R24AS00206 SNOFO.2.1_amendv1 (1).pdf

U.S. Department of the Interior March 2024

Notice of Funding Opportunity No. R24AS00206

Snow Water Supply Forecasting

Program FY 2024

Mission Statements

The U.S. Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American

Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island Communities.

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

Cover Photo – Tennessee Creek near the confluence of the East Fork Arkansas River in winter with snow on the Continental Divide in Colorado (Bureau of Reclamation).

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Synopsis

Federal Agency Name: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Research and

Development Office

Funding Opportunity Title: Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program

Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Funding Opportunity Number:

R24AS00206

Assistance Listing Number: 15.078

Dates:

(See NOFO Sec. D.4) Application due dates: May 6, 2024 4pm Mountain Daylight Time

Eligible Applicants:

(See NOFO Sec. C.1) Eligible applicants are Individuals/entrepreneurs, institutions of higher education, commercial or industrial organizations, private entities, state and local governmental entities, federally funded research and development centers, tribal governments and organizations, and non-profit organizations.

Recipient Cost-Share:

(See NOFO Sec. C.2) Cost share is not required, but strongly encouraged.

Federal Funding Amount:

(See NOFO Sec. B.1) Minimum Award: $300,000

Projects must request at minimum, $300,000 in Federal funds to be awarded to the applicant over a 36-month project period.

Maximum Award: $999,999

Up to $999,999 in Federal funds may be awarded to an applicant over a

36-month project period through this NOFO. The number of awards and the aggregate amount awarded will be based on the quality of the applications received and congressional funding available.

Estimated Number of Agreements to be Awarded:

(See NOFO Sec. B.1)

The number of awards will depend on the amount requested by each applicant, quality of the applications received, and the amount of Federal funding available.

Intergovernmental Review:

(See NOFO Sec. D.5)

This NOFO **is not** subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental

Review of Federal Programs.” A list of states that have elected to participate in the intergovernmental review process is at www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf http://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf http://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf iii

Application Checklist

The following tables contain a summary of the information that applicants are required to submit.

√ Mandatory Application Components Section Page

X Mandatory Federal Forms:

SF-424: Application for Federal Assistance, Office of

Management and Budget (OMB)

SF-424A: Budget Information—Non-Construction Programs

(OMB)

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

SF-424D: Assurances—Construction Programs (OMB)

See Sec. D.2.2.1 9

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

See Sec. D.3 17

X Technical Proposal (use Project Narrative Attachment Form to upload in grants.gov)

See Sec. E.1 23

X Budget Narrative (use Budget Narrative Attachment Form to upload in grants.gov)

See Sec D.2.1.5 12

√ Recommended Application Components Section Page

X Environmental and cultural resources compliance See Sec. F.2.1.1 32

X Required permits or approvals See Sec. D.2.2.2 13

X Overlap or duplication of effort statement See Sec D.2.2.3 13

X Conflict of interest disclosure statement See Sec D.2.2.4 14

X Uniform audit reporting statement See Sec D.2.2.5 15

X Certification Regarding Lobbying See Sec. D.2.2.6 15

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

(OMB)

See Sec. D.2.2.7 15

X Letters of Support See Sec. D.2.2.8 15

X Official Resolution See Sec D.2.2.9 16

X Letter of Funding Commitment See Sec. D.2.2.10 16

X Project Abstract Summary See Sec. D.2.2.11 17 javascript:downloadFile('https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_4_0-V4.0.pdf');

javascript:downloadFile('https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424A-V1.0.pdf');

javascript:downloadFile('https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424B-V1.1.pdf');

javascript:downloadFile('https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424D-V1.1.pdf') https://sam.gov/content/home https://sam.gov/content/home javascript:downloadFile('https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SFLLL_2_0-V2.0.pdf');

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Contents

Section A. Program Description A.1. Authority A.2. Background, Purpose, and Program Requirements A.3. Other Related Funding Opportunities

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

Section C. Eligibility Information C.1. Eligible Applicants C.2. Cost Sharing or Matching C.3. Other C.4. Eligible Projects

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

Section E. Application Review Information E.1. Technical Proposal: Evaluation Criteria E.2. Review and Selection Process

Section F. Federal Award Administration Information F.1. Federal Award Notices F.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements F.3. Reporting Requirements and Distribution F.4. Data Availability (2 CFR §1402.315) F.5. Recipient Service Delivery Option

Section G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) G.1. Reclamation Financial Assistance Contact G.2. Reclamation Program Coordinator Contact G.3. Application System Technical Support

Section H. Other Information H.1. Environmental and Cultural Resource Considerations H.2. Environmental Statutes H.3. Endangered Species Act

Section A. Program Description

A.1. Authority

This NOFO is issued under the authority of the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program

Authorization Act of 2020, P.L. 116-260, Sec. 1111 (e)(3).

A.2. Background, Purpose, and Program Requirements

The United States Department of the Interior (Department), Bureau of Reclamation’s

(Reclamation) Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program (Program) aims to improve the skill of water supply forecasts via enhancing snow monitoring through the deployment of emerging technologies to complement existing monitoring techniques and networks. This new program was authorized in December 2020 by P.L. 116-260, Sec. 1111, Snow Water Supply Forecasting

Program Authorization Act. The program was authorized for FY 2022 - FY 2026.

Reservoir operations and related water management decisions rely on estimates of current and future water availability. These estimates depend on technologies to observe basin conditions such as snowpack. In many Western basins, snowpack and subsequent snowmelt runoff constitutes a significant portion of the annual water supply. Accordingly, monitoring snowpack is of great interest to water managers and water users alike. Traditionally, basin snowpack information is based on a sparse network of observing stations across large watersheds. These networks provide high quality information at station locations but extrapolating that information to an entire watershed is a challenge. This challenge, in large part, motivates the Program.

As such, the NOFO invites proposals from eligible applicants that are invested in and capable of demonstrating emerging or deploying existing snow monitoring technologies and/or use of snow monitoring data to enhance water supply forecast skill. Considering this and the Act’s emphasis on partner agency coordination, strong applications will have partnerships with water management and forecasting entities to facilitate transfer of knowledge, foster use of data in forecasts, and evaluate utility of information for informing water management decisions. This supports Department of the Interior priority of addressing the drought crisis by providing water managers the best available information to inform the management of this scarce and critical resource.

A.3. Other Related Funding Opportunities

WaterSMART: Applied Science Grants - Through WaterSMART, Reclamation provides financial assistance on a competitive basis for Applied Science Grants. Through these grants, Reclamation provides funding to non-Federal entities for the development of tools and information to support water management for multiple uses. Eligible projects include the development of modeling and forecasting tools, hydrologic data platforms, and new data sets.

Section B. Federal Award Information

B.1. Total Funding

This NOFO will allocate available program funds including fiscal year (FY) 2024 enacted appropriations for the Snow Water Supply Forecast Program. A minimum of $3,000,000 of funding is available for this opportunity (subject to number of proposals submitted and requested funds, technical merit, and availability of funds).

B.2. Expected Award Amount

Maximum Award:

$999,999

Minimum Award:

$300,000

B.3. Anticipated Award Funding and Dates

Agreements are not effective until fully executed with signature from the Grants Officer.

Reclamation may award the maximum award amount in Federal funds to an applicant over the

3-year project period.

Anticipated award date: November 30, 2024 MDT

Reclamation expects to contact potential award recipients and unsuccessful applicants in summer of 2024.

Anticipated project completion date: September 30, 2027 MDT

B.4. Number of Awards

The total number of awards will depend on the amount requested by each applicant and the amount of Federal funding available, under this NOFO.

B.5. Type of Award

Project awards will be made through cooperative agreements. Under cooperative agreements, the successful applicant should expect Reclamation to have substantial involvement in the project.

This includes:

• collaboration and participation with the successful applicant in the management of the project and close oversight of the successful applicant’s activities to ensure that the program objectives are achieved, and

• possible oversight, including review, input, and approval at key interim stages of the project.

Section C. Eligibility Information

This section addresses the considerations or factors that determine applicant or application eligibility. This includes the eligibility of particular types of applicant organizations, any factors affecting the eligibility of the principal investigator or project director, and any criteria that make particular projects ineligible. Federal agencies should make clear whether an applicant's failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the time of an application deadline will result in Reclamation returning the application without review or, even though an application may be reviewed, will preclude Reclamation from making a Federal award.

