F26AS00009_FY 2026 - Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act - Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Tier 2.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Notice of Funding Opportunity

F26AS00009_FY 2026 - Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act - Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Tier 2

Funding Opportunity Number

F26AS00009

Table of Contents

BASIC INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY

Cost Sharing Requirement

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

Program Description

Legislative Authority

Type of Award

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application Content and Format

Application Documents

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package

Submission Dates and Times

Submission Instructions

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

Eligibility Review

Merit Review

Review and Selection Process

Risk Review

AWARD NOTICES

POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Administration and National Policy Requirements

Reporting

BASIC INFORMATION

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: F26AS00009

Assistance Listing Number(s): 15.622

Estimated Total Program Funding: $14,000,000

Expected Number of Awards: 26

Award Ceiling: $1,500,000

Award Floor: $0

Average funding in FY 2025 was $885,000 per award.

Cost Sharing Required?

Yes Closing Date Explanation Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date.

The Service recommends submission of applications early enough to address any unforeseen technical complications. The Service will not consider applications received after the deadline.

Applicants requesting assistance with an application are encouraged to contact the Regional Office of Conservation Investment at least four weeks prior to the due date.

U.S. states and local governments may be required under Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs to submit their application to their State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for review. For more information, see the Intergovernmental Review SPOC List.

OMB Control Number: 1018-0100

Have Questions?

National Program Contact:

Paul Van Ryzin Paul_VanRyzin@fws.gov 720-498-0335

Regional Office of Conservation Investment Contacts:

Region 1

American Samoa: Chris Cegelski, Christine_Cegelski@fws.gov, 202-251-3943

Hawai'i: Chris Swenson, Chris_Swenson@fws.gov, 503-231-6758

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam: Ruth Utzurrum, Ruth_Utzurrum@fws.gov, 503-231-2083

Idaho, Oregon, and Washington: Lia McLaughlin, Lia_McLaughlin@fws.gov, 503-724-8017

Region 2

Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas: Brian Hobbs, Brian_Hobbs@fws.gov, 505-248-

Region 3 https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.fws.gov/media/required-notices-and-burden-statement-omb-control-no-1018-0100 mailto:Paul_VanRyzin@fws.gov mailto:Christine_Cegelski@fws.gov mailto:Chris_Swenson@fws.gov mailto:Ruth_Utzurrum@fws.gov mailto:Lia_McLaughlin@fws.gov mailto:Brian_Hobbs@fws.gov

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin: T. Casey Weathers, Thomas_Weathers@fws.gov, 612-283-1878

Region 4

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the United States Virgin Islands:

Scott Meister, Howard_Meister@fws.gov, 678-920-4680

Region 5

Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia: Josh Newhard, Joshua_Newhard@fws.gov, 240-712-2867

Region 6

Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming: Kayla Barrett, Kayla_Barrett@fws.gov, 303-236-4375

Region 7

Alaska: Cary Myler, Cary_Myler@fws.gov, 907-351-7989

Region 8

California and Nevada: Shawn D. Milar, Shawn_Milar@fws.gov, 831-262-5001

Executive Summary The Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program (16 United States Code (U.S.C.) 777g-1) provides cost-sharing awards to eligible agencies of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The purpose of the program is to maintain, renovate, and construct new boating facilities and associated boater amenities for transient recreational vessels at least 26 feet long that are operated, leased, rented, or chartered primarily for pleasure. Transient vessels are recreational vessels staying no more than 15 days at a facility.

These facilities must provide public access and may be publicly or privately owned.

Eligible activities may include but are not limited to:

• Boat slips, piers, mooring buoys, dinghy or courtesy docks, day docks, and gangways

• Fuel stations, restrooms, showers, utilities, laundry facilities, and similar amenities

• Lighting, communications, buoys, beacons, signals, markers, signs, and security features

• Administration, coordination, and monitoring of the Tier 2 award.

Complete information on other eligible and ineligible activities and the requirements for participation in the program can be found in the BIG Program regulations (50 CFR 86). Review these regulations and this announcement carefully before applying for a Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 BIG Tier 2 award. The maximum Federal portion of a Tier 2 award is $1,500,000. The recipient agency, a subrecipient, and/or another third party must provide at least 25 percent of the total project cost in non-federal cost sharing or match.

