FY2022 CPN WCFSP NOFO R22AS00105.pdf

U.S. Department of the Interior November 2021

Water Conservation Field Services Program: Financial Assistance for Fiscal Year 2022 Funding Opportunity Announcement No. R22AS00105 Columbia-Pacific Northwest Region

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

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

Cover photograph: Cold Springs Dam, Oregon; photograph taken 2014.

Funding Opportunity Announcement i November 2021

R22AS00105

Synopsis Aspect of Funding

Opportunity Specific Information

Federal Agency Name Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Columbia-Pacific Northwest Region

Funding Opportunity Title Water Conservation Field Services Program: Financial Assistance for Fiscal Year 2022

Announcement Type Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Funding Opportunity Number

R22AS00105

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number

15.530

Dates Proposals will be accepted, evaluated, and selected on a rolling-basis until the final application submission deadline for FY 2022 funding, contingent on appropriations:

First review deadline: February 28, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT)

Final review deadline: April 29, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT)

Eligible Applicants Irrigation and water districts, Tribes, and state governmental entities with water delivery authority and a defined relationship to one or more authorized Bureau of Reclamation Project(s) located within the Columbia-Pacific Northwest Region

Recipient Cost Share 50 percent or more of total project costs Federal Funding Amount Up to $25,000 per agreement for a project that can be completed within 2 years Estimated Number of Agreements to be Awarded

Approximately 10 agreements

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Application Checklist The following table contains a summary of the information that applicants are required to submit.

Unless otherwise noted, these materials should be submitted with the application.

√ What to Submit Required Content Form or Format Mandatory Federal

Forms:

See Sec. 5.6.1

SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, and SF- 424D forms may be obtained at https://www.grants.gov/forms/sf-424-family.html

SF-424 Application for Federal Financial Assistance

SF-424A (non-construction)/SF-424C (construction) Budget Information

SF-424B (non-construction)/SF-424D Assurances (construction)

Title page See Sec. 5.6.2 -- Background See Sec. 5.6.3 -- Technical description See Sec. 5.6.4 -- Project schedule See Sec. 5.6.5 -- Budget narrative See Sec. 5.6.6 -- Official resolution* See Sec. 5.6.7 -- Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management*

See Sec. 5.2 --

* Should be completed prior to the application deadline; however, please refer to the applicable section of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for extended completion date information.

https://www.grants.gov/forms/sf-424-family.html https://www.grants.gov/forms/sf-424-family.html

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Acronyms and Abbreviations Acronym or Abbreviation

Description

ASAP Automated Standard Application for Payment

CFDA Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

DOI Department of the Interior

DUNS Data Universal Number System

FY Fiscal Year

MST Mountain Standard Time

NOFO Notice of Funding Opportunity

Reclamation Bureau of Reclamation

SAM System of Award Management

SOR System Optimization Review

U.S.C. United States Code

WaterSMART Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow

WCFSP Water Conservation Field Services Program

WIIN Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation

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Funding Opportunity Announcement 1 November 2021

Table of Contents A. Program Description

A.1. Authority

A.2. Background, Purpose, and Program Requirements

A.3. Objective of this Funding Opportunity Announcement

A.4. Other Related Funding Opportunities

B. Federal Award Information

B.1. Total Funding

B.2. Expected Award Amount

B.3. Type of Award

C. Eligibility Information

C.1. Eligible Applicants

C.2. Cost-Sharing Requirements

C.3. Other

C.3.1 Donations and In-kind Contributions

C.3.2 Excluded Parties

C.4. Eligible Project Types

C.4.1. Water Management and Conservation Planning

C.4.2. System Optimization Review

C.4.3. Designing Water Management Improvements

C.4.4. Demonstrating Conservation Project Technologies

C.5. Ineligible Projects

D. Application and Submission Information

D.1. Address to Request an Application Package

D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D.2.1 Required Application Content Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Official’s signature on the appropriate SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form also represents the entity’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A.

