Forest Legacy Program - FY2028 NOFO - FINAL.pdf

NOTICE OF

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Instructions and Guidelines

STATE, PRIVATE, & TRIBAL

FORESTRY

Forest Legacy Program

August 2026

Forest Legacy Program, August 2026

Table of Contents

I. BASIC INFORMATION

II. APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

IV. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

V. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

VI. APPLICATION REVIEW

VII. AWARD NOTICES

VIII. POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

IX. OTHER INFORMATION

I. BASIC INFORMATION

Executive Summary

The USDA Forest Service is requesting applications for the Forest Legacy Program (FLP), authorized by the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, as amended (16 U.S.C. 2103) and funded through the

Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The Forest Legacy Program is a competitive grant program that is administered by the Forest Service in partnership with State agencies to encourage the permanent protection of privately owned forest lands through conservation easements or land purchases in support of state priorities, as described in each State Forest Action Plan. USDA Forest Service and States also cooperate with tribal and local governments, other Federal agencies, forest landowners, land trust organizations, and other partners to implement FLP. Landowner participation in the program is entirely voluntary.

The purpose of the program is to identify and conserve environmentally important forestlands that are threatened by conversion to non-forest uses and provide the opportunity for continuation of traditional forest uses. Conservation of private forests through the Forest Legacy Program maintains a multitude of public benefits, including: opportunities to hunt, fish, and camp; clean and abundant drinking water; habitat for fish and wildlife; and timber, fuel wood, and other forest products. More information on the program and past awarded projects can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/forest-legacy.

Applications are submitted via Grants.gov.

▪ Funding Opportunity Title: Forest Legacy Program – FY2028 Funding

▪ Announcement Type: Initial Announcement

▪ Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-FS-2028-FLP

▪ Assistance Listing Number(s): 10.676 – Forest Legacy Program

▪ Funding:

o Estimated Total Program Funding: Funding is allocated annually by Congress. As part of the President’s Budget Request, the Forest Service submits a recommended project list totaling at least 150% (approximately $130 million) of the previous year’s appropriated funding.

o Expected Number of Awards: 10-15 awards estimated, to be determined by Congress through annual appropriations.

o Individual Award Funding: Up to $20,000,000 per project for eligible land acquisition and transactional costs. The Agency reserves the right to award an applicant less than the funding requested based on funding availability and project eligibility.

▪ Eligibility o State Lead Agencies are the only eligible applicants. State Lead Agencies are responsible for coordinating with applicable Tribes, local governments, forest landowners, and/or nonprofit organizations in preparing applications. Individuals are not eligible to receive funds through this program.

▪ A State Lead Agency is designated by the Governor and responsible for https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/cooperative-forestry-handbook-2020.pdf https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/forest-legacy https://grants.gov/ overseeing FLP administration and can hold land or interests in land acquired through the program. The State Lead Agency is usually a forestry agency but may be another natural resource or land management agency.

o Eligible land for grants funded under this program is privately owned forest land that provides public benefits and is:

▪ Located within, or partially within, a Forest Legacy Area as designated in the

State Forest Action Plan;

▪ At least 75 percent forested, or has a plan to reforest to at least 75% forestland;

▪ Able to be managed consistent with the purpose for which it was acquired by

Forest Legacy Program; and

▪ The landowner is willing to sell or donate the interest in perpetuity.

▪ Key Dates:

o Application Due Date: 11:59PM Eastern Time on September 11, 2026

▪ Applicants must be designated State Lead Agencies. Interested Tribes, local governments, forest landowners or nonprofit organizations should work with the

Forest Legacy Program State Coordinator to understand state-specific requirements and deadlines.

▪ Applications are submitted electronically via Grants.gov. See below for contact information and application instructions.

▪ State Lead Agencies are responsible for developing applications and receiving input from State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committees before submitting applications to the USDA Forest Service. States must submit applications to the

USDA Forest Service by September 11, 2026.

o Anticipated Award Date: Fiscal Year 2028 o Expected Time to Process Application and Notify Applicant: Pre-notification coincides with the release of the FY2028 President’s Budget, which is expected 6 months post-application. Final notification will coincide with enacted FY2028 appropriations.

