Foa_Content_of_R26AS00349.pdf

Bureau of Reclamation

Notice of Funding Opportunity

WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program

Funding Opportunity Number

R26AS00349

Table of Contents

BASIC INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY

Cost Sharing Requirement

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

Program Description

Legislative Authority

Type of Award

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application Content and Format

Application Documents

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package

Submission Dates and Times

Submission Instructions

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review

Merit Review

Criterion A – Watershed Group Diversity and Geographic Scope (25 points)

Criterion B – Developing Strategies to Address Critical Watershed Needs (25 points)

Criterion C – Readiness to Proceed (Schedule and Budget) (15 points)

Criterion D – Presidential and Department of Interior Priorities (30 points)

Criterion E – Voluntary Cost Share (5 points)

Review and Selection Process

Risk Review

AWARD NOTICES

POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Administration and National Policy Requirements

Reporting

BASIC INFORMATION

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: R26AS00349

Assistance Listing Number(s): 15.554

Estimated Total Program Funding: $25,000,000

Expected Number of Awards: 100

Award Ceiling: $300,000

Award Floor: $50,000

Approximately 20-25 awards will be made under this NOFO per application period, depending on the amount requested by each applicant and the amount of Federal funding available. As required under Section 6002 of the Cooperative Watershed Management Act, for each year of the grant, Reclamation must determine whether a recipient has made sufficient progress on their project to justify additional funding. Reclamation will review the required semi-annual performance reports to make this determination. A total of up to $300,000 in Federal funds may be awarded to an applicant over the three-year period, with no more than $100,000 to be available per year.

Cost Sharing Required?

No Closing Date Explanation

First Round: October 7, 2026, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time

Second Round: February 24, 2027, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Savings Time

Third Round: September 1, 2027, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time

Fourth Round: February 15, 2028, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Savings Time

U.S. states and local governments may be required under Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs to submit their application to their State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for review. For more information, see the Intergovernmental Review SPOC List.

Have Questions?

For questions regarding application and submission, contact Randy Harris at bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov.

For questions regarding applicant and project eligibility or application content, contact the Program Coordinator, Ms. Irene Hoiby, ihoiby@usbr.gov, 303-445-3575.

Please include the NOFO number R26AS00349 in the subject line of any email correspondence.

https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SPOC-list-as-of-August-2024.pdf https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SPOC-list-as-of-August-2024.pdf mailto:bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov mailto:bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov mailto:ihoiby@usbr.gov

Executive Summary The WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program funding opportunity invites eligible entities to apply for funding to develop local solutions to address their water management needs. This opportunity provides funding for watershed group development, restoration planning, and watershed management project planning and design. By providing this funding, Reclamation promotes water reliability and cooperation between stakeholders to reduce conflict, facilitate solutions to complex water issues, and stretch limited water supplies.

The WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program demonstrably advances Trump administration priorities, such as those identified in Presidential Executive Order 14154 (January 20, 2025): Unleashing American Energy (E.O. 14154) and Secretarial Order 3418, and aligns with other priorities and requirements, such as those identified in Presidential Executive Order 14332 (August 7, 2025): Improving Oversight in Federal Grantmaking (E.O. 14332).

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Additional Information on Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

To be eligible under this funding opportunity, you must be either an existing watershed group or sponsoring the establishment of a new watershed group as defined in the Cooperative Watershed Management Act (see definition below) that is 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.

As defined in Section 6002 of the Cooperative Watershed Management Act (see “Legislative Authority” below for full citation), a “watershed group,” is a grassroot, non-regulatory entity that addresses water availability and quality issues within the watershed and is capable of promoting the sustainable use of water resources. A watershed group makes decisions on a consensus basis, and represents a diverse group of stakeholders, such as hydroelectric producers, livestock grazing, timber production, land development, recreation or tourism, irrigated agriculture, the environment, municipal water supplies, private property owners, Federal, state and local governments, and Tribes.

