Small Storage NOFO FY25 Final 090324.pdf

U.S. Department of the Interior September 2024

Notice of Funding Opportunity No. R25AS00392

Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects (Small Storage Program) i Cover Photo: Construction of Chief Toquer Reservoir near Toquerville, UT

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, 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.

Synopsis ii

Synopsis Federal Agency Name: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Mission

Assurance and Protection Organization Funding Opportunity Title: Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects (Small

Storage Program) Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Funding Opportunity Number:

R25AS00392

Assistance Listing Number: 15.074 Dates:

(See NOFO Sec. D.4)

The NOFO will have two application submittal periods with a final closing date on July 15, 2025.

Application due dates:

Period 1: December 12, 2024, 4 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST) Period 2: July 15, 2025, 4 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT)

Note: Applications received after December 12, 2024, 4 p.m. MST and before July 15, 2025, 4 p.m. MDT will be considered under Period 2.

Eligible Applicants:

(See NOFO Sec. C.1)

Applicants eligible to receive financial assistance to fund activities under this NOFO include: Sponsors of small surface water and groundwater storage projects located in the 17 Western United States as identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as well as Alaska and Hawaii, that have been found to meet all of the requirements of Temporary Reclamation Manual Release CMP TRMR-127 no later than the dates posted in NOFO Sec C.4, which details specific feasibility study submission deadlines.

Recipient Cost-Share:

(See NOFO Sec. C.2)

A non-Federal cost-share of at least 75% is required.

Federal Funding Amount:

(See NOFO Sec. B.1)

Approximately $43,500,000 is available under this program.

Up to $30,000,000 per award.

Estimated Number of Agreements to be Awarded:

(See NOFO Sec. B.1)

Approximately 3 to 7 awards per application submittal period, contingent on appropriations.

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 available on whitehouse.gov.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf

Application Checklist iii

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

√ Mandatory Application Components Required Content 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.2.1.

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

See Sec. D.2.1.4. 11

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

See Sec. D.2.1.5. 12

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

See Sec. D.3. 16

√ Recommended Application Components Recommended

Content Page

X Environmental and cultural resources compliance See Sec. D.2.1.6. 12 X Required permits or approvals See Sec. D.2.1.7. 12 X Overlap or duplication of effort statement See Sec. D.2.1.8. 13 X Conflict of interest disclosure statement See Sec. D.2.1.9. 13 X Uniform audit reporting statement See Sec. D.2.1.10. 14 X Certification Regarding Lobbying See Sec. D.2.1.11. 14 X SF-LLL: Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (required, if applicable) (OMB) See Sec. D.2.1.12. 14

X Letters of Support See Sec. D.2.1.13. 15 X Official Resolution See Sec. D.2.1.14. 15 X Project Abstract Summary See Sec. D.2.1.15. 15 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');

Contents iv

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. Intergovernmental Review D.6. Funding Restrictions

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

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

Section G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts G.1. Reclamation Financial Assistance Contact G.2. Reclamation Program Coordinator Contact

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

Appendix A: Project Location Map Guidance

Section A. Program Description

A.1. Authority

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is issued under the authority of the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, Section 40903 of Title IX—Western Water Infrastructure, Public Law 117-58. The Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act is commonly referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

A.2. Background, Purpose, and Program Requirements

The U.S. Department of the Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation, administers the Small Surface and Groundwater Storage Program (Small Storage Program) to promote Federal assistance to enhance water storage opportunities for future generations in support of the Department’s priorities. Reclamation leverages Federal and non-Federal funding to support stakeholder efforts to stretch scarce water supplies and avoid conflicts over water.

Congress enacted the BIL on November 15, 2021, with Title IX—Western Water Infrastructure to address water storage infrastructure critical to the Nation’s economic growth, health, and competitiveness. Section 40903 authorizes Reclamation to provide funding for small surface water storage and groundwater storage projects.

Water storage projects are an important part of Reclamation and the Department’s priorities.