D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management

D.3.1 Registration

D.3.1 Obtain a DUNS Number:

D.3.3 Register with the System for Award Management

D.4. Submission Dates and Times

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D.4.1. Electronic Submittal

D.4.2. Hard-Copy Submittal

D.5. Intergovernmental Review

D.6 Funding Restrictions D.6.1. Pre-Award Costs

D.7 Other Submission Requirements

D.7.1. Federal Reimbursements for Project Costs Incurred

E. Application Review Information

E.1. Criteria

E.1.1. Water Management and Conservation Planning

E.1.2. System Optimization Reviews

E.1.3. Designing Water Management Improvements

E.1.4. Demonstration of Conservation Project Technologies

E.1.5. Presidential and Department of the Interior Priorities

E.2. Review and Selection Process

E.3. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F.1. Award Notices

F.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F.2.1 Environmental Compliance

F.2.2 Real Property, 2 CFR §200.311

F.3. Reporting

F.4. Disclosures

F.4.1. Conflict of Interest

F.4.2. Other Mandatory Disclosures

F.5. Data Availability

F.5.1 Geospatial Data

F.5.2. Requirements for availability of data (2 CFR § 1402.315)

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

G.1. Program Technical Contact

G.2. Financial Assistance Administrative Contact

G.3. Application System Technical Support

H. Columbia-Pacific Northwest Region Administrative Boundaries

Funding Opportunity Announcement 3 November 2021

A. Program Description

A.1. Authority

This NOFO is issued under the authority of Section 9504(a) of the Secure Water Act, Subtitle F of Title IX of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, Public Law 111-11 (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] 10364).

A.2. Background, Purpose, and Program Requirements

The Department of the Interior’s (DOI’s) WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow) Program provides a framework for Federal leadership and assistance to stretch and secure water supplies for future generations in support of DOI priorities. Through WaterSMART, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) leverages Federal and non-Federal funding to work cooperatively with states, Tribes, and local entities as they plan for and implement actions to increase water supply reliability through investments in existing infrastructure and attention to local water conflicts. The Water Conservation Field Services Program (WCFSP) provides support for priorities identified in Presidential Executive Order (E.O.) 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (E.O. 14008) and aligned with other priorities, such as those identified in Presidential Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government (E.O. 13985).

Drought conditions across the Western United States impact a wide range of communities and sectors, including agriculture, cities, Tribes, the environment, recreation, hydropower producers, and others.

Reclamation established the Water Conservation Field Services Program (WCFSP) in 1996 to encourage recipients of water from Federal water projects to conserve water and to assist agricultural and urban water districts in preparing and implementing water conservation plans in accordance with the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982. Through the WCFSP, Reclamation makes cost-shared financial assistance available for developing water conservation plans, designing water management improvements, identifying water management improvements through System Optimization Reviews (SORs), and improving the understanding of water conservation techniques through demonstration activities.

This Water Conservation Field Services Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) provides funding for projects that result in water management planning. These planning projects support planning for water managers to plan, prioritize, and design projects that conserve and use water more efficiently; mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict; and accomplish other benefits that contribute to sustainability in the Western United States.

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

https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/

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A.3. Objective of this Funding Opportunity Announcement

The objective of this NOFO is to invite eligible applicants located in the geographic area covered by Reclamation’s Columbia-Pacific Northwest Region to leverage their money and resources by cost-sharing water conservation planning with Reclamation to make more efficient use of existing water supplies.

A.4. Other Related Funding Opportunities

The WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects program provides cost-shared financial assistance for small-scale water management projects (up to $75,000 in Federal funding for each project) that have been identified through previous planning efforts.

The WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants program provides cost-shared financial assistance for larger water conservation projects (up to $1.5 million in Federal funding for each project) resulting in quantifiable and sustained water savings.

The WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects program provides cost-shared financial assistance for larger conservation projects (up to $2 million in Federal funding for each project) that result in quantifiable and sustained water savings and benefit ecological values.

The Drought Contingency Planning program provides cost-shared financial assistance to prepare or update a drought contingency plan (up to $200,000 in Federal funding for each project).

The Drought Resiliency Projects program provides cost-shared financial assistance for larger conservation projects (up to $2 million in Federal funding for each project) that increase the reliability of water supplies, improve water management, and mitigate impacts to the environment from drought.

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B. Federal Award Information

B.1. Total Funding

The amount of funding available for awards under this NOFO will depend on final fiscal year (FY) 2022 appropriations and on the demand for funding under this and other elements of the WCFSP.

This NOFO will be canceled if FY 2022 appropriations are insufficient to support new awards.

