FY25 Applied Science Grants Notice of Funding_Final - Revised 11.15.24.pdf

U.S. Department of the Interior November 2024

Notice of Funding Opportunity No. R25AS00038

WaterSMART Applied Science Grants For Fiscal Year 2025 and Fiscal Year

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; honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island Communities.

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

Cover Photo – WSR-88D Doppler radar at New Underwood, South Dakota. Courtesy of

NASA.

Synopsis

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

Funding Opportunity Title: WaterSMART: Applied Science Grants for Fiscal Year 2025 and Fiscal Year

Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Funding Opportunity Number: R25AS00038

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number:

15.557

Dates:

(See NOFO Sec. D.4)

Application Due Date: First Round: Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 5:00 p.m.

Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) (Paper and grants.gov Submissions), Second Round: Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) (Paper and grants.gov Submissions).

Eligible Applicants:

(See NOFO Sec. C.1)

All Category B applicants must be in the United States or the specific Territories identified above.

Recipient Cost Share:

(See NOFO Sec. C.2)

A non-Federal cost-share of 25 or 50 percent depending on the type of project.

Federal Funding Amount:

(See NOFO Sec. B.1)

Up to $400,000 per agreement for a project that can be completed within 2 years.

Estimated Number of Agreements to be Awarded’:

(See NOFO Sec. B.1)

Approximately 15-25 projects, contingent on appropriations.

Application Checklist

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

Mandatory Application Components: Required content Page

Mandatory Federal forms:

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

Budget (OMB)

• SF-424A: Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs (OMB)

• SF-424B: Assurances - Non-Construction Programs (OMB)

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM) registration

Technical Proposal (Use Project Narrative Attachment Form to upload in Grants.gov)

Budget Narrative (Use Budget Narrative Attachment Form to upload in Grants.gov)

Recommended Application Components: Required content Page

Environmental and cultural resources compliance 17

Required permits or approvals 17

Overlap or duplication of effort statement 17

Conflict of interest disclosure statement 17

Uniform audit reporting statement 18

SF-LLL: Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (required, if applicable) (OMB) 20

Letters of Support 19

Letter of partnership (Category B Applicants) 19 Official Resolution 19 Letter of Commitment 20

Acronyms and Abbreviations

ARC Application Review Committee ASAP Automated Standard Application for Payments BIL Bipartisan Infrastructure Law CE Categorical Exclusion CEC Categorical Exclusion Checklist CFDA Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance CFR Code of Federal Regulations CWA Clean Water Act Department U.S. Department of the Interior EA Environmental Assessment EIN Employer Identification Number EIS Environmental Impact Statement E.O. Executive Order ESA Endangered Species Act FAIR Financial Assistance Interior Regulation FAPIIS Federal Award Performance Integrity Information System FGDC Federal Geospatial Data Committee FOIA Freedom of Information Act FONSI Finding of No Significant Impact FY fiscal year GIS Geographic Information System IBC Interior Business Center MDT Mountain Daylight Time NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NHPA National Historic Preservation Act NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOFO Notice of Funding Opportunity OM&R operations, maintenance, and replacement OMB Office of Management and Budget P.L. Public Law Project Applied Science Grants project Reclamation Bureau of Reclamation ROD Record of Decision SAM System of Award Management SECURE Science and Engineering to Comprehensively Understand and SPOC Single Point of Contact UEI Unique Entity Identifier U.S.C. United States Code USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service WaterSMART Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update i

Contents Page

Section A. Funding Opportunity Description A.1. Authority A.2. Background and Program Requirements A.3. Notice of Funding Opportunity Purpose and Objectives A.4. Other Related Funding Opportunities

Section B. Award Information B.1. Total Funding B.2. Expected Award Amount B.3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates B.4. Number of Awards B.5. Type of Award B.6. Technical Assistance

Section C. Eligibility Information C.1. Eligible Applicants C.2. Cost Sharing Requirement C.3. Other C.4. Eligible Projects C.5. Required Project Components C.6. Ineligible Projects

Section D. Application and Submission Information D.1. Address to Request Application Package D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission D.3. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM) D.4. Submission Date and Time D.5. Intergovernmental Review D.6. Funding Restrictions

