FOA Number BOR-UC-17-F003.docx

Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-UC-17-F003

BASINWIDE & BASIN STATES SALINITY CONTROL PROGRAMS

FISCAL YEAR 2017

(Photo) The Lower Stewart Ditch Salinity Project. Paonia, Colorado

BOR-UC-17-F003

Mission Statements

The U.S. Department of the Interior protects America’s natural resources and heritage, honors our cultures and tribal communities, and supplies the energy to power our future.

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.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Synopsis

Dates:

(See FOA Sec. IV.B.1) Application due date:

November 14, 2017 3:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST)

Eligible Applicants:

(See FOA Sec. III.A. ) Colorado River Basinwide Salinity Control Program (Basinwide Program)

· Submitted by a legal entity that is the owner or operator of the features to be replaced and/or to be constructed and capable of contracting with Reclamation.

Basin States Program (BSP)

· Submitted by a legal entity or individual that is the owner or operator of the features to be replaced and/or to be constructed and capable of contracting with the state in which it is located - Utah, Colorado, or Wyoming.

Applications must:

· Propose projects that are located in the Colorado River Basin above Hoover Dam.

· Be responsive to the FOA requirements.

· Only use proven technology.

· Not be of a nature that creates undue financial risk for Reclamation.

· Be in an area where salt load can be provided.

· Provide sufficient pressure and appropriate velocity where topography enables it to allow for the future installations of high efficiency on-farm improvements (i.e. sprinkler systems).

Federal Funding Amount:

(See FOA Sec. II.B. ) Reclamation will look to fund as many projects as possible; Each project may not exceed $6 million of Salinity Funding. This limit does not apply to any additional cost share funding

Each applicant is limited to a total of $8 million of unspent Reclamation Salinity Funding for any multiple project awards, at any one time after award; this includes Salinity Funding that has not yet been spent on any current projects awarded during a previous FOA.

Estimated Amount of Funding Available for Award:

(See FOA Sec. II.A. ) Reclamation may award up to $30-40 million in the Basinwide Program, based on the 2018-2020 budget requests and subject to Federal Appropriations. Reclamation, using BSP funding, may award up to $5-10 million.

Application Checklist

REQUIRED:

Assurances

· SF 424 Forms

· Registered in the System for Award Management (SAM)

· Registered in Grants.gov; www.grants.gov November 14, 2017

Project Application

· Title page

· Table of contents

· Part 1 - Project summary

· Part 2 - Project proposed for funding

· Part 3 - Projects costs and funding plan

· Appendix A: Project Maps

· Appendix B: Supplemental Data Tables

· Appendix C: Estimate of Enabled On-Farm Acreage

· Appendix D: Detailed Cost Estimates

· Appendix E: Salt Load Reduction Estimate(s) November 14, 2017

Signature & Review Letters:

· Applicant Review Signature Page

· Official Resolution from company November 14, 2017

RECOMMENDED:

Applications must be submitted online at www.grants.gov.

Point of Contact:

Richard Pew, UC-825 rpew@usbr.gov 801-524-3740

Deadline: November 14, 2017, 3:00 p.m. (MST)

Refer to FOA Section IV for more information.

Table of Contents

FOA Number: BOR-UC-17-F003 Funding Opportunity Description

I.A. Program Description

The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program (Salinity Control Program) was designed to meet the objectives of the Colorado River Basin (Basin) Water Quality Standards. These standards include a Plan of Implementation to limit further degradation of water quality in the Colorado River that provides water to southern California, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. The objective of the Salinity Control Program has been to minimize salt loading in the Colorado River system by seeking cost-effective regional solutions to the problem.

The Bureau of Reclamation solicits, ranks, and selects new Salinity Control Projects based on a competitive process open to the public. Cooperative agreements are awarded with selected applicants. Projects have typically involved converting unlined canals and ditches to pipelines located in the Upper Basin States of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming to reduce seepage that picks up salt and carries it into the Colorado River system.

Reclamation also utilizes the services of state agencies in the states of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, to assist in funding cost-effective activities to reduce salinity in the Colorado River system.

