Opportunity Information: Apply for R14AN20025
Apply for R14AN20025
- The Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fish Screen Corrective Action and Improvements" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.512 Central Valley Project Improvement Act, Title XXXIV.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 13, 2014 and posted on Aug 13, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 27, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $2,100,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,100,000.00 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 Fish Screen Corrective Action and Improvements opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number R14AN20025) is a Bureau of Reclamation notice of intent to award funding to the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) through a cooperative agreement, and it is explicitly not a request for applications. The announcement serves as public notice that Reclamation plans to fund specific corrective work at the Contra Costa Canal fish screen facility at the Rock Slough intake in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The canal is a major water supply and delivery system for CCWD, diverting roughly 120,000 to 130,000 acre-feet per year for irrigation as well as municipal and industrial use. Because Rock Slough has historically been one of the largest unscreened diversion sites in the Delta, fish entrainment risk has been a major concern for both resident and migratory species, including threatened Delta smelt and endangered winter-run Chinook salmon. A fish screen was constructed to prevent fish from being drawn into the canal and to meet multiple regulatory and mitigation requirements, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2008 Biological Opinion for Delta smelt, mitigation tied to the Los Vaqueros Biological Opinion, and obligations under the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA).
The core purpose of this funded effort is to fix and improve elements of a fish screen project that was substantially complete in November 2011 but experienced operational problems, especially with the automated debris handling (rake) system. Those issues have been serious enough to contribute to salmon take, prompting extensive testing, ongoing monitoring of fish responses, and a redesign effort that began in July 2012 to develop new specifications to remove and replace or modify the rake system. While all four rake units are currently operational and construction contract closeout is pending final punch-list items with the contractor (Flatiron), the project still requires corrective actions to improve reliability, safety, monitoring, and day-to-day operability at an unmanned facility.
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning Reclamation expects substantial involvement rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back. The anticipated federal amount is $2.1 million, with a stated 75 percent cost share arrangement, bringing the total anticipated project amount to $2.8 million. The period of performance runs from the date of execution through March 31, 2016. The recipient is CCWD (a special district government), with Chris Hentz listed as the principal investigator/program manager. Reclamation identifies J. Carl Dealy as the project manager point of contact. The CFDA listing is 15.512 (Central Valley Project Improvement Act, Title XXXIV), and the statutory authority is Public Law 102-575 (CVPIA), particularly Sections 3406(b)(5) and 3407(e). Section 3406(b)(5) specifically directs development and implementation of a program to mitigate fishery impacts from Contra Costa Canal operations, including construction and operation of fish screening and recovery facilities and modified practices and operations, with a cost allocation framework referenced in the text. Section 3407(e) supports providing funding to state entities or subdivisions that can assist efficiently and cost-effectively in implementing authorized actions.
The funded scope is practical and facility-focused, centered on four main objectives. First, CCWD will complete rake modification and debris handling improvements for the remaining three rake units, using prototype improvements already installed on one unit as the basis for the final approach. Second, the project will extend the rake motor access platform across the full width of the intake structure to improve safe access to rake components if a rake fails mid-travel, which is a significant safety and maintenance concern at a critical intake. Third, CCWD will design and build a davit crane boat launch facility, along with access stairs, sized to support the district's 14-foot and 16-foot boats and improve access to the canal and Rock Slough for operations, inspection, and response needs. Fourth, the project will upgrade remote camera capabilities to better monitor an unmanned site, with an emphasis on situational awareness during alarms and incidents such as mechanical failures, environmental releases, or fish entrapment events.
Roles and responsibilities are shared but clearly defined. CCWD is responsible for completing the work in the stated objectives and for day-to-day development and execution, including managing contractors as needed. However, Reclamation retains strong oversight: design is to be developed in a partnered approach, with both parties coordinating review and comment, and Reclamation holding final approval authority over solicitation documents for construction. CCWD is also restricted from committing grant funds for equipment or components until Reclamation has reviewed and approved the relevant plans and specifications, and CCWD must comply with federal property standards under the agreement. Reclamation’s direct work focuses on review and approval of drawings and specifications supporting the facility, and both parties will appoint project managers for routine coordination. The agreement also anticipates inspections and progress reviews, and it allows the work to be executed through multiple contracts whose structure and scope will be determined by the project managers, with any reallocation of responsibilities requiring written mutual agreement by designated officials.
