Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species - FY 2025
| Agency: | U.S. Department of Interior |
|---|---|
| CFDA: | 15.608 |
| Federal FON: | F25AS00039 |
| Office: | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) |
| Multipart Grant: | No |
| Next Due: | Rolling |
|---|---|
| Solicitation Date: | 10/31/2024 |
| Match Required: | Recommended |
| Match Type: | Cash/In-Kind |
| Actual Funds: | $960,000 (Estimated) |
| Award Range: | $50,000 (Min) / $960,000 (Max) |
| Number of Awards: | 5 (Estimated) |
Summary:
The purpose of this program is to support the rapid response to a new species introduction within freshwater, estuarine, or marine waters of the United States, including the U.S. territories. For the purposes of this program, rapid response is defined as a process employed to eradicate the founding population of non-native, potentially invasive species in a specific location before that species begins to reproduce or spreads so widely that eradication is no longer feasible. Eradication is defined as the removal or destruction of an entire population of an invasive species within a specified area.
Funding may be used to respond to aquatic invasive species (AIS), including animals or plants that reside within fresh, estuarine, wetland, or marine waters. It is expected that prior to applying, applicants will have confirmed the identification of the targeted species and will have identified evidence that the species is likely to adversely impact the environment, economy, cultural resources, and/or human, plant, or animal health.
Responses to species for which the origin or native range is unknown are eligible for funding if there is evidence that they have not been previously detected in the area and their presence may result in adverse impacts. To direct funding toward efforts that address species with a high probability to cause harm, species that are identified on a state or federal watch list, or similar prioritization tool, may receive higher consideration in the application evaluation process.
Response efforts submitted for consideration should be in pursuit of eradication of the targeted species from the defined location. As such, eligible activities are those that support or lead up to achieving this goal, including:
- Planning and site delineation:
- Delineation to determine the spatial extent and abundance of an isolated AIS population
- Analysis and assessment of potential response measures
- Planning, environmental documentation, and/or permit acquisition
- Measures to contain the population during the species assessment or while a long-term response plan is formulated
- Deployment of response action:
- Implement actions on site that support or lead up to eradication of the targeted species
- Survey surrounding areas
- Monitor the population and effectiveness of applied response measures
Assessment funding may also be available for preliminary response actions in circumstances where a full response plan has not yet been developed and/or a precise delineation of the geographic scope of the targeted species is unknown. Assessment funding may be awarded to assess potential response measures to determine the most effective response plan. Once the full response plan has been determined, applicants that have received assessment funding may seek additional funding for deployment of the response by submitting an updated narrative and budget before the end of their award period.
Eligible costs may include personnel salary costs, as well as the procurement of supplies, equipment, construction, and services by award recipients and subrecipients.
Eligibility Notes:
Eligible applicants are:
- Federal agencies
- State agencies
- U.S. territory agencies
- Interstate organizations
- Federally recognized Indian tribal governments
- Native American organizations authorized by Indian tribal governments
Funding may be used to respond to a new species introduction within freshwater, estuarine, wetland, or marine waters of the United States or U.S. territories. Funding may also be used to respond to aquatic invasive species (AIS) already present in the United States or U.S. territories in areas where the species has not been previously detected. For response efforts directed toward species with existing populations in the United States or U.S. territories, priority will be given to incipient populations that are either a secondary invasion; were introduced a significant distance away from an existing population; or pose a new threat to vulnerable, high-priority, or protected areas.
Applicants must either have an existing rapid response plan that is suitable to the situation or agree that a rapid response plan will be completed within 60 days from the date of award.
Applicants may collaborate with and provide subawards to other entities to assist with the response. Such entities may include local governments, institutions of higher learning, and non-governmental organizations.
To focus on the highest priority rapid response needs and expedite award selection, applicants are encouraged to limit their number of applications to one per quarter. Applications not selected during a specific quarter will be contacted and given the option to either carry over the previously submitted application for evaluation in the next quarter or resubmit a revised application.
Eligible Applicants:
Native American TribeOther
State Government
Tribal Organizations/Institutions
Application Notes:
Prior to submitting an application, applicants must ensure that the identity of the target species has been confirmed and reported to the U.S. Geological Survey Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, which can be found online at nas.er.usgs.gov.
Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served rolling basis until all funding is expended. The application review and selection will occur on a quarterly basis. The deadline for each quarterly cycle is as follows:
- December 31, 2024
- March 31, 2025
- June 30, 2025
- September 30, 2025
Applications must be submitted online at grantsolutions.gov or www.ecivis.com/grants.gov. Nonfederal applicants are strongly encouraged to apply through grantsolutions.gov.
Applications must include:
- SF 424
- SF 424A (if applicable)
- SF LLL (if applicable)
- Project abstract summary
- Project narrative (12 pages max)
- Budget narrative
- Pre-award costs statement (if applicable)
- Single audit reporting statements
- Overlap or duplication of effort statement
- Indirect cost rate statement
- Conflict of interest disclosure
- Negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (if applicable)
The following are required in order to submit an application:
- Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number
- SAM (System for Award Management) registration
- SPOC (state Single Point of Contact) notification
Applicants may obtain a UEI number and verify or renew SAM registration status at www.ecivis.com/sam. Applicants in states participating in the SPOC program must contact the relevant SPOC listed in the SPOC file before applying.
Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Potential impact of the invasion (30 percent)
- Proposed approach (30 percent)
- Preparedness (10 percent)
- Experience and qualifications (10 percent)
- Budget (10 percent)
- Post-response commitment (10 percent)
Refer to the NOFA file for additional application information.
| Match Required: | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Match Type: | Cash/In-Kind |
| Actual Funds: | $960,000 (Estimated) |
| Award Range: | $50,000 (Min) / $960,000 (Max) |
|---|---|
| Number of Awards: | 5 (Estimated) |
Match Notes:
Matching funds are not required for this program; however, applications that include financial match or in-kind contributions will be given higher consideration during the evaluation process.
Funding Notes:
An estimated $960,000 is available to support an expected five awards ranging from $50,000 to $960,000 through this program.
For applications submitted by the December 31, 2024, deadline, the anticipated award date is February 15, 2025. For applications submitted by the March 31, 2025, deadline, the anticipated award date is May 15, 2025. For applications submitted by the June 30, 2025, deadline, the anticipated award date is August 15, 2025. For applications submitted by the September 30, 2025, deadline, the anticipated award date is October 15, 2025.
All funds awarded through this program will have a maximum project period of three years anticipated to last from February 1, 2025, to February 1, 2028; however, start dates will depend on quarterly evaluation, and should begin as soon as possible once funds are received. Award recipients that did not achieve the management goal within the three-year time frame may apply for additional funds, but will be expected to describe results achieved with the previous funds and expected accomplishments by extending the length of the project.
Applicants selected for funding may be eligible for pre-award costs; however, pre-award costs will not be approved for any work that would require environmental compliance to be completed first.
Funds may not be used for:
- Response efforts directed toward pathogens or harmful algal blooms
- Long-term management or remediation
Contacts:
Susan Pasko
susan_pasko@fws.gov
Agency Address
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1849 C St., NW
Washington, D.C. 20240
Contact Notes:
Questions should be directed to Susan Pasko.
Applications must be submitted online at grantsolutions.gov or www.ecivis.com/grants.gov. Nonfederal applicants are strongly encouraged to apply through grantsolutions.gov.
The agency address provided is for reference purposes only.
File Notes:
The NOFA file contains the full solicitation for this program. The SPOC file contains information on the state Single Point of Contact program.