Opportunity Information: Apply for PM PMWRA 13 037

  • The PM Weapons Removal and Abatement in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "13.PMWRA.Quick Reaction Force. Coop Agreement. RFI" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.800 Weapons Removal and Abatement.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Apr 30, 2013 and posted on Apr 26, 2013.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by May 10, 2013 No Explanation. (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 $2,000,000.00 in funding.
  • Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:

This opportunity is a Department of State, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA) Request for Information (RFI) focused on building or identifying a rapid, deployable conventional weapons destruction (CWD) capability, described as a "Quick Reaction Force" (QRF). The government is gathering input on what organizations can realistically provide on short notice, anywhere in the world, to reduce the humanitarian and security harm caused by landmines, explosive remnants of war (ERW), unplanned explosions at munitions sites (UEMS), and the spread or misuse of small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) and conventional ammunition. The central idea is an operational capability that can move quickly into emerging or urgent situations and take practical steps to stabilize the threat and protect civilians.

The notice is explicitly an RFI rather than a solicitation. That means it is not requesting proposals, it is not making awards from this announcement, and it is not committing funding based on responses. Instead, PM/WRA is testing the market and collecting information that could shape a future program or cooperative agreement. Even so, the posting signals the scale PM/WRA is thinking about: it envisions that total maximum project funding would not exceed $2,000,000 per fiscal year, and notes that actual amounts could be significantly less depending on needs and program design.

In terms of mission scope, the QRF concept is broad and practical rather than narrowly technical. The capabilities PM/WRA is interested in may include ERW clearance and related disposal tasks; destruction of excess, unstable, or otherwise at-risk munitions; and interventions involving sensitive weapon types such as MANPADS and other advanced conventional weapons. Beyond removal and destruction, PM/WRA also highlights prevention-oriented work, such as improving physical security at munitions storage facilities and helping partners bring stockpile management into alignment with international best practices. Taken together, the RFI is aimed at an organization (or model) that can respond quickly in crisis conditions, manage safety and compliance, and deliver measurable risk reduction in complex environments.

Eligibility is aimed at U.S.-based nonprofits: the listing specifies nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The narrative also encourages responses from U.S. non-governmental organizations with no foreign ownership, underscoring an interest in U.S.-controlled entities for this type of rapid deployment and sensitive weapons work. No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated.

Administratively, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary and lists the instrument type as a cooperative agreement (which typically implies substantial involvement by the government in planning, coordination, or oversight if a future award results). The funding activity is categorized under conventional weapons destruction, and it references CFDA 19.800 (Weapons Removal and Abatement). The ceiling is listed at $2,000,000 and the floor is nominally $1, but those figures function more as planning parameters in the context of an RFI rather than guaranteed award ranges.

Submission instructions require that RFI responses be submitted electronically through GrantSolutions.gov or Grants.gov, with a deadline of 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 10, 2013. The posting includes a standard support pathway for access issues via the Grants.gov Contact Center (phone and email), indicating that the official announcement and any attachments were intended to be retrieved and submitted through the federal grants portals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this opportunity?

This is a Department of State, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA) Request for Information (RFI) about building or identifying a rapid, deployable conventional weapons destruction (CWD) capability described as a "Quick Reaction Force" (QRF). The goal is to understand what organizations can realistically provide on short notice, anywhere in the world, to reduce harm caused by landmines, explosive remnants of war (ERW), unplanned explosions at munitions sites (UEMS), and the spread or misuse of small arms and light weapons (SA/LW) and conventional ammunition.

2) Is this an actual grant solicitation?

No. The notice is explicitly an RFI rather than a solicitation. It is not requesting proposals, it is not making awards from this announcement, and it is not committing funding based on responses. It is a market research and information-gathering step that could inform a future program or cooperative agreement.

3) What is PM/WRA trying to learn through this RFI?

PM/WRA is gathering input on what organizations can deploy quickly into emerging or urgent situations worldwide and take practical steps to stabilize conventional weapons threats and protect civilians. The focus is on realistic capabilities that can be delivered on short notice and operated safely in complex environments.

