DRP-NOFO-FY23 -R23AS00005-3-11-2022-FINAL-5.pdf

U.S. Department of the Interior March 2022

Notice of Funding Opportunity No. R23AS00005

WaterSMART Drought Response Program:

Drought Resiliency Projects for Fiscal Year 2023

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.

Cover Photo –Dry, cracked lakebed. (Reclamation)

Synopsis

Synopsis Federal Agency Name: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Water Resources and Planning Office

Funding Opportunity Title: WaterSMART Drought Response Program: Drought Resiliency Projects for Fiscal Year (FY)

Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Funding Opportunity Number: R23AS00005

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number:

15.514

Dates:

(See NOFO Sec. D.4)

Application due date:

Wednesday, June 15, 2022 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time

Eligible Applicants:

(See NOFO Sec. C.1) Category A: States, Indian Tribes, irrigation districts, and water districts; state, regional, or local authorities whose members include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority; and other organizations with water or power delivery authority.

Category A applicants must be located in the Western United States or United States Territories, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

Category B: Nonprofit conservation organizations that are acting in partnership and with the agreement of an entity described in Category A.

Category B applicants must be in the United States or one of the Territories identified above.

Recipient Cost Share:

(See NOFO Sec. C.2)

50 percent or more of total project costs

Federal Funding Amount (See NOFO Sec. B.2)

Funding Group I: Up to $500,000 per agreement for a project that can be completed within two years.

Funding Group II: Up to $2,000,000 per agreement for a project that can be completed within three years. Projects in this group may be funded on an annual basis. Funding for the second and third years of the project is contingent upon future appropriations.

Funding Group III: Up to $5,000,000 per agreement for a project that can be completed within three years. Projects in this group may be funded on an annual basis. Funding for the second and third years of the project is contingent upon future appropriations.

Estimated Number of Agreements to be Awarded:

(See NOFO Sec. B)

Approximately 15 to 21 projects contingent upon available Federal appropriations.

Intergovernmental Review: This NOFO is subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal (See NOFO Sec. D.5) Programs.” A list of states that have elected to participate in the intergovernmental review process is at Intergovernmental Review (SPOC List) | The White House (archives.gov).

i https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/omb/grants_spoc#:~:text=Executive%20Order%2012372%2C%20%22Intergovernmental%20Review%20of%20Federal%20Programs%2C%22,proposed%20Federal%20financial%20assistance%20and%20direct%20Federal%20development.

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Application Checklist iii

Application Checklist This table summarizes the information you are required to submit with your application.

√ What to submit Required content Form or format

Mandatory Federal Forms:

Application for Federal Financial Assistance Budget Information Assurances Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

See Sec. D.2.2.1 SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, SF-424D, Project Abstract Summary, and SF-LLL forms may be obtained at www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

Title page See Sec. D.2.2.2 Page 22

Table of contents See Sec. D.2.2.3 Page 22

Technical proposal:

Executive summary Project location Technical project description Performance measures

See Sec. D.2.2.24 Page 22

Evaluation criteria See Sec. E.1 Page 22

Project Budget:

Funding plan Budget proposal Budget narrative

See Sec. D.2.2.5 Page 23

Environmental and cultural resources compliance

See Sec. D.2.2.6 Page 23

Required permits or approvals See Sec. D.2.2.7 Page 23

Letters of support and partnership See Sec. D.2.2.9 Page 37

Official Resolutions See Sec D.2.2.10 Page 31

Overlap or Duplication of Efforts Statement See Sec. D.2.2.11 Page 25

Conflict of Interest Disclosure See Sec. D.2.2.12 Page 25

Uniform Audit Reporting Statement See Sec. D.2.2.13 Page 25

Certification Regarding Lobbying See Sec. D.2.2.14 Page 25

Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management

See Sec. D.3 Page 24 http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

Acronyms and Abbreviations 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 CWA Clean Water Act D&B Dun and Bradstreet Department U.S. Department of the Interior DUNS Data Universal Number System EA Environmental Assessment EIS Environmental Impact Statement E.O. Presidential Executive Order 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 OM&R operations, maintenance, and replacement NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NHPA National Historic Preservation Act NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOFO Notice of Funding Opportunity NRCS Natural Resource Conservation Service P.L. Public Law Reclamation Bureau of Reclamation SAM System of Award Management SPOC Single Point of Contact UEI Unique Entity Identifier U.S.C. United States Code USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service WaterSMART Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow WIIN Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation

Contents

Contents Page

Section A. Program Description Authority Background, Purpose, and Program Requirements Notice of Funding Opportunity Objectives Other Related Funding Opportunities

Section B. Award Information Total Funding Expected Award Amounts Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Date Number of Awards Type of Award Environmental and Cultural Resources Compliance

Section C. Eligibility Information Eligible Applicants Cost Sharing Requirements Other Eligible Projects

Section D. Application and Submission Information Address to Request Application Package Content and Form of Application Submission Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management Submission Date and Time Intergovernmental Review Funding Restrictions for Indirect Costs

Section E. Application Review Information Evaluation Criteria Review and Selection Process Federal Award Performance Integrity Information System

Section F. Federal Award Administration Information Federal Award Notices Administrative and National Policy Requirements Reporting Requirements and Distribution Disclosures Data Availability Releasing Applications

Section G. Agency Contacts Program Coordinator Contact Financial Assistance Contact Application System Technical Support

Section H. Other Information Environmental and Cultural Resource Considerations Background on Federal Environmental and Cultural Resource Laws vii

Section A. Funding Opportunity Description

Section A. Program Description Authority

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is issued under the authority of Section 9504(a) of the Secure Water Act, Subtitle F of Title IX of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, Public Law (P.L.) 111-11 (42 United States Code (U.S.C.) 10364), as amended, and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. 661-666c, as delegated to Reclamation in Departmental Manual 255 DM 1.1B.

Background, Purpose, and Program Requirements

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s (Department) WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow) Program provides a framework for Federal leadership and assistance to stretch and secure water supplies for future generations in support of the Department’s priorities. Through WaterSMART, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) leverages Federal and non-Federal funding to work cooperatively with States, Tribes, and local entities as they plan for and implement actions to increase water supply reliability through investments in existing infrastructure and attention to local water conflicts.

Drought conditions across the West impact a wide range of communities and sectors, including agriculture, cities, Tribes, the environment, recreation, hydropower producers, and others. The Western United States is experiencing its worst drought this century—historic in both duration and severity—threatening to kill crops, spark wildfires, and harm public health. As of January 2022, the U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that more than 87% of the land in nine of the Western states is in drought conditions, and nearly 64% of the area is experiencing severe to exceptional drought. The WaterSMART Drought Response Program supports a proactive approach to drought by providing financial assistance to develop and update comprehensive drought plans (Drought Contingency Planning) and implement projects that will build long-term resilience to drought (Drought Resiliency Projects).

Collaboration with a multitude of customers, partners, and stakeholders is essential to identifying successful strategies to address complex water management issues such as drought. Collaborations are central to Reclamation’s approach to addressing drought in the West, and WaterSMART’s Drought Response Program supports the goals of the Interagency Drought Relief Working Group established in March 2021 and the National Drought Resiliency Partnership formed in 2016 to enhance Federal coordination of drought activities.

The WaterSMART Drought Response also provides support for priorities identified in Presidential Executive Order (E.O.) 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad and aligned with other priorities, such as those identified in E.O. 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement No. R23AS00005

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) supports Drought Resiliency Projects that will build long-term resilience to drought and reduce the need for emergency response actions. These projects are generally in the final design stage—environmental and cultural resources compliance may have been initiated, and the non-Federal funding, necessary permits, and other required approvals have been secured.

For further information on the Drought Response Program, please see www.usbr.gov/drought.

For further information on the WaterSMART Program, please see www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Objectives

This NOFO’s objective is to invite eligible applicants (Section C.1.) to leverage their money and resources by cost sharing with Reclamation on Drought Resiliency Projects that will increase the reliability of water supplies or improve water management.

Projects carried out through Drought Resiliency Project Grants can increase water management flexibility—making our water supply more resilient. This helps to prepare for and address the impacts of drought. Proposals submitted under this NOFO must demonstrate that the proposed project is supported by an existing drought planning effort. It is a well-established principle that proactively identifying resiliency projects through drought planning, in advance of a crisis, is far more cost effective than emergency response. As stated on the National Drought Mitigation Center website, drought.unl.edu:

One frequently cited estimate from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is that “mitigation” —taking steps ahead of time to prevent known impacts from a natural disaster—saves $4 for every $1 expended. Planning ahead is generally seen as more efficient and more effective than measures taken in crisis mode. Drought researchers have found that after-the-fact assistance to farmers, for example, is expensive and doesn’t necessarily reach the right people.