I.B. Program Authority

In June 1974, Congress enacted the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act, Public Law (P.L.) 93-320 (Salinity Control Act), which directed the Secretary of the Interior to proceed with a program to enhance and protect the quality of water available in the Colorado River for use in the United States and Republic of Mexico. In 1975, the Environmental Protection Agency approved water quality standards developed by the seven Colorado River Basin States in response to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972. The standards included numeric criteria for three stations on the main stem of the lower Colorado River (below Hoover Dam, below Parker Dam, and at Imperial Dam) and a Plan of Implementation to control salinity increases.

P.L. 104-20 of July 28, 1995, amended the Salinity Control Act, and authorizes the Secretary, acting through Reclamation, to implement a Colorado River Basinwide Salinity Control Program (Basinwide Program). The Secretary may carry out the purposes of this legislation directly, or make grants, enter into contracts, memoranda of agreement, commitments for grants, cooperative agreements, or advances of funds to non-Federal entities under such terms and conditions as the Secretary may require.

The appropriate agreement mechanism will be determined on a case-by-case basis (i.e., grant or cooperative agreement). Throughout the remainder of this document the generic term "agreement" is used to describe the agreement mechanism.

The 1984 amendments to the Salinity Control Act authorized the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to participate in the Salinity Control Program. Although integrated with Reclamation's work, both of these agencies have their own authorities to implement their respective programs. For example, the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is responsible for on-farm irrigation improvements and rangeland improvements on private lands. BLM is responsible for the rangeland management program on BLM lands.

P.L. 110-246 amended the Salinity Control Act, authorized the Basin States Program (BSP), and authorized Reclamation, through the BSP, to take advantage of new, cost-effective opportunities to control salinity anywhere in the Basin. Moneys collected into the Lower Colorado River Basin Development Fund and the Upper Colorado (UC) River Basin Fund (Basin Funds) from a surcharge on power produced at Reclamation facilities are used to control salt by providing grants, grant commitments, or advance funds to Federal or non-Federal entities under such terms and conditions as the Secretary may require. The moneys are used to fund cost effective measures and associated works to reduce salinity from saline springs, leaking wells, irrigation sources, industrial sources, erosion of public and private land, and other sources.

I.C. Program History

Historically, total annual salt loading of the Colorado River measured at Hoover Dam has been approximately 9 million tons. About one-third of the historical salt load was human-induced, originating from irrigation practices, municipal and industrial sources. Due to salinity in the Colorado River water, quantified economic damages to municipal and agricultural water users in the Lower Basin of the Colorado River are currently about $382 million per year. Without the Salinity Control Program it is estimated that the quantified economic damages would be about $618 million per year.

I.D. Objective of Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)

Reclamation’s UC Region is requesting applications for salinity control projects that reduce salinity contributions to the Colorado River system. Such applications may consist of projects to reduce salinity contributions originating from saline springs, leaking wells, irrigation sources, municipal and industrial sources, erosion of public and private land, or other sources.

Only those irrigation-related projects where salt load reduction values have been supplied by Reclamation, and which reduce salt loading from delivery systems, will be considered, e.g., canals, ditches, or laterals. However, delivery system projects that enable future, on-farm salinity reduction projects will be given a higher rating as detailed in the evaluation criteria. Such on-farm projects should be referred to the USDA-NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

In this FOA, applications will be accepted for projects that request $6 million or less of Reclamation’s Salinity Funding and control significant tons of salt.

Applications will be selected through a competitive process under the evaluation criteria set forth in the FOA. Applications will be evaluated and ranked by an ARC. Reclamation and/or the state agency will then proceed to award agreements to the applicants of the highest ranked applications. Starting with those applications with the highest ranking, awards may be made until the anticipated available funding for the next three to four years has been awarded. Awarded projects are funded each year based on the appropriations received and the priorities of date of award and ranking order.

Applicants who are awarded salinity project funds are required to replace incidental wildlife habitat losses concurrent with construction of the project schedule and to maintain the wildlife habitat for the life of the project, which is fifty (50) years. Reclamation will monitor the habitat projects and meet and communicate with the awarded Applicant on a regular basis over the 50 year maintenance period to help ensure the success of the habitat replacement project.

I.E. Projects with Two or More Entities Involved in One Application.

Two or more separate legal entities may combine ditch systems or projects to create one cost effective project(s). The legal entities involved in creating this project may create a new legal entity together or, and this is most recommended, choose a lead entity to contract with Reclamation for the project, if selected for award. The entities must draft a memorandum of agreement (MOA), which states that each entity is aware of the laws and processes that pertain to the award. If awarded an agreement, this MOA and legal arrangement must remain in place for fifty (50) years.

