BLM New Mexico Crude Helium Enrichment Unit Project | Apply Online

FAQs: BLM New Mexico Crude Helium Enrichment Unit Project (FON L15AS00234)

What is the name of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) New Mexico Crude Helium Enrichment Unit Project. The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) is L15AS00234.

What type of federal funding is this?

This is a discretionary cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement generally indicates that the federal agency expects substantial involvement during the project (such as coordination, oversight, or shared responsibility) rather than a more hands-off grant structure.

Which agency is offering this opportunity?

The offering agency is the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

What is the main purpose of the project funding?

The core purpose is to keep BLM operations running by allowing continued use of equipment associated with the CRLP system through the remaining years of the program. Practically, it supports operational continuity and the management framework needed for crude helium handling and sales so the government can meet statutory requirements for helium sales and auctions.

How does this relate to the Helium Stewardship Act of 2013?

The opportunity is tied to the federal government’s ongoing management and sale of crude helium under the Helium Stewardship Act of 2013. The funding supports the ongoing operational ability to carry out those required sales and auctions.

What is the program area or activity category for this opportunity?

The listing places this opportunity in the Energy/Environment/Natural Resources activity area.

What CFDA program is this associated with?

This opportunity is linked to CFDA 15.240 (Helium Resource Management).

Why does the program continue if the historic "helium debt" has been repaid?

The notice explains that while the historic helium debt has already been repaid, crude helium sales are still required by law. The program is framed as generating a public benefit because proceeds are directed to the U.S. Treasury’s general fund after operating expenses are subtracted.

Where do the proceeds from crude helium sales and auctions go?

According to the notice, sales and auction receipts are deposited into the U.S. Treasury’s general fund after subtracting operating expenses.

How many awards did BLM expect to make under this announcement?

BLM anticipated making a single award under this announcement.

What is the estimated total funding amount?

The total estimated funding was listed as $21,000,000.

What is the expected award size for the selected recipient?

The award ceiling and award floor were both set at $7,000,000, indicating an intended award size of $7 million for the selected recipient.

Why does the listing show $21,000,000 total estimated funding if a single award of $7,000,000 is expected?

Based on the listing details provided, the $21,000,000 estimate appears to reflect something broader than a single $7,000,000 increment (for example, multi-year funding, multiple increments, or program-level totals). The notice suggests that interpretation by showing an intended single award size of $7,000,000 while listing a higher overall estimate.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement was identified. That typically means the recipient is not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of the award.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility was described as "unrestricted" in a general sense, but with an important limitation: applicants had to be entities directly involved with implementation of the Helium Privatization Act. This narrows the practical applicant pool to organizations already engaged in, or integrally connected to, the federal helium privatization and stewardship framework and its operational execution.

Does "unrestricted eligibility" mean anyone can apply?

Not in practice, based on the limitation included in the listing. While described broadly as unrestricted, applicants still had to be directly involved with implementation of the Helium Privatization Act, which functions as a restricting condition.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement instead of a grant?

The use of a cooperative agreement signals that BLM expected substantial federal involvement during performance. This often means closer coordination, oversight, or shared responsibility than would usually be expected under a standard grant.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

Key dates shown in the listing indicate it was posted and created on August 17, 2015. The original and current closing date was October 26, 2015.

When was the opportunity archived?

The archive date listed is December 26, 2015.

Where were applicants directed to find additional details?

The announcement pointed applicants to Grants.gov for additional details.

Who should be contacted for access issues related to the opportunity?

The listed agency contact for access issues was Janet Huff, Grants Management Specialist. The phone number provided was 505-761-8941 and the email address provided was jhuff@blm.gov.

What operational focus does the opportunity emphasize?

It emphasizes operational continuity and the management framework needed to keep crude helium handling and sales functioning, including continued use of equipment associated with the CRLP system through the remaining years of the program.

What statutory requirements is the government trying to meet through this work?

The notice describes the purpose as ensuring the government can meet statutory requirements for helium sales and auctions (as part of the ongoing federal helium stewardship and privatization framework).