BLM Fuels Management and Community Fire Assistance Program Activities

Wildland Fire Fuels Management and Community Assistance Program activities represent strategic investments in managing vegetation through active management to reduce the intensity, severity or negative effects of wildfire. Provides cost-effective ben

This listing is an opportunity to work with partner organizations to assist with fuels management and community assistance program activities to reduce the risk and impact of catastrophic wildfires on local communities through coordination, reducing hazardous fuels, and furthering the education of landowners and public land users about wildfire prevention and mitigation. These activities will assist in developing fire-resilient landscapes and communities, creating jobs, and supporting planning and implementation of hazardous fuels reduction, education, and outreach programs.

Fuels management activities are restricted to Federal lands, or adjacent non federal land for activities that benefit resources on Federal land. Most of these lands are located in the Western United States and Alaska. Assistance can be used for helping BLM support fuels management and community assistance program activities, including community programs that develop local capability including assessment and planning, mitigation activities, and community and homeowner education and implementation ; fire prevention, plan and implement fuels management activities, including the training, monitoring or maintenance associated with such fuels management activities, on federal land, or on adjacent non federal land for activities that benefit resources on federal land; enhance the knowledge of rural fire districts by providing assistance in education and training; assist with the prevention of wildfires to reduce the risk and impact to communities and their values. Funding is highly variable each fiscal year. For more specific information please contact the headquarters office.

No specific restrictions. However, most projects are funded on a year to year basis and no more than five years. Funds are expended during a particular fiscal year. Most awards are anticipated within 90 days or less after the announcement closes.

For more information and local requirements, cooperative project proposals should be coordinated with the Bureau of Land Management local State or District/Field Offices.

First Level Screening -Basic Eligibility. Applications will be screened by the Grants Management Officer to ensure that applications meet basic eligibility requirements. Must meet the requirements of the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted on www.grants.gov, screening may include, but is not limited to: Program and/or legislative authority requirements are met; Submission is timely; and complete and properly executed SF-424 application package documents. Applications must satisfy basic eligibility screening requirements to be considered for further review. Second Level Evaluation -- Merit Review Evaluation is stated in each Notice of Funding Opportunity noticed post on www.grants.gov Third Level Review Pre-Award Clearance and Approvals. BLM will also complete a business evaluation and determination of responsibility. During these evaluations the Grants Management Officer will evaluate variables such as: Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, financial stability, quality of management systems, past performance meeting prior award terms and conditions, reports and findings of audits performed, and applicant's ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory or other requirements.

All applications will be initially screened for eligibility and compliance with the requirements stated in the program Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement. Applications passing this screening process will be forwarded for review by the proposal evaluation criteria, and any additional review factors, as stated in the funding announcement. Wildland Urban Interface community projects are reviewed at State level and funding recommendations are made through each State's annual work plan. Final award selection review by BLM Leadership.

Award time varies depending on the type of complexity of the project. Most awards are anticipated within 120 days or less after the announcement closes. Further information will be available for each project at the time of the funding opportunity announcement is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the point of contact listed in the funding opportunity announcement.

Final award decisions are not subject to appeal; however, the Bureau of Land Management will provide all applicants with information on why their proposal was not selected for award.