New Watershed Groups: You must be a state, Tribe, local or special district (e.g., irrigation, water district, water conservation district), local governmental entity, interstate organization, a non-profit organization, or an institute of higher education sponsoring a watershed group located in a state or territory identified above. In addition, you must meet all the following requirements:

https://www.govregs.com/uscode/expand/title16_chapter18A_section1015#uscode_1

1. Be sponsoring the development of a new watershed group;

2. Be able to significantly affect or be affected by the quality or quantity of water in the watershed; and

3. Be capable of promoting the sustainable use of water resources.

Existing Watershed Groups: Your watershed group must:

1. Meet the definition of a watershed group as described under the Cooperative Watershed Management Act,

2. Be located in a state or territory identified above; and

3. Be legally incorporated as a non-profit organization.

A watershed group member or fiscal agent may apply on behalf of the watershed group if they are a state, tribe, local or special district (e.g., irrigation, water district, water conservation district), local governmental entity, interstate organization, or a non-profit organization.

Applicant Category Guidance

In general, you should apply as a New Watershed Group if your group is just getting started, has completed little or no watershed restoration planning, and requires more substantial support for building the capacity of the watershed group and completing outreach to stakeholders. If your group has been active in the watershed for several years and has previously conducted some watershed planning, you should apply as an Existing Watershed Group, even if your group is not incorporated as a legal entity. If you have previously received funding through a CWMP grant, you should apply as an Existing Watershed Group and explain how your new project differs from and builds on your past Phase I project(s). Although New and Existing Watershed Groups will be scored using the same evaluation criteria (see Section E.1. Evaluation Criteria), they will be ranked separately to ensure fairness. During the merit review of the application, Reclamation may change your applicant category (for example, from an existing watershed group to a new watershed group), if appropriate.

Ineligible Applicants

Those not eligible to apply include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Federal Governmental entities

• Individuals

Cost Sharing Requirement Cost Sharing Required?

No Non-Federal cost share is not required under this program, however voluntary cost-share contributions are considered under merit review criterion E. All voluntary cost-share contributions must be non-Federal in original source and meet the requirements of 2 CFR

200.306. Total project cost is the sum of all allowable costs, including voluntary cost share and third-party contributions.

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov Registration

Before applying, all applicants except individuals applying as a natural person must be registered in SAM.gov. During the SAM.gov registration the entity will obtain their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

The SAM.gov registration process can take several months. If your organization is not already registered in SAM.gov, begin the registration process as soon as possible.

To register in SAM.gov, go to the SAM.gov website and use the available resources to complete registration.

• Financial assistance registrants must review and certify compliance with the SAM.gov “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications”.

• Already registered? You already have a Unique Entity ID. Before applying, check that your “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications” on SAM.gov is complete. Remember to renew your registration every year to keep it active while you have an award or application in progress. You can update your registration whenever you need, including during renewal.

• Need help? For additional information and contact information on the SAM.gov Help page.

GRANTS.GOV

This program accepts applications through Grants.gov so once you receive your UEI return to Grants.gov to register with Grants.gov. Please allow 30 days to register and set up a Workspace in Grants.gov. See Submission Instructions section below for additional details.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

• Through WaterSMART, 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.

Reclamation's WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program (CWMP) provides funding to local watershed groups to encourage diverse stakeholders to develop collaborative solutions to address their water management needs. Watershed groups bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, some of which might otherwise be at odds, to provide a platform for collaborative, locally led, and community-based water resource management. Stakeholders may initially unite around one issue that affects multiple https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306 https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/content/help https://sam.gov/content/help https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration stakeholder groups, for example flood control or wildfire mitigation. However, these groups often evolve to have a more holistic approach: aiming to address multiple issues within the watershed and benefit a wide range of stakeholders.

Program Description The WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program, Phase I funding opportunity, provides funding to eligible entities for watershed group development, restoration planning, and watershed management project planning and design.

Certified Local Governments are encouraged to prioritize projects in support of the celebration of America’s 250th birthday (America 250). This may include, but is not limited to, preservation planning, interpretation, public engagement, and rehabilitation projects that recognize and honor the nation’s founding, history, and cultural heritage.

Reclamation will host a webinar to provide general information regarding this funding opportunity and answer questions. See the Other Information section at the end of this document for details regarding the webinar. For additional information about this funding opportunity and the Cooperative Watershed Management Program including previously funded projects and applications, visit www.usbr.gov/watersmart/CWMP.

Program Requirements

If your project is selected, you will be required to provide a copy of your water management plan, design documents, or other products, as applicable to your project and described in the financial assistance agreement.

