CVPIA H&FI NOFO Year 3 - Final.pdf

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Notice of Funding Opportunity No. R24AS00447

Central Valley Project Habitat &

Facility Improvements

FY 2024

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 – Clear Creek Phase 3C Rearing Habitat Project – 2020 by A. Martin, Yurok Tribal Fisheries Department iii

Synopsis

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

Funding Opportunity Title: Central Valley Project Habitat & Facility Improvements Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Funding Opportunity Number:

R24AS00447

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Listing:

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

Dates:

(See NOFO Sec. D.3)

Application due date:

This NOFO covers three application submittal periods – FY2022, FY2023 and FY2024.

CLOSED - Year 1 – NOFO posted Sep 2, 2021. Application due date for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 funding: Nov 30, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time

CLOSED - Year 2 – NOFO posted Aug. 17, 2022. Application due date for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 funding: Nov. 14, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time

OPEN - Year 3 – NOFO posted on Grants.gov for 90 days beginning on December 15, 2023. Application due date for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 funding is Monday, March 18, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

Reclamation reserves the right to alter the due dates for Fiscal Year 2024.

Please contact the Agency Contact (Section G-2 Program Coordinator Contact) for updates on due dates.

Funding available for applications submitted under the submittal period is contingent on available appropriations.

Eligible Applicants:

(See NOFO Sec. C.1)

Applicants eligible to receive financial assistance to fund activities under this NOFO include: 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. Title 34, Public Law 102-575 – Section 3407(e) - Funding to Non- Federal Entities.

Recipient Cost-Share:

(See NOFO Sec. C.2)

A 50% or greater non-Federal cost share is required for small pumps/screening applications or projects (Infrastructure Improvement).

[P.L. 102-575 Title 3406(b)(19)]. There is no cost-share for projects/applications using other CVPIA authorities.

Federal Funding Amount:

(See NOFO Sec. B.1)

Up to $10,000,000 per agreement for an application containing project(s) that can be completed within five years. Not to exceed total value of $40M in each of the three fiscal years (2022, 2023, 2024). Overall total not to exceed $120M.

1 Includes state funded universities.

2 Does NOT have to be a 501(c)(3) to qualify as a ‘non-profit’.

Estimated Number of Agreements to be Awarded:

(See NOFO Sec. B.1)

Not to exceed total value of $40M in any funding year – a combination of applications that cumulatively do not exceed $40M in funding.

Intergovernmental Review:

(See NOFO Sec. D.4)

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

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

Application Checklist v

Application Checklist The following table contains a summary of the information that you are required to submit with your application.

Mandatory Application Components: Required Content Page

Mandatory Federal Forms:

• SF-424: Application for Federal Assistance (Office of

Management and Budget [OMB])

• SF-424C: Budget Information - Construction Programs

(OMB)

• SF-424D: Assurances - Construction Programs (OMB)

• OMB Form 4040-0013: Certification Regarding Lobbying; OMB Form 4040-0019: Project Abstract Summary (recommended)

See Sec. D.1.2.1 10

Project Narrative Attachment Form (Technical Proposal and Evaluation Criteria) including Area & Project location maps.

See Sec. D.1.2.2 & E.1 11 & 23

Budget Narrative Attachment Form (Project Budget): See Sec D.1.2.3 14 Budget proposal

Funding plan (requested funding by year/project phase) Budget narrative

Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management See Sec. D.2 18

Environmental and cultural resources compliance See Sec. H.1 45

Required Permits or Approvals See Sec. D.1.2.6 16

Overlap Or Duplication of Effort Statement See Sec. D.1.2.7 17

Conflict Of Interest Disclosure Statement See Sec. D.1.2.8 17

Uniform Audit Reporting Statement See Sec. D.1.2.9 18

Letters of Support See Sec. D.1.2.10 18

Official Resolution See Sec. D.1.2.11 18

Acronyms and Abbreviations vii

Acronyms and Abbreviations ARC Application Review Committee ASAP Automated Standard Application for Payments BACI Before-After-Control-Impact design CFDA Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance CFR Code of Federal Regulations CVP Central Valley Project CVPIA Central Valley Project Improvement Act Department U.S. Department of the Interior DSM Decision Support Model (Fall Run; Spring Run; Winter Run) DUNS Data Universal Number System EA Environmental Assessment EIS Environmental Impact Statement ESA Endangered Species Act FAPIIS Federal Award Performance Integrity Information System FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency FOIA Freedom of Information Act FWS United States Fish & Wildlife Service FY Fiscal Year GSA Government Services Administration NHPA National Historic Preservation Act NOFO Notice of Funding Opportunity NTRS Near Term Restoration Strategy OMB Office of Management and Budget P.L. Public Law PMT Project Management Team Reclamation United States Bureau of Reclamation ROD 2020 Record of Decision for the Long Term Operation of the CVP SAM System for Award Management Service United States Fish & Wildlife Service SF Standard Form SHPO State Historic Preservation Officer SIT CVPIA Science Integration Team SOW Statement of Work SPOC Single Point of Contact U.S.C. United States Code UEI Unique Entity Identifier USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers

