Opportunity Information: Apply for R13AS20016
Apply for R13AS20016
- The Bureau of Reclamation Mid Pacific Region in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fish Screen Improvement Phase II (Rock Slough)" 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 Apr 12, 2013 and posted on Apr 12, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 26, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $325,572.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $325,572.00 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:
Fish Screen Improvement Phase II (Rock Slough) is a continuation cooperative agreement opportunity from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Mid-Pacific Region) focused on fixing and improving the Rock Slough intake fish screen on the Contra Costa Canal, a key Central Valley Project Delta Division facility that diverts roughly 120,000 to 130,000 acre-feet of water per year for irrigation plus municipal and industrial uses in Contra Costa County. Rock Slough is described as one of the largest formerly unscreened diversion sites in the Delta, and the core problem the grant addresses is the risk that resident and migratory fish, including protected species such as the threatened Delta smelt and endangered winter-run Chinook salmon, can be pulled into the Canal (entrained) or harmed near the intake. A fish screen was built to prevent those impacts, but after substantial completion in November 2011 the facility experienced operational issues, especially with the automated debris handling and screen-cleaning rake system, and those issues were serious enough to be associated with salmon take. Phase II funding is essentially meant to carry the project through the troubleshooting, redesign, and operational adjustments needed to make the screen reliably protective and compliant while keeping the water supply system functioning.
The opportunity is structured around four practical objectives that run from award execution through September 30, 2014. First, the recipient must minimize or avoid take of threatened and endangered fish at the facility by collecting information and using it to develop recommended physical and/or operational modifications in consultation with Reclamation. Second, the recipient must ensure the fish screen facility operates in good working order by reviewing how the screen cleaning and debris collection system is performing and proposing modifications when needed, again in coordination with Reclamation. Third, the recipient must finalize land transfers required to complete the overall project, including providing a plat map and conformed Grant/Warranty Deed before the September 30, 2014 completion date. Fourth, the recipient must investigate the history and character of pump and channel modifications connected to the project and make sure corrections are implemented for neighboring landowners whose irrigation systems were negatively affected, particularly where changes increased their power costs without providing them benefits; this objective also includes performing unanticipated maintenance as necessary so the facility does not constrain water deliveries.
A major theme in the announcement is hands-on federal involvement and close coordination rather than a simple pass-through grant. The award type is a cooperative agreement, and Reclamation anticipates substantial involvement, including review and final approval of solicitation documents for construction as well as review and approval of all drawings and specifications produced for the facility. At the same time, the recipient is assigned primary responsibility for developing final designs and specifications, procuring engineering and fisheries contractor support, and managing changes to fish screen features, all in a partnered approach with Reclamation. Both parties must designate project managers for day-to-day coordination, and all work is open to inspection by the other party during performance and upon completion. The project can be implemented through multiple contracts, with contract packaging and scope determined by the project managers. There are also fairly specific administrative expectations for deliverables: letters and reports in Microsoft Word, specifications in Word, spreadsheets in Excel, and drawings in AutoCAD 2007 following Reclamation drawing standards. Importantly, the recipient cannot commit agreement funds for acquiring equipment or components until Reclamation has reviewed and approved the relevant plans and specifications, and the recipient must comply with property standards under the agreement.
From a policy and compliance standpoint, the project is framed as part of meeting multiple legal and biological requirements tied to Delta species protection and CVP operations. The fish screen is intended to (1) minimize entrainment of fish associated with the Rock Slough diversion, (2) reduce predation risk on target species near the intake, (3) meet requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2008 Biological Opinion for Delta smelt, (4) complete mitigation tied to the Los Vaqueros Biological Opinion, and (5) fulfill Central Valley Project Improvement Act requirements, specifically CVPIA Section 3406(b)(5) related to mitigating fishery impacts from Contra Costa Canal Pumping Plant No. 1 through fish screening and recovery facilities and modified practices/operations. The statutory authority cited is the Central Valley Project Improvement Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-575, Title XXXIV), including Sections 3406(b)(5) and 3407(e), the latter allowing the Secretary to fund a state or local entity to implement restoration-related actions efficiently and cost-effectively.
Administratively, this is a single-award, single-source continuation opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number R13AS20016) with an estimated total funding amount of $325,572, and the ceiling and floor both set at $325,572, signaling a defined amount for a defined continuation scope. It requires cost sharing or matching, is categorized under Natural Resources, and is limited to eligible applicants in the category of special district governments. The announcement explains the single-source justification as a continuation of agreement R09AC20R09 and argues that Contra Costa Water District is uniquely qualified because it has operated the Rock Slough diversion for more than 40 years, is the public trust agency responsible for the delivery system appurtenances, and has a strong record of data collection and cooperation on engineering and fisheries analysis. The posting date was April 12, 2013, with a closing date of April 26, 2013, and it was archived May 26, 2013. The listed CFDA number is 15.512 (Central Valley Project Improvement Act, Title XXXIV). The point of contact provided for access issues is Beverly Breen, Grants Management Specialist, at bbreen@usbr.gov.
Fish Screen Improvement Phase II (Rock Slough) - FAQs
What is the "Fish Screen Improvement Phase II (Rock Slough)" opportunity?
It is a continuation cooperative agreement opportunity from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Mid-Pacific Region) to troubleshoot, redesign, and adjust operations at the Rock Slough intake fish screen on the Contra Costa Canal so it works reliably to protect fish while maintaining water deliveries.
What facility does this project focus on?
The project focuses on the Rock Slough intake fish screen on the Contra Costa Canal, a Central Valley Project (CVP) Delta Division facility in Contra Costa County.
Why is the Rock Slough site important?