C.1. Eligible Applicants

C.1.1. Eligible Applicants:

☒00—State governments

☒01—County governments

☒02—City or township governments

☒04—Special district governments

☒05—Independent school districts

☒06—Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

☒07—Native American Tribal governments (Federally recognized)

☒08—Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities

☒11—Native American Tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized Tribal governments)

☒12—Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

☒13—Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

☒20—Private institutions of higher education

☒21—Individuals

☒22—For profit organization other than small businesses

☒23—Small businesses

☐*25—Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification)

☐*99—Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in the text field immediately below.

C.2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Non-Federal cost share is not required but is strongly encouraged. Cost sharing may be made through direct cash contributions, third-party in-kind contributions, or combinations thereof.

Cost share funding is an evaluation criterion; see Section E.1. Evaluation Criterion B—Non-

Federal Cost Share. Note that cost share amounts will be verified for projects considered for funding. If the reported cost share cannot be verified, funding for the project may be subject to change or delay. As such, it is strongly recommended that reported cost share complies with requirements and regulations found in this section and its sub-sections.

Other sources of Federal funding may not be counted towards the required cost share. The exception to this requirement is where the Federal statute authorizing a program specifically provides that Federal funds made available for such program can be applied to matching or cost sharing requirements of other Federal programs, such as awards to tribal organizations under

P.L. 93-638, as amended. If it is determined that the Federal funding cannot be applied towards the non-Federal cost share, the work associated with the funding may be removed from the proposed project or the Federal funding will be counted toward the Federal cost share for the project. Please identify any other Federal funding received for the Project.

See Section D.2.1.5 Budget Detail and Narrative for information on reporting cost share funding in your application. All cost-share contributions must meet the applicable administrative and cost principles criteria established in 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200.

Cost sharing may be made through direct cash contributions, third-party in-kind contributions, or combinations thereof. Cost share funding is an evaluation criterion; see Section E1 Evaluation

Criterion B—Non-Federal Cost Share. Note that cost share amounts will be verified for projects considered for funding. If the reported cost share cannot be verified, funding for the project may be subject to change or delay. As such, it is strongly recommended that reported cost share complies with requirements and regulations found in this section and its sub-sections.

Third-party in-kind contributions may be in the form of equipment, supplies, and other expendable property, as well as the value of services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to the proposed project. The cost or value of third-party in-kind contributions that have been or will be relied on to satisfy a cost-sharing or matching requirement for another

Federal financial assistance agreement, a Federal procurement contract, or any other award of

Federal funds may not be relied on to satisfy the cost-share requirement for an award under this

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

http://www.ecfr.gov/

Section C. Eligibility Information

C.3. Other

Reclamation conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions Database for all applicant entities and their key personnel prior to award and ineligibility condition apply to this Federal program.

If the SAM.gov Exclusions Database identifies any entities or key personnel as ineligible, prohibited/restricted, or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, Reclamation cannot award funds to them.

C.4. Eligible Projects

The program office will review all proposed projects to determine whether the application is an eligible activity under the NOFO and can proceed to merit review evaluation. Eligible projects must include the implementation of aerial LiDAR snow surveys. Eligible projects include the following or combinations thereof:

• Demonstrating and/or deploying emerging snow monitoring technologies

• Demonstrating and/or deploying improvements to existing snow monitoring technologies

• Deploying snow monitoring technologies in areas with poor existing snow monitoring coverage

• Improving the use of snow monitoring data to enhance the skill of water supply forecasts

Projects should be scoped to quantify benefits to water supply forecasts and water management, as compared to the status quo. Projects should also include plans to assess the long-term technical, practical, and economic feasibility of a technology, including how its use might be expanded/extended to other geographic areas. For the purpose of the NOFO, “emerging technologies” refers to technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL1) 6-8 and “existing technologies” refers to technologies at TRL 9.

This NOFO is not seeking to award duplicative projects. Duplicative efforts would include having multiple projects apply the same technology in the same river basin. Applying a single technology in multiple river basins is not considered duplicative.

Projects not eligible for funding under this NOFO include, but are not limited to:

• Projects developing new snow monitoring technologies (i.e., projects at or lower than

(TRL2) 5 are not eligible).