Contents ix

Contents Page

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

Section B. Federal Award Information B.1. Total Funding B.2. Expected Award Amount 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. Other C.4. Eligible Projects C.5. Ineligible Projects

Section D. Application and Submission Information D.1. Address to Request Application Package D.2. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) D.3. Submission Date and Time D.4. Intergovernmental Review D.5. Funding Restrictions D.7. Other Submission Requirements Project/Program Milestone Plan/Work Schedule

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 Contact(s) G.1. Reclamation Financial Assistance Contact G.2. Reclamation Program Coordinator Contact G.3. Service Program Coordinator Contact

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

Section A. Program Description

Section A: Program Description

A.1. Authority This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is issued under the authority of P.L. 102-575, Title XXXIV of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, Sections 3406(b) and 3407(e).

A.2. Background and Program Requirements The rivers of the Central Valley of California support populations of Fall Run Chinook, Spring Run Chinook, and Winter Run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Steelhead Trout (O. Mykiss).

Water resources development, stream channel manipulations, and other anthropogenic actions have reduced and modified historical salmonid habitats. Gravel is regularly transported from spawning sites on the river and there is less utilizable rearing habitat. Infrastructure entrains juveniles, impairs passage, and increases susceptibility to predation.

Relevant purposes of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) include:

• To protect, restore, and enhance fish, wildlife, and associated habitats in the Central Valley and Trinity River basins of California;

• To address impacts of the Central Valley Project (CVP) on fish, wildlife and associated habitats;

• To improve the operational flexibility of the CVP;

• To achieve a reasonable balance among competing demands for use of CVP water, including the requirements of fish and wildlife, agricultural, municipal and industrial, and power contractors.

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.

Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity, Reclamation and the Service may provide funding for projects that enhance Chinook salmon and Steelhead trout production and associated habitats in the Central Valley, consistent with Public Law (P.L.) 102-575, Title XXXIV, Central Valley Project Improvement Act, Section 3406(b), and 3407(e) and the 2020 Record of Decision (ROD) implementing the 2019 Proposed Action and Incidental Take Statements for the Long Term Operation of the CVP and SWP (Coordinated Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project).

(https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/includes/documentShow.php?Doc_ID=24295).

A.3. Notice of Funding Opportunity Purpose and Objectives The objective of this NOFO is to execute the CVPIA Near-Term Restoration Strategy (NTRS) Science Integration Team (SIT) Recommended Restoration Actions (NTRS, Table 8) and the Collaborative Planning efforts (2019 Biological Assessment Table 4-7) for salmon in the ROD supporting implementation of the Fish Resource Area of the CVPIA. The SIT Fundamental Objectives for the CVPIA Fish Resource Area are:

1. Increasing the total salmonid juvenile biomass at Chipps Island

2. Increasing the natural adult production of salmonids, and

3. Increasing spatial diversity of target salmonid species

Reclamation and the Service define these objectives as benefits to Chinook salmon (fall-run, spring-run, and winter-run) and Steelhead trout. Actions that increase juvenile biomass production at Chipps Island and/or increase natural adult production, or maintain/increase spatial diversity, have a positive benefit.

Actions are types of Projects. Applicants propose Projects containing one or more actions. Applicants may submit multiple project proposal applications, or multiple actions within an individual project proposal. Actions can include:

• Create new side channels and modify existing side channels to create and/or improve rearing habitats for the juvenile life stages of anadromous salmonids in the Central Valley rivers and tributaries;

• Place woody material, boulders, and other structures as appropriate, to provide habitat for salmonids;

• Create/enhance incrementally inundating floodplain habitat;

• Provide spawning habitat/coarse (spawning sized) substrate;

• Provide passage to and from disconnected habitats;

• Improve facilities by reducing their impact on fish survival and growth rates, such as inclusion of fish screens on diversions, modifications to allow for broader range of operation, increased frequency of operation, or to reduce the incidence of predation at a facility;

• Other actions that show a clear indication of improving growth & survival of Fall Run, Spring Run, or Winter Run Chinook salmon, and Steelhead trout;

• Conduct pre-and post-project site surveys, per the CVPIA SIT Tier 1 (http://cvpia.scienceintegrationteam.com/about/) Monitoring guidance, and monitoring to document the effectiveness of projects at improving salmonid habitat; and

• Coordinate activities with a local watershed restoration group or an interagency restoration group consisting of agencies and local stakeholders.