▪ Agency Contact Information:

o General questions about the program or grant applications may be directed to the national email inbox: sm.fs.flp@usda.gov o When questions posed by applicants are broadly applicable, the USDA Forest Service will consolidate answers and any supplemental information into a Frequently Asked Questions

(FAQ) document that will be shared and available to all applicants via Grants.gov.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/contact-us/forest-legacy-state-coordinators mailto:sm.fs.flp@usda.gov

II. APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants

▪ Entity Types:

o State Lead Agencies are the only eligible applicants. State Lead Agencies are responsible for coordinating with applicable Tribes, local governments, forest landowners, and/or nonprofit organizations in preparing applications. Individuals are not eligible to receive funds through this program.

o State Lead Agencies are identified in State Forest Action Plans and designated by State leadership (Governors) at the time of enrollment in the Forest Legacy Program.

▪ Disqualifying Criteria: Applicants that do not meet eligibility criteria will be deemed ineligible and removed from competition without further consideration.

▪ Funding Restrictions Affecting Eligibility:

o A proposed project cannot be submitted for funding consideration simultaneously for both the Community Forest Program and the Forest Legacy Program.

o Failure to demonstrate the required 25% cost share will result in the application being ineligible.

▪ Factors Disqualifying an Application:

o Inactive Sam.gov registration.

o If the proposed project falls within the boundaries of a designated Federal management unit, a written letter of concurrence from the applicable Federal Official is required.

o If the proposed project falls within or intersects with the boundaries of a federal

Indian reservation, written documentation affirming concurrence from the impacted

Tribal Nation(s) is required.

o Any application received after the submission deadline (see above, “Application Due

Date”) will be disqualified.

▪ Limit on Allowable Application Submissions: Each State Lead Agency may submit no more than five (5) projects for funding consideration, not to exceed $30 million in funding requests, with each individual project not exceeding $20 million. Each application must contain all of the required contents listed below.

Cost Sharing

▪ Required Cost Sharing: 25 percent non-Federal cost share is required for all proposals. Failure to demonstrate the required cost share will result in the application being ineligible.

▪ Cost Sharing Calculations: All applicants must demonstrate a 25 percent non-Federal cost share of the total project cost. The cost share can include cash, in-kind services, and/or donation of land or interest in land.

▪ Cost Sharing Restrictions: A Non-Federal entity’s in-kind match must meet the following criteria:

o Not included as contributions for any other Federal award o Necessary and reasonable for accomplishment of project objectives o Allowable under 2 CFR 200 Subpart E.

o Not paid by the Federal Government under another Federal award, except where the Federal statute authorizing a program specifically provides that Federal funds made available for such program can be applied to matching or cost sharing requirements of other Federal programs o Provided for in the approved budget when required by the Federal awarding agency

▪ Cost Sharing Commitment Requirements: Cost share contributions must be verifiable from the

State Lead Agency’s records—substantiating the source and monetary value of the project grant cost share.

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

▪ Funding Purpose: Grant awards will support both fee-simple land purchases and permanent conservation easements to protect important forest areas from development and fragmentation to ensure conservation of important public benefits and continuation of traditional forest uses.

▪ Projects: A proposed project is included in the Forest Legacy Program based on both the Federal requirements listed below, plus any requirements identified by the State Lead Agency in their State

Forest Action Plan or other pertinent State law. Eligible land for grants funded under this program is privately owned forest land that provides public benefits and is:

o Located within, or partially within, a Forest Legacy Area as designated in the State Forest

Action Plan;

o At least 75 percent forested, or has a plan to reforest to at least 75% forestland;

o Can be managed consistent with the purpose for which it was acquired by Forest Legacy

Program; and o The landowner is willing to sell or donate the interest in perpetuity.