Recipients of CWMP awards will also be required to include a description of the following information in their final performance report, as applicable to their project:

• The ways in which their group will help address water conflicts in their watershed

• how their watershed group and any implementation projects identified in their watershed management plan are anticipated to improve water quality and water quantity, and

• how any potential implementation projects are anticipated to improve the ecological resiliency of a river or stream in the watershed.

Multiple Applications

You may submit multiple applications provided that the project scopes are not duplicative.

However, only one award will be made per watershed group.

Technical Assistance

If your project is selected, Reclamation may be able to provide technical assistance or services after award on a fee for service basis. Before applying, you should discuss the potential for technical assistance with Reclamation and include these costs in the budget. For more information, contact the Program Coordinator identified in the Have Questions section above.

https://Reclamation%20will%20host%20a%20webinar%20to%20provide%20general%20information%20regarding%20this%20funding%20opportunity%20and%20answer%20questions.%20See%20the%20For%20More%20Information%20section%20at%20the%20end%20of%20this%20document%20for%20details%20regarding%20the%20webinar.%20For%20additional%20information%20about%20this%20funding%20opportunity%20and%20the%20Cooperative%20Watershed%20Management%20Program%20including%20previously%20funded%20projects%20and%20applications,%20visit%20www.usbr.gov/watersmart/CWMP.

Eligible Project Activities

Activities must be within one or more of the following three areas. It is acceptable and expected for a project to not include activities in all three areas, or to address all the activities listed under a given area. For example, a New Group might focus exclusively on Watershed Group Development, or an Existing Group might focus exclusively on Watershed Management Project Design.

Under Section 6002 of the Cooperative Watershed Management Act, administrative and coordination costs are limited to 20% of the grant award. These include: the salary of not more than one full-time coordinator, any legal fees arising from the establishment of the relevant watershed group, and/or the costs of ongoing water quality and quantity studies within the watershed. Most of the watershed group coordinator time that is funded by Reclamation should be spent on eligible activities specifically identified in the technical project description. Ongoing water quality and quantity studies are systematic assessments of water quality or quantity that are not linked to a specific planning or design effort.

Eligible activities are grouped in the following project areas. Reclamation has the discretion to determine whether specific activities, such as an education/outreach activity or training, are eligible.

Watershed Group Development: Watershed group development activities include, but are not limited to:

• Developing a mission statement, vision statement, and goals for the watershed group.

• Developing articles of incorporation, bylaws, and business practices.

• Conducting outreach. For example:

o creating an outreach plan, o developing informational materials about the watershed and the purpose of the watershed group community (e.g., brochures, advertisements, website, videos), o conducting stakeholder meetings to establish broad-based and diverse membership, o hiring a facilitator to assist with outreach and coalition building, tabling at community events, o conducting targeted outreach to specific groups and individuals (e.g., attending meetings of other groups, meeting with individual landowners, and tours of past watershed management projects.)

• Gathering information about issues and needs related to water quality, water quantity and restoration needs within the watershed (e.g., through literature research and talking to government agencies, local universities, and stakeholders).

• Conducting pre-planning activities, including outlining a watershed restoration plan, reviewing existing plans related to the watershed, and collecting baseline information.

Watershed Restoration Planning: Watershed restoration planning activities include, but are not limited to:

• Completing a watershed restoration plan or updating an existing restoration plan.

• Developing general watershed management project concepts or performing an analysis of the watershed to identify and prioritize watershed management projects.

• Conducting monitoring activities (e.g., water quality studies, water quantity studies, vegetation surveys, invertebrate surveys) needed to provide baseline information about the current condition and needs of the watershed to inform a broader watershed planning effort (see Limitations on Project Activities below in this section for additional information).

• Conducting mapping, obtaining data, performing modeling and other technical analyses, or developing goals and benchmarks for the watershed restoration plan.

• Working with watershed group members, landowners, Federal agencies, and state or local governments to determine how the watershed can be improved, including by interviewing watershed group members and stakeholders.

Watershed Management Project Planning and Design: Project planning and design activities can include, but are not limited to:

• Evaluating site alternatives to identify specific project locations.

• Developing project requirements and evaluating design alternatives

• Carrying out applicable studies (environmental, cultural, biological, and/or engineering) and completing related modeling and data collection efforts regarding the impacts of proposed restoration activities.

