Announcement of Proposed Agreement with the International Association of Wildland Fire | D12AC00012

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) Is this a competitive grant opportunity that organizations can apply to?

No. The notice is explicitly not a call for applications and not a competitive grant opportunity. It is a public transparency notice stating the Department of the Interior (DOI), through the Office of Wildland Fire (OWF), intends to make a single award on a sole-source basis.

2) Who is the intended recipient of the award?

The recipient is predetermined: the International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF). The notice documents DOI's intent to enter into a Cooperative Agreement specifically with IAWF.

3) Why does the eligibility section mention 501(c)(3) nonprofits if no one can apply?

While the eligibility field references 501(c)(3) nonprofits, the notice makes clear the award will be noncompetitive and made to a specific organization (IAWF). In other words, the eligibility label does not change the fact that the recipient has already been selected.

4) What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA listing for this action?

The Funding Opportunity Number is D12AC00012. It is associated with CFDA 15.158, DOI National Fire Plan.

5) What type of funding is this and what activity category does it fall under?

The notice characterizes it as discretionary funding with an education-related activity focus.

6) What is the title of the project described in the notice?

The project is titled: "Comprehensive Strategy for the National Fire Plan to enhance the ability of the wildland fire community to operate safely in concert with local, State and Federal agencies."

7) What problem or need is the project intended to address?

The notice frames the need around the inherent danger of wildland firefighting and emergency response, particularly in the wildland-urban interface. The stated intent is to reduce firefighter exposure to risk and improve coordinated response outcomes for communities and landscapes.

8) What is the main approach or strategy for achieving the project goals?

The central strategy described is strengthening cooperation and communication across the wildland fire system (local departments, state partners, and federal agencies), with emphasis on shared training and leadership development.

9) What specific activities is IAWF expected to perform under the Cooperative Agreement?

IAWF is expected to provide staffing and technical expertise to carry out program activities, including organizing and conducting training opportunities, initiating and organizing an annual meeting with OWF, producing supporting documentation, and delivering an annual progress report. The notice also describes ongoing information dissemination to the broader wildland fire community.

10) Are there any specific requirements for how trainings must be delivered?

Yes. Trainings must include live-streaming capability for pre-registered groups that cannot attend in person. Remote participants must be able to engage in real time with presenters and other remote attendees. Recordings or presentation access must remain available for up to three months after the event.

11) What does the notice say about remote participation and access after the training?

Remote attendees must be able to participate in real time. In addition, the notice requires that recordings or access to presentations remain available for up to three months following the event.

12) What is the purpose of the annual meeting between IAWF and OWF?

The annual meeting is intended to review progress, assess what is working, and identify emerging needs. IAWF is responsible for selecting locations and venues, handling logistics, shaping meeting content, and producing supporting documentation.

13) What reporting or documentation deliverables are included?

The notice references supporting documentation associated with the annual meeting and an annual progress report.

14) What kinds of information and resources is IAWF expected to disseminate?

The notice describes dissemination related to wildland fire and wildland-urban interface operations, safety, leadership, fuels mitigation, planning, and prevention education, along with other resources considered necessary to achieve the agreement's goals.

15) What is the total funding amount and period of performance described?

The funding structure spans five years with total costs not to exceed $75,000.

16) How is the funding distributed across the five years?

The first year is estimated at $35,000 and is described as fully obligated from FY 2017 funds. The remaining four years are estimated at $10,000 per year.

17) Is there a cost-share or matching funds requirement?

No. The notice states there is no cost-sharing requirement. It also notes IAWF may supplement the work with external funds if available, but such supplementation is not required as a match.

18) What legal or appropriations authority is cited for the funding?

The notice cites the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-113) and references the Departmental Manual for Federal Assistance Programs (Part 505, Chapter 2) as internal DOI authority.

19) Why is DOI using a Cooperative Agreement instead of a standard grant?

The notice explains the use of a Cooperative Agreement is tied to the expectation of substantial federal involvement during implementation, distinguishing it from a standard grant relationship.

20) What kinds of "substantial federal involvement" does DOI say it will have?

DOI indicates it will provide information supporting development of planning and response resources; offer consultation through OWF and DOI bureaus; keep IAWF informed about national policy issues affecting the fire service; meet regularly to review progress and discuss topical issues; coordinate publicity and marketing for curriculum and materials; encourage relationships between DOI bureaus and the broader wildland fire community through IAWF; and conduct a post-project review to capture lessons learned and best practices.

21) What federal statute is referenced regarding the distinction between grants and cooperative agreements?

The notice references the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act (31 U.S.C. 6304 and 6305).

22) Why is this award being made without competition?

DOI states it is using noncompetitive authority under DOI Departmental Manual Part 505, Chapter 2.14(B)(4), citing "Unique Qualifications" as the justification for a sole-source award to IAWF.

23) What "unique qualifications" does DOI attribute to IAWF?

The notice states IAWF is an independent organization with broad and diverse membership across domestic and international wildland fire entities, which DOI views as uniquely positioning IAWF to facilitate communication, provide leadership, and convene stakeholders across the spectrum of wildland fire management.

24) Does the notice indicate there will be more than one award?

No. The notice describes a single-source action and indicates an expected single award with a total ceiling of $75,000.

25) Does the notice name any IAWF leadership involved in delivering the work?

Yes. The notice references IAWF executive leadership, including the Executive Director, Mikel Robinson, along with subject matter experts from IAWF's Board of Directors.

26) What is the stated public purpose of the agreement?

As described, the agreement is intended to improve safety and effectiveness in wildland fire operations by strengthening cooperation, shared training, leadership development, and consistent communication across local, state, and federal partners, particularly in complex wildland-urban interface conditions.