Study the Efficacy of UV Light to Treat Aquatic Vegetation in an Unlined Canal | BOR CGB 20 N004

Opportunity Information: Apply for BOR CGB 20 N004

This grant opportunity, titled "Study the Efficacy of UV Light to Treat Aquatic Vegetation in an Unlined Canal" (Funding Opportunity Number BOR CGB 20 N004), is a Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation notice describing Reclamation's intent to fund a specific research effort through a cooperative agreement. The activity falls under CFDA 15.560 and is supported by the research agreement authority provided in Public Law 111-11 (Secure Water Act authorities, Section 9509). The work is framed as research and development within natural resources and science and technology, focused on managing aquatic vegetation that can interfere with canal operations.

The planned award is a single cooperative agreement with an estimated total federal funding amount of 331,208 dollars, with the full 331,208 dollars to be provided by Reclamation in Fiscal Year 2020. The award ceiling is also listed as 331,208 dollars, and the opportunity anticipates one award. Although the listing includes general eligibility language, the notice makes clear that Reclamation intends to issue the agreement specifically to the University of Nevada, Reno, and it emphasizes that the announcement is a notice of intent to award rather than an open, competitive solicitation.

The core purpose of the project is to evaluate whether Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light can be used as an effective treatment method for aquatic vegetation in unlined canals. In practical terms, the research is aimed at understanding both if UV-C works and how best to apply it in a real canal environment where vegetation, water conditions, and canal materials may influence treatment performance. The objectives are laid out as a set of applied research questions: first, determining the overall efficacy of UV-C for treating aquatic vegetation in unlined canals; second, identifying the optimal timing of treatment during an aquatic macrophyte's growth cycle, recognizing that plants may respond differently depending on growth stage; third, developing a relationship between UV exposure time and macrophyte density in an unlined canal, which would help translate treatment duration into expected vegetation control under different infestation levels; and fourth, measuring how quickly vegetation grows back after UV treatments at different exposure times, which is essential for estimating how often treatments might need to be repeated and what level of maintenance effort would be required.

Administratively, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary and uses a cooperative agreement instrument, which typically implies substantial federal involvement or collaboration during the project rather than a hands-off grant. The notice also states that the government's decision not to compete the assistance action is made under Departmental Manual 505 DM 2, paragraph 2.14(B)(4), and that this determination is solely within the government's discretion. The posting date information indicates it was created on April 16, 2020, with an original closing date of April 29, 2020, which aligns with how notices of intent to award are often posted for transparency even when they are not seeking proposals from other applicants.

For anyone needing clarification, the notice directs questions to the Reclamation grants management contact listed: Christina Munoz, Grants Management Specialist, reachable by email at cmunoz@usbr.gov. The announcement also references the Notice of Intent to Award (BOR-CGB-20-N004) for additional details, suggesting that further technical or administrative specifics may be contained in the associated notice documentation.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Study the Efficacy of UV Light to Treat Aquatic Vegetation in an Unlined Canal" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.560.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 16, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 29, 2020. (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 $331,208.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for BOR CGB 20 N004

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