A key administrative feature of this notice is that it is a single-source (non-competitive) intent to award, justified under Department of the Interior single source policy (505 DM 2) using the "Continuation" criterion. The rationale is that the work is a continuation of prior agreement activities (referenced as R09AC20R09) and is necessary to satisfactorily complete the fish screen appurtenance objectives, especially given the unresolved operational problems with the debris handling system. The announcement argues competition would negatively affect continuity and completion, and it also points to CCWD’s unique suitability because it has operated the Rock Slough diversion for more than 40 years, is the responsible public trust agency for the delivery system’s appurtenances, and has a strong record of timely data collection and cooperation on engineering and fisheries analyses tied to management actions.
In short, this opportunity is best understood as targeted federal funding to finish and correct a major fish protection facility at a high-risk Delta diversion, with the immediate emphasis on making the debris handling/rake system dependable and fish-safe, improving safety access for maintenance, enabling better on-water access via a boat launch, and strengthening remote monitoring. It is designed to close the gap between initial construction completion and real-world operational performance, while ensuring compliance with CVPIA obligations and biological opinion requirements aimed at protecting sensitive fish species affected by water diversion operations.
Fish Screen Corrective Action and Improvements (FON R14AN20025) - FAQs
Is this a grant that organizations can apply for?
No. This notice is explicitly not a request for applications. It is a Bureau of Reclamation notice of intent to make an award to a specific recipient.
Who is the intended recipient of the funding?
The intended recipient is Contra Costa Water District (CCWD), identified as a special district government.
What type of funding instrument will be used?
The planned award is a cooperative agreement. This means Reclamation expects substantial involvement in the project (for example, review, coordination, and approvals), rather than simply providing funds with minimal federal participation.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is R14AN20025.
What is the purpose of the funding?
The purpose is to fund corrective actions and improvements at the Contra Costa Canal fish screen facility at the Rock Slough intake in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The emphasis is on fixing operational issues and improving reliability, safety, monitoring, and day-to-day operability at an unmanned facility.
Why are corrective actions needed if the fish screen project was already built?
The fish screen project was substantially complete in November 2011, but it experienced operational problems, particularly with the automated debris handling (rake) system. Those problems were significant enough to contribute to salmon take, leading to testing, monitoring of fish responses, and a redesign effort that began in July 2012.
Where is the facility located?
The work is focused on the Contra Costa Canal fish screen facility at the Rock Slough intake in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
Why is the Rock Slough intake considered important for fish protection?
Rock Slough has historically been one of the largest unscreened diversion sites in the Delta, creating significant fish entrainment risk for resident and migratory species, including threatened Delta smelt and endangered winter-run Chinook salmon. The fish screen helps prevent fish from being drawn into the canal.
How much water does the Contra Costa Canal divert?
The canal diverts roughly 120,000 to 130,000 acre-feet per year for irrigation as well as municipal and industrial use.
How much funding is anticipated?
The anticipated federal amount is $2.1 million.
What is the total anticipated project cost and cost-share?
The notice describes a 75 percent cost share arrangement. Based on that, the total anticipated project amount is $2.8 million, with $2.1 million as the federal share.
What is the period of performance?
The period of performance runs from the date of execution through March 31, 2016.
What are the main objectives of the funded work?
The funded scope centers on four main objectives:
- Complete rake modification and debris handling improvements for the remaining three rake units, using prototype improvements already installed on one unit as the basis for the final approach.
- Extend the rake motor access platform across the full width of the intake structure to improve safe access to rake components if a rake fails mid-travel.
- Design and build a davit crane boat launch facility with access stairs sized for CCWD's 14-foot and 16-foot boats to improve access for operations, inspection, and response.
- Upgrade remote camera capabilities to better monitor the unmanned site, especially during alarms and incidents such as mechanical failures, environmental releases, or fish entrapment events.
What is being changed about the debris handling (rake) system?
The project will implement modifications and debris handling improvements for three of the four rake units, using improvements already prototyped on one unit. The focus is on removing and replacing or modifying the rake system to improve reliability and fish-safe performance.
