Opportunity Information: Apply for R10SF80256
Apply for R10SF80256
- The Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "WaterSMART System Optimization Review Grants" 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 Apr 30, 2010 and posted on Apr 30, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 14, 2010. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- 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).
- Eligible applicants include State or Territory agencies or departments with water or power delivery authority Federally recognized Indian tribes with water or power delivery authority the term Indian tribe has the meaning given in section 4 of the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b) Irrigation and water districts Municipal water or power delivery authorities and Other organizations 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. Those not eligible include entities without water or power delivery authority, such as Other State governmental entities, Federal governmental entities, Institutions of Higher Education, and individuals.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The WaterSMART System Optimization Review (SOR) Grants program, offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation (Denver Office), is a discretionary grant opportunity designed to help water and power delivery entities in the western United States improve overall system efficiency through structured, system-wide planning. Rather than funding construction or on-the-ground upgrades, the program is focused on supporting a formal review process that identifies where and how a water delivery system, district, or river basin could operate more efficiently and reliably. The intent is for applicants to combine their own resources with federal funds through a required cost share, allowing them to stretch local dollars while producing an actionable roadmap for future improvements.
A funded SOR has two main deliverables. First, it includes an assessment of the potential for water management improvements across a broader area such as an entire district, a river basin, or a substantial portion of a system. Second, it requires a written report that lays out specific, practical recommendations to increase efficiency and includes a plan of action describing how those recommendations could be carried out. The defining feature of these reviews is the emphasis on system-level performance. The program is explicitly not meant for narrow, single-asset efforts like improving one headgate, lining a short ditch segment, or doing planning tied to one specific construction project. In the same vein, grant funds cannot be used for design, engineering, or construction of any particular recommended improvement; the funding is for the review, analysis, and implementation planning work that informs later decisions and investments.
The scope of an SOR can vary depending on where the applicant is in its planning cycle. Some applicants may use the grant to perform a comprehensive evaluation that considers many options for improved water management and then identifies the best overall approach. Others, especially those that have already completed broader planning, may use an SOR to update or refine prior plans by concentrating on a specific system-wide topic such as automation, operational changes, or water marketing, with the goal of selecting the most workable strategy and laying out steps to implement it. In all cases, the common thread is that the review should look across the system and produce actionable recommendations, rather than preparing construction-ready plans for one discrete facility.
Funding is relatively targeted and competitive. Reclamation estimated an award range of roughly 4 to 8 projects (with an expected average of about 6 awards), supported by an estimated total program funding level of $1,000,000. Individual awards are capped at $300,000 in federal funding. The grant requires cost sharing: applicants must contribute at least 50 percent of the total project cost, meaning the federal share may cover no more than half. This structure is meant to ensure local commitment and to leverage federal dollars into a larger overall planning investment.
Eligibility is limited to organizations that actually have water or power delivery authority, and they must be located in Reclamation's defined western service area. Eligible applicants include state or territory agencies or departments with water or power delivery authority; federally recognized Indian Tribes with water or power delivery authority (as defined under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act); irrigation and water districts; municipal water or power delivery authorities; and other organizations with water or power delivery authority. The geographic eligibility covers the western states and certain U.S. territories listed in the Reclamation Act framework, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, as well as American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and related areas referenced in the announcement. Entities that do not have water or power delivery authority are not eligible, and the announcement specifically notes that other state governmental entities, federal agencies, colleges and universities, and individuals are not eligible.
Key administrative details from the posting include Funding Opportunity Number R10SF80256, CFDA 15.507 (WaterSMART), and a grant instrument type. The opportunity was originally posted April 30, 2010, with an application closing date of June 14, 2010, and it was later archived December 31, 2010. For applicants needing help accessing the full announcement, the listed contact was Stephanie Bartlett, Procurement Analyst, at 303-445-2025.
WaterSMART System Optimization Review (SOR) Grants - FAQs
1) What is the WaterSMART System Optimization Review (SOR) Grants program?
