Opportunity Information: Apply for F23AS00377
F23AS00377 is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) discretionary grant opportunity under CFDA 15.622 that supports the Boating Infrastructure Grants (BIG) Program created by the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C. 777g-1). The program is designed to help states and territories improve facilities that serve transient recreational boaters, especially owners and operators of larger pleasure vessels. The underlying rationale is that recreational boating is widespread in the United States (about 11.8 million registered motorboats), with a substantial number of boats that are 26 feet or longer (roughly 584,000), which often need more specialized docking and support infrastructure when traveling from place to place.
The core purpose of BIG Tier 1 funding is to pay for the construction, renovation, and maintenance of boating infrastructure that accommodates transient recreational vessels at least 26 feet long that are operated, leased, rented, or chartered primarily for pleasure. In this context, "boating infrastructure" is defined broadly and can include the kinds of structures, equipment, accessories, and services that are necessary or desirable for a facility to safely and effectively host eligible boats. Another key term is "transient," which the notice describes as vessels that are passing through or by a location and typically stay no more than 15 days. Projects funded through this program must provide public access, even if the facility itself is privately owned, meaning the improvements cannot be reserved for a closed membership or strictly private use.
Eligibility is limited to government entities at the state or equivalent level. Specifically, the only eligible applicants are the Governor-designated state agencies in the 50 states, plus the Mayor-designated agency in the District of Columbia, and the designated agencies for Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Individual marinas, local governments, nonprofits, or private businesses cannot apply directly under this notice; instead, they would typically work through their designated state agency if the state chooses to sponsor or include their project in an application.
Administratively, this opportunity is listed as a grant with an award ceiling of $200,000. The notice indicates an original closing date of 2022-09-22 and a creation date of 2022-06-15. While the title references FY 2023, the description text notes this package as the NOFO for FY 2022 BIG Tier 1 state grants, which is a detail applicants would want to clarify with FWS if there is any confusion about the applicable fiscal year or cycle.
For guidance on eligibility questions and application coordination, the notice points applicants to FWS Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) regional contacts assigned by geography. Examples include contacts for American Samoa and Hawaii, the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, Alaska, California and Nevada, and multi-state regions throughout the continental U.S. The intent is that each state or territory works with its appropriate WSFR office to confirm eligibility, align project proposals with program rules (including the 26-foot minimum vessel focus and the 15-day transient definition), and ensure the application is submitted by the correct designated agency.Apply for F23AS00377
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "F23AS00377 - FY 2023 - Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act - BIG Tier 1" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.622.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2022-06-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-09-22. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is grant opportunity F23AS00377?
F23AS00377 is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) discretionary grant opportunity under CFDA 15.622 that supports the Boating Infrastructure Grants (BIG) Program.
What law created the Boating Infrastructure Grants (BIG) Program?
The BIG Program was created by the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C. 777g-1).
What is the main purpose of the BIG Tier 1 funding described in this notice?
The core purpose of BIG Tier 1 funding is to pay for the construction, renovation, and maintenance of boating infrastructure that accommodates transient recreational vessels that are at least 26 feet long and used primarily for pleasure.
What types of boats are the focus of this funding?
This funding is intended to support facilities that serve transient recreational vessels at least 26 feet long that are operated, leased, rented, or chartered primarily for pleasure (including larger pleasure vessels).
What does "transient" mean for this program?
In this notice, "transient" refers to vessels that are passing through or by a location and typically stay no more than 15 days.
What counts as "boating infrastructure" under BIG?
"Boating infrastructure" is defined broadly and can include structures, equipment, accessories, and services that are necessary or desirable for a facility to safely and effectively host eligible boats.
Do projects have to provide public access?
Yes. Projects funded through this program must provide public access, even if the facility is privately owned. The improvements cannot be reserved for a closed membership or strictly private use.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligibility is limited to government entities at the state (or equivalent) level. Eligible applicants are the Governor-designated state agencies in the 50 states, the Mayor-designated agency in the District of Columbia, and the designated agencies for Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Can a marina, local government, nonprofit, or private business apply directly?
No. Individual marinas, local governments, nonprofits, and private businesses cannot apply directly under this notice. They would typically work through their designated state agency if the state chooses to sponsor or include their project in an application.
What is the award type for this opportunity?
This opportunity is listed as a grant.
What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?
The award ceiling listed in the notice is $200,000.
What are the key dates listed in the notice?
The notice lists a creation date of 2022-06-15 and an original closing date of 2022-09-22.
Is this a FY 2023 or FY 2022 opportunity?
The title references FY 2023, but the description text notes the package as the NOFO for FY 2022 BIG Tier 1 state grants. If the fiscal year or cycle is unclear for your situation, the notice suggests coordinating with FWS to clarify.
Why does this program prioritize larger recreational boats?
The notice explains that recreational boating is widespread in the United States (about 11.8 million registered motorboats), including a substantial number of boats that are 26 feet or longer (roughly 584,000). These larger vessels often require more specialized docking and support infrastructure while traveling.
How do states and territories coordinate eligibility and application questions?
The notice points applicants to FWS Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) regional contacts assigned by geography. States and territories are expected to work with their appropriate WSFR office to confirm eligibility, align projects with program rules, and ensure the application is submitted by the correct designated agency.
What program rules should applicants align projects with?
Based on the notice, key rules and focus areas include serving transient recreational vessels at least 26 feet long, using the transient definition of typically no more than 15 days, and ensuring public access to the funded improvements.
Which locations are explicitly included as eligible areas beyond the 50 states?
The notice explicitly includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (through their designated agencies).
What is WSFR and what role does it play here?
WSFR refers to FWS Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration. In this notice, WSFR regional contacts are the recommended points of contact for guidance on eligibility questions and application coordination.
Are there examples of WSFR regional coverage areas mentioned?
Yes. The notice gives examples of contacts for areas such as American Samoa and Hawaii, the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, Alaska, California and Nevada, and multi-state regions throughout the continental U.S.
If a private facility is improved with grant funds, can it restrict the upgraded slips or amenities to members only?
No. The notice states projects must provide public access even if the facility is privately owned, and improvements cannot be reserved for a closed membership or strictly private use.
What is the practical pathway for a marina or other non-eligible entity to participate?
The notice indicates they cannot apply directly, so the practical pathway is to work through the designated state or territorial agency, if that agency chooses to sponsor or include the project in its application.
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