Opportunity Information: Apply for R16AN20003
Apply for R16AN20003
- The DOI-BOR in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Grassland Bypass Project – Biological Monitoring in the San Joaquin River" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.527.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 11, 2016 and posted on Jan 11, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 25, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $239,087.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Grassland Bypass Project - Biological Monitoring in the San Joaquin River (Funding Opportunity Number R16AN20003) is a Bureau of Reclamation notice of intent to award a grant, not a competitive solicitation. In other words, the agency is publicly stating it plans to fund a specific set of monitoring activities without requesting or accepting new applications. The opportunity sits under CFDA 15.527 (San Luis Unit, Central Valley Project) and is categorized in the natural resources area. The anticipated federal award amount is $239,087.26, with no cost share required, and Reclamation expects to make one award.
The planned recipient is the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), with Andy Gordus listed as the principal investigator/program manager (Fresno, CA). The award is described as a new grant, with an anticipated period of performance running from January 2016 through December 2020. The statutory authority cited is the San Luis Unit authorization under Public Law 86-488, Sections 1(a) and 5, which provides Reclamation authority to construct, operate, and maintain the San Luis Unit as part of the Central Valley Project and to pursue related purposes that include fish and wildlife benefits, among others.
Programmatically, the grant supports the long-running Grassland Bypass Project (GBP), which since October 1996 has separated agricultural drainage water from wetland supply channels. This separation is intended to protect and improve water quality and habitat conditions in central California. The broader GBP goals described in the notice focus on continuing and managing the use of the San Luis Drain so agricultural drainage from the Grassland Drainage Area can be routed away from wetland conveyance channels while farmers work toward longer-term solutions that meet updated water quality requirements. A key endpoint stated in the opportunity is the push toward full implementation of revised Basin Plan objectives, including a target of zero discharge to Mud Slough (North) and the San Joaquin River by December 31, 2019.
Within that larger framework, this particular grant is narrowly focused on biological monitoring to evaluate the GBP's effects on river life in the San Joaquin River. The monitoring is tied to the 2010 Agreement for Continued Use of the San Luis Drain (Agreement No. 10-WC-20-3975) and the revised 2015 Waste Discharge Requirements, which set limits on constituents such as salts and selenium that may be discharged. The broader monitoring program referenced by the notice tracks effects on water quality, biology, toxicity, sediment accumulation, and selenium conditions, and this award specifically continues the biological sampling component aimed at the river's biota.
The scope of work centers on collecting fish and invertebrates at a single monitoring location: Site R, identified as the San Joaquin River at China Island. This site is downstream of the Mud Slough confluence and is intended to represent the downstream biological conditions most directly influenced by the drainage conveyed through the San Luis Drain. Sampling and analyses are spelled out by the 2015 Grassland Bypass Monitoring Plan, and field and lab work must follow the associated Quality Assurance Project Plan. CDFW is expected to use a Reclamation-approved laboratory (selected by CDFW) for chemical analyses, and the budget includes funds for that laboratory work, with results provided directly to CDFW for interpretation.
The required monitoring includes quarterly collection of basic water measurements (flow, electrical conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH), generally targeted for March, June, September, and December. In addition, the grant supports biannual biological and contaminant sampling (generally June and September) that includes selenium and mercury analysis in whole-body fish, selenium and mercury analysis in fish muscle tissue, a fish community assessment, and selenium and mercury analysis in aquatic insects. The notice notes that the exact months can shift due to practical constraints like weather, staffing, and site conditions, but the contractor is expected to notify Reclamation if the schedule will deviate.
Beyond sample collection, CDFW is responsible for annual interpretation and reporting. Each year, the recipient compiles and analyzes that year's monitoring results, compares them to relevant historical data, and produces a chapter that Reclamation can incorporate into the GBP Annual Report. Reclamation then reviews that material as part of its overall reporting and oversight responsibilities.