• Preparing design drawings and specifications for construction up to the 90% level

• Evaluating economic conditions, preparing project cost estimates, and developing a project implementation plan

• Researching what type of site-specific environmental compliance will be necessary to implement your water management or restoration project, particularly if you intend to seek Federal funding to implement the project in the future (e.g., under The WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects or Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects).

We recommend contacting your local Reclamation office (www.usbr.gov/main/offices.html) as part of any environmental compliance research, to discuss required environmental and cultural resource compliance and the costs associated with potential future implementation projects. If a potential project is located on land owned by another Federal agency, we also recommend contacting that agency. See Eligible Project Planning and Design Activities attachment for more information.

Watershed Restoration Plan Guidance

A watershed restoration plan is a tool designed to help a watershed group plan for and implement restoration activities in their watershed. A watershed restoration plan describes the issues of concern related to water resources within the watershed and identifies potential solutions.

Watershed restoration plans may take different forms depending on their purpose. There are no specific formatting requirements, rather, we encourage watershed groups to develop a restoration plan that best meets the needs of the watershed. You are encouraged to consider that the WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects funding opportunity, which provides https://www.usbr.gov/main/offices.html funding to watershed groups for on-the-ground watershed management projects, prioritizes projects that are identified and prioritized in a strategy or planning document that was developed collaboratively by a diverse set of water users and provide significant watershed benefits. You can find watershed restoration plans completed by previously selected CWMP recipients on our program’s website, www.usbr.gov/watersmart/cwmp/plans.html.

For more in-depth guidance on your watershed restoration plan, please explore this resource from the EPA: https://www.epa.gov/nps/handbook-developing-watershed-plans-restore-and-protect-our-waters.

Limitations on Project Activities

Education/Outreach and Training: Stakeholder education/outreach and staff training are eligible activities if they are specifically linked to the proposed watershed group development, watershed restoration planning, or project design activities.

Conferences: Attending external conferences is limited to watershed group specific outreach.

The costs of eligible conferences must also conform to the amount identified in the Program Cost Restrictions and Limitations paragraph of the Budget Narrative section.

Monitoring, Measurement, and Field Work: Monitoring, measurement, and fieldwork (e.g., water quality monitoring, vegetation surveys) to collect baseline information regarding the current conditions and needs of the watershed are eligible activities under this funding opportunity if they will inform a broader planning or design effort being completed as part of the same grant project and the costs do not exceed 50 percent of the total project cost. These on-the-ground activities may require more substantial environmental and cultural resources compliance and a notice to proceed before the activities can be performed.

Ineligible Project Activities

Activities not eligible for funding under this opportunity include, but are not limited to, scientific research and the activities identified immediately below.

Other Planning Projects: Planning efforts other than collaborative watershed restoration plans developed by watershed groups are not eligible. This includes proposals for developing drought plans, appraisal investigations, feasibility studies, special studies, Basin Studies, or studies authorized under the Title XVI Water Recycling and Reuse Program, through P.L.102-575, as amended (43 U.S.C. 390h et seq.), or under the Rural Water Program, pursuant to the Rural Water Supply Act of 2006, P.L.109-45.

Environmental Compliance for the Construction of a Watershed Management Project.

Completing state and/or Federal regulatory compliance and obtaining permits for the construction of a watershed management project are not eligible.

General Education Activities: General education activities (e.g., K-12 educational programs) are not eligible.

http://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/cwmp/plans.html https://www.epa.gov/nps/handbook-developing-watershed-plans-restore-and-protect-our-waters https://www.epa.gov/nps/handbook-developing-watershed-plans-restore-and-protect-our-waters

Water and Land Purchases and Easements: Activities for the purchase or lease of water or land or to acquire an easement are not eligible.

On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Improvements: Planning and design activities for on-farm irrigation efficiency improvements or administrative buildings are not eligible. If you are interested in on-farm irrigation efficiency improvements, you should contact the U.S.

Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 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, contact your local NRCS office or visit www.nrcs.usda.gov for further contact information in your area.

Projects Receiving Other Federal Financial Assistance: Activities that are funded under another Federal Financial Assistance agreement are not eligible.

Legislative Authority This Notice of Funding Opportunity is issued under the authority of the Cooperative Watershed Management Act, Public Law 111-11, Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, Title VI, Subtitle A, Sec. 6001-6003 (16 USC 1015 et seq.)

Type of Award Projects will be funded through G (Grant).

