BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW (BIL) - SAN FRANCISCO BAY WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT FUND, FISCAL YEAR 2023 | EPA I R9 SFBWQIF 23 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA I R9 SFBWQIF 23 01

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund (SFBWQIF) opportunity for fiscal year 2023 is an EPA discretionary funding competition (EPA-I-R9-SFBWQIF-23-01) designed to support projects that measurably improve water quality and environmental conditions in the San Francisco Bay and its watersheds, with a strong emphasis on benefits for underserved communities. The program is framed around producing clear, quantifiable environmental and community outcomes, especially in places experiencing disproportionate environmental burdens and increasing climate-related stressors such as flooding, sea level rise, extreme storms, and related water quality impacts. The overall intent is to improve both the ecological health of the Bay and the well-being of communities that are most affected by pollution and climate risks.

Funding is provided through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and awarded by EPA under Section 320 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1330). For FY 2023, EPA indicated roughly $5 million available total, with individual awards expected to fall between about $200,000 and $1,000,000, and an estimated 15 awards. The funding instruments include grants and cooperative agreements, meaning some projects may involve a closer working relationship with EPA depending on the structure of the award. A notable feature of this BIL-funded round is that there is no match requirement, which can make it more accessible to smaller organizations and community-based applicants that may not have the capacity to provide non-federal cost share.

Projects must take place within the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area region: Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Francisco. EPA notes that a broad range of entities may be eligible to apply, with eligibility described in the full announcement (Section III.A.). In practice, this type of EPA watershed and estuary funding often attracts applications from local governments, special districts, tribes, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and other regional partners, but applicants need to confirm their fit under the specific eligibility language in the solicitation.

Applications are expected to be complete and specific, including a thorough description of the project scope, a detailed budget, and a clear articulation of environmental results. EPA plans to evaluate proposals using the review criteria in Section V of the announcement, which typically focuses on factors such as alignment with program priorities, technical approach, feasibility and readiness, community benefits (particularly for underserved communities), measurable outputs and outcomes, and the applicant's capacity to successfully manage and report on the award. The stated focus on "measurable positive impacts" signals that EPA is looking for well-defined deliverables and credible methods for tracking improvements, not just general plans or aspirational goals.

Key timing details from the notice include an original closing date of June 29, 2023, with the instruction to consult Section IV of the funding opportunity announcement for any additional submission deadline information or requirements. The assistance listing is under CFDA (Assistance Listing) number 66.126, and the opportunity category is discretionary. Overall, this solicitation is positioned as a targeted Bay Area investment that uses BIL funding to accelerate water quality improvements while prioritizing projects that directly advance environmental justice and climate resilience outcomes in communities that have historically been under-resourced.

• The Environmental Protection Agency in the infrastructure investment and jobs act (iija) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW (BIL) - SAN FRANCISCO BAY WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT FUND, FISCAL YEAR 2023" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.126.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 17, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 29, 2023 See Section IV of funding opportunity announcement for closing date information.. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for EPA I R9 SFBWQIF 23 01

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