4) What does "Quick Reaction Force (QRF)" mean in this context?

In this RFI, a QRF refers to an operational capability that can move quickly into crisis conditions and deliver measurable risk reduction related to conventional weapons hazards. The concept emphasizes rapid deployment, practical stabilization actions, and the ability to work in urgent, evolving environments.

5) What types of missions or activities are within scope?

The RFI describes a broad and practical mission scope that may include:

  • ERW clearance and related disposal tasks
  • Destruction of excess, unstable, or otherwise at-risk munitions
  • Interventions involving sensitive weapon types such as MANPADS and other advanced conventional weapons
  • Prevention-oriented work, including improving physical security at munitions storage facilities
  • Helping partners align stockpile management with international best practices

6) What problems is the QRF concept intended to address?

The QRF concept is aimed at reducing humanitarian and security harm from landmines, ERW, UEMS, and the spread or misuse of SA/LW and conventional ammunition. The intent is to stabilize threats quickly and protect civilians.

7) Who is eligible to respond to this RFI?

Eligibility is aimed at U.S.-based nonprofits. The listing specifies nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The narrative also encourages responses from U.S. non-governmental organizations with no foreign ownership, indicating a preference for U.S.-controlled entities for rapid deployment and sensitive weapons work.

8) Are institutions of higher education eligible?

No. The listing specifies 501(c)(3) nonprofits, excluding institutions of higher education.

9) Does the RFI mention restrictions related to foreign ownership?

Yes. The narrative encourages responses from U.S. non-governmental organizations with no foreign ownership, underscoring interest in U.S.-controlled entities for this capability.

10) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated in the information provided.

11) What funding level is PM/WRA considering for a possible future effort?

The posting signals that PM/WRA envisions total maximum project funding would not exceed $2,000,000 per fiscal year. It also notes that actual amounts could be significantly less depending on needs and program design. Because this is an RFI, these figures should be read as planning parameters rather than guaranteed award levels.

12) What are the listed funding ceiling and floor?

The ceiling is listed at $2,000,000 and the floor is nominally $1. In the context of an RFI, these figures function as planning parameters rather than guaranteed award ranges.

13) What type of award instrument is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity lists the instrument type as a cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements typically imply substantial government involvement in planning, coordination, or oversight if a future award results.

14) What is the funding activity/category for this opportunity?

The funding activity is categorized under conventional weapons destruction (CWD).

15) What CFDA number is referenced?

The opportunity references CFDA 19.800 (Weapons Removal and Abatement).

16) Is this opportunity discretionary or mandatory?

It is categorized as discretionary.

17) Where must RFI responses be submitted?

Responses must be submitted electronically through GrantSolutions.gov or Grants.gov, as specified in the submission instructions.

18) What is the submission deadline?

The deadline for electronic submission is 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 10, 2013.

19) What should organizations do if they have trouble accessing or using Grants.gov?

The posting includes a standard support pathway via the Grants.gov Contact Center (phone and email) for access issues related to retrieving attachments or submitting through the federal grants portals.

20) Does submitting an RFI response guarantee funding or an award?

No. The notice states it is not making awards from this announcement and is not committing funding based on responses. Submissions are used to gather information that could shape a future program or cooperative agreement.

21) What is the core outcome PM/WRA is looking for from a QRF capability?

The central idea is a deployable operational capability that can respond quickly in urgent situations, manage safety and compliance, and deliver measurable risk reduction to protect civilians in complex environments.

22) Is the QRF concept limited to clearance and destruction only?

No. In addition to removal and destruction activities, the RFI highlights prevention-oriented work such as improving physical security at munitions storage facilities and supporting stockpile management aligned with international best practices.

23) Does the RFI indicate where the capability may need to operate?

Yes. The RFI emphasizes the ability to deploy on short notice anywhere in the world.

24) Does the RFI mention specific sensitive weapon categories?

Yes. It specifically mentions interventions involving MANPADS and other advanced conventional weapons as examples of sensitive weapon types.

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