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application Content and Format Pre-Application Requirements

Prior to applying, applicants should review presidential actions found at:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/ and DOI Secretary’s Orders found at:

https://www.doi.gov/document-library/secretary-order. By applying in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity, the applicant certifies awareness and compliance with all currently effective and applicable executive orders and secretary’s orders, including, but not limited to the Executive Order titled Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing as well as the Executive Order and Secretary’s order titled Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. Applicants are responsible for ensuring their proposed activities are consistent with the intent and requirements of these directives.

Application Documents Applicants must submit the following forms with their application as specified below.

Instructions for accessing and submitting application forms are provided in the Submission Instructions section of this document below. For instructions on completing form fields, see the form instructions on the Grants.gov Forms Repository.

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/ https://www.doi.gov/document-library/secretary-order https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository.html

Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

Note: For applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Representative’s signature (or electronic equivalent) on the Application for Federal Assistance form also represents their certification of the statements in Appendix A to 43 CFR 18-Certification Regarding Lobbying

Required from all applicants

SF-424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs Required from all applicants

SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Required if requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds and the applicant has used or plans to use funds other than Federal appropriated funds for lobbying related to the proposed project.

Project Abstract Summary (OMB 4040-0019). Must include, in plain language:

• Award purpose,

• Activities to be performed,

• Expected deliverables or outcomes,

• Intended beneficiaries, Subrecipient activities (if known or specified at time of award)

Required from all applicants

Project Abstract Summary

Failure to include a Project Abstract Summary will not result in removal of the application from consideration by Reclamation.

Project Narrative The Project Narrative, including your responses to the Merit Review Criteria is limited to a maximum of 25 consecutively numbered pages. If this section exceeds 25 pages, only the first 25 pages will be evaluated. The full application, including all attachments, should not exceed 75 pages. If the application exceeds 75 pages, only the first 75 pages will be considered in the merit review.

The font should 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.

The Project Narrative should include the components described below. You should only describe the work that is reflected in the budget - do not include activities that are already complete or will be completed in a future phase.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18

Title Page: Provide a unique, brief, informative, and descriptive title for your project that indicates the nature of the project. Include your name and address, and the name and address, e-mail address, and telephone of your Project Manager.

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

Executive Summary: The executive summary should include:

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

• A one paragraph project summary that briefly describes the location of the watershed area in which your group will work, the activities that will be carried out, any partners involved, watershed concerns in the watershed area, and how the activities completed through this grant are expected to help alleviate impacts of those concerns. This information will be used to create a summary of your project for our website if the project is selected for funding.

Example: The Upper Clark Fork River Streamflow Group, in partnership with the Watershed Restoration Coalition, will address water use challenges in the Upper Clark Fork River Watershed, in western Montana. The group will collaboratively identify priorities for flow restoration and solutions to chronic dewatering by expanding group engagement, creating a matrix of proposed flow restoration priorities, and drafting a five-year strategic plan for the group. Due to an increase in frequency, severity, and intensity of drought and over-appropriation of water rights, the Upper Clark Fork is the site of frequent fish kills due to poor water quality and chronic stream dewatering. The group’s planning efforts will focus on direct threats to aquatic resources, livelihoods, community well-being, and tribal interests.

Participants in this group include private agricultural producers and irrigators in the Deer Lodge Valley, the Watershed Restoration Coalition, Clark Fork Coalition, Trout Unlimited, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Montana state agencies, the University of Montana, Montana Tech, and the Atlantic Richfield Corporation.

• State the length of time and estimated completion date for your project (month/year).

• Whether or not the proposed planning efforts are focused on a Federal facility or will involve Federal land. If so, please identify the facility or land.

Project Location: Provide specific information on the geographic location of the area in which your watershed group will work including a map showing the geographic location. For example, {watershed area} is located in {state and county} approximately {distance} miles {direction, e.g., northeast} of {nearest town}. If applicable, provide the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUC) in which your group will work. If you are selected for funding, Reclamation may request additional detail regarding your project location. If your project will focus on site-specific planning or watershed management project design, identify both the watershed area your group works in and the location the site-specific planning or project.

Applicant Category: Identify whether you are seeking funding as a New or Existing Watershed Group and explain why you chose to apply under that Applicant Category. As part of this discussion, provide a brief history of the group, including discussion of (1) when and how the group was initiated, and (2) ongoing projects or efforts (e.g., previous watershed planning activities).

