouraged to participate in SIT subgroup meetings to ensure that study will refine existing information and/or provide new data.

C.4.4. Smelt Information Needs Table 6 contains information priorities for Delta smelt. These priorities were derived from CSAMP and Summer-Fall Habitat Action SDM for the food web processes, and Delta smelt IBMR. Information priorities will allow for updating Delta smelt decision support tools and quantifying how actions described in the Recovery Plan (USFWS 1996) and Delta Smelt Resiliency Strategy (CA Natural Resources Agency 2016) affect Delta smelt individuals and the population. The primary location for the information needs is in the Delta.

Table 6. Delta smelt information needs adapted from CSAMP and the Summer-Fall Habitat Action SDM for the food web processes and Delta smelt IBMR.

Delta Smelt Information Needs Information Need K: Relationship between maximum rate of consumption, Delta smelt length, and temperature. (IBMR) Information Need L: Relationship between respiration rate, Delta smelt length, and temperature. (IBMR) Information Need M: Holling-type prey choice functional response curves to different types and concentrations of prey. (IBMR) Information Need N: Relationship between ambient contaminant concentrations (individual or combined) and maximum rate of consumption, respiration rate, or somatic and gonadal growth. (IBMR) Information Need O: Abiotic and biotic processes that lead to locations of enhanced primary and secondary production in the low salinity zone, Cache Slough Complex, and the Sacramento Deepwater Ship Channel. (Food web support)

C.5. Ineligible Projects Projects specifically not identified in Section C.4 Eligible Projects will not be considered for funding. Applications that are non-responsive or incomplete will not be eligible for funding.

C.6. Duration of Projects Projects funded under this NOFO must be completed within five (5) years of issuance of a Financial Assistance agreement. Contact the program coordinators identified in Section G.

Federal Awarding Agency Contacts(s) for projects anticipated to require more than four (4) years to complete.

C.7. Data Guidance for CVPIA Funded or Authorized Work The CVPIA SIT Data Guidance (USBR and USFWS 2020) applies to all applications, agreements, contracts and sub-contracts funded under this NOFO. The Data Guidance is the framework for managing all data generated as part of this NOFO. Each recipient of funding under this NOFO is responsible for designating a member of the Project Management Team (PMT) to serve as the Project Data Steward. The Project Data Steward will be assigned a Data Manager at the inception of the financial assistance agreement to establish communication.

Together, they shall meet and determine the types/categories of data the project will produce (e.g., Application data; Design data; Permitting data; Analyses; Work Product; Results; Closeout data; etc.). The Data Manager and Data Steward shall agree on protocols, meta data standards, formats, and means of data transmission. Furthermore, they shall agree on a twice-per-year transmittal of completed data and work in progress data. For more specifics on the CVPIA Data Management policy, the Data Guidance can be found at CVPIA SIT Guidance Documents.

Section D. Application and Submission Information D.1. Address to Request Application Package This document contains all information, forms, and electronic addresses required to obtain the information required to submit an application.

Please note that applications must be submitted electronically. See Section D.4.2 for more information.

D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission All applications must conform to the requirements described in this section.

D.2.1. Application Format and Length The total technical proposal and criteria section (defined below) shall be limited to a maximum of 75 pages consecutively numbered pages. If this section exceeds 75 pages, only the first 75 pages will be evaluated. The font shall be at least 12 points in size and easily readable. Page size shall be 8½ by 11 inches, including charts, maps, and drawings. Margins should be standard 1-inch margins. Oversized pages will not be accepted.

Applications will be prescreened for compliance to the above page number limitation. Excess pages will be removed and not considered in the evaluation of the proposed project.

D.2.2. Application Content Applications must include the following elements to be considered complete:

Mandatory Federal Forms Technical Proposal Project Budget Pre-Award Costs Environmental and Cultural Resource Compliance Required Permits and Approvals Overlap or Duplication Effort Statement

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement Uniform Audit Reporting Statement Letters of Support Official Resolution Statement of Qualifications Project Abstract Summary (recommended)

For more information about each of these elements, please see the following subsections. To facilitate fair and timely reviews, it is highly recommended that application packages be structured in the order identified above.

Applications will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this notice. Incomplete or noncompliant applications, or applications not meeting the formatting criteria or not including required materials will be eliminated from competition.

D.2.2.1. Mandatory Federal Forms The application must include the following standard Federal forms for an application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will be screened as ineligible and will not proceed to a merit evaluation by the Application Review Committee. Questions regarding forms should be referred to the Financial Assistance Point of Contact under Section G. Agency Contacts.

Note: Applications submitted by consultants must contain an SF-424 and SF-424B that is signed by an authorized representative of the entity applying. These forms are available at https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family.

