The Water Desalination Act of 1996 is based on the
fundamental need in the United States and world-wide for additional sources of
high quality water. Therefore, the primary objective of the program is to
develop more cost-effective, technologically efficient, and implementable
methods by which usable water can be produced from saline water or water
otherwise impaired or contaminated. The two principal parts of the program
are: (1) perform research on desalination technologies and related issues to
advance the state of the art forward (research and studies), and (2) conduct
development and demonstration activities to test technological advancements,
confirm economics, and gain public acceptance (development projects).
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
To be used to support research and studies,
demonstration and development projects and related activities, as described in
the Act.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: Any
responsible source, to include individuals, State and local entities, public
nonprofit institutions/organizations, other public institutions/organizations,
Federally recognized Indian Tribal Governments, small businesses, profit
organizations, private nonprofit institutions/organizations, quasi-public
nonprofit institutions/organizations, and other private
institutions/organizations may submit a proposal which will be considered by
Reclamation. Foreign entities, other than United States-Mexico bi-national
research foundations and inter-university research programs established by the
two countries, are not eligible for funding under the Act. Federal agencies
are not eligible to apply.
Beneficiary Eligibility:
Individuals, State and local entities, public nonprofit
institutions/organizations, other public institutions/organizations, Federally
recognized Indian Tribal Governments, small businesses, profit organizations,
private nonprofit institutions/organizations, quasi-public nonprofit
institutions/organizations, other private institutions/organizations, and
United States-Mexico bi-national research foundations and inter-university
research programs established by the two countries.
Credentials/Documentation:
(1) A detailed written technical proposal including the current status of the
technology supporting the proposed research, technical approach proposed to
accomplish the work, a scope of work which separates the work into major
tasks, applicability to local and/or national water problems, type of
personnel participating in the research, type and location of facilities and
equipment that will be utilized by the project applicant, experience in this
type of research, the environmental impact of the research, an estimate of the
costs and/or cost savings ($/1000 gal) and economic benefit of the technology,
and other information that may be useful for proposal evaluation. (2) A
detailed project cost proposal including a budget covering salaries and wages,
fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, subcontracts, indirect cost
rates, funding sources and commitments, cost-sharing, and a breakdown of costs
by task.
Pre-application Coordination:
On an annual basis, a pre-proposal solicitation announcement is issued by
Reclamation. Submission of a pre-proposal is not mandatory; however, offerors
are strongly encouraged to do so in order to receive the benefit of the
initial pre-proposal screening process and thereby eliminate the possibility
of submitting a full proposal that would not be considered for award. The
pre-proposal application limits the description of a proposed project to six
pages. The project description must address each of the following areas: (1)
Description of the project objective(s). (2)Description of the approach to be
taken to meet the project objectives. (3) Description of the relevance of the
project to the Program objectives and specific research Task area. (4)
Estimate of the costs and/or cost savings ($/1000 gal) and economic benefits
of the technology. (5) Anticipated funding partners, if any. Applicants must
submit an SF-424 with their pre- proposal. Questions regarding the
pre-proposal process should be directed to the Grants and Cooperative
Agreements Officer identified in the pre-proposal solicitation package. This
program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental
Review of Federal Programs." 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.
Application Procedure: A
full proposal solicitation package is issued annually by Reclamation. There
will be a general solicitation and one for pilot plants or a demonstration
project in FY02. Submission of full technical and cost proposals in accordance
with the instructions stated in the solicitation document is mandatory.
Additionally, applicants must submit all applicable SF-424 forms and a DI-2010
form which will be included in the solicitation document.
Award Procedure: The number
of awards, maximum funding amount per award, and areas of interest for which
proposals will be considered, are determined on an annual basis and are
dependent upon the annual appropriation from Congress. Proposals received in
response to the annual solicitation are reviewed on the basis of a
competitive, merit- review process, and are rated in accordance with
evaluation criteria stated in the solicitation document. Reclamation will make
awards for the highest rated proposals based on the amount of funding
available each year. Reclamation reserves the right to make awards to maintain
balance among the program objectives listed in the solicitation document.
Deadlines: Contact
Reclamation for solicitation and proposal dates and deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:
Contact Reclamation for the range of time when proposals are approved or
disapproved.
Appeals: Not applicable.
Reclamation will, however, provide all applicants with information on why
their proposals were not selected.
Renewals: Continuation of
funding for the Program from one fiscal year to the next is at the discretion
of the Congress. Yearly solicitation is made for projects of 12 months
duration or less (follow- on funding may be available for additional research
studies, pilot-plant projects, or demonstration projects). No-cost extensions
to awarded agreements are provided for unique projects that can justify
additional time beyond the 12-month duration.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements:
The Federal share of the cost of a project or activity carried out under this
Act shall not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the project or activity.
