Deadline: 13-Oct-20
The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) in conjunction with the NEIWPCC is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) for projects to develop and install large best management practices for pollution reduction in the US-portion of the Lake Champlain Basin, and for projects to provide planning and prioritization for future on-the-ground water quality improvement projects.
This work is applicable to the Clean Water and Healthy Ecosystem goals of LCBP’s long-term management plan Opportunities for Action: An Evolving Plan for the Future of the Lake Champlain Basin. This grant opportunity is supported by funds awarded to NEIWPCC by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC).
Funding Information
- Up to $500,000 is available for supporting the two categories of projects within this RFP.
- Projects for installation of best management practices (Category A projects) should be scoped for $50,000 to $125,000;
- Projects for planning and prioritization (Category B projects) should be scoped to a maximum budget up to $50,000.
Project Tasks
- The Lake Champlain Basin Program seeks proposals for two categories of projects:
- Category A (Implementation) projects will require funds to install large-scale BMPs that will reduce pollution into Lake Champlain or its tributaries. Outputs of projects in this category will be the installation of a BMP or series of BMPs, public-facing informational signage and education and outreach about the project with the community, and a maintenance plan. Anticipated outcomes should be identifiable pollution reductions in that sub watershed.
- Category B (Planning/Prioritization) projects will request up to $50,000 in funding support to develop engineering plans for future BMP projects, or planning and prioritization grants that will assist eligible organizations in development of plans to prioritize or install BMPs in their watersheds of interest to optimize pollution reductions for future implementation opportunities. Examples of outputs from projects in Category B would be engineered design plans for BMP(s) or a prioritized list of projects the applicant can use for future implementation opportunities.
Tasks in Category A
Anticipated tasks in Category A (Implementation) will include the following elements:
- Identification of a specific site or sites where the BMP(s) will be installed.
- A timeline detailing the tasks required to complete installation of the BMP(s), including appropriate permits, construction timeframes, and reporting to LCBP.
- Estimate of pollution reduction for the BMP or series of BMPs for the anticipated lifespan of the practices.
- Public-facing informational signage that includes LCBP and NEIWPCC logos and education and outreach about the project with the community.
- A maintenance plan for the BMPs that will be in place once the practices are installed (beyond the scope of the LCBP award), including identification of the organization that will be assuming maintenance responsibilities (if different than applicant, a letter of commitment from said organization should be provided with the application).
Tasks in Category B
Anticipated tasks in Category B (Planning/Prioritization) will include the following elements:
- Identification of the watershed, sub watershed, or geographic area where the planning grant will be focused (could also include political boundaries within the Champlain basin). If the project is for engineered design, provide specific location and description of the site of interest and the issues to be addressed when the pollution reduction practice is installed.
- All applications should provide a brief description of the land uses that will be addressed in the project (e.g. urban, suburban, agriculture, forested landc).
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible projects for installation of best management practices might include innovative tasks for shoreline stabilization, green infrastructure project implementation, storm water management projects, combined sewer overflow (CSO) reduction, or the purchase of equipment to be shared among organizations.
- Eligible projects for planning and prioritization of interventions might include innovative green infrastructure planning at a municipal level, CSO reduction strategies, or watershed scale assessments and prioritizations.
- Applicants must submit proposals in electronic format.
Pre-Proposal Evaluation and Selection Criteria
Submitted pre-proposals will be judged according to the following criteria:
- Impact: Potential to advance goals of Opportunities for Action and the mission of LCBP (20 points).
- Technical feasibility: Extent to which the project can be executed, and the appropriateness of the methods (10 points).
- Budget: Efficiency of proposed request and budget for the scope and outputs of the project. Proposed funding match (if any) will increase score in this criterion (10 points).
- Likelihood of success: Assessment of risk versus benefit for the project (10 points).
- Additional points will be given to projects that address the priorities listed in Section II
(10 points if any priority is met). - Additional points will be given to projects that emphasize inclusion of or target work
in underserved or minority communities (up to 5 points).
For more information, visit https://www.lcbp.org/about-us/grants-rfps/request-for-proposals-rfps/#enhanced