The WaterSMART System Optimization Review (SOR) Grants program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (Denver Office). It supports a structured, system-wide review process aimed at improving the overall efficiency and reliability of water and power delivery systems in Reclamation's western service area.
2) What is the main purpose of an SOR grant?
The purpose is to fund a formal optimization review that identifies where and how a water delivery system, district, or river basin could operate more efficiently and reliably. The program is designed to produce actionable recommendations and an implementation plan, not to pay for construction or facility upgrades.
3) Does the SOR program fund construction, repairs, or physical upgrades?
No. The program is explicitly focused on the review, analysis, and implementation planning work. It does not fund construction, on-the-ground upgrades, or improvements to a single asset.
4) Can grant funds be used for design or engineering of specific improvements?
No. The posting states that grant funds cannot be used for design, engineering, or construction of any particular recommended improvement. Funding is limited to the system optimization review and related planning deliverables.
5) What are the required deliverables for a funded SOR?
A funded SOR includes two primary deliverables: (1) an assessment of the potential for water management improvements across a broader area (such as an entire district, river basin, or substantial portion of a system), and (2) a written report that provides specific, practical recommendations to increase efficiency and includes a plan of action describing how the recommendations could be carried out.
6) What types of projects are a poor fit for this program?
The program is not meant for narrow, single-asset efforts, such as improving one headgate, lining a short ditch segment, or planning tied to one specific construction project. The defining feature is a system-level focus across a broader service area or substantial portion of a system.
7) How broad does the "system-wide" review need to be?
Based on the posting, an SOR should look across a broader area such as an entire district, a river basin, or a substantial portion of a system. The emphasis is on system-level performance and recommendations rather than a single discrete facility.
8) Can an applicant use an SOR grant to update or refine prior planning work?
Yes. The scope can vary depending on where the applicant is in its planning cycle. The posting notes that some applicants may use the grant to update or refine prior plans by concentrating on a specific system-wide topic (for example, automation, operational changes, or water marketing), with the goal of selecting a workable strategy and laying out implementation steps.
9) If an applicant has not done broader planning yet, can the SOR be comprehensive?
Yes. The posting describes that some applicants may use the grant to perform a comprehensive evaluation that considers many options for improved water management and identifies the best overall approach.
10) What is the maximum federal award amount?
Individual awards are capped at $300,000 in federal funding.
11) How many awards were expected under this opportunity?
Reclamation estimated an award range of roughly 4 to 8 projects, with an expected average of about 6 awards.
12) What was the estimated total funding level for the program?
The estimated total program funding level listed in the posting was $1,000,000.
13) Is cost sharing required?
Yes. Cost sharing is required. Applicants must contribute at least 50 percent of the total project cost, meaning the federal share may cover no more than half.
14) What is the intention behind the cost share requirement?
The posting describes the cost share structure as a way to ensure local commitment and to leverage federal dollars to create a larger overall planning investment.
15) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to organizations that have water or power delivery authority and are located in Reclamation's defined western service area. Eligible applicant types listed include: state or territory agencies or departments with water or power delivery authority; federally recognized Indian Tribes with water or power delivery authority (as defined under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act); irrigation and water districts; municipal water or power delivery authorities; and other organizations with water or power delivery authority.
16) Who is not eligible to apply?
The posting states that entities without water or power delivery authority are not eligible. It also specifically notes that other state governmental entities, federal agencies, colleges and universities, and individuals are not eligible.
17) What geographic areas are eligible?
The geographic eligibility covers Reclamation's western service area. The posting lists the western states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. It also includes certain U.S. territories and related areas referenced in the announcement, including American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands.
18) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is R10SF80256.
19) What CFDA program number is associated with this opportunity?
The posting lists CFDA 15.507 (WaterSMART).
20) What type of award instrument is this?
The posting indicates the instrument type is a grant.
21) When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was originally posted on April 30, 2010, and the application closing date listed was June 14, 2010.
22) Is this opportunity still active?
