Prairie Species Conservation, Habitat Management, and Captive Rearing | F19AS00207

Opportunity Information: Apply for F19AS00207

Prairie Species Conservation, Habitat Management, and Captive Rearing (Funding Opportunity Number F19AS00207) is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service discretionary funding action under the Department of the Interior that supports endangered species conservation work in the Great Lakes Watershed of the United States. The focus is on three species protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (as amended): the Poweshiek skipperling, Mitchell's satyr butterfly, and the dwarf lake iris. The intent of the funding is practical and outcomes-driven: to assess current status, stabilize populations that are declining or vulnerable, and increase population trends through targeted conservation actions. The activity area is natural resources (CFDA 15.662), and the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, meaning the Service expects to be actively involved in project execution rather than simply issuing a grant and stepping back.

This notice is not a competitive solicitation and does not include a standard application process. Instead, it is a notice of intent to make two single-source awards (Expected Awards: 2) to the Minnesota Zoo and the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. The justification cited (505DM 2.14.B.4) reflects the agency's determination that running an open competition is not practical because these organizations are uniquely positioned to do the work. The notice explains why they were selected: they have the necessary technical qualifications (or the ability to obtain them), demonstrated experience conducting similar conservation and recovery work, sufficient resources and capacity to carry out the activities, a clear understanding of the project goals aligned with Service objectives, and a documented track record of completing projects and submitting required reports on time.

The anticipated project work centers on conservation measures that can include population assessment and monitoring, habitat management and restoration, and captive rearing where appropriate, all aimed at improving population viability of the listed species. While the notice does not lay out a step-by-step workplan in the excerpt, the title and purpose statement make clear that the work is intended to directly support species recovery efforts, which often involves field surveys and trend tracking, managing or improving habitat conditions necessary for breeding and survival, and using captive propagation or rearing methods to bolster populations when natural recovery is unlikely without intervention.

Because the awards are structured as cooperative agreements, the Service retains substantial involvement and oversight throughout performance. The notice states that the Service may participate directly in carrying out the scope of work alongside recipient partners and associated personnel (including collaboration with volunteers, scientists, or technicians), and may provide training to recipient personnel or detail federal staff to support project efforts. The Service also expects to review and approve milestones in sequence, meaning one stage of work may need formal approval before the next can begin. In addition, the Service will review and approve proposed project modifications or any subawards before the recipient takes action, and it may help select project staff or trainees when staffing choices are important to project integrity.

The level of federal control described is significant and is designed to keep the work tightly aligned with recovery priorities and other related efforts. The Service can direct or redirect work if there are interrelationships with other projects, can halt activities immediately if performance specifications are not met, and can alter activities if strategy changes. The notice also emphasizes that recipient discretion may be limited regarding the scope of work, organizational structure, staffing, operational approach, and management processes, paired with close monitoring or hands-on involvement during award performance. In other words, this is structured to function as a closely managed partnership rather than an independent, recipient-led grant.

Key administrative details include a creation date of May 06, 2019, an original closing date of May 13, 2019 (relevant mainly as a public notice timeline since there is no application process), and an award ceiling of $430,000. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional clarification referenced in the full posting, but in practice the document makes clear the intent is to award directly to the two named entities via single-source justification. Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a targeted, noncompetitive federal investment in specialized capacity for endangered prairie-associated species conservation in the Great Lakes region, delivered through cooperative agreements that enable close coordination, accountability, and adaptive management by the Fish and Wildlife Service.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Prairie Species Conservation, Habitat Management, and Captive Rearing" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.662.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 06, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 13, 2019 There is not an application process for this funding opportunity. This is a notice of intent to award a single source cooperative agreements to the MN Zoo and MI Natural Features Inventory without competition under justification 505DM 2.14.B.4.. (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 $430,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for F19AS00207

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