Proposed projects that are supported by an existing drought plan are prioritized. This prioritization will help ensure that projects funded under this NOFO are well thought out, have public support, and have been identified as the best way to address vulnerabilities to drought.

Other Related Funding Opportunities

For additional information on other WaterSMART funding opportunities, please see www.usbr.gov/watersmart. Please contact the Program Coordinator (identified in Section G.

Agency Contact) with questions regarding which NOFO is the best fit for your project.

WaterSMART Drought Contingency Planning NOFO. Financial assistance is provided under the Drought Response Program, on a 50/50 cost share basis, to develop a drought contingency plan or to update an existing plan.

WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects NOFO. Projects focus on environmental benefits developed as part of a collaborative process to help carry out an established strategy to increase the reliability of water resources. Reclamation provides cost-https://www.usbr.gov/drought/ https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/ https://drought.unl.edu/ https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/index.html

Section A. Funding Opportunity Description share funding for projects that include water conservation and efficiency projects that result in quantifiable and sustained water savings and benefit ecological values; water management or infrastructure improvements to mitigate drought-related impacts to ecological values; and watershed management or restoration projects benefitting ecological values that have a nexus to water resources or water resources management. The Federal share of the cost of an infrastructure improvement or activity may be up to 75 percent of the cost of the infrastructure improvement or activity, if certain conditions are met.

WaterSMART Grants: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants NOFO. Financial assistance is provided, on a 50/50 cost share basis for projects that conserve and use water more efficiently;

increase the production of hydropower; mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict; and accomplish other benefits that contribute to water supply reliability in the Western United States.

WaterSMART: Title XVI Congressionally Authorized Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects - Through this NOFO, funding is available for planning, design, and construction of congressionally authorized Title XVI Projects.

WaterSMART: Title XVI Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects - Through this NOFO, funding is available for planning, design, and construction of Title XVI Projects and desalination projects that are eligible under Section 4009(c) of the WIIN Act.

Section B. Award Information

Total Funding

This NOFO will allocate available program funds including fiscal year (FY) 2023 enacted appropriations for the Drought Program and funding available under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), P.L. 117-58 in FY 2022 or FY 2023. Applications submitted under this NOFO also may be considered if additional funding becomes available in FY 2022 or thereafter. Applicants that are identified for BIL funding will need to meet additional requirements, including Buy American and Wage Rate Requirements (Davis-Bacon Act). This NOFO may be amended during the application period to provide additional details about these requirements. Reclamation will work with selected recipients to address these requirements. See Section F.2.12: Additional BIL Requirements for more information.

Expected Award Amounts

Maximum Award: $5,000,000

Minimum Award: $0

Multiple applications for funding may be submitted for consideration (for example, an applicant may submit a proposal for funding under Funding Group I, a separate proposal under Funding Group II, and a separate proposal under Funding Group III). In general, no more than $5,000,000 will be awarded to any one applicant under this NOFO. However, Category B applicants may be considered for multiple awards of up to $5,000,000 per project if the Category A partners are different. If an applicant intends to submit applications for the same project under multiple funding groups, the project scope and overall project budget should be scaled accordingly.

The Federal share (Reclamation’s share in addition to any other sources of Federal funding) of any one proposed project shall not exceed 50 percent of the total project costs.

Generally, the non-Federal share of project costs must be expended at the same or greater rate as the Federal share of project costs.

Applicants are invited to submit proposals under the following funding groups:

Funding Group I: Up to $500,000 in Federal funds provided through this NOFO will be available for projects that generally should be completed in two years.

Funding Group II: Up to $2,000,000 in Federal funds provided through this NOFO will be available for larger projects that may take up to three years to complete. Projects in this group may be funded on an annual basis, and if so, funding for the second and third years of the project is contingent upon future appropriations.

Funding Group III: Up to $5,000,000 in Federal funds provided through this NOFO will be available for larger projects that may take up to three years to complete. Projects in this group may be funded on an annual basis, and if so, funding for the second and third years of the project is contingent upon future appropriations.

Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Date

Anticipated Award Date: 03/31/2023

Reclamation expects to contact potential award recipients and unsuccessful applicants in the fall of 2022 (or later if necessary), subject to the timing of final FY 2023 appropriations.

