Opportunity Information: Apply for 15AN20001
Apply for 15AN20001
- The Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Casitas Municipal Water District Recreation Area Improvements" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.524 Recreation Resources Management.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 9, 2015 and posted on Feb 9, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 23, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $408,125.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $408,125.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Special district governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Casitas Municipal Water District Recreation Area Improvements opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 15AN20001) is a Bureau of Reclamation grant intended to keep Casitas Lake Recreation Area functioning safely and smoothly under heavy public use, while also finishing and extending a set of facility upgrades already underway. It is structured as a continuation award tied to an existing agreement (referenced as R11AC20123), and it focuses on the practical, recurring maintenance needs that come with peak-season traffic, along with remaining construction elements needed to complete a major front entrance replacement project. In plain terms, the funding is meant to prevent the recreation area from falling behind on critical upkeep and to help the site meet its planned operational standards for visitors.
The work described centers on infrastructure and visitor-serving facilities that take the most wear during busy months. Key needs include repairing and repaving roads that deteriorate from sustained traffic, maintaining playgrounds that require annual upkeep, and continuing boat inspection activities aimed at preventing the spread of invasive aquatic species, specifically under the State-mandated Quagga Mussel program. A major near-term priority is the front entrance replacement project, which is close to completion but still requires remaining components such as security kiosks and an additional vehicle entrance lane. The initial portion of the funds is intended to help finish that entrance structure that has been under construction for about two years, while other requested funds would support ongoing improvements like water park upgrades and the recurring road repaving cycle, depending on whether Reclamation funding is available for those requests.
From a roles and responsibilities standpoint, the grant anticipates that Casitas Recreation Area (through Casitas Municipal Water District) will lead implementation, with minimal direct federal involvement once the award is made. The announcement explicitly states that no substantial involvement by Reclamation is expected for successful completion of the objectives, which signals a fairly standard assistance relationship where the recipient manages day-to-day execution and compliance while the agency provides funding and oversight consistent with grant requirements.
A major feature of this opportunity is that it is intended as a single-source (non-competitive) award, and the notice provides the justification required under Department of the Interior policy (505 DM 2). Reclamation’s stated rationale is “unique qualifications,” meaning competition is not considered practicable because Casitas Lake Recreation is operated under a long-standing Management Agreement between Reclamation and Casitas Municipal Water District (referenced as 11 L L 20 0216). Under that agreement, Casitas is responsible for the administration, operation, maintenance, and development of recreation uses and facilities on Reclamation’s behalf. The justification also points to practical, site-specific advantages: Casitas operates the land around the facility, provides water service to nearby agricultural and municipal/industrial users, maintains park water and electrical infrastructure, and has a maintenance yard within roughly two miles of the park with necessary equipment located about three miles from the entrance, enabling quicker, lower-mileage response for repairs and operations. Casitas has managed the area since 1958, and Reclamation’s 2010 Final Resource Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement reinforces that implementing management actions is primarily the responsibility of the managing partner, which in this case is Casitas.
In terms of eligibility and funding details, the opportunity is categorized as a continuation grant in the natural resources activity area, with one expected award. The CFDA number listed is 15.524 (Recreation Resources Management). The estimated total funding is $408,125, and both the award ceiling and floor are also $408,125, indicating a single fixed award amount rather than a range. A cost sharing or matching requirement applies, so the recipient is expected to contribute resources alongside federal funds. Eligible applicants are listed as special district governments, aligning with Casitas Municipal Water District’s status. The notice was posted February 9, 2015, with an original and current closing date of February 23, 2015, and an archive date of February 25, 2015.
The statutory authority cited for Reclamation to make this award is P.L. 89-72, the Federal Water Project Recreation Act (July 9, 1965), specifically Section 1, Section 3(b)(1), and Section 3(c)(1). For administrative questions or difficulty accessing the full announcement, the contact provided is Beverly Breen, Grants Officer, at BBreen@usbr.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Casitas Municipal Water District Recreation Area Improvements opportunity?
It is a Bureau of Reclamation grant opportunity intended to help keep the Casitas Lake Recreation Area operating safely and smoothly under heavy public use, while also finishing and extending facility upgrades that are already underway.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is 15AN20001.