Surface water and groundwater storage are essential tools in stretching the limited water supplies in the Western United States. Water storage projects enhance and increase the reliability of municipal and irrigation water supplies, provide opportunities to enhance groundwater management and provide water quality improvements and ecosystem benefits. These projects will provide Western communities with new sources of water and increase water management flexibility. Water storage projects help water managers increase resilience to climate change and are directly aligned with Executive Order (EO) 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. Further, EO 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, calls on agencies to advance equity through identifying and addressing barriers to equal opportunities across policies and programs, including grant opportunities. The Small Storage Program will advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative. Established by EO 14008, the Justice40 Initiative establishes a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments, such as climate, clean energy, and

Section A. Program Description other areas, flow to disadvantaged communities that are overburdened by pollution and marginalized by underinvestment.1

The objective of this NOFO is to invite sponsors of small surface water and groundwater storage projects to request cost-shared funding for the planning, design, and/or construction of those projects.

A.3. Other Related Funding Opportunities

For information on the NOFOs listed here, please visit the WaterSMART Program Website.

Reclamation provides funding for many types of projects through several other programs under the WaterSMART Program.

WaterSMART: Title XVI Congressionally Authorized Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects— Through this separate NOFO, funding is available for planning, design, and construction of Congressionally authorized Title XVI Projects.

WaterSMART: Title XVI Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects—Through this separate NOFO, funding is available for planning, design, and construction of Title XVI Projects and desalination projects that are eligible under Section 4009(c) of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act.

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

WaterSMART Drought Response Program—Through this separate NOFO, funding is available for Drought Resiliency Projects that will build long-term resilience to drought and reduce the need for emergency response actions.

Funding is available for technical assistance for Federally recognized Tribes through the Native American Affairs Technical Assistance Program to develop, manage, and protect their water and related resources. For more information on the timing for this opportunity, please visit the Native American Affairs program website, or contact Kelly Titensor at ktitensor@usbr.gov.

1 For more information, see EO 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (Jan. 27, 2023), https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad;

Justice40 Initiative, https://www.whitehouse.gov/environmentaljustice/justice40/.

https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/ https://www.usbr.gov/native/programs/TAPprogram.html https://www.usbr.gov/native/programs/TAPprogram.html mailto:ktitensor@usbr.gov https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/02/01/2021-02177/tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad https://www.whitehouse.gov/environmentaljustice/justice40/

Section B. Federal Award Information

B.1. Total Funding

Estimated Total Funding:

$43,500,000

B.2. Expected Award Amount

Maximum Award:

$30,000,000

Minimum Award:

$0

B.3. Anticipated Award Funding and Dates

Projects funded through this NOFO will start once the project has secured funding and Reclamation has issued the awards. 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 5-year period), with no more than $25,000,000 available per fiscal year. Reclamation expects between three and seven awards from this NOFO, depending on the amount requested by each applicant and the amount of funding available. The average amount of funding per Federal award, based on previous funding opportunities, is about $5,000,000.

The anticipated dates of notification of award are May 2025 for the first round of funding, and January 2026 for the second round. The anticipated award and completion dates are as follows:

1. First Application Submittal Period, closing date December 12, 2024

• Anticipated Award Date: July 2025

• Anticipated Project Completion Date: December 2027

2. Second Application Submittal Period, closing date July 15, 2025

• Anticipated Award Date: March 2026

• Anticipated Project Completion Date: July 2028

The Federal share (i.e., Reclamation’s share), of any small surface water or groundwater storage project under section 40903 of Title IX—Western Water Infrastructure, including any funding provided through this NOFO, shall not exceed 25 percent of the total project cost, or $30 million.

Section B. Federal Award Information

Reclamation invites eligible applicants to request funding for project planning, design, and/or construction. Although the evaluation criteria listed in this NOFO will be applied to the project as a whole, funding requests submitted under this NOFO may only include costs incurred after the date of Reclamation’s feasibility determination (as per the requirements of CMP TRMR (Temporary Reclamation Manual Release-127), Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects Feasibility Review Process), and within three years from the application deadline for each submittal period under this NOFO.

