Opportunity Information: Apply for BOR DO 18 F012
The WaterSMART: Desalination Construction Projects Under the WIIN Act funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number BOR DO 18 F012) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation. Its core purpose is to provide cost-shared federal funding to sponsors of ocean and brackish water desalination projects that are ready to move forward with planning, design, and/or construction. In practical terms, the program is aimed at helping communities in eligible regions develop new or expanded drinking water supplies by turning seawater or naturally salty inland sources (including brackish groundwater) into usable water, while requiring recipients to bring non-federal matching funds to the table.
Projects considered eligible under this announcement include the planning, design, and construction of facilities that desalinate ocean water or brackish water. The emphasis is not just on early-stage ideas; it is structured around projects that can demonstrate real technical and financial readiness. A key gatekeeping requirement is the feasibility study: to qualify, a project must have a completed feasibility study that has already been reviewed by Reclamation and found to meet the requirements in Reclamation Directives and Standards WTR 11-01 (the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program Feasibility Study Review Process). If a project does not already have a feasibility study that Reclamation has accepted as meeting WTR 11-01, the applicant must submit the feasibility study for Reclamation review by the application deadline (July 27, 2018), and the project must be far enough along that Reclamation can reasonably complete its determination that the study meets WTR 11-01 by August 31, 2018. Another procedural detail tied to eligibility is congressional notification: the findings from Reclamation’s feasibility review must be transmitted to Congress before or at the same time the project is selected for funding, which reinforces that Reclamation is expected to fund projects with documented feasibility and oversight-ready documentation.
Geography also matters. To be eligible, the project must be located in the Western United States or in U.S. Territories as identified under the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended. This ties the program to Reclamation’s traditional service area and mission footprint, effectively limiting awards to the western states and qualifying territories rather than nationwide eligibility.
The opportunity also requires alignment with state-level water planning or formal state support. Specifically, the desalination project must be included in a state-approved plan, and that plan must be submitted with the proposal before the application deadline. If the project is not included in a state-approved plan, there is an alternative pathway: federal participation must have been requested by the Governor of the state where the project is located. In either case, the applicant must provide documentation with the application that is sufficient for Reclamation to verify that the state-plan requirement is met or that the governor has requested federal participation. This requirement is meant to ensure the project is consistent with broader state water supply strategies and has visible state-level backing, not just local interest.
From a funding perspective, this FOA anticipated making about four awards, with an award ceiling listed at $18,000,000. The catalog listing is CFDA 15.504, and the activity category is Natural Resources. While the eligibility field is labeled broadly as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," the central audience is clearly project sponsors capable of meeting the feasibility, location, and state-endorsement requirements, and capable of providing the required non-federal cost share.
Timing details in the notice show it was created May 30, 2018, with an original closing date of July 27, 2018. Taken together, the structure of the program points to a competitive, readiness-focused funding round designed to accelerate desalination projects that are sufficiently developed to document feasibility under Reclamation standards, fit within Reclamation’s western service area, and have clear state planning alignment or gubernatorial support.Apply for BOR DO 18 F012
- The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "WaterSMART: Desalination Construction Projects Under the WIIN Act" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.504.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 30, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 27, 2018. (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 $18,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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WaterSMART: Desalination Construction Projects Under the WIIN Act (BOR DO 18 F012) - FAQs
What is this funding opportunity?
This is the WaterSMART: Desalination Construction Projects Under the WIIN Act funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number BOR DO 18 F012), a discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program provides cost-shared federal funding to sponsors of ocean and brackish water desalination projects that are ready to move forward with planning, design, and/or construction. The overall goal is to help communities develop new or expanded drinking water supplies by converting ocean water or naturally salty inland sources into usable water.
Is this a cost-share program or fully federally funded?
It is a cost-shared program. Recipients are required to provide non-federal matching funds as part of the project.
What types of projects are eligible under this opportunity?
Eligible projects include the planning, design, and construction of facilities that desalinate ocean water or brackish water (including brackish groundwater).
Does the program support early-stage concepts or only more developed projects?
The emphasis is on projects that can demonstrate real technical and financial readiness. The opportunity is structured around projects that are ready to move forward and can document feasibility under Bureau of Reclamation standards.
Is a feasibility study required for eligibility?
Yes. To qualify, a project must have a completed feasibility study that has been reviewed by Reclamation and found to meet the requirements in Reclamation Directives and Standards WTR 11-01 (the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program Feasibility Study Review Process).
What if our feasibility study has not yet been accepted by Reclamation as meeting WTR 11-01?
If the feasibility study has not already been accepted as meeting WTR 11-01, the applicant must submit the feasibility study for Reclamation review by the application deadline (July 27, 2018). The project must also be far enough along that Reclamation can reasonably complete its determination that the study meets WTR 11-01 by August 31, 2018.
What are the key feasibility study review deadlines mentioned in the notice?
The feasibility study must be submitted for Reclamation review by July 27, 2018 (the application deadline) if it has not already been accepted, and the project must be advanced enough for Reclamation to complete its WTR 11-01 determination by August 31, 2018.
Does Congress have any role in the feasibility review process for this program?
Yes. The findings from Reclamation's feasibility review must be transmitted to Congress before or at the same time the project is selected for funding.
Where must the project be located to be eligible?
The project must be located in the Western United States or in U.S. Territories as identified under the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended.
Is this opportunity open to projects nationwide?
No. Eligibility is tied to Reclamation's traditional service area and qualifying U.S. Territories, rather than nationwide eligibility.
Is state-level planning alignment required?
Yes. The desalination project must be included in a state-approved plan, and that plan must be submitted with the proposal before the application deadline.
What if the project is not included in a state-approved plan?
If the project is not included in a state-approved plan, an alternative pathway is available: federal participation must have been requested by the Governor of the state where the project is located.
What documentation is required to show the state-plan requirement or governor request is met?
The applicant must provide documentation with the application that is sufficient for Reclamation to verify that either (1) the project is included in a state-approved plan (and that plan is submitted with the proposal before the deadline), or (2) the Governor has requested federal participation.
How many awards were anticipated under this funding opportunity?
The notice anticipated making about four awards.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling listed in the notice is $18,000,000.
Which federal agency runs this grant program?
The program is run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation.
Is this a discretionary or formula grant?
It is a discretionary grant program.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The catalog listing provided is CFDA 15.504.
What activity category is this funding opportunity listed under?
The activity category is listed as Natural Resources.
Who is the intended audience for this opportunity?
While the eligibility field is labeled broadly, the notice indicates the central audience is project sponsors that can meet the feasibility review requirement, the location requirement, the state-plan or gubernatorial support requirement, and the non-federal cost-share requirement.
What was the application deadline?
The original closing date listed was July 27, 2018.
When was the notice created?
The notice shows it was created on May 30, 2018.
What project stages can be supported with this funding?
The opportunity states it supports projects ready to move forward with planning, design, and/or construction, as long as they meet the eligibility and readiness requirements described in the notice.
What water sources are specifically mentioned as eligible for desalination?
The notice specifically mentions ocean water and brackish water, including brackish groundwater, as eligible source waters for desalination projects.
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