Galveston Bay Estuary Program Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Project Proposal – Federal Fiscal 2027

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is soliciting project proposals for the Galveston Bay Estuary Program (GBEP) through a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding opportunity for federal fiscal year 2027. The procurement seeks comprehensive project proposals addressing multiple priority areas including safe human and aquatic life use, living resources protection, community engagement, and science-based decision-making within the lower Galveston Bay watershed. Eligible projects must align with the Estuary Resilience Action Plan and potentially address EPA Areas of Special Interest such as nutrient pollution reduction, coastal resiliency, and trash reduction. Proposals are due on July 15, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Central Time, with a project period spanning September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2029. Key deliverables should incorporate habitat conservation, water quality improvement, environmental education, and collaborative research initiatives. The solicitation requires a minimum grant request of $150,000, with successful proposals demonstrating clear alignment with Bipartisan Infrastructure Law priorities and comprehensive implementation strategies for The Galveston Bay Plan, 2nd Edition.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions on organizational types were explicitly stated in the documentation. The funding will be distributed through a reimbursement mechanism for allowable costs, with potential consideration of indirect cost rates. Proposals must comply with federal requirements including the Build America, Buy America Act and potential Title VI language accessibility provisions. Applicants will need to acknowledge addendum requirements by signing and returning the cover page, with responses potentially deemed non-responsive if this step is not completed. While no incumbent vendors were mentioned, the program anticipates awarding funds to multiple proposals that best implement the plan, with no matching funds required. The total budget range is not explicitly defined, but the minimum grant request of $150,000 suggests a potentially substantial funding pool for selected projects addressing critical environmental management and conservation objectives in the Galveston Bay region.