R16AP00201 Mod 005 - NTUA Liaison O&M | BOR UC 20 N002

Opportunity Information: Apply for BOR UC 20 N002

R16AP00201 Mod 005 - NTUA Liaison O&M is a continuation grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, focused on supporting community development through reliable drinking water operations. The funding is tied to the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) and is intended to strengthen operations and maintenance capacity at the Cutter Lateral Water Treatment Plant by helping NTUA recruit, hire, and train a highly qualified operator. In practical terms, the project centers on making sure the plant has the right certified personnel in place to keep treatment and distribution systems running safely, consistently, and in compliance with state regulatory requirements.

The grant specifically supports an O&M Liaison role that will assist NTUA with the hiring and training process for a Class 4 water treatment plant operator. NTUA is responsible for soliciting and filling the position, while the liaison function is aimed at ensuring the recruitment and onboarding steps lead to a competent operator who can serve as the operator in charge under the facility permit. The qualifications are clearly defined: the operator must hold a New Mexico Level 4 drinking water certification, and that certification must meet all applicable regulatory standards for the operator in charge under New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Permit NM0031194 for the Cutter Lateral Water Treatment Plant. This emphasis on certification and permit compliance signals that a key objective of the award is operational reliability paired with regulatory accountability.

The responsibilities described for the role reflect the complexity of a modern, automated treatment facility. The operator is expected to operate and maintain an electronically controlled, automated water treatment plant and to handle a wide range of mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation tasks. That includes troubleshooting, calibration, and maintenance of core infrastructure such as pumps, valves, piping, and mechanical sensors, as well as monitoring and servicing gauges and flowmeters that track performance and water movement through the system. The operator also needs to maintain motors, gear boxes, and circuit breakers, along with backup and power-protection systems like an emergency generator and an uninterruptable power supply. On the controls side, the plant relies on automation components including a programmable logic controller (PLC) and proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers, plus electronic sensors and probes used for process monitoring and treatment adjustments. The scope extends to wiring, fans, compressors, and power supplies, underscoring that the job blends treatment operations with hands-on electromechanical and controls maintenance.

From an administrative standpoint, this opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number BOR UC 20 N002 and CFDA 15.519, and it is structured as a grant with continuation status rather than a brand-new competitive solicitation. Eligibility is limited to federally recognized Native American tribal governments, aligning with the NTUA context and the federal program purpose. The posting shows an expected single award, with an award ceiling of $144,332, indicating a targeted, project-specific funding level designed to support staffing and training outcomes rather than large-scale construction. The opportunity was created on April 13, 2020, with an original closing date of April 27, 2020, reflecting a defined application window typical of continuation or modification actions tied to ongoing work.

Overall, the grant can be understood as a workforce-and-operations support action aimed at protecting drinking water service by ensuring the Cutter Lateral Water Treatment Plant is operated by a properly credentialed, permit-compliant Class 4 operator who can manage both the treatment process and the sophisticated automated and electrical systems that keep the plant running.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "R16AP00201 Mod 005 - NTUA Liaison O&M" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.519.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 13, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 27, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $144,332.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized).

Apply for BOR UC 20 N002

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