See Section C.4. Eligible Projects for a complete list of eligible actions.

Applications will be selected through a competitive process that will focus on achieving the objectives stated above in this NOFO. That process is described in Section E, Application Review Information.

https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/includes/documentShow.php?Doc_ID=24295

Section B. Federal Award Information

Section B. Federal Award Information

B.1. Total Funding Up to $120 million, to be awarded at a maximum of $40 million in each of the three fiscal years 2022, 2023, and 2024, is available for award under this NOFO. Applications will be solicited in each of the three fiscal years.

B.2. Expected Award Amount Up to $40 million in Federal funds could be available in fiscal year (FY) 2024. No single application estimated to cost more than $10 million in Federal funds will be funded in any year of this NOFO. Funds are limited to eligible applicants. See Section C.1 Eligible Applicants for more information on eligibility.

B.3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates Anticipated Award Date: August 30, 2024

Reclamation and/or the Service expects to contact potential award recipients and unsuccessful applicants in Spring 2024 (or later if necessary), subject to the timing of final FY 2024 appropriations.

Anticipated Project Completion Date: September 30, 2029. Projects funded under this NOFO should be completed within five years of signing of Financial Assistance (Cooperative Agreement) agreement.

If you anticipate your project will require more than four years to complete, contact the program coordinators identified in Section G. Agency Contacts.

B.4. Type of Award Awards will be made through financial assistance agreements, primarily cooperative agreements or grants. A grant does not include substantial involvement by Reclamation and/or the Service. Applicants should plan in their application for Reclamation and/or the Service if they anticipate substantial involvement. Substantial involvement by Reclamation and/or the Service may include:

• Participation on the Project Management Team (PMT)

• Providing concurrence on study plans for Tier 1 monitoring, designs, permit applications, deliverable production, and project closeout.

• Providing survey, design, and biological services as requested by the PMT.

• Coordination with the recipient on biological and engineering support for project planning, design, and implementation to ensure projects are implemented effectively.

• Participation in local watershed groups or interagency teams dedicated to restoration of anadromous species in the Central Valley, and in the decisions as needed on project implementation.

• Working with the recipient to obtain permits, hold permits, and serve as Federal lead(s) for the project.

• Providing technical information, including habitat criteria, permitting information, and construction guidance for projects.

• Providing access to Reclamation-owned or Service-owned facilities and/or properties.

• Reclamation and/or the Service overseeing project implementation in coordination with the recipient.

If there is substantial involvement on the part of either Reclamation or the Service, then Reclamation and/or the Service and the Recipient will enter into a Cooperative Agreement rather than a Grant.

B.5. Technical Assistance At your request, Reclamation and/or the Service can provide technical assistance (constituting substantial involvement) after award of the project as part of the Project Management Team. If you plan to receive Reclamation and/or the Service’s technical assistance as part of the implementation of your proposed project, you must account for these costs in your budget. In part, you must describe the work assigned to the federal agency(s) in a scope of work, you must include a cost estimate provided by the federal agency based on that scope of work, and you must integrate that cost estimate into your overall budget request.

To discuss available assistance and these costs, contact the program coordinators identified in Section G.

Agency Contacts.

Section C. Eligibility Information

Section C. Eligibility Information

C.1. Eligible Applicants

As specified in CVPIA Section 3407(e), an eligible applicant is the State of California or an agency or subdivision thereof1, an Indian tribe, or a non-profit entity concerned with restoration, protection, or enhancement of fish, wildlife, habitat, or environmental values. The Secretary is authorized to provide funding to such an entity on such terms and conditions as is deemed necessary to assist in implementing the identified actions.

C.2. Cost Sharing or Matching Under this NOFO there is no cost-share requirement for projects/applications using any CVPIA authority [P.L. 102-575 Title 3406], except for 3406(b)(19). For 3406(b)(19) there is a 50% or greater non-Federal2 cost share requirement. The (b)(19) authority applies to projects for the screening portion of pumps at diversions (Infrastructure Improvement). Non-federal costs to be paid by the State of California are addressed by a separate agreement between Reclamation and the State.