Section E. Application Review Information E.1. Evaluation Criteria E.2. Review and Selection Process E.3. Federal Award Performance Integrity Information System E.4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

Section F. Federal Award Administration Information F.1. Federal Award Notices F.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements F.3. Reporting Requirements and Distribution F.4. Disclosures F.5. Data Availability (2 CFR §1402.315) F.6. Freedom of Information Act

Section G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) G.1. Reclamation Financial Assistance Contact G.2. Reclamation Program Coordinator Contact

Section H. Other Information H.1. Environmental and Cultural Resource Considerations

Section A. Funding Opportunity Description

A.1. Authority This NOFO is issued under the authority of Section 9509 and 9504(b) of the Science and Engineering to Comprehensively Understand and Responsibly Enhance (SECURE) Water Act, Subtitle F of Title IX of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, Public Law (P.L.)

111-11 (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] 10364), as amended.

A.2. Background and Program Requirements The United States Department of the Interior’s (Department) WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow) Program provides a framework for Federal leadership and assistance to stretch and secure water supplies for future generations in support of the Department’s priorities. Through WaterSMART, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) leverages Federal and non-Federal funding to work cooperatively with States, Tribes, and local entities as they plan for and implement actions to increase water supply reliability through investments in existing infrastructure and attention to local water conflicts.

Through WaterSMART Applied Science Grants, Reclamation provides cost-shared financial assistance to States, Indian Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, or other organizations with water or power delivery authority, universities, nonprofit research institutions, and nonprofit organizations for projects to develop hydrologic information and water management tools and improve modeling and forecasting capabilities.

Increased access to information and improved modeling and forecasting capabilities will help avoid water conflicts and improve our ability to meet a variety of water management objectives, including: support for water supply reliability, management of water deliveries, water marketing activities, drought management activities, conjunctive use of ground and surface water, water rights administration, ability to meet endangered species requirements, watershed health, conservation and efficiency, and other water management objectives. The WaterSMART Applied Science Grants provide support for priorities identified in Presidential Executive Order (E.O.) 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. Applied science projects (Project) also support the goals of the Interagency Drought Relief Working Group and the National Drought Resiliency Partnership.

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. The West continue to experience drought—historic levels in recent

Notice of Funding Opportunity No. R25AS00038 years in both duration and severity—threatening to kill crops, spark wildfires, and harm public health. See the U.S. Drought Monitor for most up to date locations impacted by drought.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) supports projects to develop hydrologic information and water management tools and improve modeling and forecasting capabilities to increase water supply reliability as well as improving decision making for nature-based solutions. Nature-based solutions are sustainable environmental management and practices that weave natural features or processes into the built environment to promote adaptation and resilience. For further information on the Applied Science Program see www.usbr.gov/watersmart/appliedscience/index.html.

Applied Science Grants are a component of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Basin Study Program.

For more information on the WaterSMART Basin Study Program, please see www.usbr.gov/ watersmart/bsp/index.html.

A.3. Notice of Funding Opportunity Purpose and Objectives The objective of this NOFO is to invite eligible non-Federal entities to leverage their money and resources by cost sharing with Reclamation on applied science projects (Project) to improve access to and use of hydrologic data, develop and improve water management tools, improve modeling and forecasting capabilities. Results from these projects will be used by water managers to increase water supply reliability, provide flexibility in water operations, improve water management, and support nature-based solutions. Project results must be readily applicable by managers—resulting in tools and information that can be used to support: water supply reliability, water delivery management, water marketing activities, drought management activities, conjunctive use of ground and surface water, water rights administration, ability to meet endangered species requirements, watershed health, conservation and efficiency, support for nature-based solutions and other water management objectives.

A.4. Other Related Funding Opportunities For information on the NOFOs listed here, please visit the WaterSMART Program website:

www.usbr.gov/watersmart.

WaterSMART Drought Resiliency Project Grants. Reclamation provides funding on a 50/50 cost-share basis for the construction of projects that increase water supply flexibility and improve water management to build long-term resilience to drought and are supported by an existing drought contingency plan.

https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ http://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/appliedscience/index.html http://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/bsp/index.html http://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/bsp/index.html https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/index.html

Section A. Funding Opportunity Description

WaterSMART Grants: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants. Financial assistance is provided on a 50/50 cost-share basis for the construction of projects that conserve and use water more efficiently, increase the production of hydropower, mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict, and accomplish other benefits that contribute to water supply reliability in the Western United States.

WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects. Financial assistance is provided on a 50/50 cost share basis for small-scale water management projects (up to $100,000 in Federal funding for each project) that have been identified through previous planning efforts. Typical project types are the same as those funded through the WaterSMART Grants, listed immediately above. Reclamation has developed a streamlined selection and review process to reflect the small-scale nature of these projects.

WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program). Reclamation provides funding to watershed groups to encourage diverse stakeholders to form local solutions to address their watershed management needs. Reclamation provides funding for watershed group development, restoration planning, and watershed management project design.

WaterSMART Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects. Reclamation provides funding on a 65/35 cost share basis for the study, design, and construction of projects that restore or protect aquatic ecosystems. Projects benefit aquatic ecosystems across multiple basins, build habitat and systems resiliency, support threatened and endangered species, and provide broad environmental benefits.

WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects. Financial assistance is provided on a cost share basis (either 50% or 75% Federal cost share) for water conservation, water management, and restoration projects that provide significant benefits to ecological values or watershed health.

WaterSMART Planning and Project Design Grants. Reclamation provides funding for Water Strategy Grants, Drought Contingency Planning, and Project Design Grants. Water Strategy Grants, Reclamation provides support for entities to conduct planning activities to improve water management (e.g., water marketing, water conservation, drought resilience, and ecological resilience). Drought Contingency Planning, Reclamation supports the development of drought contingency plans with participation from a diverse set of stakeholders. Reclamation also provides funding for Project Design Grants to conduct project-specific design for projects to improve water management. Native American Affairs Technical Assistance Program provides technical assistance to assist Indian Tribes to develop, manage, and protect their water and related resources. Cost sharing is not required and technical assistance requests must satisfy “Program Criteria”. Proposals are solicited via notices of funding opportunity, and successful proposals approved for funding can be found on Reclamation’s website at the address below.

For information on the Native American Affairs Program Technical Assistance Program, visit www.usbr.gov/native/programs/TAPprogram.html.

http://www.usbr.gov/native/programs/TAPprogram.html

Section B. Award Information

B.1. Total Funding Approximately $6-10 million is available under each round for this NOFO, with per-project limits as described in Section B.2. Expected Award Amount. This NOFO will allocate available program funds, including fiscal year (FY) 2024 and FY 2025 enacted appropriations for the WaterSMART Basin Study Program, and funding available under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), P.L. 117-58, in FY 2024 and FY 2025. This NOFO will be used to allocate BIL funding for projects that will improve the condition of a natural feature or nature-based feature. Applications submitted under this NOFO may also be considered if other funding becomes available, including funding under the BIL, P.L. 117- 58 in FY 2024, FY 2025 or future years.

B.2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award: $400,000 Minimum Award: $0

Up to $400,000 in Federal funds per agreement provided through this NOFO (See cost share details in Section C.2).

B.3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates This funding opportunity has two application submittal periods (see Section D.4. Submission Date and Time). For proposals submitted under the first application period, Reclamation expects to contact potential award recipients and unsuccessful applicants in August 2025 (or later if necessary). The anticipated award and completion dates for the first submittal period are as follows:

Anticipated Award Date: December 2025

Anticipated Project Completion Date: December 2027

For proposals submitted under the second application period, Reclamation expects to contact potential award recipients and unsuccessful applicants in June 2026 (or later if necessary). The anticipated award and completion dates for the second submittal period are as follows:

Anticipated Award Date: November 2026

Anticipated Project Completion Date: November 2028

Notice of Funding Opportunity No. R25ASXXXXX

B.4. Number of Awards Approximately 15-25 awards per submittal period, depending on the amount requested by each applicant and the amount of Federal funding available, will be awarded under this NOFO. More awards may be made if additional funding becomes available.

B.5. Type of Award Awards will be made through grants or cooperative agreements as applicable to each project. If a cooperative agreement is awarded, the recipient should expect Reclamation to have substantial involvement in the project. Substantial involvement by Reclamation may include:

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

B.6. Technical Assistance By request, Reclamation can provide technical assistance after award of the project. If you plan to receive Reclamation’s assistance, you must account for these costs in your budget. Technical assistance should be discussed with Reclamation staff prior to applying. To discuss available assistance and these costs, contact the Program Coordinator identified in Section G. Federal Agency Awarding Contact(s).

