Application Notes:

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on March 3, 2025.

Prior to application submission, applicants are encouraged to contact the program staff, using the information provided in the Contact section.

Applications must be submitted online at www.ecivis.com/grants.gov. Hard-copy, faxed, or emailed submissions will not be accepted.

Applications must include:

• SF 424
• SF 424A
• SF LLL
• RD 400-1
• Project proposal:
  • Project summary
  • Needs assessment
  • Project goals and objectives
  • Project narrative
• Work plan
• Budget and budget justification
• Evidence of legal existence
• List of board of directors and officers
• Documentation of tax-exempt status
• Audit
• Financial statements
• Other organizational documents (if applicable)
• Additional information, such as letters of support, resolutions, and policies (if applicable)

Application file names may not exceed 50 characters.

The following are required in order to submit an application:

• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number
• SAM (System for Award Management) registration

Applicants may obtain a UEI number and verify or renew SAM registration status at www.ecivis.com/sam.

Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Degree of expertise and experience in promoting the safe and productive use of an individually owned household water well system, wastewater treatment system, and groundwater (30 points)
• Degree of expertise and successful experience in making and servicing loans to individuals (20 points)
• Percentage of matching contributions (20 points)
• Extent to which the work plan demonstrates a well-thought-out, comprehensive approach to accomplishing the objectives of this program; clearly defines who will be served by the project; and appears likely to be sustainable (20 points)
• Extent to which goals and objectives are clearly defined, tied to the need as defined in the needs assessment, and are measurable (10 points)
• Lowest ratio of projected administrative expenses to loans advanced (10 points)
• Administrator’s discretion (10 points):
  • Creating more and better market opportunities
  • Advancing racial justice, place-based equity, and opportunity
  • Addressing climate change and environmental justice

Refer to pages 9-10 of the NOFA file for additional information regarding the program's priority considerations and application evaluation criteria. 

Refer to the NOFA and Guide files for additional application information.

Match Notes:

Applicants must provide at least 10 percent of project costs via cash contributions. Applicants that provide more than the minimum required match will be awarded additional points based on the match percentage during the application evaluation process, as detailed on page 11 of the Guide file. Matching funds may originate with the applicant or a third party.

Matching requirements only apply to awards funds that are then used as revolving funds, and do not apply to subawards.

In-kind contributions may not be used as match.

Funding Notes:

An estimated $5 million is available to support awards through this program.

Funding will be provided on a reimbursement basis.

Awards are anticipated to be announced on September 30, 2025.

The project period will begin on October 1, 2025, and end on September 30, 2026. 

Administrative expenses incurred in any calendar year are limited to 10 percent of the total amount of the DWS loans made by the applicant during the same period. Applicants that propose lower ratios of project administrative expenses to loans advanced will be awarded additional points during the application evaluation process.

Funds may not be used for expenses incurred in developing applications or pre-award administrative expenses.

For FY 2024, six awards were issued through this program. Refer to the Award file for details.