Are the rake units currently working?
Yes. The notice states that all four rake units are currently operational, and construction contract closeout is pending final punch-list items with the contractor (Flatiron). However, corrective actions are still required to improve long-term reliability and operability.
What safety improvements are included?
A major safety component is extending the rake motor access platform across the full width of the intake structure. This is intended to improve safe access to rake components, particularly if a rake fails mid-travel, which is described as a significant safety and maintenance concern at a critical intake.
Why is a boat launch facility part of the scope?
The project includes designing and building a davit crane boat launch facility and access stairs to improve access to the canal and Rock Slough for operations, inspection, and response needs, using CCWD's 14-foot and 16-foot boats.
Why are remote cameras being upgraded?
The facility is unmanned. Upgraded remote camera capabilities are intended to improve situational awareness during alarms and incidents, including mechanical failures, environmental releases, or fish entrapment events.
What does Reclamation mean by "substantial involvement" in a cooperative agreement?
Based on the notice, Reclamation's involvement includes partnering on design development, coordinating review and comment, holding final approval authority over solicitation documents for construction, and reviewing and approving drawings and specifications supporting the facility. The agreement also anticipates inspections and progress reviews.
What are CCWD's responsibilities under this effort?
CCWD is responsible for completing the work associated with the four objectives and handling day-to-day development and execution, including managing contractors as needed.
Does Reclamation have approval authority over project designs and contracting documents?
Yes. Design is to be developed in a partnered approach, with Reclamation coordinating review and comment and holding final approval authority over solicitation documents for construction.
Can CCWD purchase equipment or components whenever it wants using the award funds?
No. CCWD is restricted from committing grant funds for equipment or components until Reclamation has reviewed and approved the relevant plans and specifications. CCWD must also comply with federal property standards under the agreement.
Can the work be performed through multiple contracts?
Yes. The notice anticipates the work may be executed through multiple contracts, with structure and scope determined by the project managers. Any reallocation of responsibilities requires written mutual agreement by designated officials.
Is this a competitive grant?
No. This is described as a single-source (non-competitive) intent to award.
Why is the award single-source?
The notice justifies a single-source award under Department of the Interior single source policy (505 DM 2) using the "Continuation" criterion. The rationale given is that the work continues prior agreement activities (referenced as R09AC20R09) and is needed to satisfactorily complete fish screen appurtenance objectives, especially due to unresolved operational problems with the debris handling system. The notice also states that competition could negatively affect continuity and completion.
Why is CCWD considered uniquely suited to carry out the work?
The notice states CCWD has operated the Rock Slough diversion for more than 40 years, is the responsible public trust agency for the delivery system's appurtenances, and has a record of timely data collection and cooperation on engineering and fisheries analyses tied to management actions.
What regulatory or mitigation requirements are connected to the fish screen?
The fish screen is tied to multiple regulatory and mitigation requirements, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2008 Biological Opinion for Delta smelt, mitigation associated with the Los Vaqueros Biological Opinion, and obligations under the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA).
What program and legal authority support this funding?
The CFDA listing is 15.512 (Central Valley Project Improvement Act, Title XXXIV). The statutory authority cited is Public Law 102-575 (CVPIA), particularly Sections 3406(b)(5) and 3407(e).
What does CVPIA Section 3406(b)(5) cover in relation to this work?
The notice states that Section 3406(b)(5) directs development and implementation of a program to mitigate fishery impacts from Contra Costa Canal operations, including construction and operation of fish screening and recovery facilities and modified practices and operations, with a cost allocation framework referenced in the text.
What does CVPIA Section 3407(e) cover in relation to this work?
The notice states that Section 3407(e) supports providing funding to state entities or subdivisions that can assist efficiently and cost-effectively in implementing authorized actions.
Who are the named points of contact for this effort?
The recipient identifies Chris Hentz as the principal investigator/program manager. Reclamation identifies J. Carl Dealy as the project manager point of contact.
What is the overall problem this funding is trying to solve?
The funding is meant to close the gap between initial construction completion and real-world operational performance at the fish screen facility by addressing unresolved debris handling/rake system issues and improving safety access, on-water access, and remote monitoring to support fish protection and compliance obligations.
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