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| 15.521 LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY WATER RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND IMPROVEMENT |
| (Lower Rio Grande Valley Irrigation Projects). |
| FEDERAL AGENCY |
| BUREAU OF RECLAMATION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR |
| AUTHORIZATION |
| Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 2000, Public Law 106-576, as amended; Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 2002, Public Law 107-351. |
| OBJECTIVES |
| To investigate and identify opportunities to improve the supply of water in the program area identified as the counties in the State of Texas in the Rio Grande Regional Water Planning Area known as Region M. |
| TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
| Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements). |
| USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
| Cost ceilings of $8,000,000 for conservation and improvements (section 3(g)) and $47,000,000 for construction (section 4(c)). Reclamations Great Plains Region will enter into cooperative agreements with the State of Texas, water users in the program area, specified irrigation districts, and other non Federal entities to carry out the project if the Secretary of the Interior determines such agreements would be cost-effective and efficient. A substantial portion of this program is directed toward funding 19 construction projects specifically identified in the Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Act, as amended. |
| Applicant Eligibility |
| The State of Texas, water users in the program area, specified irrigation districts, and other non-Federal entities. |
| Beneficiary Eligibility |
| The general public located in the state of Texas. |
| Credentials/Documentation |
| None. |
| Preapplication Coordination |
| This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372. An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review,(2) Applicants shall provide a report in accordance with Section 3(c) of the Act that includes, but is not limited to, (a) estimated project costs, conservation measures, and operational efficiency improvements, (b) a project plan and map, and (c) a cost-sharing commitment for applicant funding of its proportional share of project construction costs on an annual basis. |
| Application Procedure |
| Funding opportunity announcements for this program, along with registration procedures, application packages and instructions, SF-424 forms and any other forms to be used to submit application information, points of contact, and procedures for submitting applications will be available on www.grants.gov. |
| Award Procedure |
| All applications will be initially screened for eligibility and compliance with the requirements stated in the program funding announcement. Applications passing this screening process will be forwarded for review by a proposal evaluation panel comprised of qualified experts in the program area. Applications will be reviewed against the proposal evaluation criteria, and any additional review factors, as stated in the funding announcement. Before providing funding for a project to the nonFederal project sponsor, the Secretary of the Interior shall determine that the nonFederal project sponsor is financially capable of funding the projects nonFederal share of the project costs. Final selection will be determined by the Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation, or regional officials, as applicable to the project. |
| Deadlines |
| Varies by project. Deadline information will be included in all funding opportunity announcements posted on www.grants.gov. |
| Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
| Varies depending on the type and complexity of the project. Further information will be available for each specific project at the time the funding opportunity announcement is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the Reclamation personnel listed as the point of contact in the funding announcement. |
| Appeals |
| None. Final award decisions are not subject to appeal; however, the Bureau of Reclamation will provide all applicants with information on why their proposals were not selected for award. |
| Renewals |
| Funding is available until all currently appropriated funds have been expended for this program. Additional funding for the program is at the discretion of Congress. Any request for a time extension must be in writing in accordance with the provisions stated in the agreement. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| The nonfederal share of total project costs shall be 50 percent. Not more than 40 percent of the project costs may be paid by the State. The remainder of the nonFederal share may include in-kind contributions of goods and services, and the actual funds previously spent on feasibility and engineering studies. Awarded agreements must contain a commitment by the nonFederal project sponsors to fund their proportionate share of the project's construction costs on an annual basis. (Public Law 106- 576, Section 4(b), as amended). |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| There is no time restriction placed on the use of the funds. A schedule will be established with the recipient at the time of award. Any request for a time extension must be in writing in accordance with the provisions stated in the agreement. |
| Reports |
| Draft and final technical reports; SF-269A (quarterly), financial reports (quarterly), progress reports (quarterly); annual report; reports on significant developments (as necessary). |
| Audits |
| In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance ($500,000 for fiscal years ending after December 1, 2003) or more a year in Federal awards will have a single or a program specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than ($500,000 for fiscal years ending after December 1, 2003) a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. |
| Records |
| State, local and Indian Tribal governments shall maintain project records in accordance with 43 CFR 12.82. All other recipients shall maintain project records in accordance with 43 CFR 12.953. |
| Account Identification |
| 14-0680-0-1-301. |
| Obligations |
| FY 07 $1,200,000; FY 08 est $2,519,000; and FY 09 est $50,000. |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| Average $1,460,000. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| Reclamation has entered into several cooperative agreements with irrigation districts in the project area for planning, design, and construction activities. |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| 43 CFR 12, http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html#page1; OMB Circulars, http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/grants_circulars.html; these documents may also be obtained by contacting the Reclamation Office listed below. |
| Regional or Local Office |
| Oklahoma Texas Area Office: Mr. Mark Trevino, Area Manager, Bureau of Reclamation, Address: 5316 Highway 290 West, Suite 510, Austin, TX 78735-8931, Telephone: (512) 899-4150, E-mail: mtrevino@gp.usbr.gov . |
| Headquarters Office |
| Great Plains Region Office: Mr. Kimball M. Banks, Tribal and Financial Assistance Officer, Bureau of Reclamation, P.O. Box 36900, 316 North 26th Street, Billings MT 59101, Telephone: (406)247-7710, fax: (406)247-7695, E-mail: kbanks@gp.usbr.gov. |
| Web Site Address |
| http://www.usbr.gov/gp/ |
| RELATED PROGRAMS |
| None. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| Replacement of river pumping plant and construction of canal interconnect system, main canal replacements, water conservation improvement project, reservoir renovation telemetry and flow measurement projects, and lateral rehabilitation. |
| CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
| The scopes of work must address and be responsive to the authorizing legislation and the appropriation ceiling. |
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General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
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