Opportunity Information: Apply for F12AS00205
Apply for F12AS00205
- 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 Sep 7, 2012 and posted on Jun 14, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 19, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $11,000,000.00 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 20 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIG) Tier 2, Competitive is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the authority of the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-178), codified at 16 U.S.C. 777g-1. This program was created to help states and U.S. territories build and maintain boating infrastructure specifically intended for transient, nontrailerable recreational vessels. In practical terms, the program focuses on improving facilities that serve larger recreational boats that are not typically transported by trailer, and that are traveling through an area for short stays rather than being permanently moored there. The opportunity is tied to the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777) and is funded through the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, with subsequent reauthorizations allowing continued BIG expenditures.
A key feature of this funding opportunity is its narrow target user group and use case. Eligible vessels are defined as nontrailerable recreational vessels that are at least 26 feet in length and are operated primarily for pleasure, including vessels that are leased, rented, or chartered for someone else to use for pleasure. The program also defines "transient" in a specific way: a transient vessel is one that is passing through or by a location and stays up to ten days. That definition matters because it signals that projects should be designed around short-term visiting boaters rather than long-term slip holders or local day-use traffic. In other words, proposed infrastructure should demonstrate that it meaningfully serves visiting boaters on longer trips, helping them access safe tie-ups, services, and basic amenities while they move between destinations.
The eligible applicants for this Tier 2 competitive opportunity are state governments, which in this notice includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The funding activity category is listed as community development, reflecting how marina and harbor improvements can support local waterfront access, safety, tourism activity, and related economic benefits, but the program purpose remains centered on boating access for transient, larger recreational vessels rather than general waterfront redevelopment.
Financially, the opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F12AS00205) estimated a total of $11,000,000 available, with an expectation of about 20 awards. The listed award ceiling was $1,500,000 per award, and the award floor was $0, which typically indicates that award sizes can vary widely depending on the competitiveness and scale of proposals and on the amount available in a given cycle. The program includes a cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants generally must contribute non-federal funds or allowable in-kind contributions toward the total project cost. While the notice data provided here does not specify the match percentage, the presence of a match requirement is important for planning because it affects how states structure project budgets, partnerships, and readiness to proceed.
From an administrative timeline perspective, the notice was posted on June 14, 2012, created on September 7, 2012, and had an application closing date of September 19, 2012. The opportunity was later archived on January 31, 2013. The CFDA number associated with this program is 15.622 (Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act), which is helpful for applicants and auditors tracking federal assistance and program compliance across state agencies.
Overall, BIG Tier 2 is best understood as a competitive infrastructure program aimed at improving the network of places where larger recreational boats can safely stop for short periods while traveling. Projects typically align with needs like transient dockage and related access improvements that directly serve boaters who are traveling, rather than projects that mainly benefit local or long-term moorage. The federal contact listed for assistance with accessing the full announcement was Christy Vigfusson, National BIG Coordinator, reachable by phone at 703-358-1748 and by email at ChristyVigfusson@fws.gov. The additional information link in the notice points to the Fish and Wildlife Service WSFR BIG program page and a Tier 2 NOFA PDF for detailed requirements and application instructions.
Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIG) Tier 2, Competitive - FAQs
What is the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIG) Tier 2, Competitive?
BIG Tier 2, Competitive is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It supports the construction and maintenance of boating infrastructure specifically intended for transient, nontrailerable recreational vessels.
What is the legal authority for this grant program?
The program is administered under the authority of the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-178), codified at 16 U.S.C. 777g-1. It is tied to the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777).
What types of boats are the focus of this program?
The program targets nontrailerable recreational vessels that are at least 26 feet in length and are operated primarily for pleasure.
Do leased, rented, or chartered recreational vessels count as eligible vessels?
Yes. The eligible vessel definition includes vessels that are leased, rented, or chartered for someone else to use for pleasure.
What does "nontrailerable" mean in the context of this program?
The opportunity is designed around larger recreational boats that are not typically transported by trailer. The notice frames the program purpose around serving these larger, nontrailerable vessels rather than smaller trailered boats.
What does "transient" mean for BIG Tier 2?
Within this program, a transient vessel is one that is passing through or by a location and stays up to ten days.
Why does the program's definition of "transient" matter for project design?
Because it signals that funded infrastructure should be designed around short-term visiting boaters rather than long-term slip holders or primarily local, day-use traffic. Proposed projects should show that they meaningfully serve visiting boaters on longer trips who need short stays while moving between destinations.
What kinds of projects does BIG Tier 2 generally support?
The notice describes BIG Tier 2 as an infrastructure program aimed at improving the network of places where larger recreational boats can safely stop for short periods while traveling. Projects typically align with needs such as transient dockage and related access improvements that directly serve transient, larger recreational vessels.
Is this program intended for general waterfront redevelopment?
No. While the funding activity category is listed as community development, the stated program purpose remains centered on boating access for transient, larger recreational vessels rather than general waterfront redevelopment.
Who is eligible to apply for this Tier 2 competitive opportunity?
