Assistance Listings

Geographic Programs - San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund

Objectives

The goals of the SF Bay Restoration Program (formally SF Bay Grant Program) are to improve water quality and restore aquatic habitat (i.e., wetlands) in the San Francisco Bay and its watersheds. Funded projects will reduce polluted run-off, restore impaired waters and enhance aquatic habitat. Over the next five years the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), aims to broaden the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) reach and focus under the San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund (SFBWQIF). The BIL specifically expands the SFBWQIF to focus on inequities in the access to Federal funding and implementation of projects and climate resilience in underserved communities. It provides additional funding to advance the Biden Administration’s goal of investing in America’s infrastructure and delivering environmental and public health benefits for communities with environmental justice (EJ) concerns.

Examples of Funded Projects

Assistance Listing Description

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Since the beginning of the SF Bay program in 2008, projects have been funded from a low of $200,000 to a high of $5,000,000. In the last few years, the funding range has shifted to approximately $800,000 to $2 million. The average award is now at about $1 million each.

Accomplishments

Account Identification

68-0108-0-1-304-Environmental Programs and Management (EPM)

68-0108-0-1-000-Environmental Programs and Management (EPM), 68-X0108-0-1-000 (IIJA-funded)

Types of Assistance

B - Project Grants (Discretionary)

Credentials and Documentation

Applicant Eligibility

Eligible applicants: State, local government agencies, districts, and councils; regional water pollution control agencies; State coastal zone management agencies; Federally and non-federally recognized tribes; public and private universities and colleges, public or private non-governmental, non-profit institutions are eligible to apply, unless restricted by the authorizing statutes. Non-profit organizations must have documentation of non-profit status from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or their state of incorporation, except that non-profits organizations as defined in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 or superseding legislation are ineligible. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Assistance Agreement Competition Policy.

Beneficiary Eligibility

The outcomes from the SF Bay Restoration Program will ultimately benefit the urban resident and business populations of the nine county San Francisco Bay Area, as well as the State of California in general.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Assistance agreements generally run for a four-year period with a maximum project period of seven years. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Funds are issued electronically through automated funds transfer.

Use of Assistance

Projects must demonstrate consistency with the San Francisco Estuary Partnership's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). Funded projects from eligible entities will improve water quality and restore aquatic habitat (i.e., wetlands) in San Francisco Bay and its watersheds. Assistance agreement awards under this program may involve or relate to geospatial information. Further information regarding geospatial information may be obtained by viewing the following website: Geospatial Resources at EPA (https://www.epa.gov/geospatial).This program makes Federal awards on a discretionary basis. A discretionary award means an award in which the Federal awarding agency, in keeping with specific statutory authority that enables the agency to exercise judgement (“discretion”), selects the recipient and/or the amount of Federal funding awarded through a competitive process or based on merit of proposals. A discretionary award may be selected on a non-competitive basis, as appropriate. For further information, please contact the Headquarters or regional office.

Deadlines

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. 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. EPA financial assistance programs and activities subject to intergovernmental review that are subject to review under State single point of contact procedures are identified at https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-financial-assistance-programs-subject-executive-order-12372-and-section-204. Applicants for programs or activities subject to Intergovernmental Review that are not subject to State single point of contact review must provide directly affected State, areawide, regional, and local entities at least 60 days to review their application following notification by EPA that the application has been selected for funding as provided by 40 CFR 29.8(a) and (c). Regarding pre-application assistance with respect to competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, EPA will generally specify the nature of the pre-application assistance, if any, that will be available to applicants in the competitive announcement. For additional information, contact the individual(s) listed in the competitive announcement.

Application Procedures

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program.

Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for this listing will be posted on Grants.gov (opens in new window) (opens in new window).

Applicants, except in limited circumstances approved by the Agency, must submit all initial applications for funding through Grants.gov.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

The evaluation and selection criteria for competitive awards under this assistance listing will be described in the competitive announcement.

Award Procedure

The SF Bay Program has historically required the grants be awarded on a competitive basis (a modification of the Clean Water Section 320 grant requirements). EPA will review and evaluate applications in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the competitive announcement. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA policies/regulations for competing assistance agreements.

Date Range for Approval/Disapproval

From 120 to 180 days. Approximately 180 days from receipt of application, through selection and notification, and development and approval of work plan, to award of funds.

Renewals

None. Generally, EPA incrementally funds grants and cooperative agreements. Approval of subsequent funding increments is dependent on satisfactory project progress, continued relevance of the project to [EPA’s] priorities, and availability of funds. Awardees may apply for no-cost time extensions with written justification during the lifetime of the grant.

Appeals

Assistance agreement competition-related disputes will be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures published in 70 FR (Federal Register) 3629, 3630 (January 26, 2005). Copies of these procedures may also be found at: https://www.epa.gov/grants/grant-competition-dispute-resolution-procedures. Disputes relating to matters other than the competitive selection of recipients will be resolved under 2 CFR 1500 Subpart E, as applicable.

Policy Requirements

Reports

Audits

Records

Recipients must keep financial records, including all documents supporting entries on accounting records and to substantiate changes in grants available to personnel authorized to examine EPA recipients grants and cooperative agreements records. Recipients must maintain all records until 3 years from the date of submission of final expenditure reports as required by 2 CFR 200.334. If questions, such as those raised because of audits or noncompliance issues remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until the matter is completely resolved.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

2 CFR 200 and 1500 (EPA Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards); 40 CFR Part 33 (Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in United States Environmental Protection Agency Programs).

Formula and Matching Requirements

Regional or Local Locations:

Headquarters Office: