NGWMN_FY2025_Program_Announcement.pdf

United States Geological Survey

Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, National Ground-Water Monitoring Network https://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn/cooperativeagreements.jsp

Notice of Funding Opportunity - Fiscal Year 2025 Funding Opportunity Number (FON) G25AS00001

Closing Date: 01/16/2025

Table of Contents A. Program Description

A1. Authority

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

B2. Award Amount

B3. Anticipated Award Funding and Dates

B4. Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

C3. Other

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

D4. Submission Dates and Times

D5. Intergovernmental Review

D6. Funding Restrictions

D7. Other Submission Requirements

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria

E2. Review and Selection Process

E3. CFR – Regulatory Information

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F1. Federal Award Notices

F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F3. Reporting

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

G1. Program Technical Contact

G2. Program Administration Contact

G3. Application System Technical Support

H. Other Information

A. Program Description

A1. Authority

The Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program of the USGS is offering a cooperative agreement funding opportunity to state or local water-resources agencies that collect groundwater data to participate in the National Ground-Water Monitoring Network. The USGS is working to develop and administer the National Ground-Water Monitoring Network (NGWMN). This funding opportunity is to support data providers for the National Ground- Water Monitoring Network.

Legal authority for this opportunity is provided under Public Law 111-11, Subtitle F—Secure Water: Section 9507 “Water Data Enhancement by the United States Geological Survey.” Funds will be used to support connecting new data providers to the Network and to support existing data providers to maintain persistent data service and to enhance the NGWMN.

The funding available for this Program Announcement is expected to be up to $1,700,000 for Federal FY2025. This estimate does not bind the USGS to a specific number of awards or to the amount of any individual award. Congress has not yet authorized FY2025 funds for the National Ground-Water Monitoring Network, so awards cannot be made until this funding is appropriated.

Work performance under these awards must be completed within the two-year cycle from the start date. The timing of funds availability and the signing of the award will determine the start date. Individual applications are restricted to a funding level of $150,000 for a one-year project or $300,000 for a two-year project. Funding for routine work under Objective 2A to maintain persistent data services is limited to $20,000 per year. However, agencies serving more than 500 sites can apply for up to $40,000 per year for Objective 2A work. Substantial involvement of the USGS is anticipated to provide support to new data providers during the site selection and classification process and to establish web services that interact with the NGWMN Data Portal.

The USGS also will provide guidance to existing data providers on techniques for collection of site information, on well maintenance activities, and on well drilling to support development of the NGWMN. Therefore, these awards will be in the form of cooperative agreements.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number 15.980

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements

Background

The National Ground-Water Monitoring Network (NGWMN) is designed to be a compilation of selected wells and springs from existing monitoring efforts to create a network to assess long-term water-level and water-quality trends at a national scale. The National Ground-Water Monitoring Network is presented in the document ‘A National Framework for Ground-Water Monitoring in the United States’ and is available at:

https://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn/doc/ngwmn_framework_report_july2013.pdf. The Network focuses on monitoring groundwater in the Nation’s most productive aquifers. The Network is designed primarily to help answer questions of groundwater availability at a principal or major aquifer scale. The NGWMN focuses on serving data at actively monitored sites to help answer current groundwater availability questions. To create a unified network, field and data management techniques need to be as consistent as possible and sites need to be selected and classified in a common manner. In addition, site density in the Network should be consistent at the principal and major aquifer scale. This spreadsheet has the recommended well densities for each state and principal aquifer.

The NGWMN serves data from the data providers’ databases. To accomplish this, the data providers must set up and maintain persistent web services for their databases. The data elements from these web services are mapped to the Portal elements so that data can be retrieved to answer questions at a regional scale that crosses data provider boundaries.

The focus of the Network is on long-term data collected at a sufficient frequency to determine seasonal and long-term effects. Water-level and water-quality data from both wells and springs are included in the NGWMN. The NGWMN allows water managers to share their water-level and water-quality monitoring data to help monitor current conditions and avoid future water conflicts that may result from changes in the environment.

Network Policies, Standards and Procedures

The requirements for the National Ground-Water Monitoring Network are described in the National Ground-Water Management Framework Document, which is available online at:

https://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn/doc/ngwmn_framework_report_july2013.pdf.