1 https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/scan/engineering/technology/technology_readiness_level 2 https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/scan/engineering/technology/technology_readiness_level https://sam.gov/content/exclusions https://sam.gov/content/exclusions

• Projects deploying snow monitoring technologies outside of the Reclamation 17-State domain (AZ, CA, CO, ID, KS, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WY)

• Projects unrelated to snow monitoring or the use of snow data in water supply forecasts

• Projects focused on improving water supply forecasts outside of the Reclamation 17-

State domain (AZ, CA, CO, ID, KS, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WY)

Applicants can only request funding for work that is planned through September 2027.

Section D. Application and Submission

Information

This section informs potential applicants how to get application forms, kits, or other materials necessary for them to apply.

D.1. Address to Request Application Package

This NOFO includes all information, documents, and electronic addresses needed to submit an application through grants.gov. If the applicant is unable to access this information electronically, the Financial Assistance staff may provide paper copies of any documents referenced in this NOFO via an email request from the applicant. All required application forms are available on the “Packages” tab for this funding opportunity on grants.gov.

D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

All applications must conform to the requirements described in this section. A technical proposal, budget narrative, and all mandatory federal forms are required to be submitted in the required format and length as specified in Section D.2.1. Mandatory Federal Forms through

2.1.5. Budget Detail and Narrative (Attachment B-Suggested Format).

The application review committee will recommend a set of highly qualified applications to be considered for award. The criteria described in Section E.1 Technical Proposal Evaluation

Criteria will be used to make that determination.

D.2.1. Mandatory Federal Forms

Failure to submit all mandatory forms will result in the elimination of the application from further consideration.

D.2.1.1. SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance.

Applicants must submit the Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. The

SF-424 must be complete, signed and dated. Reclamation will consider any applications that fail to include an SF-424 with a valid unique entity identifier (UEI) number by the submission deadline as ineligible and will result in the elimination of the application from further consideration.

D.2.1.2. SF-424 (A) Budget Information Form.

Applicants must submit and complete the SF-424A, Budget Information.

https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/FAPolicy/Shared%20Documents/General/NOFO%20Revision%20Group/New%20NOFO%20Template/grants.gov mailto:sha-dro-fafoa@usbr.gov javascript:downloadFile('https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_4_0-V4.0.pdf');

D.2.1.3. SF-424 (B or D) Assurances Form.

A person legally authorized to commit the applicant to performance of the project must sign the

SF-424B, Assurances—Non-Construction Programs or SF-424D, Assurances—Construction

Programs, and submit the appropriate form with the application.

D.2.1.4. Project Proposal

The project proposal must be no longer than 12 pages, with a typeface no smaller than 11-point, and have at least 1-inch margins on all sides. The 12-page limit includes all text, figures, references, and vitae, but does not include the Budget Detail (Attachment B).

Application narrative requirements should include:

D.2.1.4.1. Title Page

The title page should provide a brief and descriptive title for the proposed work that indicates the nature of the project. Include the name and address of the applicant, and the name, address, e-mail address, and telephone of the project manager.

D.2.1.4.2. Table of Contents

The table of contents should include all major sections of the project proposal.

D.2.1.4.3. Executive Summary

The executive summary should include:

• Include the date, applicant name, city, county, and state.

• In one paragraph, state the problem/motivation for the project and how the proposed work addresses it.

• In one paragraph, summarize the project. Specify the work proposed, including how funds will be used to accomplish specific project activities and briefly identify how the proposed project contributes to accomplishing the goals and objectives of this NOFO.

Also include information on how project impacts/benefits will be assessed and what expansion/extension of the work to other regions might entail.

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

• Identify the proposed project location(s) including any field sites.

Section D: Application and Submission Information

D.2.1.4.4. Project Location

The project location should provide specific information on the area in which the applicant will work including a map showing the geographic location and a brief narrative. For example: the

{project} is located in {state and county} approximately {distance} miles {direction, e.g., northeast} of {nearest town} in {township, range, and section}. If selected for funding, Reclamation may request additional detail regarding the applicant’s project location.

D.2.1.4.5. Motivation/Problem Statement

Describe the motivation for the proposed project or the problem to be addressed by the proposed project, including why current approaches or technologies are insufficient and how the proposed approach or technology improves on current shortcomings. Include information on water management decisions or activities that aim to be improved by this work and how those benefits/improvements will be assessed/quantified. Describe how the proposed work aligns with one or more of the objectives shown in Section A.2. Background, Purpose, and Program

Requirements.

