Opportunity Information: Apply for FWS BIG 12 T1
Apply for FWS BIG 12 T1
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Boating Infrastructure Grant Program Tier 1, Basic" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.622 Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 20, 2011 and posted on May 20, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 21, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
- Eligible applicants are the Governor designated State agencies in the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. If you are uncertain of your eligibility, please contact the Service (see Section VII, Agency Contacts), as we maintain a list of eligible agencies. Many States allow BIG subgrants to private marinas, local municipalities, or other non State entities. Interested parties must contact the appropriate State agency representative for detailed information on possible eligibility and application instructions.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program, Tier 1 (Basic) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under CFDA 15.622 (Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act). It is designed to improve recreational boating access and safety by funding the construction, renovation, and maintenance of boating infrastructure that serves transient, nontrailerable recreational vessels that are 26 feet long or longer. The program is based on the reality that recreational boating is widespread in the United States (about 13 million registered boats), and that a significant subset of those vessels (roughly 600,000) are larger, nontrailerable boats that depend on properly equipped public-access facilities when traveling away from their home ports.
A central focus of the program is supporting facilities used by transient boaters, meaning boaters who are traveling and need short-term access. BIG-funded projects must provide public access, even if the facilities are privately owned, which makes it possible for public dollars to support a wider range of marina and harbor improvements as long as the public benefit requirement is met. In practical terms, a project might be located at a city marina, a port authority facility, or a private marina that agrees to provide the required public access for eligible boaters.
The types of projects that can be funded are fairly broad as long as they directly support transient, nontrailerable recreational boating. Examples of eligible activities listed in the announcement include installation of mooring buoys and day docks, development or improvement of transient slips (defined here as slips occupied by eligible vessels for no more than 10 consecutive days), and construction or enhancement of floating docks and fixed piers. The program can also support navigational aids such as channel markers and buoys, as well as protective infrastructure like floating or fixed breakwaters. In addition, BIG can fund amenities and support features that make transient boating feasible and environmentally responsible, including dinghy docks, restrooms and showers, retaining walls and bulkheads, dockside utilities, pumpout stations, recycling and trash receptacles, and dockside electric and water service. The eligible list also includes items like debris deflection booms, marine fueling stations, and even dockside pay telephones, reflecting the program intent to support practical, real-world needs of traveling boaters.
Dredging is addressed with a specific limitation: one-time dredging can be eligible, but it cannot exceed 10 percent of the total BIG project costs, including the match. That cap signals that dredging is treated as a supporting component rather than the main purpose of a Tier 1 project. Applicants are directed to consult the funding restrictions section of the full request for applications for additional detail on what is and is not allowable.
Eligibility to apply at the federal level is limited to governor-designated state agencies across the United States and certain U.S. jurisdictions, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. While only those designated state or territorial agencies submit applications to the Fish and Wildlife Service, the notice emphasizes that many states issue BIG subgrants to other entities such as private marinas, local governments, or other non-state organizations. Because those arrangements vary by state, interested non-state parties are expected to contact their designated state agency representative to learn whether subgranting is available and what state-level requirements apply.
For this funding cycle, the opportunity anticipated roughly 30 awards nationwide, with an estimated total funding amount of $3,000,000. Individual awards have a stated ceiling of $100,000, and there is a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning recipients must provide non-federal funds or allowable in-kind contributions to meet the match rules described in the full solicitation. The opportunity was posted May 20, 2011, with an application deadline of September 21, 2011 (the listing is now archived). Questions and support for accessing the full announcement were directed to a Fish and Wildlife Service contact, Christy Vigfusson, identified as a biologist supporting grants administration.
Overall, Tier 1 BIG funding is best understood as a targeted infrastructure tool: smaller-dollar awards intended to help states and their on-the-ground partners create or improve the basic facilities that transient, larger recreational vessels need to travel safely and responsibly, while ensuring those improvements are available for public use.
Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program, Tier 1 (Basic) - FAQs
What is the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program, Tier 1 (Basic)?
The Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program, Tier 1 (Basic) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under CFDA 15.622 (Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act). It funds construction, renovation, and maintenance of boating infrastructure that improves access and safety for transient, nontrailerable recreational vessels.
What is the main purpose of Tier 1 BIG funding?
The program is intended to improve recreational boating access and safety by supporting basic facilities that transient boaters need when traveling away from their home ports, particularly for larger vessels that cannot be trailered.
What kinds of boats does this program specifically serve?
BIG Tier 1 projects are designed to serve transient, nontrailerable recreational vessels that are 26 feet long or longer.
What does "transient" mean in this program?
"Transient" refers to boaters who are traveling and need short-term access to boating facilities. The announcement provides an example definition for transient slips: slips occupied by eligible vessels for no more than 10 consecutive days.