See Section D.1.2.3 Project Budget for information on reporting cost share funding in your application.

All cost-share contributions must meet the applicable administrative and cost principles criteria established in 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200.

Third-party in-kind contributions may be in the form of equipment, supplies, and other expendable property, as well as the value of services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to the proposed project. The cost or value of third-party in-kind contributions that have been or will be relied on to satisfy a cost-sharing or matching requirement for another Federal financial assistance agreement, a Federal procurement contract, or any other award of Federal funds may not be relied on to satisfy the cost-share requirement for an award under this NOFO. The exception to this requirement is where the Federal statute authorizing a program specifically provides that Federal funds made available for such program can be applied to matching or cost sharing requirements of other Federal programs, such as awards to tribal organizations under P.L. 93-638, as amended. Applicants should refer to 2 CFR §200.434 Contributions and donations for regulations regarding the valuation of third-party in-kind contributions, available at www.ecfr.gov.

1 Including state funded universities.

2 Non-federal means Non-Federal, not just non-DOI. Non-Federal cost match must be at least 50% of project cost, including cost-overruns. Applicant can represent either non-Federal $ in hand, or in application. The status refers to the certainty of the funding. In-hand means 100% certainty. In-Application means substantially less than 100% certainty. The applicant must state their estimate of the certainty of Non-Federal matching funds for a (b)(19) project.

https://www.ecfr.gov/

C.3. Other 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.

Reclamation and/or the Service cannot and will not award funds to entities or key project personnel 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.

C.4. Eligible Projects Applications should seek to restore and maintain the production of anadromous salmonids and their habitats in the Central Valley of California. Applications should result in quantifiable and reliable benefit to these fish species.

Projects must clearly address either:

1. One or more of the Recommended Actions identified in the Near-Term Restoration Strategy

(NTRS) (Table 8) for the Central Valley Project (http://cvpia.scienceintegrationteam.com/about/) Improvement Act Fish Resource Area (see below); and/or

2. One or more of the non-flow actions using a collaborative process (Habitat or Facilities Improvement category) listed in the Selected Alternative of the 2020 Record of Decision (and related documentation) for the Re-initiation of Consultation on the Coordinated Long-Term Modified Operations of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project.1

Tier 2 & Tier 3 monitoring projects, per the SIT Monitoring Guidance, are not eligible.

Applicants should refer to previous obligation plans and technical memos on the CVPIA website (https://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia) to coordinate new projects and avoid duplicative efforts. For assistance with work planning and coordination, contact the program coordinator identified in Section G - Agency Contacts.

Applications must include any single, or combination, of the types of actions described below. In general, if an applicant is seeking funding for multiple actions and those actions are interrelated or closely related, they should be combined a single project proposal in one application. Conversely, if the actions can be completed independently and are easily separated or phased, they should be applied for separately.

Cover is defined as physical elements added to a habitat project to provide velocity and predation refugia to target aquatic species. Examples include Large Wood, Boulder Clusters, or Rockwads.

For the purposes of this NOFO, Cover DOES NOT include revegetating a floodplain or seasonally inundated surface.

1 Table 4-7 of the 2019 Proposed Action, adopted as the Selected Alternative in the 2020 ROD (Record of Decision for the Coordinated Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project)(https://www.usbr.gov/mp/bdo/lto), lists all actions proposed under the reconsultation. Actions in Table 4-7 of the Proposed Action (https://www.usbr.gov/mp/bdo/docs/ba-chapter-4-proposed-action.pdf) with an “Implementation Approach” of “Collaborative Planning”, and falling within the Habitat and Facility Improvement category, are eligible.

https://sam.gov/content/exclusions https://sam.gov/content/exclusions https://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia https://www.usbr.gov/mp/bdo/lto https://www.usbr.gov/mp/bdo/docs/ba-chapter-4-proposed-action.pdf

Eligible actions in the Sacramento River and tributaries, and in the San Joaquin River below Mendota Pool and mainstem tributaries, in suitable locations can include:

• Create new side channels and modify existing side channels to create and/or improve rearing habitats for the juvenile life stages of anadromous salmonids in the Central Valley rivers and tributaries;

• Place cover in the form of large woody material, boulders, and other discrete structures as appropriate, to provide cover habitat for juvenile salmonids. This does not include revegetation of seasonally inundated surfaces;

• Create/enhance incrementally inundating floodplain habitat;

• Provide spawning habitat/coarse (spawning sized) substrate;

• Provide passage to and from disconnected habitats;

• Improve facilities by reducing their impact on fish survival and growth rates, such as inclusion of fish screens on diversions, modifications to allow for broader range of operation, increased frequency of operation, or to reduce the incidence of predation at a facility.

