FY27_BWR_MS4_QandA_a11y.docx
DOCX document 56 KB Posted
- Attached to
- DEP-BWR-NOI-FY27-MS4 Grant ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY
- Solicitation number
- BD-27-1045-BWR00-BWR01-133228
- Issued by
- Massachusetts
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers document issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) regarding the FY27 MS4 Municipal Assistance Grant Program, dated October 1, 2026. The document clarifies eligibility requirements and project parameters for municipalities seeking funding to advance compliance with the 2016 Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit. Key clarifications include that routine operation and maintenance of storm or sanitary sewer systems are ineligible for funding; projects connected to system components or issues subject to enforcement actions or consent decrees cannot be funded, though violations identified as a result of inspections that remain unaddressed may be eligible if they have not yet triggered enforcement; communities non-compliant with the MBTA Communities Act may only apply through eligible regional entities, though such applications may not meet eligibility requirements if the project area focuses primarily within a non-compliant community; and partnership structures are at the applicant's discretion, with letters of support and clear role definitions recommended but not required. Written questions were due by September 18, 2026, with applications due October 9, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., and grant awards are expected to be announced in January 2027.
The grant program offers total funding of up to $250,000, with individual award amounts ranging from $20,000 to $75,000 per applicant, though MassDEP reserves discretion to award smaller or larger amounts for exceptional proposals. Matching funds are not required but will receive preference in evaluation scoring. Compensation is provided on a reimbursement basis for eligible costs, with a maximum of five percent of awarded funds permitted for administrative and overhead costs. Preference is given to projects benefiting Disadvantaged Communities as designated by affordability tiers based on Adjusted Per Capita Income. The contract term extends through June 30, 2027. Eligible applicants must register with COMMBUYS, submit Commonwealth Standard Contract Forms, and complete alternative W-9 tax information forms upon award.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| FY27_BWR_MS4_RFR_a11y_9.9.26.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment C.pdf |
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Text version
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Department of Environmental Protection
Address: 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston MA 02114 | Phone: 617-292-5500 Maura T. Healey Governor Kim Driscoll Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Tepper Secretary Bonnie Heiple Commissioner FY27 MS4 Grant Questions & Answers Agency Document #: BD-27-1045-BWR00-BWR01-133228 October 1, 2026 On September 8, 2026, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) announced the FY27 Opportunity for the MS4 Municipal Assistance Grant Program (Grant Program). Answers to questions emailed in, as well as posed to MassDEP at a Zoom Pre-Application Meeting held on September 17, 2026, are below. A copy of the video can be information can be found on our website.
Question 1:
Is equipment for maintenance, such as brush cutting, eligible for funding?
Answer 1:
Per Section 1.3 Eligible Projects of the RFR, projects that fund the routine operation and maintenance of storm or sanitary sewer systems are not eligible.
Question 2:
As the result of a SWPPP inspection Holyoke recently discovered that a vehicle wash bay at the DPW is connected to a storm drain. We are working on quickly remedying the problem. We are aware of the funding opportunity, and we wanted to check in with you to see if we could be eligible for funding to correct the problem, or if this would fall under ineligible because it is an enforcement action.
Answer 2:
MassDEP cannot speak to the specifics of any individual project. For the purposes of clarification, in general, if there is a consent decree related to a specific system component or system issue that is subject to enforcement, this grant cannot fund work that connects to, or is part of, that system component. If a consent decree requires actions to be taken that result in the identification of additional violations that are unrelated to the original violation [that is the subject of the consent decree], that violation is not yet an enforcement action until the permit holder fails to perform the identified actions within in the timeline prescribed resulting in the commencement of a new enforcement action specific to that new violation.
Question 3.
If a community is not in compliance with the MBTA Communities Act, may they apply through an eligible regional entity to perform project work in their community?
Answer 3.
The regional entity may apply to perform the project, but if the project area is focused primarily within a non-compliant community, the application may not meet eligibility requirements under Sections 1.3 and 1.4 (Eligible Projects and Eligible Entities) of the RFR.
Question 4.
Are there any requirements for how partnerships are structured? Does there need to be a letter of support? Does the partner share the results of the project so the information can get shared more widely?
Answer 4.
It is up to the applicant to describe how the partnership will work as part of the application. Letters of support and commitment can be attached to the application, and it should be clear what the roles are of each partner in the application.
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