Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NRCS CA 12 0002
Apply for USDA NRCS CA 12 0002
- The California State Office in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Water Quality Improvements Lake Tahoe Basin Douglas or Washoe County, NV" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.902 Soil and Water Conservation.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 19, 2011 and posted on Dec 14, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 20, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $175,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $175,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: County governments State governments Small businesses Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Special district governments City or township governments Individuals.
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Opportunity Summary:
This grant opportunity, titled "Water Quality Improvements - Lake Tahoe Basin - Douglas or Washoe County, NV," is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) cooperative agreement focused on improving Lake Tahoe water quality by reducing fine sediment and nutrient pollution coming from urban stormwater runoff. The underlying problem the program is trying to address is the ongoing decline in Lake Tahoe's clarity, with experts attributing roughly 72 percent of the fine sediment entering the lake to runoff from developed, urbanized areas. In particular, single-family residential properties with a lot of impervious surfaces (roads, driveways, rooftops, and other hardened features) shed runoff quickly, which carries sediment and nutrients into the storm system and ultimately the lake.
The work is designed to support local requirements that existing single-family residential parcels be retrofitted with Best Management Practices (BMPs) capable of infiltrating runoff from a 20-year storm event (described as about 1 inch per hour) on site. Typical BMPs described in the announcement include measures like paving driveways and parking pads in ways that reduce erosion, installing infiltration trenches and dry wells to capture and soak in runoff, improving vegetation cover, and stabilizing slopes. The selected awardee is expected to work closely with NRCS under the Community Watershed Partnership program, providing hands-on technical assistance to property owners so they can plan and implement compliant BMP retrofits.
NRCS anticipated making two awards total (one for California and one for Nevada). For the Nevada side of the Lake Tahoe Basin, the estimated total funding and maximum award amount listed is $175,000, with an award floor of $100,000. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which means NRCS expects to be substantially involved in carrying out and overseeing the work rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back. The base period for any resulting agreement is one year, with project activities planned to run approximately from January 30, 2012 through February 28, 2013. The opportunity is tied to CFDA 10.902 (Soil and Water Conservation). No cost share or match is required.
A major deliverable is direct, measurable technical assistance output. The successful applicant must complete at least 116 "Site Evaluation Plans" and provide 133 unique APN (Assessor's Parcel Number) technical assistance engagements. While the program will focus on selected watersheds, at least 25 percent of the overall effort must still be available for basin-wide requests, so the assistance is not limited only to a narrow geographic subset of neighborhoods. The "Site Evaluation Plans" are described as detailed, site-specific plans prepared in compliance with applicable local and state rules and structured to meet the goals of the Lake Tahoe Basin BMP Retrofit Program. Preparing these plans includes field visits, site inventory and evaluation, taking measurements, performing calculations, analyzing data, and prescribing appropriate conservation practices (including alternatives when feasible), along with documenting the homeowner's decisions.
NRCS also specifies how these plans must be formatted, managed, and shared. Site Evaluation Plans must follow an NRCS-provided standard format and be maintained in a computer database. They must be deliverable to NRCS electronically, and the electronic version must be compatible with Microsoft Access. Copies must be provided to the property owner, and when legal requirements are met, data will be forwarded to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. The expected plan contents are quite specific: customer contact information; GIS-derived environmental data; technical assistance notes; a site map capturing features needed to analyze stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces; a list of recommended BMP treatments; a site drawing showing recommended treatments; photographs documenting pre-installation conditions; and the runoff calculations used to size the recommended practices. A homeowner letter is also generated explaining recommendations and the steps for completing the retrofit project.
Beyond one-on-one technical planning, the awardee must run a broader education and outreach effort scaled to the number of stakeholders in the targeted area. This outreach plan must be approved by NRCS and can include workshops, media articles, public events, and direct meetings with individual clients. The program also requires active community engagement and feedback collection: the awardee must collect and analyze information through surveys, personal contact, or other methods to understand community needs and help guide program direction. Specific examples of this engagement include working with NRCS to host community forums, developing website content, developing and processing community surveys, and participating in interagency meetings to coordinate delivery of the Community Watershed Partnership program.
Reporting is another core requirement. The awardee must submit quarterly progress reports tracking performance across all tasks and provide a year-end report documenting accomplishments. In addition, the awardee must create a public-facing report summarizing accomplishments of the Community Watershed Partnership and outlining goals and strategies for conservation of the watershed or community area, intended for public distribution. All technical services delivered under the agreement (planning, practice application or verification, and other assistance) must meet USDA NRCS standards and specifications, consistent with NRCS regulations.