• Other actions that show a clear indication of improving growth & survival of Fall Run, Spring Run, or Winter Run Chinook salmon, and Steelhead trout.

These actions should include the following tasks:

• Conduct pre-and post-project site surveys and monitoring to document the effectiveness of projects at improving salmonid habitat, per the SIT Tier 1 Monitoring guideline; and

• Coordinate activities with a local watershed restoration group or an interagency restoration group consisting of agencies and local stakeholders.

Note: The ARC (see Section E.2.2. Application Review Committee) has the discretion to determine whether a specific education/outreach activity, training, or conference is eligible.

Priorities for Eligible Projects: The following are edited Restoration Actions (from Table 8, NTRS) in the Central Valley of California. Tier 2 & Tier 3 monitoring as part of habitat projects is not eligible.

The applicant must state which of these Actions their application is intended to address.

NTRS Restoration Action Runs Primarily Benefiting

Action 1: Juvenile habitat restoration in mainstem Sacramento River above the American River confluence.

All

Action 2: Reconnect ephemeral non-natal tributaries below Keswick Dam to the mainstem Sacramento River.

Winter

Action 3: Juvenile habitat restoration in Battle Creek in winter-run juvenile rearing locations.

Winter

Action 4: Juvenile habitat restoration in American River. Fall

Action 5: Juvenile habitat restoration in the Stanislaus River downstream through the San Joaquin River at Vernalis.

Fall

Action 6: Juvenile habitat restoration in Clear Creek. Spring, Fall

Action 7: Improve survival in Butte Creek in downstream areas.

Spring, Fall

NTRS Restoration Action Runs Primarily Benefiting

Action 8: Juvenile habitat restoration in the lower Feather River below the confluence of the Yuba River.

Fall, Spring

Action 9: Maintain existing spawning habitats in Upper Sacramento, American, and Stanislaus Rivers; Clear and Butte Creeks.

All

Identified Un-Funded Projects: Reclamation and the Service also seek applications to accomplish non-flow projects that are part of the Proposed Action of the Biological Assessment and the 2019 Biological Opinions of the Long Term Operation of the Central Valley Project. These include:

• Predator Hot Spot Removal (Partial CVPIA Efforts)

• Tidal Habitat Restoration (Established State Programs)

• Lower San Joaquin River (below Mendota Pool) Habitat

• Small Screen Program

Specific projects prioritized by the Sacramento River Restoration Technical Team and not yet funded are the following listed by project name and Sacramento River river-mile. The tiers represent priorities of the group with Tier 1 being highest priority and Tier 3 being lowest priority. Other project sites not listed below and otherwise meeting the criteria could also be funded. The authority covering each project site follows each site name.

Tier 1:

• Mooney Unit RM235 (b)(1)

Tier 2:

• Wyndham RM293.8 (b)(13)

• I-5 RM280.4 (b)(13)

• La Barranca RM239.7 (b)(1)

• Oklahoma Island RM238 (b)(1)

• Foster Island RM211 (b)(1)

Tier 3:

• Cow Creek RM280.6 (b)(13)

• China Garden RM279.2 (b)(13)

• Jellys Ferry RM268 (b)(13)

• Altube Island RM242.5 (b)(1)

• Flynn Unit RM231 (b)(1)

SIT Monitoring Guidelines & Data Guidance: All on-the-ground projects should include Implementation, or Tier 1, monitoring tasks and associated costs, described in the SIT Monitoring Guidelines are found at http://cvpia.scienceintegrationteam.com/about/

The Monitoring Study Design section of the application must contain the PMT’s plan for accomplishing the Tier 1 monitoring appropriate for the project. The CVPIA SIT Monitoring Guidelines contain specifics on all levels of monitoring. Tier 2 & Tier 3 monitoring as part of projects is not eligible.

http://cvpia.scienceintegrationteam.com/about/.a

SIT Data Guidance: Moreover, a key aspect of the study design are details of the data management plan and compliance with the CVPIA Data Guidance. The SIT Data Guidance is available at http://cvpia.scienceintegrationteam.com/about/.

The application must contain a section describing how the Project Management Team plans to comply with the CVPIA Data Management policy described in the SIT Data Guidance.

The PMT Data Steward will coordinate with internal and external partners and biannually with the CVPIA Data Manager on the transmission of long-term monitoring and other pertinent data defined by the SIT and the PMT per the 2020 CVPIA Data Guidance (as amended).

