26-422DNR-WTRRE-B-51253 | OWR Coastal Management Communications Update

This solicitation, titled "OWR Coastal Management Communications Update" and identified as 26-422DNR-WTRRE-B-51253, is a cooperative agreement administered by the NOAA Office for Coastal Management Program in Illinois under the Coastal Zone Management Act. It involves updating coastal management communications as part of a federally supported state-level initiative based in Springfield, IL, with a period of performance from August 1, 2024, through December 31, 2026. The agreement emphasizes compliance with statutory and administrative requirements including separate accounting for specific CZMA sections (306, 309, and 310), adherence to NEPA for any project modifications, and Buy America Act provisions mandating domestic sourcing for construction materials. The contract is structured as financial assistance rather than a traditional procurement, with total project funding ranging between approximately $2.6 million in federal funds to just over $5.2 million when including non-federal matching funds. Key performance expectations include submission of annual Single Audit reports, tangible property reporting, and coordination with NOAA on project milestones such as the Section 306A questionnaire approval before expenditure of funds. The cooperative agreement requires compliance with a variety of environmental, safety, and regulatory standards, including the 2010 ADA accessibility guidelines for construction projects, safety certifications for SCUBA diving operations, and federal regulations governing unmanned aircraft system use. Recipients must maintain detailed financial records, refrain from interchanging funds across CZMA sections, and provide progress and financial reports semi-annually. International travel funded by the award must adhere to the Fly America Act. The award mandates acknowledgment of NOAA sponsorship on all products and communications developed under the project. Inspection and acceptance of materials are managed on-site, focusing on compliance with domestic content requirements outlined under the Buy America preference. Overall, the award integrates substantial NOAA involvement alongside state implementation, with strong emphasis on regulatory compliance, transparency in funding use, and alignment with federal guidelines for financial management and environmental stewardship.