Eligible applicants are state governments. In this notice, that includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Which federal agency administers this grant opportunity?
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service administers the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIG) Tier 2, Competitive.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this notice?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is F12AS00205.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The CFDA number associated with this program is 15.622 (Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act).
How much funding was estimated to be available under this opportunity?
The notice estimated a total of $11,000,000 available.
About how many awards were expected?
The notice anticipated approximately 20 awards.
What was the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling was $1,500,000 per award.
What was the minimum award amount (award floor)?
The listed award floor was $0, indicating award sizes could vary widely depending on proposal competitiveness and project scale.
Is there a cost share or matching requirement?
Yes. The opportunity includes a cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants generally must contribute non-federal funds or allowable in-kind contributions toward the total project cost.
Does the provided notice specify the match percentage?
No. The information provided here notes that a match is required, but it does not specify the match percentage.
When was this notice posted and when did it close?
The notice was posted on June 14, 2012, and the application closing date was September 19, 2012.
When was the opportunity created and when was it archived?
The notice lists a created date of September 7, 2012, and it was archived on January 31, 2013.
How is this opportunity funded?
It is funded through the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, with subsequent reauthorizations allowing continued BIG expenditures.
What is the main practical goal of BIG Tier 2 funding?
The main goal is to improve facilities that serve larger recreational boats (nontrailerable vessels 26 feet and longer) that are traveling through an area for short stays, helping them access safe tie-ups, services, and basic amenities as they move between destinations.
Who can be contacted for help accessing the full announcement?
The federal contact listed is Christy Vigfusson, National BIG Coordinator. Phone: 703-358-1748. Email: ChristyVigfusson@fws.gov.
Where does the notice point for additional information?
The notice references the Fish and Wildlife Service WSFR BIG program page and a Tier 2 NOFA PDF for detailed requirements and application instructions.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (F12AS00205) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Boating Infrastructure Grant Program Tier 1, Basic Apply for F12AS00217 Funding Number: F12AS00217 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| FY 2012 Bank Enterprise Award Program Apply for CDFI 2012 BEA Funding Number: CDFI 2012 BEA Agency: Community Development Financial Institutions Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Intent to Award to assist in the development of three urban communities Apply for NPS WASO P12AC12178 Funding Number: NPS WASO P12AC12178 Agency: National Park Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $15,000 |
| Groundwork Portland development of East Portland Brownfields project and Green Team Project Apply for WASO NPS P12AC12187 Funding Number: WASO NPS P12AC12187 Agency: National Park Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Groundwork Portland Fort Vancouver Apply for NPS WASO P12AC12188 Funding Number: NPS WASO P12AC12188 Agency: National Park Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $6,000 |
| National Public Lands Day Coordination Apply for NPS WCP WASO P12AC31002 Funding Number: NPS WCP WASO P12AC31002 Agency: National Park Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $45,000 |
| Green Team Parntership Northeast Region GW USA Award Apply for WASO NPS P12AC32644 Funding Number: WASO NPS P12AC32644 Agency: National Park Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| Community Security Apply for SNU 700 12 GR061 Funding Number: SNU 700 12 GR061 Agency: U.S. Mission to Nicaragua Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Sally Kress Tompkins Fellow Apply for NPS WASO P12AC12715 Funding Number: NPS WASO P12AC12715 Agency: National Park Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $5,000 |
| Volunteer Vacations Apply for NPS WASO P12AC11116 Funding Number: NPS WASO P12AC11116 Agency: National Park Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $5,000 |
| Ground Work New Orleans Apply for NPS WASO P12AC32876 Funding Number: NPS WASO P12AC32876 Agency: National Park Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $51,000 |
| Groundwork Cincinnati Apply for NPS WASO P12AC31093 Funding Number: NPS WASO P12AC31093 Agency: National Park Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Award Lowell Emerging Leaders and Community Outreach Apply for NPS 12 NERO 0119 Funding Number: NPS 12 NERO 0119 Agency: National Park Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| M Learning Curriculum Apply for E12AC10675 Funding Number: E12AC10675 Agency: National Park Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $41,713 |
| Strengthening Community Care and Support Systems and Services (SCCSSS) in Namibia Apply for SOL 673 13 000001 Funding Number: SOL 673 13 000001 Agency: Sudan USAID Khartoum Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $9,000,000 |
| Ground Work USA Apply for NPSWASOP13AC32345 Funding Number: NPSWASOP13AC32345 Agency: National Park Service Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Community Engagement through Social Mobilization and Hygiene Promotion for Jacobabad City Apply for PAK 13 00001MSP Funding Number: PAK 13 00001MSP Agency: Pakistan USAID Islamabad Category: Community Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Enterprise Growth in Ukraine Project Apply for RFA 121 13 000002 Funding Number: RFA 121 13 000002 Agency: Ukraine USAID Kiev Category: Community Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year 2013 CDFI Program Apply for CDFI 2013 FATA Funding Number: CDFI 2013 FATA Agency: Community Development Financial Institutions Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2013 NACA Program Apply for CDFI 2013 NACA Funding Number: CDFI 2013 NACA Agency: Community Development Financial Institutions Category: Community Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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