FY 24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Colorado (CO) Good Neighbor Authority | L24AS00217

FAQs: FY24 IIJA/IRA BLM Colorado Good Neighbor Authority (Funding Opportunity Number L24AS00217)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is the FY24 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado (CO) Good Neighbor Authority funding opportunity, Funding Opportunity Number L24AS00217. It is a discretionary program administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, and it supports natural resource work in Colorado under the Good Neighbor Authority framework.

What type of award will be made?

Awards are issued as cooperative agreements. In practical terms, that means BLM generally expects to have substantial involvement during project implementation, such as coordination on planning, priorities, compliance, and oversight, rather than providing a simple pass-through award with minimal federal engagement.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to: (1) state governments, (2) county governments, and (3) tribal governments or eligible tribal organizations. The notice is explicit that all other applicant types are ineligible under this NOFO.

Are nonprofits eligible to apply?

No. The notice indicates that nonprofits are not eligible for projects under this program unless they qualify as one of the listed eligible government or tribal applicant types.

Are universities or colleges eligible to apply?

Not under this NOFO unless they fit under one of the allowable applicant categories listed in the notice (state government, county government, or tribal government/eligible tribal organization). The provided information notes that universities should assume they cannot apply unless they qualify under an eligible category through another mechanism.

Are private companies or other non-government entities eligible?

No. The notice states that all other applicant types beyond the listed eligible government and tribal applicants are ineligible under this program.

What geographic area does this opportunity cover?

The opportunity is focused on natural resource work in Colorado and is administered by BLM Colorado under the Good Neighbor Authority framework.

Is this a pass-through grant with limited federal involvement?

No. Because this is a cooperative agreement, BLM generally expects substantial involvement during implementation (including coordination on planning, priorities, compliance, and oversight).

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling listed in the posting is $750,000.

When was the opportunity created, and what is the closing date shown?

The opportunity record indicates it was created on December 29, 2023, and it shows an original closing date of March 1, 2024.

How many awards will be made?

The record does not clearly state the expected number of awards (the field appears incomplete). Based on the information provided, applicants would need to consult the full announcement for details on anticipated award quantity.

Does this opportunity support hiring interns or youth crews under the Public Lands Corps Act?

No. This NOFO does not support hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. The notice explains that the Public Lands Corps Act (16 USC, Chapter 37, Subchapter II) is the legislative authority that allows BLM to "hire" interns under that authority, and as a result, youth conservation corps-type internship or crew proposals are directed elsewhere.

If we want to propose youth corps or intern-based work, where should we apply instead?

The notice indicates those projects belong under NOFO 15.243, BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands, rather than under this Good Neighbor Authority opportunity.

What are CESUs, and how do they relate to this opportunity?

Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESUs) are partnership networks intended to support research, assessments, monitoring, technical assistance, and education tied to public land management needs. The opportunity notes special considerations if a cooperative agreement is awarded to a CESU partner under a formally negotiated Master CESU agreement and the project is consistent with CESU purposes.

Is there a special indirect cost rule for CESU awards?

Yes. If an award is made to a CESU partner under a formally negotiated Master CESU agreement and the project aligns with CESU purposes, indirect cost recovery is capped. 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 should applicants include if their proposal advances CESU purposes?

Applicants are expected to state whether their proposal advances CESU purposes and, if it does, identify which CESU Network should be considered as the host.

Does the posting provide typical award sizes, project period length, or other expectations?

Not clearly, based on the information provided. The record does not clearly provide details such as typical award sizes, anticipated number of awards, or project period expectations, so applicants would need to refer to the full announcement for those specifics.

What is the main takeaway about what this program funds and who it is for?

This is a BLM Colorado Good Neighbor Authority cooperative agreement opportunity reserved for eligible governmental and tribal applicants doing natural resource work in Colorado. It explicitly does not support youth intern/crew hiring under the Public Lands Corps Act (directing that work to NOFO 15.243 instead), and it includes special indirect cost limitations if the award is made through a CESU framework.