Eligibility of Applicant: Provide a narrative summary indicating how you meet the eligibility requirements, as described above under Eligible Applicants. Include an explanation of your role in the New or Existing Watershed Group.

Technical Project Description: Provide a detailed description of the activities that will be completed under this grant and the overall goals of your project.

• If your watershed group previously received a CWMP grant, explain how the scope of work of this project differs from and builds upon the past grant. This section provides an opportunity for you to provide a clear description of the technical nature of the project and to address any aspect of the project that reviewers may need additional information to understand.

• If your project includes watershed management project planning and design, describe the site-specific project design, engineering, and/or technical studies/analyses will you complete.

Do not include your project schedule and milestones here; that information is requested in response to the Merit Review Criterion C—Readiness to Proceed. In addition, avoid discussion of the benefits of the project, which are also requested in response to merit review criteria. This section is solely intended to provide an understanding of the technical aspects of the project.

Merit Review Criteria: The Merit Review Criteria section provides a detailed description of each criterion and sub-criterion and points associated with each. The merit review criteria portion of the project narrative should thoroughly address each criterion and sub-criterion We recommend that you respond in the same order to assist in the evaluation of your project.

We also recommend copying and pasting the merit review criteria and sub-criteria into your application to ensure that all necessary information is adequately addressed.

Letters of Support: Attach all support letters from interested stakeholders at the end of your application. Letters received after the application deadline will not be evaluated. Letters of support will not be counted towards page limits.

Budget Narrative Applicants must describe and justify items and costs listed in their budget. The budget narrative must identify the following cost items: total estimated costs, non-Federal cost share, third-party contributions, and any pre-award costs. Total project cost is the sum of all allowable costs, including required and voluntary cost share and third-party contributions.

Budget items must be:

• Reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary

• Compliant with 2 CFR §200 Subpart E cost principles

Indirect Costs: Applicants must indicate in their budget narrative how they will charge indirect costs, including the rate to be applied:

• De Minimis Rate: If eligible, state if your organization is opting to use the de minimis rate of up to 15% of total modified direct costs. Entities that do not have a current Federal negotiated indirect cost rate (including provisional rate) may propose to use the de minimis rate. For more information, refer to 2 CFR 200.414(f).

• Negotiated Rate: State if you will negotiate with your cognizant agency. If your organization has previously negotiated a rate, attach a copy of the most recently negotiated rate agreement (active or expired).

The budget narrative provides a written description of the costs included in each budget category on the SF-424A and how they were estimated. While the SF-424A gives the total cost for each category of the budget, the budget narrative gives the item by item breakdown for each category and shows the calculations used to derive the costs. The budget description serves two purposes:

1) it explains how the costs were estimated, and 2) it justifies the need for the cost. See Attachment A for Budget Narrative Guidance. Attachment B is a suggested format for capturing budget details to support the Narrative.

Pre-award costs (defined at 2 CFR 200.458) are allowed, subject to Grant Officer approval. To be eligible, pre-award costs must be incurred after the posting date of this NOFO. Pre-award costs are at the applicant’s risk. Successful applicants may submit requests for approval of pre-award costs to the awarding Grant Officer.

Environmental and Regulatory Compliance Costs

If your project includes monitoring measurement, and fieldwork (e.g., water quality monitoring, vegetation surveys, cultural resource surveys, geotechnical investigations) or collecting baseline information regarding the current conditions and needs of the watershed, include costs in the budget for completing compliance activities for Federal environmental and cultural resources laws and regulations. You may contact your local Reclamation office to discuss the compliance requirements and potential costs. If your project is selected for award, these costs will be reviewed for accuracy and adjusted as needed. See “Administration and National Policy Requirements” for additional details.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subpart-E https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.458 https://www.usbr.gov/main/offices.html

Program Cost Restrictions and Limitations

Proposal costs: The costs for preparing and submitting your application in response to this funding opportunity, including developing data necessary to support the proposal, are not eligible project costs and must not be included in the project budget.

Administrative costs: The costs of administration and coordination, including the salary of not more than one full-time coordinator, any legal fees arising from the establishment of the relevant watershed group, or to fund ongoing water quality and quantity studies within the watershed, are limited to 20% of the grant award.

