W912EF262A002 - DWA NOFO.pdf

W912EF-26-2-RPA-A002

Funding Opportunity Announcement

Natural Resources Training and Education at Dworshak

Funding Agency :

Funding

Instrument:

Cooperative Agreement

US Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District 201 N Third Ave

Walla Walla WA 99362

Funding Opportunity No:

W912EF-26-2-RPA-A002

CFDA No: 12.010

Program Title: Youth Conservation Services

Issue Date:

April 30, 2026 Application Due Date: May 30, 2026

Overview:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is seeking organizations to enter into a cooperative agreement for outdoor education and training, f lood control inf rastructure maintenance, ef fective environmental and recreational resource management, enhanced pub lic engagement, and training/education opportunities – along with other related services.

USACE is particularly interested in organizations that of fer challenging education and job -training experiences for young adults, and support for formal post-high school education. This agreement aims to provide ef fective resource management, enhance public engagement, and of fer training and education, all while promoting responsible stewardship of public lands and resources and developing future water and natural resource professionals.

Statutory Authority: Water Resources Development Act of 2000, Title 33, Part 2339, Section 213(a), Public Law 106-106-541, 114 Stat. 2593 (codif ied as amended at 33 U.S.C. § 2339).

Estimated Total Funding:

$36,000.00 Estimated Number of Awards: 1 (one)

Contents of Full Text Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description V. Application Review Information

II. Award Information VI. Award Administration Information

III. Eligibility Information VII. Agency Contacts

IV. Application Information VIII. Other Information Contact Information: Questions relating to Grants.gov including the registration process and system requirements should be directed to the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726. For assistance with the requirements of this Funding Opportunity

Announcement, please contact victoria.l.conway@usace.army.mil .

Instructions to Applicants:

The complete funding opportunity announcement, application forms, and instructions are available for download at Grants.gov.

Applications in response to this Funding Opportunity Announcement shall be submitted by the application due date. Applications may be submitted by mail, email, or via the internet through Grants.gov.

Applicants shall have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number, register with the System for Award Management (SAM.gov), and if submitting application via the internet, register with Grants.gov.

See Section IV of the Funding Opportunity Announcement for complete application submission information.

mailto:victoria.l.conway@usace.army.mil

Section I: Funding Opportunity Description

1. Introduction:

The USACE, Walla Walla District, develops and operates water resources and public lands within the

Dworshak Project area, delivering engineering solutions to support the nation's water resources and public safety. The goal of this cooperative agreement is to provide f lood control inf rastructure maintenance, ef fective environmental and recreational resource manag ement, enhance public engagement, and training and education opportunities.

This cooperative agreement will help further USACE's national objectives, aligning with our mission to provide vital public engineering services, and priorities of water resources management, environmental sustainability, and public safety. Specif ically, the purpose of this agreement is to of fer job training/experience for college age youth (ages 16+) interested in working in the natural resources f ield and will entail three, one-week sessions over a f ive-month period.

2. Education and Stewardship Objectives:

The Corps stewardship covers a wide range of opportunities that allow work in a natural resource-oriented environment, as well as acquisition of strong ethics regarding proper management and use of public land resources. By utilizing these opportunities participants will receive technical, applied, and practical job training/skills and education otherwise not available.

Scope of work is developed by the Lead Ranger or Project Manager and may include maintenance services on Corps lands consisting of but not limited to, f lood risk reduction through f lood control inf rastructure maintenance that includes vegetation and debris removal, park maintenance, vegetation management, invasive species management, recreation trail construction, refurbishment, and maintenance, landscaping, and prescribed burning. Specif ic sites where work may be conducted include:

lands, inf rastructure, and waters managed by Dworshak.

Each specif ic project proposed under this Agreement will be individually evaluated by both parties to make certain that it meets the education and stewardship objectives set forth herein, and that it will not displace any government workers nor impair existing contracts for service.

3. Benef its:

Training future members of the natural resources community so that they will have the experience necessary to complete their education. The recipient will benef it by learning outdoor ethics and work skills. They will gain exposure to tasks that benef it the environment and aid in improving public lands and water. The recipient may take advantage of resource opportunities available only under a cooperative agreement.

