Opportunity Information: Apply for 93250 9 0134
Apply for 93250 9 0134
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Volunteer Based Early Detection Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.649 Service Training and Technical Assistance (Generic Training).
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 11, 2009 and posted on Aug 11, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 12, 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 $39,875.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $39,875.00 in funding.
- 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).
- This is single source funding for Invasive Plant Control for the Volunteer Based Early Detection for National Wildlife Refuges Program, and no other applicant need apply.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Volunteer Based Early Detection Program is a small pilot cooperative agreement run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) within the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) to strengthen how national wildlife refuges find new invasive plant infestations as early as possible. The core idea behind the project is straightforward: catching an invasive plant population when it is just starting is widely considered one of the most cost-effective ways to manage invasive species, because it can prevent long-term ecological damage and avoid much larger control costs later. Many refuges already understand the value of early detection but do not have enough tools, training, or technical support to build reliable volunteer and citizen-science systems that can spot and report new invaders quickly. This effort is designed to fill that gap, initially in the Northeast (NWRS Region 5), and then serve as a model that could be copied across other refuge regions.
The award is structured as a Cooperative Agreement (rather than an open competitive grant), with an estimated total funding amount of $39,875 and an award ceiling of $39,875 (award floor listed as $0). Only one award was expected. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement. The opportunity is explicitly labeled single source, meaning USFWS announced its intent to make the award without competition, citing Department of the Interior guidance (505 DM 2.14) and stating that competition was not practicable. The posting and closing dates show how targeted it was: it was posted on Aug 11, 2009 and closed on Aug 12, 2009, and the announcement states clearly that no other applicant should apply.
The sole eligible recipient for this single source award is Invasive Plant Control, Inc. (IPC). USFWS justified IPC as uniquely qualified because IPC has staff based in the Northeast with an established network of collaborators and partner organizations that can support volunteer-based early detection, including groups like the Invasive Plant Atlas of New England, The Nature Conservancy, and multiple universities and local partners. Beyond regional presence and partnerships, the agency highlights IPCs technical specialization in recruiting, organizing, and training citizen scientists and volunteers to detect invasive plants, which is central to the project design. The intent is not just to run a one-off volunteer activity, but to build stronger, repeatable refuge capacity so that early detection becomes a practical, ongoing part of refuge invasive plant management.
The planned work focuses on building both people and systems. On the systems side, IPC will help facilitate sharing information and data through a web-based computer system so sightings and records can be organized and used across participating refuges. On the training and knowledge side, the project includes workshops for refuge staff that provide updated information on emerging invasive plant threats suited for early detection in the region. On the field implementation side, IPC will help develop and train networks of citizen scientists and volunteers who can function as local early detectors, working alongside refuge staff and reporting new occurrences before they become widespread. The project also includes creating practical support materials, such as a quick-check laminated field guide and related training resources, so volunteers and staff have consistent, easy-to-use identification aids in the field.
A major program goal is network building across refuges, not just within individual sites. By strengthening localized volunteer networks and linking refuges together, the program aims to improve the regions ability to identify and track new invaders before they arrive on refuge lands or while infestations are still small. This local-to-regional networking approach is also meant to connect to a broader national effort: refuge staff are to be trained to educate and maintain these networks as part of a National Early Detection Network being developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). In other words, the pilot is intended to demonstrate how volunteer-based early detection can be standardized and scaled within the NWRS.
Key administrative details from the announcement include the funding opportunity number 93250 9 0134, the activity category Environment, and the CFDA number 15.649 (Service Training and Technical Assistance). The issuing agency is the Fish and Wildlife Service. A listed contact for access issues is Kay Shipp, Administrative Officer, at 703 358 2510.
Volunteer Based Early Detection Program (USFWS) - FAQs
What is the Volunteer Based Early Detection Program?
The Volunteer Based Early Detection Program is a small pilot cooperative agreement run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) within the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). It is designed to strengthen how national wildlife refuges detect new invasive plant infestations as early as possible, using volunteer and citizen-science approaches.
