Aquatic Nuisance Species Small Grant Program | F18AS00350

Opportunity Information: Apply for F18AS00350

The Aquatic Nuisance Species Small Grant Program (Funding Opportunity Number F18AS00350) is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service funding action under the Department of the Interior that was posted as a discretionary grant opportunity tied to CFDA 15.608. The activity areas connected to the program include education, environmental work, information and statistics, science and technology, and other research and development efforts, all generally aimed at addressing aquatic nuisance species (invasive or otherwise harmful aquatic organisms) through targeted grant-supported projects.

What makes this listing different from a typical competitive grant is that it is not an open solicitation and does not have a full funding announcement behind it. Instead, it is explicitly a Notice of Intent to Award a single-source (sole-source) cooperative agreement, meaning the agency is signaling that it plans to fund one specific recipient rather than run a competition among multiple applicants. The intended recipient is the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, and the project to be supported carries the title "Aquatic Nuisance Species Small Grant Program." In practical terms, this type of notice is used when the agency believes only one organization can reasonably carry out the work in a way that best meets program needs.

The justification for the sole-source approach is that the named recipient is considered uniquely qualified based on demonstrable factors such as geographic location, property ownership or access, established capacity and voluntary support, the ability to provide cost-sharing, and relevant technical expertise. The notice also states that the award stems from an unsolicited application, described as offering a unique or innovative idea, method, or approach that is not already covered by a current or planned award and is viewed as advantageous to the agency's objectives. That language indicates the agency sees added value in the proposed approach and believes it aligns well with aquatic nuisance species priorities.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity record indicates an expected single award (ExpectedAwards: 1) with an award ceiling shown as 1 (as listed in the source entry). The posting was created on September 14, 2018, with an original closing date of September 20, 2018. Even though the eligibility field is labeled "Unrestricted," the accompanying narrative makes clear that this particular action is intended for a single identified recipient, so it is not functionally open for general competition.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the education, environment, information and statistics, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Aquatic Nuisance Species Small Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.608.
• This funding opportunity was created on Sep 14, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 20, 2018 THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD TO A SINGLE SOURCE ANNOUNCEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS NOTICE.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for F18AS00350

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