NOFO Section C.4. contains additional information regarding feasibility study submission deadlines.

All costs incurred by Reclamation related to the development and administration of any award under this NOFO are considered part of the total project costs, and the recipient will be required to provide cost share. All Reclamation administrative costs will also be included in the Federal cost share for the project.

B.4. Number of Awards

Reclamation will award approximately three to seven awards, depending on the amount requested by each applicant and the amount of Federal funding available.

B.5. Type of Award

Project awards will be made through a grant or cooperative agreement as applicable to the selected project. If the project does not fall under a cooperative agreement, proceed to Section C of this NOFO.

Under cooperative agreements, the successful applicant should expect Reclamation to have substantial involvement in the project, including:

• 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.

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=7d8ea94a7f35fac9JmltdHM9MTY5MDMyOTYwMCZpZ3VpZD0wNGY2NzEwNi1kYmQzLTYxNTItMTA0Ni02MjVmZGE3ZTYwZTMmaW5zaWQ9NTE4Ng&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=04f67106-dbd3-6152-1046-625fda7e60e3&psq=CMP+TRMR+(Temporary+Reclamation+Manual+Release)-127%2c+Small+Surface+Water+and+Groundwater+Storage+Projects+Feasibility+Review+Process&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNici5nb3YvcmVjbWFuL3RlbXBvcmFyeV9yZWxlYXNlcy9jbXB0cm1yLTEyNy5wZGY&ntb=1 https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=7d8ea94a7f35fac9JmltdHM9MTY5MDMyOTYwMCZpZ3VpZD0wNGY2NzEwNi1kYmQzLTYxNTItMTA0Ni02MjVmZGE3ZTYwZTMmaW5zaWQ9NTE4Ng&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=04f67106-dbd3-6152-1046-625fda7e60e3&psq=CMP+TRMR+(Temporary+Reclamation+Manual+Release)-127%2c+Small+Surface+Water+and+Groundwater+Storage+Projects+Feasibility+Review+Process&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNici5nb3YvcmVjbWFuL3RlbXBvcmFyeV9yZWxlYXNlcy9jbXB0cm1yLTEyNy5wZGY&ntb=1

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. This section clarifies 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

☒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

Section C. Eligibility Information

☒*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 entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility."

C.1.1. Additional Information on Eligibility

Joint powers authorities organized pursuant to state law are eligible entities for this funding opportunity.

C.2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Applicants must be capable of cost sharing 75 percent or more of the total project cost. The total project cost is defined as the total allowable costs incurred under a Federal award and all required cost share and voluntary committed cost-share contributions, including third-party contributions.

Applicants may cost share through cash, costs contributed by the applicant, or third-party in-kind contributions. Third-party in-kind contributions are the value of non-cash contributions of property or services that benefit the Federally assisted project and are contributed by non-Federal third parties, without charge. The applicant should secure cost-share funding from sources outside the applicant’s organization (e.g., loans or State grants) and ensure that the funding is available prior to award. Please see Section D.2.1.13, “Letters of Support,” and Section D.2.1.14, “Official Resolution,” for more information regarding the documentation required to verify commitments to meet cost sharing requirements.

Other sources of Federal funding received by the applicant for the project may not be counted towards the required non-Federal cost share. This requirement is exempted where the Federal statute authorizing a program specifically provides that Federal funds made available for a program can be applied to matching or cost-sharing requirements of other Federal programs, such as awards to tribal organizations under PL 93-638, as amended. If Reclamation determines 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 25 percent Federal cost share for the project. Please identify any other Federal funding received for the project.

C.3. Other

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

https://sam.gov/content/exclusions https://sam.gov/content/exclusions

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

• projects that convey water without a surface water or groundwater storage enhancement component.