Why does this program focus on early detection of invasive plants?
The program is built around the idea that finding an invasive plant population when it is just starting is widely considered one of the most cost-effective ways to manage invasive species. Early detection can prevent long-term ecological damage and can help avoid much larger control costs that often occur once invasive plants become widespread.
What problem is this pilot intended to solve for refuges?
Many refuges already recognize the value of early detection, but may not have enough tools, training, or technical support to build reliable volunteer and citizen-science systems that can quickly spot and report new invasive plant occurrences. This pilot is intended to fill that gap by helping refuges build practical, repeatable capacity.
Which part of the country is the pilot focused on?
The pilot is initially focused on the Northeast, specifically NWRS Region 5. The intention is for the pilot to serve as a model that could be copied across other refuge regions.
What type of funding instrument is this opportunity?
This opportunity is structured as a Cooperative Agreement (not an open competitive grant).
How much funding is available?
The estimated total funding amount is $39,875, and the award ceiling is also $39,875. The award floor is listed as $0.
How many awards were expected?
Only one award was expected.
Is there a cost share or matching requirement?
No. The announcement states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Was this a competitive opportunity open to multiple applicants?
No. The opportunity is explicitly labeled single source, meaning USFWS announced its intent to make the award without competition. The notice cites Department of the Interior guidance (505 DM 2.14) and states that competition was not practicable.
Who was eligible to receive this award?
The sole eligible recipient for this single source award is Invasive Plant Control, Inc. (IPC).
Should other organizations apply for this opportunity?
No. The announcement states clearly that no other applicant should apply.
What were the posting and closing dates?
The opportunity was posted on Aug 11, 2009 and closed on Aug 12, 2009, indicating it was a very targeted announcement.
Why did USFWS select Invasive Plant Control, Inc. (IPC) as the single source recipient?
USFWS justified IPC as uniquely qualified because IPC has staff based in the Northeast and an established network of collaborators and partner organizations that can support volunteer-based early detection. The announcement also emphasizes IPC's technical specialization in recruiting, organizing, and training citizen scientists and volunteers to detect invasive plants, which is central to the project design.
What kinds of partners or collaborator networks are mentioned in the justification?
The announcement references IPC's connections with groups such as the Invasive Plant Atlas of New England, The Nature Conservancy, multiple universities, and other local partners.
What activities or deliverables are described for the pilot?
The planned work includes building both people and systems, including:
- Facilitating information and data sharing through a web-based computer system to organize sightings and records across participating refuges.
- Workshops for refuge staff that provide updated information on emerging invasive plant threats suited for early detection in the region.
- Developing and training networks of citizen scientists and volunteers who can serve as local early detectors and report new occurrences alongside refuge staff.
- Creating practical support materials such as a quick-check laminated field guide and related training resources to support consistent identification in the field.
Is the goal just to run volunteer events, or to build long-term capacity?
The intent is not to run a one-off volunteer activity. The project is designed to build stronger, repeatable refuge capacity so that early detection becomes a practical, ongoing part of refuge invasive plant management.
How does the program support coordination across different refuges?
A major goal is network building across refuges, not just within individual sites. By strengthening localized volunteer networks and linking refuges together, the program aims to improve the region's ability to identify and track new invasive plants before they arrive on refuge lands or while infestations are still small.
How does this pilot connect to national early detection efforts?
The pilot is intended to connect to a broader national effort by training refuge staff to educate and maintain these networks as part of a National Early Detection Network being developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The pilot is meant to demonstrate how volunteer-based early detection can be standardized and scaled within the NWRS.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is 93250 9 0134.
What is the activity category listed for this opportunity?
The activity category is Environment.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 15.649 (Service Training and Technical Assistance).
Which agency issued this opportunity?
The issuing agency is the Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
Who is the listed contact for access issues?
The announcement lists Kay Shipp, Administrative Officer, as the contact for access issues at 703 358 2510.
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