“Tip Sheets” are available to provide guidance related to the NGWMN and can be found at:

https://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn/learnmore.jsp under the ‘Data Provider’ tab. The tip sheets are a quick reference for data providers on the following topics:

Well Selection Criteria for Water Levels

Well Selection Criteria for Water Quality

Defining the Subnetwork

Defining Monitoring Categories

Populating the NGWMN Monitoring Location Registry

Minimum Data Requirements for Candidate sites

Web Service Development https://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn/doc/ngwmn_framework_report_july2013.pdf https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/principal-aquifers-united-states https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/principal-aquifers-united-states https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fcida.usgs.gov%2Fngwmn%2Fdoc%2FWellDensities.xlsx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK https://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn/doc/ngwmn_framework_report_july2013.pdf https://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn/learnmore.jsp https://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn/doc/NGWMN_WL_Criteria_Tip_Sheet.pdf https://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn/doc/NGWMN_WQ_Criteria_Tip_Sheet.pdf https://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn/doc/NGWMN_Subnetwork_Tip_Sheet.pdf https://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn/doc/NGWMN_Monitoring_Categories_Tip_Sheet.pdf https://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn/doc/TipSheets/NGWMN_Monitoring_Location_Registry_Tip_Sheet.pdf https://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn/doc/NGWMN_Minimum_Data_Elements_Tip_Sheet.pdf https://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn/doc/NGWMN_WebServices_Tip_Sheet.pdf

Water-Quality Web Services

These tip sheets should be used as guidance during all projects. For new data provider projects, they contain information on well selection and classification, minimum requirements for NGWMN sites, adding sites to the NGWMN, and guidelines on web services. For projects with existing data providers, they contain information on density guidelines and criteria for NGWMN sites.

Both Well Selection tip sheets reference a spreadsheet that lists well densities for the NGWMN by Principal Aquifer and State. Applicants should consult this spreadsheet before they propose adding new wells to the NGWMN or drilling new wells to enhance the Network.

Objectives

The NGWMN is providing financial support for six objectives described in this section. The type of work supported under each objective is described in this section. The requirements that need to be included in the proposal for each objective are described in section D2 of this program announcement. Proposed work outside these objectives will not be funded.

If an agency is applying as a new data provider, then the ‘Support to become a new data provider’ objective must be completed before work can begin on any other objectives.

During the second year of a new data provider project, the applicant can propose work under Objectives 2 and 3 that begins once the Objective 1 work is planned to be completed.

New data provider proposals may not propose work under Objectives 4, 5, or 6.

Water-level monitoring or water-quality data collection is not supported under any objective.

Purchase of monitoring equipment or supplies is limited to continuous water-level monitoring equipment under Objectives 5 or 6. Purchase of downhole cameras, geophysical logging equipment, or GPS equipment is not supported under any objective. However, reasonable costs for renting equipment while it is used for work on NGWMN sites is allowed. Costs to purchase these items may be used as agency in-kind services.

In-kind services are not required for work proposed under Objectives 1, 2, or 3. Work under Objectives 1 and 2 is designated as work to support the NGWMN. Work under Objectives 3-6 is designated as work to enhance the NGWMN. Applicants applying for work to enhance the network under Objectives 3-6 are encouraged to either have an active Persistent Data Services project or apply for one as part of the proposal. Work under Objectives 3-6 can only be funded if data is flowing to the NGWMN.

Objective 1: Support to become a new data provider

This objective provides funding to perform work necessary to become a data provider to the NGWMN. The agency will select and classify sites from their existing networks for inclusion in the NGWMN. They will provide data from agency databases to the NGWMN Portal by creating new web services or repurposing existing web services. They will document field and data https://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn/doc/NGWMN_WQ_WebServices_TipSheet.pdf https://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn/doc/WellDensities.xlsx management practices specific to their agency so that users of the NGWMN data have information on the quality of data from the varied sources. A brief report summarizing the work to become a new data provider is required.

Ideally, work to become a new data provider would be completed in year one of a two-year project but may continue into a second year if necessary. Note that no other objectives may be initiated on the project until the ‘Support to become a new data provider’ objective is complete.