B.2. Expected Award Amount

Maximum Award: $25,000

Minimum Award: $0

The Federal share (Reclamation’s share, in addition to any other sources of Federal funding) for any project shall not exceed 50 percent of the total costs. A maximum of $25,000 in Federal funding may be allocated to proposals awarded funding under this NOFO. An applicant may submit more than one application and may be selected for multiple grants. A maximum of $100,000 per entity per year in Federal funding may be allocated to proposals awarded funding under this NOFO.

B.3. Type of Award

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

Substantial involvement by Reclamation may include:

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

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

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C. Eligibility Information

C.1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include any state, Tribe, irrigation district, water district, or other organization with water or power delivery authority located in Reclamation’s Columbia-Pacific Northwest Region (see Section 8). The proposed activity must have a defined relationship to one or more Reclamation project(s) authorized by Congress. A defined relationship includes everything within the project service area (i.e., project features and facilities, watershed, water systems, or water supplies affected by a specific Reclamation project).

C.2. Cost-Sharing Requirements

Applicants must be capable of contributing 50 percent or more of the total project costs. Cost-sharing may be made through cash or in-kind contributions or donations from the applicant or third-party partners. Cost-share funding from sources outside the applicant’s organization (e.g., loans or state grants) should be secured and available to the applicant prior to award.

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

The cost or value of donations and in-kind contributions to satisfy cost-sharing for another Federal financial assistance agreement, a Federal procurement contract, or any other award of Federal funds may not be relied on to satisfy the cost-share requirement for an award under this NOFO.

C.3. Other

C.3.1 Donations and In-kind Contributions Donations and 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. Applicants should refer to 2 CFR §200.434 for regulations regarding the valuation of donations and in-kind contributions, available at www.ecfr.gov.

C.3.2 Excluded Parties

Reclamation conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. Reclamation cannot award funds to entities or their key http://www.ecfr.gov/ http://www.ecfr.gov/

Funding Opportunity Announcement 7 November 2021 project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, as their ineligibility condition applies to this Federal program.

C.4. Eligible Project Types

C.4.1. Water Management and Conservation Planning

Water management and conservation plans provide entities an opportunity to document data on current water supply and demand, prepare a forecast for future water demands, identify water conservation goals, and determine conservation measures (e.g., cost/pricing of water, water accounting, landscape efficiency, information and education, water use regulation). Water conservation plans may be modeled after plans described in the Reclamation document titled Achieving Efficient Water Management: A Guidebook for Preparing Agricultural Water Conservation Plans, Second Edition (2000), available at https://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/wat/publications/guidemstr.pdf.

C.4.2. System Optimization Review A System Optimization Review (SOR) is used to assess the potential for water management improvements and to identify a plan of action that contains recommendations for implementing specific improvements that have the potential to enhance water management. The review can include an analysis of the entire water delivery system, district, watershed, or a portion thereof.

SORs are intended to take a broad look at system-wide efficiency and are not focused on single project-specific planning.

An SOR comprises the following actions:

• Gather information.

• Identify, describe, and prioritize water management issues.

• Establish goals.

• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize potential improvement projects that could mitigate the identified issues and accomplish goals.

o The evaluation of improvement projects could consider: the water management benefits associated with the improvement, anticipated construction and operating costs (as applicable), as well as environmental, regulatory, cultural, and economic impacts.

o As part of the evaluation, efforts to better quantify the associated benefits of the proposed improvement projects are eligible subtasks (e.g., soil infiltration tests, required monitoring activities).

If an applicant’s previous planning efforts have addressed some of the components identified above, the applicant can propose funding for the remaining components for a complete system analysis.

The SOR Final Report will serve as the final product of the SOR analysis and will summarize the analysis performed.

https://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/wat/publications/guidemstr.pdf

Funding Opportunity Announcement 8 November 2021

C.4.3. Designing Water Management Improvements Upon completion of prior planning efforts (e.g., Water Management and Conservation Plan, SOR) to identify solutions for water management issues, this activity provides funding to design identified water management improvement projects. This activity includes the necessary preliminary work in preparation of the design, such as surveying and gathering of pertinent site-specific information (e.g., hydraulic head available at site, soil testing, determination of groundwater level). Eligible subtasks under this activity also include peer-review for the design; development of a cost estimate, including scoping the costs for regulatory compliance activities (e.g., environmental, cultural); and identification of necessary regulatory requirements (e.g., permits). Land/title acquisition and environmental/cultural resources compliance work are not eligible under this activity.