Section C. Eligibility Information

C.1. Eligible Applicants Applicants eligible to receive an award under this NOFO include:

Category A:

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

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

• Other organizations with water or power delivery authority.

All Category A applicants must be located in one of the following United States or Territories:

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico.

Category B:

Universities, nonprofit research institutions, federally funded research and development centers, and non-profit entities (including 501[c][3] organizations) that are acting in partnership with and with the agreement of an entity described in Category A.

Category B applicants should include with their application a letter from the Category A partner, stating that the Category A partner:

1. Is acting in partnership with the applicant;

2. Agrees to the submittal and content of the application; and

3. Intends to participate in the project in some way, for example, by providing input, feedback, or other support for the project.

Note: Partners do not necessarily need to contribute cost share funding.

See Section D.2.2.12. Letter of Partnership (Category B Applicants) and Applicant Eligibility Documentation for additional information. All Category B applicants must be in the United States or the specific Territories identified above.

Those not eligible include the following entities:

• Federal Governmental Entities

• Individuals

• Commercial/industrial organizations

• Private entities

• 501(c)(6) Organizations

C.2. Cost Sharing Requirement Applicants must be capable of cost sharing 25 percent or 50 percent of the total project costs, depending on the project type. The total project cost is defined as the total allowable costs incurred under a Federal award and all required cost share and voluntary committed cost share contributions, including third-party contributions.

Applied Science Grants with primarily ecological benefits that also meet the requirements listed in this section are eligible for up to 75 percent Federal cost-share contribution. To qualify for this cost-share, the application must demonstrate that the project is for the purpose of a) increasing water supply reliability for ecological values (e.g. improving the timing or quantity of water available or improving water quality or temperature); b) is being developed as part of a collaborative planning process that included consideration of ecological values (note: If there is not a project-specific plan, the applicant may refer to an existing local, state or regional plan with a nexus to the project to satisfy this requirement). This does not exclude projects that benefit ecological values AND agricultural, municipal, tribal, or recreational water uses.

For projects that do not meet the requirements necessary to qualify for 75 percent Federal cost-share contribution, applicants must be capable of cost sharing 50 percent or more of the total project costs. Applicants will be notified prior to selection if their project is being considered for award but does not qualify for the 75 percent Federal cost-share contribution. Such applicants will be given an opportunity to commit to a 50 percent non-Federal cost-share contribution or withdraw their application. The application review committee (see Section E.2.2. Application Review Committee) will determine whether each application qualifies for 75 percent Federal cost-share contribution based on responses to the evaluation criteria (see Section E.1. Evaluation Criteria).

Cost share may be made through cash, costs contributed by the applicant, or third-party in-kind contributions. Third-party in-kind contributions include the value of non-cash contributions of property or services that benefit the federally assisted project and are contributed by non-Federal third parties, without charge. Cost-share funding from sources outside the applicant’s organization (e.g., loans or state grants) should be secured and available to the applicant prior to award. Please see Section D.2.2.14. Letters of Commitment and Section D.2.2.13. Official Resolution for more information regarding the documentation required to verify commitments to meet cost-sharing requirements.

Other sources of Federal funding may not be counted towards the required cost share. The exception to this requirement is where the Federal statute authorizing a program specifically provides that Federal funds made available for such program can be applied to matching or cost sharing requirements of other Federal programs, such as awards to tribal organizations under P.L. 93-638, as amended. If it is determined that the Federal funding cannot be applied towards the non-Federal cost share, the work associated with the funding may be removed from the proposed project.

C.2.1. Cost Share Regulations

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

C.2.2. Third-Party In-Kind Contributions

Third-party in-kind contributions may be in the form of equipment, supplies, and other expendable property, as well as the value of services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to the proposed project. Applicants may not include as part of their cost-share for projects funded under this NOFO the cost or value of third-party in-kind contributions that have been or will be relied on to satisfy a cost sharing or matching requirement for another Federal financial assistance agreement, a Federal procurement contract, or any other award of Federal funds. Applicants should refer to 2 CFR §200.434 Contributions and Donations for regulations regarding the valuation of third-party in-kind contributions, available at www.ecfr.gov.

