Opportunity Information: Apply for L24AS00144
The FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Eastern States (ES) Recreation and Visitor Services Program is a discretionary federal funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior through BLM. The award instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally means BLM expects to have substantial involvement during the life of the project (for example, coordinating on deliverables, technical direction, or joint implementation). The program is tied to natural resource and public lands priorities and is listed under CFDA 15.225. As presented, the opportunity is geared toward improving or supporting recreation and visitor services activities connected to BLM-managed lands in the Eastern States footprint.
A key eligibility point is that individuals and for-profit organizations cannot apply under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Eligible applicants include a broad range of public and nonprofit entities, such as state, county, and local governments (including city/township and special district governments), independent school districts, public and state-controlled colleges and universities, private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Tribal governments, other Tribal organizations, public/Indian housing authorities, and nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in that nonprofit category). In practice, this means the program is designed for government partners, Tribes, educational institutions, and mission-driven nonprofit organizations rather than private commercial entities or individual applicants.
The NOFO also draws a bright line around youth internship and crew hiring under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. This funding opportunity does not support entities hiring interns or crews under that Act, and it specifically notes that the Public Lands Corps Act (16 USC, Chapter 37, Subchapter II) is the only legislative authority that allows BLM to "hire" interns under that framework. As a result, organizations that are looking to propose youth crews, internships, or related youth conservation corps-style project staffing should not use this NOFO. Instead, eligible Youth Conservation Corps applicants are directed to a different opportunity: NOFO 15.243, titled BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands. This is an important compliance and program-fit detail because proposals centered on intern/crew hiring under Public Lands Corps authorities would be considered out of scope here.
The announcement also addresses Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESUs), which are established partnerships intended to support research, studies, assessments, monitoring, technical assistance, and educational services. If an applicant is a CESU partner and the award is made under a formally negotiated Master CESU agreement consistent with CESU purposes, indirect costs are capped. Specifically, indirect costs are limited to no more than 17.5 percent of the indirect cost base recognized in the partner's federally approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). Applicants are expected to state whether their proposal furthers CESU purposes and, if so, identify which CESU Network should be considered the host. Practically, this means CESU-affiliated applicants need to pay close attention to indirect cost treatment and clearly position their work within CESU-authorized activities if they want it handled under the CESU framework.
On funding parameters, the opportunity number is L24AS00144, and the original closing date listed is January 31, 2024. The award ceiling shown is $185,000. The posting indicates expected awards but does not provide a number in the source text provided, so applicants would need to consult the full NOFO for details on anticipated award count, project period, cost share requirements (if any), and evaluation criteria. The opportunity was created on November 6, 2023, which places it in the FY24 cycle and signals alignment with Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and/or Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding priorities as indicated in the title.
Overall, the opportunity is best read as support for recreation and visitor services work on BLM Eastern States lands, aimed at public-benefit partners such as governments, Tribes, universities, and nonprofits, and structured as a cooperative agreement with BLM involvement. Applicants should screen their project concepts against the explicit restrictions (no individuals, no for-profits, and no Public Lands Corps intern/crew hiring under this NOFO) and, if applicable, follow the CESU guidance closely, especially the indirect cost cap and the requirement to identify the appropriate CESU Network host.Apply for L24AS00144
- The Bureau of Land Management in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Eastern States (ES) Recreation and Visitor Services Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.225.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-11-06.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-01-31. (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 $185,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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FAQs: FY24 IIJA/IRA BLM Eastern States (ES) Recreation and Visitor Services Program (L24AS00144)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary federal funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It is titled the FY24 IIJA/IRA BLM Eastern States (ES) Recreation and Visitor Services Program and is intended to support recreation and visitor services work connected to BLM-managed lands in the BLM Eastern States footprint.
What agency is offering the funding?
The funding is offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), through BLM Eastern States.
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is L24AS00144.
What assistance listing/CFDA number is associated with this program?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.225.
What type of award will be used?
The award instrument is a cooperative agreement. This generally means BLM expects to have substantial involvement during the life of the project, such as coordinating on deliverables, providing technical direction, and/or participating in joint implementation.
What does “substantial involvement” mean in a cooperative agreement context?
Based on the description provided, substantial involvement can include BLM coordinating on project deliverables, offering technical direction, and working with the recipient on joint implementation during the project period.
What kinds of projects are a good fit for this NOFO?
Projects that improve or support recreation and visitor services activities connected to BLM-managed lands in the Eastern States footprint. The opportunity is tied to natural resource and public lands priorities, as indicated in the program description and title.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public and nonprofit entities such as:
- State governments
- County governments
- Local governments (including city/township and special district governments)
- Independent school districts
- Public and state-controlled colleges and universities
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Tribal governments
- Other Tribal organizations
- Public/Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in that nonprofit category)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in that nonprofit category)
Who is not eligible to apply?
Individuals and for-profit organizations cannot apply under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Can an individual apply (for example, as a sole proprietor or unaffiliated applicant)?
No. Individuals are explicitly listed as ineligible under this NOFO.
Can a for-profit company apply as the lead applicant?
No. For-profit organizations are explicitly listed as ineligible under this NOFO.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible even if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. The eligibility description includes nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status, with a caveat that the “nonprofit” category referenced is not meant for institutions of higher education in that nonprofit category.
Does this NOFO support hiring youth interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993?