Web services established in this objective are how agency data are shared with the NGWMN Data Portal. Guidance for setting up the web services is available in the Web Service Development tip sheet. The web services must return the minimum data elements as described in the Minimum Data Elements Tip Sheet. The service must return the data in XML format. We encourage, but do not require the use of data standards for the XML web services that are established. These include: WaterML2 for water-levels, GWML2 for lithology and construction information, and WQX for water quality data.

For water-level network sites, separate web services are required to serve water-level, well-construction, and lithology data.

For water-quality network sites, water-quality data can be provided by either setting up new web services or by making the data available through the USEPA's Water Quality Exchange. New data providers are encouraged to provide data through the Water Quality Exchange as this makes the data available to the NWQMC Water-Quality Data Portal, which can be used to provide the data to the NGWMN. If web services are used to serve the water-quality data instead, they should follow the guidelines in the Water-Quality Web Services Tip Sheet and use of the WQX standard is encouraged. In either case, separate web services are required for water-level, well construction, lithology, and water-quality data (if not provided through the USEPA Water Quality Exchange).

If using USEPA's Water Quality Exchange, data providers would need to regularly upload their data to ensure that recent data are available.

During the site selection and classification portion of the project, providers may identify sites that would be beneficial to the NGWMN but are missing some required data elements. These sites can be added to the NGWMN Monitoring Location Registry but should not yet be displayed on the Portal (Display Flag set to ‘N’). These sites will then be eligible for funding under Objective 3 to fill the site information gaps. If all sites have missing data elements, work to fill those gaps for selected wells may be proposed under Objective 3 in a project to become a new data provider. This gap filling work would be done in year two of a new data provider project.

Software purchases or license fees to support delivery of NGWMN data via web services are supported. However, software purchases or license fees related to storage of agency data, routine processing, and/or quality assurance of data are not supported.

Travel costs are not supported for work under Objective 1.

https://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn/doc/NGWMN_Minimum_Data_Elements_Tip_Sheet.pdf https://www.ogc.org/standards/waterml https://www.ogc.org/standards/gwml2 https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/water-quality-data https://www.epa.gov/waterdata/storage-and-retrieval-and-water-quality-exchange http://www.waterqualitydata.us/ http://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn/doc/NGWMN_WQ_WebServices_TipSheet.pdf

Objective 2: Support persistent data service from existing data providers

This objective provides funding to perform activities necessary to maintain persistent data services from agency databases to the NGWMN Portal and to support work to add new sites to the network and upgrade or improve web services. Work under this objective can consist of two parts that will require separate budgets and workplans and will be evaluated separately.

Part 2A: Work under Part 2A is to support data providers to keep the sites and information in the NGWMN current and to maintain the database connections (web services) to the NGWMN Data Portal. In most cases, support for this work is limited to a maximum of $20,000 per year.

Agencies that serve more than 500 sites to the NGWMN may request additional funding above this level to accommodate the additional sites. This additional funding must be explained and justified in the work plan and cannot exceed $40,000 per year.

Activities supported under Objective 2A are:

• Maintain web services that provide data to the portal

• Fix issues with the services so that data continues to flow to the NGWMN Data Portal

• Verify that data is flowing to the NGWMN Data Portal at least once every three months

• Keep the list of sites in the NGWMN Monitoring Location Registry up to date o Remove sites that are no longer active o Add new replacement sites to the NGWMN o Resolve issues with duplication of NGWMN sites

• Expand the number of sites in the NGWMN. This may include selecting sites for a Principal Aquifer that was not part of the data provider’s original project. This can support selecting and classifying the new sites and adding the sites to the NGWMN Monitoring Location Registry. Adding less than 20 new sites to the NGWMN must be done under Objective 2A. Expansion of sites under Objective 2B should be for 20 or more new sites

• Keep metadata for NGWMN sites in the NGWMN Monitoring Location Registry up to date

• Provide updates to the NGWMN Data Provider page

Part 2B: Work supported under Part 2B allows agencies to apply for funding to support additional work described below. There is no funding limit on this additional work beyond the annual and project limits ($150,000 for a one-year project or $300,000 for a two-year project).

