Migratory Bird Joint Venture | F17AS00377

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Migratory Bird Joint Venture grant opportunity (F17AS00377)?

The Migratory Bird Joint Venture grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F17AS00377) is a U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) funding notice announcing the agency's intent to make a single cooperative agreement award. The notice functions as a public announcement of that intent rather than a broad, competitive solicitation.

Which federal agency is offering this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), specifically referencing the FWS Northeast Region as the office intending to make the award.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this notice?

The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) listed is F17AS00377.

What type of award is being used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

The notice describes the anticipated award as a cooperative agreement. In this opportunity, that indicates the project would be carried out with active involvement and collaboration between FWS and the recipient during implementation.

Is this a competitive funding opportunity?

No. The notice states that FWS intends to make a single award on a sole-source basis, meaning it is not being competed among multiple applicants.

How many awards does FWS expect to make under this notice?

FWS expects to make one award.

Who is the intended recipient of the sole-source award?

The intended recipient is the American Bird Conservancy (ABC), located in The Plains, Virginia.

Why is the award being made on a sole-source basis to American Bird Conservancy (ABC)?

FWS explains that the project continues activities ABC has already been funded to perform in support of Appalachian Mountain Joint Venture (AMJV) operations. The notice also states that ABC has unique qualifications because AMJV staff are ABC employees and have led the joint venture's vision, mission, and operations since the partnership began, making them the most qualified to continue implementing the AMJV Operational Plan.

What is the main purpose of this funding?

The purpose is to support continued implementation of the Appalachian Mountain Joint Venture (AMJV) Operational Plan (originally approved in 2015 and updated through subsequent revisions). Practically, the funding is intended to keep the AMJV partnership functioning effectively while it carries out coordinated, science-informed habitat and bird conservation work across the Appalachian region.

What is the Appalachian Mountain Joint Venture (AMJV) Operational Plan?

The AMJV Operational Plan is a partnership plan approved by the AMJV Management Board in 2015 and updated through later revisions. It guides coordinated conservation work and operations for the AMJV partnership.

Which years of AMJV priorities does this award support?

The work supported by this award is tied to AMJV priorities for calendar years 2017 through 2022.

What conservation outcomes or habitat goals are emphasized in the AMJV priorities described?

The priorities emphasize building and maintaining a healthy, "dynamic" forest landscape that can support bird species across many forest types and across all seral stages, from early successional habitat through mature forest conditions. The plan also emphasizes broad habitat conservation and on-the-ground delivery across the full suite of Appalachian forest habitats rather than focusing narrowly on a single habitat type.

Does the plan focus only on breeding habitat for birds?

No. A major focus described in the notice is expanding conservation investment beyond breeding areas to include wintering grounds and migratory stopover sites for AMJV priority species, recognizing that migratory birds rely on connected habitats throughout their annual life cycle.

Are there organizational or public engagement goals included in the work?

Yes. The Operational Plan includes goals to improve AMJV internal performance and capacity, and to strengthen communications, education, and outreach so partners, stakeholders, and the public are better informed and more engaged in migratory bird conservation.

What is the activity category listed for this opportunity?

The activity category is listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number associated with the opportunity is 15.637.

Who is eligible to apply, in general terms?

The notice states that eligible applicants in general are nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). However, the same notice makes clear that FWS intends to issue only one award and to do so directly to ABC, rather than through a competitive process.

What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling) mentioned?

The funding details indicate an award ceiling of $600,000.

What legal authorities support this award?

The notice cites the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended (16 U.S.C. 742a-754), and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 709a) as the legal authorities underpinning the funding and federal involvement in migratory bird conservation.

When was this funding opportunity created and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on August 8, 2017, and had an original closing date of August 14, 2017.

What does the short open/close window suggest about the purpose of the notice?

Based on the dates and the stated sole-source intent, the notice appears to have functioned primarily as a formal public notice of an intended sole-source cooperative agreement rather than an open, multi-applicant competition.

Where is the intended recipient organization located?

The intended recipient, American Bird Conservancy (ABC), is identified as being in The Plains, Virginia.

What region does the conservation work referenced by AMJV cover?

The notice describes the work as taking place across the Appalachian region and addressing the full suite of Appalachian forest habitats.