Examples of eligible design activities include, but are not limited to, the following activities:

• Design for conversion of an open conveyance system (e.g., canal) to a closed conveyance system (e.g., pipeline), resulting in conserved water (i.e., reduced evaporation).

• Design for lining of a canal with proven materials or technology, resulting in conserved water (i.e., reducing/eliminating seepage).

• Design of weirs, flumes, ramps, and other irrigation flow measurement devices in an open channel.

• Design of control structures for an irrigation system (e.g., check structures, drop structures, diversion structures).

• Design for installation of meters within a distribution system, resulting in better water management (i.e., leakage quantification).

• Design for system implementation of supervisory control and data acquisition and automation (SCADA) components intended to result in better water management (i.e., reductions in spills, over-deliveries, and/or seepage).

• Design of irrigation system regulating reservoirs for better management of water supply (i.e., reduced spills, more flexibility in water delivery operations, excess water interception at end of system).

C.4.4. Demonstrating Conservation Project Technologies

Demonstration activities are those that include the installation or application of a specific technology in a new way, or in a new setting, with the intent of reporting the results to others for wider adoption. The activities should demonstrate innovative technologies in water conservation to increase technical understanding of unfamiliar water management and practices that have been previously used locally.

C.5. Ineligible Projects

Proposals for the development of planning studies are not eligible for funding under this NOFO.

This includes proposals for the development of appraisal investigations, feasibility studies, special

Funding Opportunity Announcement 9 November 2021 studies, drought contingency plans, Basin Studies, studies authorized under the Title XVI Water Recycling and Reuse Program, or studies authorized under the Rural Water Program.

Funding Opportunity Announcement 10 November 2021

D. Application and Submission Information

D.1. Address to Request an Application Package

The required forms may be accessed by using the following link.SF-424 Family | GRANTS.GOV or contact Nathan Moeller, The Financial Assistance Administrative Contact to request paper forms at nmoeller@usbr.gov.

D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D.2.1 Required Application Content Use the application checklist (page ii) to make sure the application is complete.

The application shall be limited to six 8 ½-inch by 11-inch pages and single-spaced on one side of the page. The Federal forms and Official Resolution do not count toward the page limit. The font used shall be easily readable and between 10 and 12 points. All pages shall be consecutively numbered.

D.2.1.1 Federal Forms

Type of Project Form Number Form Name

Plan Development, SOR, Design, Demonstration

SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance

Water Management Plans, SOR, Design SF-424 A Budget Information (non-construction)

Water Management Plans, SOR, Design SF 424 B Assurances (non-construction)

Demonstration SF-424 Budget Information (construction)

Demonstration SF 424 D Assurances (construction)

D.2.2.1 Title Page

Provide a brief, descriptive title for the proposed work that indicates the nature of the project.

Include the name and address of the applicant and the name, mailing address, email address, and telephone number of the project manager.

Clearly identify the funding category for the project (i.e., Water Management and Conservation Plan Development, SOR Project, Water Management Improvement Design, or Demonstration Project).

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html mailto:nmoeller@usbr.gov

Funding Opportunity Announcement 11 November 2021

D.2.2.2. Background

Recommended length: one page or less.

Discuss the background and location of your organization, relationship to the applicable Reclamation project, and the project need. Describe the following: relationships between all entities involved; the ownership of any facilities or infrastructure related to the project; and any water rights, easements, or agreements related to the project. Include maps or other graphics that clearly illustrate the location of the project and/or the problem that the project will address.

D.2.2.3. Technical Description

Recommended length: two pages or less.

Provide a clear description of the scope of the project and how it is to be accomplished. This should address activity tasks and discuss the approach and evaluation techniques that will be used to accomplish the project. The benefit(s) and outcome(s) of the project should be discussed, including the ways that the project could lead water reliability and/or a reduction in potential conflict between water users. This discussion should support a comprehensive evaluation of the application and its outcome. See the evaluation criteria for each funding category in Section 6 for more information regarding the specific project components or outcomes that should be described in the technical description.

