THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

executive office of energy & environmental Affairs department of environmental protection

ONE HUNDRED CAMBRIDGE STREET, SUITE 900, BOSTON, MA 02114

Request for Response (RFR)

FY27 Water Management Act Grant Opportunity

Agency Document Number:

BWR 2027-01-WMA

August 17, 2026

This information is available in alternate formats upon request.

Please contact MassDEP at 617-292-5500 TTY# MassRelay Service 1-800-439-2370 ● MassDEP Website: www.mass.gov/dep

Water Management Act grant rfr

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 Water Management Act Grant Request for Responses

GRANT SUMMARY

Total Funding Available: Up to $500,000 Estimated Grant Amounts: $25,000 to $350,000 per applicant Questions Due: September 3, 2026, by 5:00 p.m.

Responses Due: September 21, 2026, by 5:00 p.m.

Match Required: 20% (cash or in-kind) Eligible Entities: Public Water Suppliers with a WMA permit, permit application Sample Eligible Projects:

RFR Introduction and General Description Grant Summary The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP or the Department) is soliciting grant proposals from Applicants who are Eligible Entities in response to this Request for Responses (RFR) for projects providing planning assistance (including Drought Planning and resiliency projects and select Firm Yield studies), PFAS planning, rate studies, and implementation assistance, such as demand management, minimization, and mitigation activities for new withdrawal impacts in local communities.

The goal of this grant is to minimize and mitigate water withdrawals in Massachusetts, while providing reasonable protection of the interests listed in Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 21G, Section 7 of the Water Management Act, which include: fish and wildlife, public drinking water supplies, navigation, hydropower resources, water-based recreation, agriculture, reasonable conservation practices, reasonable economic development, wetland habitat, floodplains, groundwater recharge areas, waste assimilation capacity, wastewater treatment capacity, and water quality.

Background Information MassDEP published revised Water Management Act (WMA) Regulations, 310 CMR 36.00, in November 2014. A courtesy copy of the regulations may be found online. The regulations establish enforceable standards, criteria, and permit procedures to implement the WMA (M.G.L. c. 21G). The regulations are intended to comprehensively manage water withdrawals throughout the Commonwealth to ensure an appropriate balance among competing water needs and the preservation of water resources.

This grant opportunity provides funds for eligible WMA public water suppliers and municipalities to assist them in developing minimization strategies and mitigation measures for withdrawal impacts, as required in the WMA Regulations.

Funding Availability and Source The total funding currently available for projects under this Grant Announcement and at the time of posting is $500,000. Grant Awards may range from $20,000 to $350,000 per applicant, although MassDEP reserves the right, in its discretion, to grant smaller or larger awards to proposals of exceptional merit. If additional funds become available during the period between the announcement of this grant opportunity and end of State Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27), the Department reserves the right to allocate supplemental funds to this grant solicitation and/or initiate additional funding rounds. The receipt of grant funds is contingent upon the grantee being able to certify that it is in some form of compliance with the Massachusetts General Laws, including G.L. c. 40A, § 3A, the MBTA Communities Act. Compliance with the MBTA Communities Act is determined by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. For more information, please visit: MBTA Communities Act Compliance Resources on Mass.gov.

Applicants may seek funding for Eligible Projects that will exceed the length of the grant award period (i.e., past June 30, 2027); however, only work that is proposed to be completed after the Notice to Proceed has been issued to grant awardees and prior to the end of FY27 (June 30, 2027) is eligible for funding under this Grant Opportunity. All funding for awards issued through this program are contingent upon appropriation by the Massachusetts Legislature, or availability of funds from other authorized Department sources.

This grant program is funded by the Commonwealth’s Capital Investment Plan. Please note that a maximum of five percent (5%) of awarded grant funds may be used for administrative and overhead costs.

Eligible Entities Only public water suppliers and municipalities with a WMA permit or permit application under review.

Contract Duration for Grant Award The expected duration of this grant contract is from the execution date of all required contract forms, through June 30, 2027. There are no renewal or extension options associated with this Grant Award. However, MassDEP reserves the right to accept modified Scopes of Work from successful applicants during the grant award contract process to ensure grant-funded work can be completed by June 30, 2027.