▪ Funding Priorities: Priority will be given to proposals that:

o Provide exceptional public benefits (economic, environmental, social) that are specific to the lands to be acquired, planned for, and supported by data, evidence, and/or local knowledge.

o Demonstrate a clear threat to the land, illustrating that conversion to non-forest uses is imminent or likely and will result in the loss of forest values and public benefits.

o Contribute to a larger conservation plan, strategy or initiative, complement existing Federal land or other protected areas, and other landscape scale conservation goals.

Also see “Statutory, Regulatory or Other Priorities” section below for additional considerations that will be considered to ensure project quality, readiness and alignment with administration priorities.

▪ Program Goals and Objectives: The goal of the FLP is to conserve important forest areas as identified as important and strategic in Forest Action Plans for public benefits. Desired outcomes include the protection of important scenic, cultural, fish, wildlife, and recreational resources, riparian areas, and other ecological values, as well as continued traditional forest uses, including timber management, hunting, fishing, hiking, and recreational uses.

▪ Award Goals: Funded projects will permanently conserve private forestland for public benefits.

▪ Expected Achievements: Forest Legacy projects result in the acquisition and conservation of important forests, which provide exceptional public benefits. The Forest Legacy Program reports annually on the acres of private forestlands conserved permanently as a metric of program performance.

▪ Allowable Costs: Allowable project costs include the purchase price for the property as well as direct transactional costs related to its acquisition. This includes:

o Appraisals and appraisal reviews that meet Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land

Acquisitions o Land surveys o Legal and closing costs (document preparation and recording fees) o Title examination and purchase of title insurance o Conservation easement negotiations and drafting o Facilitation of donations of land, or interests in land, that serve as cost share for the project o A baseline survey to document the current condition of the tract to be acquired o Development of Multi-Resource Management Plan for the FLP project tract(s)

Note: Costs must conform to Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR 200)

Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal

Awards.

▪ Unallowable Costs: Project costs cannot include:

o Long-term operations, maintenance, and management of the land o Monitoring or enforcement activities associated with long term stewardship, including setting up an endowment fund for the project o Construction of buildings or recreational facilities o Research o Existing liens or taxes owed o Indirect costs associated with implementing the project o General expenses of the program, such as salary, benefits, equipment, etc.

o Costs associated with preparing this application (except for any of the allowable project costs specified above)

▪ Beneficiaries or Program Participants Eligibility: Entities listed in the Sam.gov exclusion database (which includes suspended, debarred or otherwise excluded individuals) are ineligible to be a program beneficiary.

https://www.justice.gov/d9/enrd/legacy/2015/04/13/uniform-appraisal-standards.pdf https://www.justice.gov/d9/enrd/legacy/2015/04/13/uniform-appraisal-standards.pdf 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

▪ Program Citations: Grants awarded under this announcement must conform to laws and authorities in Section 7 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act ([16 U.S.C. 2103c] Forest Legacy Program) as amended.

OTHER INFORMATION

▪ Examples of Previously Successful Projects: Examples of previously successful projects can be found on the Forest Legacy Program website.

IV. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

o Required Contents: A full application is required for each project. No initial pre-application, letter of intent or white paper is required. The application must include the following information, uploaded into Grants.gov (see Submission Requirements and Deadlines section below):

o Completed SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance o Completed SF-424C, Budget Information for Construction Programs o Application Narrative (no more than 5 pages):

▪ Project name

▪ Project location (county)

▪ Total FLP funding request rounded to the nearest $5,000, not to exceed $20 million

▪ Project description of no more than 1250 characters

▪ Bulleted list explaining the importance of the proposed project, as detailed under

Review Criteria below (up to 20 bullets, no more than 300 characters each)

▪ Bulleted list explaining the threat to the proposed project, as detailed under Review

Criteria below (up to 10 bullets, no more than 300 characters each)

▪ Bulleted list explaining the strategic significance of the proposed project, as detailed under Review Criteria below (up to 10 bullets, no more than 400 characters each) o Supporting Documentation

▪ A list of supporting parties (supported by written letters, and made available upon request)

▪ If the proposed project falls within the boundaries of a designated Federal management unit, a written letter of concurrence from the applicable Federal Official is required.