D.2.1.4.6. Prior work and results

Describe previous work, technology development, and/or technology deployment that supports/substantiates the proposed project. Identify relevant experience of key project team members for the proposed work. Identify the current technology readiness level (TRL) of the proposed technology (using the TRL definitions cited in Section C.4. Eligible Projects).

D.2.1.4.7. Technical approach and project activities

Describe the technical approach of the project. Include enough detail on the proposed technology or approach to permit a comprehensive evaluation of the proposal. The applicant should identify potential challenges that may be faced throughout the proposed project activities, and mitigation strategies for these challenges. Describe in detail the tasks to be conducted, including the development of the final technical report. For each task, describe planned activities and expected outcomes and milestones. Provide the location(s) of activities for each task. As applicable, the applicant may provide figures or diagrams to support the description the proposed project and activities.

D.2.1.4.8. Work Plan and Schedule

Provide a work plan based on the technical approach and project activities. The work plan should include a schedule showing individual tasks with significant milestones identified for the work to be accomplished. Clearly and concisely convey this schedule using a table, Gantt chart, project network diagram, or any other visual format. Time for final report preparation should be included in the work plan. The final report will be posted publicly.

D.2.1.4.9. Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) Plan

Identify the proposed QA/QC protocols to be used throughout the project, including but not limited to data checks, peer review, instrument calibration, etc.

D.2.1.4.10. Responses to Evaluation Criteria

(See Section E.1. Technical Proposal: Evaluation Criteria for additional details, including a detailed description of each criterion and points associated with each.)

The responses to evaluation criteria portion of your application should clearly describe how the proposed project addresses each criterion (in the order presented) to assist in the complete and accurate evaluation of your application. It is not necessary to repeat information provided in other sections of the proposal. Rather than repeating information, provide a reference to other sections of the proposal.

It is suggested that applicants copy and paste the evaluation criteria in Section E.1. Technical

Proposal: Evaluation Criteria into their applications to ensure that all necessary information is adequately addressed.

D.2.1.5. Budget Detail and Narrative (Attachment B-Suggested Format)

D.2.1.5.1. Budget Detail and Narrative

In the budget detail and narrative section, applicants should describe and justify requested budget items and costs. Applicants should provide details to support the SF-424A, “Object Class” categories or the SF-424C, “Cost Classification” categories. The budget narrative must clearly identify all items of cost (total estimated project cost), including those contributed as non-Federal cost share by the applicant (required and voluntary), third-party in-kind contributions, and those covered using the funding requested from Reclamation, and any requested pre-award costs.

The total project cost is the sum of all allowable items of costs, including all required cost sharing and voluntary committed cost sharing, including third-party contributions necessary to complete the project. Applicants must include detailed descriptions of all cost justifications (see

Reclamation’s suggested format in Attachment B for more detail). Costs, including the valuation of third-party in-kind contributions, must comply with the applicable cost principles contained in

2 CFR, §200.

Please note that the costs for preparing and applying in response to this NOFO, including the development of data necessary to support the proposal, are not eligible Project costs under this

NOFO, nor are they eligible for cost-share contributions, and must not be included in the Project budget.

Budget items must be reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary to the supported activity.

Refer to 2 CFR §200, for applicable administrative requirements and cost principles. See 2 CFR

§200.407, Prior written approval (prior approval), for more information.

Failure to submit a budget narrative will result in the elimination of the application from further consideration.

Applicants may use the Budget Narrative Attachment Form as an example of the required elements of the budget narrative.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.407 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.407 https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/BudgetNarrativeAttachments_1_2-V1.2.pdf

D.2.2. Recommended Application Components

D.2.2.1. Environmental and Cultural Resources Compliance

Compliance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (as further detailed in Section H.2) will be required for all funded projects. Further, monitoring, measurement, or other field work may be required to complete environmental and cultural resources compliance, with some of the field work also requiring individual compliance provided by the applicant.

D.2.2.2. Required Permits or Approvals

Federal, state, tribal, and/or county permits or approvals may be required to implement the proposed project. In the application, state whether the project will require any permits or approvals and explain the plan and schedule for obtaining these permits or approvals.

If a proposal includes improvements to Federal facilities, Reclamation may also require additional reviews and approvals prior to implementation to ensure the Bureau can approve any necessary easements, land use authorizations, or special permits consistent with the requirements of 43 CFR §429 and that the development will not impact or impair project operations or efficiency.

