Opportunity Information: Apply for R11SF80356
Apply for R11SF80356
- The Bureau of Reclamation Denver Office in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "WaterSMART System Optimization Review Grants for FY2011" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.507 WaterSMART (Sustaining and Manage Americas Resources for Tomorrow).
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 9, 2011 and posted on Mar 9, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 27, 2011. (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 $300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Under P.L. 111 11, Section 9502, an eligible applicant is any State, Indian tribe, irrigation district, water district, or other organization with water or power delivery authority. Applicants must also be located in the western United States or Territories as identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended and supplemented specifically, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands.
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Opportunity Summary:
The WaterSMART System Optimization Review (SOR) Grants for FY2011 (Funding Opportunity Number R11SF80356) is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the Bureau of Reclamation (Denver Office) under the WaterSMART program (CFDA 15.507). The main purpose of the funding is to help organizations that operate or deliver water or power take a structured, practical look at how their systems could be run more efficiently, and then turn that analysis into a clear plan for improvements. The program is designed around cost sharing, meaning applicants are expected to bring their own funding and resources to the table and “leverage” them with federal support rather than relying entirely on federal dollars.
At the core of this opportunity is the System Operation Review itself, which has two required components. First, the applicant conducts an assessment of a river basin, watershed, delivery system, district, or a defined portion of one of those areas to determine where water management improvements are possible. Second, the applicant produces a written report that identifies specific, actionable recommendations to improve efficiency and includes a plan of action for implementing those recommendations. In practice, this can cover a wide range of potential upgrades or operational changes, such as modernizing aging water delivery infrastructure, adjusting how a system is operated to reduce water losses or improve energy performance, or setting up approaches that make water transfers, water marketing, or other flexible water management strategies more workable.
A major theme of the program is that the SOR is not meant to be a purely academic study. The expectation is that the review leads to concrete next steps and positions the applicant to move into implementation. In fact, one of the key benefits emphasized in the announcement is that completing an SOR helps applicants develop the documentation and groundwork needed to compete for WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants later on. The announcement also notes an incentive: applicants who have already completed an SOR may receive additional points during the review process for those later Water and Energy Efficiency Grant applications, making the SOR a strategic stepping stone for organizations planning larger efficiency investments.
Eligibility is defined by federal statute (P.L. 111-11, Section 9502). Eligible applicants include any State, Indian tribe, irrigation district, water district, or other organization that has water or power delivery authority. There is also a geographic limitation tied to Reclamation’s service area: applicants must be located in the western United States or certain U.S. territories covered under the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended. The listed eligible locations are Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands.
From a funding standpoint, the FOA anticipated making about six awards. The maximum federal award amount (award ceiling) was $300,000, and the award floor was listed as $0, reflecting that award sizes could vary and that final funding levels would depend on the proposal and program decisions. Because cost sharing is required, applicants needed to plan for a defined non-federal contribution as part of their overall project budget and approach.
The timeline for FY2011 shows the opportunity was posted and created on March 9, 2011, with an application deadline (original and current closing date) of April 27, 2011, and an archive date of May 27, 2011. The funding activity category is Natural Resources, consistent with WaterSMART’s broader goals of improving water sustainability through better management, efficiency, and system modernization.
For applicants needing help accessing the full announcement, the contact listed was Michelle Maher, Grants Officer, reachable by phone at 303-445-2025.
WaterSMART System Optimization Review (SOR) Grants for FY2011 (R11SF80356) - FAQs
What is this grant opportunity?
This is the WaterSMART System Optimization Review (SOR) Grants for FY2011, a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the Bureau of Reclamation (Denver Office) under the WaterSMART program (CFDA 15.507). The Funding Opportunity Number is R11SF80356.
What is the main purpose of the SOR grant?
The purpose is to help organizations that operate or deliver water or power take a structured, practical look at how their systems could be run more efficiently, and then turn that analysis into a clear plan for improvements.
Is this program focused on studies, or on practical outcomes?
The SOR is not intended to be a purely academic study. The expectation is that the review leads to concrete next steps by producing actionable recommendations and a plan of action for implementing them.
What is a System Operation Review (SOR) in this program?
The SOR is the core work supported by the grant. It is a structured review of a water management area or system to identify efficiency improvements and produce an implementation-oriented plan.
What are the required components of the System Operation Review?
The SOR has two required components: (1) an assessment of a river basin, watershed, delivery system, district, or a defined portion of one of those areas to determine where water management improvements are possible; and (2) a written report that identifies specific, actionable recommendations to improve efficiency and includes a plan of action for implementing those recommendations.
What kinds of systems or areas can be assessed under this grant?
The assessment may cover a river basin, watershed, delivery system, district, or a defined portion of one of those areas.
What should the written SOR report include?
The report should identify specific, actionable recommendations to improve efficiency and include a plan of action for implementing those recommendations.
What types of improvements or changes might an SOR consider?
The announcement describes potential upgrades or operational changes such as modernizing aging water delivery infrastructure, adjusting system operations to reduce water losses or improve energy performance, or setting up approaches that make water transfers, water marketing, or other flexible water management strategies more workable.
How does cost sharing work for this opportunity?
The program is designed around cost sharing. Applicants are expected to bring their own funding and resources as a defined non-federal contribution and leverage them with federal support rather than relying entirely on federal dollars.
Is a non-federal contribution required?
Yes. Because cost sharing is required, applicants needed to plan for a defined non-federal contribution as part of the overall project budget and approach.
How much funding is available per award?
The maximum federal award amount (award ceiling) was $300,000. The award floor was listed as $0, indicating award sizes could vary and final funding levels would depend on the proposal and program decisions.
How many awards were anticipated?
The funding opportunity anticipated making about six awards.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is defined by federal statute (P.L. 111-11, Section 9502). Eligible applicants include any State, Indian tribe, irrigation district, water district, or other organization that has water or power delivery authority.
Is there a geographic eligibility requirement?
Yes. Applicants must be located in the western United States or certain U.S. territories covered under the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended (Reclamation's service area).
Which states are listed as eligible locations?
The listed eligible states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Which U.S. territories are listed as eligible locations?
The listed eligible territories are American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands.
What is the benefit of completing an SOR for future WaterSMART funding?
Completing an SOR is emphasized as a way to develop documentation and groundwork needed to compete for WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants later on.
Is there any review advantage for later grants if we have already completed an SOR?
Yes. The announcement notes that applicants who have already completed an SOR may receive additional points during the review process for later Water and Energy Efficiency Grant applications.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed for WaterSMART is 15.507.
Which office is administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is Natural Resources.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted and created on March 9, 2011. The application deadline (original and current closing date) was April 27, 2011.
When was this opportunity archived?
The archive date listed is May 27, 2011.
Who is the contact for help accessing the full announcement?
The contact listed is Michelle Maher, Grants Officer.
How can the listed contact be reached?
Michelle Maher can be reached by phone at 303-445-2025.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Natural Resources
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Previous opportunity: WaterSMART Advanced Water Treatment Pilot and Demonstration Project Grants for 2011
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