Reclamation's role under the grant is federal oversight and monitoring, including review of financial and performance reports and potentially additional check-ins such as site visits and conference calls. Technical assistance may be provided if requested by the recipient. The notice also explains why the award is being made without full and open competition: it is justified as a single-source action under a "unique qualifications" rationale. Reclamation argues CDFW is uniquely positioned because it has worked on the GBP since 1996, has produced and reviewed annual reports, has participated in relevant project meetings, owns the land where the monitoring site is located, and already knows the established sampling protocols and reporting expectations. The practical benefit cited is that using CDFW reduces the need for extra training and additional federal staff time, saving government time and resources.
Key administrative details included in the posting are that it was created and posted on January 11, 2016, with an original/current closing date of January 25, 2016, reflecting that it is a notice rather than a call for proposals. The Reclamation point of contact listed is Stacy Brown (USBR SCCAO).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Grassland Bypass Project - Biological Monitoring in the San Joaquin River opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number R16AN20003)?
It is a Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) notice of intent to award a grant to support biological monitoring in the San Joaquin River under the long-running Grassland Bypass Project (GBP). The work focuses on monitoring river biota to evaluate the effects of drainage management associated with the GBP.
Is this a competitive grant opportunity?
No. The posting is a notice of intent to award, not a competitive solicitation. Reclamation is publicly stating that it plans to fund a specific set of monitoring activities and is not requesting or accepting new applications.
Who is expected to receive the award?
The planned recipient is the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Andy Gordus (Fresno, CA) is listed as the principal investigator/program manager.
How many awards does Reclamation expect to make under this notice?
Reclamation expects to make one award.
What is the anticipated federal funding amount?
The anticipated federal award amount is $239,087.26.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost share is required.
What CFDA program is this associated with?
This opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.527 (San Luis Unit, Central Valley Project).
What category or subject area does this opportunity fall under?
It is categorized in the natural resources area.
What is the purpose of the Grassland Bypass Project (GBP) referenced in the notice?
The GBP, in place since October 1996, separates agricultural drainage water from wetland supply channels. This separation is intended to protect and improve water quality and habitat conditions in central California.
What broader goals does the notice describe for the GBP?
The notice describes goals that include continuing and managing the use of the San Luis Drain so agricultural drainage from the Grassland Drainage Area can be routed away from wetland conveyance channels, while farmers work toward longer-term solutions that meet updated water quality requirements.
Does the notice mention any specific compliance endpoint or target date?
Yes. It references a push toward full implementation of revised Basin Plan objectives, including a target of zero discharge to Mud Slough (North) and the San Joaquin River by December 31, 2019.
What is the specific focus of this grant within the broader GBP?
This grant is narrowly focused on biological monitoring to evaluate the GBP's effects on river life (biota) in the San Joaquin River, continuing the biological sampling component of the broader monitoring program.
What agreements or regulatory documents is the monitoring tied to?
The monitoring is tied to the 2010 Agreement for Continued Use of the San Luis Drain (Agreement No. 10-WC-20-3975) and the revised 2015 Waste Discharge Requirements, which set limits on constituents such as salts and selenium that may be discharged.
What types of impacts does the broader monitoring program track (as referenced in the notice)?
The broader monitoring program referenced tracks effects on water quality, biology, toxicity, sediment accumulation, and selenium conditions. This award specifically continues the biological sampling component aimed at the river's biota.
Where will sampling take place?
Sampling is conducted at a single monitoring location: Site R, identified as the San Joaquin River at China Island.
Why is Site R (China Island) used for this monitoring?
Site R is downstream of the Mud Slough confluence and is intended to represent downstream biological conditions most directly influenced by the drainage conveyed through the San Luis Drain.
What plan(s) govern the sampling and analysis methods?
Sampling and analyses are specified by the 2015 Grassland Bypass Monitoring Plan. Field and laboratory work must follow the associated Quality Assurance Project Plan.
What water measurements are required, and how often are they collected?
Quarterly collection of basic water measurements is required, including flow, electrical conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH. The notice indicates these are generally targeted for March, June, September, and December.
What biological and contaminant sampling is required, and how often?
Biannual biological and contaminant sampling (generally June and September) is supported. This includes:
- selenium and mercury analysis in whole-body fish
- selenium and mercury analysis in fish muscle tissue
- a fish community assessment
- selenium and mercury analysis in aquatic insects
Are the sampling months fixed?