Anticipated Project Completion Date: 03/31/2025-03/31/2026, dependent on Funding Group.

In general, Funding Group I projects should be completed within two years of award. Funding Group II and Funding Group III projects should be completed within three years of award.

Applications for projects requiring more time will be considered for funding only under limited circumstances.

Reclamation will determine the capability of an applicant to complete the proposed project within the timeframe identified in the application.

Number of Awards

Approximately 15 to 21 awards, depending on the amount of funding requested by each applicant and the amount of funding available, will be awarded under this NOFO

Type of Award

Project awards will be made through grants or cooperative agreements as applicable to each project. If a cooperative agreement is awarded, the recipient should expect Reclamation to have substantial involvement in the project.

Substantial involvement by Reclamation may include:

• Collaboration and participation with the recipient in the management of the project and close oversight of the recipient’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.

At the request of the recipient, Reclamation can provide technical assistance after project award.

If you receive Reclamation’s assistance, 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.

Environmental and Cultural Resources Compliance

All projects selected for funding under this NOFO will be required to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other Federal environmental and cultural resource laws and other regulations.

Section C. Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants

C.1.1. Eligible Applicants Under P.L. 111-11, Section 9502, applicants eligible to receive an award under this NOFO include:

Category A applicants:

• States, Tribes, irrigation districts, and water districts;

• State, regional, or local authorities, the members of which include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority; and

• Other organizations with water or power delivery authority.

Category A applicants must also be located in one of the following States or Territories: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

Category B applicants:

• Nonprofit conservation organizations that are acting in partnership with and with the agreement of an entity described in Category A. Category B applicants must include with their application a letter from the Category A partner, stating that they are acting in partnership with the applicant and agree to the submittal and content of the proposal.

Category B applicants must be in the United States or one of the Territories identified above.

Applicants must also be located in one of the following states or territories: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

C.1.2. Ineligible Applicants Those not eligible include, but are not limited to, the following entities:

• Federal governmental entities

• Institutions of higher education

• Individuals

• 501(c)6 organizations

Cost Sharing Requirements

Applicants must be capable of cost sharing 50 percent or more of the total project costs.

The total project cost is defined as the total allowable costs incurred under a Federal award and all required cost share and voluntary committed cost share contributions, including third-party contributions.

Cost share may be made through cash, costs contributed by the applicant, or third-party in-kind contributions. Third-party in-kind contributions is the value of non-cash contributions of property or services that benefit the federally assisted project and are contributed by non-Federal third parties, without charge. 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. Please see Section D.2.2.5.1 Funding Plan and Letters of Commitment and Section D.2.2.10 Official Resolution for more information regarding the documentation required to verify commitments to meet cost sharing requirements.

Other sources of Federal funding may not be counted towards the required cost share. 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. If it is determined that the Federal funding cannot be applied towards the non-Federal cost share, the work associated with the funding may be removed from the proposed project.

C.2.1. Cost Share Regulations All cost-share contributions must meet the applicable administrative and cost principles criteria established in 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, available at www.ecfr.gov.

C.2.2. Third-Party In-Kind Contributions 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. Applicants should refer to 2 CFR §200.434 Contributions and donations for regulations regarding the valuation of third-party in-kind contributions.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/ECFR?page=browse

Other

Reclamation conducts a review of the System of Award Management (SAM) SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award.

Reclamation cannot award funds to entities or their 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, as their ineligibility condition applies to this Federal program.

Eligible Projects

C.4.1. Eligible Projects Reclamation will provide funding for projects that build long-term resilience to drought and reduce the need for emergency response actions through this Drought Resiliency Projects Grants NOFO. Drought resiliency can be defined as the capacity of a community to cope with and respond to drought. Under this NOFO, Reclamation will fund projects that will build resiliency to drought by increasing the reliability of water supplies and improving water management.

To be eligible for funding under this NOFO, the proposed resiliency project should improve the ability of water managers to continue to deliver water and power during a drought. The proposed project should decrease vulnerabilities and costs of drought by giving water managers flexibility in times of low water supply. In addition, the proposed project must be beyond routine water management activities or activities required by state law for conservation and efficiency. The proposed resiliency project should also help avoid the need for emergency response actions, such as water hauling programs and temporary infrastructure. Projects funded under this NOFO must have ongoing benefits to build long-term resilience to drought, even if they also address an immediate drought concern.

