Fiscal Year St. Lucie River Issues Team Surface Water Restoration Grant Package

Transcription

1 Fiscal Year St. Lucie River Issues Team Surface Water Restoration Grant Package Grant Guidelines.. 2 Grant Application & Statement of Work. 7

2 Fiscal Year St. Lucie River Issues Team Surface Water Restoration Grant Application Guidelines FUNDING APPLICATION AND DEADLINE Deadline: August 23, 2013 Copies: Submit to: Direct Inquiries to: 12 Hard Copies including back-up and maps. All copies three-hole punched. Kathy LaMartina South Florida Water Management District 3301 Gun Club Road West Palm Beach, FL Kathy LaMartina (561) Fax No. (561) Expected Award Date: October, 2014 PROJECT GUIDELINES & POLICIES Introduction The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) watershed, particularly the St. Lucie Estuary (SLE) portion, was drastically impacted by freshwater releases in 1998 due to El Niño generated rains. During the dry season, the level of Lake Okeechobee was the highest it had ever been and water managers decided to take extreme measures to bring down the water level of the Lake as quickly as possible in order to reduce threats to levee integrity. Freshwater releases of up to 7,500 cubic feet per second or 15,000-acre feet per day were made to the SLE for a period of almost 6 weeks. These maximum discharge releases resulted in severe ecological impacts to the SLE ecosystem. The community and media brought attention to the catastrophic event and demanded action towards restoring the damaged habitat, and preventing further releases that resulted in habitat and wildlife loss. The St. Lucie River Issue Team (SLRIT) was formed by the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force to document the existing condition of the SLE, describe the impacts of the discharge event, and develop an interim action plan with specific short term projects that could be implemented within five years to improve water quality in the SLE. The team is made up of a variety of federal, state and local governments in addition to agricultural and environmental interests. For more than a decade, the SLRIT has solicited, ranked and submitted to the Florida Legislature local turn-dirt projects focused on the restoration of the SLE and the Indian

3 River Lagoon (IRL). To date, the SLRIT has received $63.7 million from the Florida Legislature, $2 million from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and funded 108 projects in Martin and St. Lucie counties and their municipalities. Each funded project requires a 50% minimum match from a local sponsor and projects are ranked according to three basic criteria: bang for the buck, readiness and local commitment. We would like thank our local elected officials, the SFWMD and those that have participated in, or benefited by, our process. Governmental and not-for-profit organizations are encouraged to apply for Issues Team funding by: Carefully reviewing this document; Completing the attached application form & Statement of Work; Submitting twelve (12) hard copies of the application, 3-hole punched (do NOT staple) to Kathy LaMartina of the SFWMD by 3:00 pm August 23, 2013; ANY changes to applications need to be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the presentations; and Provide a 10 minute presentation describing or outlining your project to the voting members of the SLRIT on September 13, The SLRIT members will review and rank the submitted proposals. Funding will be provided to projects based on the order of ranking until all of the available funding has been encumbered. Agreements will be mailed to successful applicants for signature after the SFWMD Governing Board or Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) approval. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS Project Types The focus of the SLRIT is to fund turn dirt projects that will attenuate large quantities of freshwater and/or improve water quality such as stormwater retrofits or hydrologic restoration projects. Research projects should clearly show how they lead to improved storm water attenuation and/or water quality benefits through development of a Best Management Practice (BMP) or provide data, which will assist in the habitat restoration goals of the SLE and/or the IRL. Projects should clearly show how they will assist in the restoration goals of the SLE and/or IRL. Project Location Projects should be located in Martin or St. Lucie counties and must clearly benefit the SLE and/or the IRL. Projects can either be conducted immediately adjacent to the water body or within the watershed of the referenced water body, as long as they clearly benefit the receiving estuarine system. Cost-share Requirement

