Opportunity Information: Apply for FWS BIG 12
Apply for FWS BIG 12
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Boating Infrastructure Grant Program Tier 2, Competitive" 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 19, 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 $9,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 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 2 (Competitive) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under CFDA 15.622 (Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act). Its main purpose is to help states fund the construction, renovation, and maintenance of boating infrastructure that serves transient, nontrailerable recreational vessels. In practical terms, the program is aimed at improving access and services for larger recreational boats that are at least 26 feet long, a segment estimated at roughly 600,000 vessels out of about 13 million registered boats nationwide. A key requirement is that any facility improved or built with BIG funds must provide public access, even if the facility is privately owned and operated (for example, a private marina that makes transient slips available to the public under program rules).
Tier 2 is the competitive track of BIG, meaning eligible state agencies submit project proposals that are reviewed against one another for funding selection. The applicants who can apply directly to the federal program are the governor-designated state agencies for U.S. states and certain jurisdictions: the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. While private marinas, local governments, and other non-state entities typically cannot apply directly to the Fish and Wildlife Service under this announcement, many states use BIG to make subgrants. For that reason, local public entities and private marina operators who want to participate generally need to contact their designated state agency to learn the state’s process, eligibility rules, and deadlines for being included in a state’s application.
The funding supports boating infrastructure specifically intended for transient use by eligible vessels, not long-term permanent moorage for local boats. The announcement highlights a wide range of potentially eligible project elements that improve safety, access, and basic services for visiting boaters. Examples include mooring buoys; day docks that allow tie-up without overnight stays; navigational aids such as buoys and channel markers; and transient slips designed for short stays (defined here as no more than 10 consecutive days). It also includes protective and resilience-related features such as safe harbors or harbors of refuge and floating or fixed breakwaters that reduce exposure to waves, wind, tides, currents, or ice. Core docking infrastructure like floating docks, fixed piers, dinghy docks (to let boaters reach shore), and shoreline stabilization features such as retaining walls and bulkheads are also listed as eligible types of work.
Beyond docks and protection, BIG can help cover amenities and operational features that make transient boating viable and environmentally responsible. The announcement specifically mentions restrooms and showers, dockside utilities, pumpout stations, recycling and trash receptacles, and dockside electric and water service. It also includes items like debris deflection booms and marine fueling stations. One-time dredging is allowable but capped: dredging may not exceed 10 percent of total BIG project costs, including the required match, and applicants are directed to consult the program’s funding restrictions section for details and limits.
Financially, the opportunity listed an estimated total of $9,000,000 available, with an award ceiling of $1,500,000 per grant and no stated award floor. The program has a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning federal dollars must be paired with non-federal funds (the exact match structure is governed by program rules and the funding restrictions referenced in the notice). The opportunity expected to make about 10 awards in this cycle. For the specific posting provided, the opportunity was posted May 19, 2011, with a closing date of September 21, 2011 (and archived October 21, 2011), indicating this particular notice reflects the FY 2012 Tier 2 request for applications referenced by the additional information link.
For applicants or prospective subrecipients trying to navigate the process, the most important practical takeaways are: projects must serve transient, nontrailerable recreational boats 26 feet or longer; facilities must be open to public access; states (through designated agencies) are the direct applicants to the federal government; and many implementation partners participate through state-run subgrant or sponsorship processes. The listing also provides an agency contact for access issues or questions about the full announcement: Christy Vigfusson, Biologist (Grants), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, phone 703-358-1748.
Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program, Tier 2 (Competitive) - FAQs
What is the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program, Tier 2 (Competitive)?
The Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program, Tier 2 is a discretionary, competitive federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under CFDA 15.622 (Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act). It helps states fund the construction, renovation, and maintenance of boating infrastructure that serves transient, nontrailerable recreational vessels.
What is the main purpose of this grant?
The program is intended to improve access and services for larger recreational boats that are not typically trailered. In practical terms, it targets recreational vessels that are at least 26 feet long, focusing on infrastructure that supports transient (visiting) boaters.
Who can apply directly to the federal BIG Tier 2 opportunity?
Only the governor-designated state agencies are eligible to apply directly to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under this announcement. Eligible applicants include designated agencies for U.S. states and certain jurisdictions: the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Can private marinas or local governments apply directly to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
Typically, no. Private marinas, local governments, and other non-state entities generally cannot apply directly under this federal Tier 2 announcement. Many states use BIG funding to make subgrants, so potential non-state participants usually need to work through their designated state agency.
If I am a marina operator or local entity, how do I participate?
You generally need to contact your governor-designated state agency to learn that state’s process, eligibility rules, and deadlines for being included in the state’s application (often through subgrants or a state sponsorship process).
What kinds of boats must the project serve?
Projects must serve transient, nontrailerable recreational vessels that are 26 feet or longer.
What does "transient" mean in this program?
Funding is aimed at infrastructure intended for visiting boaters rather than long-term permanent moorage for local boats. The announcement includes transient slips designed for short stays, defined here as no more than 10 consecutive days.