Applicable Procurement Law Grants: MGL c. 7A, § 7; St. 1986 c. 206, § 17; 815 CMR 2.00.

Eligible WMA Grant Projects Summary of Potentially Eligible Projects (list is not exhaustive):

Implementation Projects Planning Projects

Introduction & Goals of the WMA Program The Water Management Act Grant Program is designed to help eligible public water suppliers and municipalities meet the requirements of the WMA regulations by providing funds for planning and implementation assistance in local communities. MassDEP has determined that grants awarded through this program may be for any of the following purposes:

(1) Planning projects for specific watersheds or sub-watersheds that identify implementation projects for improving ecological conditions, addressing impacts on drinking water systems related to PFAS, and/or for identifying the capacity of the water system and best management practices to reduce stress and/or demand on existing water sources.

(2) Demand management and drought resiliency projects aimed at improving the efficiency of water use within a municipality or a watershed; these projects may include studies to develop and implement Drought Plans consistent with the MA Drought Management Plan and Rate studies that help control demand.

(3) Minimization and mitigation projects in one (1) or more of the following categories: improving or increasing instream flow; wastewater projects that keep water local, including reductions in inflow and infiltration; stormwater management projects that improve recharge, reduce impervious cover and/or improve water quality; water supply operational improvements; habitat improvement; and other projects that can be demonstrated to minimize existing withdrawals and mitigate the impacts of new withdrawals.

MassDEP encourages all types of eligible, competitive projects in all watersheds. Competitive projects are typically comprised of one (1) or more eligible activities and include cooperation between the Applicant and a watershed association, regional planning agency or other public water supplier.

Project Proposals should fall under one (1) or both of the following categories and sub-categories:

(1) Planning Projects (See Section 2.2) and/or

(2) Implementation Projects

a. Demand Management (See Section 2.3)

b. Minimization and Mitigation (See Section 2.4) Eligible Planning Projects Planning Projects should utilize available plans, reports, inventories, tests, forecasts, and studies; collect available data which may include local bylaws, water usage, and stormwater data; and provide an analysis of the costs and benefits of minimization, mitigation and offset options for water withdrawal increases in a particular basin/subbasin. Applicants should characterize the community public water supply system sources and capacities and evaluate measures for minimizing impacts in subbasins.

The WMA Permit Guidance should serve as a guide to Grant Applicants with respect to minimization and mitigation requirements. A copy of the Guidance may be found online.

Eligible Projects Include, But Are Not Limited To:

(1) Drought Management Plans.

(2) Firm Yield Studies.

a. Successful applicants will have a documented need for a Firm Yield study. Said applicants will be expected to use the Firm Yield Estimator model developed by the U.S. Geologic Survey for conducting their study unless site-specific reasons support an alternative approach that is approved by MassDEP. Applicants will also be required to consult with MassDEP for assistance with collecting and inputting the necessary data to conduct their Firm Yield study. This study is summarized in the USGS report “Refinement and Evaluation of the Massachusetts Firm-Yield Estimator Version 2.0.” The report, downloadable software and user manual are available online.

(3) Planning Projects for public water suppliers and municipalities to evaluate the applicability, feasibility, and costs to offset or mitigate water withdrawal increases. These activities can include but are not limited to projects related to the optimization of existing resources, identification of existing system capacity and use of alternative water sources including interconnections, the creation of outdoor water use restrictions related to streamflow triggers and their messaging, and other measures to return water to either the subbasin or basin intended to improve flow.

(4) Planning Projects to study demand management for public water suppliers and municipalities to mitigate and offset proposed water withdrawal increases through improvements to instream flow, wastewater, stormwater, water supply, and habitat will be considered. Applicants can refer to the WMA Permit Guidance for more information about mitigation options, beginning on page 29.

