Forest Evaluation and Prescription for the Benefit of Migratory Birds | F17AS00011

Opportunity Information: Apply for F17AS00011

The grant opportunity titled Forest Evaluation and Prescription for the Benefit of Migratory Birds (Funding Opportunity Number F17AS00011) is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Department of the Interior) notice stating the agency’s intent to make a single, non-competitive award to the National Audubon Society. It is categorized as a discretionary funding opportunity and will be issued as a cooperative agreement, which means the Fish and Wildlife Service expects to remain actively involved in the work rather than simply providing funds and stepping back. The total funding amount is capped at $82,028, with only one award anticipated, and it was posted on October 27, 2016 with an original closing date of November 2, 2016.

This notice is not a typical open solicitation. There is no application process for outside organizations because the Service determined it will proceed with a single-source award under the Department’s justification authority cited as 505 DM 2.14.B. (1), (2), and (4). In practical terms, the government is explaining that running a competitive process is not considered feasible for this project. The reasons given are that the work must begin on an expedited timeline, it requires a substantial cost share (meaning the recipient is expected to contribute significant non-federal resources), and the recipient will be responsible for managing most of the on-the-ground logistics. Those factors, taken together, are used to support the decision to award directly to a specific organization rather than opening the opportunity to competition.

The core purpose of the two-year cooperative agreement is to support forest-focused habitat planning and implementation work that benefits migratory birds. Funding is intended primarily for hiring and overseeing a person trained in forestry techniques who can evaluate forest conditions and develop management prescriptions and plans. These plans are meant to cover both National Wildlife Refuge lands (referred to in the notice as “the Refuge in the project area”) and certain private lands, reflecting an approach that recognizes migratory bird habitat needs across property boundaries. The forestry professional would help design practical management actions aimed at restoring and managing both floodplain forests and upland forests, which are important habitat types for many bird species and other wildlife.

The National Audubon Society’s expected role goes beyond writing plans; it includes coordinating directly with the Refuge, helping develop and implement restoration and management activities, and handling personnel supervision tied to the effort. The recipient is also expected to manage much of the logistical execution, while working cooperatively with Refuge staff to align priorities and coordinate oversight and direction for program delivery. The structure suggests a partnership model where the non-federal partner drives day-to-day execution and coordination, while the Service provides active guidance and ensures the work fits federal requirements.

Because the instrument is a cooperative agreement, the Fish and Wildlife Service anticipates “substantial involvement” throughout the project. Specifically, the Service will provide oversight of personnel and project activities to make sure all actions comply with applicable policies. This kind of involvement typically includes review and approval of work plans, coordination on technical approaches, monitoring progress against objectives, and ensuring that habitat management prescriptions are consistent with refuge management goals and federal standards. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a targeted, time-sensitive partnership with Audubon to put professional forestry capacity in place for planning and implementing forest management actions intended to improve habitat conditions for migratory birds across refuge and nearby private lands.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Forest Evaluation and Prescription for the Benefit of Migratory Birds" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.650.
• This funding opportunity was created on Oct 27, 2016.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 02, 2016 There is not an application process for this funding opportunity. This is a notice of intent to award a single source cooperative agreement to The National Audubon Society under justification 505DM 2.14.B. (1), (2) and (4).. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $82,028.00 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).

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