D.2.2.3. Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

Applicants should address if there is any overlap between the proposed project and any other active or anticipated proposals or projects in terms of activities, costs, or commitment of key personnel. If any overlap exists, the applicant must provide a description of the overlap in the application for review.

Applicants must state if the proposal submitted for consideration under this program does or does not in any way duplicate any proposal or project that has been, or will be, submitted for funding consideration to any other potential funding source—whether it be Federal or non-Federal. If such a circumstance exists, the applicant must detail when the other duplicative proposal(s) were submitted, to what Agency or financial assistance program, and when funding decisions are expected to be announced. If at any time another Federal awarding agency awards funds to the applicant that would be duplicative of the funding requested from Reclamation, applicants must notify the NOFO point of contact or the program coordinator immediately.

D.2.2.4. Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement

Per the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation, 2 CFR §1402.112, all applications must state if any actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-B/chapter-I/part-429 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402/subpart-B/section-1402.112

D.2.2.4.1. Applicability

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

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

D.2.2.4.2. Notification

(1) Non-Federal entities, including applicants for financial assistance awards, must disclose, in writing, any conflict of interest to the Department of the Interior awarding agency or pass-through entity in accordance with 2 CFR §200.112.

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

D.2.2.4.3. Restrictions on Lobbying

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

D.2.2.4.4. Review Procedures

The financial assistance officer will examine each conflict-of-interest disclosure based on its particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or cooperative agreement and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.

D.2.2.4.5. Enforcement

Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the Government may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR §200.339, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment

(see also 2 CFR §180).

D.2.2.5. Uniform Audit Reporting Statement

All U.S. States, local governments, Federally recognized Indian Tribal governments, and non-profit organizations expending $750,000 USD, or more, in Federal award funds within an applicant’s fiscal year, must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit

Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System in accordance with 2 CFR §200 Subpart F.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.318 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2021-title31/pdf/USCODE-2021-title31-subtitleII-chap13-subchapIII-sec1352.pdf https://ecfr.io/Title-2/Section-200.339 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-180 https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-F

U.S. State and local governments, Federally recognized Indian Tribal governments, and non-profit applicants must state if their organization was or was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If the applicant’s organization was required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year, the applicant must provide the Employer Identification Number associated with that report and state if the number is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

D.2.2.6. Certification Regarding Lobbying

Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in

43 CFR §18, Appendix A. If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the authorized official’s signature on the appropriate SF-424 form also represents the applicant’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR § 18, Appendix A.

D.2.2.7. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable)

If the applicant has made, or agreed to make, payment to any lobbying entity in an attempt to influence, or attempt to influence, an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with a covered Federal action, Reclamation will require applicants to complete and sign an SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form. Note— a contractor or other entity cannot submit this form on an applicant’s behalf.

D.2.2.8. Letters of Support

Applicants should include letters from interested stakeholders supporting the proposed project, if applicable. To ensure Reclamation accurately reviews all proposals, applicants may attach any letters of support/partnership letters as an appendix. Reclamation will not consider letters of support received after the application deadline for this NOFO in evaluating an applicant’s proposed project. These letters do not count within the 12 page-maximum.

D.2.2.9. Official Resolution

If selected, the applicant must provide an official resolution adopted by the applicant’s board of directors or governing body, or, for State government entities, an official authorized to commit the applicant to the financial and legal obligations associated with receipt of a financial assistance award under this NOFO prior to award. This must include:

• the identity of the official with legal authority to enter into an agreement,

• the board of directors, governing body, or appropriate official who has reviewed and supports the application submitted, and

• that the applicant will work with Reclamation to meet established deadlines for entering into a grant or cooperative agreement.

An official resolution, meeting the requirements above, is mandatory before Reclamation will award funding.

https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18

D.2.2.10. Letters of Funding Commitment

Describe how the non-Federal cost share of project will be obtained. Reclamation will use this information when making a determination of financial capability. Project funding provided by a source other than the applicant should be supported with letters of commitment from these additional sources and should identify the following elements:

• The amount of funding commitment

• The date the funds will be available to the applicant

• Any time constraints on the availability of funds

• Any other contingencies associated with the funding commitment

Commitment letters from third-party funding sources should be submitted with your project application. If commitment letters are not available at the time of the application submission, provide a timeline for submitting all commitment letters. Cost-share funding from sources outside the applicant’s organization (e.g., loans or State grants) should be secured and available to the applicant prior to award.