(5) Planning Projects for public water suppliers and municipalities due to restrictions that have been placed on their systems from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination may be accepted.

a. In 2020, MassDEP promulgated regulations, 310 CMR 22.00, to establish a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) drinking water Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 20 ng/L, or parts per trillion (ppt), for a sum of six (6) common PFAS contaminants (referred to as the “PFAS6”). Courtesy copies of these regulations are available online.

b. Thus, the goal of these projects should be to identify the capacity of the water system to meet its demands from non-PFAS contaminant sources and provide alternative source options. Proposed Projects focusing on treatment design or construction to address PFAS contamination are not eligible for the WMA grant program.

Eligible Demand Management and Drought Resiliency Projects All Proposed Projects focusing on water conservation, loss identification, improved accounting, drought resiliency, rate structure studies and/or billing practices will be considered (examples of eligible Demand Management and Drought Resiliency projects are listed below). Preference will be given to project proposals that demonstrate cooperation and partnership between two (2) or more municipalities or water suppliers, or a municipality or a public water supplier and a non-government organization with the public water supplier as the contract lead. All Proposed Projects must provide an appropriate method for quantifying environmental results (e.g., water and cost savings from retrofits, etc.).

Eligible Demand Management and Drought Resiliency Projects include, but are not limited to:

(1) Rebates for low-flow WaterSense labeled plumbing fixtures and Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE)-qualified appliances.

(2) Water Rate Surveys established and implemented for the purposes of:

a. Establishing water rates to assure appropriate revenues to support maintenance needs;

b. Helping to reduce non-essential outdoor water use;

c. Promoting a conservation rate structure; and/or

d. Developing capital projects that will improve the water works system by reducing demands. Grantees should, but are not required to, have conducted a water audit and leak detection survey within the previous two years prior to the implementation of a rate study.

(3) Demand Management projects for public water suppliers and municipalities in response to limitations that have been placed on their system resulting from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination: The goal of these projects should be to reduce overall demand on water resources and offset the utilization of water sources known to contain PFAS contamination within a municipality or a watershed. Proposed Projects focusing on treatment design or construction to address PFAS contamination are not eligible for the WMA grant program.

(4) Drought Planning and Resiliency Projects consistent with the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, developed to assist public water suppliers in meeting demands during drought periods.

Mitigation Projects Proposed Mitigation Projects should be shovel-ready projects that have been previously identified during a systematic planning or restoration process, meet the criteria as a mitigation project for a new water demand, AND achieve cost-effective environmental improvements.

The Proposed Projects should also demonstrate the applicability of the offset/mitigation action(s) to the impact being offset. Categories for mitigation projects include, but are not limited to demand management, wastewater and stormwater management, water supply, habitat protection and improvement, and any other project that contributes to improvements in instream flow. Applicants should also evaluate other options that might be applicable to their specific circumstances.

At a minimum, proposals for Mitigation Projects must include:

Project design(s): Designs must be of sufficient detail, and include sufficient site work, to allow the MassDEP Grant Review Team to evaluate the viability of the proposal. Final designs need to be prepared by a Professional Engineer (PE).

Specific site location(s);

(1) Maps of the site and locus must show site characteristics, location of each specific work location in sufficient detail to defend the project, and watershed location(s) of the proposed work.

(2) Estimated cost of the project. A reliable budget for the project and a definitive description of project strategy and viability, as well as the environmental improvements that will result, should also be provided. Competitive proposals will also address the sustainability, operation and maintenance, and cost-effectiveness of the proposed project.

Ineligible Mitigation Projects:

· Projects undertaken to comply with local or governmental enforcement actions such as State or Federal Administrative Orders or Consent Orders cannot be funded. Projects that are required as mitigation for federal permits are not eligible.

· Water Audits, meter repair and replacement, and leak detection projects are not eligible for compensation under the WMA Grant Program. (Note: Please email Jen D’Urso at jen.durso@mass.gov for information on a separate program that funds American Water Works M36 Audits for WMA permittees and registrants.)

Disadvantaged Communities MassDEP is committed to advancing Disadvantaged Communities through its public investments. To that end, preference will be given to projects that provide direct benefit to Disadvantaged Communities. Information on how communities are classified as Disadvantaged Communities and which communities they are can be found at The Disadvantaged Community Loan Forgiveness Program | Mass.gov.

