U.S. EPA is offering contractor support assistance to states and other agencies planning to transition to the new database that will support safe drinking water programs. The deadline for states to apply for assistance has been extended to August 19. Agencies can apply for transition support assistance using the application available at this link. 

The new database, known as the Drinking Water Federal State & Tribal Information Exchange System (DW-SFTIES), is still under active development. EPA is making resources available to help states develop transition plans, strategies for preparing and moving data to DW-SFTIES, and plans for supporting data access and analysis tools that will need to connect to DW-SFTIES.

EPA strongly encourages each primacy agency to submit a transition contract support application now, regardless of when your agency plans to transition to DW-SFTIES. Transition activities will require significant staff support and funds. If agencies wait to estimate these staffing and funding needs, it may increase the difficulty of securing resources when they are needed. Submitting your request now also helps the EPA and contractor transition team plan for future contract support staffing needs.

In the 2-3 months following the August 19th application deadline, the EPA and contractor transition support team will schedule communications with each primacy agency to clarify the support request and draft a schedule. Scheduling priority will be based on the anticipated transition date of each agency.

States may direct questions about this assistance to Justin Wright of EPA.