Request for Proposals
The Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership (PREP) invites proposals from municipalities, watershed groups, and partnering organizations within the Piscataqua Region Watershed for projects resulting in achievement or significant progress toward achievement of one or more of the proposed actions for their community identified in the 2020 Piscataqua Region Environmental Planning Assessment (PREPA), planning or regulatory projects to protect natural resources and/or water quality, or projects related to climate vulnerability, adaptation, and/or preparedness. Visit PREPA to review results by municipality from the 2020 assessment.
PREP is one of 28 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Estuary Programs, a joint local/state/federal program established under the Clean Water Act to protect and enhance nationally significant estuarine resources – including the Great Bay and Hampton-Seabrook Estuaries. As a watershed-based organization, PREP and its grant funding opportunities support the 52 municipalities across the Piscataqua Region Watershed (Appendix A). Funds for this grant opportunity are provided by EPA under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the grant program timeline assumes no disruption to the anticipated funding cycle.
For 2024-2025 projects, eligible applicants may submit proposals requesting up to $25,000 in grant funding. A total of $100,000 is available for projects for 2024-2025. Applicants may request funding between $5,000 and $25,000 per project. Applicants are required to budget a minimum of 15% for community engagement. For example, a project seeking $25,000 in grant funding must allocate at least $3,750 of grant funding toward community engagement. Applicants must outline how the project will advance diversity, justice, and inclusion as part of the application. Contact Community Engagement Manager, Abigail Lyon, if you’d like to discuss this requirement further.
ELIGIBILITY
Municipalities, watershed groups, and organizations partnering with one or more municipalities in the Piscataqua Region Watershed (Appendix A). Watershed groups and organizations may submit more than one application if partnering with more than one municipality.
Example projects and average costs are available in the RFP. If you’d like to discuss a project idea, please contact Abigail Lyon (Abigail.Lyon@unh.edu or (603) 862-3729).
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TIMELINE
February 26, 2024: Request for Proposals released by PREP.
February 26-April 26, 2024: Municipal officials (e.g., Planning Boards and/or Conservation Commissions) meet with the consultant(s) to determine which project a municipality wants to pursue. Complete the application, review, and sign off on grant requirement documents (9 weeks).
April 26, 2024: Proposal Deadline - submit a project application (PDF) by email (Abigail.Lyon@unh.ed) to PREP by 4 PM EST.
April 29-May 15, 2024: Proposal review and selection process (2.5 weeks).
May 16, 2024: Awards announced.
June 3, 2024: Projects begin.
PROJECT TIMEFRAME
Projects should be 12 to 18 months and are expected to begin June 3, 2024, and conclude no later than December 12, 2025. This timeline assumes no disruption to the anticipated funding cycle.
PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
- Proposal summary form—Contains succinct information about the proposed project. PREP template must be used (Appendix B).
- Project budget form—Submit a Project Budget Form (Appendix C). Identify your qualified consultant for this project.
An electronic copy (PDF) must be received by Abigail Lyon via email (Abigail.Lyon@unh.edu) no later than 4 PM EST on Friday, April 26, 2024. Faxed proposals will not be accepted.
Direct questions to Abigail Lyon, PREP Community Engagement Manager, at (603) 862-3729 or Abigail.Lyon@unh.edu. Questions and answers will be shared online until April 26.
Photo credit: Jerry Monkman.