Because this is a cooperative agreement, NRCS describes an active role in implementation. NRCS will provide oversight and may supply agency software, forms, and other resource information, and will assign a representative to participate in planning and management and to help coordinate activities. In other words, the project is structured as a close partnership where the awardee executes much of the direct technical assistance and community outreach work, while NRCS stays engaged to ensure consistency with agency standards and local regulatory requirements.
Proposals are evaluated using criteria listed in descending order of importance. First is organizational capabilities, meaning the applicant's resources, management capacity, and staff experience to deliver the work professionally and represent NRCS well. Second is knowledge of conservation issues in the Lake Tahoe Basin and familiarity with NRCS practice standards relevant to those issues. Third is the ability to work effectively with NRCS and watershed stakeholders. Fourth is knowledge of local and state ordinances and regulations tied to implementing conservation practices in the Lake Tahoe Basin. NRCS notes it may hold discussions with applicants about their experience and approach and will negotiate final cost and terms with the selected applicant before signing the cooperative agreement.
Key administrative details from the listing include the opportunity number USDA NRCS CA 12 0002; a posted date of December 14, 2011; and a closing date of January 20, 2012 (archived February 19, 2012). Eligible applicants include a broad range of entities such as county and state governments, city/township governments, special district governments, federally recognized tribal governments, 501(c)(3) nonprofits (excluding institutions of higher education), small businesses, and individuals. The contact listed for access issues is Kim Pedersen, Grants Management Specialist, at 530-792-5678 (USDA email referenced in the notice).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Water Quality Improvements - Lake Tahoe Basin (Douglas or Washoe County, NV)
What is the official title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Water Quality Improvements - Lake Tahoe Basin - Douglas or Washoe County, NV."
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
This opportunity is offered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
What type of award is this?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. That means NRCS expects to be substantially involved in carrying out and overseeing the work, rather than simply issuing funds with limited involvement.
What problem is this program trying to solve?
The program targets the ongoing decline in Lake Tahoe clarity by reducing fine sediment and nutrient pollution associated with urban stormwater runoff. The notice states that experts attribute roughly 72 percent of the fine sediment entering Lake Tahoe to runoff from developed, urbanized areas.
Why does the program focus on single-family residential parcels?
Single-family residential properties often have large amounts of impervious surface (for example, roads, driveways, rooftops, and other hardened features). These surfaces shed runoff quickly, and that runoff can carry sediment and nutrients into storm systems and ultimately into Lake Tahoe.
What geography does the Nevada award cover?
For Nevada, the work is focused in the Lake Tahoe Basin within Douglas County or Washoe County, Nevada.
How many awards does NRCS anticipate making?
NRCS anticipated making two awards total: one for California and one for Nevada.
How much funding is available for the Nevada award?
For the Nevada side of the Lake Tahoe Basin, the estimated total funding and maximum award amount listed is $175,000. The award floor is $100,000.
Is cost share or matching funding required?
No. The notice specifies that no cost share or match is required.
What is the program period for project activities?
The base period for any resulting agreement is one year, with project activities planned to run approximately from January 30, 2012 through February 28, 2013.
What CFDA program is this opportunity associated with?
This opportunity is tied to CFDA 10.902 (Soil and Water Conservation).
What kind of on-the-ground outcomes is the awardee expected to support?
The work is designed to support local requirements that existing single-family residential parcels be retrofitted with Best Management Practices (BMPs) capable of infiltrating runoff from a 20-year storm event (described as about 1 inch per hour) on site.
What BMPs are mentioned as examples in the announcement?
Examples listed include paving driveways and parking pads in ways that reduce erosion, installing infiltration trenches and dry wells to capture and soak in runoff, improving vegetation cover, and stabilizing slopes.
What is the expected role of the selected awardee?
The selected awardee is expected to work closely with NRCS under the Community Watershed Partnership program and provide hands-on technical assistance to property owners so they can plan and implement BMP retrofits that comply with applicable requirements.
What are the required technical assistance deliverables (minimum outputs)?
The successful applicant must complete at least 116 Site Evaluation Plans and provide 133 unique APN (Assessor's Parcel Number) technical assistance engagements.
What does "unique APN technical assistance engagements" mean in this notice?