Monitoring, measurement, and fieldwork: Costs incurred to collect baseline information about the current condition and needs of the watershed that inform a broader watershed planning effort (e.g., water quality monitoring, vegetation surveys) cannot exceed 50 percent of the Reclamation funding.

Conferences: The costs for attending eligible conferences, including conference registration fees, travel and other related costs, cannot exceed $5,000 per year.

Conflict of Interest and Unresolved Matters Disclosures:

If any actual or potential conflict of interest exists related to this project at the time of application, the applicant must provide sufficient information to support a program determination of significance per 2 CFR 1402.112. Refer to 2 CFR 200.112 Conflict of Interest and 2 CFR 200.113.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement:

Applicants must state in their application if the activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel proposed in this application overlap with those in any other Federal proposal or award or not. If no overlap exists, include a statement to that effect. If any overlap exists, provide:

• Activities: Description any overlapping activities.

• Costs: Description of any overlapping costs.

• Time: Description of any overlapping key personnel time.

• A copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity.

• Details on when any overlapping proposal was submitted, to whom, and the expected date of the funding decision.

Other Required Information Not Applicable.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402#1402.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.113 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.113

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package Grants.gov contains a complete application kit to submit a full application in response to this NOFO. Instructions for the Grants.gov application process are available here. Contact Randy Harris at bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov if you are unable to access the application materials electronically.

Proposals received after the application deadline will not be considered unless it can be determined that the delay was caused by Reclamation or there were technical issues with Grants.gov. To document a delay due to a technical issue in Grants.gov, you must furnish a Grants.gov helpdesk ticket number to the NOFO team that validates the delay. Difficulties related to an applicant’s Grants.gov profile (e.g., incorrect organizational representative), uploading documents to Grants.gov, or an applicant’s SAM.gov registration are not considered technical issues with the Grants.gov system.

Submission Dates and Times Closing Date for Applications: 02/15/2028

Closing Date Explanation

First Round: October 7, 2026, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time

Second Round: February 24, 2027, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Savings Time

Third Round: September 1, 2027, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time

Fourth Round: February 15, 2028, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Savings Time

Submission Instructions Apply Through Grants.gov To apply through Grants.gov, please follow the instructions in the Quick Start Guide for Applicants. Before applying, ensure that at least one person at your organization is registered and has the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Only the AOR can submit the application. If you need more users, they must create their own Grants.gov account. Follow these steps below to apply:

• Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

• Complete a Workspace: Invite participants to the workspace so you can collaborate on the application. Required applications forms are included in the Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Package and can be completed in the Workspace, unless noted otherwise in the Required Forms table above. Check for errors before submission.

• Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants mailto:bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov https://www.grants.gov/ https://grants.gov/register https://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants

• Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application.

The system generates a date and time stamp and sends it to the applicant’s AOR via email as proof of submission. Make sure your application passes the Grants.gov validation checks. Do not encrypt, zip, or password-protect any files. Only registered individuals in SAM as both a user and an AOR can submit applications. Please allow 30 days to register in Grants.gov.

Application System Technical Support: For Grants.gov technical registration and submission, downloading forms, and application packages, contact Grants.gov Customer Support at 1-800- 518-4726 or by email at Support@grants.gov.

Applicants can submit a hard copy application by U.S. Mail or express delivery to the addresses below.

Bureau of Reclamation Attn: NOFO Team Denver Federal Center Bldg. 67 Rm. 152 6th Avenue and Kipling St Denver, CO 80225

Reclamation encourages you to email the Financial Assistance Contact listed in the “Basic Information” section by 2:00 PM MT on the submission date to confirm receipt of your hard copy submission.

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review During the eligibility review, the application is checked for timely submission, completed packages (see Application Documents above) and alignment with the requirements of this announcement. The Federal agency may remove an application if it does not pass the eligibility review.

Applications will be removed if they do not include:

• Completed SF-424 and SF-424A forms

• SAM registration, with a valid UEI (unless an exemption at 2 CFR 25.110 applies, see below)

• A project narrative

• A budget narrative

If an applicant selected for funding hasn't finished their SAM.gov registration (see 2 CFR 25.200 and 2 CFR 25.110) when the federal agency is ready to make an award, we may decide that the https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-25.200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110 applicant is ineligible for the award and choose to grant it to someone else. Please refer 2 CFR

25.205 for more information.