C.3. Other

C.3.1. Multiple Applications

Multiple applications for funding may be submitted for consideration under this funding opportunity, provided that the project scopes are not duplicative. Category B applicants may receive a maximum of up to 3 awards provided that the Category A partner entity for each project is different. In general, if you are seeking funding for multiple project components, and the components are interrelated or closely related, you should combine these in one application.

However, if the projects are only loosely related, you should submit them as separate applications.

http://www.ecfr.gov/ http://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 and ineligibility condition apply to this Federal program. If entities or key project personnel are 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, Reclamation cannot award funds to them.

C.4. Eligible Projects In general, under this NOFO, Reclamation will provide funding for applied science projects to develop or improve hydrologic information, water management tools, modeling and forecasting capabilities, and improve nature-based solution decisions. Results from these Projects will be used by water managers to increase water supply reliability, provide flexibility in water operations, and improve water management.

Proposed projects will be reviewed by the Program Office to determine whether the project type is eligible for evaluation.

C.4.1. Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, Projects must:

• be designed for use by water managers located in the following States or Territories:

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin or Puerto Rico,

• be based on known and available (or “mature”) technologies and may not include the development of new or novel methods or technologies; and

• support one or more of the following water management objectives:

o water supply reliability, o improved management of water deliveries, o water marketing activities, o drought management activities, o conjunctive use of ground and surface water, https://sam.gov/content/exclusions https://sam.gov/content/exclusions o water rights administration, o ability to meet endangered species requirements, o watershed health, o Restore a natural feature or use a nature-based feature to reduce water supply and demand imbalances or the risk of drought or flood, conservation and efficiency, or o other improvements to water supply reliability.

C.4.2. Eligible Project Types

Projects must support the types of water management objectives described in the bullets immediately above and may include but are not limited to:

1. Modeling: Eligible projects can develop or enhance existing modeling capabilities and include model validation and analysis of model produced data. Modeling tool projects should be for the improvement of water supply reliability and be developed for use by water managers to help meet constraints or requirements (e.g., endangered species, administrative, climate change scenarios, or water delivery requirements). Projects may include improvements to the spatial and temporal resolution of a model, improvements to model calibration, enhancements to make a model more interactive and agile so that it can be used to answer specific questions as they arise, or other enhancements to modeling tools. Projects could include improvements to hydrologic models, reservoir operations models, or other types of water management models. Projects may also include costs to obtain training on how to use new tools and software.

2. Forecasting: Eligible projects can develop, improve, or adapt forecasting tools and technologies to enhance management of water supplies and reservoir operations. Projects can include developing or adapting forecasting tools to meet the needs of water managers. Forecasting projects can be used to optimize operations and improve water management, manage risks, and inform water allocation strategies, or even water marketing. Applicants are encouraged to explore whether there are existing data sets and forecast products that may be leveraged. Projects may also include costs to obtain training on how to use new tools and software. Note: Applicants must demonstrate how the forecast or data will be used to enhance management of water supplies and reservoir operations, for example, by using the tool in connection with an operations model.

3. Data: Eligible projects improve access to and use of water resources data or to develop new types of data to inform water management decisions. Eligible projects may include improvements to data acquisition, data analysis, and data delivery. Data acquisition projects may include incorporating or developing new or previously unavailable data, such as remote sensing imagery, hydrologic data acquired using unmanned aerial systems, or paleo reconstructions of naturalized flows, for example. Projects may include developing hydrologic databases or decision support tools that resource managers can use to query or analyze data for to improve water management. Projects may also include improved data delivery, such as making data available to a broader audience, or improvements to make data systems compatible with existing systems (e.g., Federal or State databases). Projects may also include costs to obtain training on how to use new tools and software.

4. Nature-based solutions Decision Tools: Eligible project can develop, improve, or adapt tools to improve nature-based solution decision making. These solutions can use natural features and processes to combat climate change, improve water quality, restore, and protect wetlands, stabilizes shorelines, and reduce flood risk. Nature-based solutions can be applied at a watershed or landscape-scale or at a site specific-scale. Projects may include decision support tools to assist in the application of a nature-based solution that supports a range of environment improvements, including but not limited to biodiversity, water quality, and flood mitigation. Projects may also include costs to obtain training on how to use new tools and software.

