Water, Sewer & Stormwater FAQs

• A: Project Delivery
• A2: Tier II Review after being awarded are also PD.

No, according to Iowa Code chapter 28E, not required if performed by a COG.

Yes

This is dependent upon the program applied for. Section 106 and some ERR processes can always start prior to the Application, and this can result in higher scores for readiness. Upper Story and other rehabilitation programs require a 2-tier ERR and have a different process to follow:

• “Responsible Entity” (the Applicant UGLG) completes an initial environmental review at a broad or programmatic level, followed by site ‑specific environmental clearance at a later stage:
• The first tier (draft ERR – unsigned, unpublished) evaluates the proposed project (typically a rehabilitation program of some kind) and the types of activities to be undertaken and identifies applicable environmental laws and authorities that can be addressed without knowing the specific project sites.
• The second tier is completed once individual properties are identified and addresses site specific environmental conditions—such as historic preservation, floodplain status, contamination, and other property specific environmental conditions— ‑specific environmental conditions—such as historic preservation, floodplain status, contamination, and other property‑level factors—before any rehabilitation work or choice limiting‑limiting actions occur.

If you attended the Third Thursdays prior to September 1, 2025, you will not be required to take the Basic Training Course. However, if you started attending on or any time after September 1st, you will be required to. Notifications and instructions will be sent out soon to start that process.   

Q: I have current projects who we are moving forward and am doing my contractor clearance checks on possible contractors and subs. I know that a SAM.gov registration isn’t required and a UEI is. What if I can’t find an active UEI account on SAM.gov? I typically do an entity search prior to the exclusion search. Some will note that they don’t have a full SAM.gov registration however they do have an active UEI#. If it does not show that they have an active UEI, however the engineer is able to provide the UEI #, would that work?

A: This is a common problem, but NO - If an entity does not appear in SAM.gov with an active UEI record, simply providing a UEI number is not sufficient for contractor clearance. IEDA’s Contractor Clearance Policy requires two separate checks for all vendors:

• 1) Verification of a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
• 2) Confirmation that the entity is not debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded, as documented in SAM.gov:
  • SAM.gov entity search (business entity name) and
    • SAM.gov exclusion search (both biz entity level & Owner)

A UEI must be verifiable in SAM.gov for IEDA to complete the required exclusion / debarment review. Even entities that are not fully registered must still have a basic SAM.gov entity record to be issued a UEI and be searchable in SAM for exclusion (debarment) purposes. If a vendor provides a UEI number, but does not appear in SAM.gov under an entity search or exclusion search, then one of the following is likely true:

• The entity has not completed the SAM entity registration process,
• The record is inactive, incomplete, or incorrectly entered, or
• The UEI provided is invalid or associated with a different legal entity name

In these situations, IEDA cannot accept the UEI number alone. The vendor must create or update their SAM.gov entity record, at least to the level needed to obtain a UEI, and be searchable in SAM.gov. Also, the vendor must ensure the legal business name and address match what is being used for the contract. Once the entity appears in SAM.gov, or is able to provide proof of registration confirmation and the UEI can be verified, IEDA can complete the required exclusion check.

You can find the instructions on how to conduct an LMI survey and forms on the CDBG Program Guidance and Related Resources webpage.

Q: For the evidence of local match and this new commitment of funds - what kind of evidence are you looking for with SRF and with WWTFAP funding? Those sources of funds are not currently aligned with the CDBG app deadlines for 2026.

A: Please refer to the revised WSS Program Guide (929.97 KB) .pdf

Q: I have two communities who need income surveys completed for the upcoming Water/Sewer/Stormwater rounds. Both were completed in the last year to year and a half. New income guidelines have been updated, with higher numbers vs lower numbers. Which means if I were to do a new income survey, the community would still meet the LMI threshold….do I still need to do a new survey?

A: Generally, income surveys are good for the current calendar year plus 2 out years. If the recent ACS data indicates that the LMI values have increased in the % of LMI population to be retained above 51%, then a new income survey is not required. If the new ACS data has been revised to indicate that the LMI % has decreased below 51%, IEDA would need to review the data and compare the prior income survey to consider factors such as the time span between the income survey / ACS data revisions, ACS’ cited the margin of error %, the size of the community, etc. In short, for such a circumstance, please contact us to schedule a consultation directly on the matter so we can provide a more accurate and informed opinion.