Temporary Bridge Funding Opportunity Program - FY 2025
| Agency: | U.S. Department of Agriculture |
|---|---|
| CFDA: | 10.721 |
| Office: | Forest Service |
| Multipart Grant: | No |
| Next Due: | 04/25/2025 (Multiple) |
|---|---|
| Solicitation Date: | Unknown |
| Match Required: | No |
| Actual Funds: | Unspecified |
| Range: | $17,600,000 (Max) |
Summary:
The purpose of this program is to protect water resources and reduce water quality degradation during forestry-related operations requiring temporary water resources crossings. Funding will be provided to state governments and Indian tribes to establish temporary bridge rental programs for portable skidder bridges, bridge mats, or other temporary water crossing structures to minimize stream bed disturbance on nonfederal and federal land.
Applicants should develop a rental program that accomplishes one or more of the following options to maximize the needs of the state, tribe, and end users:
- No-cost rental: bridges are rented at no cost to a bridge user for a specific project and returned at the end of the project
- Fee rental programs: bridges are rented at a predetermined fee to a bridge use participant for a project and returned at the end of the project
- Rent-to-own programs: the applicant purchases the bridge(s) and rents to another entity towards ultimate ownership by the user
For rent-to-own programs, applicants should consult with the program staff using the information provided in the Contact section for proposed options.
Rental income generated should be used toward operation of the temporary bridge program or maintenance of temporary bridges.
Bridge types will vary depending on location and terrain, as well as the vehicle and weight requirements within the state. Bridge structures may be made of steel, as there is no requirement that temporary bridge structures be made only from wood or timber. Allowable bridge types to be utilized as part of this program include:
- Short- and medium-span temporary timber bridges
- Short- and medium-span temporary steel bridges
- Temporary metal or timber roadway mats
Funding may be used to cover the following range of expenses:
- Purchase cost of each bridge, including delivery, freight, and other charges
- Program administrative costs to support the award
- Training, education, and program education materials
- Maintenance costs utilized to provide support for loan and rental programs
Refer to page 4 of the NOFA file for information regarding eligible bridge use participants based on applicant type.
Projects must provide a preference for the purchase, acquisition, or use of goods, products, or materials produced in the United States.
The funding agency is particularly interested in applications that demonstrate a clear benefit to underserved/historically marginalized people, the communities where they reside, or the forest areas that they value.
Eligibility Notes:
Eligible applicants are state governments and Indian tribes.
For state awards, state forestry agencies or other state agencies only may apply for funding, and the state agency may subaward or subcontract pass-through funding to a responsible entity that has an active interest in the use of temporary bridges. Such entities may include soil and water conservation districts, state forestry or logging associations, and other conservation partners. The state may defer the award authority to another responsible entity through a letter of designation. Pass-through recipients may be delegated by the state for any or all aspects of the award scope of work; however, the state retains oversight responsibility.
For tribal awards, Indian tribes must be the lead entity.
Preference will be given to applicants that:
- Do not have an active temporary bridge program
- Demonstrate how they will support underserved communities
- Demonstrate collaborative partnerships in implementing their project
- Demonstrate how their project will be implemented to improve water quality
- Demonstrate an effective communication and outreach strategy
- Demonstrate understanding of reporting requirements
- Provide letters of commitment from collaborating partners
The intent of the program is to provide funding to all applicants that provide a request that meets the program goals; however, application amounts may be negotiated to a lower funding amount with potential deferral into subsequent application windows. Applicants may reapply for additional funding in subsequent application windows.
Previous award recipients include:
- Makah Indian Tribe (WA)
- Hoopa Valley Tribe (CA)
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MI)
- South Carolina Forestry Commission (SC)
- Virginia Department of Forestry (VA)
Refer to the Award file for additional information on previous award recipients.
Eligible Applicants:
ConsortiaNative American Tribe
State Government
Application Notes:
Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. ET on:
- April 25, 2025
- August 29, 2025
- December 26, 2025
Applications must be emailed to the address provided in the Contact section.
Applications must include:
- Part 1:
- Applicant contact information
- Narrative
- Appendices
- Part 2:
- SF 424
- SF 424A
- SF 424B
- USDA AD-1047
- USDA AD-1049
- USDA AD-3030
- FS-1500-35
- FS-1500-22
To obtain the application form, applicants must contact Jeffrey High using the information provided in the Contact section. Applications must be submitted in .pdf format.
The following are required in order to submit an application:
- Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number
- SAM (System for Award Management) registration
Applicants may obtain a UEI number and verify or renew SAM registration status at www.ecivis.com/sam.
Refer to the NOFA and Overview files for additional application information.
| Match Required: | No |
|---|---|
| Actual Funds: | Unspecified |
| Range: | $17,600,000 (Max) |
Match Notes:
Matching funds are not required for this program.
Funding Notes:
A total of $35 million is available for this program to be spread out through 2026. As of January 2025, up to $17.6 million is available. The funding agency plans to award up to $8 million per year plus any remaining funding not used in previous application windows. Award requests for $500,000 or less will be prioritized for funding; however, requests for more than $500,000 will be considered with prior approval.
Funding may be provided up to 30 days in advance of the actual bridge purchase through a written request. All other funding, such as administration, materials, and maintenance costs, will be provided on a reimbursement basis, and 10 percent of the funding may be held until final reporting is completed and approved.
Award announcements will be made two months after application submission.
The award term is expected to last between two and three years. Applicants that apply for and receive additional funding in subsequent years will be issued a modification.
Program administrative costs to support the award are limited to 15 percent of the total bridge costs.
Training, education, and program education material costs are limited to 3 percent of the total bridge costs.
Maintenance costs utilized to provide support for loan and rental programs are limited to 10 percent of the total bridge costs.
Bridges may not be used as collateral, sold, or otherwise transferred to another party without the written permission of the funding agency.
For FY 2022, a total of $4.7 million was distributed via 25 awards ranging from $2,956 to $610,018 through this program. Refer to the Award file for details.
Contacts:
Jeffrey High
Wood Innovations Specialist
jeffrey.c.high@usda.gov
Agency Address
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250
Contact Notes:
Questions should be directed to Jeffrey High.
Applications must be emailed to the address provided.
The agency address provided is for reference purposes only.
Files:
NOFA File: US17295_NOFA_FY2025.pdf (255.4 Kb)Other Pre-Award File: US17295_Overview_FY2025.pdf (122.7 Kb)
Award File: US17295_Award_FY2025.pdf (111.7 Kb)
Application File: US17295_Application_FY2025.zip (131.9 Kb)
Federal Forms:
SF 424 (144.4 Kb)SF 424B (64.2 Kb)
AD 1047 (14.5 Kb)
AD 1049 (477.0 Kb)
SF 424A (131.6 Kb)
File Notes:
The NOFA file contains the full solicitation for this program. The Application folder contains the required forms for submission. The Overview file contains general program information, including additional application instructions. The Award file contains information on previous award recipients. The required federal forms are attached.
| Project: | South Carolina Forestry Commission Temporary Bridge Funding Project (1.4 Mb) |
|---|---|
| Applicant: | South Carolina Forestry Commission |
| Summary: |
The purpose of this program is to protect water resources and reduce water quality degradation during forestry-related operations requiring temporary water resources crossings. The South Carolina Forestry Commission requested and received $350,000 for two temporary bridges for logging and to expand an existing bridge rental program. Funds will also go towards augmenting a best management practices (BMP) cost-share program which offsets a portion of the costs associated with the installation of BMP-compliant stream crossings. |
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Water Supply/Quality