▪ If the proposed project falls within or intersects with the boundaries of a federal

Indian reservation, written documentation affirming concurrence from the impacted

Tribal Nation(s) is required.

o Tract Details (provided for each tract proposed for funding):

▪ Tract name https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Cooperative%20Forestry%20Assistance%20Act%20Of%201978.pdf https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/forest-legacy/program/funded-projects https://grants.gov/ https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family

▪ Estimated acreage

▪ Estimated cost

▪ Forest Legacy funding request

▪ Estimated non-federal cost share

▪ Purchase type

▪ Public access structure

▪ Status of readiness elements with dates completed, if applicable (supported by written documentation, and made available upon request)

• Draft conservation easement/deed language

• Cost-share commitment

• A signed option or purchase agreement

• Completed and reviewed title search

• Evaluated mineral rights

▪ A shapefile that outlines the tract boundaries o Photos (no more than 4):

▪ 4 Photographs, with captions and photo credits

▪ Photos may be any orientation (landscape/portrait/square)

▪ Photo captions should be no more than 80 characters per photo o Map (1):

▪ 1 full-page map displaying the project area

▪ The map should fit within a single 8.5x11” page

Note: For more details on any of the required contents, see the Forest Legacy Program Scoring

Guidance, provided on Grants.gov or the review criteria outlined below under VI. Application

Review.

o Formatting Requirements: Applications are submitted by state lead agencies, in the format of their choosing, through Grants.gov. For all application components, applicants should use a standard typeface with no smaller than 10-point font and one-inch margins, on letter size (8.5 x 11) paper.

The use of titles and headings is strongly encouraged.

V. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

▪ Address to Request Application Package o Application Materials: Application materials can be accessed via Grants.gov.

▪ Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

o Each applicant must:

https://grants.gov/

▪ Register at SAM.gov before applying

▪ Provide a valid unique Entity Identifier from SAM.gov

▪ Continue to maintain an active registration in SAM.gov with current information at all times during which there is an active Federal award, or an application or plan is under consideration by a Federal agency.

▪ Individuals may be exempt from acquiring a UEI, SAM.gov registration, or both in accordance with 2 CFR 25.110(b).

Submission Instructions

▪ Actions Prior to Applying: Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact and work with a

Forest Service representative during the application process and before submission. Forest

Service staff can assist with navigating program requirements, determining eligibility, providing guidance on allowable costs and cost-sharing, and other questions. See the below section “Contact for Further Information” to identify the appropriate contact.

To assist applicants, the FLP website includes previously funded project examples, program contacts, and other resources. The Forest Legacy Program website is located at:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/forest-legacy. Also see ‘Resources’ section of this document under ‘IX. Other Information.’

Review the Forest Legacy Program Scoring Guidance for additional information regarding application requirements.

▪ Application Submission Methods: Applications are submitted electronically via

Grants.gov.

▪ Other Required Documents: Written letters of support and concurrence, market analyses, and readiness documentation do not need to be provided at time of application but must be made available upon request during the review process.

Submission Dates and Times

▪ Full Applications Deadline: Eligible applicants must submit all application materials via

Grants.gov no later than 11:59PM Eastern Time on September 11, 2026.

Intergovernmental Review

▪ Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs: This funding opportunity is not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

VI. APPLICATION REVIEW

Responsiveness Review

▪ Responsiveness Review Process: All submissions will be screened for completion, adherence to application requirements, alignment with program goals, and compliance with

USDA Forest Service policies before advancing in the review process. Ineligible or unsuccessful applicants will be notified via email.