For more information on the BIG Program, visit the Service's Boating Infrastructure Home Page.

mailto:Thomas_Weathers@fws.gov mailto:Howard_Meister@fws.gov mailto:Joshua_Newhard@fws.gov mailto:Kayla_Barrett@fws.gov mailto:Cary_Myler@fws.gov mailto:Shawn_Milar@fws.gov https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-86 https://www.fws.gov/program/boating-infrastructure

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants State governments

Additional Information on Eligibility Eligible applicants are the governor-designated agencies of the United States, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; and the mayor-designated agency of the District of Columbia. You may not apply directly if you are not one of these entities. If you are uncertain of your eligibility, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (see Regional Office of Conservation Investment Contacts above).

Cost Sharing Requirement Cost Sharing Required?

Yes For awards made to eligible agency recipients in the continental States, Hawai'i, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Federal share may not exceed 75 percent of the total project cost. The total project cost includes the requested Federal funds plus the required 25 percent matching share and any additional voluntary committed cost sharing identified in the application. Cost sharing must be necessary and reasonable for accomplishing the project objective(s).

In accordance with 48 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1469(a), Amendment of Subsection (d), Service Regional Directors shall waive the cost sharing requirement for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The recipient agency must provide detailed information about the cost sharing identified in the application. Cost sharing requirements are provided in the BIG Program regulations at 50 CFR 86.32, and in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 CFR 200.1, and 2 CFR 200.306. For your proposed cost sharing to be allowable, it must meet all the criteria in 2 CFR 200.306(b).

The cost sharing requirement may be met with contributions from a third party. A third party is any individual or organization other than the recipient agency, such as a partner, contractor, or subrecipient. The recipient agency is responsible for all cost sharing identified in the application, including any amount provided by one or more third parties.

The BIG Tier 2 Program is nationally competitive and applications are evaluated in part on cost sharing (50 CFR 86.51(b)(1)). In scoring an application, the Service only considers cash-based cost sharing beyond the required minimum of 25 percent of the total project cost (50 CFR 86.56).

Applications from recipients that are exempt from the cost sharing requirement receive points for any cash-based cost sharing per 50 CFR 86.56(d).

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov Registration https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2009-title48/pdf/USCODE-2009-title48-chap10-sec1469a.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.32 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.32 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.306 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.306#p-200.306(b) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-86/subpart-E/section-86.51#p-86.51(b)(1) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-86/subpart-E/section-86.56 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/part-86/section-86.56#p-86.56(d)

Before applying, all applicants except individuals applying as a natural person must be registered in SAM.gov. During the SAM.gov registration the entity will obtain their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

The SAM.gov registration process can take several months. If your organization is not already registered in SAM.gov, begin the registration process as soon as possible.

To register in SAM.gov, go to the SAM.gov website and use the available resources to complete registration.

• Financial assistance registrants must review and certify compliance with the SAM.gov “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications”.

• Already registered? You already have a Unique Entity ID. Before applying, check that your “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications” on SAM.gov is complete. Remember to renew your registration every year to keep it active while you have an award or application in progress. You can update your registration whenever you need, including during renewal.

• Need help? For additional information and contact information on the SAM.gov Help page.

GRANTS.GOV

This program accepts applications through Grants.gov so once you receive your UEI return to Grants.gov to register with Grants.gov. Please allow 30 days to register and set up a Workspace in Grants.gov. See Submission Instructions section below for additional details.

GRANTSOLUTIONS

This program accepts applications through GrantSolutions.gov. You must register with GrantSolutions. See Submission Instructions.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

• The purpose of the BIG Tier 2 Program is to maintain, renovate, and construct new boating facilities and associated boater amenities for public use. Projects are designed to benefit transient recreational boaters in vessels of 26 feet in length and longer.

Outputs are measured in the number of recreational boating facilities maintained, renovated, or constructed, and the number of slips or moorings and linear feet of side-tie docking space they provide for eligible vessels.

Outputs are also measured in the number and type of recreational boater amenities such as fueling stations and restrooms.

Program Description Recreational boating is a popular activity - there are approximately 11 million registered motorized recreational vessels in the United States. Of this total, an estimated 596,000 are at least 26 feet long. The Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-178) established the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program (16 United States Code (U.S.C.)

777g-1) to provide funding to the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/content/help https://sam.gov/content/help https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration https://www.fws.gov/law/sportfishing-and-boating-safety-act-1998

Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands for the construction, renovation, and maintenance of boating infrastructure facilities for transient recreational vessels at least 26 feet long that are operated, leased, rented, or chartered primarily for pleasure. The Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act amended the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777), which authorizes funding for these and other agencies to restore, enhance, and manage sport fishery resources.