This Grant Opportunity will prioritize proposals that are located in, or directly benefit communities designated as a Disadvantaged Community, and that fall within one of three Affordability Tiers following a system first utilized by the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust and the State Revolving Fund. A “Disadvantaged Community” is a community that falls into one of the three tiers using an affordability calculation based on the State’s “Adjusted Per Capita Income” (Per Capita Income * Employment Rate * Population Change (2020/2010) = APCI). The State’s Adjusted Per Capita Income for the purposes of this RFR is $59,997.31, for 2026, the most recent year data is currently available.

Tier 1: Communities with APCI more than 80% but less than 100% of the State’s APCI.

Tier 2: Communities with APCI more than 60% but less than 80% of the State’s APCI.

Tier 3: Communities with APCI less than 60% of the State’s APCI.

The 2026 Disadvantaged Communities Affordability Calculations are available on Mass.gov.

Eligible applicants, including partnerships, shall identify the municipalities served by their entity or entities, as well as which municipalities within their service area(s) are designated as Tier 1, 2, or 3 Disadvantaged Communities. MassDEP will assign a composite ranking based on the ranking of all the communities located within the service areas of the applicant(s). If the composite ranking falls within the scope of the assistance tiers, the Applicant will be assigned a Tier 1, 2, or 3 ranking for scoring purposes of the RFR. A list of communities by Tier is available in Attachment B of this RFR.

Compensation Structure and Match Requirements for Grant Awards Applicants are advised that grant awards involving capital funds are required to be disbursed on a cost reimbursement basis. To receive reimbursement for funds expended during the award term, grantees must submit, on or before June 30, 2027, a written request for payment, along with any other required documentation such as invoices, purchase orders, or other proof of payment.

This grant requires a match of local, in-kind, or other funding source funds. Other grant funds may not be used as matching funds. The match must represent 20% of the total project budget. The grant funding requested from MassDEP may not exceed 80% of the overall project budget.

Application and Contract Requirements A MassDEP Grant Review Team will evaluate proposed projects based upon the criteria listed below. The review committee reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

Summary of Mandatory Application & Project Requirements

(1) Eligible Grant Applicants: Applications will only be accepted from Massachusetts public water suppliers or municipalities with a valid Water Management Act (WMA) permit, unless otherwise noted. Cooperative proposals between at least one (1) Eligible Entity (i.e., a public water supplier and/or a municipality) and a watershed association, regional planning agency or other public water supplier etc. are encouraged. Priority will be given to Proposed Projects in highly impacted basins or subbasins and/or Proposed Projects that prioritize resiliency and sustainability practices.

(2) Cost Table & Match Requirement: Both Planning Projects and Implementation Projects must include a cost table and propose a 20% cash or in-kind match (i.e., 20% of the total budget must be a cash or in-kind match). See Section 2.6 for more information.

(3) All Proposed Projects: Must address activities that are consistent with the most current WMA Permit Guidance.

(4) Disadvantaged Communities: Preference will be given to projects that directly assist municipalities that are identified as Disadvantaged Communities. Information on which communities are classified as Disadvantaged Communities can be found in Attachment B of this RFR and online.

(5) Planning, Demand Management and Resiliency Projects: In December 2015, Coastal Zone Management (CZM) completed a report that evaluated the siting, design, and maintenance of coastal stormwater BMPs. Applicants from coastal communities applying for funding for stormwater management projects are required to review this report and demonstrate (1) an understanding of MassDEP's December 2015 Coastal Zone Management report evaluating the siting, design, and maintenance of coastal stormwater BMPs, and (2) that these recommendations were considered when developing the Proposed Project. The MassDEP Grant Review Team will evaluate the project approach and viability with these recommendations in mind. Copies of the report are available online.

a. MassDEP has also developed a stormwater handbook. Applicants applying for funding for stormwater management projects must review this report and construct any BMPs following the guidance provided. Mitigation Projects shall follow the appropriate sampling protocol required by the respective permitting authorities for the project.

