Cutting Red Tape and Reducing Consumer Costs at Reclamation Construction Projects

On November 20, 2025, the Secretary of the Interior signed Secretary’s Order 3446, “Cutting Red Tape and Reducing Consumer Costs at Reclamation Construction Projects.” This Order initiates a transformative shift in how federally funded Reclamation projects are delivered across the West.

This partner-led model is designed to:

  • Accelerate project delivery
  • Reduce administrative burdens
  • Lower costs for water and power users
  • Maintain federal oversight and accountability

Reclamation is actively implementing the Order and will be working to modify contracts to allow qualified partners to manage portions of the procurement process on some federally-funded projects. This partner-led approach is designed to speed up project delivery and improve efficiency while maintaining federal oversight. 

SAMPLE TRANSFERRED WORKS CONTRACT

This sample transferred works contract (PDF, 200KB) is one instrument that Reclamation can use to transfer the procurement function to qualified non-federal entities.

SAMPLE CONTRACT TERM for TRANSFERRING PROCUREMENT

This sample contract term (PDF, 40KB) shows the terminology Reclamation can use to incorporate into new or existing contracts.

Stakeholders — including tribes, local agencies, and O&M partners — are encouraged to review Secretarial Order 3446, evaluate whether they believe they have relevant projects where procurement can be accelerated and statutory authority exists, and submit proposals. To submit your project or for questions, please contact: SO3446@usbr.gov

Separately, Reclamation is also working to improve other processes identified in Section 5 of the Secretarial Order. To that end, Reclamation is looking for feedback to enhance:

  1. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
    2. 2026 DOI NEPA Procedures & 2026 DOI Handbook
    Reclamation 2026 NEPA Guidance Document (PDF 42 KB)
    Reclamation NEPA Slide Deck (PDF, 460 KB)

  2. NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT COMPLIANCE
    3. Reclamation Slide Deck (PDF, 2.3 MB)
    NHPA Programmatic Agreement examples:
    Utah (PDF, 1.6 MB)
    Colorado (PDF, 5.8 MB)

  3. COST-SHARE PROGRAMS
    4. Reclamation background on cost-share information (PDF, 107 KB)

  4. ENGINEERING DESIGN REVIEW GUIDELINES
  5. WORKLOAD INITIATION PROCESS AT TECHNICAL SERVICES CENTER

  6. RECLAMATION MANUAL (RM) REVISIONS
  7. AVAILABLE CONTRACTING AUTHORITIES INCLUDING IDIQ (PDF, 143 KB)
  • SO 3446 90-Day Report (PDF, 725KB)

    • Reclamation continues to develop portions of the process flow for implementing Secretarial Order 3446; as these elements are finalized, updates will be posted on this website and reflected in the FAQs.

    Frequently Asked Questions (Winter 2026)

    You may complete this form to receive notifications on SO 3446 from the Bureau of Reclamation.

    You may contact us at SO3446@usbr.gov if you have any questions.

    Information Session: Overview of Reclamation’s Title Transfer Program & Update to CMP 11-01 Title Transfer for Reclamation Project Facilities April 24, 2026

    Download Presentation (PDF, 4.3 MB)

    Information Session, January 29, 2026

    Download Presentation (PDF, 5.3 MB)

    Information Session, December 19, 2025

    Download Presentation (PDF, 2.6 MB)

    Last Updated 5/4/26
    Deadline for public comment is February 8, 2026