Which federal agency is offering this grant?
The grant is offered by the Bureau of Reclamation (U.S. Department of the Interior).
Is this a competitive grant opportunity?
No. The notice describes this as a single-source (non-competitive) award and provides justification under Department of the Interior policy (505 DM 2).
Why is it being issued as a single-source (non-competitive) award?
Reclamation cites "unique qualifications" and explains that competition is not considered practicable because Casitas Lake Recreation is operated under a long-standing Management Agreement between Reclamation and Casitas Municipal Water District (referenced as 11 L L 20 0216). Under that agreement, Casitas is responsible for administering, operating, maintaining, and developing recreation uses and facilities on Reclamation's behalf.
Is this a new award or a continuation of an existing agreement?
It is structured as a continuation award tied to an existing agreement referenced as R11AC20123.
What is the overall purpose of the funding?
The funding is meant to prevent the recreation area from falling behind on critical upkeep during peak-season traffic and to help the site meet planned operational standards for visitors, including completion of remaining construction elements for a major entrance project.
What types of work or activities does the grant support?
The work described focuses on high-wear infrastructure and visitor-serving facilities, including repairing and repaving roads, maintaining playgrounds that require annual upkeep, conducting boat inspection activities to prevent invasive aquatic species (under the State-mandated Quagga Mussel program), and completing remaining elements of the front entrance replacement project.
What is the front entrance replacement project, and what remains to be completed?
The front entrance replacement project is described as close to completion after being under construction for about two years. Remaining components include security kiosks and an additional vehicle entrance lane.
Does the opportunity mention any other improvements beyond the entrance project?
Yes. The notice references other requested ongoing improvements such as water park upgrades and a recurring road repaving cycle, depending on whether Reclamation funding is available for those requests.
What is the Quagga Mussel program mentioned in the notice?
The notice references a State-mandated Quagga Mussel program and identifies boat inspection activities aimed at preventing the spread of invasive aquatic species.
Who is expected to implement and manage the work funded by the grant?
Casitas Recreation Area (through Casitas Municipal Water District) is expected to lead implementation. The notice indicates minimal direct federal involvement once the award is made.
Will the Bureau of Reclamation have substantial involvement in the project after award?
No. The announcement explicitly states that no substantial involvement by Reclamation is expected for successful completion of the objectives.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 15.524 (Recreation Resources Management).
What activity area is this opportunity categorized under?
The opportunity is categorized as a continuation grant in the natural resources activity area.
How many awards does the notice expect to make?
The notice indicates one expected award.
What is the total estimated funding amount?
The estimated total funding is $408,125.
What are the award ceiling and floor amounts?
Both the award ceiling and the award floor are $408,125, indicating a single fixed award amount rather than a range.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The notice states that a cost sharing or matching requirement applies, meaning the recipient is expected to contribute resources alongside federal funds.
Who is eligible to apply according to the notice?
Eligible applicants are listed as special district governments, which aligns with Casitas Municipal Water District's status.
What is the stated rationale for Casitas Municipal Water District being uniquely qualified?
The notice points to site-specific advantages including: Casitas operates the land around the facility; provides water service to nearby agricultural and municipal/industrial users; maintains park water and electrical infrastructure; and has a nearby maintenance yard (within roughly two miles of the park) with necessary equipment located about three miles from the entrance, allowing quicker response and lower mileage for repairs and operations. The notice also states Casitas has managed the area since 1958.
Does the opportunity reference any planning or environmental document supporting the management approach?
Yes. It references Reclamation's 2010 Final Resource Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, which reinforces that implementing management actions is primarily the responsibility of the managing partner, identified here as Casitas.
What statutory authority is cited for making this award?
The statutory authority cited is P.L. 89-72, the Federal Water Project Recreation Act (July 9, 1965), specifically Section 1, Section 3(b)(1), and Section 3(c)(1).
When was the notice posted, and what were the closing and archive dates?
The notice was posted February 9, 2015. The original and current closing date is February 23, 2015, and the archive date is February 25, 2015.
Who can be contacted for administrative questions or difficulty accessing the full announcement?
The contact listed is Beverly Breen, Grants Officer, at BBreen@usbr.gov.
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