C.5. Required Project Components Applicants whose projects are selected for funding under this NOFO may be asked to participate in at least one Reclamation-sponsored webinar to discuss application of deliverables to management questions. In most cases, the webinar will be scheduled when the final report is ready to be submitted for Reclamation review. The presentation should inform Reclamation about project accomplishments, the final results of the identified tasks, and any lessons learned.

This presentation may be open to the public as a webinar and may be recorded and made available on the WaterSMART website.

C.6. Ineligible Projects Projects that are not eligible for funding under this NOFO include, but are not limited to:

• projects to research and/or develop new and novel methods or technologies;

• planning studies, such as feasibility studies, appraisal investigations, water marketing strategies, and drought contingency plans;

• projects to develop or demonstrate tools and technologies supporting water reuse, water recycling, and desalination projects (e.g., projects that are eligible under the Desalination and Water Purification Research funding opportunity);

• projects considered normal operations, maintenance, and replacement (OM&R);

• construction projects to improve water management; and

• projects funded under other Federal grants.

Section D. Application and Submission Information

D.1. Address to Request Application Package This document contains all the information, forms, and electronic addresses required to submit an application. If you are unable to access this information electronically, you can request paper copies of any of the documents referenced in this NOFO by emailing the Reclamation Financial Assistance Contact identified in Section G.1. Reclamation Financial Assistance Contact. All applications must conform to the requirements described in this section.

D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission All applications must conform to the requirements set forth below.

D.2.1. Application Format and Length

The technical proposal and evaluation criteria section (defined below) shall be limited to a maximum of 20 consecutively numbered pages. If this section exceeds 20 pages, only the first 20 pages will be evaluated. The full application, including all attachments, should not exceed 100 pages. If the application exceeds 100 pages, only the first 100 pages will be considered in the evaluation.

The font shall be at least 12 points in size and easily readable. Page size shall be 8½ by 11 inches, including charts, maps, and drawings. Margins should be standard 1-inch margins.

Oversized pages will not be accepted.

Applications will be prescreened for compliance to the page number limitations. Excess pages will be removed and not considered in the evaluation of the proposed project.

D.2.2. Application Content

The application should include the items identified as Mandatory Application Components in the Application Checklist located on page ii to be considered complete. To facilitate fair and timely reviews by the Application Review Committee (ARC), it is highly recommended that application packages be structured in the order identified in the Application Checklist.

Applications will be screened for completeness and compliance with the provisions of this funding opportunity. A complete application must include all the items identified as Mandatory Application Components in the Application Checklist. Any application which fails to include these items will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for funding.

Following awards of funding, Reclamation may post successful applications on the Reclamation website, www.usbr.gov/watersmart after conducting any redactions determined necessary by Reclamation, in consultation with the successful applicant. See Section F.2.6. Freedom of Information Act.

D.2.2.1. Mandatory Federal Forms The application must include the following standard Federal forms. Questions regarding forms should be referred to the Grants Management Point of Contact under Section G.1 Reclamation Financial Assistance Contact.

These forms are available at www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants.

D.2.2.1.1 SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance A fully completed SF-424: Application for Federal Assistance form signed by a person legally authorized to commit the applicant to performance of the project must be submitted with the application. Applications that fail to include a SF-424by the submission deadline will be considered ineligible and will not pass initial screening.

Failure to submit a signed SF-424 with a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number will result in the elimination of the application from further consideration.

D.2.2.1.2 SF-424A Budget Information Form.

A fully completed SF-424A Budget Information – Non-construction Programs must be submitted with the application.

Failure to submit an SF-424A will result in the elimination of the application from further consideration.

D.2.2.1.3 SF-424B Assurances Form.

A SF-424B – Assurances – Non-construction Programs signed by a person legally authorized to commit the applicant to performance of the project must be submitted with the application.

D.2.2.2 Technical Proposal Submission of a technical proposal (limited to 20 pages) is mandatory and must be received by the application deadline.

