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Water Conservation Field Services Program (WCFSP) Grant (Funding Opportunity Number 09SF1U9002) - FAQs

1) What is the Water Conservation Field Services Program (WCFSP)?

The Water Conservation Field Services Program (WCFSP) is a discretionary federal grant program run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation. For this opportunity, it is administered through Reclamation's Upper Columbia Area Office and is focused on partnering with local water delivery organizations to implement practical, on-the-ground water management and water conservation improvements.

2) What is the goal of this grant opportunity?

The goal is to identify local partners who can carry out implementable projects that improve water use efficiency, strengthen water delivery management, and support stronger overall water operations tied to federal Reclamation projects.

3) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number is 09SF1U9002.

4) Which federal agency is offering this funding?

This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (Upper Columbia Area Office).

5) Is this a competitive grant?

Yes. Projects are competitive and are scored using selection criteria described in the announcement (referenced as Section V). Applicants should expect proposals to be formally ranked against each other.

6) What types of projects does WCFSP support?

WCFSP supports practical, on-the-ground water management and water conservation improvements. The focus is on targeted, implementable efforts to improve efficiency and operational management, rather than large-scale megaprojects.

7) What is the CFDA number for this program?

Funding is offered as grants under CFDA 15.530.

8) How much total funding is expected to be available?

The estimated total program funding amount is about $385,000.

9) How many awards are expected?

The announcement indicates an expectation of eight awards.

10) What is the typical size of an individual award?

Individual award sizes are generally capped at $100,000. While applicants are allowed to request any amount of federal funding, agreements are typically limited to the $100,000 maximum in practice.

11) Is there a minimum award amount?

Yes. The program sets a minimum award level of $5,000.

12) Can Reclamation make exceptions to the usual award sizing approach?

The announcement notes Reclamation can make award decisions on a case-by-case basis, which suggests some flexibility depending on proposal merit and local conditions.

13) Is cost share (matching) required?

Yes. A cost-sharing or matching contribution is required. Recipients should expect to contribute non-federal resources as part of the overall project budget.

14) What kinds of match contributions are expected?

The announcement indicates non-federal resources are expected and may include cash and/or in-kind contributions, depending on the applicable program rules.

15) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is narrow and focused on special district governments, especially irrigation districts and similar entities with legal water delivery authority.

16) What geographic/service area conditions apply to eligibility?

To qualify, an applicant must be located within the Lower Columbia Area boundaries or be served by the Lower Columbia Area Office.

17) What operational authority must an applicant have?

An applicant must have authority to deliver water.

18) How must an applicant be connected to a Reclamation project?

An applicant must be connected to a federal Reclamation project in a meaningful operational way.

19) Who receives priority consideration?

Priority will be given to irrigation districts that either (1) hold contracts to use Reclamation Project water or (2) use Reclamation Project facilities.

20) Can organizations outside the priority category still be considered?

Yes, but only as exceptions reviewed individually on a case-by-case basis.

21) How are applications evaluated?

Applications are scored using selection criteria described in the announcement (Section V). While the specific criteria are not reproduced here, the structure suggests a formal ranking process where factors like conservation benefits, feasibility, cost share, and measurable outcomes typically matter.

22) When was this opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on October 16, 2008.

23) What was the application deadline?

The closing deadline was December 18, 2008.

24) When was the opportunity archived?

The archive date was December 19, 2008.

25) Who was the listed point of contact for access issues with the announcement?

The listed point of contact was Rex Crumrine (Contracts and Agreements).

26) How can the point of contact be reached?

By phone at 509-575-5848 or by email at rcrumrine@pn.usbr.gov.

27) What should applicants do if they cannot access the full announcement electronically?

The announcement provides a contact specifically for applicants who had trouble accessing the full announcement electronically: Rex Crumrine at 509-575-5848 or rcrumrine@pn.usbr.gov.

28) Does the announcement indicate whether large capital projects are a fit?

Based on the relatively modest award ceiling and expectation of multiple awards, the program is described as designed for targeted, implementable efforts rather than large-scale capital megaprojects.