4 Applicants must be able to provide at least fifty percent (50%) of the total project cost. The applicant s cost-share match can be via direct (actual) contributions (e.g. expenses/equipment/material), funding from other grants, and/or in-kind services. Funds are dispersed as a reimbursement. Supporting documentation must indicate that the item has been paid and reflect dates of service and minimum cost share requirements. Withdrawal of Funding Application Applicants may withdraw their submitted application by notifying the SFWMD program manager in writing. Applications, once received, become the property of the SLRIT and will not be returned to the applicant. Funded Costs This program will pay up to 50% of total project costs for each qualifying turn dirt project. Indirect (administrative) costs are capped at 10%. Neither the SLRIT nor its representatives shall be liable for any expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, submission or presentation of the funding application. All information in the application shall be provided at no cost to the SLRIT. Disclosure Upon receipt, applications become public records and shall be subject to public disclosure consistent with Chapter 119, of the Florida Statutes. To invoke any exemption to disclosure provided by law, the applicant must provide specific statutory authority for the claimed exemption, identifying the data or other materials to be protected and stating the reasons why such exclusion from public disclosure is necessary. Should the applicant assert any such exemptions, the burden of establishing the exemption shall be upon the applicant. Rejection of Applications The SLRIT reserves the right to reject any and all applications including statements of work. Voting members of the SLRIT may waive minor irregularities contained in an application. A minor irregularity is a variation from the application process that does not affect the requested funding amount or does not give an applicant an advantage or benefit not enjoyed by other applicants, or does not adversely impact the interests of the SLRIT. Voting members may also re-advertise and solicit for other applications. The SLRIT further reserves the right to cancel this application process at any time. Award The applicant understands that this application does not constitute an agreement with the SLRIT. No agreement is binding or official until applications are reviewed and accepted by the established voting members of the SLRIT; statements of work, cost share details and payment and deliverable schedules are approved by either the SFWMD s Governing Board or the FDEP, and the parties duly execute an official agreement. Please be prepared to provide a dedicated staff person to work with the appropriate agency to

5 develop the grant contract and ensure compliance with the reporting conditions, including a follow-up presentation in front of the Issues Team detailing the results/performance of the funded project. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Applicants are encouraged to read all of the requirements before completing and submitting the application package to the SLRIT. Incomplete application packages will be declared ineligible and will not be sent to the voting members of the SLRIT for consideration. All applicants will be notified by of the final outcome after the voting members decision. When funding becomes available, agreements and/or contracts will be processed through the appropriate agency (SFWMD or FDEP). Presentations for all projects will take place on September 13, Exact times for individual presentations will be set prior to this date through the SFWMD program manager. Presentations will be no longer than 10 minutes and can utilize Microsoft PowerPoint or other visual aides. APPLICATION REVIEW CRITERIA Completed applications received within the specified time frame will be reviewed and ranked by the voting members. All qualifying projects will be ranked and projects will be funded in order of ranking until all funds are encumbered. The criteria used to rank the projects are provided below: Total Points Criteria Guidelines for Scoring

6 20 Benefits to IRL Evaluate the quantifiable restoration targets of the project (e.g. will it reduce nutrient load to the estuary, increase shoreline habitat in the estuary, improve water quality & timing of freshwater to the estuary) 20 Need Evaluate the need of the project. Does it help resolve a recurring problem (e.g. water quality violation, drainage & flood control) 10 Location Evaluate project location and potential influence of a project s location on benefits to the SLE and/or the IRL. Project locations directly influencing the water body will receive higher scores than those indirectly influencing the water body. 10 Cost Share Ratio Evaluate the extent to which the applicant demonstrates the ability to provide at least 50% of the total project cost. Projects with higher cost-share ratios will receive higher scores. 10 Readiness Evaluate the degree to which all necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained and evaluate how well the applicant has documented the project schedule and provided assurances for meeting the project schedule. 10 Past Performance Evaluate whether past contracts have been completed and/or current projects are on schedule. Has the money been spent? 10 Local Commitment Evaluate whether the project is included within a local or regional water management plan. Projects listed in a local or regional plan will get a higher score. 10 Other Evaluate any Unique Aspects of the project (e.g. historical, archeological or cultural significance, high visibility) and how this project affects the Big Picture. Fiscal Year St. Lucie River Issues Team Surface Water Restoration Grant Application & Statement of Work Project Title: Project Location: (map establishing relevancy to specific waterbody (required) City and County of Project Location (required) Section, Township, Range (required)