D.2.2.4. Project Schedule

Recommended length: one-half page or less.

Provide a list of the activities required to complete the project and their estimated completion dates, including the start and end dates and general milestones. Provide sufficient details to show that the project can reasonably be completed within the proposed schedule. In general, projects funded under this NOFO should be completed within 2 years of award.

D.2.2.5. Budget Narrative

Recommended length: one page or less.

Provide a budget for the major activities of the project and the source(s) of cost share. At least 50 percent non-Federal cost-sharing for this activity is required. The cost-share may include cash, materials, supplies, use of facilities, direct labor costs, and contract costs with third parties paid by the recipient. Costs that are not supported appropriately prior to award will be disallowed.

Funding Opportunity Announcement 12 November 2021

D.2.2.6. Official Resolution

Please provide an official resolution or statement from the board of directors or governing body approving or accepting your application. If you expect to obtain the resolution by a certain date that is after submissions are due, please include that information as a substitute until the resolution is signed. An official resolution is due prior to award.

D.2.2.7 Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Per the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR), 2 CFR §1402.112, applicants must state in their application if any actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission.

(a) Applicability.

(1) This section intends to ensure that non-Federal entities and their employees take appropriate steps to avoid conflicts of interest in their responsibilities under or with respect to Federal financial assistance agreements.

(2) In the procurement of supplies, equipment, construction, and services by recipients and by subrecipients, the conflict of interest provisions in 2 CFR 200.318 apply.

(b) Notification.

(1) Non-Federal entities, including applicants for financial assistance awards, must disclose in writing any conflict of interest to the DOI awarding agency or pass-through entity in accordance with 2

CFR 200.112.

(2) Recipients must establish internal controls that include, at a minimum, procedures to identify, disclose, and mitigate or eliminate identified conflicts of interest. The recipient is responsible for notifying the Financial Assistance Officer in writing of any conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of the award, including those that have been reported by subrecipients.

(c) Restrictions on lobbying. Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under a grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR part 18 and 31 U.S.C. 1352.

(d) Review procedures. The Financial Assistance Officer will examine each conflict of interest disclosure on the basis of its particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or cooperative agreement and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.

(e) Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the government may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR part 180).

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=1bfd0da1190f850482e94794cca23a5d&mc=true&node=20190830y1.1

Funding Opportunity Announcement 13 November 2021

D.2.2.8. Single Audit Reporting Statement

All U.S. states, local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, and non- profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. U.S. state, local government, federally recognized Indian tribal government, and non-profit applicants must state if your organization was or was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If your organization was required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

D.2.2.9 Certification Regarding Lobbying

Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Official’s signature on the appropriate SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form also represents the entity’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A.

D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management

D.3.1 Registration This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as individual (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate) or any entity with an exception approved by the funding bureau or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. All other applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and then register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application. Federal award recipients must continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s). See the “Submission Requirements” section of this document below for more information on SAM.gov registration. We may not make a Federal award to an applicant that has not completed the SAM.gov registration. If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the program is ready to make an award, the program may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. The program can use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. There is no cost to register with Dun & Bradstreet or SAM.gov. There are third-party vendors who will charge a fee in exchange for registering entities with Dun & Bradstreet and SAM.gov; please be aware you can register and request help for free.

D.3.1 Obtain a DUNS Number:

Request a DUNS Number through the Dun & Bradstreet website. For technical difficulties, send an email to the D&B SAM Help Desk. Please ensure that you are able to receive emails from SAMHelp@dnb.com. The Grants.gov “Obtain a DUNS Number” webpage also provides detailed instructions. Once assigned a DUNS number, your organization must maintain up-to-date https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 mailto:SAMHelp@dnb.com

Funding Opportunity Announcement 14 November 2021 information with Dun & Bradstreet. Applicants must enter their DUNS number in the “Organizational DUNS” field on the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form.

D.3.3 Register with the System for Award Management Register on the SAM.gov website. “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov Register with SAM page also provides detailed instructions. You can also contact the supporting Federal Service Desk for help registering in SAM. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least once every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly encouraged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure their information is up to date and reflects changes that may have been to the entity’s DUNS or IRS information.