4. Responsibilities:

a. The Recipient will:

• Recruit, select, and enroll eligible participants and refer appropriate participants to

USACE in accordance with available funds, Federal regulations, needs of participants, and the terms of this Agreement. Enrollees shall be at least 16 years of age.

• Indemnify USACE against any liability for damage to life or property arising f rom the actions or omissions of Recipient’s employees, contractors, or agents. Such protection f rom damages may be provided by commercial insurance or self -insurance. USACE shall be liable for its actions and omissions in accordance with the Federal Tort Claims Act, as applicable.

• Reserve the right to terminate or reassign enrollees to other activities in accordance with the enrollee's program objectives. Reasonable notice of reassignments will be provided to USACE.

• Provide crews available for scheduling work at mutually agreed times during the performance period.

• Provide a supervisor to direct work who will be responsible for all supervision and discipline of participants assigned to scopes of work under this agreement.

• Assure that training accomplishment is documented for each participant under this agreement. These records shall be available to USACE for review.

• Ensure that each enrollee is properly equipped and dressed for work to be accomplished. This will include a work jacket, work shirt, work trousers, hard hat, gloves, and a pair laced safety work boot, if required.

• Perform work in accordance with EM 385-1-1, “U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Safety and Health Requirements Manual,” and FED-OSHA regulations. EM 385-

1-1 can be downloaded f rom: http://www.usace.army.mil/Safety-and-

Occupational-Health/Safety-and-Health-Requirements-Manual/.

• Arrange for transportation to and f rom work sites, ensure participants bring food and water as required for rest breaks, and provide for f irst aid and other customary supervisory care of the participants at the work sites.

• Provide basic hand tools such as shovels, loppers, hand saws, wheelbarrows, rakes, etc.

• Provide basic gas-powered tools such as string trimmers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, etc. and associated training with these tools.

• Provide applicable Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for recipient supplied tools.

• Ensure that all tools and equipment provided by USACE are returned to USACE in a like condition as when loaned, except for normal wear and tear.

• Act in conformance with State and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to Wage and Hours.

b. The Dworshak Off ice will:

• Submit project information in support of scopes of work, including objectives and locations, diagrams, specif ications, location maps, schedules, and other required details.

• Supply suf f icient materials as applicable, heavy equipment and special tools not provided by the recipient including additional required personal protective equipment, or special labor support, as required to perform each scope of work.

• Ensure there is suf f icient work to productively occupy the enrollees during scheduled work hours.

• Assign a Dworshak employee to serve as a point of contact (POC) and resource advisor for the duration of this agreement, to provide technical assistance to the crew supervisor, provide specif ic task instruction, instructions on the proper use of tools and materials, demonstrate task completion, and otherwise engage and encourage the work crew.

• Coordinate work schedules to accommodate participation in education, vocational training, counseling, or related activities.

c. Performance Reports

Recipient shall submit performance progress reports and f inancial reports monthly (in the months when work occurs). Report shall contain a narrative of worked performed during the http://www.usace.army.mil/Safety-and-Occupational-Health/Safety-and-Health-Requirements-Manual/ http://www.usace.army.mil/Safety-and-Occupational-Health/Safety-and-Health-Requirements-Manual/ season and detail how goals and objectives were met.

d. Modif ications

• Modif ications to this agreement may be proposed by either party, but neither party shall implement a change until the change has been negotiated and approved by the Government’s Grants Of f icer. Change proposals shall be submitted in writing and shall detail the technical, schedule, and f inancial impacts of the proposed modif ication. Only the Grants Of f icer has the authority to act on behalf of the Government to change this agreement.

• Revision of budget/program plans: Recipient shall request prior approval for plan changes in accordance with 2 CFR § 200.308.

• The Grants Of f icer may unilaterally issue modif ications for minor or administrative matters, such as changes in key personnel, paying of f ice, etc.

e. Subawards

• The Recipient shall apply to each subaward the administrative requirements of 2

CFR 200 applicable to the particular type of subrecipient.