Under this NOFO, Reclamation will prioritize projects supported by an existing drought planning effort. Drought contingency planning efforts frequently identify potential projects or needs to improve resiliency to drought. These can include mitigation actions or tools that will improve water management flexibility or improve access to critical water supply information that will help water managers build resiliency and avoid a crisis during drought. Applicants that demonstrate that the proposed project meets a need or project identified in an existing drought plan will be prioritized.

Tasks A, B, and C below, describe project categories eligible for funding under this NOFO.

Applications may include any one, or a combination, of the types of projects described in Tasks A, B, or C. In general, if you are seeking funding for multiple projects (for example, a Task A project and a Task C project) and the projects are interrelated or closely related, they should be combined in one application. One phase of a larger project may be eligible for funding under this program, so long as the phase proposed for funding will generate benefits to address drought resiliency, independent of completing additional phases.

https://sam.gov/content/exclusions https://sam.gov/content/exclusions https://sam.gov/content/exclusions

Other projects that are similar to those tasks listed below may be submitted for consideration and will be allowed to the extent that they are consistent with program authorization and goals.

Projects may be prioritized to ensure balance among the program task areas (described below) and to ensure that the projects address the goals and objectives of the NOFO.

C.4.1.1. Task A—Increasing the Reliability of Water Supplies through Infrastructure Improvements Even small investments in infrastructure can improve resiliency to drought conditions by increasing water management flexibility and providing alternative sources of water supply. For example, constructing new surface water intakes and new conveyance system components—such as pipes or pumping plants—can provide water managers with much needed options to deliver water from alternative sources or support voluntary transfers of water during drought. Likewise, aquifer recharge facilities can support water banking in wet years for use in dry years and sustainable conjunctive use programs. (Please note that Task A projects do not include the construction or rehabilitation of wells. Please see Task B for well construction and rehabilitation.)

Task A projects include, but are not limited to the following:

• System modifications or improvements. Projects that will increase flexibility of water conveyance and deliveries, facilitating access to water supplies in times of drought.

Projects include, but are not limited to:

o Constructing or modifying surface water intakes to access supplies when water levels are low (e.g., at dead pool), or to allow access at different locations.

o Constructing new conveyance system components (pipelines, canals, pumping plants, etc.) to increase flexibility to deliver water from different sources, to facilitate voluntary water marketing or to deliver water from alternative sources.

o Constructing interties between water conveyance systems to increase options for water deliveries.

o Installing barriers or other facilities to prevent saltwater intrusion into surface supplies.

• Storing water and/or recharging groundwater supplies. Projects that enable the capture or storage of additional water supplies that can be made available during drought.

Projects include, but are not limited to:

o Developing or expanding small-scale surface water storage facilities such as off-stream storage ponds.

o Installing water towers and storage tanks to store water for municipal and domestic use.

o Installing recharge ponds or injection wells to increase recharge of surplus, inactive, or reclaimed water. Recharged water can serve multiple purposes such as sustainable conjunctive use in times of drought, deterring saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers, and limiting additional land subsidence.

• Developing alternative sources of water supply including water treatment. Projects that develop alternative water supplies to build resiliency to the impacts of drought.

Projects include, but are not limited to:

o Constructing or expanding small-scale water treatment facilities to treat impaired groundwater, municipal wastewater, stormwater runoff, for environmental, agricultural, or potable purposes.

o Constructing stormwater capture and reuse systems, including green stormwater infrastructure solutions such as rain gardens, cisterns, and bioswales.

o Installing residential grey water and rain catchment systems.

C.4.1.2. Task B—Increasing the Reliability of Water Supplies Through Groundwater Recovery

As water managers continue to face vulnerabilities due to drought and climate change, diversification of water supplies is critical for water security. The sustainable use of groundwater and recovery of recharged water are vital to building drought resiliency and supporting public health. Aquifer storage and recovery programs are becoming an important water management tool and the water recovered from these programs are being used for municipal and industrial water supplies, irrigation, and ecosystem restoration.

Wells funded under this NOFO are to be used for supplemental supplies during times of drought, to serve communities that are or are potentially facing a public health crisis due to a lack potable water, or to recover previously recharged/stored water. This NOFO is not intended to provide funding for wells that are part of a long-term planning effort to support increased need due to population growth or increased irrigation demands. Projects may include, but are limited to following:

o Constructing wells to provide back-up water supplies during times of drought.

o Constructing extraction wells at groundwater banks or other recharge areas to improve extraction and return capabilities during dry years.

