Description
The State of Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection is offering a competitive grant to eligible public agencies for the development of watershed‑based plans (WBPs) aimed at restoring or protecting non‑point‑source‑impaired water bodies. Applicants must submit a single‑file application via the Vendor Self‑Service portal by the May 6, 2026 deadline, and the contract period runs from October 2026 through December 2028. The award pool is capped at $225,000 and the solicitation emphasizes a robust work plan, qualifications, and cost competitiveness. Sub‑granting or procurement of services is permitted provided federal procurement rules are followed.
• Eligible entities: municipalities, counties, towns, regional planning agencies, conservation districts, or other public agencies.
• Scope of work: develop a full nine‑element watershed‑based plan (or an assessment report) for a priority watershed listed by the Maine DEP, including data quality plans, stakeholder outreach, and a post‑plan implementation capacity statement.
• Required deliverables: assessment report/WBP, QAPP/SAP (if new sampling is planned), watershed‑survey implementation plans, and a final report by contract end.
• Evaluation: 65 % work‑plan score, 25 % cost proposal, 10 % qualifications (total 100 pts).
• Funding may be passed through sub‑grants or procured competitively; all procurement must be fair and comply with federal guidelines.