Notice of Intent to Award to Colorado Parks and Wildlife | BOR LC 20 N009

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation. It is presented as a Notice of Intent to Award and is specifically tied to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Who is the intended recipient?

The notice indicates an intent to award to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, suggesting a targeted action intended for a single recipient rather than an open, broadly competitive solicitation.

What is the main purpose of the funding?

The central purpose is environmental protection through reducing aquatic invasive species (AIS) risks associated with recreational watercraft moving across state and regional boundaries. The funding supports continued, coordinated prevention efforts, not the launch of a brand-new program.

What problem is the project trying to address?

The project addresses the risk that recreational boats can transport AIS (including invasive mussels) from one waterbody to another, especially when boats travel across state lines or between regions. The goal is to reduce the likelihood of AIS being introduced into new waters in the Western United States.

What does AIS mean in this context?

AIS refers to aquatic invasive species. In this opportunity, the description highlights invasive mussels (including zebra and quagga mussels) as key threats the project aims to prevent from spreading.

What is the Regional WID Data Sharing System?

The Regional WID (Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination) Data Sharing System is an information-sharing tool that enables agencies and field stations to exchange information about watercraft that may be higher risk for transporting AIS.

How does the Regional WID system help prevent AIS spread?

By allowing participating partners to identify, flag, and share the risk status of watercraft more quickly and consistently across jurisdictions, the system supports earlier detection of high-risk boats and more coordinated prevention actions.

What kinds of activities or improvements does the funding support?

The funding emphasizes strengthening day-to-day communications and data sharing among multiple jurisdictions. In practical terms, it supports ongoing use and continued coordination around the Regional WID Data Sharing System to improve real-time information exchange.

Is this funding intended to create a new AIS program?

No. The opportunity is described as supporting continued, coordinated prevention efforts rather than launching an entirely new program.

What outcomes are emphasized for this project?

The opportunity emphasizes: increased protection of water resources, smoother and more effective operations at watercraft inspection and decontamination field stations, and improved customer service for boaters and anglers.

How is customer service for boaters and anglers expected to improve?

The logic described is that faster access to consistent information across jurisdictions can reduce delays and confusion at inspection points. With better shared information, staff can make more informed decisions in real time, which can lead to a more streamlined experience for the public.

Why is cross-jurisdiction coordination important here?

Because recreational watercraft often move across state and regional boundaries, sharing inspection and risk information among jurisdictions helps partners respond in a more unified way and reduces gaps where high-risk boats might otherwise go unrecognized.

What type of award is this?

The funding is structured as a grant and is described as a discretionary award by the Bureau of Reclamation.

What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is BOR LC 20 N009.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 15.517.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are limited to state governments. The notice also indicates it is specifically tied to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Is this a competitive funding opportunity?

Based on the Notice of Intent to Award language and the identification of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, it appears to be a targeted intent to fund a single recipient rather than a broad competitive field.

How much funding is available?

The anticipated funding amount is up to an award ceiling of $46,000.

How many awards are expected?

One award is expected.

What is the project’s geographic focus?

The description references preventing the introduction of invasive mussels into new waters throughout the Western United States, with an emphasis on cross-state and regional coordination.

When was the opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on May 15, 2020.

What was the original closing date?

The original closing date was May 29, 2020.

What does the short application window suggest?

The short window is described as typical of intent-to-award or directed funding actions, which often have tighter timelines than broadly open solicitations.

What is the practical benefit for inspection and decontamination stations?

The opportunity highlights smoother and more effective operations at field stations. Faster access to consistent, shared information can support quicker decision-making and more consistent handling of potentially contaminated watercraft.

How does the project help prioritize inspections or interventions?

By making it easier to identify and flag higher-risk boats and share that information across participating partners, the system helps staff focus attention on watercraft that may pose a greater likelihood of transporting AIS.