FY21 Nonprofit RBS FAQs (2020-01-05).pdf

FY 2021 Nonprofit Recreational Boating Safety

(RBS) Grant Program FAQs

Updated: January 5, 2021

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in this document are programmatic questions that were submitted to the United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) Boating Safety Division in response to our open funding opportunity. We will use this document to publically respond to the programmatic questions we receive so that our responses are open and available to all applicants.

USCG understands the importance of timely responses to your questions, however, there may be some that require additional consultation with other offices at USCG and/or the Department of

Homeland Security. We will do our best to answer your questions promptly, but please know that some may take more time to answer than others.

Q1: Area of Interest 7: Smartphone Simulator states the purpose of the simulator is to

“train boat operators” and to use it as a virtual tool to “accomplish the education of boat operators.” Is the primary goal of the Smartphone Simulator to be an in-hand, structured, boating safety education course? Or should it focus on boating safety education in the context of safe boating practices such as basic boat operations, rules of navigation, etc.?

A1: The goal of the Smartphone Simulator is to educate the user on safe boating practices from the moment they plan a trip to when they return to their point of origin. This includes checking the weather, informing passengers of safety gear, safely maneuvering a vessel away from and back to a dock or ramp, navigating different bodies of water, avoiding hazards by following proper navigational aids, and not boating under the influence.

The app should not be limited to a linear education course, but rather an integrated simulator experience that educates users on topics such as engine cutoff switches, PFD wear, and equipment requirements while encountering common boating situations, water sports, close quarter maneuvering, situational decision-making etc.

Q2: Could the Smartphone Simulator be repurposed by the contractor in other formats?

For example, can the app be used within a NASBLA-approved boating safety course?

A2: The grant product we want is an application we can make available to the general boating public at little to no cost. USCG will not dictate how the app may be repurposed for additional use by other organizations.

Q3: The grant product would be available on the app store. To reduce the cost of the app to users, could we sell ads on the app?

A3: For the purposes of the grant deliverable, USCG does not want advertisements featured on the application. However, once the period of performance is complete and all requirements of the grant have been met, the owner of the application may create a separate, standalone version that includes targeted advertisements and “pay-for” add-ons.