D.2.2.1.1 SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance A fully completed SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance signed by a person legally authorized to commit the applicant to performance of the project must be submitted with the application. The SF-424 must contain a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). See Section D.3 for additional information.

Failure to submit a signed SF-424 with a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number will result in the elimination of the application from further consideration.

D.2.2.1.2 SF-424A Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs A fully completed SF-424A Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs must be submitted with the application.

Failure to submit an SF-424A will result in the elimination of the application from further consideration.

D.2.2.1.3 SF-424B Assurances for Non-Construction Programs A SF-424B Assurances for Non-Construction Programs signed by a person legally authorized to commit the applicant to performance of the project shall be included.

Failure to submit a signed SF-424B will result in the elimination of the application from further consideration.

D.2.2.1.4 SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable) If applicable, a fully completed and signed SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities is required if the applicant has made or agreed to make payment to any lobbying entity for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with a covered Federal action. Note—this form cannot be submitted by a contractor or other entity on behalf of an applicant.

D.2.2.2. Technical Proposal Submission of a technical proposal is mandatory. Applications that fail to include this information will be considered ineligible and will not pass initial screening. Technical proposals must include the following sections to be considered complete:

(1) Title Page

(2) Table of Contents

(3) Executive Summary

(4) Project Location

(5) Project Statement

(6) Background

(7) Technical Project Description

(8) Research Work Plan and Schedule

(9) Peer Review Plan

(10) Project Feasibility

(11) Project Closeout

(12) Evaluation criteria

The following subsections provide detail on each of the elements listed above.

The technical proposal is limited to a maximum of 30 consecutively numbered pages. If this section of the application exceeds 30 pages, only the first 30 pages will be evaluated. The font should be at least 11 points in size and easily readable. Page size should be 8½ by 11 inches.

Charts, maps, and drawings page size may be as large as 11 by 17 inches. Margins should be standard 1-inch margins.

Applications will be screened for completeness and for compliance to the above page number and page size limitations. Excess pages will be removed and will not be considered in the evaluation of the proposed project.

Failure to submit a technical proposal will result in the elimination of the application from further consideration.

D.2.2.2.1 Title Page Provide a brief, informative, and descriptive title for the proposed work that indicates the nature of the project. Include the name and address of the applicant, and the name and address, e-mail address, and telephone of the Project Manager.

D.2.2.2.2 Table of Contents List all major sections of the proposal in the table of contents.

D.2.2.2.3 Executive Summary Provide an executive summary limited to one page. The executive summary should include the following information:

The date, applicant name, city, county, and state.

A one paragraph project summary that briefly describes what fish information will be collected in this project and how the data will be used to meet the goals described in this

NOFO.

The length of time and estimated completion date for the proposed project.

Location(s) of proposed project and whether the proposed project efforts are focused on a

Federal facility or will involve Federal land.

Project cost summary.

D.2.2.2.4 Project Location Provide specific information on the geographic location of the project area. For example, {watershed area or laboratory} is located in {state and county} approximately {distance} miles {direction, e.g., northeast} of {nearest town}. If you are selected for funding, Reclamation and the Service may request additional detail regarding your project location.

Provide a map of the proposed project area(s). The map should easily identify the project area and include its latitude and longitude, as well as any major geographic features including roads, streams, reservoirs, towns, and canals. The map should also identify site access routes, known landowners, easements, and utility rights of way, as appropriate. Include a description of relevant parcel boundaries. The map should include a legend, scale, and a north arrow. Label project features on the map, as appropriate.

D.2.2.2.5 Project Statement Briefly describe the proposed project. Describe how the proposed work aligns with one or more of the objectives listed in Section C.4 Eligible Projects.

D.2.2.2.6 Background Discuss any past working relationships with Reclamation and/or the Service. This should include the date(s), description of the relationship(s) with Reclamation and/or the Service, and a description of the projects(s).

Describe any other relevant background information, such as past monitoring work on the subject fish species.

D.2.2.2.7 Technical Project Description The technical project description must identify what fish information (see Section C.4) will be collected, the location(s) of the proposed study (i.e., mainstem reach, tributary, Delta, or laboratory facility), and how the project will improve the relevant Decision Support Model. To summarize the scope of the study, applicants should copy Table 7 into their project description and modify as appropriate.