(6) Mitigation Projects: Must meet the following requirements:

a. Best Management Practices (BMPs) must be constructed on public lands.

b. Plans for the operation and maintenance of structural and nonstructural BMPs must be provided before reimbursement for BMP installation can occur.

c. The Applicant must also include a signed agreement that the municipality will maintain the project for the estimated life of the BMP.

d. Upon project completion, the grant recipient must submit a Construction Certification and an original copy of a full-sized set of drawings/plans (e.g., 26” x 36”), reflecting the “as-built” conditions, developed, and stamped by a Professional Engineer. All changes should be recorded on the plans in red ink to define changes made. All work deleted, corrections in elevations, and changes in materials, should be shown on the as-built drawings.

e. The Applicant must provide public access to view the project or provide an organized program to educate potential users of the practice.

Final Technical Report: Results of Planning Projects and/or Mitigation Projects must be submitted in a final technical report. These results may be a combination of tables, graphs and written descriptions of the evaluated minimization, conservation, and mitigation options, or a technical evaluation of the effectiveness of the mitigation/conservation option implemented.

MBTA Communities Compliance: Projects located in a municipality (or municipalities) that are not in some form of compliance with MBTA Communities Act law (M.G.L. CH.40A §3A) at the time of application will not be eligible for funding.

Grant Evaluation Criteria Project Description (20 Points):

Does the Proposed Project description state the extent to which the project and targeted watersheds and/or subbasins would further the priorities of the WMA Sustainable Water Management Initiative (SWMI), or other suitable water management goals? Particular consideration may be given to Proposed Projects in highly impacted basins or subbasins that will reduce demand increases, and/or cooperative proposals between at least one (1) Eligible Entity (i.e., a public water supplier and/or a municipality) and a watershed association, regional planning agency or other public water supplier, etc.

Does the Application include partnership between the Applicant and a watershed association, regional planning agency, municipality, and/or other public water supplier?

Are all elements of the Proposed Project eligible under the listed criteria for this grant program? Does the Application include more than one (1) eligible activity?

If the proposed project is ongoing, does the Application include a description the clearly describe the portion or phase of the project that is proposed for funding?

Meet Regulatory Requirements (15 Points):

· Does the Application describe how the Proposed Project and targeted watersheds and/or subbasins would minimize and mitigate water withdrawals in Massachusetts and promote compliance with the Water Management Act?

· If the Proposed Project is located within a coastal community, does the Application demonstrate: (1) an understanding of MassDEP’s December 2015 Coastal Zone Management report, and (2) that these recommendations were considered when developing the Proposed Project.

Project Benefit (30 Points):

· How well does how the Proposed Project contribute to minimize and mitigate water withdrawals in Massachusetts, while providing reasonable protection of the interests listed in Chapter 21G, Section 7 of the Water Management Act, which include: fish and wildlife, public drinking water supplies, navigation, hydropower resources, water-based recreation, agriculture, reasonable conservation practices, reasonable economic development, wetland habitat, floodplains, groundwater recharge areas, waste assimilation capacity, wastewater treatment capacity, and water quality?

· Does the Proposed Project include work in highly impacted basins or subbasins? Water suppliers with a demonstrated demand for more water? Or is it located in areas unassessed by the WMA framework, but designed to address demonstrated impacts to flow or habitat?

· Will the Proposed Project include any community engagement with local stakeholders such as the general public, local boards, committees, commissions, and other groups to inform them of project goals and outcomes?

Project Budget and Timeline (15 Points):

· Does the Application include a detailed project budget that includes cost and time estimates by project task and milestone? Does the budget indicate responsible parties by task? Pricing information, such as quotes, proposed hourly rates for staffing, and other budget information may be attached as supporting information.

· Does the Application identify and describe any match or other funding sources that will support the project? Does that match represent twenty percent (20%) of the project budget? Does the application exceed the cap on administrative and overhead costs (limited to five percent (5%) of the project budget).

· Does the Application demonstrate a realistic timeline to achieve the proposed work?