Subsequent reauthorization of the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act authorizes funding for the BIG Program through fiscal year 2026.

The Office of Conservation Investment, a division of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), implements the BIG Program with revenues deposited into and appropriated from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. The Service published the current BIG Program regulations (50 CFR 86) in the Federal Register on May 6, 2015.

Boating infrastructure means the structures, equipment, accessories, and services that are necessary or desirable for a facility to accommodate eligible vessels. Eligible vessels are recreational vessels 26 feet or longer that stay no more than 15 days at a facility. Projects completed using BIG Program funding must provide public access and may be publicly or privately owned. Eligible actions (50 CFR 86.11) and types of boating infrastructure and services (50 CFR 86.12) may include:

• Boat slips, piers, mooring buoys, dinghy or courtesy docks, day docks, and gangways;

• Fuel stations, restrooms, showers, utilities, laundry facilities, and similar amenities;

• Lighting, communications, buoys, beacons, signals, markers, signs, security features;

• Floating or fixed breakwaters, wave attenuators, sea walls, and other improvements that provide a harbor of safe refuge;

• Planning, permitting, engineering, cultural, historic, and environmental studies or assessments necessary to construct boating infrastructure;

• Equipment and structures for collecting, disposing of, or recycling liquid or solid waste from eligible vessels or for eligible users;

• Debris deflection structures or water hazard removal;

• Dredging necessary to fulfill the purpose and objectives of the project;

• Maintenance of facilities during the project period;

• Information and education materials specific to BIG or a BIG-funded project that credit the BIG Program as a source of funding;

• Administration, coordination, and monitoring of the BIG Tier 2 award; and

• Other activities that support the purpose of the BIG Program.

For a more complete list of eligible activities, see 50 CFR 86.11 and 50 CFR 86.12. Ineligible activities are listed in 50 CFR 86.16.

Vessel dockage, slips, and moorings in a BIG-funded project must be identified as accessible only to BIG-eligible vessels at distinct locations and times. Applicants must clearly identify these required facility details in the application. Structures, equipment, accessories, and services not directly associated with BIG-dedicated dockage, slips, and moorings are unlikely to be approved as eligible costs in a BIG Tier 2 award.

https://www.fws.gov/law/federal-aid-sport-fish-restoration-act-1950 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-86 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.11 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.12 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.11 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-86/subpart-B/section-86.12 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.16

An applicant may propose that certain costs in a BIG award be allocated for any shared project component, such as a fuel dock for use by all vessels. The applicant must provide evidence of the need for BIG-eligible vessel use of each shared component, identify how they determined the proportion of the BIG award to apply to it, and describe how they will ensure BIG-eligible vessels receive commensurate benefits.

A typical period of performance in the BIG Tier 2 Program is two or three years. The original period of performance may be extended up to a total of five years, with approval of the Regional Office of Conservation Investment. Additional review and approval are required for extensions beyond five years (see 50 CFR 86.72).

For more information about the BIG Program, visit the Service's Boating Infrastructure Home Page.

Recipients are encouraged to prioritize projects in support of the celebration of America’s 250th birthday (America250). This may include, but is not limited to, projects that recognize and honor the nation’s founding, history, and cultural heritage.

BIG Tier 2 Program - Frequently Asked Questions

May I use BIG funds for maintenance?

Yes, costs for maintenance as defined in the program regulations (50 CFR 86.3) are allowable, but there are requirements and restrictions in Tier 2 awards (50 CFR 86.14). Generally, maintenance costs must be:

• Expended during the period of performance of the award;

• Used to maintain a BIG-eligible facility or amenity;

• Identified as a discrete budget item in the application;

• Proportionally allocated to users of eligible and ineligible vessels where applicable, per

50 CFR 86.19; and

• Considered to extend the useful life of each affected capital expenditure in a previously funded BIG facility.

A recipient or subrecipient may apply user fees collected at a BIG-funded facility after the period of performance to the maintenance of the facility (50 CFR 86.14(a)(2)). A recipient may choose to limit or exclude costs for maintenance in a subaward (50 CFR 86.14(b)(3)).

How can I use BIG funds for dredging, and where can the dredging occur?