This additional work may include:

• Upgrade web services in conjunction with major agency database upgrades

• Add new fields to existing services that have recently been requested by the NGWMN

Portal staff

• Upgrade existing services to provide data using established XML data standards

(WaterML2, GWML, or WQX)

• Modify existing water-quality services to meet guidelines in the Water-Quality Web

Services Tip Sheet

• Modify existing databases to store fields required as Minimum Data Elements by the NGWMN and modify existing web services to serve these new fields

• Expand web services. This can include adding new web services that were not originally set up when the agency became a data provider. For example, an agency that currently provides only water-level data could use this objective to add a web service to serve water-quality data

• Expand the number of sites in the NGWMN. This may include selecting sites for a Principal Aquifer that was not part of the data provider’s original project. This can support selecting and classifying the new sites and adding the sites to the NGWMN Monitoring Location Registry. Adding less than 20 new sites to the NGWMN must be done under Objective 2A. Expansion of sites under Objective 2B should be for 20 or more new sites

Software purchases and license fees to support delivery of NGWMN data via web services are supported. However, software purchases or license fees related to storage of agency data or routine processing of data are not supported. Quality assurance of routinely collected data is not supported.

Travel costs are not supported for work under Objective 2.

Objective 3: Filling gaps in information at NGWMN sites

This objective provides funding to perform work necessary to fill metadata gaps in the required data elements listed in the NGWMN Minimum Data Requirements tip sheet. The work may include data entry from available sources or field data collection efforts that fill metadata gaps.

For existing data providers, work to fill site information gaps can only be proposed for sites that are in the NGWMN Monitoring Location Registry on the closing date of the funding opportunity. A table of sites for which work is proposed must be included in the proposal and should include the NGWMN ID for each site.

New data providers can propose work for year two of a two-year proposal that they know will need to be done at all sites prior to entry into the NGWMN. The specific sites do not need to be listed, since they have not been selected yet.

Examples of supported site information gap-filling activities include:

• Data collection to fill metadata gaps o Sounding wells to determine depth o Well logging to determine well construction details including screen intervals, casing diameter and depth, etc. Logging can include downhole camera surveys o Well logging to determine lithology o GPS or leveling of land surface altitude and/or measuring points at wells or springs o GPS update of latitude/longitude at wells or springs o Entry of all applicable data collected under this objective into agency databases and the NGWMN Monitoring Location Registry

• Data entry to fill metadata or NGWMN data gaps o Entry of lithologic data from paper files o Entry of well construction data from paper files o Entry of historical water-level or water-quality data for NGWMN sites into current agency databases

Data collection techniques and quality assurance methods for data collected under this objective should be described in the Data Management Plan submitted with the proposal.

Reasonable equipment rental and travel costs are allowed. Software purchases to analyze data collected during the project are supported.

Objective 4: Site maintenance

This objective provides funding to perform maintenance work on wells or springs in the NGWMN to ensure that data are of high quality. The work may include well redevelopment, well rehabilitation or repair, periodic pumping to ensure connection to the aquifer, or aquifer/ slug testing of the well to quantify aquifer connection. Other maintenance activities can include replacing shelters, installing protective casing, or installing fencing to protect the site. Work that helps ensure the quality of the data or helps protect the site so that data may be collected will be considered under this objective.

Site maintenance tasks can only be done at sites that are in the NGWMN Monitoring Location Registry on the closing date of the funding opportunity. A table and map of sites for which work is proposed must be included in the proposal.

Landscaping or brush clearing to improve site access is not supported under this objective.

Construction of pathways to improve site access is also not allowed.

Examples of supported site maintenance activities include:

• Well redevelopment

• Periodic pumping of observation wells to assess/maintain connection to aquifer

• Well-integrity testing

• Borehole camera investigations to determine site status

• Well rehabilitation or repair

• Well shelter replacement or repair

• Installation of protective surface casing at wells

• Fencing or other measures to secure the site

Data collection techniques and quality assurance methods for data collected under this objective should be described in the Data Management Plan submitted with the proposal.

Reasonable equipment rental and travel costs are allowed. Software purchases to analyze data collected during the project are supported.

Objective 5: Well drilling

This objective provides funding to install wells to enhance or maintain the NGWMN. Well installation may include replacement wells for existing NGWMN sites or installation of wells at new locations that fill spatial gaps in the NGWMN Network.

Sites that are to be replaced under this objective must be an existing data collection site in the NGWMN Monitoring Location Registry. A table and map of sites for which work is proposed must be included in the proposal and should include the NGWMN ID for each well. Sites that are to be drilled to fill new gaps in the NGWMN do not need to be in the NGWMN Monitoring Location Registry.