C.4.1.3. Task C—Projects to Improve Water Management through Decision Support Tools, Modeling, and Measurement Task C Projects are intended to help provide entities with water use information and tools to monitor the onset of drought, detect different levels of drought that may trigger certain drought mitigation and response actions, and identify potential strategies to address drought. Task B Projects also includes developing tools that facilitate water marketing between willing buyers and sellers to redistribute water supplies to meet other existing needs or uses (e.g., agricultural, municipal, or dedication to in-stream flows).

Task C Projects include, but are not limited to the following:

• Developing water management, water marketing, and modeling tools to help communities evaluate options and implement strategies to address drought.

o Developing online decision support tools to help communities identify alternative water supplies or water management options in times of drought.

For example, Reclamation has partnered with the State of Oklahoma to develop a drought tool familiarizing users with alternative sources of supply, treatment processes, distribution options, short term equipment solutions for treatment, and permitting requirements, download the file www.owrb.ok.gov/drought/Drought tool.pps.

Also, in 2015, Reclamation awarded the Texas Water Development Board with a Drought Resiliency Grant to modify their existing drought prediction tool to provide more accurate probabilistic forecast of average May through July rainfall, reservoir levels, and reservoir storage across the state by county. The project was completed in 2017, and the forecasts are updated bi-weekly and made accessible for water managers through the Water Data for Texas website.

o Developing new models or improving existing models for analyzing and predicting drought conditions. Such models should be based on proven methods to analyze drought frequency, duration, and intensity, as opposed to research type efforts.

o Developing water budgets and tiered pricing programs that incentivize decreased consumptive use. Tiered pricing can be paired with water budgets to reward customers who use less water by charging lower rates for water in a lower tier. For example, Tier I pricing can include a relatively low price for indoor water use within a budgeted amount (e.g., 55 gallons per person per day). Reasonable water use above that amount—assumed to be for outdoor use—would be included within Tier 2 pricing at a higher cost than Tier 1. Tier 3 would establish an even higher price for all water use that exceeds the total water budget.

o Real-time operational modeling to track supply conditions and demands. Modeling can be used to analyze different operational scenarios to optimize pumping capacities, evaluate user restrictions, water delivery needs, etc., and determine how to best meet other compliance standards such as temperature control points, water quality, or Endangered Species Act (ESA)-related requirements.

o Assessing water quality with respect to the level of drought to determine appropriate measures to protect water quality for fish and wildlife, agriculture, and human consumption (e.g., water quality testing or constructing groundwater monitoring wells).

o Developing tools to facilitate water marketing, connecting willing sellers and willing buyers that want to participate in the buying, selling, leasing, or exchanging of water.

http://www.owrb.ok.gov/drought/Drought%20tool.pps http://www.owrb.ok.gov/drought/Drought%20tool.pps http://waterdatafortexas.org/reservoirs/statewide

• Installing water measurement equipment and monitoring instrumentation devices to accurately track water supply conditions (e.g., water service meters, stream flow measurement structures, flow meters, well level instruments, reservoir level monitors).

Note: Projects that primarily install meters or other water measurement devices are considered routine water management activities and are, therefore, not eligible for funding under this program as a standalone project. However, meters or other measuring devices are eligible as a necessary sub-component of another eligible Drought Resiliency Project as described in Tasks A-C (e.g., meters could be coupled with developing an online consumptive use website for consumers to see and adjust their habits). Projects may include, but are not limited to:

o Improving measurement accuracy (e.g., installing weirs, flumes, ramps, etc. in open channels or installing meters in pressurized pipes).

o Installing dual municipal meters to track indoor versus outdoor water use, allowing water purveyors to control or discourage landscape irrigation and other outdoor uses in times of drought.

o Installing and/or modifying monitoring equipment associated with stream flow measurement devices, water level sensors, etc.

C.4.2. Ineligible Projects Projects not eligible for funding under this NOFO include: scientific research, water hauling, education and outreach, land fallowing, cover cropping, and reimbursement for economic losses resulting from drought.

Other projects that are not eligible for funding under this NOFO include those eligible for other funding opportunities:

• Emergency drought response projects that provide temporary benefits, including projects involving temporary facilities (e.g., temporary pipes and pumps), and projects expected to increase the total irrigated acreage or consumptive use of an applicant are also not eligible for funding. Projects for drought contingency plans are not eligible under this NOFO but may be eligible for funding under Reclamation’s WaterSMART Drought Contingency Planning NOFO.

