Opportunity Information: Apply for W9126G 15 2 RFP 0004
Apply for W9126G 15 2 RFP 0004
- The Dept. of the Army Corps of Engineers in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Youth Conservation Services" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.010 Youth Conservation Services.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 11, 2015 and posted on Aug 11, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 10, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $10,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $10,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
Youth Conservation Services is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to establish a nationwide cooperative agreement with one qualified nonprofit organization. The core purpose is to deliver training and education tied to natural resources conservation and outdoor recreation management, while also placing young adults and military veterans into real-world, paid or structured work experiences that support environmental stewardship. Through this agreement, USACE is looking to expand hands-on conservation and recreation management capacity across the country, while simultaneously helping participants build practical skills, leadership ability, and clearer pathways into careers connected to public lands, conservation, and outdoor recreation.
A central feature of the opportunity is the expectation that the selected organization already has a strong, proven track record running large-scale service and career-development programs for both youth and veterans. USACE is not looking for a startup model or a pilot effort; it is looking for a recipient that can recruit, screen, train, and place participants quickly and at high volume. The recipient must be able to support a range of participant levels, from high school-age experiences through post-graduate internships and related programs, structured in a way that creates a continuous pipeline of development. In practical terms, the organization needs to demonstrate it can offer multiple tiers of programming that build on each other over time, so participants can deepen their understanding of conservation and recreation management and become competitive for jobs in those fields.
Operationally, the recipient must also have the staffing, systems, and logistical capacity to place interns and conservation crews at scale across USACE-managed sites. The announcement emphasizes immediate and successful placement potential at more than 400 USACE lake and river projects and other locations nationwide, explicitly covering all fifty states. That nationwide footprint is a major requirement: the cooperative agreement is designed to serve USACE projects broadly, so the recipient needs national reach, established processes, and the ability to coordinate placements, supervision, safety, and project delivery in many different regions at once.
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally means USACE expects substantial involvement in the work (more coordination and shared oversight than a typical grant). The program is authorized under 33 USC 2339(a), tied to Assistance Programs and Delegation of Authority under Section 213(a) of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2000. The assistance listing is CFDA 12.010, also titled Youth Conservation Services, and the activity area is Natural Resources.
From a funding perspective, USACE anticipated making one award. The estimated total funding was $10,000,000, with an award ceiling of $10,000,000 and an award floor of $3,000,000. Cost sharing or matching was required, meaning the recipient would be expected to contribute resources beyond federal dollars (for example cash match, allowable in-kind contributions, or other approved forms of cost share, depending on the full announcement terms). Eligibility was limited to nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education. The funding opportunity number is W9126G-15-2-RFP-0004, and the opportunity was posted August 11, 2015, with a closing date of September 10, 2015 (later archived October 10, 2015).
For applicants that needed access help with the full announcement at the time, the listed contact was Lucille Smith, Contract Specialist/Grants Specialist, at 409-766-3845.
Youth Conservation Services (USACE) - FAQs
What is the Youth Conservation Services grant opportunity?
Youth Conservation Services is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to establish a nationwide cooperative agreement with one qualified nonprofit organization.
What is the main purpose of this opportunity?
The purpose is to deliver training and education tied to natural resources conservation and outdoor recreation management, while also placing young adults and military veterans into real-world, paid or structured work experiences that support environmental stewardship.
What kind of organization is USACE looking to fund?
USACE expects to select one qualified nonprofit organization with a strong, proven track record running large-scale service and career-development programs for both youth and veterans. The opportunity is not described as a startup, pilot, or experimental model; it is intended for an organization that can operate quickly and at high volume.
How many awards did USACE anticipate making?
USACE anticipated making one award.
What funding instrument will be used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates USACE expects substantial involvement in the work, including coordination and shared oversight.
What is the estimated funding amount?
The estimated total funding was $10,000,000.
What are the award ceiling and award floor?
The award ceiling was $10,000,000 and the award floor was $3,000,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching was required, meaning the recipient would be expected to contribute resources beyond federal dollars (such as cash match and/or allowable in-kind contributions, depending on the full announcement terms).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility was limited to nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status.
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
No. Institutions of higher education were excluded from eligibility.
What types of participants are intended to be served by the program?
The program is intended to serve young adults and military veterans through training, education, and placement into hands-on work experiences connected to conservation and outdoor recreation management.
What kinds of activities or experiences are expected for participants?
The opportunity emphasizes training and education in natural resources conservation and outdoor recreation management, combined with real-world, paid or structured work experiences that support environmental stewardship.
Does the selected organization need experience running programs for both youth and veterans?
Yes. A central expectation is a strong, proven track record running large-scale service and career-development programs for both youth and veterans.
Is USACE looking for a pilot program or a new, untested model?
No. USACE is not looking for a startup model or a pilot effort. It is seeking a recipient that can recruit, screen, train, and place participants quickly and at high volume.
What does USACE mean by a "pipeline" of programming?
The announcement describes an expectation that the recipient can support multiple participant levels, from high school-age experiences through post-graduate internships and related programs. These tiers should build on each other over time to help participants develop deeper skills and become competitive for jobs in conservation, public lands, and outdoor recreation fields.
What operational capacity is expected from the recipient?
The recipient must have staffing, systems, and logistical capacity to place interns and conservation crews at scale across USACE-managed sites, including the ability to coordinate placements, supervision, safety, and project delivery across many regions.
How large is the geographic scope of placements?
The cooperative agreement is designed to operate nationwide, explicitly covering all fifty states.
Where would participants potentially be placed?
Placements are expected across USACE-managed sites, with the announcement emphasizing immediate and successful placement potential at more than 400 USACE lake and river projects and other locations nationwide.
What activity area does this opportunity fall under?
The activity area is Natural Resources.
What is the assistance listing / CFDA number for this program?
The assistance listing referenced is CFDA 12.010, also titled Youth Conservation Services.
What is the legal authority cited for this opportunity?
The program is authorized under 33 USC 2339(a), tied to Assistance Programs and Delegation of Authority under Section 213(a) of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2000.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is W9126G-15-2-RFP-0004.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
It was posted on August 11, 2015, with a closing date of September 10, 2015. It was later archived on October 10, 2015.
Who was the listed contact for announcement access help?
The listed contact was Lucille Smith, Contract Specialist/Grants Specialist, at 409-766-3845.
What is USACE trying to accomplish through this agreement beyond conservation work?
Beyond expanding hands-on conservation and outdoor recreation management capacity, USACE aims to help participants build practical skills, leadership ability, and clearer pathways into careers connected to public lands, conservation, and outdoor recreation.
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