BLM NV Nevada Ecological Site Descriptions State and Transition Models Development | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity about?

This Bureau of Land Management (BLM) discretionary funding opportunity supports the development of Ecological Site Descriptions (ESDs) and State-and-Transition Models (STMs) for upland rangeland ecological sites in Nevada. The intent is to produce science-based tools that describe how rangeland sites function and how they may change over time under different conditions.

2) What agency is offering the award?

The award is offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

3) What type of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

This announcement is issued as a cooperative agreement. That means BLM expects substantial involvement and coordination during the project, rather than providing funding with minimal federal participation.

4) What will the selected partner be expected to do?

The selected partner would support BLM in defining and documenting upland rangeland ecological sites in Nevada, including typical vegetation and soil characteristics and how sites can shift between ecological "states" over time. The work includes developing ESDs and STMs organized by Major Land Resource Areas (MLRAs).

5) What are Ecological Site Descriptions (ESDs) in the context of this opportunity?

Within this opportunity, ESDs are products that define and document how different rangeland ecological sites function and what site characteristics (including vegetation and soils) are typical for each site.

6) What are State-and-Transition Models (STMs) in the context of this opportunity?

In this announcement, STMs describe how an ecological site can shift among different ecological "states" over time and what drivers can cause transitions between those states.

7) What are Major Land Resource Areas (MLRAs), and why are they used here?

MLRAs are broad landscape units used for land and soil resource planning. In this project, work is organized by MLRAs to structure development of ESDs and STMs across broad, planning-relevant landscape units in Nevada.

8) What kinds of drivers or factors are considered in the state-and-transition approach?

The announcement notes that ecological shifts can be influenced by drivers such as grazing pressure, wildfire, invasive species, drought, and restoration actions.

9) How are ESDs and STMs typically used?

These products are commonly used to guide rangeland assessment, monitoring, and management decisions by providing a science-based framework for understanding site potential and likely ecological pathways.

10) Is this a single award or multiple awards?

Funding is planned as a single award to one partner.

11) How much funding is available?

The estimated total funding amount is up to $500,000. The award ceiling is listed as $500,000.

12) Is there a minimum award amount or first-year budget floor?

Yes. The first-year budget floor was revised (in Modification Number 1) to $67,630. It was previously listed as $32,630.

13) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement states that no cost sharing or matching is required.

14) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is L12AS00131.

15) What is the CFDA number and program area for this opportunity?

The opportunity is tied to CFDA number 15.237, Rangeland Resource Management, and it falls under the Natural Resources activity category.

16) What partnership or program context is mentioned in the announcement?

The program context is the Great Basin Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) network, which is described as a mechanism to facilitate applied research, technical assistance, and education through partnerships.

17) Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants are described as "unrestricted" (open to any entity type), subject to any eligibility clarifications contained in the full announcement.

18) What does "unrestricted" eligibility mean here?

Based on the notice, "unrestricted" indicates the opportunity is open to any entity type. However, the notice also indicates eligibility may still be subject to clarifications in the full announcement.

19) Was the announcement modified, and what changed?

Yes. Modification Number 1 made two administrative changes: (1) it extended the application deadline from July 20, 2012 to July 30, 2012, and (2) it increased the first-year minimum funding floor to $67,630. The notice states everything else in the original Request for Applications remains unchanged.

20) What is the application deadline?

The application deadline was extended to July 30, 2012 (from July 20, 2012).

21) When was the opportunity posted, and when was it archived?

The posted date is June 20, 2012, and the archive date is August 30, 2012.

22) How do applicants access the full instructions and application package?

Applicants were directed to download full instructions and the application package via the announcement's application materials.

23) Who should be contacted for problems accessing the application materials?

For access issues, the point of contact is Gretchen W. Eykelbosh, Grants and Agreements Specialist, at 775-861-6740 or geykelbosh@blm.gov.

24) What state and landscape type does this work focus on?

The effort focuses on upland rangeland ecological sites in Nevada.

25) Does the notice indicate whether the award is competitive or discretionary?

The notice describes it as a discretionary funding opportunity.