No. The posting notes that it was archived on December 31, 2010.
23) Who was the listed contact for help accessing the full announcement?
The listed contact was Stephanie Bartlett, Procurement Analyst, at 303-445-2025.
24) What does the SOR grant ultimately help an organization produce?
The program is intended to help applicants produce an actionable roadmap for future improvements by identifying opportunities for greater efficiency and reliability and laying out practical recommendations and steps for implementation.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Natural Resources
Next opportunity: WaterSMART Research Grants to Develop Climate Analysis Tools
Previous opportunity: WaterSMART Advanced Water Treatment Pilot and Demonstration Project Grants
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for R10SF80256
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (R10SF80256) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Notice of Intent Single Source Award SCATrail Maintenance Crew Apply for NPS NOIJ8147100068 Funding Number: NPS NOIJ8147100068 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $28,630 |
| Notice of Intent Single Source Award SCATrail Maintenance Crew Apply for NPS NOIJ8147100071 Funding Number: NPS NOIJ8147100071 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $28,630 |
| CFO Listed Plant Species Program Apply for L10AS00069 Funding Number: L10AS00069 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $16,900 |
| Flammulated Owl Surveys Apply for FWS R1 MB 001 Funding Number: FWS R1 MB 001 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| Aquatic Invasive Species Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) Apply for L10AS00070 Funding Number: L10AS00070 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| Natural Resouce Condition Assessment Apply for NPS NRCA MISC 10 GR01 Funding Number: NPS NRCA MISC 10 GR01 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Evaluation of Humpback Chub Translocations and Native Fish Community Restoration in Grand Canyon Tributaries Apply for NPS NOI GCNP 1 GR03 Funding Number: NPS NOI GCNP 1 GR03 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $90,510 |
| Using diatoms as biomonitoring tool to identify and interpret changes in water quality of Great Lakes Network parks Apply for NPS NOI GLKN 10 0003 Funding Number: NPS NOI GLKN 10 0003 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $80,000 |
| Acoustical Monitoring of Biodiversity and Phenology Apply for NPS NOI 10 GL01 Funding Number: NPS NOI 10 GL01 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $27,134 |
| Vegetation Inventories Apply for NPS NOI MISC GR04 Funding Number: NPS NOI MISC GR04 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $204,611 |
| Creation and Implementation of a Great Lakes Invasive Species Data Collection and Reporting System Apply for NPS GLRI NOI GLKN 10 0002 Funding Number: NPS GLRI NOI GLKN 10 0002 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $123,023 |
| Fire Effects Monitoring in Central Great Plains NPS Units Apply for NPS NOI 10 GR05 Funding Number: NPS NOI 10 GR05 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $315,919 |
| BLM WY special Status Plant Species and Habitat Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring Apply for L10AS00068 Funding Number: L10AS00068 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| BLM WY Online Wildlife Data Application Apply for L10AS00064 Funding Number: L10AS00064 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $15,000 |
| BLM WY Bluehead Sucker and Flannelmouth Sucker Genetic Analysis Apply for L10AS00030 Funding Number: L10AS00030 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $15,543 |
| National Park Service CIC Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative Apply for NPS NOIJ1360100128 Funding Number: NPS NOIJ1360100128 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| National Park Service Ecological Effects of Magnesium Chloride as a Dust Suppressant Apply for NPS NOIJ1344100005 Funding Number: NPS NOIJ1344100005 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| National Park Service Historic Resources Study, Phase II Apply for NPS NOIJ843010R100 Funding Number: NPS NOIJ843010R100 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| National Park Service Geomorphic Vegetation Mapping in the Escalante River Riparian Corridor Using Airborne High Resolution LiDAR and Multispectral Imagery Apply for NPS NOIJ2121100002 Funding Number: NPS NOIJ2121100002 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Improve on both the Green River/Split Mountain Campground Trail and the Cub Creek Interpretive Trails Apply for NPS NOIDINO102155 Funding Number: NPS NOIDINO102155 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "R10SF80256", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.