Grant for Pollution Control Projects: Watershed Based Plan

The State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Environmental Assessment, Nonpoint Source Program, is issuing a Request for Applications (RFA 202602025) for grants supporting watershed-based plan development projects that address nonpoint source pollution in impaired or threatened water bodies. Eligible applicants include regional planning commissions, councils of governments, conservation districts, counties, cities, towns, and interstate organizations that serve as public planning agencies. The primary deliverables and objectives include developing comprehensive watershed-based plans that incorporate the EPA's nine minimum elements, conducting watershed assessments and nonpoint source surveys, implementing water quality monitoring programs, and conducting stakeholder outreach. Projects must focus on EPA-designated priority watersheds and address nonpoint source pollution while considering severe weather impacts, septic systems, and water quality monitoring needs. Applicants must demonstrate qualifications by providing three previous project examples and identifying any sub-grantees, subcontractors, or volunteer partners involved in plan development. The application evaluation will be scored on a 100-point scale, with eligibility as a pass/fail requirement, qualifications and experience weighted at 10 points, work plan quality at 65 points (including waterbody value, water quality problems, NPS problem severity, feasibility, and plan comprehensiveness), and cost proposal at 25 points. Questions must be submitted by April 15, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. local time, with applications due May 6, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. local time to the Vendor Self Service System, and the anticipated contract period runs from October 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028.

The RFA does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions targeting disadvantaged enterprises, though standard procurement review and contract negotiation procedures will apply following evaluation by Department representatives and subject to State Procurement Review Committee approval. A total of approximately $225,000 in funding from Section 604(b) of the Federal Clean Water Act is available, with the Department anticipating multiple awards subject to federal appropriations. All applicants must satisfy a minimum 10% non-federal matching fund requirement, calculated at 0.112 times the grant amount requested, with matching funds consisting of cash contributions or in-kind services, including volunteer time valued at Maine's established hourly rate of $32.13 per hour as of February 2026. Eligible activities include watershed assessments, nonpoint source surveys, plan development, water quality monitoring, and outreach efforts, while implementation activities such as permitting, inspections, and construction are ineligible. Projects involving water quality sampling require prior approval of a Quality Assurance Project Plan and Sampling and Analysis Plan from the Department of Environmental Protection before monitoring activities commence.