Opportunity Information: Apply for BLM AK RFA09 0009

  • The Department of the Interior in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Steese White Moutain Archaeological Reconnaissance and Survery Project, Alaska CESU" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.224 Cultural Resource Management.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Aug 31, 2009 and posted on Aug 31, 2009.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 11, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The funding agency has allocated a total of $200,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
  • Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU)
Apply for BLM AK RFA09 0009

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Opportunity Summary:

The Steese White Mountain Archaeological Reconnaissance and Survey Project (Alaska CESU) was a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) funding opportunity under the U.S. Department of the Interior focused on identifying and evaluating prehistoric archaeological resources on public lands in Alaska's interior. The central goal was straightforward but critical for cultural resource management: you cannot protect, manage, or make informed land-use decisions about heritage sites unless you know where those sites are. By surveying and assessing lands for previously unknown prehistoric sites, the project aimed to generate the baseline information needed to evaluate discoveries for potential eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places, which is a key step in formal recognition and long-term management.

A major emphasis of the project was the use of predictive modeling to guide archaeological reconnaissance. In practice, that means using environmental variables, landscape features, and existing site data to estimate where undiscovered sites are most likely to occur, then targeting field surveys to those higher-probability areas. This approach is especially relevant in large, remote parts of the Alaskan interior where comprehensive, wall-to-wall survey coverage is expensive and logistically difficult. The project therefore combined modern analytical methods with on-the-ground field verification to improve efficiency and increase the likelihood of locating significant prehistoric resources.

Administratively, this opportunity was offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement, indicating that the agency expected substantial involvement or collaboration during project performance rather than a hands-off pass-through of funds. The activity category was Natural Resources, and the associated CFDA number was 15.224 (Cultural Resource Management), placing it squarely within the federal cultural and heritage management framework often tied to responsible stewardship of public lands.

The anticipated award structure was for a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1), with an estimated total funding amount of $200,000. The published award floor was $63,850, and there was no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants were not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of receiving the award. Eligibility was limited to members of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network, which typically includes partner universities, non-profits, and research organizations that collaborate with federal agencies on scientific and cultural resource projects. The listing indicates "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," but the clear eligibility qualifier provided is CESU participation.

Key dates show this was a time-limited solicitation posted on August 31, 2009, with an original and final closing date of September 11, 2009, and an archive date of October 16, 2009. The funding opportunity number was BLM AK RFA09 0009. For access issues related to the full announcement, the contact listed was Sandra S. Smith at s2smith@blm.gov.

In short, this grant opportunity funded a targeted effort to locate and document prehistoric archaeological sites in the Steese and White Mountain area of Alaska by combining predictive modeling with field reconnaissance, producing information needed for National Register evaluation and improving BLM's ability to manage and protect cultural resources on public lands.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Steese White Mountain Archaeological Reconnaissance and Survey Project?

It was a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) funding opportunity under the U.S. Department of the Interior focused on identifying and evaluating prehistoric archaeological resources on public lands in Alaska's interior, specifically the Steese and White Mountain area.

What was the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The central goal was to locate and assess previously unknown prehistoric archaeological sites so BLM would have baseline information needed for cultural resource management and land-use decision-making.

Why was the project focused on finding previously unknown sites?

The project was based on a practical cultural resource management principle: you cannot protect, manage, or make informed land-use decisions about heritage sites unless you know where those sites are. Surveys and assessments help identify what exists on the landscape before decisions are made.

What types of resources were being targeted?

The opportunity focused on prehistoric archaeological resources on public lands in Alaska's interior.

How would the project results be used in relation to the National Register of Historic Places?

The surveys were intended to generate baseline information that could be used to evaluate discoveries for potential eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places, which is an important step toward formal recognition and long-term management.

What is meant by "archaeological reconnaissance and survey" in this opportunity?

Based on the description provided, it refers to field efforts to locate, document, and assess archaeological sites across targeted areas, with the goal of identifying previously unknown prehistoric sites and gathering information needed for evaluation and management.

What is predictive modeling and how was it used in this project?

Predictive modeling, as described in the opportunity, means using environmental variables, landscape features, and existing site data to estimate where undiscovered sites are most likely to occur. Field surveys could then be targeted to those higher-probability areas to improve efficiency and increase the chances of locating significant prehistoric resources.

Why was predictive modeling especially relevant for Alaska's interior?

The opportunity notes that large, remote areas of the Alaskan interior make comprehensive, wall-to-wall survey coverage expensive and logistically difficult. Predictive modeling helps focus fieldwork where sites are more likely to be found.

What federal agency offered this funding opportunity?

The opportunity was offered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) under the U.S. Department of the Interior.

What type of award was this?

It was offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement, which indicates the agency expected substantial involvement or collaboration during project performance rather than simply providing funds with minimal engagement.

What was the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category listed was Natural Resources.

What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?

The associated CFDA number was 15.224 (Cultural Resource Management).

How many awards were expected?

The listing indicated a single award was expected (ExpectedAwards: 1).

What was the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding amount was $200,000.

What was the minimum award amount (award floor)?

The published award floor was $63,850.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants were not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of receiving the award.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was limited to members of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network. The listing also included "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," but the clear eligibility qualifier provided is CESU participation.

What kinds of organizations are typically part of the CESU network?

The opportunity notes CESU partners typically include universities, non-profits, and research organizations that collaborate with federal agencies on scientific and cultural resource projects.

What was the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number was BLM AK RFA09 0009.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on August 31, 2009.

What were the application closing dates?

The original closing date and the final closing date were both September 11, 2009.

When was the opportunity archived?

The archive date listed was October 16, 2009.

Who was the contact for access issues related to the full announcement?

The listed contact was Sandra S. Smith, and the email provided was s2smith@blm.gov.

What was the overall approach funded by the opportunity?

The opportunity funded a targeted approach that combined predictive modeling (to prioritize high-probability locations) with on-the-ground field verification (to confirm and document sites), producing information useful for National Register evaluation and improved management of cultural resources on BLM-managed public lands.

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