FOA-Rural Utility Service (RUS); November 4, 2020

 

Agency

US Department of Agriculture

 

Description

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Technical Assistance and Training for Innovative Regional Wastewater Treatment Solutions (TAT/RWTS) Grant Pilot Program is to assist communities with wastewater systems. Qualified regional consortiums will receive TAT/RWTS grant funds to identify and evaluate economically feasible, innovative regional solutions to wastewater treatment concerns for historically impoverished communities in areas which have had difficulty installing traditional wastewater treatment systems due to soil conditions. Grants are for wastewater-related technical assistance, including such services as feasibility studies, preliminary design assistance and supervision, oversight, or training for the development of an application for financial assistance.  The goal of the TAT/RWTS Grant Pilot Program is to find regional solutions to longstanding wastewater treatment problems where soil conditions make traditional wastewater treatment ineffective and economically unfeasible. Grant funds must be used to identify and evaluate economically feasible innovative regional solutions to wastewater treatment concerns for historically impoverished rural communities in areas which have had difficulty installing traditional wastewater treatment systems due to soil conditions.

 

Grantees will be expected to provide the Agency with a detailed report to include the area to be served, the issues with the present method of wastewater discharge, the alternatives and innovative solutions to the wastewater issue, the long-term cost and effect of the solution, the affordability including possible funding sources, potential treatment, staff training needs, and lifecycle cost analysis.  Eligible entities would include a consortium of regional institutions of higher education, academic health and research institutes, or economic development entities located in the region identified to be served that have experience in addressing these issues in the region. The consortium must include a regional university, or the proposed scope of work must include coordinating with a regional university, to solve untreated raw sewage issues with innovative technologies and strategic management and regulatory models.

 

Announcement Number

TAT-RWTS-PILOT

 

Closing Date

November 4, 2020

 

Link to Full Announcement

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=328604

 

Contact Information

Lois East

660-492-4268

lois.east@usda.gov