Do BIG-funded facilities have to be open to the public?
Yes. A key requirement is public access. Any facility improved or built with BIG funds must provide public access even if it is privately owned and operated (for example, a private marina that makes transient slips available to the public under program rules).
What types of infrastructure projects can be funded?
The announcement lists a range of potentially eligible boating infrastructure elements intended to improve safety, access, and basic services for transient boaters, including:
- Mooring buoys
- Day docks for tie-up without overnight stays
- Navigational aids such as buoys and channel markers
- Transient slips for short stays (no more than 10 consecutive days)
- Floating docks and fixed piers
- Dinghy docks (to let boaters reach shore)
- Shoreline stabilization such as retaining walls and bulkheads
- Safe harbors/harbors of refuge
- Floating or fixed breakwaters to reduce exposure to waves, wind, tides, currents, or ice
What amenities and services can BIG help support?
The announcement specifically mentions amenities and operational features that support transient boating and environmental responsibility, including:
- Restrooms and showers
- Dockside utilities
- Pumpout stations
- Recycling and trash receptacles
- Dockside electric service
- Dockside water service
- Debris deflection booms
- Marine fueling stations
Is dredging allowed under this opportunity?
One-time dredging is allowable, but it is capped. Dredging may not exceed 10 percent of total BIG project costs, including the required match. The notice also directs applicants to consult the program’s funding restrictions section for additional details and limits.
Is this a competitive grant?
Yes. Tier 2 is the competitive track of BIG, meaning eligible state agencies submit proposals that are reviewed against one another for selection.
How much funding is available?
The opportunity listed an estimated total of $9,000,000 available for this cycle.
What is the maximum award amount per grant?
The award ceiling listed is $1,500,000 per grant.
Is there a minimum award amount?
No award floor was stated in the information provided.
How many awards are expected?
The opportunity expected to make about 10 awards in this cycle.
Is there a matching requirement?
Yes. The program includes cost sharing/matching requirements, meaning federal funds must be paired with non-federal funds. The exact match structure is governed by program rules and the funding restrictions referenced in the notice.
What were the key dates for the posted opportunity notice?
For the specific posting provided, the opportunity was posted May 19, 2011, with a closing date of September 21, 2011, and it was archived October 21, 2011. The notice reflects the FY 2012 Tier 2 request for applications referenced by the additional information link.
What are the most important practical requirements to keep in mind?
Based on the information provided, the most important takeaways are:
- Projects must serve transient, nontrailerable recreational boats 26 feet or longer.
- Facilities improved or built with BIG funds must provide public access, even if privately owned.
- States (through governor-designated agencies) are the direct applicants to the federal government.
- Many marinas and local partners participate through state-run subgrant or sponsorship processes.
Who is the contact person for questions about the announcement or access issues?
The listing provides this agency contact: Christy Vigfusson, Biologist (Grants), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, phone 703-358-1748.
Which federal agency administers this program?
The program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.622.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (FWS BIG 12) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Boating Infrastructure Grant Program Tier 1, Basic Apply for FWS BIG 12 T1 Funding Number: FWS BIG 12 T1 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $100,000 |
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| KEFJ Centennial Mural Apply for P15AS01070 Funding Number: P15AS01070 Agency: National Park Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Apply for NPS 16 NERO 0005 Funding Number: NPS 16 NERO 0005 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $85,390 |
| U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self Help 2016, U.S. Embassy Maseru Apply for DOS MSU SSH FY16 Funding Number: DOS MSU SSH FY16 Agency: DOS-MLS Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| Development of GW Cincinnati ⿿ Mill Creek Apply for P16AS00024 Funding Number: P16AS00024 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $50,000 |
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| USAID/Kosovo-Expanding Participation of People with Disabilities Program Apply for RFA 167 16 000001 Funding Number: RFA 167 16 000001 Agency: USAID-KOS Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Activity to Support Citizen Engagement in Elections-Serbia Apply for RFA 169 16 000005 Funding Number: RFA 169 16 000005 Agency: USAID-SER Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $800,000 |
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| Fiscal Year 2016 Capital Magnet Fund Program Apply for CDFI 2016 CMF Funding Number: CDFI 2016 CMF Agency: USDOT-CDFI Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $12,000,000 |
| FY 2016 Native American CDFI Assistance Apply for CDFI 2016 NACA Funding Number: CDFI 2016 NACA Agency: USDOT-CDFI Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Groundwork Atlanta (GW ATL) Launch and Capacity Building Apply for P16AS00050 Funding Number: P16AS00050 Agency: DOI-NPS Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $90,000 |
| Protection of Migrant Human Rights Apply for RFA 165 16 000003 Funding Number: RFA 165 16 000003 Agency: USAID-MAC Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $375,000 |
| LGBTI Inclusion Project Apply for RFA 165 16 000004 Funding Number: RFA 165 16 000004 Agency: USAID-MAC Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $300,000 |
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