I.F. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where can I download the Salt Load Reduction Worksheet?

A: The Salt Load Reduction Worksheet can be downloaded from the website: http://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/salinity/ and www.grants.gov

Q: Where can I download the Project Application required electronic format?

A: The Project Application required electronic format can be downloaded from the website: http://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/salinity/ and www.grants.gov

Q: Where can I download the Enable On-Farm Worksheet?

A: The Enable On-Farm Worksheet can be downloaded from the website: http://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/salinity/ and www.grants.gov

Q: Do I need to be registered in SAM to apply and how to register for a SAM number?

A: Yes, you need to be registered in SAMS with a current number to apply for award. You can do this at: http://www.sam.gov

Q: Where can I find the SF-424 forms?

A: These forms are available at the website: http://www.grants.gov.

Q: How do I obtain a salt load reduction estimate?

A: Applicants must complete and submit the Salt Load Reduction Worksheet to Reclamation. See Section IV.A.1 for additional information.

Q: When must the Salt Load Reduction Worksheet be submitted?

A: The Salt Load Reduction Worksheet must be submitted to Reclamation no later than October 2, 2017. See Section IV.A.1 for more information.

Q: What is the deadline for submitting the application?

A: All applications must be received no later than November 14, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. (MST). See Section IV.B.1 for more information.

Section II. Award Information

II.A. Total Project Funding

Reclamation may award up to about $30-40 million in the Basinwide Program.

Reclamation also may award up to about $5-10 million in the BSP.

II.B. Project Funding Limitations

There is a $6 million limit, of Salinity Funding, per project for this FOA. It is also anticipated that no project will receive more than $2 million of funding in any fiscal year (FY). Applicants should not request in a funding plan more than $2 million for any single FY.

No single entity may have more than $8 million of unspent Salinity funds, at any one time, in any current Salinity Agreements. This includes current projects selected in previous FOA’s.

Applicants may submit multiple clearly severable applications as they choose under the FOA, but agreements will not be awarded to an applicant once a total of $8 million of Salinity Funding has been reached.

II.C. Cost Sharing with Reclamation on Salinity Projects

If an entity chooses to help fund their project(s) with additional non-Salinity Funding, this will create a cost share project with two or more funding sources. The non-Salinity Funding and the Salinity Funding shall be spent concurrently at the agreed-upon cost share percentage. This cost share percentage will remain in effect for the life of the agreement.

If an entity fails to comply with concurrent cost sharing with its non-Salinity Funding, Reclamation will suspend Salinity Funding until funding matches the agreed-upon cost share percentage. Reclamation retains the right to terminate an agreement for non-compliance.

If the project scope can be completed under budget, the scope may be expanded with Reclamation approval. Once approved, the entity may utilize the remaining funding of the agreement for additional features or system improvements that will enhance the efficiency of the project or otherwise further the objectives of the Salinity Control Program. If it is determined that the scope will not be expanded, the savings will be shared according to the agreed-upon cost share percentage.

II.D. Reclamation Responsibilities

Reclamation assistance may be provided to the project sponsor in implementing the project when requested to do so and it is in the best interest of the Government. The cost of this assistance shall be considered a project cost and must be included in the cost estimate in each application.

Reclamation may, at its own discretion, provide direct assistance to the project sponsor when the proposed project has other associated indirect benefits of Federal interest (i.e., other water quality or environmental benefits). The cost of this assistance will not be considered a project cost.

At the request of the recipient, Reclamation can provide technical assistance after award of the project. If Reclamation’s assistance is received, these costs must be accounted for in the budget. To discuss assistance available and these costs, please contact the local Reclamation office, which can be identified at http://www.usbr.gov/main/regions.html.

Section III. Eligibility Information

III.A. Eligible Applicants

If the applicant or subcontractor for the applicant has had a project terminated for non-compliance in the Salinity Control Program administered by Reclamation, they will not be eligible for a project.

Basinwide Program

· Be a legal entity with a DUNS number and registered in SAM. Must be the owner or operator of the features to be replaced and/or to be constructed and capable of contracting with Reclamation.

Basin States Program

· Be a legal entity or individual that is the owner or operator of the features to be replaced and/or to be constructed and capable of contracting with the state in which it is located - Utah, Colorado, or Wyoming or with Reclamation.