▪ Disqualifying Criteria: Applications will be reviewed for disqualifying factors that include:

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110#p-25.110(b) https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/forest-legacy o Ineligible land o Ineligible applicants o Incomplete application submissions o Inactive Sam.gov registration o Inadequate cost-share o Unallowable costs

Review Criteria

▪ Criteria: Applications will be evaluated and assigned scores out of a maximum of 80 points based on the following criteria:

o Importance (up to 30 points). Reviewers will assess the attributes of the property and the environmental, social, and economic public benefits gained from the protection and management of the property and its resources, now and into the future. In this section, applicants should explain:

▪ Economic benefits, such as timber and non-timber products resulting from sustainable forest management, recreation and tourism

▪ Environmental benefits, including clean air and water, stormwater management/flood mitigation, wildlife habitat, and cultural resources

▪ Social benefits, including public access and recreational opportunities, such as hiking, hunting, fishing, and including preservation of scenic viewsheds

▪ Cultural or historic benefits, including meaningful benefits to Tribal or other indigenous communities o Threatened (up to 20 points). Reviewers will assess the likelihood for conversion to non-forest uses. In this section, applicants should explain:

▪ Lack of legal protection that currently exists on the property

▪ Land or landowners circumstances, which illustrate market pressure or plans to sell

▪ Adjacent land uses and ability to develop the property o Strategic (up to 30 points). Reviewers will assess the extent to which the project contributes to any landscape conservation initiatives or contributes to conservation initiatives on a larger scale. In this section, applicants should explain:

▪ How the project contributes to existing or new conservation strategies, initiatives or plans

▪ How the project is strategically linked or complements already protected lands

▪ How the project contributes to the advancement of larger scale conservation goals and public benefits

Note: The complete scoring guidance document that will be used by the National

Review Panel to evaluate, score, and rank applications is available as an attachment on

Grants.gov.

▪ Other Priorities: Other factors that will be considered by the National Review Panel to determine recommended funding levels and rank include:

o Proximity to local wood products mills, in support of Executive Order 14225, Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production o Securing full or partial public access o Demonstration of significant state and local support o Cost-share beyond the minimum 25 percent requirement o Outstanding grant funding for previously funded Forest Legacy projects in a State, particularly balances which are greater than three years old o Project readiness o State Lead Agency past performance

▪ Cost Sharing: Cost sharing is an eligibility criterion for this opportunity. Cost-share proposed in the project brief above the 25 percent requirement can be a factor considered by the National Review Panel during ranking of recommended projects.

Application Reviewers

▪ Reviewers: USDA Forest Service personnel, including national and regional Forest Legacy program staff. Reviewers may also include representatives from State Lead Agencies and other Forest Service personnel with backgrounds and expertise in areas relevant to the program (e.g. lands, forestry, wildlife).

▪ Reviewer Process: To ensure the application review process is transparent and fair, the

Forest Service will establish a National Review Panel consisting of Forest Service and state agency representatives. Representatives are primarily federal and state program staff who have familiarity with program requirements and land acquisitions. Forest Service headquarters staff will make final assignments to the National Review Panel following review of each potential panelist for qualifications and potential conflicts of interest.

Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by the National Review Panel based on the criteria identified in Review Criteria, under “VI. Application Review”.

▪ Nominations: The Forest Service will solicit nominations from State Lead Agency

Program Coordinators interested in participating on the National Review Panel. To limit potential conflicts of interest, any State Lead Agency panelist with project(s) being considered by the National Review Panel must recuse themselves from the scoring and ranking of those projects which were submitted by their state.

Review and Selection Process

▪ Selection Measures: The National Review Panel will utilize the review criteria outlined above, under “VI. Application Review”

▪ Merit Review Process: The National Review Panel will engage in a multi-step review process. First, individual panelists will score each project using the review criteria. These scores will be compiled and standardized by Forest Service staff to prepare an initial ranked list for National Review Panel discussion. The Review Panel then convenes for a three-day facilitated meeting to prepare a final recommended list in ranked order taking into consideration project scores and other factors, as described above.

Final Selection Process

▪ Selection Official(s): Congress has final authority for project selection and funding levels through FY2028 appropriations.

▪ Multi-phase review methods: The FLP National Review Panel prepares a recommended ranked project list using established criteria. This list is cleared by Forest Service and

Department leadership, then transmitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review and to inform the development of the FY2028 President’s Budget. Congress approves the final list of projects to be funded through mandatory LWCF funds in annual appropriations.

Risk Review

▪ Risk Review Factors: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.206, before any funding is awarded, the USDA Forest Service will conduct a risk review considering the applicant’s financial stability, history of performance, audit reports and findings, and ability to implement the project and meet grant requirements.

