Establishing a Global System of Regional Wildlife Networks Providing Support for the Central American Wildlife | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant solicitation from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science (OES), Office of Ecology and Natural Resource Conservation. It is identified as Funding Opportunity Number (FON) S-OES-10-RFA-0013 under CFDA 19.017 (Environmental and Scientific Partnerships and Programs).

2) What is the main purpose of the grant?

The central purpose is to stand up and manage a regional wildlife law enforcement network for Central America called the Central America Wildlife Enforcement Network (CAWEN). The effort is positioned as part of a broader initiative to establish a global system of regional wildlife enforcement networks, with CAWEN serving as the Central American component.

3) What problem area does this project focus on?

The solicitation focuses on environmental law enforcement cooperation, specifically improving regional capacity to interdict illegal wildlife trade and related wildlife trafficking crimes in Central America through better coordination, communication, and information sharing.

4) What are the core goals or outcomes expected?

The core goals are practical and enforcement-oriented, including improving communication and coordination among key actors dealing with wildlife trafficking, creating basic structures needed for an effective regional network, and laying groundwork for CAWEN to connect with other wildlife enforcement networks through compatible data systems.

5) What key deliverable is emphasized in the announcement?

A major implied deliverable is establishing the foundation for integration of a CAWEN database with databases used by other regional wildlife law enforcement networks. This highlights an emphasis on interoperability, information sharing, and consistent regional reporting to support investigations, interdictions, and cross-border trend analysis.

6) What type of award is this?

The instrument type is a Grant, and the activity category is Environment.

7) How many awards does the Department of State plan to make?

The Department of State plans to make one award, making the opportunity competitive with a single anticipated grantee.

8) How much funding is available?

The estimated total funding is up to $297,000 (FY2009 Economic Support Funds). The award ceiling is $297,000 and the award floor is $250,000.

9) Is cost sharing required?

The standardized solicitation field indicates cost sharing is not required, but the narrative states the grantee is expected to provide cost sharing, potentially including in-kind contributions, as described in the Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI). Applicants should rely on the PSI and be prepared to describe non-federal support (including in-kind support such as staff time or services) if that expectation applies.

10) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is aimed at non-governmental organizations and international organizations. The text indicates non-profits and international organizations are eligible applicants, particularly those with relevant experience referenced in Sections 1 and 3 and Appendix A1.1 of the solicitation package.

11) What kind of experience or capacity is the program seeking from applicants?

Based on the announcement, applicants are expected to demonstrate capacity to support wildlife law enforcement cooperation, regional coordination, and (given the emphasis on database integration) potentially experience with data systems or information-sharing frameworks that can support a regional enforcement network.

12) What geographic region is the project focused on?

The project is focused on Central America, with CAWEN intended to function as a regional network serving Central American countries.

13) Which partners and stakeholders is the grantee expected to work with?

The selected grantee (and any partners) is expected to work closely with U.S. and regional counterparts. On the U.S. side, this includes OES, U.S. Embassies in Central America, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Department of Justice. On the regional side, the work involves engagement with relevant government offices in Central American countries, as appropriate.

14) What does "standing up and managing" CAWEN imply in practical terms?

As described, it implies building the basic structures needed for an effective regional network, establishing trusted channels for timely communication across agencies and borders, improving points of contact and coordination among key players, and supporting information-sharing approaches that enable investigations and interdictions.

15) What is the role of data and reporting in this opportunity?

Data interoperability and information sharing are central themes. The announcement points toward creating the foundation for integrating a CAWEN database with other wildlife enforcement network databases, supporting consistent regional reporting and improved cross-border visibility into trafficking patterns and enforcement actions.

16) What are the key dates for this solicitation?

The posting/created date is June 2, 2010. The original and current closing date is June 30, 2010. The archive date is July 30, 2010.

17) Where can applicants find the detailed submission requirements?

The solicitation references Proposal Submission Instructions (PSI) as the place where requirements such as cost sharing expectations and other submission details are described. The notice stresses reading the full solicitation package carefully.

18) Why does the notice emphasize acting quickly and reading the full solicitation package?

The notice indicates that meeting submission requirements by the deadline may involve time-sensitive steps such as formatting and documentation requirements. Applicants are directed to read the full solicitation package and take immediate steps to meet the deadline.

19) Who is the primary program contact for questions?

The primary program contact is Antoinette Condo at the Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science: condoaj@state.gov; phone 202-647-0657; fax 202-736-7351.

20) Who can be contacted for access issues related to the full announcement?

For access issues, the notice lists Barbara Jones (JonesBL2@state.gov; phone 202-647-6885) as an additional contact, along with Antoinette Condo.

21) What is the CFDA number and program name associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA is 19.017, titled Environmental and Scientific Partnerships and Programs.

22) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is S-OES-10-RFA-0013.

23) What does it mean that this is part of a broader global system of regional wildlife networks?

The announcement frames CAWEN as the Central American component of a global approach built around regional wildlife enforcement networks. This context helps explain the emphasis on compatible data systems and integration with other networks.

24) Does the opportunity specify that partners may be involved?

Yes. The announcement states that the selected grantee and any partners would be expected to work closely with multiple U.S. and regional counterparts.