Dredging is allowable if the Federal portion of all costs associated with the dredging activity does not exceed $200,000 per award and meets other requirements in the BIG regulations (50 CFR 86.15). This Federal cost limit includes costs for the dredging activity itself and any permitting, engineering, disposal, and other associated activities. If a BIG Tier 2 award includes $200,000 in Federal funding for dredging and the actual dredging costs exceed the limit, a BIG Tier 1 award may be used to supplement the Tier 2 award. The dredging must support the project and its benefits for eligible users, but can potentially occur anywhere in the basin. The application must justify why the dredging is necessary and reasonable for meeting the objectives of the project, and upon completion the dredging activity must meet the requirements for depth https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.72 https://www.fws.gov/program/boating-infrastructure https://www.fws.gov/program/boating-infrastructure https://america250.org/ https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.3 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.14 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.19 https://50%20CFR%2086.14(a)(2) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-86/subpart-B/section-86.14 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.15 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.15 in 50 CFR 86.13(a)(6) and access in 50 CFR 86.15(b). Costs for dredging must be proportionally allocated for users of eligible and ineligible vessels where applicable per 50 CFR 86.19.

May I use BIG funds in the future for maintenance dredging?

Yes. However, there is no guarantee of future funding, and the recipient or subrecipient must commit to maintaining the dredged area for the useful life of the project. You may use either BIG Tier 1 or BIG Tier 2 funds for maintenance dredging. Use of BIG Tier 1 funds for dredging is a State-level decision; BIG Tier 2 funds are nationally competitive and may not score well if maintenance dredging is a primary purpose unless the applicant clearly identifies compelling reasons for it.

Are services such as food service, retail, or lodging considered eligible boating infrastructure facilities for this program?

No, costs for services or structures for food service, retail, or lodging are ineligible. This includes ship stores, food courts, and hotels. BIG can fund restrooms and laundry facilities for boaters in transient recreational vessels of 26 feet or longer, but costs must be proportionally allocated for these facilities to account for any use by ineligible users.

Are parking lots and access roads adjacent to boating facilities for transient, recreational vessels eligible costs?

Generally, no. Parking lots, access roads, walkways, and other surface areas damaged as a direct result of BIG-funded construction may be repaired, but new construction or renovation of these components is not an eligible cost.

I want to “get the word out” about my BIG-funded facility. Can I use BIG funds for this purpose?

Yes. Public communications, which may include advertisements, magazine articles, website information, etc. are allowable but only when the focus of the communications is the BIG Program and/or the BIG-funded facility. The communications must focus on the BIG-funded project and services or amenities for eligible transient boaters and cannot focus on the agency or the marina in general.

Can I fund a pumpout or floating restroom with BIG funds?

Yes. However, you must proportionally allocate (or “prorate”) costs if a proposed facility will be used by anyone other than boaters operating transient recreational vessels 26 feet in length or longer. The Service encourages the use of Clean Vessel Act (CVA) funding for pumpouts and floating restrooms as available. A recipient may require a pumpout to be funded through the CVA Program.

What does it mean to record the Federal Interest on a property? Does this put a lien on the property?

Recording a Federal Interest on the property attaches a notice to the deed that alerts interested parties that the property contains a project that was paid for in part with Federal funds, and therefore the Federal government has an “interest.” It is not a lien. It shows that there is an interest that the current or future owner of the property must continue to fulfill according to the terms and conditions of the BIG award. See 50 CFR 86.18.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.13#p-86.13(a)(6) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/part-86/section-86.15#p-86.15(b) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.19 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.18

Are applications that propose to fund only engineering studies and other planning efforts eligible for BIG funds?

Yes, the Service may award BIG funds for projects that involve only engineering, economic, environmental, historic, cultural, and feasibility studies, and other planning activities necessary for the construction of facilities for eligible transient boaters. We list these as eligible activities in 50 CFR 86.11. We will accept BIG Tier 1 applications that only include these activities if conducted in anticipation of the development of BIG-eligible transient boating opportunities. We encourage applicants to consider using BIG Tier 1 funds for this type of preliminary work instead of BIG Tier 2 funding.

What is the definition of real property?

Real property means land, including land improvements, structures, and appurtenances thereto, and legal interests in land, including fee interest, licenses, rights of way, and easements. Real property excludes moveable machinery and equipment (2 CFR 200.1). For purposes of the BIG Program, real property may also include areas of water.

May I acquire real property or an interest in real property with BIG funds?

No, acquisition of real property is not an eligible activity. See 50 CFR 86.16.