▪ (If applicable) When Award Exceeds Simplified Acquisition Threshold:

o Prior to awarding a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, currently $350,000, the Federal agency must review and consider any applicant information in the responsibility/qualification records available in SAM.gov (see 41 U.S.C. 2313).

o An applicant can review and comment on any information in the responsibility/qualification records available in SAM.gov.

o Before making decisions in the risk review required by 2 CFR 200.206, the Federal agency will consider any applicant comments along with information available in the responsibility/qualification records in SAM.gov.

VII. AWARD NOTICES

▪ Award Notification: After passage of the final annual appropriations legislation by

Congress, and following apportionment by the Office of Management and Budget, the USDA

Forest Service will release a final list of funded projects through the Forest Legacy Program budget direction. USDA Forest Service will then work with each applicable State Lead

Agency to issue a grant award for each funded project. Required grant forms include FS-

1500-22 Financial Capability, SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, SF-424C Budget

Information – Construction Project. The notification of project selection is not an https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.206 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title41-section2313&num=0&edition=prelim authorization to begin project performance. The executed Federal award is the sole authorizing document.

▪ Pre-Award Costs: For purposes of calculating the cost share contribution, the grant recipient may request inclusion of project due diligence costs, such as title review and appraisals, incurred prior to issuance of the grant. These pre-award costs may have been incurred up to one year prior to the issuance of the grant but cannot include the purchase Forest Legacy

Program land, including cost share tracts. If pre-award costs are allowed, beginning performance is at the applicant’s own risk.

▪ Federal Award:

o Once a project is selected, the applicant must work with the Forest Service to successfully execute a grant award to receive funding.

o The notice of Federal award signed by the Forest Service Signatory Official, or equivalent, is the official document that allows for funds to be obligated into the agreement. This document will be provided to the applicant by email.

o Forest Service must approve any amendments to an application or request to reallocate funding within a grant application, including any changes or substitutions to specific tracts or project phases.

▪ Grant Award Time Frame: The initial grant performance period shall be for two years, and acquisition of lands should occur within that timeframe. Lands acquired prior to the grant award are not eligible for Forest Legacy Program funding. The performance period may be reasonably extended by the Forest Service when necessary to accommodate unforeseen circumstances in the land acquisition process.

▪ Notifications to Applicants Not Awarded: The USDA Forest Service will notify unsuccessful applicants via email shortly after successful applicants have been notified. The notification will include contact information for a Forest Service staff member who may be contacted if the applicant would like further information or feedback about their application.

VIII. POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

▪ Administrative and National Policy Requirements. The USDA General Terms and

Conditions for Federal Awards and the Forest Service Federal Financial Assistance General

Terms and Conditions apply to awards issued pursuant to this Notice of Funding

Opportunity.

▪ General Terms and Conditions: All awards will be subject to the USDA General Terms and Conditions and the Forest Service General Terms and Conditions.

▪ Specific Terms and Conditions: Specific program terms and conditions will be provided at the time of award, in alignment with Section 7 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of

1978 (U.S.C. 2103c).

▪ Special Requirements: Within 30 days of project completion, the applicant must update the

Forest Legacy Information System (FLIS) with the closing dates, final acreages, and Forest

Legacy payments and cost-share information for the project.

https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/general-information/staff-offices/office-chief-financial-officer/federal-financial-assistance-policy/usda-general-terms-and-conditions https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/general-information/staff-offices/office-chief-financial-officer/federal-financial-assistance-policy/usda-general-terms-and-conditions https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/grants/terms-conditions https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/grants/terms-conditions https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-general-terms-conditions-2025.pdf https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-general-terms-conditions-2025.pdf https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/grants/terms-conditions https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title16-section2103c&num=0&edition=prelim

▪ Reporting o Reporting Type: Financial and Performance o Reporting Frequency: At a minimum annually, with grant award articulating required frequency.

o Reporting Submission: Electronic o References: 2 CFR 200.301 and 200.329 o Awards Exceeding $500,000: If the Federal share of the award exceeds $500,000 over the period of performance, inform potential applicants about the post-award reporting requirements in 2 CFR 200 Appendix XII.