Drilling shall be done by qualified and licensed agency staff or by using a licensed contract driller. All state drilling requirements must be met. Well drilling activities cannot be contracted to the USGS. In addition, USGS staff cannot be contracted to serve in any role in the drilling operations using NGWMN cooperative agreement funds.

Data collection at new wells to obtain minimum data elements for the NGWMN is allowed under this objective. This can include geophysical logging, GPS surveys, and well integrity testing.

Purchase and installation of continuous water level monitoring equipment (as outlined under Objective 6) can also be done under Objective 5 for the new wells constructed under this objective.

New or replacement wells that will be added to the Water-Level Subnetwork must be equipped with continuous water-level monitoring equipment and put into the 'Trend' Monitoring Frequency category.

For replacement of NGWMN sites that are owned by the agency, proper abandonment of the well being replaced is encouraged to be included as part of the project. Work to abandon the wells being replaced is eligible for funding under Objective 5. All state requirements for proper well closure and abandonment must be met.

Data collection and quality assurance techniques for data collected under this objective should be described in the Data Management Plan submitted with the proposal.

Reasonable costs for cultural surveys, supplies, equipment rental, and travel costs needed for well drilling may be included under this objective. Software purchases needed to analyze data collected during drilling are supported.

Objective 6: Purchase equipment to support continuous water-level data collection

This objective supports the purchase and installation of water-level monitoring equipment for NGWMN continuous water-level sites. Once every five years, replacement equipment may be purchased at current NGWMN sites with continuous data collection. Equipment may also be purchased under Objective 6 to upgrade the water-level monitoring frequency at existing NGWMN sites from discrete to continuous data collection. This could be for NGWMN Trend sites with only quarterly or monthly discrete data collected or to equip an existing NGWMN Surveillance site to be a Trend monitoring site.

Equipment that is at least 5 years old at the time of the proposed project start date qualifies for equipment replacement funding. Sites where equipment is to be replaced under this objective must be in the NGWMN Monitoring Location Registry on the closing date of the funding opportunity

Equipment purchases can include data loggers, pressure transducers, cables, and other equipment required to collect continuous water-level data. Vented cables may be purchased for each well.

Alternatively, barologging equipment may be installed at select sites to provide the barometric data needed to correct the data when using non-vented transducers. Ideally, barologgers should be installed in locations where they can be used to do corrections on multiple wells located nearby.

Funding for this Objective is subject to per well limits on equipment purchases. These limits cover the total cost of the pressure transducer, datalogger, related equipment, and installation costs. For sites without telemetry equipment, this limit is set at $2,000 per well. For sites adding telemetry (either satellite or cell telemetry) the purchases can also include the telemetry equipment and related equipment and the limit is set at $4,000 per well. Cables for continuous data collection can be purchased beyond the limits stated above. Costs for equipment (other than cables) that exceeds the limits above can be used as in-kind services match. Actual costs for equipment must be justified. Any proposed equipment purchase that equals or exceeds $5,000 must include a manufacturer's quote showing the description of the item and the cost.

This objective can be used to cover equipment purchase costs, salary, and travel to install the equipment, and salary needed for documentation of equipment purchases in the project final report. Water-level monitoring operations and maintenance or field visit costs are not supported under this objective but can be used as in-kind services. Funding for cell service or satellite service fees to obtain telemetered data are not eligible under this objective but can be included as in-kind services under this objective.

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

Estimated Total Funding $1,700,000

B2. Award Amount

Maximum Award $300,000 Minimum Award $5,000

B3. Anticipated Award Funding and Dates

Anticipated Award Date July 01, 2025 Individual applications are restricted to a funding level of $150,000 for a one-year project or $300,000 for a two-year project. Funding for routine work under Objective 2A to maintain persistent data services is limited to $20,000 per year. However, agencies serving more than 500 sites can apply for up to $40,000 per year for Objective 2A work. Substantial involvement of the USGS is anticipated to provide support to new data providers during the site selection and classification process and to establish web services that interact with the NGWMN Data Portal.

All projects should propose start dates between July 1, 2025 and September 30, 2025.

B4. Number of Awards

Expected Number of Awards

Based on past years, about 20-30 awards are expected.