May real property be used as cost sharing or match?

No, the value of real property may not be used as cost sharing/match. See 50 CFR 86.32.

May I use the value of existing boating infrastructure as non-federal cost sharing or match?

Generally, you may only use the value of a structure completed before the beginning of the period of performance as cost sharing or match if the Service approves the activity as a pre-award cost.

How do I appropriately allocate (or “prorate”) costs between eligible and ineligible uses?

Unless the proposed boating infrastructure or service will only benefit BIG-eligible boaters, applicants must clearly show how project costs are divided between eligible and ineligible uses for all discrete elements and major components in the project. You must identify the basis or method used to determine what percentage of use is for eligible and ineligible users and explain your reasoning. Some examples of methods used may be equipment usage records, square footage or number of slips, vessel surveys, etc. See 50 CFR 86.19.

Do I have to prorate costs for a project component that provides only a minimal, secondary benefit to ineligible users?

There are limited exceptions in the BIG regulations to the requirement to allocate costs between eligible and ineligible users. If you propose a component that provides a minimal, secondary benefit for ineligible users, we recommend you contact the Regional Office of Conservation Investment. Regional Office staff can advise if the secondary benefit is significant enough to require you to allocate or “prorate” costs for the component. If we determine that the component significantly benefits both eligible and ineligible users, we will expect you to prorate costs. See 50 CFR 86.19(c).

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.11 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.16 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.32 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.19 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/part-86#p-86.19(c)

What if a component has a low value as discussed in 50 CFR 86.19(c)(3)? Do I need to allocate (prorate) costs?

If the value of a project component or element is $5,000 or less, you do not have to prorate costs.

The component must be clearly stand-alone and not part of a larger component. If the cost ultimately exceeds the $5,000 threshold, the recipient or subrecipient is responsible for the increased cost and cannot charge the excess to the award.

How long do I have to finish my project?

The Service must obligate BIG funds to an approved award within three Federal Fiscal Years of the award year. From the assigned start date, a recipient has up to three years to complete the project. A recipient may request a two-year extension in writing prior to the end of the original period of performance. See 50 CFR 86.71 and 50 CFR 86.72.

How much detail must I give for useful life in the application?

By the application deadline, you must provide an estimate of useful life of all discrete components of your project and briefly state how you arrived at the estimate. You do not need reports or complicated methodologies at this stage. After you are notified of selection for an award, you may be asked for more information. See 50 CFR 86.73 and 50 CFR 86.74.

Buy America Preferences for Infrastructure Projects

This program has Federal funding for infrastructure projects. Buy America preferences apply to Federal awards for infrastructure projects in the United States. Reference 2 CFR Part 184 - Buy America Preferences for Infrastructure Project for further guidance.

All iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in a project must meet Buy America requirements unless waived. For more information on these requirements, see the FWS Financial Assistance Wiki. For further guidance specific to products or materials to be used in a project, contact the Regional Office of Conservation Investment.

Legislative Authority Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act, 16 U.S.C. §777g-1; and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act, 16 U.S.C. §777 et. seq.

Type of Award Projects will be funded through G (Grant).

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application Content and Format Pre-Application Requirements

Prior to applying, applicants should review presidential actions found at https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/ and DOI Secretary’s Orders found at https://www.doi.gov/document-library/secretary-order. By applying in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity, the applicant certifies awareness and compliance with all currently effective and applicable Executive Orders and Secretary’s Orders including but not limited to the Executive Order titled Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/part-86#p-86.19(c)(3) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.71 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.72 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.73 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.74 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-184 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-184 https://fawiki.fws.gov/spaces/WSFR/pages/245497949/Build+America+Buy+America+BABA+Act#BuildAmerica,BuyAmerica(BABA)Act-Infrastructure https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/ https://www.doi.gov/document-library/secretary-order

Preferencing as well as the Executive Order and Secretary’s Order titled Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. Applicants are responsible for ensuring their proposed activities are consistent with the intent and requirements of these directives.

Application Documents Applicants must submit the following forms with their application as specified below.

Instructions for accessing and submitting application forms are provided in the Submission Instructions section of this document below. For instructions on completing form fields, see the form instructions on the Grants.gov Forms Repository.

Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Note: For applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Representative’s signature (or electronic equivalent) on the Application for Federal Assistance form also represents their certification of the statements in Appendix A to 43 CFR 18-Certification Regarding Lobbying

Required from all applicants

SF-424A: Budget Information – Non-construction Programs

Required for non-construction projects. You may provide additional budget information in a customized budget table.