No. This funding opportunity does not support entities hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. Proposals centered on intern/crew hiring under that Act would be out of scope for this NOFO.
Why is Public Lands Corps Act intern/crew hiring not allowed under this NOFO?
The announcement states that the Public Lands Corps Act (16 USC, Chapter 37, Subchapter II) is the only legislative authority that allows BLM to “hire” interns under that framework. Because of that limitation, this NOFO does not support that type of intern/crew hiring approach.
If our project is primarily a youth conservation corps or internship program, where should we apply instead?
The NOFO directs eligible Youth Conservation Corps applicants to a different opportunity: NOFO 15.243, titled “BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands.”
What is CESU and why does it matter for this opportunity?
Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESUs) are partnerships established to support research, studies, assessments, monitoring, technical assistance, and educational services. If an applicant is a CESU partner and the award is made under a formally negotiated Master CESU agreement consistent with CESU purposes, special indirect cost rules apply (including an indirect cost cap described in the NOFO summary).
Is there an indirect cost cap for CESU partners?
Yes. If the award is made under a formally negotiated Master CESU agreement consistent with CESU purposes, indirect costs are limited to no more than 17.5 percent of the indirect cost base recognized in the partner’s federally approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA).
What does a CESU-affiliated applicant need to include in the application?
CESU-affiliated applicants are expected to state whether their proposal furthers CESU purposes and, if it does, identify which CESU Network should be considered the host.
Does the 17.5 percent cap apply to all applicants?
The cap is described in connection with awards made under a formally negotiated Master CESU agreement consistent with CESU purposes. The provided information does not state that the cap applies to non-CESU awards.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling shown is $185,000.
How many awards will be made?
The posting indicates expected awards, but the number of anticipated awards is not provided in the information summarized here. Applicants would need to consult the full NOFO for the anticipated award count.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on November 6, 2023.
What is the closing date?
The original closing date listed is January 31, 2024.
Is this opportunity connected to IIJA and/or IRA funding?
Yes. The title indicates alignment with Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and/or Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding priorities.
Does the provided summary include the project period, cost share, or evaluation criteria?
No. The information provided notes that applicants would need to consult the full NOFO for details on the project period, cost share requirements (if any), and evaluation criteria.
What are the main “fit checks” an applicant should do before applying?
Based on the information provided, applicants should confirm that:
- The applicant is an eligible entity (not an individual and not a for-profit).
- The project is focused on recreation and visitor services connected to BLM-managed lands in the Eastern States footprint.
- The proposal does not rely on hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 under this NOFO.
- If applying as a CESU partner under a Master CESU agreement, the proposal clearly supports CESU purposes, identifies the appropriate CESU Network host, and budgets indirect costs consistent with the 17.5 percent cap described.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Eastern States (ES) Aquatic Resource Management Apply for L24AS00143 Funding Number: L24AS00143 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| FY24 Bureau of Land Management Eastern States (ES) Invasive and Noxious Plant Management Program Apply for L24AS00153 Funding Number: L24AS00153 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| FY24 Bureau of Land Management Eastern States (ES) Cultural and Paleontology Resource Management Apply for L24AS00152 Funding Number: L24AS00152 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Eastern States (ES) Wildlife Program Apply for L24AS00151 Funding Number: L24AS00151 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $170,000 |
| WaterSMART Grants: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for Fiscal Year 2024 Apply for R24AS00052 Funding Number: R24AS00052 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas (MT/DAK) Recreation and Visitor Services Program Apply for L24AS00116 Funding Number: L24AS00116 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management MT/DAK Cultural and Paleontology Resource Management Apply for L24AS00115 Funding Number: L24AS00115 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas (MT/DAK) Environmental Quality Protection Program Apply for L24AS00121 Funding Number: L24AS00121 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington (ORWA) Youth Conservation Corps Apply for L24AS00057 Funding Number: L24AS00057 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $166,500 |
| FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington (ORWA) Fuels Management and Community Fire Assistance Program Apply for L24AS00047 Funding Number: L24AS00047 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $950,000 |
| Bureau of Land Management Alaska IIJA/IRA Good Neighbor Authority Apply for L24AS00188 Funding Number: L24AS00188 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington (ORWA) Invasive and Noxious Plant Management Program Apply for L24AS00039 Funding Number: L24AS00039 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $950,000 |
| F24AS00175- Rapid Response Fund for Aquatic Invasive Species Apply for F24AS00175 Funding Number: F24AS00175 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $960,000 |
| F24AS00190 - Yukon River Salmon Research and Management Assistance FY 2024 Apply for F24AS00190 Funding Number: F24AS00190 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $120,000 |
| F24AS00176 Refuge System Enhancement/ Infrastructure 2024 Apply for F24AS00176 Funding Number: F24AS00176 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000,000 |
| FY24 Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Resource Management- On Range Apply for L24AS00090 Funding Number: L24AS00090 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $7,500,000 |
| F24AS00189 - Endangered Species Conservation - Wolf Livestock Loss Compensation and Prevention Grants Apply for F24AS00189 Funding Number: F24AS00189 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management California Recreation and Visitor Services Program Apply for L24AS00154 Funding Number: L24AS00154 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management California Threatened and Endangered Species Program Apply for L24AS00169 Funding Number: L24AS00169 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management California Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Apply for L24AS00159 Funding Number: L24AS00159 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $900,000 |
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