BLMAZ_Crew Master Agreement Announcement.docx

Office: BLM Arizona State Office – Master Crew Cooperative Agreement Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: L23xxxx Project Submission Dates and Times: dates

Project Title: BLM Arizona Statewide Master Crew Cooperative Agreement to Provide Conservation of Natural Cultural, and Recreation Resource Project(s)

This opportunity is to award 1-3 recipients under this Master Agreement for internship opportunities statewide. Once awarded, program officers will submit crew task agreements in accordance with the terms and conditions of this master agreement.

BLM encourages Indian tribes and tribal organizations that qualify as an eligible youth or conservation corps under the Indian Youth Service Corp 16 USC 1727b to apply (refer to Department of the Interior Indian Youth Serve Corps Guidelines, 2022).

This master agreement will have a period of performance of five-years. The BLM Arizona has an estimated $30,000 in FY23 to distribute between the master agreements via task agreements. Incremental funding for future years is subject to availability.

This master agreement will fund 5 to 10 crews annually to 50 to 55 crews over a five-year period to be assigned to offices throughout the BLM Arizona. The crews will be completing various projects depending upon office needs to advance the conservation of natural and cultural resources on Federal public lands Indian tribal lands. Projects are including, but not limited to the following:

· Enhancement of recreation opportunities through trail building, sign installation, maintenance and restoration, and other improvements to visitor and recreation facilities (e.g., kiosks, campgrounds, signage etc.).

· Monitoring riparian area vegetation and hydrological functions, wild horses and burros, collecting soil and stream data, timber stand improvement projects for wildlife habitat, invasive plant species, vegetation monitoring and mapping, water quality monitoring, and rangeland monitoring.

· Habitat restoration and wildlife protection, including reduction of invasive species, tree planting, fence removal/installation, riparian area restoration, etc.

· Development and implementation of natural and cultural resource stewardship plans or educational and informational materials for visitors.

· Preservation of cultural resources, including historic structures.

· Seed collection for restoration of lands affected by natural disasters such as catastrophic wildfires and landslides; as well as protection, conservation, and restoration of threatened, endangered, and special status species with the goal of preventing or de-listing of species.

· Reduction of wildfire risk to communities, watersheds, and other public land ecosystems.

· Production of materials and programs on natural, cultural, and/or paleontological resources, communication, education, and interpretation of natural and cultural resources.

Award Objectives: BLM Arizona offices have multiple opportunities to introduce crews to careers in the BLM under the various natural and cultural resource programs. These opportunities provide work experience to youth for their careers and educational benefits. This will be accomplished by providing them opportunities to gain experience, learn about public lands, and further their understanding and appreciation of natural resources. They will gain an increased appreciation and understanding of our public lands and of the value of public service, likely to become life-long stewards for these values. The projects will be especially appropriate for students studying natural and cultural resources and will provide opportunities to enhance basic career skills such as leadership, organization, detail, and communication, and other field related skills.

BLM’s Involvement for both Master Agreement and Task Agreements: The BLM will not supervise youth crews; however, will have substantive programmatic involvement. providing project orientation and hands-on training as well as daily contact with youth crews. BLM will have the right to intervene by modifying project management plans if the project is not staying on schedule and technical issues arise. Additionally, BLM and recipient will meet regularly to discuss progress and track project outcomes; review any training needs; and make decisions as to what direction to take to complete projects or move to the next phase.

Proposal Submission: Refer to Attachment A as a suggested format to this NOFO. Proposals should address a master agreement with clear outcomes over a five-year period.

Budget Detail and Narrative: Refer to Attachment B as a suggested format to this NOFO.

Submit an overall estimated five-year budget based on an estimate of $1,200,000.00 and the placement of an estimated 5 to 10 crews annually. The budget must include all direct and indirect youth corps costs, to operate over five years, with an estimate for annual inflation costs for such things as: pay scales (weekly rate) for wages or stipends per crew size (crew members and crew leaders), as well as standard project expenses based on type of crew (day crew, spike crew), as applicable.

This may be submitted on a separate form either in excel or word format.

Helpful Information when Submitting your Proposal and Budget.

· Housing: BLM will not provide housing but may be able to assist in locating appropriate housing/camping locations and facilities. A monthly housing allowance is not required but suggested due to the high housing costs in the Arizona.

· Food: BLM will not provide food when out in the field working.

· Wage: Eligible Conservations corps must provide the corps members with a living allowance, stipend, or wages.

· Vehicle Needs: A government vehicle may be available for field work and stored at the applicable office.

NOTE: A personal vehicle is NOT required for the position. BLM will not reimburse for personal vehicle use.

· All Supplies: BLM may provide, if needed, tools and equipment required to complete projects such as computer, laptops, GPS units, hand tools, etc.

· Travel: Travel and overnight camping may be necessary to complete projects.

· Public Land Corps Program orientation and records management: In accordance with BLM and DOI policy, recipients are responsible for providing crew members with information concerning the Public Land Corps Hiring status, how to track their hours, and how to obtain the hiring status once all project and program requirements are met. Recipients are also responsible for maintaining public land corps hiring status documentation for up to 2 years crew member has received their certification.

· Training Requirements: BLM Arizona may provide project-specific training including training to obtain access to BLM networks, equipment, and facilities.

Award Expected Outcomes:

· Place up to 5 to 10 crews throughout BLM Arizona annually.

· Plan and implement projects promptly.

· Recruit crew members in the local area of the project, as well as crew members that are economically, physically, or educationally disadvantaged.

· Outreach and coordination with Native American Indian tribal nations and organizations, tribal universities, and colleges to recruit Native American youth and veterans for internship opportunities.

· Provide non-competitive hiring status to crew members when completing accumulative 640 hours of which 120-hours must be on public lands.

BLM Program Lead Contact for the Master Agreement:

Name: Brooke Wheeler Phone Number: 480-417-9564 Email: bwheeler@blm.gov

Applicants are encouraged to refer to the full program announcement number L23xxxxx posted on Grants.gov for all program requirements and applicable terms and conditions. Recipients selected for awards will be required to adhere to those requirements should an award be made.