Rock Slough is described as one of the largest formerly unscreened diversion sites in the Delta. The Contra Costa Canal diversion supports irrigation and municipal/industrial uses, diverting roughly 120,000 to 130,000 acre-feet of water per year.
What problem is this funding intended to address?
The core problem is the risk that resident and migratory fish can be pulled into the Canal (entrained) or harmed near the intake. Although a fish screen was built to prevent these impacts, operational issues after substantial completion (November 2011), especially with automated debris handling and the screen-cleaning rake system, reduced reliability and were serious enough to be associated with salmon take.
Which fish species are specifically mentioned as being at risk?
The opportunity references protected species including the threatened Delta smelt and endangered winter-run Chinook salmon, in addition to resident and migratory fish more generally.
What is the primary purpose of Phase II funding?
Phase II funding is meant to carry the project through troubleshooting, redesign, and operational adjustments needed to make the fish screen reliably protective and compliant while keeping the water supply system functioning.
What are the main objectives of the cooperative agreement?
The opportunity is structured around four objectives running from award execution through September 30, 2014:
- Minimize or avoid take of threatened and endangered fish by collecting information and developing recommended physical and/or operational modifications in consultation with Reclamation.
- Ensure the fish screen facility operates in good working order by reviewing performance of the screen cleaning and debris collection system and proposing modifications as needed, in coordination with Reclamation.
- Finalize required land transfers by providing a plat map and a conformed Grant/Warranty Deed before September 30, 2014.
- Investigate pump and channel modification history and ensure corrections are implemented for neighboring landowners whose irrigation systems were negatively affected (especially where power costs increased without benefits), including unanticipated maintenance as necessary so the facility does not constrain water deliveries.
What is the deadline for completing the work described in the objectives?
The objectives are described as running through September 30, 2014, and certain land-transfer deliverables are explicitly required before the September 30, 2014 completion date.
What kind of award is this?
This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement, not a standard grant, and it emphasizes hands-on federal involvement and close coordination with the Bureau of Reclamation.
What does "substantial involvement" by Reclamation mean for this project?
Reclamation anticipates substantial involvement, including review and final approval of solicitation documents for construction and review and approval of all drawings and specifications produced for the facility. Work is also open to inspection by either party during performance and upon completion.
What responsibilities does the recipient have under this cooperative agreement?
The recipient has primary responsibility for developing final designs and specifications, procuring engineering and fisheries contractor support, and managing changes to fish screen features, all in a partnered approach with Reclamation.
Do both parties have to assign staff to manage the project?
Yes. Both parties must designate project managers for day-to-day coordination.
Can the project be implemented through multiple contracts?
Yes. The project can be implemented through multiple contracts, with contract packaging and scope determined by the project managers.
Are there specific formatting requirements for deliverables?
Yes. The announcement specifies administrative expectations such as: letters and reports in Microsoft Word, specifications in Word, spreadsheets in Excel, and drawings in AutoCAD 2007 following Reclamation drawing standards.
Can the recipient purchase equipment or components at any time using agreement funds?
No. The recipient cannot commit agreement funds for acquiring equipment or components until Reclamation has reviewed and approved the relevant plans and specifications. The recipient must also comply with property standards under the agreement.
What does the opportunity say about compliance and legal drivers?
The fish screen project is framed as supporting multiple legal and biological requirements tied to Delta species protection and CVP operations, including minimizing fish entrainment and predation risk and meeting/fulfilling requirements tied to biological opinions and CVPIA obligations.
Which specific biological opinions and requirements are mentioned?
The opportunity references: the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2008 Biological Opinion for Delta smelt, mitigation tied to the Los Vaqueros Biological Opinion, and Central Valley Project Improvement Act requirements, including CVPIA Section 3406(b)(5) related to mitigating fishery impacts via fish screening and recovery facilities and modified practices/operations.
What is the statutory authority cited for this funding?
The statutory authority cited is the Central Valley Project Improvement Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-575, Title XXXIV), including Sections 3406(b)(5) and 3407(e). Section 3407(e) is described as allowing the Secretary to fund a state or local entity to implement restoration-related actions efficiently and cost-effectively.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is R13AS20016.
Is this a competitive opportunity?
It is described as a single-award, single-source continuation opportunity. The single-source justification is that it continues agreement R09AC20R09 and that Contra Costa Water District is uniquely qualified based on its long-term operation of the diversion and its role and record on engineering/fisheries work.
What is the total estimated funding amount?
The estimated total funding amount is $325,572.
Is there a minimum or maximum award amount?
Yes. The ceiling and floor are both set at $325,572, indicating a defined amount for a defined continuation scope.
Does the opportunity require cost sharing or matching?
Yes. The opportunity requires cost sharing or matching.
What category is this opportunity listed under?
It is categorized under Natural Resources.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to applicants in the category of special district governments.
Which organization is identified as uniquely qualified in the announcement?
The announcement states that Contra Costa Water District is uniquely qualified, citing more than 40 years of operating the Rock Slough diversion, its responsibility for the delivery system appurtenances, and its record of data collection and cooperation on engineering and fisheries analysis.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 15.512 (Central Valley Project Improvement Act, Title XXXIV).
What were the key dates for this opportunity?
The posting date was April 12, 2013. The closing date was April 26, 2013. The opportunity was archived on May 26, 2013.
Who is the point of contact for access issues?
The point of contact provided for access issues is Beverly Breen, Grants Management Specialist, at bbreen@usbr.gov.
What is the overall operational context of the Rock Slough diversion?
The Rock Slough intake is part of a key CVP Delta Division facility that diverts water for irrigation and municipal and industrial uses in Contra Costa County, and Phase II work is explicitly intended to avoid having the fish screen facility constrain water deliveries.
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