Qualifications of Organization and Project Manager (10 Points):

· Does the Application describe the qualifications of the Eligible Entity, their contractor(s), the project manager, and any other staffing assigned to carry out the Proposed Project?

· Does the Eligible Entity, and/or their contractor(s) have sufficient qualifications and project experience to perform the proposed project?

· Does the project team have prior experience in conducting projects funded under either this grant program or another grant program administered by MassDEP? Prior performance for repeat applicants may be considered in reviewing new applications.

Disadvantaged Community Status (10 Points) MassDEP will prioritize projects that are located in, or directly benefit, Disadvantaged Communities. Points will be awarded proportionately by tier (i.e. the highest number of points will be given to Applicants with projects in communities that have been designated Tier 3 Disadvantaged Communities). Please review Attachment B for a list of Disadvantaged Communities by Tier as determined by the Clean Water Trust for 2026.

Failure to Perform Contractual Obligations after Grant Award Failure to perform contractual obligations as outlined in the Standard Contract Form, the Commonwealth Terms and Conditions, other relevant Grant Award documents, and this RFR may result in the Termination or Suspension of the Grant Contract.

In addition, any Applicant receiving a Grant Award must adhere to all requirements of the Grant Application, and all documentation submitted in support of that application. If, after award of a Grant to a Recipient, the MassDEP Grant Review Team receives information that there has been a material omission or misrepresentation by the Grant Applicant regarding any aspect of the proposed project, MassDEP reserves the right to invalidate or terminate the Grant Award.

Contract Requirements for Grant Awards If selected for a Grant Award, the Applicant will be required to submit the following forms to complete the Grant Award contracting process within thirty (30) days of the issuance of the Notice of Grant Award:

Commonwealth Standard Contract Form, filled out and signed by the applicant.

Commonwealth Terms and Conditions These Terms and Conditions are incorporated by reference into the Standard Contract Form, and do not need to be executed separately.

Commonwealth Alternative W‐9 tax information form filled out and signed by the applicant with DUNS number and Federal Tax ID. Please note that Federal W-9 Forms are not accepted by MassDEP.

Completed Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing Form.

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form. EFT Form Instructions Scope of Work Applicants are encouraged to review these forms prior to submission of an application.

Applicants who are issued awards must be in Good Standing with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and registered with COMMBUYS in order to do business with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Online registration is available.

Required Documentation Upon completion of the proposed work, and with submission of the final request for reimbursement, all Grant Awardees shall submit a Final Report summarizing their project tasks, including links or copies to the work product completed during the contract period.

MassDEP reserves the right to request additional materials, information, or other documentary evidence demonstrating completion of work and/or compliance with program requirements. MassDEP also reserves the right to withhold funding until receipt of satisfactory materials, information, or other documentary evidence demonstrating completion of work and/or compliance with program requirements.

Ownership of Equipment If any part of the grant is used to purchase any durable assets or equipment, ownership of such assets or equipment shall be transferred to the grant recipient, or their designee, upon the completion of the grant.

Estimated Grant Procurement Calendar

Written Questions via the Grant Q&A Process As noted in the Estimated Grant Procurement Calendar, grant applicants may submit written questions, via e-mail, to Jen D’Urso at jen.durso@mass.gov on or before September 3, 2026, at 5:00 pm E.S.T. MassDEP will post official responses to questions regarding this grant RFR on or before September 16, 2026, by 5:00 pm E.S.T. It is the Applicant’s responsibility to verify receipt of questions with MassDEP. MassDEP reserves the right to condense, summarize, or combine related questions and/or answers.

The Q&A document for this Grant RFR will be available on COMMBUYS, as well as online.

Amendment Deadline MassDEP reserves the right to make amendments to the Grant RFR after initial publication prior to September 16, 2026, at 5:00 pm E.S.T. It is each Applicant’s responsibility to check for any amendments, addenda, or modifications to this Grant RFR, as well as any Q&A related to this RFR and any amendments thereto. The Commonwealth and MassDEP accept no responsibility for, and will provide no accommodation to, Applicants who submit a Response to this RFR that is based on out-of-date information.