· For BSP projects located in New Mexico, be a legal entity that is the owner or operator of the features to be replaced and/or to be constructed and capable of contracting with Reclamation.

III.B. Other Requirements

1. Eligible Projects

· The project being proposed is located in the Colorado River Basin above Hoover Dam.

· The project being proposed must be responsive to the FOA requirements.

2. Ineligible Projects

· A project that:

· Requests more than $6 million in Basinwide Program or BSP funding.

· Requires 5 or more years for completion.

· Uses unproven technology.

· Creates undue financial risk for Reclamation.

· Eliminates the potential of providing sufficient pressure, and an appropriate velocity, to allow for the future installations of high efficiency, on-farm improvements (i.e. sprinkler systems) on irrigation systems that have sufficient elevation change to enable pressure.

· Claims tons of salt from:

· A feature or project previously constructed or a project currently under construction.

· A feature or project already obligated to be funded by another program that is not contingent upon receiving Salinity Funding.

3. Length of Projects

It is recommended and to the Applicant’s advantage that the projects be substantially complete in 2 to 4 years from the start date. Reclamation does not allow agreements to go beyond 5 years.

4. Environmental Compliance

All awarded agreements will require compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) before any ground disturbing activity may begin. Compliance with all applicable state, Federal, and local environmental, cultural resource, and paleontological resource protection laws and regulations is also required. These may include, but are not limited to, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), consultation with potentially affected tribes, and consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office.

Reclamation will be the lead Federal agency for NEPA compliance and will be responsible for evaluating technical information and ensuring that natural and cultural resources and socioeconomic concerns are appropriately addressed. As the lead agency, Reclamation will give the Applicant a final approval in NEPA and cultural resources compliances. Environmental and cultural resources compliance costs are part of an applicant’s budget. These costs will be considered in the ranking of applications.

5. System for Award Management (SAM)

All applicants must be registered in the SAM prior to award under this FOA. The SAM instructions for registration are located at http://www.sam.gov. All applicants must maintain an active SAM with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration.

All subcontractors, other than suppliers, must be registered in SAM prior to award under this FOA. Subcontractors that are unknown at the time of award shall also be registered in SAM when they become subcontractors. The SAM instructions for registration are located at http://www.sam.gov . All subcontractors must maintain an active SAM with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration.

III.C. Other Funding Guidelines

Funding from sources other than the Salinity Program is not required. However, an applicant may want to include funding from other funding sources to make their project more competitive. Other funding may be in the form of cash, in-kind contributions, or both from the applicant or third-party partners. Other funding from sources outside the applicant’s organization, e.g., loans or state grants, should be secured and available to the applicant prior to award. Reclamation may approve an award prior to an applicant securing other funds if Reclamation determines that there is sufficient evidence and likelihood that the funds will be available to the applicant by the start of the project. Funding commitment letters must be submitted in accordance with instructions in Section IV.B.

If an entity chooses to help fund their project(s) with additional non-salinity funding, this will create a cost share project with two or more funding sources. The non-salinity funding and the Salinity Funding shall be spent concurrently at the agreed-upon cost share percentage. This cost share percentage will remain in effect for the life of the agreement.

1. In-Kind Contributions

In-kind contributions constitute the value of non-cash contributions that benefit a federally assisted project. These contributions may be in the form of real property, equipment, supplies, and other expendable property, as well as the value of goods and services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to the project or program. The cost or value of 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 claimed as other funding in the application.

2. Claiming Features and Projects Already Constructed as Other Funding

Applicants may not claim features and associated salt control for projects previously constructed or that are already under agreement to be funded by another program as other funding in their application. This includes projects not contingent on being selected for Salinity Program funding.

3. Indirect Costs

Indirect costs that will be incurred during the development or construction of a project, which will not otherwise be recovered, may be included as part of the applicant’s other funding. Indirect costs are those: (1) incurred for a common or joint purpose benefiting more than one cost objective, and (2) not readily assignable to any one cost objective. If the applicant proposes indirect costs in the budget, then the applicant must either supply a copy of a current federally-negotiated indirect cost rate agreement or obtain an agreement within 1 year of award. For further information on indirect costs, refer to the applicable Office of Management and Budget (OMB) cost principles circular referenced above and available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars. Normally design, construction management, cultural resources or NEPA are not indirect charges.