• Projects focused on water conservation, (such as canal lining or piping to conserve water, landscape irrigation measures, and turf replacement) are eligible for funding under Reclamation’s WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants and are not eligible for funding under this NOFO.

• Projects or project elements that are part of a congressionally authorized Title XVI project under P.L.102-575, as amended (43 U.S.C. 390h et seq.). A list of congressionally authorized Title XVI projects can be found at www.usbr.gov/watersmart/title/ authorized.html.

More explanation regarding other types of ineligible projects is included in the following subsections:

https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/title/authorized.html https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/title/authorized.html

• Projects considered normal operations, maintenance, and replacement (OM&R).

• Water conservation projects (including water metering and measurement projects unless those projects are paired with another project eligible under Tasks A, B, or C as a necessary subcomponent of that task).

• Projects or project elements that are part of a water desalination, reclamation, or recycling project eligible for funding under section 4009(a) or 4009(c) of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, P.L. 114-322. A list of eligible WIIN projects can be found at www.usbr.gov/watersmart/title/wiin.html. Water desalination, reclamation, or recycling project with a total estimated project cost of more than $20 million are also not eligible.

• Small surface or groundwater storage projects with a total estimated project cost of more than $10 million are not eligible.

• Water purchases.

• Construction of buildings for administration purposes.

• Pilot projects.

• Projects to conduct on-farm improvements.

C.4.2.1. Operations, Maintenance, and Replacement In accordance with Section 9504 of the Secure Water Act, projects that are considered normal OM&R are not eligible for funding under this NOFO. OM&R is described as system improvements that replace or repair existing infrastructure or function without providing increased efficiency or effectiveness of water distribution over the expected life of the improvement. Examples of ineligible OM&R projects include:

• Replacing malfunctioning components of an existing facility with the same components

• Improving an existing facility to operate as originally designed

• Performing an activity on a recurring basis, even if that period is extended (e.g., 10-year interval)

• Sealing expansion joints of concrete lining because the original sealer or the water stops have failed

• Sealing cracks in canals and/or pipes, including those sealant projects intended to improve facilities with inherent design and construction flaws.

• Replacing broken meters with new meters of the same type

• Replacing leaky pipes with new pipes of the same type Applicants that have questions regarding OM&R are encouraged to contact the Program Coordinator (see Section G. Agency Contacts) prior to the application deadline for further information.

http://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/title/wiin.html

C.4.2.2. Water Conservation Projects To avoid overlap with Reclamation’s existing WaterSMART Grants program, projects primarily focused on water conservation are not eligible under this NOFO, including:

• Lining or piping canals to conserve water

• Installing landscape irrigation measures

• Turf replacement

• Water metering and measurement projects are ineligible as a standalone project but may be included if paired with another project that is eligible under Tasks A-C, as a necessary subcomponent of that task

Water conservation projects may be eligible for funding under Reclamation’s WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grant NOFO. For information about this NOFO, please contact Mr. Josh German at jgerman@usbr.gov or 303-445-2839.

Projects that will result in water conservation as a secondary consideration, such as decision support tools that improve operational efficiency, are eligible under this NOFO, so long as they are consistent with the eligible projects described in Tasks A-C in Section C.3.1. Please contact the Program Coordinator for further information (see Section G. Agency Contacts).

C.4.2.3. Water Reclamation, Reuse and Desalination Any projects or project elements that are part of a congressionally authorized Title XVI Water Reclamation or Reuse Project are not eligible for funding under this NOFO. A list of congressionally authorized Title XVI projects can be found at www.usbr.gov/watersmart/title/authorized.html.

Any projects or project elements that are part of a water desalination or recycling project eligible for funding under section 4009(a) or 4009(c) of the WIIN Act, P.L. 114-322 are not eligible for funding under this NOFO. A list of eligible WIIN projects can be found at WIIN Eligible Projects | Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse (usbr.gov). In addition, if a water desalination, reclamation, or recycling project has a total estimated project cost of more than $20 million, that project is ineligible under this NOFO and should be pursued under the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program or the WaterSMART Desalination Planning and Construction Program. Note, this applies to phases or project elements of a desalination, reclamation, or recycling project that are part of a larger project with a total estimated project cost of more than $20 million.