• Recipients awarding contracts under this agreement shall ensure that contracts awarded contain, at a minimum, the provisions 2 CFR Part 1120 and Appendix II to CFR Part 200.

f. Procurement

• The Recipient’s systems for acquiring goods and services under this agreement shall comply with 2 CFR 200.

Section II: Award Information

1. Type of Award Instrument - A single cooperative agreement.

2. Substantial Involvement – USACE will provide a work site for the recipient to practice natural resources education and training, guidance in the form of educational presentations and review of protocols and reports. USACE will also supply some tools for some of the activities to be returned to USACE at the end of the period of performance.

3. Funding – $36,000.00.

4. Period of Performance – June 5, 2026 through November 30, 2026 (6 months)

5. Termination –

OAR Article III. Remedies and Termination is hereby superseded and revised in Section C.

Termination.

1. This award may be terminated in whole or in part as follows:

a. Unilaterally by the Federal Government.

We will provide a notice of termination if we unilaterally terminate this award in whole or in part, which we may do for any of the following reasons:

i. Your material failure to comply with the award terms and conditions. If we terminate the award for that reason, we will report the termination to the OMB-designated integrity and performance system (currently SAM.gov). In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 2313, each

Federal awarding of f icial must review and consider the information in the OMB designated integrity and performance system with regard to any proposal or of fer before awarding a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract.

ii. The program of f ice does not have funding for an upcoming increment if this award is incrementally funded. In that case, the Federal Government’s f inancial obligation does not exceed the amount currently obligated under the award.

iii. At the convenience of the Federal Government at any time, in whole or in part, including if the award no longer advances agency priorities or the national interest.

b. By mutual agreement. With mutual agreement, we may terminate this award, in whole or in part, for any reason. In that case, you and we must agree to:

i. The termination conditions, including the ef fective date; and

ii. In the case of a partial termination, the portion to be terminated.

c. Unilaterally by the recipient. You may unilaterally terminate this award, in whole or in part, by sending us written notif ication that states:

i. The reasons for the termination;

ii. The ef fective date; and

iii. In the case of partial termination, the portion to be terminated. In that case, however, we may terminate the award in its entirety if we determine that the remaining portion of the award will not accomplish the purposes for which we made the award.

2. If this award is terminated in its entirety before the end of the performance period, you must complete the closeout actions for which you are responsible under OAR Article VI. The due date for each action is to be measured relative to the date of termination.

3. If this award is only partially terminated before the end of the performance period, with a reduced or modif ied portion of the award continuing through the end of the performance period, then closeout actions will occur at the end of the performance period as specif ied in OAR Article

VI.

4. You will continue to have all of the post closeout responsibilities that OAR Article VII specif ies for you if this award is wholly or partially terminated before the end of the performance period.

Section D. Ef fects of suspension or termination of the award on allowability of costs.

If we suspend or terminate this award prior to the end of the period of performance, costs resulting f rom obligations that you incurred:

1. Before the ef fective date of the suspension or termination are allowable if :

a. You properly incurred those obligations;

b. You did not incur the obligations in anticipation of the suspension or termination;

c. In the case of termination, the costs resulted f rom obligations that were noncancellable af ter the termination; and

d. The costs would have been allowable if we had not suspended or terminated the award and it had expired normally at the end of the period of performance.

2. During the suspension or af ter the termination are not allowable unless we expressly authorize them, either in the notice of suspension or termination or subsequently.

Section III: Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants – Non-Federal public and non-prof it entities.

2. Cost Sharing – Not required.

Section IV: Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

The complete funding opportunity announcement, application forms, and instructions are available for download at Grants.gov. USACE is not responsible for any loss of internet connectivity or for an applicant’s inability to access documents posted at the referenced website.