SF-424C: Budget Information – Construction Programs

Required for construction projects. You may provide additional budget information in a customized budget table.

SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Required if requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funds and the applicant has used or plans to use funds other than Federal appropriated funds for lobbying related to the proposed project.

Project Abstract Summary (OMB 4040-0019). Must include, in plain language:

* Award purpose,

* Activities to be performed,

* Expected deliverables or outcomes,

* Intended beneficiaries,

* Subrecipient activities (if known or specified at time of award)

Required from all applicants.

https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository.html https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-43/subtitle-A/part-18#Appendix-A-to-Part-18

Project Narrative Submit a Project Narrative addressing all the elements listed below. Provide sufficient detail for Service personnel to verify that all proposed activities are eligible, associated costs are necessary and reasonable, and the project is substantial in character and design. See the Office of Conservation Investment's Training Portal for resources and job aids.

Need

Explain why the project is necessary and how it fulfills the purpose of the BIG Program.

• Describe existing facilities available for eligible vessels at your location and near the proposed project;

• Describe how the proposed project fills a need or offers a benefit not offered by existing facilities; and

• Provide information to support the estimated number of transient boats expected to use the facilities in the proposed project area and demonstrate why existing facilities are insufficient to meet demand.

Purpose

State the purpose of the proposed project and link the purpose to the demonstrated need.

Objectives

The Service created Standard Objectives for collecting performance information to report accomplishments. Your Project Narrative must use one or more of the Standard Objectives in the TRACS Performance Matrix. Contact your Regional Office of Conservation Investment if you have questions about using Standard Objectives in your Project Narrative. Refer to the Training Portal for example project narratives or statements that utilize Standard Objectives.

Results or Benefits Expected

• Describe the expected results or benefits from accomplishing the objectives;

• Describe each capital improvement (see definition in 50 CFR 86.3), service, or other product that will result from the project; and

• Describe how the structures, services, or other products will meet the needs of and provide benefits to eligible users.

Approach

• Describe the approach to be used in meeting the objectives;

• Describe any anticipated Federal compliance requirements under the National

Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and any other requirements in applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies. Describe any compliance activities that have already been completed for your project or that are currently underway. Identify any applicable Federal permits and their status;

• Identify a Project Officer with detailed knowledge of the project, their title including whether they are the Federal Assistance Coordinator for the State agency, contact https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/mod/book/view.php?id=277&chapterid=154 https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/pluginfile.php/406/mod_page/content/280/TRACS%20Performance%20Matrix_V21%2007032024.pdf https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/mod/book/view.php?id=277&chapterid=104 https://wsfrtraining.fws.gov/mod/book/view.php?id=277&chapterid=104 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.3 information, and whether the Project Officer has signatory authority for committing the recipient to actions in the award;

• Give the name, contact information, qualifications, and role of each known concessioner or subrecipient;

• Explain how you will exercise control to ensure the BIG-funded facility will continue to achieve its authorized purpose during its useful life; and

• Provide a timeline of activities.

Relationship to Other Awards

Describe any relationship between the proposed project and other related work funded by Federal grants that is planned, anticipated, or underway. List any previous Federal awards(s) with the applicable grant identification number. If the proposed project is related to a previous Office of Conservation Investment award, explain the reason for submission (adding funds, scope change, additional work, etc.).

Geographic Location/Drawings/ Maps/Photographs

Applications are evaluated, in part, on the extent and quality of access to significant destinations, services, and other amenities for eligible users. Provide additional context by visually depicting the following details in maps, diagrams, images, or drawings. This information may be combined; separate depictions are not required for each element.

• The coordinates of the project site in Global Positioning System (GPS) format (degrees:minutes:seconds);

• All existing structures, facilities, and amenities available for eligible vessels near the proposed project;

• All proposed project components;

• Clearly marked areas that are for (1) eligible transient recreational vessels, (2) areas that are for other vessels, and (3) areas that are for shared use;

• Water depths (before and after planned dredging, if applicable);

• If dredging is proposed, an aerial photograph or schematic drawing to indicate the specific area(s) that will be dredged;

• Measurements for all docks, bulkheads, breakwaters, and other features where boats will be accommodated;

• A small state map showing the general location of the project within the state;

• The proximity or distances from the project site to the nearest community, public road, and navigable water body;

• The proximity or distances from the project site to significant destinations, services that support eligible users, public access, terrain considerations, and other relevant spatial data; and

• Any other map, diagram, image, or drawing that supports information in the Project Narrative.