4. Budget Narrative

(1) General Requirements: Include a budget with the annual estimated project costs and an estimate of any out-year costs associated with the project. Include the value of in-kind contributions of goods and services and sources of funds provided to complete the project. The application must clearly delineate between Reclamation and applicant contributions.

(2) Budget Format: The budget must include detailed information on the categories listed in the table at Appendix D on the Application. Unit costs shall be provided for all budget items, including the cost of work to be provided by contractors. Lump sum costs are not acceptable in any category.

Additionally, applicants shall include a narrative description of the items included in the budget. It is strongly advised that applicants use the budget format shown in Appendix D in the 2017 FOA Project Application.

(3) Budget Narrative Format: Submission of a budget narrative is mandatory. An award will not be made to any applicant who fails to fully disclose this information. The Budget Narrative provides a discussion of, or explanation for, items included in the budget application. An applicant must provide a basis for and detailed support for each cost element; i.e., did the rate come from quotes; historical documentation modeling; an engineer estimate; or some other methodology? If selected, supporting documentation will be required.

(4) Budget Form: In addition to the above-described budget information, the applicant must complete an SF-424, Budget Information–Construction Programs. This form is available at http://www.grants.gov/agencies/aforms_repository_information.jsp

Below is a sample of what Reclamation uses to review budgets. Please provide as much detail as possible.

Budget Pricing Guide/Template

The following estimating techniques may be used;

Competition: Bid abstracts for similar work on previous projects Comparison to historic pricing Comparison to published prices Market research

Some or all of the following cost element information may apply:

Labor; does the budget contain the following as applicable?

· The kind of employee that will be working on the project (job classification/description such as engineer, laborer, program manager)?

· The amount of time each person will be working? This can be a number of hours, days, weeks, percentage of a year, etc.

· The wages paid to the employee? This can be an hourly rate, daily rate, annual salary, etc. to correspond to the measure of the time budgeted but does not include fringe or other indirect rates.

· Supporting documentation for the budgeted rate? This can be payroll records identifying the individual or labor category.

Fringe Benefits and Payroll Additives If labor costs are budgeted:

· What is the fringe benefit rate or dollar amount?

· Supporting documentation such as negotiated rates or agreements, qualified CPA recommendation or the actual compilation of the poll and base costs for Reclamation evaluation.

Equipment:

If equipment costs are budgeted:

· The kind of equipment that will be used on the project (type, model, size, etc.)?

· The amount of time each type of equipment will be working? This can be a number of hours, days, weeks, percentage of a year, etc.

· The rate for the equipment? This can be an hourly, daily, annual, etc. to correspond to the measure of the time.

· Is the equipment owned or rented? Reimbursement for use of owned equipment must be based upon the actual cost to the recipient for the operation and use of the equipment, not on rental rates. If ownership rates are not available, Corp of Engineer recommended rates should be used.

· Is there standby time included?

· (Notes: Reimbursement for use of owned equipment must be based upon the actual cost to the recipient for the operation and use of the equipment, not on rental rates. Also, standby costs need to be identified and standby rates supported in the same manner. No operating costs are allowed for standby.)

Material:

If material costs are budgeted:

· What items are being purchased, i.e. a description of the items?

· The quantity of each?

· The unit cost of the items?

· Consolidated Bill of Materials Audits:

A Single Audit may be required for non-Federal entity’s receiving Federal funds. (see reference below. This cost can be reimbursed with Federal funds.)

2CFR §200.501 Audit requirements.

(a) Audit required. A non-Federal entity that expends $750,000 or more during the non-Federal entity's fiscal year in Federal awards must have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year in accordance with the provisions of this part.

Other Direct Costs:

Other direct costs are anything that is not labor, fringe benefits, equipment, material, or overhead. Examples could include supplies, room rental, advertising, internet access, copy costs, telephone use, and travel.

· What the purpose is for the cost?

· What the basis is for the cost in the budget, i.e. how did the requestor come up with the dollar amount for the item?

· Is there enough information to duplicate the calculation of the amount?

Subcontracts:

Did the recipient provide supporting documentation for the subcontract costs determining them to be fair and reasonable? This includes engineering and project management contracts (The budget information needed for subcontractors is identical to the information needed for the recipient. The recipient should have used the same guidance for each cost element budgeted for the subcontractor as would be for the recipient.)

