Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, National Ground-Water Monitoring Network | G24AS00405

Opportunity Information: Apply for G24AS00405

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a discretionary funding opportunity under its Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program to help state and local water-resources agencies connect to, participate in, and strengthen the National Ground-Water Monitoring Network (NGWMN). The basic purpose is to improve how groundwater monitoring data are shared nationally by supporting agencies that already collect groundwater data and are willing to make those data available through the NGWMN in a consistent, accessible way. In practice, this means helping new data providers onboard to the network and helping existing providers keep their data services running reliably while improving the quality, completeness, and usability of the information delivered through the NGWMN Data Portal.

This opportunity is issued as a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant because USGS expects to be substantially involved in the work. For new data providers, USGS involvement is anticipated in areas like selecting and classifying monitoring sites and setting up the web services needed to exchange data with the NGWMN Data Portal. For existing data providers, USGS plans to provide guidance on methods for collecting and managing site information, as well as technical direction related to well maintenance and well drilling activities that support the monitoring network. The legal authority for the program is Public Law 111-11 (Secure Water Act), Subtitle F, Section 9507, titled "Water Data Enhancement by the United States Geological Survey."

Funding for this program announcement is estimated at up to $1.7 million for federal fiscal year 2024, although that figure is not a promise of final funding levels, award counts, or individual award sizes. A key constraint is that Congress had not yet appropriated FY2024 funds for NGWMN at the time of the announcement, meaning USGS cannot make awards until funding is actually provided. Once awarded, recipients are expected to complete the work within a two-year cycle starting from the award start date, and the exact start date depends on when funds become available and when the agreement is signed. Projects are expected to propose start dates between July 1, 2023 and September 30, 2023.

Individual applications are capped at $150,000 for a one-year project or $300,000 for a two-year project (the listed award ceiling is $300,000). There is also a specific limitation for routine work tied to maintaining persistent data services (identified as Objective 2A in the program framework): this routine maintenance component is limited to $20,000 per year, but agencies responsible for more than 500 sites may request up to $40,000 per year for that Objective 2A work. These limits suggest the program is trying to prioritize targeted improvements and onboarding activities, while still providing some support for the ongoing operational effort required to keep data flowing consistently to the national system.

Eligible applicants include state governments and local governments (county, city, township), as well as other eligible entities as defined in the notice, with the practical target being state or local water-resource agencies that collect groundwater data. The opportunity is administered by the USGS (Department of the Interior) under CFDA/Assistance Listing 15.980, and it is identified by Funding Opportunity Number G24AS00405. The original closing date for applications is January 18, 2024, and the opportunity was created on September 29, 2023.

• The Geological Survey in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, National Ground-Water Monitoring Network" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.980.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-09-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-01-18. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Others.

Apply for G24AS00405

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