The notice indicates the exact months can shift due to practical constraints such as weather, staffing, and site conditions. If the schedule will deviate, the contractor is expected to notify Reclamation.
Who selects the laboratory used for chemical analyses?
CDFW is expected to use a Reclamation-approved laboratory that is selected by CDFW.
Does the budget include laboratory analysis costs?
Yes. The budget includes funds for the laboratory work, and results are provided directly to CDFW for interpretation.
What reporting is required under the grant?
CDFW is responsible for annual interpretation and reporting. Each year, the recipient compiles and analyzes that year's monitoring results, compares them to relevant historical data, and produces a chapter for Reclamation to incorporate into the GBP Annual Report.
What does Reclamation do with the annual monitoring chapter provided by CDFW?
Reclamation reviews the material as part of its overall reporting and oversight responsibilities and incorporates it into the Grassland Bypass Project Annual Report.
What is Reclamation's role during the period of performance?
Reclamation provides federal oversight and monitoring, including review of financial and performance reports. The notice also indicates Reclamation may conduct additional check-ins such as site visits and conference calls, and may provide technical assistance if requested by the recipient.
Why is Reclamation making this award without full and open competition?
The notice states the award is justified as a single-source action based on "unique qualifications." Reclamation cites CDFW's long involvement with the GBP since 1996, experience producing and reviewing annual reports, participation in project meetings, ownership of the land where the monitoring site is located, and familiarity with established sampling protocols and reporting expectations.
What is the practical benefit Reclamation cites for selecting CDFW?
The notice indicates that using CDFW reduces the need for extra training and additional federal staff time, saving government time and resources.
What is the period of performance for the anticipated grant?
The award is described as a new grant with an anticipated period of performance running from January 2016 through December 2020.
What statutory authority is cited for this award?
The statutory authority cited is the San Luis Unit authorization under Public Law 86-488, Sections 1(a) and 5. The notice describes this authority as allowing Reclamation to construct, operate, and maintain the San Luis Unit as part of the Central Valley Project and to pursue related purposes that include fish and wildlife benefits, among others.
When was the notice created and posted, and what closing date is listed?
The notice was created and posted on January 11, 2016. It lists an original/current closing date of January 25, 2016, reflecting that it is a notice rather than a call for proposals.
Who is the Reclamation point of contact listed in the notice?
The Reclamation point of contact listed is Stacy Brown (USBR SCCAO).
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| Ash Meadows Genetic Monitoring Project Apply for F16AS00085 Funding Number: F16AS00085 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $30,000 |
| San Joaquin River Salinity Management - Westside Regional Drainage Plan - San Joaquin River Salinity Management Apply for R16AN20007 Funding Number: R16AN20007 Agency: DOI-BOR Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $3,750,000 |
| Inventory and Monitoring of Ecosystems Apply for P16AS00030 Funding Number: P16AS00030 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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| Biological Monitoring and Visitor Services Program Apply for F16AS00088 Funding Number: F16AS00088 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $140,000 |
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| BLM OR-WA: Beaty Butte Wild Horse Gather, Fertility Control, and Training Assistance Program, Lakeview District, OR Apply for L16AS00022 Funding Number: L16AS00022 Agency: DOI-BLM Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Aquatic Invasive Species Grants to Great Lakes Tribes Fiscal Year 2016 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Apply for F16AS00091 Funding Number: F16AS00091 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
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| BLM OR-WA - 4-H International Summer Camp Apply for L16AS00023 Funding Number: L16AS00023 Agency: DOI-BLM Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $15,000 |
| Development, Coordination, and Monitoring of Fish Habitat Projects in the Methow Sub-basin Apply for BOR PN 16 N002 Funding Number: BOR PN 16 N002 Agency: DOI-BOR Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $108,652 |
| National Park Service-SW Exotic Plant Management Team Restoration Crew Apply for NPS NOIP16AC00152 Funding Number: NPS NOIP16AC00152 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| San Mateo Natural Resource Stewardship Apply for P16AS00037 Funding Number: P16AS00037 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $494,000 |
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