Prior to making an award, the DOI checks the anticipated recipient and their key project personnel against the current list of prohibited or restricted persons or entities in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Exclusions database. We are prohibited from making an award if a recipient or any key personnel are found ineligible, prohibited, restricted, or otherwise excluded from receiving or participating in an award, as their ineligibility condition applies to this program.

If removed from consideration for ineligibility, the Federal agency will notify the applicant in writing.

Merit Review The merit review criteria should be addressed in the Project Narrative. You should thoroughly address each criterion and any sub-criterion in the order presented below. Applications will be evaluated against the merit review criteria listed below.

Merit Review Criteria Scoring Summary Points:

A. Watershed Group Diversity and Geographic Scope 25

B. Developing Strategies to Address Critical Watershed Needs 25

C. Readiness to Proceed 15

D. Presidential and Department of Interior Priorities 30

E. Voluntary Cost-Share 5

Total 100

Criterion A – Watershed Group Diversity and Geographic Scope (25 points)

Sub-criterion No. A1. Watershed Group Diversity (15 points)

Up to 15 points may be awarded under this sub-criterion based on the extent to which you encourage collaboration with a diverse array of stakeholders that exist within the watershed (e.g., hydropower production; livestock grazing; agriculture; industry; state or local governments;

Tribes; recreation; environmental interests). Applications that demonstrate the maximum diversity of interests will receive the more points.

• What stakeholder groups (e.g., hydropower production; livestock grazing; agriculture;

industry; state or local governments; Tribes; recreation; environmental interests) are present within the watershed and how are they affected by the water quantity and quality concerns of the watershed (see Example Stakeholder List attachment)?

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-B/section-25.205 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-B/section-25.205

• Provide a list of the stakeholders that are currently involved in your new or existing watershed group and what their involvement in the group entails. Clearly state which participants are or will be formal members and which act or will act as partner organizations. Please reference any letters of support or pledges/donations from affected stakeholders.

o For New Watershed Groups: Describe the affected stakeholders within the watershed that already support the formation of your watershed group. To the extent possible, identify the specific stakeholders or groups that already support the formation of your watershed group, describe their interest in the watershed, and how they are involved in the group.

o For Existing Watershed Groups: Describe the specific individuals, entities, and organizations already participating in your watershed group. Is the current participation representative of the affected stakeholders within the watershed?

• Describe the current or anticipated structure of your watershed group.

o How are interested stakeholders able to join the group?

o How are decisions made within your watershed group? For example, are decisions consensus-based, through board vote, or some other process?

o If your watershed group has a board of directors, how are board members chosen?

• You should ensure that your group represents a diverse set of stakeholders within the watershed. How do you plan to further engage stakeholders and/or expand future outreach efforts?

Sub-criterion No. A2. Watershed Geographic Scope (10 points)

Up to 10 points may be awarded under this sub-criterion based on the extent to which you intend to do work and include stakeholders from across the entire watershed planning area. The highest number of points will be given to applications that target small to medium sub-basin sized watersheds (e.g., an approximate 8-digit USGS HUC water.usgs.gov/GIS/huc.html) and encompass the full geographic extent of the watershed.

• Provide a map of the watershed and key stakeholders/areas of work within the watershed (see Example Watershed Map attachment).

o If your project includes site-specific restoration planning, provide a map of the site(s) but still discuss the sites in the context of the entire watershed.

• Describe why you have chosen to work within this specific area.

o If the watershed is not an 8-digit HUC, describe your reasoning for the specific size of the project/watershed area.

• Does your watershed group have members in all areas of the watershed? If not, is there a plan for outreach to broaden membership to people or entities in those areas?

Criterion B – Developing Strategies to Address Critical Watershed Needs (25 points)

Sub-criterion No. B1. Identifying Critical Watershed Needs and Issues (15 points)

Up to 15 points may be awarded under this sub-criterion for identifying the critical issues of concern in your watershed and describing the severity of these issues using supporting data.

Applications that include detailed qualitative and/or quantitative information and support will receive more points.

You should consider contacting Federal, state, and local agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other affected stakeholders to discuss what critical issues are affecting the watershed.

• Describe the critical watershed threats and needs that your watershed group plans to address. For example: drought, declining water levels in Colorado River Basin reservoirs, declining ecological…