B5. Type of Award

Funding Instrument Type CA - Cooperative Agreement Substantial involvement of the USGS is anticipated to provide support to new data providers during the site selection and classification process and to establish web services that interact with the NGWMN Data Portal. USGS also will provide guidance to existing data providers on techniques for collection of site information, on well maintenance activities, and on well drilling to support development of the NGWMN.

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible Applicants 00 – State governments 01 – County governments 02 – City or township governments 25 – Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification) Additional Information on Eligibility Applicants can be state or local water-resource agencies which collect groundwater data.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement No

In-kind services cost-share guidelines

In-kind services cost sharing is used to create partnerships to meet the goals of building and enhancing the NGWMN. This allows agencies to contribute work they are doing at NGWMN sites to match the Federal funding provided for the NGWMN. Only work performed at NGWMN sites or potential new NGWMN sites (well drilling) can be used as in-kind services. This can include the costs of collecting water-level or water-quality data at sites that are part of the

NGWMN.

In-kind services are not required for work proposed under Objectives 1, 2 or 3 because work done under these objectives is of benefit primarily to the NGWMN.

While no specific match rate is required, a 25% match of agency in-kind services to USGS funding is suggested. The formula for calculating the match percent is: ((match costs) / (match costs + USGS Funding)) * 100. Proposed work on Objectives 4-6 that does not provide at least 25% match will be scored lower during proposal evaluation.

Since each objective is scored independently during review, in-kind services cost sharing must be provided separately for each objective. Include in-kind services cost sharing in the detailed budget for each objective and provide details similar to that required for work to be funded by the USGS. List the individuals or contractors who will be doing the work and each individual task they will be doing.

Examples of in-kind resource match are salaries, contracts for work supported under this proposal, contractual support, travel expenses, software purchase, equipment or supplies used for the project, and indirect costs or overhead charges. Agency activities related to operation and maintenance of NGWMN sites that are a part of their current (local agency) network can be used as in-kind services match. This can be either the collection of water-level data for a NGWMN site or water-quality sampling of a NGWMN site. Work to perform quality assurance of data at NGWMN sites can also be used as in-kind services match. Drilling work used as match can only be for wells that will be added to the NGWMN. The need for these wells should be described in the same detail required for other NGWMN sites. Their benefit to the

NGWMN needs to be demonstrated. All in-kind service activities must occur during the performance period of the project.

All contributions, including cash and third-party in-kind, will be accepted as part of the recipient’s in-kind match when such contributions meet all the following criteria:

• Verifiable from the recipient's records

• Not included as contributions for any other federally assisted project or program

• Necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient accomplishment of project or program objectives

• Allowable under the applicable cost principles

• Not paid by the Federal Government under another award, except where authorized by

Federal statute to be used for cost matching

• Provided for in the approved budget when required by the Federal awarding agency

• Conform to the provision of the appropriate OMB Circular, as applicable

Volunteer services furnished by professional and technical personnel, consultants, and other skilled and unskilled labor may be counted as in-kind match if the service is an integral and necessary part of the project. Rates for volunteer services shall be consistent with those paid for similar work in the recipient’s organization. In those instances, in which the required skills are not found in the recipient organization, rates shall be consistent with those paid for similar work in the labor market in which the recipient competes for the kind of services involved. In either case, paid fringe benefits that are reasonable, allowable, and allocable may be included in the valuation.

Third-party in-kind services can include work done by another state or local agency in support of your project provided it meets the same limitations listed for applicant in-kind services.

The applicant must document the amount and type of in-kind resource that will be contributed to the fulfillment of the project and include this information in the detailed budget breakdown.

C3. Other

Agencies cannot propose work under Objectives 4, 5, or 6 in a proposal to become a new data provider (Objective 1).

Proposal eligibility:

The following items will result in a proposal or work under the related objective being deemed ineligible:

• Objectives that are missing the detailed budgets

• Proposals from data providers working with a local USGS Cooperative Matching Funds project to collect groundwater data that are missing a letter of support from the local USGS Water Science Center

• Proposals with a funding request that exceeds award limits

• Objectives that contract with U.S. Government agencies to perform work

Excluded Parties: USGS conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. USGS cannot award funds to entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, as their ineligibility condition applies to this Federal program.