• projects that do not have a completed small storage feasibility study that has been found to meet all the requirements of CMP TRMR-127 by the posting date of this NOFO.

• projects that do not have a completed small storage feasibility study submitted to Reclamation for review by the following deadlines:

• August 15, 2024 for applications submitted under the first submittal period

• April 30, 2025 for applications submitted under the second submittal period

• projects that do not have a small storage feasibility study found by Reclamation to meet all of the requirements of CMP TRMR-127 by the following deadlines:

• November 15, 2024 for applications submitted under the first submittal period

• July 15, 2025 for applications submitted under the second submittal period.

• projects not constructed, operated, and maintained by an eligible entity and that do not include a substantial financial contribution to capital construction costs by an eligible entity during the duration of this NOFO.

• projects that have already received funding under another Reclamation funding opportunity, including the Drought Response Program.

• projects focused on water conservation (e.g., canal lining or piping to conserve water), while eligible for funding under Reclamation’s WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants, are not eligible for funding under this NOFO.

• operations, maintenance, and replacement (OM&R) activities. OM&R are system improvements that replace or repair existing infrastructure or function without providing increased efficiency or effectiveness of water distribution over the expected life of the improvement. Examples of ineligible OM&R projects include, but are not limited to:

• replacing malfunctioning components of an existing facility with the same components,

• improving an existing facility to operate as originally designed, and

• performing an activity on a recurring basis, even if that period is extended (e.g., 10-year interval).

Reclamation encourages applicants who have questions regarding OM&R to contact the program coordinator listed in Section G, “Agency Contacts,” prior to the application deadline for further information.

C.4. Eligible Projects

The program office will review all proposed projects to determine whether the application is eligible for evaluation.

Projects eligible for funding under this NOFO include planning, design, and construction of small surface water and groundwater storage facilities. In order to be eligible for funding under this NOFO, the project must meet the following requirements.

https://www.usbr.gov/recman/temporary_releases/cmptrmr-127.pdf

Section C. Eligibility Information

Only eligible applicants may construct, operate, and maintain the project, or an eligible applicant must sponsor the project. To sponsor a project, the eligible applicant must contribute funding for a sufficient portion of the capital construction costs of the project within the timeframe of this NOFO consistent with the law.

The project must have a completed small storage feasibility study submitted to Reclamation for review by August 15, 2024 for applications submitted under the first submittal period, and by April 30, 2025 for applications submitted under the second submittal period.

Completed small storage feasibility studies must be found by Reclamation to meet the all of the requirements of CMP TRMR-127 by November 15, 2024 for applications submitted under the first submittal period, and by July 15, 2025 for applications submitted under the second submittal period.

The project must be located in the Western United States as identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended and supplemented; specifically: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Applicants must be ready to proceed with the project once a financial assistance agreement is in place.

An eligible project must have water storage capacity of no less than 200 acre-feet and no more than 30,000 acre-feet, and increase surface water or groundwater storage, or convey water, directly or indirectly, to or from surface water or groundwater storage.

The project must increase yield, on average, above existing conditions to identified beneficiaries and the environment.

Reclamation will not provide funding for work conducted on any project prior to the authorization of this program.

https://www.usbr.gov/recman/temporary_releases/cmptrmr-127.pdf

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 NOFO Operations 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

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—Non-Construction Programs as applicable to the project.

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.

Failure to submit a signed SF-424B or SF-424D will result in the elimination of the application from further consideration.

https://doimspp.sharepoint.com/sites/FAPolicy/Shared%20Documents/General/NOFO%20Revision%20Group/New%20NOFO%20Template/grants.gov mailto:sha-dro-fafoa@usbr.gov https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_4_0-V4.0.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424A-V1.0.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424A-V1.0.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/Mandatory_SF424B-V1.1.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/Mandatory_SF424D-V1.1.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/Mandatory_SF424D-V1.1.pdf

Section D. Application and Submission Information

D.2.1.4. Project Proposal

The project proposal must be no longer than 125 pages, with a typeface no smaller than 11-point, and have at least 1-inch margins on all sides. The 125-page limit includes all text, figures, references, and vitae, but does not include the Budget Detail (Attachment B).