The notice describes a requirement for 133 unique APN (Assessor's Parcel Number) technical assistance engagements, meaning assistance must be provided across 133 distinct parcels identified by APN.
Is the technical assistance limited only to selected watersheds?
No. While the program will focus on selected watersheds, at least 25 percent of the overall effort must be available for basin-wide requests.
What is a Site Evaluation Plan in this program?
Site Evaluation Plans are described as detailed, site-specific plans prepared in compliance with applicable local and state rules and structured to meet the goals of the Lake Tahoe Basin BMP Retrofit Program.
What work is involved in preparing a Site Evaluation Plan?
The notice states that preparing plans includes field visits, site inventory and evaluation, taking measurements, performing calculations, analyzing data, prescribing appropriate conservation practices (including alternatives when feasible), and documenting the homeowner's decisions.
Does NRCS require a specific format for Site Evaluation Plans?
Yes. Site Evaluation Plans must follow an NRCS-provided standard format.
How must Site Evaluation Plans be stored and managed?
Plans must be maintained in a computer database and must be deliverable to NRCS electronically.
What are the database compatibility requirements?
The electronic version must be compatible with Microsoft Access.
Who receives copies of the Site Evaluation Plans?
Copies must be provided to the property owner. When legal requirements are met, data will be forwarded to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.
What information must be included in a Site Evaluation Plan?
The expected contents include: customer contact information; GIS-derived environmental data; technical assistance notes; a site map capturing features needed to analyze stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces; a list of recommended BMP treatments; a site drawing showing recommended treatments; photographs documenting pre-installation conditions; and the runoff calculations used to size the recommended practices.
Is a homeowner letter part of the required plan package?
Yes. The notice states that a homeowner letter is generated explaining recommendations and the steps for completing the retrofit project.
Are there outreach and education requirements in addition to site-by-site planning?
Yes. The awardee must run an education and outreach effort scaled to the number of stakeholders in the targeted area.
Does the outreach plan need approval?
Yes. The outreach plan must be approved by NRCS.
What outreach activities are mentioned as examples?
The notice lists examples such as workshops, media articles, public events, and direct meetings with individual clients.
Is community feedback collection required?
Yes. The program requires active community engagement and feedback collection. The awardee must collect and analyze information through surveys, personal contact, or other methods to understand community needs and help guide program direction.
What are examples of required community engagement activities?
Examples in the notice include working with NRCS to host community forums, developing website content, developing and processing community surveys, and participating in interagency meetings to coordinate delivery of the Community Watershed Partnership program.
What reporting is required during the project?
The awardee must submit quarterly progress reports tracking performance across all tasks and provide a year-end report documenting accomplishments.
Is there a requirement for a public-facing report?
Yes. The awardee must create a public-facing report summarizing accomplishments of the Community Watershed Partnership and outlining goals and strategies for conservation of the watershed or community area, intended for public distribution.
Do the technical services have to follow NRCS standards?
Yes. All technical services delivered under the agreement (planning, practice application or verification, and other assistance) must meet USDA NRCS standards and specifications, consistent with NRCS regulations.
What does NRCS mean by "substantial involvement" under a cooperative agreement?
The notice explains that NRCS will provide oversight and may supply agency software, forms, and other resource information, and will assign a representative to participate in planning and management and to help coordinate activities.
How will proposals be evaluated?
Proposals are evaluated using criteria listed in descending order of importance: (1) organizational capabilities (resources, management capacity, and staff experience); (2) knowledge of conservation issues in the Lake Tahoe Basin and familiarity with NRCS practice standards; (3) ability to work effectively with NRCS and watershed stakeholders; and (4) knowledge of local and state ordinances and regulations tied to implementing conservation practices in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Can NRCS discuss the application with applicants or negotiate terms?
Yes. NRCS notes it may hold discussions with applicants about their experience and approach and will negotiate final cost and terms with the selected applicant before signing the cooperative agreement.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include county and state governments, city/township governments, special district governments, federally recognized tribal governments, 501(c)(3) nonprofits (excluding institutions of higher education), small businesses, and individuals.
What is the opportunity number for this solicitation?
The opportunity number is USDA NRCS CA 12 0002.
What were the key dates listed in the notice?
The posted date is December 14, 2011, and the closing date is January 20, 2012. The listing indicates it was archived on February 19, 2012.
Who is the contact for access issues?
The contact listed for access issues is Kim Pedersen, Grants Management Specialist, at 530-792-5678 (USDA email referenced in the notice).
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