IX. OTHER INFORMATION

Resources

▪ SAM.gov o SAM New Registration: https://sam.gov/entity-registration o SAM Entity Registration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJju__0bNCY&t=63s o For assistance with SAM registration, contact an APEX Accelerator organization near you: https://www.apexaccelerators.us

▪ Grants.gov (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-FS-2028-FLP) o Grants.gov User Registration: https://grants.gov/register o Forest Legacy Program Scoring Guidance: The scoring instructions provided to the

National Review Panel, which reviews and ranks submitted Forest Legacy Program applications

▪ USDA Forest Service Forest Legacy Program Website: Home to many resources for practitioners and potential applicants, including:

o Forest Legacy Funded Projects (FY2020-FY2026) o Uniform Appraisal Standards for Land Acquisitions (Yellowbook) o Contact information for Forest Legacy Program State Coordinators

▪ The Principal Laws Relating to USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry Programs

▪ Code of Federal Regulations Part 200—Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost

Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards

Contact Information

Potential applicants should send general questions about the Forest Legacy Program or grant applications to the program inbox: sm.fs.flp@usda.gov. Additional information about the Forest

Legacy Program may be obtained at https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/forest-https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.301 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR36520e4111dce32/section-200.329 https://sam.gov/entity-registration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJju__0bNCY&t=63s https://www.apexaccelerators.us/ https://grants.gov/register https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/forest-legacy https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/cooperative-forestry-handbook-2020.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 mailto:sm.fs.flp@usda.gov legacy.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact and work with the appropriate Forest Service contact during the application process before submission. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call their state’s telecommunications relay service (TRS) by dialing 711.

▪ USDA Forest Service Contacts for the Forest Legacy Program:

o Northern Region

▪ Territories/State(s) served: Montana, North Dakota

▪ Point of Contact: Patrick Bridegam, Patrick.A.Bridegam@usda.gov o Rocky Mountain Region

▪ Territories/State(s) served: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming

▪ Point of Contact: Laura Wagner, laura.wagner@usda.gov o Southwestern Region

▪ Territories/State(s) served: Arizona, New Mexico

▪ Point of Contact: Kathy Moore, Kathleen.moore@usda.gov o Intermountain Region

▪ Territories/State(s) served: Idaho, Nevada, Utah

▪ Point of Contact: Patrick Bridegam, Patrick.A.Bridegam@usda.gov o Pacific Southwest Region

▪ Territories/State(s) served: California, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia

▪ Point of Contact: Katie Friday, Kathleen.Friday@usda.gov o Pacific Northwest Region

▪ Territories/State(s) served: Oregon, Washington

▪ Point of Contact: Amy Singh, amy.singh@usda.gov o Southern Region

▪ Territories/State(s) served: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia

▪ Point of Contact: Fernando Chen, fernando.chen@usda.gov

▪ Point of Contact: Mike Middlebrook, Michael.middlebrook@usda.gov mailto:Patrick.A.Bridegam@usda.gov mailto:laura.wagner@usda.gov mailto:Kathleen.moore@usda.gov mailto:Patrick.A.Bridegam@usda.gov mailto:Kathleen.Friday@usda.gov mailto:amy.singh@usda.gov mailto:fernando.chen@usda.gov mailto:Michael.middlebrook@usda.gov o Eastern Region

▪ Territories/State(s) served: Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New

Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia

▪ Point of Contact: Liam Krause, liam.krause@usda.gov o Alaska Region

▪ Territories/State(s) served: Alaska

▪ Point of Contact: Amy Singh, amy.singh@usda.gov o International Institute of Tropical Forestry

▪ Territories/State(s) served: Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands

▪ Point of Contact: Magaly Figueroa Vázquez, magaly.figueroa@usda.gov mailto:liam.krause@usda.gov mailto:amy.singh@usda.gov mailto:magaly.figueroa@usda.gov