CCS Pakoon Wash and Pakoon Springs Rehabilitation Phase 2 | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the CCS Pakoon Wash and Pakoon Springs Rehabilitation Phase 2 opportunity (L13AS00169)?

This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number L13AS00169) is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) discretionary funding announcement that uses a Cooperative Agreement under the Challenge Cost Share (CCS) program. It is intended to support on-the-ground natural resources work through a cost-share partnership model between the federal government and a non-federal partner.

What is the Challenge Cost Share (CCS) program trying to accomplish?

The core aim of CCS is to build cost-share partnerships between the federal government and non-federal entities to accomplish public land management goals that may be difficult to achieve with federal funds alone. In practice, CCS supports jointly funded and jointly implemented projects that protect or enhance public resources such as cultural resources, fisheries, recreation opportunities, wildlife habitat, and native plant communities (including an emphasis that can include special status plant species).

Where will Phase 2 project work take place?

Phase 2 is centered on continued rehabilitation of the Pakoon Springs Complex and associated areas such as Pakoon Wash within the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument (GCPNM).

What is the main purpose of this Phase 2 rehabilitation effort?

The project is designed to extend and deepen an existing partnership and continue rehabilitation work in an important riparian and springs environment. The overall framing is restoring proper ecosystem function, while also improving riparian habitat and supporting visitor recreation along with interpretation and education.

What outcomes is the project expected to deliver?

The announcement describes three linked outcomes: (1) increasing and improving riparian habitat by continuing cooperative rehabilitation activities at the springs complex, (2) supporting visitor recreation in a way that strengthens interpretation and education so the public can understand and enjoy the area appropriately, and (3) restoring proper ecosystem function as the overarching objective for the riparian and springs environment.

Does this opportunity emphasize partnerships?

Yes. The CCS model is explicitly partnership-based, and this Phase 2 effort specifically highlights continued coordination between the Arizona Water Protection Fund and BLM as part of extending an existing partnership.

What type of award instrument is used?

The announcement uses a Cooperative Agreement.

How many awards were anticipated?

The opportunity anticipated a single award.

How much federal funding was available?

The estimated total federal funding amount was up to $200,000. The award ceiling was $200,000 and the award floor was $61,664.

What do the award ceiling and award floor mean for applicants?

Based on the notice, BLM expected proposals that could vary in scale, as long as the requested federal funding stayed within the stated range: no more than $200,000 and no less than $61,664.

Is there a cost sharing (match) requirement?

Yes. The program includes a cost sharing requirement with an overall goal of a 50/50 match. This means the partner is generally expected to contribute resources comparable to the federal share.

What kinds of partner contributions can count toward the match?

The notice indicates partner contributions may include cash and allowable in-kind support such as services, labor, and equipment use, or other eligible contributions, depending on the agreement terms.

How much partner funding was expected?

The announcement notes partner funding amounts can range from $500 up to $200,000 annually, depending on project scope and how cost-share responsibilities are divided.

Can this support multi-year work?

The notice states that Arizona BLM may reimburse CCS partners up to, but not exceeding, $200,000 annually for a period not to exceed five years. This signals the partnership model can support multi-year work where appropriate.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning essentially any non-federal applicant type could apply, including state agencies, Tribes, local governments, non-governmental organizations, private companies, and private individuals (subject to any additional clarifications in the full notice).

How were applications submitted?

Applications were required to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.

What was the application deadline?

The deadline was August 14, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time, and the announcement emphasized that late proposals would not be considered.

When was the opportunity posted and when was it archived?

The opportunity was posted on Grants.gov with a posted and creation date of July 31, 2013. The archive date listed was August 20, 2013.

Who was the point of contact for questions or access to the full announcement?

The listed point of contact was Eddie Bell, Grants Management Officer at BLM. Phone: 602-417-9268. Email: ebell@blm.gov.

What kinds of public resources may be protected or enhanced through CCS projects like this?

According to the CCS program description in the notice, projects may protect or enhance cultural resources, fisheries, recreation opportunities, wildlife habitat, and native plant communities, with an emphasis that can include special status plant species.