National Outreach and Communication Program
The Department of the Interior protects and provides access to the Nation's natural and cultural heritage, including responsibilities to Indian tribes and island communities. Departmental goals include resource protection and usage, overseeing recreational opportunities, serving communities and excellence in management.
Program Accomplishments
Awards under the National Outreach and Communication Program supported boating, fishing and aquatic demographics research; workshops to assist State agencies with marketing plans; and other education and public safety activities. The number of projects identified and funded annually varies depending on program priorities and funds availability.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Project work should occur within the scope of the Strategic Plan for the Outreach and Communication Program as required by the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998, or if work is to be conducted outside of the range, the proposal should show a clear relevance to the Strategic Plan.
Applied research projects should address specific management needs and actions.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Participation limited to applicant with expertise to conduct work within the scope of the Strategic Plan for the Outreach and Communication Program as required by the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998, or if work is to be conducted outside of the range, the proposal should show a clear relevance to the Strategic Plan.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Anyone/General Public.
Credentials/Documentation
To apply for grant funds, the applicant must provide documentation of marketing expertise in Sport fishing and Boat Safety and submit an online application through Grants.gov.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Applications may be submitted online using Grants.gov and must contain the information and meet the requirements outlined in the Program Guidelines and Application Kit. The standard application forms including the SF 424 as furnished by the Federal agency will be used for this program.
Award Procedures
Funding recommendations, based upon a process outlined in the funding announcements, will be forwarded to the Awarding Official. Applicants will be notified by Awarding Official.
Deadlines
Submission dates will be detailed in the funding announcement posted on the Grants.gov website.
Authorization
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century 1998, Public Law 105-178, 112 Stat. 107, 23 U.S.C. 101, Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998, Section 7402, Public Law 105-178, Subtitle D.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Within 120 days.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program does not have statutory matching requirements, but does encourage matching funds or in-kind contributions.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grants and cooperative agreements will normally be awarded in, but not restricted to, 12-month budget periods.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
The recipient shall submit quarterly progress reports detailing activities for the reporting periods.
An SF 269 will be submitted with the quarterly report detailing expenditures made during the period.
An annual report is to be submitted summarizing accomplishments, as well as, include an explanation of any milestones not accomplished, and one copy of all printed products and news articles published about the project.
A final report is to be submitted summarizing accomplishments, as well as, include an explanation of any milestones not accomplished.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal Awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
All records must be maintained for three years after submission of the financial report.
Financial Information
Account Identification
14-8151-0-7-303.
Obigations
(Grants) FY 07 $12,000,000; FY 08 $13,400,000; and FY 09 est $13,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The previous FY average award was $12,000,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Guidelines and literature on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service programs is available at: http://fws.gov and http://www.fws.gov/contracts/index.html . Federal financial assistance regulations and relevant OMB circulars are located at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/index.html, http://www.doi.gov/pam/financialassistance.html.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Recreational Boating and Fishing Liaison, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS-3103-AEA, Arlington, VA 22203. Telephone: (703) 358-2435.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Each grant application will be reviewed for documentation required in the Program Guidelines and Application Kit.
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