While an application will not be removed from consideration if the technical proposal does not address each of the following, it is highly recommended that applicants address each component listed below to ensure that your proposal is competitive.

http://www.usbr.gov/watersmart https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants

Section D. Application and Submission Information

D.2.2.2.1 Title Page Provide a brief, informative, and descriptive title for the proposed work that indicates the nature of the project. Include the applicant’s name and address and the project manager’s name and address, email address, and telephone number.

D.2.2.2.2 Table of Contents List all major sections of the proposal in the table of contents.

D.2.2.2.3 Executive Summary The executive summary should include:

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

• A one paragraph project summary that specifies the work proposed, including how funds will be used to accomplish specific project activities and briefly identifies how the proposed project contributes to accomplishing the goals of this NOFO.

Example: Oklahoma State University, with the support of the Lugert-Altus Irrigation District, the Kansas-Bostwick Irrigation District No. 2, and the Frenchman Cambridge Irrigation District, will incorporate remotely sensed soil moisture data with proven statistical techniques to create seasonal forecasts for rainfall dominated regions of the Great Plains. The project will use remote-sensed soil moisture data, North American Land Data Assimilation System, and NASA’s Soil Moisture Active-Passive Satellite. The seasonal forecast tools will inform surface water managers, support improved irrigation water supply management, and enhance the ability of reservoir operators to anticipate and respond to extreme events such as droughts and floods.

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

• Whether or not the proposed project is located on a Federal facility.

D.2.2.2.4 Technical Project Description The technical project description should describe the work, including specific activities that will be accomplished. As part of this discussion, please address the following:

Applicant Category: Please indicate whether you are a Category A applicant or a Category B applicant and provide a short narrative summary describing how you meet the eligibility requirements of that applicant category.

If you are a Category B applicant, briefly explain how you are acting in partnership with a Category A partner and provide a short narrative summary describing how your partnering entity meets the definition of a Category A entity. In addition, if you are a Category B applicant, you must include a letter from the Category A partner confirming that they are partnering with you and agree to the submittal and content of the application (see Section C.1 Eligible Applicants).

Category A partner letters must be submitted with the application for Category B applicants to be eligible.

• Detailed Project Description: Provide a more comprehensive description of the technical aspects of your project, including the work to be accomplished and the approach to complete the work. This description should provide detailed information about the project, including your methodology and approach, and any models, data, and tools you are using, and the work to be conducted to complete the project. This section provides an opportunity for the applicant to provide a clear description of the technical nature of the project and the work to be performed and to address any aspect of the project that reviewers may need additional information to understand.

• Goals: Discuss the preliminary goals and objectives of the Project.

Please do not include your project schedule and milestones here; that information is requested in response to the Project Implementation criterion as described in Section E.1.3. Evaluation Criterion C. In addition, please avoid discussion of the benefits of the project, which are also requested in response to evaluation criteria as described in Section E.1.1 Evaluation Criterion A.

This section is solely intended to provide an understanding of the technical aspects of the project and the work to be performed. Please note, if the work for which you are requesting funding is a phase of a larger project, please only describe the work that is reflected in the budget and exclude description of other activities or components of the overall project.

D.2.2.2.5 Project Location Provide specific information regarding the proposed applied science project’s geographic area of focus (for example, the proposed project may focus on a particular watershed or basin, county, State, Territory, or another region. Include a map showing the geographic location of the project area in one of the following formats:

1. Shapefile (.shp)

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

3. PDF map (.pdf)

D.2.2.2.6 Data Management Practices Any spatially explicit data or tools developed in the performance of an award made under this NOFO must be developed in industry standard formats that are compatible with Geographic Information System (GIS) platforms.

D.2.2.2.7 Evaluation Criteria See Section E.1. Evaluation Criteria for additional details, including a detailed description of each criterion and subcriterion and points associated with each. The evaluation criteria portion of your application should thoroughly address each criterion and subcriterion in the order presented to assist in the complete and accurate evaluation of your proposal.

It is strongly suggested that applicants copy and paste the evaluation criteria and subcriteria in Section E.1. Evaluation Criteria into their applications to ensure that all necessary information is adequately addressed.

D.2.2.3 Budget Narrative Submission of a budget narrative is required. The budget narrative provides a discussion of, or explanation for, items included in Section B of the SF-424A. If selected for award, successful Applicants will need to submit detailed supporting documentation for all budgeted costs.