A Federal contribution in excess of 25 percent for a project carried out under
this Act may not be made unless the Secretary of the Interior determines that
the project is not feasible without such increased Federal contribution. Costs
of operation, maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of facilities funded
under the authority of this Act shall be nonfederal responsibilities. In each
fiscal year, up to $1,000,000 may be awarded to institutions of higher
education, including United States-Mexico bi-national research foundations and
interuniversity research programs established by the two countries, for
research grants or cooperative agreements without any cost-sharing
requirement.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:
Solicitation is made for projects of 12 months duration or less (follow-on
funding may be available for additional research studies, pilot-plant
projects, or demonstration projects). No-cost extensions to awarded agreements
are provided for unique projects that can justify additional time beyond the
12-month duration.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: The Recipient shall
furnish quarterly reports and a final report as a permanent record of the work
accomplished under the agreement. A midterm project review shall be held at
the Recipient's site approximately 3 to 6 months after project award.
Approximately at the time of delivery of the draft final report, the Project
Manager shall make a presentation in Denver on the overall progress of the
project.
Audits: In accordance with
the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997),
"Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations,"
nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in
Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for
that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in
Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year,
except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records: The Recipient
shall maintain project records in accordance with the applicable OMB Circular
regulations.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification:
14-0680-0-1-301.
Obligations: (Grants &
Cooperative Agreements ) FY 01 $1,293,000; FY 02 est $3,770,000; and FY 03 est
$100,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $20,000 to $150,000; Average: $85,000.
During fiscal year 2002, 15 proposals were received and
6 assistance agreements awarded. It is estimated that 15 proposals will be
received in fiscal year 2002 and eight agreements awarded. During fiscal year
2003, it is anticipated that additional funding will be made available for
this program. The number of awards will be based on funding level.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Contact Reclamation for a copy of the solicitation
document.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: Not
applicable.
Headquarters Office:
Technical/Program Information: Bureau of Reclamation, Water Treatment
Engineering and Research Group, Attn: Kevin Price, Mail Code: D-8230, P.O. Box
25007, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225. Telephone: (303) 445-2260.
Fax: (303) 445-6329. E-mail: kprice@do.usbr.gov. Solicitation documents:
Bureau of Reclamation, Acquisitions Operations Group, Attn: Randy Jackson,
Mail Code: D-7810, P.O. Box 25007, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225.
Telephone: (303) 445-2432. Fax: (303) 445-6345. E-mail: rjackson@do.usbr.gov.
Web Site Address: http://www.usbr.gov/water/desal.html
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Examples of ongoing agreements awarded in FY 01 are:
Development of membranes and membrane holding device for direct contact
membrane distillation; Predicting membrane flux decline using parameters
derived from field flow fractionation measurements; Determination of impact of
magnetic fields on reverse osmosis separation; Study of two-phase technique
for removal of biofilm and other foulants from spiral wound reverse osmosis
membranes; Optimization at pilot plant level of membrane bioreactor systems
for water reclamation; and Pilot study of membrane pretreatment (ultrafiltration
and microfiltration) for seawater reverse osmosis desalination. In FY 02
Congress instructed Reclamation to develop a desalination technology progress
plan and a Tulerosa Basin Desalination R & D Feasibility Study in
partnership with Sandia National Laboratories.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Evaluation factors may include, but are not limited to
the following: Technical Factors: (1) Demonstrated familiarity with the
current technology in the field of work and understanding of the potential
difficulties in carrying out the work. (2) Impact of the proposed work on the
current technology and on its related economics if a completely successful
outcome were achieved. (3) Novelty of approach to the work. (4) Probability of
a successful outcome of work. (5) Availability of equipment, instruments, and
test facilities required for the work. Managerial Factors: (1) The
qualifications, capabilities, and experience of the proposed project manager
and other key personnel who are critical to achievement of the proposed
objectives. (2) Adequacy, completeness and realism of the research schedule,
task phasing, and milestones. (3) The offeror's capabilities, related
experience, facilities, techniques, or unique combinations of these which are
integral factors for achieving the proposed objectives. Pricing Factors: (1)
Cost realism and reasonableness. This requires that costs be directly
relatable to items in the research work plan, reasonable, and be appropriate
to the project in terms of dollar amount and quantity. (2) Cost-share. Offerors
proposing to provide the most cost-share shall be given greater consideration.