Application Deadline Applications shall be submitted electronically via email to Jen D’Urso at jen.durso@mass.gov. Applications are due September 21, 2026, by 5:00 pm E.S.T. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

ATTACHMENT A

Water Management Act SFY2027 Grant Program Application Section 1: Project Information Entity Name:

Project Partners (if applicable):

Project Title:

Major Basin:

DWP Permit Review Status:

☐Completed ☐In Process ☐Not Stated ☐Not required DWP Permit #:

Short description of the work (<5 sentences):

Requested Funds:

Matching Funds & Source:

Applicant Signature:

Electronic or standard signatures are acceptable on this form.

By checking this box ☐ the applicant confirms that they are authorized to submit this grant application on behalf of the specified entity listed above.

Section 2: Ability to Perform Proposed Project Ability to Use Funds By checking this box ☐ the Applicant certifies that its entity is in Good Standing with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

By checking this box ☐ the Applicant agrees it is able to enter into the contract within thirty (30) days of the Grant Award and perform the project and meet all requirements of this state grant.

Ability to Perform Project By checking this box ☐ the Applicant acknowledges and agrees that its entity will be able to complete the project, as described in this application, by June 30, 2027.

Section 3: Applicant Information Chief Executive of Applicant Organization

Project Lead

Grant Manager Entity Name:

Project Engineer (If applicable) Entity Name:

Other Project Staff (If applicable) Entity Name:

Other Project Staff (If applicable) Entity Name:

Other Project Staff (If applicable) Entity Name:

If awarded, who should be notified?

Name(s):

Preferred Method of Contact:

Section 4: Required Proposal Format Proposals shall be limited to 10 pages exclusive of attachments (Attachment A Sections 1-3, Attachment C, and supporting materials) such as: include maps, reports or links to reports, drawings, designs, photographs, resumes of key staff, examples of similar projects, support letters, and other supporting material. Please use the following outline for your proposal:

1. Project Description: Describe the Proposed Project and targeted watersheds and/or subbasins would further the priorities of the WMA Sustainable Water Management Initiative (SWMI), or other suitable water management goals. Identify how the Proposed Project and targeted watersheds and/or subbasins would minimize and mitigate water withdrawals in Massachusetts and promote compliance with the Water Management Act and the Coastal Zone Management Act, if applicable.

2. Project Benefit: Describe how the Proposed Project contributes to minimizing and mitigate water withdrawals in Massachusetts, while providing reasonable protection of the interests listed in Chapter 21G, Section 7 of the Water Management Act. Priority will be given to proposed projects in highly impacted basins or subbasins, and to water suppliers with a demonstrated demand for more water; or in areas unassessed by the WMA framework, projects designed to address demonstrated impacts to flow or habitat.

3. Scope of Work Prior project work. Describe any work that has been completed to advance this project to date and whether this project advances priorities identified in previous planning efforts. If applicable, identify any prior state grant awards that supported this work, including the year of the award(s).

Grant Scope of Work. Please summarize Project Phases, Tasks, Responsible Parties, Milestones, Timeline, Estimated Cost, and Project Deliverables. Infographics such as tables, charts, and timelines may be used within this section to summarize information.

4. Project Budget: Please fill out the budget table below for the proposed project (use as many rows as needed). Please explain if there are any other anticipated or secured funding sources that will support portions of the project.

WMA Grant Budget Table Key Project Tasks/Milestone (Responsible Party)

Use as many lines as needed

Project Total:

Total Funding Requested:

Source of Match*: For any in-kind or monetary match, explain how extensive it is and how it will be made available to the project here. Please note the match must comprise 20% of the Total Project Cost.

5. Qualifications of Organization and Project Manager: Describe the qualifications of the Eligible Entity and/or their contractor and the project manager relevant to carrying out the Proposed Project.

6. Disadvantaged Community Status: Please identify all municipalities served by the Project; indicate which of those municipalities are designated as Tier 1, 2, or 3 Disadvantaged Communities.

7. MBTA Communities Compliance (Y/N): If the project is located in a municipality (or municipalities) subject to the MBTA Communities Law (M.G.L. CH.40A §3A), please include compliance information.