D.4. Submission Dates and Times

Due Date for Applications:

02/28/2022 (first deadline)

04/29/2022 (final deadline)

There are two review and selection periods. The first review deadline is February 28, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. MDT. The final review deadline is April 29, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. MDT.

Applications may be submitted by two methods (i.e., electronic submittal or hard copy) to the Grants Management Specialist listed in Section 1. If an applicant wishes to submit a paper hard-copy as a back-up to the electronic submission, both will be accepted. If the submissions differ, the latter one received will prevail unless the applicant specifies otherwise. Applicants are responsible for ensuring their applications are accepted and received by the established application due date.

D.4.1. Electronic Submittal

Grants.gov can be used to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. To electronically apply, applicants must complete the Grants.gov registration process. The registration process can take approximately 2 weeks to complete.

Applicants have experienced significant delays when attempting to submit through Grants.gov.

Applicants are encouraged to submit an application several days prior to the application deadline. If an applicant is registered as a Grants.gov applicant and encounters problems with the submission process, the applicant should contact the Grants.gov Help Desk to obtain a case number.

D.4.2. Hard-Copy Submittal All originals of the hard-copy applications should be hand-delivered or mailed to the Grants Management Specialist listed in Section 1 and received by the deadline.

Funding Opportunity Announcement 15 November 2021

D.5. Intergovernmental Review

Prior to application submission, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the OMB Office of Federal Financial Management website and view the “State Point of Contact (SPOC) List” to determine whether their application is subject to the state intergovernmental review process under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” States not on the list do not participate in the intergovernmental review process, and therefore do not have a SPOC. If you are located within a State that does not have a SPOC, you may send application materials directly to a Federal awarding agency. If your state is on the list, contact the designated entity for more information on the state’s prior review requirements for Federal assistance applications.

D.6 Funding Restrictions

D.6.1. Pre-Award Costs

Pre-award costs will not be allowed for projects awarded from this funding opportunity.

D.7 Other Submission Requirements

D.7.1. Federal Reimbursements for Project Costs Incurred

The Department of Treasury Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) system is a recipient-initiated payment and information system designed to provide a single point of contact for the request and delivery of Federal funds. ASAP is the only allowable method for request and receipt of payment used by Reclamation.

E. Application Review Information

E.1. Criteria

Applications will be evaluated with the evaluation criteria listed below, as pertinent to the funding category of your application. Each project type must address Presidential and Department of the Interior Priorities. Those priorities are detailed in Section 6.5.

E.1.1. Water Management and Conservation Planning https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/

Funding Opportunity Announcement 16 November 2021

Evaluation Criterion Points

A — Association with Reclamation project water supplies 30

B — Extent to which the completed activity will improve the applicant’s ability to modernize their existing water delivery infrastructure

C — Extent to which Federal funding would promote completion of an activity that might otherwise be delayed or postponed

D — Reasonableness of cost 10

E — DOI and Reclamation priorities (see Section 6.5) 10

F — Amount and sources of non-Federal funding 5

G — Presidential and Department of the Interior Priorities (see Section 6.5) 10

E.1.2. System Optimization Reviews Evaluation Criterion Points

A — Association with Reclamation project water supplies 30

B — Extent to which applicant’s Water Management Plan is complete and updated 20

C — Extent to which the proposed analysis is expected to result in an action plan that will improve water conservation and water use efficiency and lead to modernized water delivery infrastructure

D — Extent to which the SOR is likely to address water resources challenges 10

E — Reasonableness of cost 5

F — Extent to which Federal funding would promote completion of an activity that might otherwise be delayed or postponed

G — Amount and sources of non-Federal funding 5

H — Presidential and Department of the Interior Priorities (see Section 6.5) 10

E.1.3. Designing Water Management Improvements Evaluation Criterion Points

A — Association with Reclamation project water supplies 25

B — Extent to which applicant’s Water Management Plan is complete and updated 20

C — Extent to which the proposed activity will result in the applicant to be better suited to implement a project expected to improve water management and modernize existing water delivery infrastructure

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Evaluation Criterion Points

D — Extent to which the proposed design is related to a water management improvement project identified in a previous planning effort led by the applicant

E — Reasonableness of cost 10

F — Extent to which Federal funding would promote completion of an activity that might otherwise be delayed or postponed

