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Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIG) Tier 2 (National) - FAQs

1) What is the Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIG) Tier 2 (National)?

The Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (BIG) Tier 2 (National) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It supports projects to build, renovate, or maintain boating facilities that serve larger transient recreational boats.

2) What is the purpose of this grant opportunity?

This program helps states improve boating infrastructure for larger recreational vessels that are traveling and stopping temporarily. The goal is to provide facilities that better accommodate these boats and support related community development, environmental, and natural resource objectives.

3) What law created and authorizes the BIG program?

The program was created under the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-178) and codified at 16 U.S.C. 777g-1, which amended the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777).

4) What fund supports BIG Tier 2 (National) awards?

Funding is supported through the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, with later reauthorizations continuing the program.

5) Who can apply for the BIG Tier 2 (National) grant under this notice?

Eligibility is limited to state governments. "States" include the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

6) Can a local government, nonprofit, or private marina apply directly?

Based on this notice, applicants are limited to state governments. The notice does not identify local governments, nonprofits, or private entities as eligible applicants for this Tier 2 (National) competition.

7) What types of boats are the focus of BIG Tier 2 (National)?

This competition focuses on transient recreational vessels that are at least 26 feet in length and used primarily for pleasure. This includes boats that are operated, leased, rented, or chartered for recreational purposes.

8) What does "transient" mean in the context of BIG-funded facilities?

"Transient" refers to boats that are passing through or stopping temporarily. Facilities supported by BIG are meant for short stays, generally up to 15 days.

9) What counts as "boating infrastructure" under this program?

In this program, "boating infrastructure" is defined broadly to include the structures, equipment, accessories, and services that are necessary or desirable to accommodate eligible vessels.

10) Are projects allowed at privately owned marinas or boating facilities?

Yes. Projects may be located at publicly or privately owned facilities as long as the public-access requirement is met and the facility serves the eligible transient boating population.

11) What does the public-access requirement mean for privately owned facilities?

If a project occurs at a privately owned marina or facility, improvements paid for with BIG funds must provide public access. The improvements cannot be restricted only to a closed membership or private clientele in a way that excludes the general boating public.

12) Is BIG Tier 2 connected to broader community or environmental goals?

Yes. The opportunity is tied to community development, environmental, and natural resource goals. The notice highlights that boating access and well-designed marina infrastructure can support local economies, improve navigational safety, and reduce environmental impacts when facilities are properly planned and maintained.

13) What was the Funding Opportunity Number for the FY 2016 cycle in this notice?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed is F15AS00278.

14) How much total funding was available under this notice?

For the FY 2016 funding cycle covered by this notice, the estimated total available funding was $12,000,000.

15) How many awards were expected?

The notice anticipated around 10 awards.

16) What was the maximum award size?

Individual awards could be as large as $1,500,000.

17) Was there a minimum award amount?

No minimum award amount was stated. The award floor is listed as $0.

18) Does this program require matching funds (cost share)?

Yes. The program requires cost sharing or matching funds, meaning recipients must contribute a non-federal share toward the overall project cost rather than relying entirely on federal dollars.

19) What were the key dates for this notice (posting and deadline)?

The opportunity was posted on June 22, 2015. The application deadline was September 18, 2015, and the notice was later archived on September 21, 2015.

20) Is this notice for Tier 1 (State) BIG grants or Tier 2 (National) BIG grants?

This announcement is specifically for Tier 2 (National) BIG grants. Tier 1 (State) BIG grants were handled through a separate notice of funding opportunity.

21) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA listing included in the notice is 15.622 (Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act).

22) Where were applicants directed to find the full announcement or apply?

Applicants seeking the full announcement were directed to Grants.gov.

23) Who was the listed program contact for questions or access issues?

The notice lists Paul VanRyzin, Fish and Wildlife Administrator at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

24) What contact information was provided for the program contact?

The notice provides the following contact details: 703-358-1849 and paulvanryzin@fws.gov.

25) Why does this program emphasize facilities for larger boats?

The notice describes a substantial need: while there are roughly 12 million registered boats in the U.S., an estimated 560,000 are 26 feet or longer, and these larger vessels often require more specialized infrastructure than smaller recreational craft.