Recipients shall provide all design, permitting, and all other relevant project information (as determined by Reclamation and/or the Service), regardless of format or medium, to CVPIA per the 2020 CVPIA Data Guidance (as amended). This requirement will be written into any and all external agreements, sub-agreements, as well as Interagency Agreements, stemming from this NOFO, or partially or wholly funded by the US government.

C.5. Ineligible Projects Projects specifically not identified in C.4 Eligible Projects, nor meeting one of the NTRS Recommended Actions or listed as a non-flow project within the 2019 Proposed Action of the CVP BA, will not be eligible for funding consideration. Proposals that are non-responsive or incomplete will not be eligible for funding consideration. Tier 2 & Tier 3 monitoring as part of projects is not eligible.

Please contact the Agency Contacts listed in Section G.2. for information related to the eligibility of your proposed project.

http://cvpia.scienceintegrationteam.com/about/

Section D. Application and Submission Information

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.

If you are unable to access this information electronically, you can request paper copies of any of the documents referenced in this NOFO by contacting:

Steven Larson Financial Assistance Branch By email: snlarson@usbr.gov By phone: (916) 978-5693

D.1.1. Application Format and Length The technical proposal and criteria section (defined below) should be 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 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.1.2. Application Content The application must include the following elements to be considered complete:

Mandatory Federal Forms 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 www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

• Mandatory Federal Forms, which must include:

o SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance with a Unique Entity Identifier o SF-424C Budget Information for Construction Projects o SF-424D Assurances for Construction Activities o OMB Form 4040-0013: Certification Regarding Lobbying (SF-LLL) – if applicable

These forms may be obtained at www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html.

• Technical proposal and evaluation criteria (required; limited to (limited to ~30 pages), which should include:

o Title Page (recommended; not counted toward page limit) o Table of Contents (recommended; not counted toward page limit) o Executive summary o Project location mailto:snlarson@usbr.gov http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html o Technical project description o Responses to evaluation criteria

● Project budget (required):

o Funding plan (by FY) and o Budget proposal o Budget narrative

• Required Permits or Approvals

• Project Parameters Table 3 (Sec. E.1) Copy the Project Parameter table from this document and paste into the application. Fill out the relevant sections of Table 3 as part of completing your application. Please do not double or triple count areas, e.g. cover, floodplain, etc. Distinguish between the types of habitat. If your application contains more than one action, please sum the individual action areas by type and list the totals in the appropriate row in Table 3.

• OMB Form 4040-0019 Project Abstract Summary Form (recommended)

To facilitate fair and timely reviews by the ARC, 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.1.2.1. 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.

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.2 for additional information.

Applications that fail to include an SF-424 with a valid UEI will be considered ineligible and will not pass initial screening.

SF-424C Budget Information Form.

A fully completed SF-424C Budget Information must be submitted with the application.

SF-424D Assurances Form.

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

OMB 4040-0013 Certification Regarding Lobbying (SF-LLL) – if applicable A fully completed and signed Certification Regarding Lobbying is required if you request more than $100,000 in Federal funding. In signing this form, you must certify that all statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying are true. The Authorized Official’s signature represents the entity’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A. Note—this form cannot be submitted by a contractor or other entity on behalf of an applicant.

D.1.2.2. Technical Proposal Content Submission of a technical proposal is mandatory. Applications that fail to fully disclose this information will be considered ineligible and will not pass initial screening.

The technical proposal and evaluation criteria (limited to 30 pages) should include the following sections:

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.

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

Technical Proposal and Evaluation Criteria Submission of a technical proposal is mandatory. Applications that fail to fully submit a technical proposal will be considered ineligible and will not pass initial screening. The technical proposal and evaluation criteria must be submitted, and it should (limited to ~30 pages maximum) include:

(1) Executive summary

(2) Background data

(3) Project location

(4) Technical project description

(5) Evaluation criteria – Parameters/Values

Executive Summary The executive summary should include:

• Which NTRS Recommended Action(s) this application addresses.

• Location of proposed action.

• How much (area – acres) of what type of habitat is going to be built/achieved by this project.

• Cost summary (Federal, non-federal, IKS) by fiscal year (FY).

• The applicants name, city, county, and state.

• State the length of time and estimated completion date for the proposed project and project components.

• Whether or not the project is located on Federal lands. If so, provide details.

Background Data Provide a map of the area showing the location of the proposed projects. The map should easily identify the project area and major geographic features including roads, streams, reservoirs, towns, and canals.