Section IV. Application and Submission Information

IV.A. Salt Load Reduction Estimates for Proposed Projects

All applications for Salinity Control Projects must obtain salt load reduction estimates prior to submission of the application. In order to obtain salt load reduction estimates the Salt Load Reduction Worksheet must be submitted to the Program Manager with a copy to the appropriate Reclamation Technical Contact.

Salt Load Reduction Worksheet

The Salt Load Reduction Worksheet can be downloaded from the website at http://www.usbr.gov/uc/progact/salinity/index.html. Instructions for completing and submitting the Salt Load Reduction Worksheet are included with the document. Questions regarding the Salt Load Reduction Worksheet should be directed to the appropriate Reclamation Technical Contact.

Applicants should submit completed Salt Load Reduction Worksheets to the Program Manager with a copy to the appropriate Reclamation Technical Contact as soon as possible (for contact information see Section VIII). For each Salinity Control Project, applicants will be allowed no more than two submissions of the Salt Load Reduction Worksheet. Applicants should be aware that submittals may require thirty (30) or more calendar days to process. Applicants are encouraged to submit the Salt Load Reduction Worksheet as early as possible following the release of the FOA, especially if applicants anticipate submitting a revised version of the Salt Load Reduction Worksheet. Final submissions of Salt Load Reduction Worksheet must be received by Reclamation no later than October 2, 2017. Electronic submission of the Salt Load Reduction Worksheet by email is acceptable.

Salt load reduction estimates will be provided to the applicant in a letter by Reclamation’s UC Regional Office. A copy of the letter will be emailed to the Applicant.

Irrigation-Related Projects

For irrigation-related projects the salt load reduction estimates will be determined from Reclamation, NRCS, or United States Geological Survey (USGS) salinity studies of agricultural areas. These estimates will only be provided for agricultural areas where a completed study is available. Reclamation does not have the capability to provide salt load reduction estimates for agricultural areas where Reclamation, NRCS, or USGS salinity studies have not been completed.

Salt load reduction estimates may be available for the following agricultural areas. Also see Figure 1 and Figure 2 for maps of approximate locations of these agricultural areas. Check with the appropriate local Reclamation Technical Contact (see Section VIII) for the availability of salt load reduction estimates in each area.

Colorado:

· Grand Valley Unit, which includes the majority of the Grand Valley in the vicinity of Grand Junction, Colorado, with the exception of the Redlands area.

· Lower Gunnison Basin Unit, which includes agricultural lands within the Gunnison River basin, including its tributaries, below Morrow Point Dam, with the exception of some limited areas tributary to the Uncompahgre River.

· McElmo Creek Unit, which includes agricultural lands within the McElmo Creek and Navajo Wash basins in southwestern Colorado.

· Mancos Valley, which includes agricultural lands within the Mancos River basin in southwestern Colorado.

· DeBeque study area, which is located near the town of DeBeque, Colorado, and includes agricultural lands located along the Colorado River corridor and along portions of Roan Creek.

· Whitewater and Kannah Creek study area, which is adjacent to the lower Gunnison River near the town of Whitewater, Colorado, and includes agricultural lands located in lowland mesas and stream valleys of Whitewater, Kannah, and Callow Creek.

· Silt study area, which is located near the town of Silt, Colorado, and is an area roughly defined as being bordered by the Colorado River, Colorado State Highway 325, and the south side of the Grand Hogback, and Garfield County Road 235, just east of Silt.

New Mexico:

· Navajo Portion of the San Juan Unit, New Mexico, including the Hogback, Fruitland, and Gadii’ahi projects.

Utah:

· Price-San Rafael Rivers Unit, which includes agricultural lands within the Price and San Rafael River basins in east-central Utah.

· Uinta Basin study areas including Ashley Valley, Utah.

· Muddy Creek Unit, which is near the town of Emery, Utah, and includes agricultural lands located in the Muddy Creek watershed north of Interstate 70.

· Manila-Washam project area, which is located near the towns of Manila, Utah, and Washam, Wyoming, and includes agricultural lands within Lucerne Valley, South Valley, Antelope Hollow, Green River, and along Henry’s Fork.

· Green River project area, which includes agricultural lands located near the town of Green River, Utah.