Reclamation will not make funds available for an award under this NOFO until the recipient has secured a non-Federal cost-share. Reclamation will execute a financial assistance agreement once non-Federal funding has been secured or Reclamation determines that there is enough evidence and likelihood that non-Federal funds will be available to the applicant after executing the agreement.

D.2.2.11. Project Abstract Summary

The applicant may complete and submit the Project Abstract Summary form with the application package. This must include:

• funding opportunity number,

• goals and objectives of the proposed project,

• summary of project activities,

• performance goals including milestones and expected outcomes, and

• the intended beneficiaries, and any subrecipient activities, if known.

Reclamation will transmit this information to USASpending.gov and be viewable by the public

A.1.1.1. Summary Slides

Please include no more than two Microsoft PowerPoint slides summarizing the proposed project.

The slides must be submitted in PDF format and will be used during the evaluation process. The summary slides don’t need to follow any template—but must have the following information:

• Project title, Project Manager, and their institution/company if applicable https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/readonly/Project_AbstractSummary_2_0-V2.0.pdf https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/FAPolicy/Shared%20Documents/General/NOFO%20Revision%20Group/New%20NOFO%20Template/USASpending.gov

• A technology summary (briefly summarize any snow monitoring and/or forecasting technologies part of the proposed work)

• Summary of key tasks/activities

• Anticipated impact/benefit of the proposed work to water management decision making/activities

• Any key graphics (picture, illustration, charts, and/or tables)

• Requested Reclamation funds and any proposed non-Federal cost share (if applicable)

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

(SAM)

Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or Federal awarding agency excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR §25.110 (b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR §25.110 (d)) is required to:

• register in SAM before submitting an application (instructions for registering are available at on the SAM.gov site),

• provide a valid UEI in the application, and

• maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which an applicant has an active Federal award or plan under consideration by a Federal award agency.

Meeting the requirements set forth above is mandatory.

D.3.1. Register with the System for Award Management

Applicants must register on the SAM.gov website. Click “Help” to find user guides and other information to assist with registration. The Grants.gov “Register with SAM” page also provides detailed instructions. Applicants can contact the supporting Federal Service Desk for help registering in SAM. Once registered, SAM.gov will assign the applicant a UEI. Applicants must renew and revalidate SAM.gov registration at least once every 12 months from the previous date of registration. Applicants are strongly encouraged to revalidate registration as often as needed to ensure their information is up to date and reflects changes that may have been made to the Internal Revenue Service’s information.

There is no cost to register with SAM.gov. There are third-party vendors who will charge a fee in exchange for registering entities with SAM.gov; please be aware applicants can register and request help for free.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110#p-25.110(b) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110#p-25.110(c) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110#p-25.110(d) https://sam.gov/content/home https://sam.gov/content/home https://sam.gov/content/help https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0029912&sys_kb_id=cf698d6d1b38ad503565ed3ce54bcb46&spa=1

NOTE: An applicant’s SAM.gov registration process may take 6 weeks or more to complete, so please allow sufficient time to ensure applications are submitted before the closing date. Failure to submit on time because an applicant did not complete registration in SAM.gov or Grants.gov will result in the application submission being found ineligible.

D.3.2. Obtain a UEI Number

Applicants must provide a valid unique entity identifier as part of the application. Applicants are required to register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application and obtain a UEI. A UEI will be assigned to entities upon registering with SAM.

D.3.3. Maintain an Active SAM Registration and UEI Number

Applicants must continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which applicants have an active Federal award, application, or plan under consideration by Reclamation. Reclamation may not make a Federal award until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements and, if the applicants has not fully complied with the requirements by the time Reclamation is ready to make a Federal award, Reclamation may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.

D.3.4. Current Responsibilities/Qualifications Information

Before awarding a grant in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, Reclamation is required to review the SAM.gov database and consider all information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (see 41 U.S.C.

§2313).

Optionally, applicants may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and that is currently in the designated integrity and performance system. Reclamation will consider any comments in making a judgement about the applicant’s integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk as described in 2 CFR §200.206, “Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.”

D.4. Submission Date and Time

Applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov. Grants.gov automatically generates an electronic date and time stamp in the system upon receiving the application.