Application narrative requirements may include:

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.

Table of Contents

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

Executive Summary

The executive summary should include:

• the date, applicant name, city, county, and State,

• a one-paragraph project summary that briefly describes the work for which the applicant requests funding, including how funds will be used to accomplish specific project activities.

• the length of time and estimated completion date for the proposed project (month/year), and

• whether or not the proposed planning efforts are focused on a Federal facility or will involve Federal land.

Project Location

The project location should provide specific information on 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}. The project latitude is {##°##’N} and longitude is {###°##’W}. Provide at least one map with sufficient project details to understand the location of all elements of the proposal. Multiple maps may be necessary to accurately depict the proposal in its entirety. Recommended guidance on useful features to include on the project map(s) is included in Appendix A. If selected for funding, Reclamation may request additional detail regarding the applicant’s project location.

Project Schedule

The project schedule should provide sufficient information on the project activities and shows the stages and duration of the proposed work, including the major tasks, milestones, and dates.

Clearly and concisely convey the schedule using a table, Gantt chart, or another applicable visual format.

Project Description

The project description should describe the work for which the funding will be used, including any specific activities the work will accomplish. This section is an opportunity for the applicant to provide a clear description of the technical nature of the project and to address any aspect of the project that reviewers may need additional information to understand. Include enough detail on the proposed project to permit a comprehensive evaluation of the proposal. Illustrative photographs may be useful in communicating aspects of the project.

The description should also describe the technical approach the applicant plans to conduct under the project. Include enough detail on the proposed technology or approach to allow a comprehensive evaluation of the proposal. Reclamation will establish the applicant’s understanding not only by the proposed approach, but also by identifying potential challenges that the project may face throughout the proposed testing, and the mitigation strategies for these potential challenges.

Describe in detail the project tasks. For each task, describe planned activities and expected outcomes and milestones.

Describe the staff levels and expertise, the number of staff hours, and the schedule for completing each task.

The sole intention of this section is to provide an understanding of the technical aspects of the project. Please note: if the work for which the applicant is requesting funding is a phase of a larger project, please only describe the work reflected in the budget and exclude description of other activities or components of the overall project. Please do not duplicate information.

Evaluation Criteria

Section E.1. Technical Proposal: Evaluation Criteria provides a detailed description of each criterion and sub-criterion and points associated with each. The evaluation criteria portion of your application should thoroughly address each criterion and sub-criterion in the order presented to assist in the complete and accurate evaluation of your proposal.

Copying and pasting the evaluation criteria and sub-criteria in Section E.1. Technical Proposal: Evaluation Criteria into your applications is suggested to ensure that all necessary information is adequately addressed.

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

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. 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.

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 from grants.gov as an example of the required elements of the budget narrative.

D.2.1.6. 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. Please provide responses to the questions in NOFO Section H.1. Answers to these questions do not count within the 125-page maximum.

D.2.1.7. 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 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 of 43 CFR §429 and that the development will not impact or impair project operations or efficiency.

D.2.1.8. Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement (optional, encouraged)

If providing an overlap or duplication of effort statement (highly encouraged), 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.2.1.9. 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.

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.

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.

Restrictions on Lobbying 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 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

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.

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.

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.2.1.10. 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. 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.2.1.11. 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.2.1.12. 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.

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 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 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18

D.2.1.13. Letters of Support (if applicable)

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 and 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. The letters of support will be considered in the scoring of Section E.1.4 Evaluation Criterion 4 – Stakeholder Support. These letters do not count within the 125-page maximum.

D.2.1.14. 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. The resolution 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.

D.2.1.15. Project Abstract Summary (optional, encouraged)

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 where it will be viewable to the public.

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

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 awarding 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.

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 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 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.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.

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 (i.e., 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) 2025” 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 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 mailto:mbor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html 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.