The following proposals are ineligible for consideration under this Announcement:

• Proposals from U.S. Government agencies or U.S. Government employees

• Proposals from Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC)

• Proposals principally involving the direct procurement of a product, equipment, or service not used for data collection

D. Application and Submission Information

Grants.gov Application Submission and Receipt Procedures

Grants.gov Application Submission and Receipt Procedures

This section provides the application submission and receipt instructions for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) program applications. Please read the following instructions carefully and completely.

1. Electronic Delivery

USGS is participating in the Grants.gov initiative to provide the grant community with a single site to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. USGS encourages applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov.

2. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

a. Instructions: Read the instructions below about registering to apply for USGS funds.

Applicants should read the registration instructions carefully and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process. Reviewing and assembling the required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information.

Organizations must have an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration, and Grants.gov account to apply for grants. If individual applicants are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity, then you may begin with step 3, Create a Grants.gov Account, listed below.

Creating a Grants.gov account can be completed online in minutes, but SAM registration may take several weeks. Therefore, an organization's registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact the entity's ability to meet required application submission deadlines.

Note: An entity will be assigned a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) by SAM. No Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number is required after April 4, 2022.

Complete organization instructions can be found on Grants.gov here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html

1) Register with SAM: All organizations applying online through Grants.gov must register with the System for Award Management (SAM). Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through Grants.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually. For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register- with-sam.html

2) Create a Grants.gov Account: The next step is to register an account with Grants.gov.

Follow the on-screen instructions or refer to the detailed instructions here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html

3) Add a Profile to a Grants.gov Account: A profile in Grants.gov corresponds to a single applicant organization the user represents (i.e., an applicant) or an individual applicant. If you work for or consult with multiple organizations and have a profile for each, you may log in to one Grants.gov account to access all your grant applications. To add an organizational profile to your Grants.gov account, enter UEI assigned by SAM in the UEI field while adding a profile. For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html

4) EBiz POC Authorized Profile Roles: After you register with Grants.gov and create an Organization Applicant Profile, the organization applicant's request for Grants.gov roles and access are sent to the EBiz POC. The EBiz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the AOR role, thereby giving you permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the organization. You will be able to submit your application online any time after you have been assigned the AOR role. For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html

5)Track Role Status: To track your role request, refer to:https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html

b. Electronic Signature: When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization applicant with the AOR role that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. The EBiz POC must authorize people who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as a user with the AOR role; this step is often missed, and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

3. How to Submit an Application to USGS via Grants.gov

Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each funding opportunity announcement (FOA), you can create individual instances of a workspace.

Below is an overview of applying on Grants.gov. For access to complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

1) Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

2) Complete a Workspace: Add participants to the workspace to work on the application together, complete all the required forms online or by downloading PDF versions, and check for errors before submission. The Workspace progress bar will display the state of your application process as you apply. As you apply using Workspace, you may click the blue question mark icon near the upper-right corner of each page to access context-sensitive help.

a. Adobe Reader: If you decide not to apply by filling out webforms you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace. The individual PDF forms can be downloaded and saved to your local device storage, network drive(s), or external drives, then accessed through Adobe Reader.

NOTE: Visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html

b. Mandatory Fields in Forms: In the forms, you will note fields marked with an asterisk and a different background color. These fields are mandatory fields that must be completed to successfully submit your application.

c. Complete SF-424 Fields First: The forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant’s name, address, and UEI Number. Once it is completed, the information will transfer to the other forms.

3) Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the close date to provide you with time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.

4) Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application. The number will be listed on the Confirmation page that is generated after submission. Using the tracking number, access the Track My Application page under the Applicants tab or the Details tab in the submitted workspace.

For additional training resources, including video tutorials, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html

Applicant Support: Grants.gov provides applicants 24/7 support via the toll-free number 1-800- 518-4726 and email at support@grants.gov. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact the number listed in the application package of the grant you are applying for.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your submission, it is best to call the Grants.gov Support Center and get a ticket number. The Support Center ticket number will assist the USGS with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html mailto:support@grants.gov

4. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

a. Online Submission. All applications must be received by the due date established for each program. Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by Grants.gov. An electronic date/time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by Grants.gov. The applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of their application. This applicant with the AOR role will also receive the official date/time stamp and Grants.gov Tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission.