Budget Narrative Applicants must describe and justify items and costs listed in their budget. The budget narrative must identify the following cost items: total estimated costs, non-Federal cost share, third-party contributions, and any pre-award costs. Total project cost is the sum of all allowable costs, including required and voluntary cost share and third-party contributions.

Budget items must be:

• Reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary

• Compliant with 2 CFR §200 Subpart E cost principles

Indirect Costs: Applicants must indicate in their budget narrative how they will charge indirect costs, including the rate to be applied:

• De Minimis Rate: If eligible, state if your organization is opting to use the de minimis rate of up to 15% of total modified direct costs. Entities that do not have a current Federal negotiated indirect cost rate (including provisional rate) may propose to use the de minimis rate. For more information, refer to 2 CFR 200.414(f).

• Negotiated Rate: State if you will negotiate with your cognizant agency. If your organization has previously negotiated a rate, attach a copy of the most recently negotiated rate agreement (active or expired).

Additional Budget Narrative Information

Include a complete description of each cost category. For personnel salary costs, generally describe how estimates were determined by identifying what type of staff will support the project and how much time they will contribute to the project (in hours or workdays).

Describe proposed items of cost that require prior approval under the Federal Cost Principles (2 CFR 200), including any anticipated subawarding, transferring, or contracting out of any work under the award. If known at the time of application, include an estimated number of subawards and the dollar amount anticipated for each subaward.

Identify any third party cash or in-kind contributions that a partner or other entity will contribute as cost sharing or match and describe how the contributions substantively support completion of the project. For in-kind contributions used as cost sharing or match, identify the source, the amount, and the valuation methodology used to determine the total value. See 2 CFR 200.306, 50 CFR 86.32, and 50 CFR 86.33.

Contingency costs estimated using broadly-accepted cost estimating methodologies are allowable but must be separately identified in the budget, they must comply with the Federal Cost Principles, they must be necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient accomplishment of the project objectives, and they must be verifiable from a recipient's financial records (2 CFR 200.433). Explain how any contingency costs were calculated and why they are necessary to improve the precision of the budget estimates.

Costs for facilities or amenities that will benefit operators of boats other than transient recreational vessels at least 26 feet long must be allocated properly. Common examples of costs that often must be prorated include fuel stations, restrooms and showers, retaining walls, bulkheads and breakwaters, pumpout stations, dredging, and other features that are expected to partially benefit ineligible users. Applicants do not need to allocate costs between user groups when proposing to construct, renovate, or maintain facilities solely for eligible users, or when proposing to produce information or educational materials related to BIG-funded facilities. These examples are not exhaustive. Contact the Regional Office of Conservation Investment if you are https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subpart-E https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.306 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-86/subpart-C/section-86.32 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-86/subpart-C/section-86.33 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.433 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.433 unsure of the need to prorate a cost, or if you believe proration is not required based on the following information. For each discrete project component or element, clearly describe in your budget narrative:

1. The basis or method you use to allocate costs between eligible and ineligible users. For example: a facility has slips for 100 vessels, and 20 are dedicated for transient recreational vessels. The prorating basis would be 20 percent. If a wave attenuator is proposed that will benefit the entire facility, you may only charge 20 percent of the construction costs of the wave attenuator to the award.

2. The reasoning and evidence supporting use of the basis or method. Include relevant documentation such as facility use records or trends.

3. Why prorating is not necessary (if applicable). If a proposed facility or component is designed to benefit eligible users but provide a secondary, tangential benefit to ineligible users, or if the value of a project component or element is $5,000 or less, you do not have to prorate costs. For more guidance, see 50 CFR 86.19.

Program income is gross income earned by a recipient or subrecipient that is directly generated by a supported activity, or earned as a result of the award during the period of performance.

Estimate the amount of program income that the project is likely to generate (see 50 CFR 86.90).

If necessary, indicate the method or combination of methods (deductive or additive) of applying your expected program income (see 50 CFR 86.77 and 50 CFR 86.78). If applicable, request approval from the Regional Office of Conservation Investment for use of the additive method prior to the application due date and include documentation of your method and approval in the budget narrative and/or in an attachment.