Do BIG-funded facilities have to be open to the public?
Yes. BIG-funded projects must provide public access, even when the facility is privately owned. This public access requirement allows public funds to support a wider range of marina and harbor improvements as long as the public benefit requirement is met.
Can a privately owned marina or facility be part of a BIG Tier 1 project?
Yes. Projects may be located at private marinas if they agree to provide the required public access for eligible boaters.
Where might a Tier 1 BIG project be located?
Examples mentioned include a city marina, a port authority facility, or a private marina that provides the required public access.
What types of boating infrastructure projects are eligible for Tier 1 funding?
Eligible activities are broad as long as they directly support transient, nontrailerable recreational boating. Examples listed include installation of mooring buoys and day docks, development or improvement of transient slips, and construction or enhancement of floating docks and fixed piers.
Are navigational aids eligible under this program?
Yes. The announcement lists navigational aids such as channel markers and buoys as eligible.
Are breakwaters eligible expenses?
Yes. Protective infrastructure like floating or fixed breakwaters is included among the eligible examples.
Are amenities like restrooms and showers eligible?
Yes. The program can fund amenities and support features that make transient boating feasible and environmentally responsible, including restrooms and showers.
Can BIG Tier 1 funds be used for utilities at the dock?
Yes. Dockside utilities are listed as eligible examples, including dockside electric and water service.
Are pumpout stations eligible?
Yes. Pumpout stations are specifically listed as eligible infrastructure.
Are trash and recycling receptacles eligible?
Yes. Recycling and trash receptacles are included as eligible support features.
Are dinghy docks eligible?
Yes. Dinghy docks are listed among eligible amenities that support transient boating.
Are retaining walls and bulkheads eligible?
Yes. Retaining walls and bulkheads are included in the examples of eligible project elements.
Can a project include marine fueling stations?
Yes. Marine fueling stations are listed among eligible items in the announcement.
Are debris deflection booms eligible for funding?
Yes. Debris deflection booms are listed as an eligible item.
Does the eligible list include communications amenities like pay telephones?
Yes. The announcement even includes dockside pay telephones as an eligible item, reflecting the program's focus on practical needs of traveling boaters.
Is dredging allowed under BIG Tier 1?
One-time dredging can be eligible, but it is limited. The announcement states that dredging cannot exceed 10 percent of the total BIG project costs, including the match.
How is dredging treated within a Tier 1 project?
The 10 percent cap indicates dredging is considered a supporting component rather than the main purpose of a Tier 1 BIG project.
Where can applicants find more detail on allowable and unallowable costs?
Applicants are directed to consult the funding restrictions section of the full request for applications for additional detail on what is and is not allowable.
Who is eligible to apply for BIG Tier 1 funding at the federal level?
Eligibility to apply to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is limited to governor-designated state agencies across the United States and certain U.S. jurisdictions.
Which U.S. jurisdictions are included in eligibility?
The announcement includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Can local governments, private marinas, or other organizations apply directly to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
Not directly, based on the announcement. Only governor-designated state or territorial agencies submit applications to the Fish and Wildlife Service.
How can non-state organizations participate if they cannot apply directly?
The notice emphasizes that many states issue BIG subgrants to other entities such as private marinas, local governments, or other non-state organizations. Interested parties should contact their designated state agency representative to learn whether subgranting is available and what state-level requirements apply.
Do all states offer subgrants to non-state entities?
The announcement notes that subgranting arrangements vary by state. Non-state parties are expected to contact the designated state agency to understand what is available and what requirements apply.
How many awards were anticipated for this funding cycle?
The opportunity anticipated roughly 30 awards nationwide.
What was the estimated total funding amount for this cycle?
The estimated total funding amount was $3,000,000.
What is the maximum award amount for an individual Tier 1 BIG grant?
The stated ceiling for an individual award was $100,000.
Is there a matching requirement?
Yes. The announcement states there is a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning recipients must provide non-federal funds or allowable in-kind contributions, following the match rules described in the full solicitation.
When was this opportunity posted and when was it due?
The opportunity was posted on May 20, 2011, with an application deadline of September 21, 2011. The listing is now archived.
Who was the point of contact listed for questions about the full announcement?
Questions and support for accessing the full announcement were directed to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contact: Christy Vigfusson, identified as a biologist supporting grants administration.
What law or program authority is tied to this funding?
The BIG Program is administered under CFDA 15.622 and is associated with the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act.
What is the overall practical role of Tier 1 BIG funding?
Tier 1 BIG funding is presented as a targeted infrastructure tool: smaller-dollar awards intended to help states and on-the-ground partners create or improve basic facilities needed for safe and responsible travel by larger transient recreational vessels, while ensuring those improvements are available for public use.
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Apply for FWS BIG 12 T1
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