Identify known landowners, easements, and utility rights of way. Include description of relevant parcel boundaries. You must include a statement on the status of Landowner access permission – in hand, in negotiation, not yet solicited, etc.

Describe habitat conditions in the area regarding carrying capacity for the target fish species and include the expected limiting factors to salmonid productivity within the project reach and through the rest of the lifecycle from the project area through the Bay Delta and the ocean.

Describe the applicant’s relationship to habitats of either the Sacramento River, San Joaquin River below Mendota Pool, Bay Delta, and tributaries.

Identify 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 project(s).

Describe any other relevant background information.

Project Location Provide specific information on the proposed planning area (e.g., watershed, basin, county). Please also provide location information for the planning area (i.e., outline of the area) in one of the following formats:

1. Shapefile (.shp)

2. KMZ/KML (.kmz or .kml) aka Google Earth File

3. PDF map (.pdf)

Technical Project Description The project description should describe the work in detail, including specific activities that will be accomplished. This description should have enough detail to allow a comprehensive evaluation of the proposal.

Provide an estimated project schedule demonstrating the stages and duration of the proposed work, including major milestones and dates.

Briefly describe and summarize any engineering plans, designs, and analyses to be prepared in connection with the proposed project.

Describe working closely with Reclamation and/or the Service to implement salmonid habitat restoration projects and coordinating with agencies and other appropriate entities in selecting project sites, conducting site surveys, obtaining permits for projects and monitoring effects of projects on the environment. Typical objectives and tasks involved in completing an aquatic habitat improvement project are shown below.

Objective: Restore side channels, floodplain, riverbank, spawning and other important salmonid habitats to improve spawning, rearing, holding, and migratory habitats for freshwater life stages of anadromous salmonids in Central Valley rivers and their tributaries.

• Conduct site investigations

• Contact and arrange agreements with landowners

• Conduct site surveys and investigations as needed for project permitting and design

• Obtain approval to implement identified projects through environmental compliance and permitting. Potentially needed permits include National Environmental Policy Act required analysis (potentially California Environmental Quality Act) and documentation on environmental effects. Obtain permits as needed for the project such as the Clean Water Act Section 401 and 404 permits, Endangered Species Act (ESA) coverage through National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, State Lands Commission lease and flood risk assessments

• Complete project designs and model design performance (biological and physical) through an interactive process with input from the interagency coordination group

• Conduct topographic site surveys before, during and following projects to assess the change in conditions from the project

Objective: Implement project designs for salmonid habitat restoration projects.

• Implement in-channel rearing habitat, side channel habitat, spawning habitat, floodplain habitat, and fish passage projects. Include habitat structure using woody material, planting, and rock as needed to optimize habitat value.

Objective: Conduct pre and post biological and physical monitoring, per the SIT Tier 1 Monitoring guidance, to evaluate the effectiveness of the projects at meeting the needs of the targeted species.

• Survey for and document juvenile and adult salmonid habitat use, timing, sizes, and intensity of use. Include macroinvertebrate and water quality monitoring as needed to document project effectiveness. Compare habitat project sites to other control sites in the river before and after implementation. Document and report monitoring results. Ensure monitoring meets Science Integration Team monitoring guidelines.

Objective: Coordinate activities within the Interagency Restoration group.

• Prioritize activities with the group and maintain a public website for dissemination of activities to the group members and the public.

Demonstrated Results

Explain how this project will benefit the salmonid populations in the Central Valley Rivers and tributaries. Be specific by including measurable outcomes. Describe how objectives will be addressed.

Provide the following information regarding project benefits:

(a) The benefit to the species should be expressed as an increase in the area of available habitat to the species (ESA and non-ESA listed) due to the proposed actions. Exceptions may be considered, but the benefit must be expressed as habitat area (per Section E.1 Evaluation Criteria).

(b) Provide documentation and support for how estimates of direct project benefits and any indirect project benefits were made (i.e., calculations, measurements, and references) (per Section E.1 Evaluation Criteria).

Need for the Project and Community Involvement

Explain the need for the proposed project to include:

• The urgency of the project.

• The negative consequences or potential impacts if not implemented.

• Other information relevant to the need of the proposed project.

Describe any public outreach that the applicant has provided to groups or individuals that may be affected by the project. Include how other local agencies might be involved in the project, third party impacts, and any opposition to the proposed project.

This section is solely intended to provide an understanding of the technical aspects of the project. Please note, if the work for which you are requesting funding is a phase of a larger project, please only describe the work that is reflected in the budget and exclude description of other activities or components of the overall project. Please do not duplicate information.

