Opportunity Information: Apply for F12AS00167
Apply for F12AS00167
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Intermountain West Joint Venture Sage Grouse Initiative Strategic Watershed Action Team, Phase 2" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.637 Migratory Bird Joint Ventures.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 16, 2012 and posted on May 14, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 29, 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 $1,900,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,900,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: For profit organizations other than small businesses Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education State governments County governments Independent school districts Individuals City or township governments Small businesses Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV) Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) Strategic Watershed Action Team (SWAT), Phase 2 is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) discretionary funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F12AS00167) designed to strengthen the on-the-ground delivery and support functions of the NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative across the western United States. SGI was created by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to conserve greater sage-grouse while sustaining working ranches across 11 western states by focusing conservation investments in high-priority sage-grouse core or abundance areas. Phase 2 represents an expansion of this effort, made possible by NRCS adding additional funds to the existing NRCS-FWS interagency agreement so partners can further build field capacity, science capacity, and communications capacity tied to SGI implementation.
At its core, this opportunity is not asking an applicant to directly perform habitat projects on the ground. Instead, FWS (through the IWJV office in Missoula, Montana) is looking for an organization that can serve as the administrative and fiduciary backbone for the SGI SWAT partnership model. The selected applicant would enter into a Cooperative Agreement with FWS and would be responsible for managing NRCS funds and other federal funds in a way that enables IWJV staff and a broad network of conservation partners to carry out SGI SWAT objectives. FWS and IWJV provide oversight and technical guidance for the SWAT program, while the awardee handles the business side: setting up and managing sub-agreements as directed by IWJV staff, maintaining fiscal accountability for federal and any matching funds, and producing required financial and program reports consistent with the NRCS-FWS interagency agreement requirements.
The SWAT objectives emphasize building capacity and improving results at scale. Specifically, the program aims to (1) increase field-level capacity by placing specialized staff in key geographic "pinch points" where added expertise can unlock greater SGI benefits, (2) increase science capacity so SGI work is better targeted, biological outcomes are measured, and delivery is continuously improved, (3) improve outreach and communications to expand landowner participation and partner buy-in, and (4) broaden and strengthen the SGI partnership to better leverage NRCS contributions and increase conservation outcomes. The work supported through sub-agreements can occur throughout the sage-grouse range in portions of California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Funding is structured as a single expected award under a Cooperative Agreement, with an estimated total funding amount of $1,900,000 (award ceiling $1,900,000; award floor $5,000). There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement listed. The program is tied to CFDA 15.637 (Migratory Bird Joint Ventures), reflecting the IWJV partnership framework and the broader joint venture model used for coordinated conservation delivery. Eligible applicants are broad and include state and local governments, federally recognized tribal governments, nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) entities), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other-than-small businesses), institutions and districts, and even individuals, although the evaluation criteria strongly favor applicants with proven institutional financial management capacity.
Proposals are evaluated heavily on an applicant's ability to operate comfortably and compliantly in a complex federal partnership environment. Key selection factors include strong familiarity with migratory bird Joint Ventures; demonstrated experience working with both FWS and NRCS (including understanding each agency's administrative policies and procedures); proven fiduciary competence and past success managing Cooperative Agreements and/or Contribution Agreements with these agencies; and a track record of managing federal funds to achieve conservation outcomes. Reviewers also look closely at the applicant's fiscal management capacity in the specific office that will serve as the main administrative point of contact for IWJV, as well as overall cost effectiveness. A strict cap applies to administrative fees/indirect costs: no more than 5 percent, with lower rates viewed more favorably.
Applicants must submit standard federal grant forms and a narrative package tailored to the criteria. Required components include SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance), SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction Projects) with a clear split between contract costs and administrative/indirect costs, SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Projects), and a narrative responding to specific prompts about joint venture experience, FWS/NRCS experience, fiduciary and agreement-management experience, federal funds management performance, fiscal capacity of the responsible office, the proposed indirect rate/administrative fee (up to 5 percent), and resumes for staff who will handle fiscal management duties. The opportunity number must be included in the email subject line. The original and current closing date listed is May 29, 2012, and the posting was issued in mid-May 2012, with the announcement archived later in 2012, indicating this is a historical listing rather than an open solicitation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the IWJV SGI SWAT, Phase 2 funding opportunity?
This is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) discretionary funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F12AS00167) supporting the Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV) Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) Strategic Watershed Action Team (SWAT), Phase 2. It is designed to strengthen the on-the-ground delivery and support functions of the NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative across the western United States by expanding capacity (field, science, and communications) and strengthening partnerships tied to SGI implementation.
What is the Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI)?
SGI was created by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to conserve greater sage-grouse while sustaining working ranches across 11 western states. It focuses conservation investments in high-priority sage-grouse core or abundance areas.
What does "SWAT, Phase 2" mean in this context?
Phase 2 represents an expansion of the existing SWAT effort. It is made possible by NRCS adding additional funds to an existing NRCS-FWS interagency agreement so partners can further build field capacity, science capacity, and communications capacity tied to SGI implementation.
Is this opportunity meant to directly fund on-the-ground habitat projects?
