International Affairs Program

NOW OPEN —Territorial Domestic Water Supplies Program

Request for Proposals: Funding and Technical Assistance Opportunity for U.S. Territories

The Bureau of Reclamation has announced the availability of up to $11 million as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for projects to provide domestic water supplies to U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands for projects that provide domestic water supplies to disadvantaged communities or households that do not have reliable access to potable water. See below for more information.

Note: Bureau of Reclamation International Affairs has been delegated responsibility to manage Reclamation's programs with the U.S. territories.

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) was established in 1902 to help foster economic development in the 17 Western States by developing and building water supply projects. Today, Reclamation is a contemporary water management agency with numerous programs, initiatives, and activities that help meet water needs and balance competing uses of water in the West.

Reclamation has also been active internationally and is known worldwide for its expertise in dam safety and construction, water resources management, desalination, and sedimentation. From its inception, Reclamation has shared its expertise with other countries and has had a comprehensive International Affairs Program featuring activities such as technical assistance, technical training, visitor programs, technology exchange, and seminars/workshops.

The International Affairs Program plays an important role in managing Reclamation’s domestic program and in meeting the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI) international obligations and initiatives, and has proven to be an important resource in supporting U.S. foreign policy throughout the world.

The Native American and International Affairs Office in the Commissioner's Office serves as the central coordination point for both the Native American Affairs Program and the International Affairs Program, is the main point of contact for Reclamation international activities, and is responsible for providing overall policy and guidance on international issues and foreign travel.

Mission Statement and Objectives:  The International Affairs Program mission is to coordinate international activities for the Bureau of Reclamation and manage training and technical assistance programs in support of U.S. foreign policy goals.  Program objectives are to:
  • Further U.S. foreign policy
  • Enhance public health and promote sustainable development in developing countries
  • Obtain improved technology for the benefit of Reclamation water users and the U.S.
  • Provide learning opportunities for Reclamation staff


With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), Reclamation will carry out a Domestic Water Supplies for Disadvantaged Communities Program in the U.S. Territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (Territories) to support the planning, design, or construction of water projects to provide domestic water supplies to communities or households that do not have reliable access to domestic water supplies.

Reclamation has determined that $11 million of the funds authorized by the IRA will be made available to the U.S. Territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (Territories) for projects that provide domestic water supplies to disadvantaged communities or households that do not have reliable access to potable water. The $11 million is intended for equal distribution among the Territories and that each Territory be allotted a maximum of $2.75 million.

Reclamation is offering two options for Territories to benefit from the Domestic Water Supply Projects program:

  • Financial Assistance: Applicants can apply through a grants process to receive funding for the planning, design, and construction of domestic water supply projects. The attached Financial Assistance Announcement provides information on program objectives and priorities, project and applicant eligibility requirements, and a template for project proposals. Proposals for financial assistance will be accepted until September 22, 2024.
  • Technical Assistance: Applicants can request that funding be used by Reclamation to provide technical assistance. The attached Technical Assistance Announcement provides instructions for initiating a request for technical assistance. Technical assistance arrangements do not entail a transfer of funds to the applicant and Reclamation cannot provide any construction support under this option. Letters of Interest (LOI) requesting Technical Assistance will be accepted until August 25, 2024.

    • Territories may choose to accept funding as financial assistance, technical assistance provided by Reclamation, or a combination of the two options. The combined funding requested across all proposals submitted by a Territory under this opportunity cannot exceed $2.75 million.



    The primary purpose of the Territorial Domestic Water Supplies Projects program is to support projects for domestic water supplies to existing households or communities in the Territories that do not have reliable access to domestic water supplies. Domestic water supplies are for human use and consumption. Domestic water supplies for communities include a communal benefit (e.g., school, hospital, nursing home, etc.).




    Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Section 50231. Domestic Water Supply Projects
    "Bureau of Reclamation Domestic Water Supply Projects. In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, for fiscal year 2022, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $550,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 2031, for grants, contracts, or financial assistance agreements for disadvantaged communities (identified according to criteria adopted by the Commissioner of Reclamation) in a manner as determined by the Commissioner of Reclamation for up to 100 percent of the cost of the planning, design, or construction of water projects the primary purpose of which is to provide domestic water supplies to communities or households that do not have reliable access to domestic water supplies in a State or territory described in the first section of the Act of June 17, 1902 (43 U.S.C. 391; 32 Stat. 388, chapter 1093)."

    Executive Order 14008
    Affirms the advancement of environmental justice for all through the development and funding of programs that benefit disadvantaged communities, and establishes the Justice40 Initiative which sets the goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, water and wastewater infrastructure, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.




    Financial Assistance - Proposals for financial assistance will be accepted until September 22, 2024.

    Technical Assistance - Letters of Interest in technical assistance will be accepted until August 25, 2024.

    • Territorial Domestic Water Supply Projects - Technical Assistance Announcement (PDF; 708 KB)

    Upcoming Seminars and Workshops

    Event Title:  2025 Safety Evaluation of Existing Dams – International Technical Seminar and Study Tour
    Event details coming soon!
    Date(s):  Tentative for June 2025.

    For more Information on upcoming seminars and workshops, please visit:Technical Seminars and Workshops (this link is also in the left-hand navigation column)


    Video

    Reclamation Laboratories—Working With Worldwide Customers


Last Updated: 5/24/24