The technical project description should describe the project in detail, including specific activities (e.g., development of a study plan, field surveys, laboratory experiments, data processing, statistical analyses, etc.) that will be undertaken and the approach (e.g., passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging, mark recapture, etc.). State all relevant measurements required by the study (e.g., body length, water temperature, turbidity, etc.), as appropriate. The project description should have enough detail to allow a comprehensive evaluation of the proposal. Briefly describe and summarize how the data will be post-processed for use in the relevant Decision Support Model (DSM) or other decision tools as part of the CVPIA SIT or CSAMP Delta Structured Decision-Making processes. Please refer to the SIT Data Guidance in Section C.7.

Table 7. Project scope summary. To be modified by the applicant, as appropriate.

Information Need Fish Species Location e.g., A e.g., Chinook salmon (winter run) e.g., Battle Creek e.g., A e.g., Chinook salmon (spring run) e.g., Battle Creek e.g., A e.g., O. mykiss e.g., Battle Creek

D.2.2.2.8 Research Work Plan and Schedule Provide a research work plan based on the technical approach and project activities, including any necessary permits. The research work plan should include a schedule showing individual tasks with significant milestones identified for the work to be accomplished. Clearly and concisely convey this schedule using a table, Gantt chart, project network diagram, or any other visual format. Time for final report preparation as described in Section F.3 Reporting Requirements and Distribution should be included in the work plan.

D.2.2.2.9 Peer Review Plan The technical proposal must include a brief description of the project’s plan for peer review. The peer review is intended to ensure that the project provides high quality and objective scientific results.

D.2.2.2.10 Project Feasibility The technical proposal must contain an assessment of the proposed project’s feasibility. The feasibility assessment is intended to determine if the field work or laboratory experiments, analyses, and deliverables may be reasonably completed within the proposed timeframe and budget. Proposals must assess the availability of resources, including equipment, personnel, and funding.

As a part of the feasibility determination, technical proposals should include a completed risk assessment table, as illustrated in Table 8. The purpose of the risk assessment table is to highlight potential risk factors to the project, the likelihood of occurrence, and the potential impact to the scope, schedule, and budget. The technical proposal must contain a narrative that briefly discusses the anticipated risks in the table and identify potential solutions, if possible.

Table 8. Project risk assessment.

Risk Factor Likelihood Impact Risk Level

(e.g., unsuitable flow conditions)

(e.g., permit request denied)

(e.g., landowner permission denied, etc.)

Please fill out Table 8 accordingly and include it in your application:

Add rows as needed to the table to adequately capture the breadth of the anticipated risks to the project.

Score the likelihood as follows:

o 1 – unlikely to occur o 2 – might occur o 3 – expected to occur

Score the impact as follows:

o 1 – low o 2 – medium o 3 – high

Calculate the risk level by multiplying the likelihood score by the impact score for a given risk factor.

D.2.2.2.11 Project Closeout

The technical proposal must include a project closeout plan. The project closeout plan is the team’s plan for transmitting the final data to the Program and appropriate collaborative work group (i.e., SIT, CSAMP Delta smelt SDM, or SFHA Delta Coordination Group), as appropriate.

The project closeout plan must include the plan for submitting a peer-reviewed final report and final sets. The final data sets must be uploaded to the Environmental Data Initiative (EDI) Data Portal.

The plan must also include a closeout presentation to the Program and relevant collaborative work group. All deliverables and presentations should be reflected in the project schedule (see Section D.2.2.2.8).

D.2.2.2.12 Evaluation Criteria Section E.1 Technical Proposal: Evaluation Criteria provides a detailed description of each criterion and sub-criterion and points associated with each. The evaluation criteria portion of your application should thoroughly address each criterion and sub-criterion in the order presented to assist in the complete and accurate evaluation of your proposal.

Note: copying and pasting the evaluation criteria and sub-criteria from Section E.1 Technical Proposal: Evaluation Criteria into the application is suggested to ensure that all necessary information is adequately addressed.

D.2.2.3. Project Budget A project budget must be submitted, and it should include the following elements:

(1) Funding Plan and Letter of Commitment (if applicable)

(2) Budget Proposal

(3) Budget Narrative

(4) Cash Flow Schedule

D.2.2.3.1 Funding Plan and Letter of Commitment (if applicable) Describe how the non-Federal cost share of the project will be obtained and the status of funding (i.e., in hand or anticipated), if applicable. Reclamation will use this information when making a determination of financial capability. Summarize the cost share information in Table 9.

Note: A non-federal funding source is not required.

Table 9. Cost share plan

FUNDING SOURCES AMOUNT

1. Reclamation Funding

2. Non-Federal funding source

Subtotal

REQUESTED RECLAMATION FUNDING

Project funding provided by a source other than the applicant should be supported with letters of commitment from the additional source(s) and should identify the following elements:

The amount of funding commitment The date the funds will be available to the applicant Any time constraints on the availability of funds Any…