G — Amount and sources of non-Federal funding 5

H — Presidential and Department of the Interior Priorities (see Section 6.5) 10

E.1.4. Demonstration of Conservation Project Technologies Evaluation Criterion Points

A — Association with Reclamation project water supplies 20

B — Extent to which the proposed activity will demonstrate innovative conservation technologies for improving water use efficiency

C — Extent to which applicant’s Water Management Plan is complete and updated 15

D — Applicant’s strategy for monitoring performance and reporting and disseminating results

G — Extent to which the proposal demonstrates a sound implementation strategy 10

H — Likelihood that any environmental and cultural resources issues associated with the proposal can be addressed at low cost and in a timely manner

I — Reasonableness of cost 5

J — Extent to which Federal funding would promote completion of an activity that might otherwise be delayed or postponed

K — Amount and sources of non-Federal funding 5

L — Presidential and Department of the Interior Priorities (see Section 6.5) 10

E.1.5. Presidential and Department of the Interior Priorities Up to 10 points may be awarded based in the extent that the project demonstrates support for the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities, including Presidential Executive Order 14008; Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (EO 14008) and Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government (EO 13985).

Consideration under this criterion is also given for adding ecological value by increasing ecological resiliency to climate change.

Please only address those priorities that are applicable to your project. It is not necessary to address priorities that are not applicable to your project. A project will not necessarily receive more points simply because multiple priorities are addressed. Points will be allocated based on the degree to

Funding Opportunity Announcement 18 November 2021 which the project supports one or more of the priorities listed and whether the connection to the priority(ies) is well supported in the proposal. Without repeating benefits already described in Criterions A, B, and C, described in detail how the proposed project supports a priority(ies) below.

A. Climate Change: EO 14008 emphasizes the need to prioritize and take robust actions to reduce climate pollution, increase resilience to the impacts of climate change, protect public health and conserve our lands, waters, oceans, and biodiversity. Consider if the planning project proposed under WCFSP will support further projects that address climate change.

1. Would future projects include other natural hazard risk reductions for hazards such as wildlife or floods?

2. Do future projects include green or sustainable infrastructure to improve community climate resilience such as reducing the urban heat island effect, lowering building energy demands, or reducing the energy needed to manage water? Does this infrastructure complement other green solutions being implemented throughout the region or watershed?

3. Would future projects establish and utilize a renewable energy source?

4. Would future projects seek to reduce or mitigate climate pollutions such as air or water pollution?

5. Would future projects reduce greenhouse gas emissions by sequestering carbon in soils, grasses, trees, and other vegetation?

6. Would future projects have a conservation or management component that will promote healthy lands and soils or serve to protect water supplies and its associated uses?

7. Would future projects contribute to climate change resiliency on other ways not described above?

B. Disadvantaged or Underserved Communities: EO 14008 and EO 13985 affirm the advancement of environmental justice and equity for all through the development and funding of programs to invest in disadvantaged or underserved communities.

1. Would future projects serve or benefit a disadvantaged or historically underserved community? Benefits can include, but are not limited to, public health and safety through water quality improvements, new water supplies, or economic growth opportunities.

2. Would future projects provide benefits to an underserved community, provide sufficient information to demonstrate that the community meets the underserved definition in E.O.

13985, which includes populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life.

C. Ecological Value: Ecological resiliency is crucial to sustain ecosystems that can respond to and recover from external stressors resulting from climate change and drought.

1. Would future projects seek to improve ecological climate change resiliency of a wetland, river, or stream to benefit to wildlife, fisheries, or habitats? Do these benefits support and endangered or threatened species?

2. What are the types and quantities of environmental benefits provided, such as the types of species and the numbers benefited, acreage of habitat improved, restored or protected, or

Funding Opportunity Announcement 19 November 2021 the amount of additional stream flow added of future projects? How were there benefits calculated?

3. Would future projects reduce the likelihood of a species listing and otherwise improve the species status?

E.2. Review and Selection Process

All applications will be evaluated and selected on a points basis. The applications with the highest scores will be selected first for funding. The evaluation process consists of three levels: screening, technical review, and managerial review. After the evaluation and reviews are complete, Reclamation will notify potential award recipients and unsuccessful applicants of their status and begin the process of making awards.