No. The opportunity is not asking the applicant to directly perform habitat projects on the ground. Instead, FWS (through the IWJV office in Missoula, Montana) is seeking an organization to serve as the administrative and fiduciary backbone for the SGI SWAT partnership model.
What is the role of the selected applicant/awardee?
The selected applicant would enter into a Cooperative Agreement with FWS and would be responsible for managing NRCS funds and other federal funds in a way that enables IWJV staff and a broad network of conservation partners to carry out SGI SWAT objectives. The awardee handles the business and administrative functions, including setting up and managing sub-agreements (as directed by IWJV staff), maintaining fiscal accountability, and producing required financial and program reports consistent with the NRCS-FWS interagency agreement requirements.
How do FWS and IWJV fit into the program once an award is made?
FWS and IWJV provide oversight and technical guidance for the SWAT program, while the awardee manages the administrative and fiduciary responsibilities (including sub-agreements and reporting).
Where is the IWJV office referenced in the announcement?
The opportunity specifies that FWS is acting through the IWJV office in Missoula, Montana.
What are the main objectives of SWAT, Phase 2?
The SWAT objectives emphasize building capacity and improving results at scale, including:
- Increasing field-level capacity by placing specialized staff in key geographic "pinch points" where added expertise can unlock greater SGI benefits.
- Increasing science capacity so SGI work is better targeted, biological outcomes are measured, and delivery is continuously improved.
- Improving outreach and communications to expand landowner participation and partner buy-in.
- Broadening and strengthening the SGI partnership to better leverage NRCS contributions and increase conservation outcomes.
In what geographic areas can SWAT sub-agreement work occur?
Work supported through sub-agreements can occur throughout the sage-grouse range in portions of the following states: California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
How much funding is available under this opportunity?
The announcement anticipates a single award under a Cooperative Agreement with an estimated total funding amount of $1,900,000. The award ceiling is $1,900,000 and the award floor is $5,000.
How many awards are expected?
The funding is structured as a single expected award under a Cooperative Agreement.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost-sharing or matching requirement is listed in the provided opportunity information.
What is the assistance listing/CFDA number tied to this opportunity?
The program is tied to CFDA 15.637 (Migratory Bird Joint Ventures), reflecting the IWJV partnership framework and the broader joint venture model used for coordinated conservation delivery.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are broad and include state and local governments, federally recognized tribal governments, nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) entities), for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other-than-small businesses), institutions and districts, and individuals.
If individuals are eligible, are they competitive for this award?
While individuals are listed as eligible, the evaluation criteria strongly favor applicants with proven institutional financial management capacity, especially given the administrative and fiduciary responsibilities described.
What types of experience are reviewers looking for in applicants?
Proposals are evaluated heavily on an applicant's ability to operate comfortably and compliantly in a complex federal partnership environment. Selection factors include:
- Strong familiarity with migratory bird Joint Ventures.
- Demonstrated experience working with both FWS and NRCS, including understanding each agency's administrative policies and procedures.
- Proven fiduciary competence and past success managing Cooperative Agreements and/or Contribution Agreements with these agencies.
- A track record of managing federal funds to achieve conservation outcomes.
- Fiscal management capacity in the specific office that will serve as the main administrative point of contact for IWJV.
- Overall cost effectiveness.
Is there a cap on administrative fees or indirect costs?
Yes. A strict cap applies: administrative fees/indirect costs may be no more than 5 percent. Lower rates are viewed more favorably.
What application forms are required?
Applicants must submit standard federal grant forms, including:
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction Projects)
- SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Projects)
What needs to be included in the budget submission (SF-424A)?
The budget should clearly split contract costs and administrative/indirect costs.
What should the project narrative address?
The narrative package should respond to prompts covering:
- Joint venture experience
- FWS/NRCS experience
- Fiduciary and agreement-management experience
- Federal funds management performance
- Fiscal capacity of the responsible office
- The proposed indirect rate/administrative fee (up to 5 percent)
- Resumes for staff who will handle fiscal management duties
Are resumes required, and whose resumes should be provided?
Yes. Resumes are required for the staff who will handle fiscal management duties.
Are there submission instructions regarding the email subject line?
Yes. The opportunity number must be included in the email subject line.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is F12AS00167.
When was the application due (closing date)?
The original and current closing date listed is May 29, 2012.
Is this an open opportunity right now?
No. The information indicates the posting was issued in mid-May 2012 and archived later in 2012, which suggests this is a historical listing rather than an open solicitation.
What type of award instrument is used?
The selected applicant would enter into a Cooperative Agreement with FWS.
What does it mean to serve as the "administrative and fiduciary backbone" for SWAT?
Based on the description provided, it means the awardee is responsible for managing NRCS funds and other federal funds, establishing and managing sub-agreements as directed by IWJV staff, ensuring fiscal accountability for federal and any matching funds (if applicable), and producing required financial and program reports aligned with the NRCS-FWS interagency agreement requirements.
Does the announcement mention any preference related to cost effectiveness?
Yes. Reviewers consider overall cost effectiveness, and lower administrative/indirect rates (within the 5 percent cap) are viewed more favorably.
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Previous opportunity: Notice of Intent to Award for Cooperative Agreement with the University of Hawaii, Center for Conservation Research and Training
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