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.

Copying and pasting the evaluation relevant project parameters in Section E.1. Table 3. (Project Parameters) into your application is required to ensure that all necessary information is adequately provided for evaluation by the ARC.

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

D.1.2.3. Project Budget The project budget must be submitted, and it should include:

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

(2) Budget proposal

(3) Budget narrative

Funding Plan and Letter of Commitment Describe how the non-Federal cost share (if any) of project will be obtained. Reclamation will use this information when making a determination of financial capability. Project funding provided by a source other than the applicant should be supported with letters of commitment from these additional sources 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 other contingencies associated with the funding commitment

Commitment letters from third-party funding sources should be submitted with your project application.

If commitment letters are not available at the time of the application submission, provide a timeline for submitting all commitment letters. Cost-share funding from sources outside the applicant’s organization (e.g., loans or State grants) should be secured and available to the applicant prior to award.

Reclamation will not make funds available for an award utilizing the CVPIA Authority 3406(b)(19) under this NOFO until the recipient has secured a non-Federal cost-share. Reclamation will execute a financial assistance agreement once non-Federal funding has been secured or Reclamation determines that there is enough evidence and likelihood that non-Federal funds will be available to the applicant after executing the agreement.

Budget Proposal The total project cost is the sum of all allowable items of costs, including all required cost sharing and voluntary committed cost sharing, including third-party contributions, that are necessary to complete the project. Please include the following chart (Table 1) to summarize all funding sources. Denote in-kind contributions with an asterisk (*).

Table 1. Summary of Non-Federal and Federal Funding Sources.

FUNDING SOURCES AMOUNT FISCAL YEAR

Non-Federal Entities

1.

2.

3.

Non-Federal Subtotal

REQUESTED FEDERAL FUNDING

FY 1 of project (202?)

FY 2 of project (202?)

FY 3 of project (202?)

FY 4 of project (202?)

FY 5 of project (202?)

The budget proposal should include detailed information on the categories listed below and must clearly identify all items of cost, including those that will be contributed as non-Federal cost share by the applicant (required and voluntary), third-party in-kind contributions, and those that will be covered using the funding requested from Reclamation and/or the Service, and any requested pre-award costs (Table 2).

Table 2. Total Project Cost Table.

SOURCE AMOUNT

Costs to be reimbursed with the requested Federal funding $

Costs to be paid by the applicant $

Value of third-party contributions $

TOTAL PROJECT COST $

Budget Narrative The budget narrative provides a discussion of, or explanation for, items included in the SF-424C. The types of information to describe in the narrative include, but are not limited to, those identified in the Budget Narrative Guidance attached to this NOFO. Applicants may elect to use the Budget Detail and

Narrative spreadsheet for their budget narrative. Costs, including the valuation of third-party in-kind contributions, must comply with the applicable cost principles contained in 2 CFR Part §200, available at the Electronic CFR (www.ecfr.gov).

In addition, please identify whether the budget proposal includes any project costs that may be incurred prior to award. For each cost, describe:

● The project expenditure and amount

● The date of cost incurrence

● How the expenditure benefits the project

D.1.2.4. Pre-Award Costs Incurrence of pre-award costs is not authorized without prior written approval of the awarding Grants Officer. Per 2 CFR 200.458, pre-award costs are those incurred prior to the effective date of the Federal award or subaward directly pursuant to the negotiation and in anticipation of the Federal award where such costs are necessary for efficient and timely performance of the scope of work.

If the proposed project is selected, the awarding Reclamation and/or the Service Grants Officer will review the proposed pre-award costs to determine if they are consistent with program objectives and are allowable in accordance with the authorizing legislation. Proposed pre-award costs must also be compliant with all applicable administrative and cost principles criteria established in 2 CFR Part 200 and all other requirements of this NOFO. In no case will costs incurred prior to December 15, 2023 be considered for inclusion in the proposed project budget.

Please note that the costs for preparing and submitting an application in response to this NOFO, including the development of data necessary to support the proposal, are not eligible project costs under this NOFO and must not be included in the project budget.

In addition, please ensure that the budget proposal includes any project costs that may be incurred prior to award. For each cost, describe:

• The project expenditure and amount

• The date of cost incurrence

• How the expenditure benefits the project

D.1.2.5. Environmental and Cultural Resources Compliance Please answer the questions from Section H.1. Environmental and Cultural Resource Considerations in this section.

D.1.2.6. Required Permits or Approvals You MUST state in the application whether any…