Grants.gov sends an acknowledgement of receipt with the date and time stamp and a unique

Grants.gov application tracking number to the applicant’s authorized representative by email.

This email from Grants.gov serves as proof of timely submission.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:41%20section:2313%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title41-section2313)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true#:~:text=41%20USC%202313%3A%20Database%20for%20Federal%20agency%20contract,Procurement%20PolicyDivision%20B-Office%20of%20Federal%20Procurement%20PolicyCHAPTER%2023-MISCELLANEOUS https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:41%20section:2313%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title41-section2313)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true#:~:text=41%20USC%202313%3A%20Database%20for%20Federal%20agency%20contract,Procurement%20PolicyDivision%20B-Office%20of%20Federal%20Procurement%20PolicyCHAPTER%2023-MISCELLANEOUS https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.206 https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/FAPolicy/Shared%20Documents/General/NOFO%20Revision%20Group/New%20NOFO%20Template/grants.gov

The applicant may submit a paper application if approved by the Reclamation Grants Officer and if the applicant is found to be under exigent circumstances (e.g., Federally declared disaster area). Applications sent by mail without prior approval will be rejected and deemed ineligible.

The applicant may request an exemption from the required electronic application submission due to exigent circumstances, by submitting an email request to the Reclamation Grants Officer for approval. Applicants may email exemption requests to [bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov]. All emailed exemption requests must include the following information:

1. the NOFO Number and the language: “Exigent Circumstances Request for Fiscal Year

(FY) [insert year]” in the subject line of the email,

2. the NOFO title and number,

3. the application due date of the specified NOFO,

4. the Assistance Listing number,

5. the name of the applicant organization and UEI number(s),

6. the authorized organizational representative name and contact information (phone and email address),

7. the name and email of the point of contact regarding matters involving the application, and

8. the exigent circumstances justification to prevent an electronic application submission.

The Grants Officer must receive exigent circumstances requests no later than 2 weeks or 14 days before the application due date listed within the NOFO. Reclamation will acknowledge requests for exemption from required electronic application submission with a written approval or disapproval via email from the Grants Officer within 7 business days.

Unless the applicant has received an approved exemption, applicants must use grants.gov to submit proposals. Under no circumstances will Reclamation consider applications received through any other method (such as e-mail or fax) as eligible for award.

Applicant resource documents and a full set of instructions for registering with grants.gov and completing and submitting applications online are available on grants.gov. Application submission requires prior registration through grants.gov, which may take up to 21 days. In addition, please note the grants.gov system only accepts applications submitted by individuals that are registered and active in SAM as both a user and an Authorized Organizational

Representative. Applicants have experienced significant delays when attempting to submit applications through grants.gov.

http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html

Proposals received after the application deadline will not be considered unless it can be determined that the delay was caused by Reclamation mishandling or technical issues with the

Grants.gov application system. Please note that difficulties related to an applicant’s Grants.gov profile (e.g., incorrect organizational representative), uploading documents to Grants.gov, or an applicant’s SAM registration are not considered technical issues with the Grants.gov system.

Please note that any application submitted for funding under this NOFO may be subjected to a

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request (5 United States Code [U.S.C.] Section 552, as amended by P.L. No. 110-175), and as a result, may be made publicly available.

D.4.1. Due Date for Applications

May 6, 2024 4pm MDT

D.5. Funding Restrictions

Pre-award costs are those incurred prior to the effective date of a Federal award and are necessary for the efficient and timely performance of the scope of work. Such costs are allowable only to the extent that they would have been allowable if incurred after the date of the Federal award.

Pre-award costs are related to the planning and design of the project including, but not limited to engineering and design, modeling, environmental and cultural studies, and permitting. If the proposed project is selected, Reclamation will review the pre-award costs to determine if they are consistent with program objectives and are allowable in accordance with the authorizing legislation. Proposed pre-award costs must also be compliant with all applicable administrative and cost principles criteria established in 2 CFR §200 and all other requirements of this funding opportunity. Incurrence of pre-award costs is not authorized without prior written approval of the awarding Grants Officer. Per 2 CFR §200.458, pre-award costs are those incurred prior to the effective date of the Federal award or subaward directly pursuant to the negotiation and in anticipation of the Federal award where such costs are necessary for efficient and timely performance of the scope of work.

Note: Any costs incurred in the performance of the project prior to the…