When USGS successfully retrieves the application from Grants.gov, and acknowledges the download of submissions, Grants.gov will provide an electronic acknowledgment of receipt of the application to the email address of the applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application. Again, proof of timely submission shall be the official date and time that Grants.gov receives your application. Applications received by Grants.gov after the established due date for the program will be considered late and will not be considered for funding by USGS.

Applicants using slow internet, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that transmission can take some time before Grants.gov receives your application. Again, Grants.gov will provide either an error or a successfully received transmission in the form of an email sent to the applicant with the AOR role attempting to submit the application. The Grants.gov Support Center reports that some applicants end the transmission because they think that nothing is occurring during the transmission process. Please be patient and give the system time to process the application.

D1. Address to Request Application Package

Program Website Link https://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn/cooperativeagreements.jsp

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

Applicants must submit the appropriate Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. The required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov.

The SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance must be complete, signed, and dated. Do not include any proprietary or personally identifiable information. Please note: Enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in the “Federal” funding box on the SF-424 Application form. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the “Other” box and provide details on those Federal source(s) and funding amount(s) in the required Budget Narrative (see the “Budget Narrative” section below).

The electronic submission shall consist of forms SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B, and a Project Narrative Attachment Form.

Any applicant organization that has not completed the financial assistance certifications and representations within their SAM.gov registration must submit the appropriate signed and dated

Assurances form. All required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov.

Well drilling work is considered construction. Proposals including work under Objective 5 (Well Drilling) will also need to submit form SF-424D, 'Assurances for Construction Programs'.

Project Narrative The items described below in items A through I should be included in the application package as the ‘Project Narrative Attachment Form’. Failure to comply with the required application components listed below may result in the proposal being rejected.

The proposal (item B below) shall not exceed 20 single-spaced pages and the type size shall not be smaller than 12 points. All pages of the application shall be numbered. All text, figures, and tables shall be sized to fit on 8½” by 11” paper with 1-inch margins. Items A through I as described below shall be combined in one document, in the order noted below, and submitted through Grants.gov in Adobe PDF format. The figures, tables, required maps, overall project budget, detailed budgets for objectives, timelines for objectives, data management plan, staff qualifications, letters of support, the NGWMN proposal checklist, and the negotiated rate agreement (if required) should also be included in the combined document but do not count toward the page limit. Figures and tables should have numbers and captions.

The items described below in items A through I below should be included in the application package as the ‘Project Narrative Attachment Form'.

A. Proposal Information Summary B. Proposal C. Overall Project Budget D. Detailed Budget for each objective E. Timeline for each objective F. Data Management Plan G. Staff Qualifications H. Supporting Letters I. NGWMN Proposal Checklist

A. Proposal Information Summary

Provide a summary for the proposal using the format shown in Attachment A, 'Proposal Information Summary Format'. The project title should not exceed 80 characters. The project title should be the same as that used in the title box of Form SF-424. List a single Technical Contact/Principal Investigator for the proposed work. Provide a start date for the proposed work sometime in the period from July 1st, 2025 through September 30th, 2025.

B. Proposal

The proposal should include background information about your agency and network, a summary of your planned project, and a detailed description of the project with a separate section for each objective that is part of the project (see guidance below).

The page limit for the proposal section is 20 pages. Maps and tables in proposal should be numbered and referenced in the text. Tables and figures can appear in the proposal, at the end of the proposal, or in an appendix. Maps and tables do not count towards the page limit.

Tables of sites at which fieldwork is proposed must be included and should include the NGWMN site number, the Principal Aquifer, and the well depth. A listing of specific work proposed at each well and the estimated cost is recommended.

Maps of sites where specific work is proposed need to be included. If maps do not show the entire state, include an inset map. All maps should include a north arrow, scale bar, explanation, and figure caption. Label the sites on the map using NGWMN site number or index number if possible. Include USGS Principal Aquifers on the map(s). Data layers with the Principal Aquifers and Aquifers of Alluvial and Glacial Origin are available at:

Principal Aquifers of the United States

Aquifers of Alluvial and Glacial Origin

Do not include links to data or information on a website as part of your proposal. If the content is important, include it in the proposal. We will not consider any information from referenced websites as part of the proposal evaluation process. The only exception to this is that you may include links to references for methods you propose to use as part of your proposal.

Include references for methods used to perform work on NGWMN sites or describe the…