Wyoming:

· Big Sandy River near the towns of Farson and Eden, Wyoming, including agricultural lands served by the Eden Project.

· West Blacks Fork, which includes agricultural lands along the Blacks Fork River upstream of its confluence with the Smith Fork River and near the towns of Fort Bridger, Lyman, and along Henry’s Fork in Wyoming.

If the proposed project does not fall within one of these previously studied areas, salt load reduction estimates cannot be provided at this time. However, if an organization has interest in pursuing the piping or lining of off-farm canals and ditches in such areas, please contact the appropriate local Reclamation Technical Contact, located in Section VIII of the FOA, to discuss the possibility of future studies, which could lead to participation in the Salinity Control Program.

Other Types of Salinity Control (Non-Irrigation)

Applications for other types of salinity control will be accepted for evaluation. All applications for other types of salinity control must obtain salt load reduction estimates from Reclamation prior to submission of the application. See Section IV.A.1 for instructions on submitting the Salt Load Reduction Worksheet.

IV.B. Application Delivery Instructions

Applications must be submitted electronically through http://www.grants.gov

Reclamation will not accept applications via email or package deliveries.

Application Submission Deadline

November 14, 2017, 3:00 p.m. (MST)

Applications received after the application deadline will not be considered unless it can be determined that the delay was caused by the Grants.gov application system (see Section IV.C.2).

IV.C. Submission Requirements

1. Applications Submitted Electronically

The applicant must submit an electronic application through http://www.grants.gov.

· Please note that submission of an application electronically requires prior registration through Grants.gov, which may take 7-21 calendar days. Please see registration instructions at http://www.grants.gov.

· If an applicant is properly registered in Grants.gov and encounters problems with the Grants.gov application submission process, the applicant must contact the Grants.gov help desk to obtain a “Case Number”. This number will provide evidence of attempting to submit an application prior to the submission deadline.

2. Applying for Funds Online at Grants.gov

Reclamation is participating in the Grants.gov initiative that provides the grant community with a single website to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. Applicant resource documents and a full set of instructions for registering with Grants.gov and completing and submitting applications are online at http://www.grants.gov.

a. Assistance with Grants.gov If assistance is needed with Grants.gov, the Contact Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week--Closed on Federal holidays. The Grants.gov Contact Center may be reached by email at support@grants.gov or by calling 1-800-518-4726.

b. Registering to Use Grants.gov (1-3 Week Process) The following checklist is provided to give a summary of the steps that are required to register with Grants.gov. This registration process must be completed prior to submitting an electronic application through Grants.gov.

Additionally, see Table 1, Step 2, below for completing the annual SAM renewal process.

Note: (The following checklist information is available electronically at http://www.grants.gov/assets/Organization_Steps_Complete_Registration.pdf). The registration is a onetime process, which is required before representatives of an organization can submit grant application packages electronically through Grants.gov. The registration process can take three (3) to five (5) business days or one (1) to three (3) weeks - depending on the organization and if all steps are met in a timely manner. The checklist in Table 1, provides registration guidance for a company; academic or research institution; state, local, or tribal Government; not-for-profit; or other type of organization

Table 1. Checklist for Registering an Organization in Grants.gov

Ask the grant administrator, chief financial officer, or authorizing official of your organization to identify your DUNS number.

If your organization does not know its DUNS number or needs to register for one, visit Dun & Bradstreet at <http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do>.

The Federal Government has adopted the use of DUNS numbers to track how Federal grant money is allocated. DUNS numbers identify your organization.

Same Day. DUNS number information will be received online.

2: Register With SAM

Has my organization registered with the SAM?

Ask the grant administrator, chief financial officer, or authorizing official of your organization if your organization has registered with the SAM.

If your organization is not registered, you can apply online by going to http://www.sam.gov. SAM has developed a frequently asked questions site https://www.sam.gov/sam/transcript/SAM_FAQs-June2012.pdf to help you with the process. There is also a quick start guide for Grants Registration located at https://www.sam.gov/sam/transcript/Quick_Guide_for_Grants_Registrations_v1.7.pdf. If AFTER having registered in SAM, you experience any registration problems, you can get help by going to the Federal Service Desk at https://www.fsd.gov.

When your organization registers with SAM, you must designate an E-Business Point of Contact (E-Biz POC). This person will identify a special password called an "M-PIN".