If you are unclear whether your project is part of a congressionally authorized Title XVI project or a project eligible under section 4009(a) or (c) of the WIIN Act, please contact Amanda Erath at aerath@usbr.gov or 303-445-2766.

C.4.2.4. Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects An application for funding of a small surface or groundwater storage project with a total estimated project cost of more than $10 million, or that is a phase of a larger project that exceeds $10 million, is not eligible under this NOFO. Applicants proposing such projects may wish to consider Reclamation’s new Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Program (currently mailto:jgerman@usbr.gov http://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/title/authorized.html https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/title/wiin.html https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/title/wiin.html mailto:aerath@usbr.gov under development), for the planning, design and construction of small surface water and groundwater storage projects, authorized under section 40903 of Pub. L. 117-58. More information, including requirements for feasibility studies under this program, can be found at https://www.usbr.gov/recman/temporary_releases/cmptrmr-127.pdf .

C.4.2.5. Water Purchases Proposals to use Federal funding to purchase water are not eligible under this NOFO. Applicants seeking funding to purchase water in a drought emergency should request emergency drought assistance under Reclamation’s Drought Response Program.

For more information about the requirements for receiving emergency drought assistance, please see www.usbr.gov/drought/ or contact the Program Coordinator (see Section G. Agency Contacts).

C.4.2.6. Building Construction Proposals to construct a building are not eligible for Federal funding under this NOFO (e.g., a building to house administrative staff or a building to house promotion of public awareness for water conservation).

C.4.2.7. Pilot Projects Proposals to conduct a pilot study to evaluate technical capability, economic feasibility, or viability for full-scale implementation or to test an unproven material or technology are not eligible for Federal funding under this NOFO.

C.4.2.8. On-Farm Improvements Projects to conduct on-farm improvements are not eligible under this NOFO. Applicants interested in on-farm improvements should contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to investigate opportunities for Federal assistance. For more information on NRCS programs, including application deadlines and a description of available funding, please contact your local NRCS office or see www.nrcs.usda.gov for further contact information in your area.

Applicants interested in projects for water delivery systems improvements that will enable farmers to make additions on-farm improvements in the future should look into Reclamation's Water and Energy Efficiency Grants or contact Mr. Josh German at jgerman@usbr.gov or 303-445-2839.

https://www.usbr.gov/drought/ http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ mailto:jgerman@usbr.gov

Section D. Application and Submission Information

Section D. Application and Submission Information

Address to Request Application Package

This document contains all information, forms, and electronic addresses required to obtain the information required for submission of 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 emailing the Notice of Funding Opportunity staff at bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov.

Content and Form of Application Submission

All applications must conform to the requirements set forth below.

D.2.1. Application Format and Length The technical proposal and criteria section (defined below) shall be limited to a maximum of 20 consecutively numbered pages. If this section of the application exceeds 20 pages, only the first 20 pages will be evaluated. The full application, including attachments, cannot exceed 125 pages. If the application exceeds 125 pages, only the first 125 pages will be considered in the evaluation.

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 The application must include the following elements to be considered complete:

• Mandatory Federal Forms:

o SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance o SF-424 Budget Information (A Form, as applicable to the project and can be used for construction or non-construction) o SF-424 Assurances (B or D Form, as applicable to the project) o Project Abstract Summary (OMB Number 4040-0019) o SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable) mailto:bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov

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

• Title page

• Table of contents

• Technical proposal and evaluation criteria (limited to 20 pages):

o Executive summary o Project location o Technical project description o Performance measures o Evaluation criteria

• Project budget:

o Funding plan and letters of commitment o Budget proposal o Budget narrative

• Environmental and cultural resources compliance

• Required permits or approvals

• Relevant sections of existing drought contingency plan (if applicable)

• Additional required material (will not count towards the 125-page limitation for technical proposal and criteria section but will count toward the 125-page total application page limit.)

o Letters of project support o Official Resolution o Overlap or Duplication of Efforts Statement o Conflict of Interest Disclosure o Uniform Audit Reporting Statement o Certification Regarding Lobbying

D.2.2.1. Mandatory Federal Forms The application must include the following standard Federal forms.

SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance

Applicants must submit the appropriate Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. The required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov.

The SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance must be complete, signed, and dated. Do not include any proprietary or personally identifiable information.