A-2

ATTACHMENT B

Disadvantaged Communities by Tier (FY27) Tier 1:

Amesbury, Ayer, Barnstable, Berkley, Billerica, Bourne, Braintree, Brewster, Dartmouth, Deerfield, East Longmeadow, Eastham, Egremont, Falmouth, Gloucester, Great Barrington, Groveland, Harwich, Hopedale, Hudson, Hull, Kingston, Lakeville, Leyden, Lunenburg, Mashpee, Maynard, Medford, Merrimac, North Attleborough, Paxton, Pembroke, Pepperell, Plainville, Plymouth, Quincy, Raynham, Richmond, Rochester, Rutland, Salisbury, Sandwich, Seekonk, Southampton, Stockbridge, Sturbridge, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, Waltham, West Bridgewater, Westminster, Westport, Wilbraham, Winthrop, and Woburn Tier 2:

Abington, Acushnet, Agawam, Alford, Ashburnham, Ashby, Attleboro, Auburn, Becket, Belchertown, Bellingham, Blackstone, Bridgewater, Brimfield, Carver, Charlton, Cheshire, Clinton, Dracut, Dudley, East Bridgewater, East Brookfield, Easthampton, Fairhaven, Framingham, Freetown, Granby, Granville, Hadley, Halifax, Hampden, Hanson, Hatfield, Haverhill, Hinsdale, Holbrook, Holland, Hubbardston, Lancaster, Lanesborough, Lee, Leicester, Leominster, Leverett, Malden, Marlborough, Methuen, Middleborough, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Monson, Montgomery, New Braintree, New Marlborough, North Brookfield, Northampton, Northbridge, Northfield, Norton, Oak Bluffs, Oakham, Otis, Oxford, Peabody, Pelham, Petersham, Phillipston, Revere, Rockland, Rowe, Salem, Saugus, Sheffield, Shirley, Somerset, South Hadley, Southwick, Stoughton, Swansea, Tisbury, Townsend, Tyringham, Uxbridge, West Boylston, West Brookfield, West Tisbury, Weymouth, Whitman, Williamstown, and Yarmouth Tier 3:

Adams, Amherst, Ashfield, Athol, Barre, Bernardston, Blandford, Brockton, Brookfield, Buckland, Charlemont, Chelsea, Chester, Chesterfield, Chicopee, Clarksburg, Colrain, Dalton, Erving, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Florida, Gardner, Gill, Goshen, Gosnold, Greenfield, Hancock, Hardwick, Hawley, Heath, Holyoke, Huntington, Lawrence, Lowell, Ludlow, Lynn, Middlefield, Monroe, Montague, New Ashford, New Bedford, New Salem, North Adams, Orange, Palmer, Peru, Pittsfield, Plainfield, Randolph, Royalston, Russell, Sandisfield, Savoy, Shelburne, Shutesbury, Southbridge, Spencer, Springfield, Sunderland, Taunton, Templeton, Tolland, Wales, Ware, Wareham, Warren, Warwick, Washington, Webster, Wendell, West Springfield, Westfield, Whately, Williamsburg, Winchendon, Windsor, Worcester, and Worthington Date Source Note: FY26 is the most current year for which data was available at the time of the publication of this RFR.

ATTACHMENT C

Please print this form and attach to your application:

Commonwealth Alternative W‐9

Planning

Optimization

Planning Studies for demand management

Demand Management & Drought Resiliency

Rebates

Demand management projects related to PFAS restricted water suppliers.

Minimization & Mitigation

Shovel ready projects that improve demand management, wastewater and stormwater management, water supply, habitat protection and improvement, and/or any other project that contributes to improvements in instream flow.

Alternative sources

Drought management plans

Firm Yield Studies

Interconnections

Outdoor water use restrictions

Planning projects related to PFAS impacts on water supplies.

Water Rate Surveys

Drought management projects (e.g. year-round conservation program, emergency interconnections, seasonal water rates, etc.)

image1.png image2.png image3.jpeg image4.png