This M-PIN gives the E-Biz POC authority to designate which staff member(s) from your organization are allowed to submit applications electronically through Grants.gov. Staff members from your organization designated to submit applications are called Authorized Organization Representatives (AOR).

Registering with the SAM is required for organizations to use Grants.gov.

If your organization already has an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), then you should allow one – three business days to complete the entire SAM registration. The EIN and TIN will come from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

If your organization does not have an EIN or TIN, then you should allow two weeks for obtaining the information from the IRS when requesting the EIN or TIN via phone or Internet. The additional number of days needed is a result of security information that needs to be mailed to the organization.

*Note: Your organization needs to renew your SAM registration once a year. You will not be able to move on to Step 3 until you have renewed your SAM registration. This renewal may take up to 5 business days.

3: Username and Password

Have the AORs who officially submit applications on behalf of your organization completed their profile with Grants.gov to create their username and password?

To create a username and password, AORs must complete their profile on Grants.gov. AORs will need to know the DUNS number of the organization for which they will be submitting applications to complete the process.

After your organization registers with the SAM, AORs must wait one business day before they can complete a profile and create their usernames and passwords on Grants.gov.

An AOR username and password serves as an "electronic signature" when submitting a Grants.gov application.

Same Day. After the AOR has completed their profile they will be prompted to create a username and password that will allow the user to login and check their approval status immediately.

When an AOR registers with Grants.gov to submit applications on behalf of an organization, that organization's E-Biz POC will receive an email notification. The email the AOR submitted in the profile will be the email used when sending the automatic notification from Grants.gov to the E-Biz POC with the AOR copied on the correspondence.

The E-Biz POC must then login to Grants.gov (using the organization’s DUNS number for the username and the "M-PIN" password (obtained in Step 2) and approve the AOR, thereby giving him or her permission to submit applications.

When an E-Biz POC approves an AOR, Grants.gov will send the AOR a confirmation email.

Only the E-Biz POC can approve AORs. This allows the organization to authorize specific staff members or consultants/grant writers to submit grants. Only those who have been authorized by the E-Biz POC can submit applications on behalf of the organization.

This depends on how long it takes the E-Biz POC to login and approve the AOR. Once the approval is completed, the AOR can immediately submit an application.

5: Track AOR Status

What is your AOR status?

AORs can also login to track their AOR status using their username and password (obtained in Step 3) to check if they have been approved by the E-Biz POC.

To verify that the organization’s E-Biz POC has approved the AOR.

Logging in to check your AOR status is instantaneous. The approval process to become an AOR depends on how long it takes the E-Biz POC to login and approve the AOR.

NOTE: Some applicants have experienced difficulties when attempting to submit their applications electronically through Grants.gov. If you encounter problems with the Grants.gov application submission process, you must contact the Grants.gov Help Desk (1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov) to obtain a “Case Number.” This will provide evidence of your attempt to submit an application prior to the submission deadline.

IV.D. Content and Form of Application Submission

Each applicant shall submit an application in accordance with the instructions contained in this section.

Application Format and Length

The Project Application section shall be limited to a maximum of twenty (20) pages excluding appendices. The SF-424 forms are not considered in the total page count.

Applications will be prescreened for compliance to the page number limitations.

Application Content

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

· SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance

· SF-424 C and D Forms

· Signature Letters

· Applicant Review Signature (required)

· Project Application (limited to twenty [20] pages excluding appendices) to include (all are required):

· Title page

· Table of contents

· Part I - Project summary

· Part II - Project proposed for funding

· Part III - Project costs and funding plan

· Appendices A through E as applicable to the project

· Commitment Letter(s) for Cost Share funding (if applicable)

· Letters of project support (if applicable)

· Official resolution (to be provided by the Applicant) (required)

SF-424 Forms

SF-424 Forms may be obtained at http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/FormLinks?family=15

Failure to submit all properly signed SF 424 Forms may result in the elimination of the application from further consideration.

Signature Letters Applicant Review Signature Page This is required to be signed by the person designated to represent the company, district, ditch or irrigation company, e.g., president or chairman. This signed page indicates that the person representing the applicant has reviewed the application that has been prepared and concurs that it meets the needs and objectives of his/her company, district, ditch, or Irrigation Company.

Basin State Salinity Coordinator Concurrence Letter It is encouraged that each application be reviewed by and include a…