Equipment means tangible personal property (including information technology systems) having a useful life of more than one year and a per-unit acquisition cost which equals or exceeds the lesser of the capitalization level established by the recipient for financial statement purposes, or $10,000. Provide a list of equipment to be purchased with BIG funds, if any. If equipment previously purchased with Federal funds will be used in the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source.

Estimate the useful life of each proposed capital improvement in years. A capital improvement is a structure that costs at least $25,000 to build, or altering, renovating, or repairing an existing structure if it increases the structure's useful life by 10 years (see 50 CFR 86.3). Explain how the useful life of each capital improvement was estimated. The budget narrative should reference a generally accepted method for determining the useful life of a capital improvement; however, the estimates do not need to be certified by a licensed engineer or other professional. Recipients may be required to revise or adjust useful life estimates during the award review and approval process. See 50 CFR 86.73 and 50 CFR 86.74.

Conflict of Interest and Unresolved Matters Disclosures:

If any actual or potential conflict of interest exists related to this project at the time of application, the applicant must provide sufficient information to support a program determination of significance per 2 CFR 1402.112. Refer to 2 CFR 200.112 Conflict of Interest and 2 CFR 200.113.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement:

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.19 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.90 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.77 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.78 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.3 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.73 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/section-86.74 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1402#1402.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.112 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.113 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-B/section-200.113

Applicants must state in their application if the activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel proposed in this application overlap with those in any other Federal proposal or award or not. If no overlap exists, include a statement to that effect. If any overlap exists, provide:

• Activities: Description any overlapping activities.

• Costs: Description of any overlapping costs.

• Time: Description of any overlapping key personnel time.

• A copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity.

• Details on when any overlapping proposal was submitted, to whom, and the expected date of the funding decision.

Other Required Information Application Checklist

Failure to provide these critical required elements will result in rejection of the application:

• Project Narrative

• Budget Narrative

• Maps, Drawings, Images (not required for projects that only include award administration)

• Detailed responses to the project selection criteria at 50 CFR 86.51.

Failure to provide these required elements may result in rejection of the application:

• Project Abstract Summary form (OMB Number 4040-0019) - Note: submit the form in Grants.gov or enter the information in the Project Abstract Summary screen in GrantSolutions. The summary must be in plain language that the public can understand without viewing the full application. It should include a brief description of the project purpose, activities to be performed, deliverables and expected outcomes, intended beneficiaries, and subrecipient activities, if known at the time of submission. This information will be published on USASpending.gov after an award is made.

• SF-424 form, Application for Federal Assistance

• SF-424A Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs form or SF-424C Budget

Information for Construction Programs form. If using the form in GrantSolutions do not answer yes to the pop-up window asking if you want it to fill in the form, as this may overwrite the form incorrectly. The Service encourages recipients to provide additional budget detail in a customized budget table when useful for demonstrating project and cost eligibility.

• Conflict of Interest Disclosure

• Uniform Audit Reporting Statement (Single Audit)

• Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

• Indirect Cost Statement and if applicable, a copy of a current Negotiated Indirect Cost

Rate Agreement (NICRA) (only if a current copy is not on file in the Regional Office of Conservation Investment)

• SF-LLL form, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form (if applicable) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-86/subpart-E/section-86.51 https://www.usaspending.gov/

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Address to Request Application Package To request a copy of the application package in another format, contact:

Paul Van Ryzin paul_vanryzin@fws.gov 720-498-0335

If you need immediate assistance, please call our customer service center at 1-800-344-9453. If you have a hearing impairment or a speech disability, dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Submission Dates and Times Closing Date for Applications: 10/27/2025

Closing Date Explanation

Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date.

The Service recommends submission of applications early enough to address any unforeseen technical complications. The Service will not consider applications received after the deadline.

Applicants requesting assistance with an application are encouraged to contact the Regional Office of Conservation Investment at least four weeks prior to the due date.

Submission Instructions Apply Through Grants.gov To apply through Grants.gov, please follow the instructions in the Quick Start Guide for Applicants. Before applying, ensure that at least one person at your organization is registered and has the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Only the AOR can submit the application. If you need more users, they must create their own Grants.gov account. Follow these steps below to apply:

• Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

• Complete a Workspace: Invite participants to the workspace so you can collaborate on the application. Required applications forms are included in the Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Package and can be completed in the Workspace, unless noted otherwise in the Required Forms table above. Check for errors before submission.

• Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab

• Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application.

The system generates a date and time stamp and sends it to the…