7 GPS Coordinates (required) Name of Water Body Benefiting from the Restoration Project: (Please choose ONE water body) St. Lucie River Estuary Indian River Lagoon Project Description: 1. Project Sponsor (Local governmental entity, including contact information, a city, county, 298 district, or water management district, etc.) Entity Name: Address: Contact Person/Title: Phone Number: Address: 2. Project Type a. Check project type from list below (check all that apply): Water Quality Water Storage Habitat Restoration Research b. If the Project is a Research Project, provide reasonable assurance that the research is needed to produce a tool for and/or will lead to, restoration of the water body. c. Project description. 3. Restoration Targets Please list the quantifiable targets of the project. If there are none, please explain why. 4. Need for Project a. What are the benefits of this project? (check all that apply) Water Quality Drainage Flood Control Resolve Violation Resolve Recurring Problem Habitat Restoration Other: b. Please Explain: 5. Inclusion in Plan

8 The project is identified in the following approved local, state or federal water management/restoration/master plan(s) Funding Plan & Schedule for Completion a. State Appropriations Requested for this submittal FY : b. What is the current status of the project? c. Can this project (or project phase) be completed within 2 years? d. Can the requested funds be expended within 24 months of contract execution? e. If project cannot be completed within 2 years or the project is one phase of a multiphased project, describe the work to be completed each fiscal year, through project completion (Add more years if needed): FY FY FY f. Are permits required for this project? If so where are you in the permit process? g. If your project has Permits, please provide permit numbers. h. Total Project Cost (Initiation to completion--does not include operating costs): i. Project History: Previous State Appropriations received for this Project and Amount of Previous Appropriations Spent: Year of Funding Estimate d Project Cost Issues Team Funding Issues Team Funds Expended Remaining Issues Team Funds Match Matching Funds Expended

9 Matching Funds a) Secured and Reasonably Anticipated Matching Funds to be provided minimum 50%: (sources and amounts, add more years/sources if needed) Fiscal Year: Source: Status: Amount: b) Do you understand that funds expended before execution of the contract may not be recoverable? Yes No 8. Contract Compliance a) Do you understand the Reporting Requirements of accepting State Funds including the submittal of quarterly progress reports and other criteria as required by the contract? Yes No

10 b) If another group or agency is responsible for accounting, are they prepared to report expenses to you so that you are capable of submitting a quarterly report on the specified dates and comply with your contract? Yes No c) Do you understand that this funding will result in a contract for a deliverable, which is a reimbursable contract where payment is contingent on receiving the deliverable plus documentation of the cost to produce the deliverable, and that payment is made to the vendor based on actual cost documentation once the deliverable is received? Yes No d) Are you prepared to submit backup documentation with each invoice indicating vendor costs and cost share for work completed? Yes No e) Do you understand that data regarding performance on previous contracts is furnished to Issues Team members and it is part of the evaluation criteria? Yes No f) Do you understand that the Issues Team may request you to give a presentation on the findings, results and/or performance of your completed project? Are you willing to come back before the Team and provide them this information? Yes No 9. Signature of Authorized Representative (Mayor, City Manager, Chief Financial Officer, etc.) Must be Signed Name Title Date

11 EXHIBIT A Your Project Name Here (Sample Cover) STATEMENT OF WORK * Items listed are required 1.0 INTRODUCTION 2.0 OBJECTIVES 3.0 LOCATION OF PROJECT 4.0 SCOPE OF WORK 5.0 WORK BREAKDOWN STRUCTURE Exhibit B PAYMENT & DELIVERABLE SCHEDULE (attached)

12 EXHIBIT B PAYMENT & DELIVERABLE SCHEDULE If the total consideration for this AGREEMENT is subject to multi-year funding allocations, funding for each applicable fiscal year of this AGREEMENT will be subject to Governing Board budgetary appropriation. In the event the DISTRICT does not approve funding for any subsequent fiscal year, this AGREEMENT shall terminate upon expenditure of the current funding, notwithstanding other provisions in this AGREEMENT to the contrary. The recipient shall invoice the District following submission of each deliverable in the amounts indicated below. The recipient shall be responsible for submitting Quarterly Reports starting after the first quarter following contract execution. The recipient shall be responsible for all aspects of managing and completing the project and described in Exhibit C. Payment of invoices is a reimbursement of 50% of the total costs to complete each deliverable with a not-to-exceed maximum and contingent upon the partnering agency providing documentation with each invoice of a minimum 50% cost share and the deliverables as described in the Payment and Delivery Schedule. TASK DELIVERABLE SCHEDULE (time from contract execution) MATCH ($) NOT-TO- EXCEED PAYMENT ($) Total Payment