The budget narrative provides a discussion of, or explanation for, items included in the budget proposal. The narrative should describe the basis for and purpose of all cost elements. Please refer to Attachment A Budget Detail & Narrative Template and Attachment B Budget Narrative Guidance when developing your Project Budget.

D.2.2.4 Environmental and Cultural Resources Compliance (as applicable to the project) Please answer the questions from Section H.1. Environmental and Cultural Resource Considerations in this section.

D.2.2.5 Required Permits or Approvals Applicants must state in the application whether any permits or approvals are required and explain the plan for obtaining such permits or approvals.

Note that improvements to Federal facilities that are implemented through any project awarded funding through this NOFO must comply with additional requirements. Reclamation may also require additional reviews and approvals prior to award to ensure that any necessary easements, land use authorizations, or special permits can be approved consistent with the requirements of 43 CFR §429, and that the development will not impact or impair project operations or efficiency.

D.2.2.6 Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement Applicants must provide a statement that addresses if there is any overlap between the proposed project and any other active or anticipated proposals or projects in terms of activities, costs, or commitment of key personnel. If any overlap exists, applicants must provide a description of the overlap in their application for review.

Applicants must also state if the proposal submitted for consideration under this program is or is not in any way duplicative of any proposal or project that has been or will be submitted for funding consideration to any other potential funding source—whether it be Federal or non-Federal. If such a circumstance exists, applicants must detail when the other duplicative proposal(s) were submitted, to whom (Agency name and Financial Assistance program), and when funding decisions are expected to be announced. If at any time a proposal is awarded funds that would be duplicative of the funding requested from Reclamation, applicants must notify the NOFO point of contact or the Program Coordinator immediately.

D.2.2.7 Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement Per 2 CFR §1402.112, “Financial Assistance Interior Regulation” (FAIR) applicants should state in the application if any actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission.

Submission of a conflict-of-interest disclosure or certification statement is mandatory prior to issue of an award.

D.2.2.7.1 Applicability 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.

In the procurement of supplies, equipment, construction, and services by recipients and by sub recipients, the conflict-of-interest provisions in 2 CFR§200.318 apply.

D.2.2.7.2 Notification 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.

Recipients must establish internal controls that include, at a minimum, procedures to identify, disclose, and mitigate or eliminate identified conflicts of interest. The successful applicant 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 sub-recipients.

D.2.2.7.3 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 §18 and 31 USC §1352.

D.2.2.7.4 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.

D.2.2.7.5 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 §200.339, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR §180).

D.2.2.8 Uniform Audit Reporting Statement All U.S. states, local governments, federally recognized Indian Tribal governments, and non-profit organizations expending $1,000,000 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 governments, 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 https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx organization was required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year, provide the Employer Identification Number (EIN) associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

D.2.2.2. 9 Certification Regarding Lobbying Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in 43 CFR §18, Appendix A. If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the authorized official’s signature on the appropriate SF-424 form also represents the applicant’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR § 18, Appendix A.

D.2.2.10 SF-LLL: Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if Applicable) If applicable, a fully completed and signed SF-LLL: Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form is required if the applicant has made or agreed to make payment to any lobbying entity for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with a covered Federal action.

This form cannot be submitted by a contractor or other entity on behalf of an applicant.

D.2.2.11 Letters of Support You should include any letters from interested stakeholders supporting the proposed project. To ensure your proposal is accurately reviewed, please attach all letters of support as an appendix.

Letters of support received after the application deadline for this NOFO will not be considered in evaluating your proposed project. These letters do not count toward the 20-page maximum for the technical proposal and criteria section; however, they do count toward the 100-page maximum for the full application.

D.2.2.12 Letter of Partnership (Category B Applicants) and Applicant Eligibility Documentation Category B applicants should submit a Letter of Partnership from the Category A partner, stating that they are acting in partnership with the applicant and agree to the submittal and content of the application (see Section C.1. Eligible Applicants). If the project is selected, a Letter of Partnership must be received prior to award. Additional information regarding applicant eligibility may be requested during the application review process.

D.2.2.13 Official Resolution If selected, the applicant must provide prior to award an official resolution adopted by your organization’s board of directors or…