The administrative point of contacts is Brooke Moore (509) 527-7913, brooke.n.moore@usace.army.mil and Victoria Conway (509) 527-7449, victoria.l.conway@usace.army.mil

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

All mandatory forms and any applicable optional forms must be completed in accordance with the instructions on the forms and the additional instructions below.

a. SF 424 - Application for Federal Assistance

b. SF 424 A – Budget Information for Nonconstruction Programs

c. Program Narrative – Brief program description illustrating applicant’s ability to meet the goals and objectives described in Section I of the announcement.

d. SF-LLL - Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

e. Attachment E - Certs and Acknowledgments

f. Certif icate of Authority

3. Application shall be submitted no later than 10:00 AM PT, May 30, 2026

4. Submission Instructions

Applications may be submitted by e-mail or Grants.gov. Choose one of the following submission methods:

a. E-mail:

Format all documents to print on Letter (8 ½ x 11”) paper. E -mail proposal to

Victoria.l.conway@usace.army.mil.

b. Grants.gov: https://www.grants.gov/:

Applicants are not required to submit proposals through Grants.gov. However, if applications are submitted via the internet; applicants are responsible for ensuring that mailto:victoria.l.conway@usace.army.mil their Grants.gov proposal submission is received in its entirety.

All applicants choosing to use Grants.gov to submit proposals must be registered and have and account with Grants.gov. It may take up to three weeks to complete Grants.gov registration. For more information on registration, go to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html.

Section V: Application Review Information

1. Criteria

The following criteria shall serve as the standard against which any response to this announcement will be evaluated.

a. Initial Review

The Government will perform an initial review to determine that the applicant is (1) eligible in accordance with Section III of the announcement; (2) all information required by Section IV has been submitted; and (3) all mandatory requirements are satisf ied.

b. Merit Review

The application and program narrative will be evaluated on whether the applicant demonstrates the ability to meet the goals and objectives of the program. Specif ically, the narrative will be evaluated to ensure the Applicant:

(1) Demonstrated the ability to successfully execute training/education programs for young adults.

(2) Has experience with conservation programs. (Applicants demonstrating experience aligned with the education and stewardship objectives, specif ically within youth training and conservation programs, will be rated more favorably, with preference given to those possessing a greater number of years of relevant experience).

(3) Has adequate management capability and adequate f inancial and technical resources to execute the program.

(4) Has a satisfactory record of executing Government programs (if a prior recipient).

(5) Has a record of integrity and business ethics.

c. Budget Review

Budget realism and reasonableness of costs. Submit a preliminary budget estimate based on the information in Sections I and II.

2. Review and Selection Process

Proposals will undergo a multi-stage evaluation procedure. First, the proposals will be screened to conf irm all required submittals and information have been received , and the applicant is eligible to receive

Federal awards. Second, a technical team from within USACE will review the proposals and budget review to determine if the merit criteria have been met. Third, the Grants Of f icer will review recommendations f rom the technical team to reach a f inal decision for award.

3. Anticipated Award Date:

Announcement Issue Date: April 30, 2026

Announcement Due Date: May 30, 2026

Estimated Award Date: June 4, 2026

Section VI: Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

Written notice of award will be given in conjunction with issuance of a cooperative agreement signed by a

Grants Of f icer. The cooperative agreement will contain the ef fective date of the agreement, the period of performance, funding information, and all terms and conditions. The recipient is required to sign and return the document before work under the agreement commences. Work described in this announcement shall not begin without prior authorization from a Grants Officer.

2. Administrative Requirements

The cooperative agreement issued as a result of this announcement will be administered in accordance with the administrative requirements in 2 CFR 200.

3. Reporting

Recipient will be required to submit progress, f inancial, and property reports quarterly, semiannually, or annually as stipulated in the terms and conditions of the f inal cooperative agreement.

Section VII: Agency Contact

Victoria Conway, Grants Specialist, Contracting Division

USACE, Walla Walla District

ATTN: CECT- NWW

201 N Third Ave.

Walla Walla WA 99362

Tel: 509-527-7449

Fax: 509-527-7802

E-mail: Victoria.l.conway@usace.army.mil

Section VIII: Other Information

1. Only Grants Of f icers are legally authorized to bind the Government to an agreement.

2. Responses should reference Program Announcement W912EF-26-2-RPA-0002.

3. Questions regarding the proposal submission should be submitted no later than 10 days prior to the submission due date. Questions received af ter this date may not be answered.