If an applicant submits more than one application for consideration under this NOFO, each application will be evaluated and scored independently. Once evaluated and scored, Reclamation may, at its discretion, combine applications selected for funding into one award if the activity statement of objectives is the same or similar.

E.3. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

Reclamation expects to contact potential award recipients and unsuccessful applicants by April 1, 2022 (first deadline applicants) and May 30, 2022 (final deadline applicants) (or later if necessary), subject to the timing of final FY 2022 appropriations.

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F. Federal Award Administration Information

F.1. Award Notices

Successful applicants from this NOFO will receive notification that the proposal has been recommended for funding. This notification is not an authorization to begin performance of the work. An official Notice of Award is the authorizing financial assistance agreement signed by the recipient and then executed by the Reclamation Grants Officer. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified that their proposal was not selected for award.

F.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

See the “DOI Standard Terms and Conditions” for the administrative and national policy requirements applicable to DOI awards.

F.2.1 Environmental Compliance Reclamation is required to address environmental compliance for all financial assistance provided by the WCFSP. Environmental compliance for most WCFSP-supported activities can be accomplished with a Categorical Exclusion Checklist. All projects being considered for award funding will require compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. Applicants shall adhere to Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes, as applicable, and shall obtain all required approvals and permits. Compliance with all applicable state, Federal, and local environmental, cultural, and paleontological resources protection laws and regulations is also required. Environmental compliance costs are part of the project cost share. An applicant that proceeds before environmental compliance is complete may risk forfeiting Reclamation funding under this NOFO.

F.2.2 Real Property, 2 CFR §200.311 Real property, equipment, and intangible property, that are acquired or improved with a Federal award must be held in trust by the non-Federal entity as trustee for the beneficiaries of the project or program under which the property was acquired or improved (2 CFR §200.316). Title to real property acquired or improved under a Federal award will vest upon acquisition in the non-Federal entity. Except as otherwise provided by Federal statutes or by the Federal awarding agency, real property will be used for the originally authorized purpose as long as needed for that purpose, during which time the non-Federal entity must not dispose of or encumber its title or other interests.

When real property is no longer needed for the originally authorized purpose, the non-Federal entity must obtain disposition instructions from the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity. As required by 2 CFR §200.329 Reporting on real property, recipients will be required to submit reports on the status of real property acquired or improved under a financial assistance agreement issued under this NOFO.

https://www.doi.gov/grants/doi-standard-terms-and-conditions

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F.3. Reporting

The applicant will be required to submit financial and progress reports during the term of the agreement. The specific terms and conditions pertaining to the reporting requirements, including frequency, will be included in the financial assistance agreement. Each reporting period will require a Federal Financial Report (SF-425) and Federal Performance Report.

F.4. Disclosures

F.4.1. Conflict of Interest Recipients must notify the program immediately in writing of any conflict of interest that arise during the life of their Federal award, including those reported to them by any subrecipient under the award. Recipients must notify the program in writing if any employees, including subrecipient and contractor personnel, are related to, married to, or have a close personal relationship with any Federal employee in the Federal funding program or who otherwise may have been involved in the review and selection of the award. The term employee means any individual engaged in the performance of work pursuant to the Federal award. Recipients may not have a former Federal employee as a key project official, or in any other substantial role related to their award, whose participation put them out of compliance with the legal authorities addressing post-Government employment restrictions. See the U.S. Office of Government Ethics website for more information on these restrictions. Reclamation will examine each conflict of interest disclosure based on its particular facts and the nature of the project and will determine if a significant potential conflict exists. If it does, Reclamation will work with the recipient to determine an appropriate resolution.

Failure to disclose and resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies Reclamation may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338 Remedies for Noncompliance, including termination of the award.

F.4.2. Other Mandatory Disclosures The Non-Federal entity or applicant for a Federal award must disclose, in a timely manner, in writing to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the Federal award. Non-Federal entities that receive a Federal award including the terms and conditions outlined in 2 CFR 200, Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters are required to report certain civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings to SAM. Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338 Remedies for Noncompliance, including suspension or debarment.

F.5. Data Availability

F.5.1 Geospatial Data All geospatial data collected for or produced through the use of the Department of the Interior financial assistance funds are required to meet all relevant standards…